When I was not even 21 I left my hometown of Rochester, NY (the suburban town of Irondequoit, to be exact and EAST Irondequoit, to be precise.) I left to start a new life as a wife. My new husband was also a Rochesterian, and of Sicilian descent, like me. But our hometown couldn't hold us. There . . .
Oh, California, I can't quit you. I've tried to leave. I've left once. I've said I was leaving. But then a day like I just had comes up and I know, I can't leave you. I can't. I wrote the original version of this post BC (before Covid) and it's even truer today. San Jose isn't on the coast, but . . .
"The whales are here!" texted our Maui friend as we prepared for a family vacation on that beautiful island. So, of course, we booked a whale watch tour through the concierge at our accommodation. "Before you go, come get towels from us," the concierge suggested, "because you'll get wet." Our . . .
I wasn't always a cruiser. Oh, I went to Alaska in 2002 with a girlfriend on a big cruise ship with a couple thousand passengers. I didn't dislike it but I didn't fall in love with that cruise vacation. Or cruising in general. It was my husband, an experienced ocean cruiser, who introduced me to . . .
I am a Californian. A northern Californian. No, I wasn't born here. Didn't grow up here. I didn't get here until I was 33. But on my very first visit I felt that little "click" that said, "this is where I am supposed to be." California life has been the best part of my life. By far. And it . . .
Our trip to Egypt might have been the very best trip I've ever taken. We went with Lindblad/National Geographic, and the trip was led by two Egyptologists who gave us history and context for what we saw. This was so helpful! In addition, our practical needs were handled. If you haven't traveled in . . .
Have you ever fantasized about moving to an idyllic country setting? A more relaxed lifestyle? Lots of natural beauty? My friend, Linda Hobden, isn't anything like a country mouse, but she made just such a move when she left the hustle & bustle of London for the English . . .
There are probably many reasons someone wouldn't want to be queen but tiaras have to be a major reason why it's good to be queen. The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is one of my favorites and I never tire of looking at the fabulous gems on display. Especially the amazing tiaras. Like this . . .
Pack light? Not hardly! I felt extremely stupid the year I brought two gigantic suitcases to Europe and had to wrestle them up long staircases by myself. I was, in a word, clueless. I wanted to prepare for any eventuality, and I did. I had outfits for every occasion and I do mean EVERY occasion. . . .
By the time you read this we will have finished our two-day drive to Santa Fe --where we'll live for the next two months. This will be the fourth year we've done the fall in Santa Fe and for some reason, I've been asked a ton of questions about it. So let me give you the FAQ or Frequently Asked . . .
