(re-run) After three months in South America and six weeks of student teaching Catholic high school girls, I headed to Burgos, Spain, with 30 students and a handful of professors from Iowa State and the University of Iowa. It would be my way of earning the final credits of my dual degree. Linda, a high… Continue reading Loneliest Study Abroad Ever
Category: travel
Sneaking into the Pool
(re-run) While student teaching in Venezuela, my roommate and partner in crime learned how to have fun with not much money. One of the American teachers had stolen a couple of striped beach towels from an upscale hotel, and she had been sneaking into the hotel pool for years. “Just carry the towel and act… Continue reading Sneaking into the Pool
July 13th x Three in the Obits
(re-run) Reading my Time magazine today (something I’ve been doing for 47 years), I noticed on the obits page that Shannen Doherty of 90210 fame, died on July 13th at the young age of 53 (breast cancer). I didn’t watch 90210, but everyone knows who Shannen Doherty is (was). Then I saw that exercise guru… Continue reading July 13th x Three in the Obits
A Week in the Woods
(re-run from 2023) When both my mom and sis started having big health problems at the same time, I flew back to Iowa to collect my older sister and bring her to California to live with me. Eighteen months later, my younger sister flew back to Iowa to get our mom and bring her to… Continue reading A Week in the Woods
When It’s Foggy, Go Thrifting
(re-run from near end of Pandemic) I’m in Monterey County, which is known for its June Gloom. I woke up to fog and had no desire to pull weeds in the dampness. Since there was no Zoom Zumba this morning, I seized the day, deciding before breakfast to go thrifting in Carmel. I hadn’t been… Continue reading When It’s Foggy, Go Thrifting
39 Gates and a Water Bottle
I only fly once or twice a year. This time it was for a family memorial service in the Midwest. Tuesday thunderstorms over Denver delayed both the landing of the first leg and the taking off of the second leg of the trip. On my return trip through Denver, we arrived early, but the plane… Continue reading 39 Gates and a Water Bottle
Getting a New Perspective While Getting There
(re-run) I am retired, two years away from the big 7-0, flying for the second time in two months, a record for me. Traveler’s Tip: Don’t fly in the summer if you can help it. EVERYONE is flying, and the weather across the U.S. can be bad and will delay your flight. My daughter drove… Continue reading Getting a New Perspective While Getting There
Blind Date in a Castle
(re-run) Lynn was studying abroad at a university in Sweden. One of her friends convinced her plus another young woman to be blind dates. The friend’s boyfriend’s military school was hosting a fancy dinner and ball at a castle in Stockholm. The Swedish school was inviting guys from Denmark and Norway for the event, and… Continue reading Blind Date in a Castle
The Spiritual Post
(re-run) A friend lost his younger sister to cancer last week. I lost my older sister in December to a myriad of health issues. Grieving is a process. It doesn’t end all at once. It comes and goes. At least I’m not crying anymore. When a hummingbird gets in my face or flies close to… Continue reading The Spiritual Post
Love of her Life
(re-run) Connie was only fourteen when she went to her first dinner dance at the country club. Brad was two years older, already driving, and as handsome as could be. Connie had been smitten since the day they met at school. She had been at her locker. He had come by and said hello. She’d… Continue reading Love of her Life
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 