Moody Monday: Fresh Perspective

 A couple of nights in Toronto gave me a fresh perspective on the world.  People were nice, kind, and understanding. 

Toronto looks prosperous, lots of new high rise buildings, lots of independent clothing stores.  Tim Horton's on every other block, and a few Starbucks, but not many. Lots of good food. 

Watching television without pharmaceuticals advertising is a very pleasant experience.  And without competition from the drug pushers, even a few local businesses are able to afford television advertising.  

Toronto seems to truly embrace the vibrant diversity of the people who live and visit there. Being a truly bilingual country, seems to bring a tolerance of differing languages that I don't see at home.  In my morning of wandering around I heard French, German, Swedish, Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin. 

There is a pride of Canadian grown, and Canadian made on display across the city.  A model for how it can be done.  And yes, I went into an LCBO store (liqueur control board of Ontario) and there was not a single product made in the USA on display.  I do hope this brings a renaissance of distilling in Canada. I would like to see more high quality offerings grown and made in a country that grows millions of acres of grain. 

It was nice to meet up with old friends, and make new ones (I was there for an American Bar Association meeting.) 

How did it leave my mood? It was great to see a city and a country that is doing well in global chaos.  One person said, "well Canada has had her share of politicians we were embarrassed by." People were nice, and Toronto blooming  is a world city. 

It was great to get away for a couple of nights.  It does a body and mind a lot of good to see the world from a different, fresh perspective. 

The Sunday Five: Is it funny?

1: I have a t-shirt that says, "I'd agree with you, but then we would both be wrong." Is it funny? 

2: Who was your favorite comedian of all time and why? 

3: I was really disappointed as a child, to learn that most "comic books" where not funny. What is or was your favorite comic or cartoon strip and why?

4: Does your local newspaper still print cartoons or comics? 

5: When was the last time you really laughed? 

My answers: 

1: I have a t-shirt that says, "I'd agree with you, but then we would both be wrong." Is it funny? I thought it was when I wore it to lunch with my oldest brother. 

2: Who was your favorite comedian of all time and why?  Bob Hope,  he was a master of timing and comedic twist. 

3: I was really disappointed as a child, to learn that most "comic books" where not funny. What is or was your favorite comic or cartoon strip and why? The Wizard of Id, it pointed out the absurdity of life, followed closely by Hagar the Horrible. 

4: Does your local newspaper still print cartoons or comics? Political cartoons only, very little humor in that. 

5: When was the last time you really laughed? Reading Oddball's Friday Funnies, Bruce always seems to find just the right things to share. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

 

The Saturday Morning Post: 50 States in 52 weeks New York

New York City is what most people think of when they think of New York. I was 50 years old before I first visited New York City, and honestly I didn't really understand why people 💗 New York City, until I had been there.  It is an amazing city. When you have a chance, go see it, for the first time, or the 1,000th time. 

There is more to New York than the City.  I have spent time in upstate, the finger lakes district and Niagara. Places that will take your breath away. I need to visit Albany and the surrounding area someday, to see Sassy Bear, and a really great lawyer who was on my board. 

When you get a chance see New York, beyond New York City, go an enjoy. Seeing New York City and saying you have been to New York, is like visiting London and saying you have seen England.  You may have seen a great part of it, but there is so-so much more to see. 
 

Foodie Friday: Let the Pizza Out

Bread, cheese, sausage, olives, tomato, herbs, simple core ingredients, that create one of the most amazing foods.

Pizza is not hard to make.  Do a quick search and find a simple dough recipe.  I use 3/4 cup warm water, a dash of sugar, and a tablespoon of dry active yeast, mix that and set it aside for five minutes. About two cups of bread flour (high gluten or strong flour), a dash of salt, and a good drizzle of olive oil.  Mix those together, and knead with a stand mixer for about five minutes.  Let it rise in a warm place for an hour or longer.  3 or 4 hours will develop more flavor. 

Preheat the oven blazing hot, 450 F. 

