Cambridge University Punting Excursion

Having already visited Oxford a few days earlier, hubby and I decided a visit to England’s other famed university was in order. But rather than take a walking tour, we went punting. That’s where you sit in a flat boat and the driver uses a long pole to push you up and down a river. … Continue reading Cambridge University Punting Excursion →

Oxford University

When I did a walking tour of Oxford recently, I mistakenly thought Oxford University was just one or at most one of several entities. Was I ever mistaken as Oxford University encompasses 39 colleges and 6 private halls under its umbrella. That’s a lot of educational institutions in one university. According to our Trip Advisor … Continue reading Oxford University →

The Isle of Wight

As part of our month’s tour of the United Kingdom, we thought it would be fun to include a stop at the Isle of Wight. What made it even more special to go there was the fact that we have friends who live there most of the time. They were our next door neighbors in … Continue reading The Isle of Wight →

The Special City of Bath

Bath, an ancient city in southwest England, is among the top ten visited locales in the country, and famous for its Roman-built baths. In fact, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Hubby and I got up early and arrived at the Roman Baths just before its opening time of 9 am … Continue reading The Special City of Bath →

Highlights of Scotland Part 2

Scotland is a justly proud nation, rich in history. In fact, in just three days we have seen two castles and one palace that were all built many centuries ago, much longer ago in time than the United States has even been a country. Today we took a free walking tour of Edinburgh and explored … Continue reading Highlights of Scotland Part 2 →

The Hot Topic of Immigration

Since the issue of immigration is much in the news these days, especially in the US, I thought it would be a good time to remind my dear readers about my well-reviewed novel Torn Between Worlds. (It has a score of 4.7 out of five on Amazon.) It’s about a 12-year-old Mexican named Isabel who … Continue reading The Hot Topic of Immigration →

Shoes of the Little Ones

I’m reposting this poem I wrote in August 2021 in remembrance of today’s 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Photo I took at Auschwitz My God. These are the shoes of children—Sandals, boots and leather footwear Worn by little ones with hopes and dreams for a bright future Innocent … Continue reading Shoes of the Little Ones →

Unlock Your Family Secrets: A Review of ‘Growing a Top-Notch Family Tree’

Hello dear readers. I am excited to share a new Goodreads review with you of my non-fiction book, Growing a Top-Notch Family Tree with Stories from its Branches. A well researched guide to tracing your family tree in which the author gives advice on how to search for information on your ancestors using online sites … Continue reading Unlock Your Family Secrets: A Review of ‘Growing a Top-Notch Family Tree’ →

Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Wows

USS Hornet aircraft carrier,docked in Alameda, California I know nothing about aircraft carriers but my husband is a military history and airplane geek and he wanted to visit the USS Hornet aircraft carrier while we were in Alameda as our son and his wife recently moved to this cute island below Oakland, California. If you … Continue reading Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Wows →

A Navy Corpsman’s Experience in Vietnam

“We are almost in North Vietnam. The name of the place I’m in is Khe Sahn. I am doing okay and feeling well so for heaven’s sake, don’t worry about me.” --Letter Donald wrote to his mother on January 25, 1968 Donald van der Schans was my first cousin. He was the only child of … Continue reading A Navy Corpsman’s Experience in Vietnam →