Category: United States
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The Puzzle of History
Many years ago, my American puzzle started out as a six-piece puzzle with large wooden pieces– a toddler puzzle. The pieces were The Colonies, the Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Eventually there was a seventh piece– 9/11. Fairly straightforward. Pretty memorable. Not bad for a child.…
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The Grand Canyon’s North Rim Duck
Parents sometimes go to great lengths to create special moments and learning experiences for children. At the Grand Canyon’s north rim in Arizona, we dutifully assisted our children with completing their ranger booklets (available for free at the ranger station). This took a good part of two days to complete successfully. We hiked several short…
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Love Where You Live – East Village, San Diego, California
As an obsessive, serial relocater, my heart is often pulled toward the next possibility. Will we live overseas? Global south? Middle East? Adventure awaits somewhere. But over the course of many relocations, I’ve also learned you must determine to love where you live. For the moment, that place is near East Village in downtown San Diego.…
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The Backyard We Didn’t Ask For
Our family recently relocated from rural Romania to urban San Diego, California, USA. The southern California climate is known for encouraging an element of indoor/outdoor living. Its outdoorsy culture cannot be overstated. I was not surprised, therefore, to discover that San Diego’s version of Central Park – Balboa Park – recently created a nature play…
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Norfolk, not the one in England (Part II)
Spring – the time of year I’m reminded what a pleasure it is to live in a climate with four seasons. I don’t always live in a four-seasons climate. Deserts, sub-tropical and tropical climates have their beauty, but not the kind I see out my front door every spring (pictured at left). The crepe myrtle…
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The Magnificent Magnolia: Baobab of the American South
When we moved to this region of the United States, considered part of “The South,” I discovered the magnolia tree. Magnolia trees are the baobab of the American South. Distinctive and unique to this region, the massive blooms and richly colored foliage can be found in backyards and botanical gardens alike. The colors of the…
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Eye-catching architectural detail, Part I: The Winterthur, Delaware
The last few inches of an elegant stairway bannister. A manhole, covering a storm drain, plastered with floral filigree. The ruffled ridge of a five foot clay pot. These architectural details catch my eye and I can’t help myself. I have to capture it on camera. Some artisan, skilled in his trade, has left his mark. Over the next…
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Discovering Museum Reciprocity
Though living out of suitcases with no house to call our own on any continent, we are back in the United States. Less than two weeks in-country and I bought a membership to a local children’s museum. We are currently traveling up the East Coast and this membership is our ticket to free entertainment. With…
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Loving Place – Hampton Roads, Virginia
Be a student of your region, your city, your neighborhood. This has helped me learn to love where I am living, no matter where that happens to be. We rarely have the option of living where we love, but we can always choose to love where we live. There are things one can learn about…
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Tangier is an island – Tangier, Virginia
It happens all the time. Someone is wearing a T-shirt from a distant destination and I enthusiastically ask if they’ve been there. Sometimes I’ve been to the T-shirt worthy locale, so it’s a fun conversation starter – or non-starter. Case in point, after a dip in the pool a friend recently wrapped up in a…
will travel with kids 