Stretch the dough, sprinkle on the toppings of your choice. My biggest mistake is piling the toppings to thick, keep them thin. 

Bake until done, that might be 5 minutes, it might be 20. 

Then let it free, it is unhappy kept behind bars, and pizza should be happy.  Make it often, and enjoy it deeply. It is good hot out of the oven, and even better cold for breakfast the next morning. I still don't know what to think of shrimp and pineapple on a pizza, but whatever floats your boat. 

The Thursday Ramble: Retirement

This is not the ship we are booked on, her newer sister will be a part of next year's grand adventure.

A lot of people are afraid of retirement.  Some refuse to use the word, describing leaving the paid workforce as refocusing, reforming or retreading. Many fear the change in finances. Others simply don't know what they will do with their life without work. Yes, I felt all of those things, along with a great deal of stress and anxiety at the idea of retiring. But not nearly the level of stress and anxiety generated at work. 

Now being 18 months into retirement, I have to say, I really like retirement. 

We planned for it. A decade ago, we crunched the numbers, estimating income, and expenses and I was sure we would be okay. And yet as we moved into both of us being retired I worried about the money. I have to go back from time to time and revisit the numbers. The financial planners assure us if we live into our 90's (unlikely, but possible) we will still die with money in the bank. 

If you worry about money in retirement, sit down and figure out what it really costs to live and what income you can draw, make a plan to draw against your lifetime of retirement savings - you can't take it with you and your kids will likely fritter it away on new kitchens, new cars, and poker games (what my siblings and I did that with much of our inheritance.) Leave your family a legacy of your having lived a good life. 

For most of 50 years, I had a job description or list of duties.  To overcome the worry about "how will I stay busy and engaged" I wrote myself a retirement job description. I have actively worked to implement it, to do the many of the things I said I would do.  A couple of projects didn't work, and a couple of new one's emerged. One has been fermenting for a few months and I will get back to it someday soon. I feel engaged in life. I am doing things that I find meaningful and enjoyable. I am still working on learning to say no, or no thank you to things I don't enjoy or find meaningful. I was surprised by how fast I lost interest in some of the challenges I had worked on for 25 years. If you worry about what you would do in retirement, make a plan. 

I can't say retirement is entirely stress free or that I don't worry from time to time. But overall, in my adult life, there have been few times when I was this relaxed and at ease with the world around me.  

I do hope that if you haven't yet, you will make a plan to join me in a meaningful and engaging retirement. The best is yet to come.  

My World of Wonders, aka The Wednesday Ws August 6, 2025

 

Where have I been this week?  Aldi, the farmers market, out to lunch at our favorite Vietnamese place, Sur la Table for a new pepper grinder for the kitchen, have my hair cut, Amazon Fresh, the Mercedes dealer, the community center several times, the gym, and the pool, 

Who have I talk with this week? Lots of people. We hosted the first Friday LGBT gathering as a pool party, Ana, Susan, Rafael, Giuseppe, and Larry. I was at a couple of Arts events, Joan, Priteba, Jon, Guido, Kevin, and several others that I don't remember the names of.  At water aerobics Ruth, Paul, Renee and Warren. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen?  Ham - Mac and Cheese, pot-roast, pickles, and a pumpkin-raisin loaf. 

What made me go Huh! this week? The FDA issued a recall of 60,000+ pounds of "butter blend." The reason, it contained butter - more specifically milk was not listed in the ingredients. Wouldn't you assume that something labeled as butter blend, would contain butter? 

Where am I off to next? Toronto on Thursday for a very short trip. 

What have I been reading? Reading has been slow, Purple Crayons is the current book. It is okay, but not great. 

What have I been listening to this week? Streaming background music on YouTube. 

What travel am I planning?  I booked another hotel for next spring's great adventure.  I have not been in Paris in over 20 years.  I was still using a film camera the last time. I dropped it lens down on a stone floor in the Louvre and broke the lens.  I bought a replacement lens in a camera shop across the street from the hotel the next morning.  I still have the camera, the last time I put a battery in it, it still works. 

