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… Read More The Grand Canyon’s North Rim Duck
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.… Read More Love Where You Live – East Village, San Diego, California
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… Read More The Backyard We Didn’t Ask For
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… Read More Norfolk, not the one in England (Part II)
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… Read More The Magnificent Magnolia: Baobab of the American South
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… Read More Eye-catching architectural detail, Part I: The Winterthur, Delaware
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… Read More Discovering Museum Reciprocity
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… Read More Loving Place – Hampton Roads, 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… Read More Tangier is an island – Tangier, Virginia
I had only heard about this dream world, this Neverland, where I could partake in all-you-can-drink Coke products from around the world. We don’t usually keep soda/pop/soft drinks in the house. Nothing good comes from guzzling that carbonated booze. . . except evoking fond memories. This wonderland of flavored corn syrup took me back to… Read More Americana supreme and international phenom – the World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia
will travel with kids 