When mom died, I felt adrift, like my anchor was gone. When dad left us too, it was a kick in the stomach. Their absence is keenly felt. Not just on the Day of the Dead. But everyday. As my attempt at a poem reflects, the death of loved ones hurts very deeply. And it … Continue reading Remembering Our Dead
A Royal Caribbean Cruise on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
My hubby Rick turned 65 in October and I thought such an important milestone deserved a special occasion so I suggested we go on a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. He readily agreed. It was a week long cruise that started and ended in Venice, Italy. Venice is a magical place, … Continue reading A Royal Caribbean Cruise on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
Isla de Tabarca
Just south of Alicante, Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea, there is a small island called Isla de Tabarca or Tabarca Island in English. You can get there by motor boat in 15 minutes from the small town of Santa Pola. Or you can take a glass-bottom ferry from the same location. You can also get … Continue reading Isla de Tabarca
Manet and Modern Beauty Exhibit
Jeanne (Spring) painted in 1881 When you were a child learning about famous French painters, did you confuse Manet with Monet? I certainly did. But I came up with a memory device that helped me figure out the difference between these two awesome painters. That is, Manet has the word Man in it and Edouard … Continue reading Manet and Modern Beauty Exhibit
The Beauty of San Francisco’s Botanical Garden
Although I have been to Golden Gate Park before, I had never seen the stunningly beautiful Botanical Garden located there. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of exploring it for the first time. Here is a map of the park. As you may be able to see from the map, the park is divided into different … Continue reading The Beauty of San Francisco’s Botanical Garden
Lesson 15: Retirement Requires Rebirth
Being retired is like being a young child again, where you get to do whatever you want when you want. Only now you have money too! At least, that’s true for the lucky among us who do have enough money to not worry about it. I have some friends in their late 60s who are … Continue reading Lesson 15: Retirement Requires Rebirth
Lesson 14: Ask for Directions
Question: Why does it take millions of sperm to fertilise one egg? Answer: Because they won't ask for directions. Mount St. Victoire, painted by Paul Cezanne Have you ever noticed how some people are scared to ask for directions? They don’t want to look like they don’t have everything under control so they just muddle … Continue reading Lesson 14: Ask for Directions
Lesson 13: Connect with Animals to find Joy
“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” – Dean Koontz, American author I was lucky to be brought up in a home with a dog. Our first dog was Dixie. She was a pure-bred collie … Continue reading Lesson 13: Connect with Animals to find Joy
Lesson 12: Please Patronize Thrift Shops
“Second hand is the better choice of the whole wide world.” --Anonymous Cubes to put on hangers when sizing donated clothes Do you like to shop at thrift shops, or charity shops, as they are called in Europe? I like to shop at these places because the money you spend there usually goes to a … Continue reading Lesson 12: Please Patronize Thrift Shops
Lesson 11: Be Open to Signs from the Spirit World
“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.”– Antoine de Saint-Exupery Some people say that a spiritual world doesn’t exist because they can see no evidence of that. I say they aren’t paying attention … Continue reading Lesson 11: Be Open to Signs from the Spirit World