What made me smile this week? Trading emails with one of our favorite bloggers, and discovering the commonalities in our DVD collections.  Not houseboys as you might expect, but BBC comedies like Waiting for God, which one of us is more like Diana?  

Travel Tuesday: Leake Street Arches at Waterloo Station

In early May, we stayed in a Hampton Inn just south of Waterloo Train Station in London. In searching for directions to the Thames River Boats, I came across the Graffiti Tunnels, also known as the Leake Street Arches.  Off I went on one of my exploratory walks. It may be graffiti, but some of it is very good art. 

 

Moody Monday: Starting August 2025

An old friend posted on Facebook late last week that "the father of her children had died" and that she was helping her sons through their loss.  She has written and talked about the her life story. She was a small town doctors wife, she had worked and supported him through medical school and residency. They had three wonderful sons and life was good.  A big house at the Country Club, a pair of Mercedes in the garage, and then he moved in with his receptionist. The divorce was nasty, apparently he was planning the move and there were few assets to be found. Through it all, she thought of her sons, and protected them from ugliness between her and their father.  She went onto finish college and a master's degree, and spent 25 years helping others. Her retirement has been modest but dignified.  Even in his death, she is putting her sons first.  

I was strangely moved by her extraordinary efforts to put her sons first, to make sure they had a quality relationship with their father.  It is not the first time I have seen this, but it is rare.  All to often, the kids are used as a weapon of hate between the ex-spouses.  She is a good person. There are many good people in the world. 

My mood this Monday, is appreciating the good people in the world who do the right thing. 

The Sunday Five: Selfie World

1: Tell us about your latest Selfie?  

2: When was the last time someone asked you for a short biography, or introduction? 

3: Tell us about the last time you updated your resume or CV? 

4: What would we be most surprised to read on your resume or CV? 

5: How many employers are listed on your resume or CV? 

My Answers: 

1: Tell us about your latest Selfie?  I post one everyday, I have been for about 18 months. 

2: When was the last time someone asked you for a short biography, or introduction? Probably nine months ago, when I was presenting on a webinar. 

3: Tell us about the last time you updated your resume or CV?  When I retired from full time employment. 

4: What would we be most surprised to read on your resume or CV? I am a member of the Institute of Residential Marketing of the National Association of Home Builders. 

5: How many employers are listed on your resume or CV? Only two;  everything before my midlife career change is lumped into, before law school I did sales and marketing for home builders. There were five different builders, I worked for two of them twice, over 15 years, it is complicated and irrelevant. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning Post: 50 States in 52 Weeks New Mexico

I was first in New Mexico as a very young child, passing through on the way to and from Arizona. I returned as an adult back in 2009 or 2010. I did some training for legal aid and the State Bar association. 

I added a couple of personal days onto that second trip.  The training was in Albuquerque. Everyone told me "you HAVE TO SEE Santa Fe." As I drove into Santa Fe a rare rainstorm hit, it was a weekend, and the city was beyond packed with people. Parking was impossible to find, and everytime I slowed down to try to park, people honked their horns at me. Far from the tranquil and artistic village everyone described, it was absolutely miserable. I quickly found my way out of that hell hole. 

I drove north out of Santa Fe, and saw a sign for Las Alamos. I had no clue what there was to see in Las Alamos, but nuclear test sites seemed to be an improvement over the ugliness I was leaving.   New Mexico is high desert and gentle brown mountains.  I love that landscape. The drive was amazing.  

Las Alamos is a pine tree lined small town, gently rolling.  There is a small museum there, near the rustic cabins that physicists and scientists labored in during the dark days of World War II. Las Alamos was selected because it was remote, and easier to secure. There was a heaving veil of secrecy over the work they were doing.  

