“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.” ~Mother Teresa It’s the holy grail of the holiday shopping scavenger hunt. Finding that special gift, that something we know our friends and loved ones will really enjoy. We tell ourselves that we’ll know it when we see it, but … Read More
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ~Jacques Cousteau “It will be like we’re on vacation!” my husband proclaims as we scroll through photos at the kitchen table, our dinner plates pushed aside, laptop front and center. An upcoming home remodeling project was forcing us to find … Read More
“The world before us is a postcard, and I imagine the story we are writing on it.” ~ Mary E. Pearson My grandmother Ida Oldenburg was someone who labeled things. She wrote names and dates on the backs of photos in her albums. The front pages of her favorite books contained the names of the … Read More
“Where are you going next?” It’s the question I’m asked most frequently, especially after returning home from a trip. Truth be told, it’s a question I often ask myself, sometimes even before my bags have been unpacked, with the dust on my shoes still fresh from the latest adventure. And with a world of unlimited … Read More
Researching travel ideas on the internet is a bit like an old-fashioned treasure hunt. You have a clear idea of what you’re looking for when you begin, but one site leads to another, and instead of learning about coffee shops in Buenos Aires, you soon find yourself getting lost in turf labyrinths in England! I’ve … Read More
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist It was an idea that had been simmering for a long time. I thought about it while brushing my teeth and walking the dog and tying my shoes. Like a whisper in the wind, it would … Read More
“All journeys have a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware.” ~Martin Buber A while ago, Cruisecritic.com member brazilgirl asked if I had a favorite itinerary. It was a tough question and one that took me quite by surprise. The travel destination most on my mind is usually the journey I’m currently planning or … Read More
My friend Donna is a bit of a marvel when it comes to packing for travel. No matter how long the trip or where she is headed, she never checks a bag. Ever. From bicycling in Europe to a month-long journey through Australia, she and her husband carry everything with them, washing what they need … Read More
“It is a strange thing to come home. While yet on the journey, you cannot at all realize how strange it will be.” ~Selma Lagerlöf I remember the feeling as if it happened yesterday. We were home from vacation – a four-day cruise off the coast of California – and I was standing at the … Read More
“After changes upon changes, we are more or less the same. After changes we are more or less the same.” ~Paul Simon, The Boxer A familiar feeling swept over me the other day as I was writing a blog post. Like a warm breeze of comfort, it swooped down out-of-the-blue and made me smile to … Read More