Forecastle 2022- Louisville, Kentucky

Not all my adventures are in the woods. Memorial Day weekend my kids came down to Louisville and we all went to the Forecastle Music Festival. I went for one day, while they attended three days in a row—oh to be young.

Haven’t been to a music festival since 2018 Bunbury. It was a gorgeous day out weather wise and it felt amazing to be out in the sun again with the good vibes of music and the energy of the people that follow it.

On our walk from where we parked I noticed the beautiful curvature of the bridges and walkway along the Riverfront.

The wildflowers bloomed adding color and dimension to the otherwise concrete landscape.

This was the line up the day I went, not knowing a single artist by name. I saw Beabadoobee, Quinn XC11, Phoebe Bridgers, Tai Verdes, 6lack and Tame Impala. Some songs were familiar and it was great being introduced to new up and coming artists.

At the entrance was a swat team and bomb squad. Sadly it made me feel a little more secure after the recent mass shootings. At one point during the festival, young teens were running at full speed and it caused a shock through my heart thinking something was going down. To be in any sort of crowd anymore puts me a little on edge.

The cloud coverage parted and it soon became full sun without the humidity for all to enjoy! Could not have asked for better weather. The day before it stormed and the girls got soaked. So glad I was not there to endure that.

This young artist was adorable and I wish I could have heard her voice more clearly.

You may have heard this song of hers on Spotify. If not, look it up.

Yep, I have bling in my hair and some crazy eyeliner going on to set my mojo.

The crowd here was gentle. Everyone was chill and nobody was super wasted or out of control. A lot of folks were wearing backpacks with “supposedly water to keep them hydrated. A lot of the crowd was drinking a can called “Liquid Death” which is just a really cool marketing for sparkling water. I was even tempted to buy it. The outfits ranged from crazy to perfectly normal. Everyone fit in.

Night fell and the stages lit up. The very last band had a super cool light show that pulled you into the beat. EDM music. (electronic dance music) Was fun but we left early to beat the crowd out.

Peaceful Perch- Wildwood, Georgia

George selected the Airbnb, not telling me where we would be staying in advance to our trip down to Tennessee. I was seriously nervous that we may be driving around and finding a chain hotel to stay at, and let’s face it, since he way paying, I would be okay with it. But he did one better!

He booked us a retreat, a modern one to suite my style, in the middle of nature which was perfect. The owner’s named it the ‘Peaceful Perch and that it was. In the middle of nowhere, on an organic farm, surrounded by nature but still just a ten minute drive to the sites and city. 💚

Driving down narrow country roads to get there, we passed a neighbor’s horse farm along the way.

The organic farm was attended to by a perfectly not-so -friendly older gentleman that I assume was appeasing his wife with the Airbnb.

We saw the wife once as we drove off while admiring this garden that she fully attended to on the property.

Had to admire this tree out front. Grand and gorgeous.

Such a well maintained entry into their guest house full of charm.

These three birds came up from the pond every eve at dusk like clockwork. I loved how they are all a different breed but acted like a modern blended family.

The view out the front window was of Lookout Mountain.

Needless to say we loved it here and wish we could’ve stayed longer.

View out the back where we sat each night enjoying our cocktails and catching up like a couple of old folks.

Steaming Ahead Railroad Museum- LaGrange, Kentucky

I attended a non profit fundraiser this weekend to help support the educational center for the La Grange Railroad Museum. As soon as I arrived, I was engaged in a conversation with Jimmy, who was an elderly gentleman wearing a conductor uniform and a bolo which reminded me of my Papa Snyder. This man was a kind soul, telling me his time on earth was limited and he wanted to tell his stories to anyone that would listen. So I listened. He gives tours at the Railroad Museum the first Saturday of every month and the other volunteer beside him noted that Jimmy struggles sometimes to understand that some people are in a hurry, but I assured him I was not.

Please donate to this non profit as they continue to be a landmark in La Grange and provide such historical and educational lessons for kids and adults alike.

On the brick wall out the back of the venue where the event was held, this mural perfectly wrapped up what I had felt in the couple hours I spent with this team.
Kindness Capital of Kentucky.

This volunteer spoke about how he volunteers to keep the railroad up for his grandson and got teary eyed while expressing the generations to come that would/could benefit from this small town educational center.

As he was speaking, the railroad started roaring down the main street which I had never seen before.