The first photo, was taken in the museum. Mock-ups or full scale models of the two bombs that were developed at Las Alamos. Weapons that ended the War, that changed the course of human kind. If we are not careful, weapons that will bring about the end of civilization. It was a sobering visit.  I am glad I went. I would urge others to stop, and reflect on what was done there. 

I picked up a brochure for a national monument with remains of cliff dwellings near there. I punched the name into Ms Garmin and started driving. A couple of minutes later I found myself approaching the security entrance for the Las Alamos National Laboratory.  I turned around, and tried again, and via a slight different route and found myself back at the security gates, with no way to turn around. I explained to the guard where I was trying to go, and asked how to get there. He asked for my drivers license and disappeared into the guard shack. When he came out, he handed me back my license and placed a card inside the windshield of the car and gave me instructions.  Drive straight ahead, it is about 20 miles, DO NOT STOP. Do not take any photos, keep the windows rolled up. If something goes wrong with car, put on your emergency flashers and slow down but try not to stop.  We will be watching you, and someone will be with you in a moment. When you reach the guard station at the other end, the guard will remove the pass. The Park is only a short drive from the other end. Enjoy it, the cliff dwellings are amazing.  When you leave there, drive south, that road will take you back to Albuquerque. 

I would love to go back.  I might even give Santa Fe a second chance. 

 

Funky Friday: A Few Of My Favorites

Today I am taking part in a hanging. Helping Kevin hang the next art show for the local arts group. The community has four high rise towers with about 250 apartments in each building, and a freestanding community center, with offices, meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a nice gym, a bowling alley, and a private restaurant and bar. Technically the bar has to be open to the public, but security won't let you through the gate unless you live here or are the guest of someone who does live here.  There is one long, probably 60 foot (about 20 meter) wall that serves as a gallery, along with several other spaces. 

There are six spaces in the restaurant that feature art from the arts group.  I think this is a special space, that deserves specific attention from the displaying artists.  Several months ago, I proposed a photo display of images captured in markets, and the co-chairs of the arts group gave me the go ahead. In all I had eleven photos printed, and I selected the six best. They are printed 11 by 14 inches, matted and framed to 16 by 20. They will be up for about a month. Then they will go on a blank wall in our kitchen.  

Punnets of Strawberries

Borough Market 

London, England 

April 2025 

Tomatoes on the Vine

Malaga Spain

December 2022

Cheesy Breadsticks 

Borough Market

London, England 

April 2025

Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower 

Nimes, France

May 2024

Olives and Garlic 

Nimes France

May 2024

 

Street Market Nuts 

Malaga Spain

May 2024

All photos taken with Nikon D-5500, AFS DX Nikkor 18-200mm

The Thursday Ramble: Electrifying

Driving home from the Dentist last week, I passed a crew lifting a new transformer into place.  It reminded me of 40 years ago.  As I have mentioned I worked for home building companies in Florida. One of the great joys of a newly completed home, is getting the electrical power connected for the first time. Working in the field offices could also be very quiet. So when the lineman showed up to connect the power to a house that had just passed it's final inspection it was a special event.  I would leave the office and go watch, then turn the power on in the house and check to see that things were working and secure. 

One afternoon, I was watching as the lineman opened the side of a ground level transformer cabinet (the electric was all underground.) I watched as he put on his gloves, grounded himself, and reached in to attach the power cables to a live feed. I stood there and realized that a part of his job was being a glove's thickness from high voltage and certain death. 

The lineman made more money than I did, and he earned every penny of it, doing a job that most of us either couldn't do or wouldn't do. 

 

My World of Wonders also known as (aka) the Wednesday Ws last for July 2025

Where have I been this week? The farmers market, the gym, the pool, the Library and Aldi. I really should get out more. (I have long bony feet like my father did.) 

Who have I talked with this week? My sweet bear - of course. Jennifer an old friend who is going to be in town for a day later in August. Rafael, the water aerobics gang. Oh my I really should get out more. 

