I’m a bit of a world traveler in my way, back from my days in graduate school, mostly.

I almost got a PhD in Spanish literature, so I’ve spent a lot of time in Madrid. I actually finished my first draft of The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope there the summer after graduating with my Master’s degree.

The street markers there are so cool! They aren’t signs but made of ceramic tiles you see above, each street with a personalized image. The tiles are placed on the side of buildings that sit on the corner.

This one is my favorite, for a few reasons that are all very personal.

• My name is Victoria, and that’s what most people call me, though close friends and family call me Vic
• The image is of Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, or Our Lady of Victory. This is one of the Blessed Mother’s titles. She’s attributed with the victory at the Battle of Lepanto in which Cervantes, one of my favorite authors, personally fought and was injured.
• As a Catholic named Victoria, Our Lady of Victory is my personal patron.
• When I entered religious life back in 2019 (I was a postulant for 9 months), the community I entered was actually dedicated to Mary under this title.
• The laurel crown around the image is such an interesting frame

Anyways, this image brings some continuity to my journey in and out of, before and after, my adventures in graduate school and religious life. Life has taken some interesting and unexpected twists and turns, but my love for Spanish literature, Spain, and Our Lady have been a staple through them all.

Salud!