I ran out to be a tourist and witness it from the sidewalk. Reminded me a bit of Bangkok marketplace I went to with Rebecca, where the train also comes so close to the shops.

The train was empty, so I questioned one of the volunteers who explained that it was most likely headed to the Ford plant to pick up some trucks.

Do graffiti artists know where trains set at night?

My great grandfather on my mother’s side worked on the railroads and I recall reading a newpaper article found in our giant keepsake family Bible about him dying in a train accident the day of his retirement. Ironic.

Stopping to admire what we don’t see every day and being curious about so much we don’t know fuels me.

Spiritual Sunset Seance

I literally had the most life changing spiritual awakening yesterday while watching the sunset out the second floor window at George’s home. I debated whether to write about it, because even during my mesmerized state, the sun told me that words would never be able to describe what I was feeling, as if laughing at me for trying to capture a moment that needed to be experienced.

Every night last week, while sipping our cocktails watching a series, I caught the sunset view over my shoulder from his open sunroom. I would get up from my swivel chair to walk over and watch the colors settling behind the open view. Little did I know the sun had been “calling me”.

This is the view from his sunroom consistently.

I always take the time to admire it nightly, and mention how happy I am to be in a place where I could catch this view. But what happened yesterday completely caught me off guard.

I walked up to the spare bedroom where my office is set up during the week to grab my journal and a pen since George was working late. I thought I’d get some of the chatter out of my head and onto paper. Instead, while clutching my journal and pen I was frozen in my tracks starring out the window at the sunset.

As if out of body, my physical form started swaying and my head started bobbing front to back as if in a trance of some kind. I watched myself from the inside in observation of my strange physical movements which felt contradictorily completely natural to me. My breathing started getting seriously deep, forceful and outwardly loud as if in chant. Let me tell you guys, I have NEVER moved or breathed like this before. But it felt oddly familiar as if pulling from a past life. While physically allowing my body to move, I still had control of my thoughts as I observed my own behavior and feelings.

I understood clearly now why historically people worshipped the sun. It made such complete, clear sense to me that The Source could speak through it. It wasn’t like how I was taught before, that the sun was worshipped because it provided warmth, light and helped grow crops -yada yada. It’s not that. It was more.

The gravitational pull of the sun literally brought me to tears.

Tears were silently streaming down my face as I was still frozen in wonder and bewilderment. I even coherently thought, if George comes home and sees me crying he will definitely think something is wrong, but how could I explain this overwhelming joy that was causing a pure sense of peace to happen inside me. I couldn’t.

I was speechlessly communicating to nature and it was providing responses telepathically back.

I am struggling to even write this, because it was more real that anything I have witnessed but yet it sounds absolutely insane when describing.

I have never, ever, felt such clarity. Such extreme, almost orgasmic out of body experience as this. I closed my eyes and the sun showed me a light of white that was surrounded by red fiery warmth that radiated and I saw who I truly was. When I opened my eyes and silently questioned the sun, if I was the center, it clearly spoke back saying that I and it was and everyone is. Like one of those crazy poems that go in circles, the ying and yang ….but at this time was so crystal clear to me. It was true. I knew that this was true and for the first time it made sense. Reminded me of the Bible “I am the alpha and the omega.”

I was completely stuck connected to the sun’s energy embracing pure satisfaction and was thrilled to be witnessing this ability to speak to the energy of the sun who had all the answers. It revealed that I was gone for so long and it was time to return. It also told me I was in the right place.

The colors heightened to shades of blue. orange and lavender like I have never seen. The colors felt brilliant to the point of unreal. It’s impossible to explain. As I starred admiring the sky, three large black birds gracefully came out of nowhere and formed the most perfect contrast and silhouette. I literally laughed out loud and said “you have to be kidding.” It was like I was watching The Sun move my view to reveal its power and magnificence.

Not my view, but very similar to the colors I witnessed.

As the sun was moving lower, I longed for it to stay, but also treasured the moments I still had left watching. I tried to form words to remember, but as said previously, I felt laughed at for trying. The sun started to melt into a liquid gold like you see pouring from a kiln for jewelry making. It was as if it was being squeezed and its innards were oozing out into a beautiful shiny thick goo. I again thought it was surreal, like a Dali painting.

I was giggly and crying at the same time. I cannot describe the emotions because I have never felt them before. I felt light and heavy.

