A rooster crowed as I stepped out the door into the cool morning. Everything around me was green, including the mountain beyond the trees that framed the property. A large thermos of coffee was waiting in the lobby of the charming Sonoma B&B and I wanted a cup. Two, even. Locals who have been . . .
There's no getting around flying. If you want to go any distance from your home, you have to get on a plane even as every horrible "incident" is splashed all over the news constantly. Flying has never been more anxiety-inducing. So finding the best airline is important. It is a long haul to get to . . .
After two weeks touring Europe about 25 years ago and spending huge amounts of time viewing pre-medieval paintings in Florence and elsewhere I vowed that I would never again look at another 12th century gilt painting. And I've kept to that for 25 years. Now, after our last trip to Portugal, I'm . . .
Show me an arrow pointing somewhere mysterious and I'm going to follow it. I'm a curious girl. Despite what they say happened to the cat. Lisbon is a lovely walking city, with charming cobblestone sidewalks (watch your step!) and enough hills to give you a little workout. It was our second night in . . .
Lisbon is known for its mild climate. “It snowed 50 years ago,” our guide, Sandra, told us, “and it was a mixture of chaos and spectacle.” Back in 1755 a huge earthquake rocked the ocean and sent a gigantic tsunami uphill, destroying much of the city. It's still talked about today. My favorite . . .
This looks like any old European palace right? But if you’re a Boomer, think again. It’s the Portuguese palace depicted on this. Mateus Palace. Do you remember Mateus rose wine from your college days? In western New York we pronounced it MA-TOOZ. But it’s actually pronounced MA-TAY-US and it’s . . .
We are on our way to Portugal this afternoon to cruise the beautiful Douro River. Friends left yesterday on a different flight and we'll meet them tomorrow night in Lisbon, where we'll board a Viking cruise on what's said to be one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. We'll be passing through . . .
Walking through the dimly lit casino inhaling stale cigarette smoke and dodging flashing lights I spotted an elderly woman at a slot machine, sucking on her vape pen and pulling the machine's handle repeatedly. A rush of memories came flooding back. That woman could have been my mother. Mom loved . . .
Five or so hours on a plane from northern California and there they are: the Hawaiian islands. It was 1959 when Hawaiians voted by a wide majority to make Hawaii our 50th state. I was too young to remember it, but it happened in my lifetime and I don't think anyone would disagree that Hawaii is the . . .
It's 4:30am and the house is still. Outside, there's no sign of the light that will creep across the sky in just over an hour. The coffee is made and I'm in my office enjoying the small pleasure of my first cup of French roast. Riley got us up to take him outside a little while ago and once that . . .
