My World of Wonders May 13, 2026

Where am I? Vienna, Austria. I have never been here before. Jay has wanted to go here since he first knew the place existed.

Stop and Smell the Roses a long the way.

What are we doing? Sightseeing and eating. 

Where are we off to next? Paris, then we fly home from there next week. 

Why so many places on this adventure? The cruise went to Italy, near Rome, it is impossible to be that close to Rome and not spend a couple of days, Milan was a bucket list stop to see the Cathedral, Vienna was on Sweet Bear's bucket list. And Paris, I was able to get frequent flyer seats for the flight home from Paris, we wanted to see Chartes, the gardens at Versailles, and Notre Dame all fresh and shining (I was at a conference in New Orleans when the fire happened.) 

What else happened on this day? This is the day back in 2015, that a tumor was removed and a section of my spine was rebuilt. I woke up in ICU the following morning, to the most glorious feeling the world, I could feel and move my feet and legs. I am thankful every day for the amazing health care I received, and acknowledge once a year how fortunate I am to be able to move as much as I can. I will never be the same as I was before, but I am so much better than I was. I was millimeters away from wheels. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time, edited on the road adding a bunch of photos and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Travel Tuesday: Art Feeds Our Soul

Looking at You! 

Back Side

Front Side

Reminds Me of the Mistress 

France 

Self Portrait 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Monday Moods: Just The Way You Are

Repeat after me: 

I am fine just the way I am.  

I am tall enough, short enough, thin enough, shapely enough. I am just the way I should be.  

I won't let others projection of insecurities, darken my day.  

I am and will continue to be kind to others. Kindness is contagious. 

The harder they try to ruin my day, the more I will smile and find joy. It drives the bastards crazy when they don't get to me. 

I will use my energy to make the world a better place. 

When someone is nasty to me, I will pause and think about what horrible thing must have happened in that person's life, for them to be upset and nasty today, and wish them a better day. 

I will enjoy today, we never know when it might be our last day. 

Take care of yourself, don't let the bastards wear you down. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

The Sunday Five: What Are We Up To This Week?

1: Where are you going this week? 

2: What will you do this week? 

3: Will you watch the sunrise one morning this week? 

4: What will bring you joy this week? 

5: Who will you tell that you love them this week? 

My answers:

1: Where are you going this week? Paris. 

2: What will you do this week? Live the grand adventure. 

3: Will you watch the sunrise one morning this week? Most likely, I tend to be a morning person. 

4: What will bring you joy this week? Seeing things I have never seen before, and probably will never see again. 

5: Who will you tell that you love them this week? My Sweet Bear, everyday. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

Short updated/edit. We arrived in Vienna late on Saturday, we are here for five nights, then onto Paris. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

The Saturday Morning Post: Try Something New

Learning a new media, or skill spurs creativity. There is something about being a beginner, that gives us an excuse to try, in ways that we rapidly become ashamed of trying unless we think we become good at the new thing.  The most creative people tend to be serial explorers always trying something new, always a beginner at something. If they stick with it, and practice, practice, practice, they will become good at many things. But even if they don't, they benefit from the experience. 

Trying new things, builds the library in our mind ideas and ways of doing things that our brains then apply to other things.  I learned about color theory from blending paints - not from art classes and color wheels.  I learned about texture from failed attempts to learn to knit. I learned about negative space exploring block printing.  There are tools and supplies for many artforms in my art cart. My bookcase and reading lists are packed with diverse ideas, that fuel my writing. 

Take a flying leap, give it a try, pick up tools and materials, take a class, select a book on something you know nothing about. It will expand your mind and your creativity. 
 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Funky Friday: The Tapestry of Our Lives

 Carole King sang,

My life has been a tapestry

Of rich and royal hue

An everlasting vision

Of the ever-changing view

A wond'rous woven magic

In bits of blue and gold

A tapestry to feel and see 

Impossible to hold   

I often have flashbacks, to things I have seen, done, heard, experienced, tasted, smelled, felt, that have woven the fabric of my life. The older I get, the richer the mix of experiences. Many of them bring awe and wonder, some funny, some sad, all together the make up the funky person I am today. 

My wish for you today, 

    May your day be filled with flashback memories of the tapestry of  your life.  

Rome to Milan at 150 miles per hour, on a train. What a wonderful way to travel. Milan is a new thread in the tapestry of my life.

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time, edited slightly, and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Thursday Ramble: Do Things That Matter To You

 I dreamed about going to law school, for a decade. At times I was sure I would and could do so, at times I gave up all hope. Then things changed, love and opportunities came into my life, and in my late 30's I took a leap of faith to do things that mattered to me, and allowed me to make a difference in different ways. I started law school in my mid 30s. 

I joined the American Bar Association when I was in law school, 30 years ago, through thick and thin, I have maintained that membership, including being a part of the staff of the ABA for 15 years. I am a member, not because I have to be, but because it matters to me. The ABA is an advocate for the legal profession, a major center of expertise, resources and training. In retirement I continue my commitment to things that matter, and that includes being a part of the ABA. 

It is important to do things that matter, that matter to you personally, and that make society a better place. And for me, to continue doing that as long as I have something to contribute.  

Do something this week, that matters to you. 

An edit to this post.  I revived an email while we were in Bermuda, letting me know that I have been nominated for a seat in the ABA House of Delegates, the policy making body of the ABA. The vote to confirm this will be in early August. It is a three year commitment, to doing work that matters to me, matters to the profession, and to society. A seat in the House is a bucket list item for me. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May.