What made me smile? I was thinking about the experiences that I have had, the adventures I have been on.  Writing a comment on Yorkshire Puddings' blog, reminded me of a training I did in Alaska many years ago, and a conversation over dinner about bears with a police lieutenant - who had encountered a bear in her car eating her lunch (the bear was eating her lunch) in the middle of the city the winter before. I have met so many fascinating people, talked to so many interesting strangers in my wanderings. I am working on plans for next spring, I am reminded of the amazing places we have been.   

What do I need to remember to do? When planning travel, planning days with NO agenda, no gotta go or gotta see,  days to slowly wander about the local area and let fate determine the agenda. 

What have I played with this week? I have a Nikon underwater digital camera. I charged it up and took it with me to the pool one afternoon. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen?  Home burrito bowls, spiced chicken, rice, homemade fresh corn salsa, grated cheese, sour cream. Lots of prep, I enjoyed the playtime. 

What have I been watching? The end of the Tour de France on Sunday, what will I do with my mornings now that the live broadcasts have ended. 

What have I been reading? I finished my latest stack from the library, and pulled from my cabinet of curiosities, "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin, a very unconventional book, you could spend weeks dissecting each passage, or read the entire 400 pages in 3 or 4 evenings. I read it on Kindle when it first came out, and it moved me to the point that I bought a print copy to have and to hold. With very limited space for books, this one is very worth hanging on to be re-read every couple of years. A random quote (I literally opened the book and this was on the top of the first paragraph): 

 

"Holding every rule as breakable is a healthy way to live as an      artist. It loosens constraints that promote a predictable sameness in our working methods."

What made me think this week? On Monday as I was headed to the gym, I passed a neighbor that I hadn't seen since BC (before COVID). We used to commute to the city at the same time, and we would talk on the shuttle bus to the subway station.  One afternoon coming home, she was sitting a couple of rows ahead of me on the train, and seemed to be struggling, at the Pentagon Metro station she got off the train, stood on the platform and started shouting, "Go Away! Leave me Alone! You are not welcome in my head!" A couple of days later we were on the shuttle together and I asked how she was doing and she said, "about the other day, I had been feeling well and went off my meds for a few days, sorry about that, I need to be better about taking my meds." Monday morning, she appeared to be off her meds again.  A part of the human condition, a part of her life. I hope she is feeling better by the time this posts. 

 

Travel Tuesday: Titusville, Florida

My father died 8 years ago today, in Titusville Florida. When I was in High School my parents rented a condo in Titusville a couple of winters, then bought a house. They retired six years after they bought the house and moved to Florida. I lived there for a couple of years after high school, then moved to Orlando. 

Titusville is across the Indian River, a wide intercoastal waterway, from the barrier islands that the Kennedy Space Center is on.  The city had experienced booming growth with the space program, and total bust when the Apollo program ended, NASA ended the employment of 10,000 people one Friday afternoon. The city leaders, where wary of any growth of development for decades after that fateful Friday. 

After I moved to DC, I would drive down at holiday time, and fly down at least one other time each year. The year my parents died, I flew down 11 times in 10 months. (My parents died five-months apart, at home, with incredible care by my dear sister and Hospice.) 

I was thrilled when we started spending winters in Titusville, there were two shopping malls between home and school.  Miracle City Mall had two major anchor stores and probably 40 shops in-between.  I stopped almost every afternoon to walk through the mall and visit my friends in the camera and coin stores. Sadly, as this photo shows, it was demolished a few years ago. 

Moody Monday: Holding it all together

Yup, the bolts were added to help hold the bridge together. 

I emailed Doc Spo recently that making plans both terrify me, and give me hope for the future.  I am working on plans, airline seats (using frequent flyer miles), the first two hotels, and a cruise have been booked for the 2026 Grand Adventure. A dear friend commented that it is a scary time to leave the country. The USA really does not pay much attention when you leave (a weakness in our system) and I am not really worried about getting back into the country. I have had passports for about 35 years. I am enrolled in Global Entry, when we returned this year, they snapped a photo, and waved me through. I am a worst case scenario thinker, the worst that could happen is I would get trapped someplace like France or Italy - I could live with that. 

