Observations
How to make sure your resolutions fail
I made a New Month's Resolution for this month to write and publish 30 items, either on this website or elsewhere. Since we just passed the middle of the month, I took stock of how I'm doing on it. On the downside, no A report card so far! On the upside, I've identified 5 simple rules to make sure your resolutions fail... Read article...
Back to the Balmy Breezes,Virgin Islands
It's one of the greatest feelings in the world. You step through the door of the airplane, out onto the metal stairs. Sultry tropical air greets you, heavenly after the chilly plane. Palm trees sway against a bright blue sky, and in an instant, you realize "normal life" is gone. You are now on a tropical island... Read article...
The leading cause of stress
"Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it." ~ Jane Wagner . . . Funny and true! Especially when reality is as full of stress-causers as it is these days! You can't turn on the news or walk past a newspaper stand, without seeing more dismal news. But wait... Read article...
Why traveling this winter could make sense
In spite of the current economic turmoil, this winter could be a good time to travel. Holiday rush aside, of course (which is always a zoo at major airports). A primary reason is that for those of us in the US, things are apt to get better economically after the election is over. I can't say for sure if this is true or not... Read article...
So there we were... with a gazillion boats
Fleet Week on San Francisco Bay gets all the once-a-year boaters out on the water, and everybody heads for the middle of the bay. Normally empty parts of the bay are crowded with boats jostling for position, as everyone waits for the Blue Angels... Read article...
White water rafting through the economy
Shock waves are circulating. For many, it's a day of profound uncertainty. Doubt. Fear... Our economy is certainly on a wild ride right now. It reminds me of the white water rafting trip we took last week, out on the Rio Grande. I'll tell you now - whitewater rafting seemed a whole lot safer! ... Read article...
What was frowned upon as unladylike
"What was once frowned down upon as unladylike, trivial, and shocking, is now done openly and with the approval of the beholders. Perhaps nothing illustrates this so much as the riding of the bicycle." ~ Dr. Gracie Ritchie . . . Thank goodness times have changed, and adventurous wenches can now... Read article...
There's no cure like travel
"And there's no cure like travel to help you unravel the worries of living today. When the poor brain is cracking, there's nothing like packing a suitcase and sailing away." ~ Cole Porter . . . You're slaving away in a stressful job, with a daily to-do list that you might be able to finish in 5 months... Read article...
San Juan Islands - old friend foxglove
It's almost time for our San Juan Islands trips this year, and I'd be wiling to bet that we'll see bald eagles, orca whales, and foxglove (digitalis). We often see them when we're hiking on Orcas Island. (The foxgloves, that is, not the whales!) One of the cool things about this flower, aside from the purple spots... Read article...
Why we travel, and old-world travel advice
Most people say they travel to get away or to see the world. However, I believe that there is another dimension of travel that gets inside you, and can change you forever. It's easy when we stay in one place to come to see that as the center of everything. We know there's a whole world out there, but... Read article...