Made me think that artists certainly tap into this energy which I was only witnessing for the first time, in my 50s. It took this long to feel the truth and see through the other porthole to the most indescribable place and calm imaginable. I can see how I would be tempted to chase it again to try to find the same precious moments and form new awareness. It was such a gift.

I honestly felt afterwards that I could now be okay with dying, knowing I had tapped into this energy source and felt confirmed of the immense beauty and understanding that all was perfect. At this time I also felt like a hippy from the 60s.

There were two layers of clouds in the sky that the sun was bouncing its light off of that night. One layer was filled with white fluffy ones and the lower layer was a filmy, transparent, smoke like cloud. They were both perfectly still. Unmoving. As if time stood still. And then the minute I started to wonder if I was stuck in a time warp or something, the lower grey layer started to move quickly to the right as the upper layer stood still. I laughed out loud.

As if in perfect timing, just as the sun settled behind the house, George walked in and I bounced downstairs to ramble all about this experience. Being the perfect man that he is for me, he listened intently and when I asked if he was going to make fun of me, he said no”. That he was listening to help me to remember this huge life changing moment in hopes that he could describe what I was trying to say when time faded our memories.

I am still literally high from the experience.

I will never look at the sun the same again.

I will always appreciate that The Universe took the time to grab ahold of me to reveal the truth of the world and its glory.

I am forever thankful for this moment in my life.

Road trip to Summerville, South Carolina

I selected to stay in this town because of its name and some encouragement from others that Charleston, South Carolina would be a great place to visit. Summerville is only about 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. I found a fabulous historic Airbnb and planned to stay there for 11 days.

I work remotely, so I thought this would be an excellent way to get some warmer weather in my bones, escape the routine of working from my bedroom, and get some more inspiration for my soul. My job, although remote, is not very flexible, with high demands and with China opening back up from their Lunar New Year celebration, there was a lot to be done.

On Tuesday my company announced that they sold out, and as of March 1, we were starting over working for a new corporation.

Good news- we all keep our jobs….for now. Bad news is all vacation is paid out by the old company at the end of the work week, February 25 and you have to start accruing new time after that as if starting from day one. After that being said, I put in a request to take Friday off!

I think this was such a great lesson again that nothing is stable and plans about saving up vacation time or money for the future is sometimes useless. Enjoy what you can while you can.

I am staying at the Magnolia Suites and this is my front porch. I was able to sit on it several times and even laid in the hammock and rested in the afternoon.

Love their landscaping and attention to detail at this Airbnb.

There’s a lot of history here and even an original pharmacy.

I am literally one block away from the main town square.

Adorable. There’s one local coffee shop that I have been to twice now and each time it is packed!

Summerville is known to be the originators of sweet tea . They proudly sport the largest container of sweet tea in the USA, because, why not?

I don’t like history much, but found it interesting that it is said that Summerville came back to life because a doctor prescribed it as a place that cured illnesses due to the pine trees.

I have enjoyed this little town. I’ve eaten at 5 local restaurants and enjoyed each one. Obviously Summerville gets a lot of tourism and keeps quite busy. Its such an affordable place to stay, is walkable and so dang close to so much to see in South Carolina.

Krohn Conservatory-Spring Feature

My big sister came to town and I haven’t been able to spend quality time with her for quite some time now. She is recently retired and in the midst of moving states. I briefly saw her at Christmas but I don’t think either of us got a true conversation in with each other.

But now with Covid on the decline and boosters out, it was so nice to have her feel comfortable coming down for a visit. She came complete with a suitcase full of crap’ she didn’t want that my kids eagerly embraced. It was awesome catching up and checking out a new place for lunch. I love having an excuse to try something new.

I was hoping to show her a place she hadn’t been to before, so after lunch, I took her to Krohn Conservatory. Later realizing she had been here before when my kids were probably in second grade. (they are now 22)

They had just started presenting their Spring display which was perfectly fitting to my 2022 story board I put together, which revealed the personal need to add more color in my world. Lately most of my months in Ohio are pretty faded in tone.

I enjoyed this symbol representing the protector of the environment.

I was immediately taken back by the color. I hike a lot in the fall and winter, but nothing beats the colors of spring.

Trisha was immediately captivated by the lilies and their diversity. They added such a different dimension to the landscape amidst the hydrangeas.

This flower almost looks fake it was so perfect.

This darker lily was so dramatic. I haven’t seen a flower this dark” since Thailand.