The first time I went to England I rented a car, and wanted to explore the countryside. My soon to be ex, was terrified that we would get lost and never make it home. The car remained parked all week (it cost more to park than it did to rent for the week.) By the way, driving in London, even back in 1990, was a really silly idea. 

I have finished presenting what I swear is the last national webinar. I really need to learn to say no to those. I finished a complete outline for a little workshop I am going to do, on publishing photo books for the local arts group. I need to take my laptop over to the community center and make sure the WiFi works well enough to do a live demo. 

There are a couple of Arts things happening this week, that will give me quality time with fun and creative people. 

I glimpse the news, most of it being nasty politics. Politics as usual. I really don't need to see the Epstein files to know about his character, his own words, "just grab them by the _ussy!" told me all I need to know. The voters knew this when they elected him. And even if there is proof in the files, that he committed a crime, he would still serve out the end of his term. It won't change a thing. We already know what kind of a human being he is, I don't need more evidence. 

There is actually very little meaningful news, in the news. Most of it is a constant stream of noise and distraction. 

There has been a huge hue and cry over the cut in Federal Funding for PBS (public television) and NPR (public radio.) A little research shows that the cuts over all are about 15% of the budgets.  For some local stations, the impact is greater, up to 40%, for most it is a painful but survivable cut. Many stations have experienced an increase in donations that will more than replace the cuts. And it frees them from any limitations or concerns about insulting a funder.  If HWSNBN though they were nasty before, now they can say what they really think. Bad news sells, good news snoozes. 

All in all, I am holding it all together.  Doing well.  Making plans for the future. Ticking daily items off the list. Acknowledging the noise, for just what it is. Looking forward to Toronto in a couple of weeks. 

 

 

Sunday Five: Tell Us About Your Week

1: What blog made you laugh this week? 

2: What blog made you think this week? 

3: What have you read this week? 

4: What was the best thing you have eaten this week? 

5: What was most relaxing for you this week? 

My Answers:

1: What blog made you laugh this week? Oddball Observations, and She who Seeks

2: What blog made you think this week? Angus at Bob and Sophie. 

3: What have you read this week? License to Travel, the history of the passport. 

4: What was the best thing you have eaten this week? Tuna steaks and veggies. 

5: What was most relaxing for you this week? The pool. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

The Saturday Morning Post: 50 States in 52 Weeks New Jersey

My first visit to New York City, was really a visit to New Jersey, the conference was held in a hotel on the banks of the Hudson River in New Jersey with spectacular views of Manhattan. I flew home from Newark that trip, only the second time I was ever in that airport. 

Most of my contact with New Jersey has been passing through on trains, to and from New York, or Connecticut, or Massachusetts.  The image above was taken while passing through a Newark, a train station trapped in time, other than the electronic signage, unchanged, parts of maybe even uncleaned since World War II. 

It is a state I should give more attention to.  It is in the heart of the northeastern United States.  The major population centers are bedroom communities for New York City and Philadelphia. The state also has vast agricultural zones, and a famed Atlantic beachfront.  

The winters are cold, and the statewide politics lean conservative, despite being sandwiched between NYC and Philly. 

Foodie Friday: What I learned in France

I have many fond memories of eating in France. Once again, it is a food culture based on seasonal, fresh and local.  While we think of the temples of gastronomy, France is also a country filled with tiny local cafes offering a limited menu of incredible food. 

My first visit to France as in January 1991. A few days in Paris. I have  one vivid memory from that trip. Being turned away at the sidewalk in front of Maxim's based on what I was wearing.  It was winter, I was wearing jeans, hiking boots, a wool sweater and a leather jacket, the doorman literally stuffed me back in the taxi. Their loss, we went around the corner, up a narrow street and had an incredible lunch in a tiny restaurant. 

A few years later we had Christmas dinner on the Eiffel Tower. We didn't reservations and I out pouted the Maitre D. He didn't say no, and I just stood there until one of the servers said, "this way."  

