american west, california, Family, holidays, new years day, School, Style, traditions, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

The Magic Returns: The 133rd Tournament of Roses

The Cal Poly Universities float: the cow figures out how to jump over the moon After a hiatus that was precedented only four times before due to World War II in the over 130 years of the Tournament of Roses, in a hopeful sign of normalcy, the Rose Parade has returned to Pasadena, California. This… Continue reading The Magic Returns: The 133rd Tournament of Roses

coffee, Dessert, Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Food, Hiking, Historical sites, history, Lunch, outdoors, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, wine, wine and drink, writing

Adventures in Karlovy Vary: Svatý Linhart, Diana, and a Casino Royale

This is a continuation of our adventure in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The girls play on the playground in Diana After lunch and a bit of shopping on our Google Maps guided tour of Karlovy Vary, we headed over to the Grandhotel Pupp for some directions to the Diana Funicular Railway, which turned out to… Continue reading Adventures in Karlovy Vary: Svatý Linhart, Diana, and a Casino Royale

Family, holidays, Opinion, Uncategorized, writing

Thanksgiving in All Seasons

The quiet of the Vltava River in the fall For us, like for many, 2021 has been an extraordinarily difficult year. There were times when it seemed that for as life-altering as 2020 was, 2021 somehow managed to top it in terms of the challenges that we faced. It didn't help that as we ushered… Continue reading Thanksgiving in All Seasons

Family, Kids, parenting, School, Uncategorized, writing

The Class of 2021

Don't blink, I told myself not long ago. Because all too quickly, the kiddos are growing up. In a scenario that I could not have foreseen as I sent the kids to elementary school over a decade ago, my two eldest children both graduated high school in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic. Jacob graduated… Continue reading The Class of 2021

Family, traditions, Uncategorized, writing

The Last Good Day

Jacob's Eagle Court of Honor took place the Saturday before the first shutdowns in March. Happy nine month anniversary of ‘14 days to flatten the curve.’ Needless to say 2020 has not been what anyone expected, and the loss of what used to be has brought about some difficult emotions, especially as we head toward… Continue reading The Last Good Day