I’m ready for spring’s arrival and the blooms that show up throughout our world during that season of transition.

I admire these greenhouses where the horticulturist know how to create an amazing presentation.

We ended up in the cactus section where this new garden art piece was on display. It was inspiring to my sister who now has time and a backyard to decorate to her imagination.

We noticed the interesting re-colorization of the cactus which I can only assume came from lack of sunlight. Knowing nothing about plants, I can only base plant life on what I see when hiking- the cycle of life in plants comes and goes with the seasons.

As I was admiring these cute little pink buds, I later noticed their thorny stems. Made me wonder a lot about life and how we perceive and are often distracted by beauty.

Rose Quotes - Pablo Picasso | Inspiration Boost

Columbus Museum of Art – Ohio

Hungover to all hell, we managed to mustered up enough energy to take in the art museum. I purchased tickets in advance for their special exhibit. I’d heard, via social media, that they had some VanGoghs on display and Sunday was the last day to see them.

I haven’t visited the Columbus Museum of Art before, so thought this would be a perfect opportunity to check it out before we left the city.

Isn’t this the coolest sign? Love it and it even works as a street lamp.

Some sculpture on display outside. Ground still a bit frozen from the storm that came through earlier that week.

These were slices of glass hanging from the ceiling. I was able to capture this view as I was coming down the staircase.

Amazing texture and simplicity in his complex style.

Mixed in with Van Gogh were other artist’s work. This one I recognized instantly because I was just given a notebook with it on the cover. Was interesting in the write up, they explained how the crest of the waves looked like claws up close and gave the turbulent feel to the aggression of the sea.

I felt at home when looking at this. As if I belonged with them.

This sculpture was my favorite. I absolutely adore the crochet and metal horn /toy mix.

George pointed out the man hanging upside down inside of this one. I didn’t notice it before. Instead I was just admiring the metal wire’s geometry. Sunny, my Cambly student from Korea, said it expressed modern society and how we are entangled inside of it.

I thought this was clever how they were asking people what they thought about a piece of art. What they saw in it. The answers were so interesting to me. I imagine that is what art is all about. Showing how something so simple can mean so many different things to different people. No matter what was intended by its creator, it is truly in the eyes of the beholder.

I’ve always been a fan of collage and this artwork I could have starred at for hours. Each photo was individually held up by thin metal pins. I literally laughed out loud at the mug shot of Hugh Grant.

They had so much diversity in the art they displayed. I was strangely proud of this museum’s ability to represent all forms. This photography display was powerful covering a large wall.

And this portrait was painted by a native Columbus man. He painted another artist who mentored him and damn I think he did him proud! The details and dimension achieved are beautiful.

This sort of had a cubism feel to it in a modern way which included real cloth layers.

I took this photo from an angle in attempt to capture the dimension of the wood cut piece. It had such depth and meaning. It was expressing how children learn and are influenced from social media.

They actually had a section labeled as “queer”. I wasnt sure what to expect, but it had many art pieces from gay artists. Many representing struggles and internal fears.

George pointed out this great piece to me. It was a huge display with many different landscapes. When you look closer, you can see how the artist took a variety of postcards from different places around the globe and then finished painting what he/she envisioned would be around it. What a cool project and masterpiece.

This curvy clear glass sculpture worked absolutely perfectly in the forefront of the stark barren trees outside the window behind it.

50+ Art Quotes (And Creativity) to Inspire Your Inner Artist -

Best of 2021

While looking back at 2021, it took me over 2 hours to review the photos I’d taken which lead me down a rabbit hole of reflection. I forgot how much I accomplished. It’s amazing to me how life evolves, time passes and we forget all we have been through.

I enjoy taking New Years as an opportunity to pause and simmer on what I’ve learned, what I am proud of and redirect where the next year may take me.

JANUARY – Started off with many hikes with Zoe, Beth and Linda. Keeping me grounded, focused on what makes me happy. Being part of nature.

FEBRUARY- Brought some fabulous snowfalls, which I made sure to get out in. Zoe still taking online classes and listening to a lecture while walking in the snow with me.

MARCH- A trip to Yellow Springs to hike with my sister and Tim. More urban walks to Sugar and Spice for Zoe and I’s weekend brunches.

APRIL- Hospitalization, surgery, the celebrations of blooms, getting my book into Joseph Beth, (Rebecca pointing it out) and birthdays!