My Sweet Bear and I spent a week in a Gite in Normandy.  We went to see the Abbey de Hambye, the ruins of an abbey nearby.  We had parked just around the corner from a restaurant, and it was lunch time when we were ready to leave, so we thought, why not give it a try. Oh my were we in for a treat at Auberge de l'Abbaye. The food and service were pure artistry, someplace I have photos of the food, I don't often take photos of what we are served, this was really special. When you get a chance, go there, it is worth the effort. 

To really understand French food culture get off of the beaten path. Nearly every village has a small local restaurant.  Go with the Plat de Jour, the daily special.  This is what the chef or cook, selected as fresh, seasonal, and most likely local. It is the best food, and often the best value. I did a solo trip to Normandy, one lunch I stopped in a small town, there were several trucks from EDF, the electric company parked out front. Always a good idea to try where the locals flock to. I was a little unsure, my French is very basic, and this was very rural. I was made welcome, ordered the special of the day, and it was so wonderful.  The pear tart at the end was heavenly. 

On another trip we were driving along the coast on our way to St Malo and stopped in a small village, along the coast with vast shellfish beds along the harbour. Order the seafood tower, at least once in your life, I'd like to do that again. 

A couple of times in France we have rented Gites, these are country vacation rentals, most of them are on farms. One was a converted barn, the second one was an apartment in a massive stone farmhouse.  Gites have a kitchen, and that made it possible to shop local and cook. 

I could go on and on about food in France, but I would sooner go back.  

 

Thursday Ramble: Connecting to the world

Last Sunday's stage of the Tour de France, finished in Carcassonne France, just hearing that was the destination my mind lept to connections.  On our 2024 Grand Adventure we spent two nights in Carcassonne. Carcassonne has one of the most complete medieval walls, surrounding the core of the old town. The hotel we stayed in was about a five minute walk south of one of the Gateways.  

Travel and seeing places around parts of the world, creates a connection, a familiarity when I see, hear, or read about those places.  It adds a depth of understanding, a curiosity, often, but not always, a yearning to return. Travel broadens  horizons, helps us to better understand different places and people. It brings me a connection to the world that I wouldn't have if I hadn't been there, seen that, done that. 

There are thousands of excuses not to travel. Ignore them and go. Even if it is to a place that leaves you saying say, "never again" you will have a connection and understanding of that place and the people who live there that you can't have any other way. 

I am planning next springs Grand Adventure, a trip that will take us places we have not been.  I was talking with one of the summer lifeguards last Friday.  He commented about "where he is from" and I asked where he is from. Slovakia - and he showed me photos of the alpine mountain lakes in his corner of the country. Hmm? Pretty place. 

My World of Wonders, AKA, the Wednesday Ws July 23rd edition

Where have I been this week? An arts meeting, the pool, the gym, Target, the Dentist, the farmers market.  

Who did I reach out to this week? One of my former colleagues, she is doing okay, everything considered. My successor to wish her a happy birthday. 

Who have a talked with this week? The water aerobics gang, Ana and Susan, it has been a quiet week. 

What have I been watching? The Tour de France, it will finish in Paris next weekend, about 2,200 miles of riding over 21 days. YouTube, I am always amazed by the talented content producers.  

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Roast Pork Tenderloin, Swiss Steak - that yields a wonderful tomato sauce, meatballs, focaccia topped with goat cheese, onions and mushrooms - that was wonderful but not well received. Dill pickles.  

What have I been reading? I finished IMAGINE by Jonah Lehrer a very good book on the science of creativity, and have started into a book on creative aging. 

What do I need more of? Laughter. 

Why am I stressing? The VW is due for a visit to the repair shop, I hate car repairs. 

What made me smirk this week?  Apparently a CEO took his HR director, not his wife, to a concert and ended up being shown on the jumbotron.  Don't do anything in pubic, that you feel the need to hide from the cameras.