For many years we have been warned by experts that the world was at risk for a pandemic. A deadly virus was only a plane ride away, they said. Well, now that time has come. Government officials here have said you can only go outside if you have a good reason, such a trip to … Continue reading State of Emergency in Spain
The Joy of Music
Andante International Choir in Torrevieja, Spain One of the things that gives me the most joy in living is singing in a choir. Here in Spain, I sing alto in two choirs. One of them is Crescendo International Choir. This group of 50 or so of us are mostly retired people who live on the … Continue reading The Joy of Music
Five Days in Lisbon, Portugal
The beautiful city of Lisbon reminds some people of San Francisco: it's hilly, there are trams everywhere, it's beside the water, and it even has a big bridge built by the same company that constructed the Golden Gate Bridge. If you visit Lisbon, one thing I recommend you do is take the Yellow Bus tram … Continue reading Five Days in Lisbon, Portugal
The Beauty of Andalucia
From where we live in Spain, we can see the Mediterranean Sea. It's a beautiful sight to behold, of course. But we like mountains too and hubby Rick and I are both from Chicagoland. This is not a place with mountains or even big hills of any kind. When we go out for a drive … Continue reading The Beauty of Andalucia
Remembering Our Dead
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
US Author Nancy Klein in Spain 