APRIL ROAD TRIP- to Columbus, Indiana for the twins 22nd birthday. My favorite trip with them with architectural wonders and shared laughter everywhere.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- brings more memories than a lifetime. This trip changed me spiritually, educationally and physically. Seeing cactus for the first time in nature, salt beaches, waterfalls and underground caverns.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- exposed me to art from museums in Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Dallas Arboretum and the art town in the middle of nowhere- Marfa.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- Took me hiking in landscapes I never have physically witnessed before. Watching sunsets in the middle of nowhere and walking the amazing never-ending white sand dunes in New Mexico.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- had me witness eco Earth homes, Southwestern shops, Alien coffee and allowed me to sleep for 10$ along the Rio Grande.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- Had me in awe of Sante Fe’s heritage, Messe Verde’s mountain top and the out of the blue land forms of Utah.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- made me realize how phenomenal the United States National Parks are. Utah is stunning and I can’t believe I have never been here before the age of 53.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- helped me discover hidden treasures in Idaho and Salt Lake City.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- Took me to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the Grand Tetons and the Dakotas to see Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore.

MAY SOLO ROAD TRIP- never disappointed me as I followed my instincts which were prevalent in my month of silence, taking me to Sioux City and Galena in Iowa and my favorite, The Badlands.

JUNE- Things did not slow down upon my return in June. Reuniting with many friends, still hiking with most and celebrating the twins college graduation!

JULY-found me now in a committed relationship with George (we met in April). It also was a month when I had a wonderful visit from my Phuket friend, Virlane and reunited unexpectedly with some SKL coworkers. Of course also hiked many trails.

STILL JULY- hiking with Sedona, who moved back to Cincinnati and I explored Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory.

AUGUST- was filled with dog sitting which was bringing me some added income.$ I also explored Asheville for the first time with George and watched Zoe blossom in her sorority as a leader and now Big Sis.

SEPTEMBER- went hiking and barhopping with George which led him to find a new career. It also took me to a lake house in Tennessee with friends where I kayaked and hiked to a mountain’s peak.

OCTOBER- I started a new remote job as a category manager and George opened up the first meadery in Kentucky.

OCTOBER – also flew me to Phili to reunite with my AMC coworkers from the 1990s New York City days. Cheers- Karen, May and Susan! Sedona, George and I also barhopped in Cincy upon my return, a total weekend of drinking and friends!

NOVEMBER- I road tripped to Cleveland for a hike with Debbie at Cuyahoga Falls Park and then visited Holden Arboretum.

NOVEMBER ROAD TRIP EAST- Zoe and Sedona convinced me to drive to NYC for Thanksgiving and we had an incredible time with Yvonne, Lambert and Solaire. We got to meet Solaire’s husband, briefly spend some time with the Repetto/Souply crew and our old neighbors John and Colleen who moved Upstate.

DECEMBER- came with Covid testing, traditional Christmas Crackers and reuniting of the cousins.

When I look at this brief, not even full recap of my year’s adventures and moments, I am in awe. Of life. Its beauty. What it offers. How it unfolds, and where I find myself in it. Counseling with Ally which started last year and ended in July 2021 has shown me how to handle my inner chatter and find the little joys, boundaries and realize that happiness is within me and not in a location or with another.

I will forever be grateful for her help and making me do the work to find myself again.

33 Self Reflection Quotes That Will Inspire You to Change - Antimaximalist

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…🎄🎁🎅🏽

Christmas crept up on me this year. My daughters absolutely love this season, to which they refer to me as “The Grinch” because I am usually overwhelmed by it all and hating on the consumerism and marketing that goes with this day. But this year, I have to admit, was a bit more chill. I mean not as chill as when my daughters came to Phuket to visit me- that is untoppable!! But this year, I feel everything came together gradually and perfectly. I didn’t stress about gifts nor ran around to any holiday parties. It all seemed pretty low key.

As much as we hoped Covid would finally be behind us, it isn’t. It’s not done with its wrath on our bodies or consciousness. In the USA, with so many unvaccinated, it continues to cycle. I know other Asian countries have it under control and God love them, even Brazil with its 80% vaccination rate is heading in the right direction. The world is opening its eyes to how we all can work together and how it effects everyone in the long run.

