In the cinematic masterpiece You've Got Mail, the character played by Tom Hanks explains the appeal of The Godfather. A sample: The Godfather answers all of life's questions. What to pack for a trip? "Leave the gun, take the cannolis." ~ character of Joe Fox, You've Got Mail, screenplay by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron … Continue reading Pictograph Cave State Park: Upside-Down World
Personal Note
Grand Prismatic Spring: Inspiring
A few years back, as I found myself buying orange everything (furniture, clothes, dishes, to name a few), I explained my new obsession to a friend, something like this: ME: My favorite color used to be blue, but lately one definition of blue brings me down: sadness. My new favorite is orange. FRIEND: What does … Continue reading Grand Prismatic Spring: Inspiring
Campsite Bandit
Many years ago, I crawled out of my tent to the sounds of chirping birds, glanced around the campsite, and discovered a raccoon had visited in the night. Among much evidence of the culprit's identity, the most telling piece proved to be the adorable paw print left on top of a soft cooler. I remembered … Continue reading Campsite Bandit
Gut It Out!
Do you trust your instincts? Should you? If you start something big (a job, a relationship, a project, a trip) and you immediately feel it's not right, what's your pattern? Do you see it through no matter what, or do you start looking for the exit? I'm sure that the answers for you (like me) … Continue reading Gut It Out!
Year O: Launch!
As I climbed out of the crater, the calendar said it was the end of the year. But there are other calendars. Nan told me that her people live by three of them. "The stars tell us what to do," she said. "The moon tells us when to do these things, and the sun gives … Continue reading Year O: Launch!
Perfection’s Rough Draft
One of my few accomplishments during the quarantining last year (besides an epic four part poem about dust, and five poems about national park grief) involved creating a Halloween costume, buying all the parts, fitting it into a perfect storage container, and even labelling it. Then I put it in my closet, the quarantine never … Continue reading Perfection’s Rough Draft
Christmas Cheer
I promised to tell you about a Campfire Tales tradition. A few years ago, on a river cruise down the Danube during December, I discovered the joy of gluhwein at the Christkindlmarkt. (Translations: mulled wine; Christmas Market.) Once home, I sought out a recipe (this one, I think it was) and now I make it … Continue reading Christmas Cheer
Hang in There, Northern California
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ~ Proverbs 25:25, NIV Please know, the cold water reaching you will be good news in this distant land. Also, thoughts and prayers are with you!
Dear So-and-so
Maybe you, like me, have a lot of time on your hands lately? I have an excellent suggestion for you! I've been scanning everything that will pass through the scanner (yes, and a couple of things that shouldn't have been attempted). Last night, while hunting for some fun photos to share with you today, I … Continue reading Dear So-and-so
Memorial Day (2020): Step Into the Sunshine
Happy Memorial Day! Oh, you're not American, you don't see your flag represented, and/or that's not your holiday? Or you are American but you disagree with _____? Well gee then, you're free to go. In fact, I'm sure whatever freedoms you do enjoy didn't come at a cost to you or anyone else, so there's … Continue reading Memorial Day (2020): Step Into the Sunshine
Campfire Tales 