A NODA way of life

The town of NODA, in Charlotte, NC is a very special place. While many of our friends and family live around there, it is also the place where I based my novel. We walked many of the streets with our dog Boo Radley, got matching tattoos on the main strip, and lived in a converted cotton mill. It has been a playground for our imagination and the basis of our professional careers. We have been in California for the greater part of a decade, and still love coming to this small town.

When I last saw NODA, my book was not yet finished. The light rail was not yet built, and the artistic vibe of the neighborhood reverberated in the homes and businesses. I am happy to say that though a lot of growth has happened around NODA, many of the businesses have stayed the same, and the neighborhood is just as quaint and delightful to walk through. And now there is a doughnut shop! Even though Boo is no longer with us today, and cannot smell the smells she once knew well, we got to bring our daughter.

This was Bronte’s first flight, and she did great. During the flight she enjoyed tummy time over our knees, and fell asleep, rocked in our arms, while in the aisle. We are lucky she slept, and that the man next to us was asleep during her diaper changes.

We stayed with our dear friends, Saba, Giancarlo, and Sofia, and had a mini Electrolux reunion at their house. Sofia got to walk Bronte around the lake for her naps, and we got a relaxing pool day. Jackie and Charlie met us for lunch in NODA, and though Bronte was fussy from the heat she is not used to in San Francisco, they got to bounce her and give her hugs and kisses.

It was special for many reasons, one being that I took my book with me everywhere and did fun photos where the location held meaning in the book - especially Smelly Cat Cafe. Here we got the chai milkshakes that still taste like Christmas in our mouths. Changed another diaper on the tables that I once wrote the beginning pages of “Conversing with Cardinals.”

We are so thankful to have a home there <3

Bronte’s first flight!