I realize some hate when I share my opinion on political issues, but in the end, this blog is really for me. To share my thoughts. Where I am in life. What I’m feeling in hopes of inspiring others, or not. A photo journal of my year, my adventures, and my ups and downs. Attempting to stay as upbeat as possible, but honestly reality isn’t always so pretty right?

But its Christmas. And as much as I dislike the commercialism of it, it is a time to slow down, appreciate, enjoy traditions, and make new ones. I’m writing this as I sit alone on Christmas Day eve with my turkey and cheese potatoes in the oven, hoping my girls return with an appetite.

I started uploading my photos taken this last week to reflect on how cool American Christmas’ can be. I have been sharing on Wechat with some of my Chinese students who wondered what its really like.

My daughters put up a small tree at the top of the staircase this year, something new. Presents still remain around it and one morning I captured our dog just sitting by it all as if he was part of the event with his sporty holiday sweater.

I spent the week before Christmas with George. His house is decorated beautifully for the holidays. Complete with blow ups in the front yard, very popular in the suburbs. Under his tree were gifts for the girls and I. So thoughtful! So sweet. A new holiday tradition, we threw him into the stocking exchange we do. Filling everyone’s with little gifts we find along the way.

Zoe and Sedona came down and we played “Cards against Humanity” and “What do you Meme”- two adult humored games which were a blast! George had never played either of them before and was cracking himself up.

And Zozo excited about her new Korean cookbook.

We did traditional Christmas Crackers, which George had never seen before. Its been a family tradition of ours for years. I believe it began in the UK in the late 1840s. Crackers are paper wrapped tubes that always contain a paper crown to be worn and a toy inside.

We devoured way too many of George’s specialty tacos and margaritas.

Traci came down to Louisville on Tuesday for a visit and we went back to the NULU area and went bar hopping and shopping.

I loved all the balls of lights captured in this shot. From the top of the bar, to the reflection in the window to the outside lights. Even emphasized the round bar we sat at.
Traci struck up a conversation with the couple beside her who told us about a Christmas pop up bar around the corner. So we headed there next.

And Traci capturing me getting into the spirit!

As an early Christmas experience gift’- I sent my daughters to one of my coworkers house to learn how to professionally frost cookies. She runs her own cookie business on the side.
This photo is what my kids created! Its incredible. I highly recommend her for any occasion or holiday. They taste amazing too.
Chelsea Ballenger. https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.kathman.7

My house. Gifts ready. Tree glistening with its cute multi colored lights, and our angel hanging on for dear life at the top, hoping her job will end soon.

Christmas Eve morning I woke up with one of the kid’s highschool friend at our house. Loved seeing her with us again! These girls were quite the trio running cross country in junior high school and remained friends ever since. They joke that they are sisters which clearly confuses everyone.

Christmas Eve we took off for Findlay, hoping to spend one last Christmas together as a family in my sister Trisha and Tim’s house. They are moving soon to Michigan. I think this will be the last time we have an excuse to get together.

We all agreed to take Covid tests as soon as we arrived to ensure the safety of each other. My little sister opted out, and my older aunts and uncles also decided not to come due to the crowd, but the rest of us had fun with it and enjoyed one last holiday! All negative results.

Trisha and Tim were given a book about memories created in their home. They are about to sell it, after God knows how many years, (30?) and it was sentimental for them to realize the impact its had on all of our lives. It was sweet. A wonderful token created by our youngest sister.

It was awesome seeing the cousins together again. Zack, Zoe, Andy, Sedona and Paige. We were just missing Layne who is the oldest of the gang. We said we would photoshop him in later.

After we safely made it back home that night, the girls and I poured a shot of the Spanish 43 liqueur my Brazilian Cambly student sent to me. It was something I’d never heard of or tried before. Was such a special treat!

Cheers to friends near and far! Hope you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah and New Year!

Christmas Movie Quotes | Better Homes & Gardens

Museum of Ice-cream- Soho, New York City

On our drive into the city in the middle of the night, I was teasing my daughter that she should make an itinerary. She is a personal assistant to an executive, so this was right up her alley. She jumped on her lap top in the passenger seat and started googling things to do and places to see.

She stumbled across the Museum of Ice-cream. I thought it sounded perfect being that she started her career at Aglamasis, a local Cincinnati ice cream parlor. We had to book tickets in advance for a specific time slot and of course show ID and proof of vaccination.

There was a mobile Covid testing van right out front on the street, I wondered if it was there to service people that did not have their vaccination cards? Testing is always the alternative option.