I just can't get over here to blog. Too involved now with Facebook, where I post daily, photos included.
Sorry, readers (if any of you are left.)
There's just more interaction over there...and I need that. FB is the first thing I log onto every morning to see what my friends and family are up to and to keep them abreast of my daily life.
Don't know when I'll be blogging again......
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
On NellJean and Hot Tubs
It only takes one. One new reader with encouraging words. "Just blog. Blog about everyday life." Thank you, NellJean. I needed that.
So here I sit in my winter condo on Miramar Beach in the Panhandle of Florida watching football playoffs for Super Bowl 2011. A perfect day: Breakfast at Another Broken Egg, biking in sunny 56 degree weather, sunset cocktails, dinner out, football playoffs...and it isn't over yet...later, midnight hot-tubbing.
So here I sit in my winter condo on Miramar Beach in the Panhandle of Florida watching football playoffs for Super Bowl 2011. A perfect day: Breakfast at Another Broken Egg, biking in sunny 56 degree weather, sunset cocktails, dinner out, football playoffs...and it isn't over yet...later, midnight hot-tubbing.
(Click photos to enlarge)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year 2011!
At the urging of a couple of blogger friends, I'm back. But I need to find a focus about which to blog. I just reread my last year of posts, and even I am bored.
To fill in the missing time, I've been in Atlanta for three months, renting a little unfurnished apartment near my son's family, which I had fun furnishing with a few Craig's List items and Goodwill finds. To think I made three trips, a week each, to the North Carolina furniture malls to furnish my newly-built house back in the '90's only to give half of that stuff away when I downsized twelve years later...not the best financial move when I discover that you can find some really nice stuff on Craig's List...especially dining room furniture, some of the most costly to buy. I happily discovered I didn't need that much and lived simply with a bed I'd bought for my son's guest room, two little nightstands I found on Craig's List, a borrowed TV, and three chairs, two chests in the living room, a few lamps, and silk plants and picture frames from Goodwill (.99 - 4.99 each.) Didn't even need a table and chairs for those months!
If I can find a focus.
I don't really want to do the random thoughts thing anymore. I'd love to do an "all travel blog." I blogged a bit about the Panhandle when I stayed the winter there last year, and about my son's area in northeast Atlanta, and about my city condo and suburban place. But I don't really "travel" anymore. Did a lot of that in my 30's and 40's, and now prefer to "relocate" during the winter months.
Also blogged a lot about my biking passion. But haven't been able to bike the last couple of months here in Atlanta, as it has been way too cold.
Tomorrow I go to Florida.
Maybe I'll think of a longterm topic there.
(If you are still reading me, I wonder why....just a glutton for punishment? But thanks, glad you're here!)
To fill in the missing time, I've been in Atlanta for three months, renting a little unfurnished apartment near my son's family, which I had fun furnishing with a few Craig's List items and Goodwill finds. To think I made three trips, a week each, to the North Carolina furniture malls to furnish my newly-built house back in the '90's only to give half of that stuff away when I downsized twelve years later...not the best financial move when I discover that you can find some really nice stuff on Craig's List...especially dining room furniture, some of the most costly to buy. I happily discovered I didn't need that much and lived simply with a bed I'd bought for my son's guest room, two little nightstands I found on Craig's List, a borrowed TV, and three chairs, two chests in the living room, a few lamps, and silk plants and picture frames from Goodwill (.99 - 4.99 each.) Didn't even need a table and chairs for those months!
(Click photos to enlarge)
So I'm back to blogging (maybe.)
If I can find a focus.
I don't really want to do the random thoughts thing anymore. I'd love to do an "all travel blog." I blogged a bit about the Panhandle when I stayed the winter there last year, and about my son's area in northeast Atlanta, and about my city condo and suburban place. But I don't really "travel" anymore. Did a lot of that in my 30's and 40's, and now prefer to "relocate" during the winter months.
Also blogged a lot about my biking passion. But haven't been able to bike the last couple of months here in Atlanta, as it has been way too cold.
Tomorrow I go to Florida.
Maybe I'll think of a longterm topic there.
(If you are still reading me, I wonder why....just a glutton for punishment? But thanks, glad you're here!)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Solo Travel in Paris
Posted on September 1, 2010 - by solotraveler
Solo Travel in Paris – Great tips from a Francophile
Welcome to guest blogger Priscilla Pilon, author of the blog Weekend In Paris. Priscilla is a Francophile, Freelance writer and marketer who is passionate about all travel, with an emphasis on Paris. All photos courtesy of Priscilla Pilon
Solo Travel in Paris poses no problems for me, nor should it for you. Pre-planning mixed with a hint of spontaneity will combine to set the stage for a fantastic trip for one to Paris!
For Starters
A must, in my opinion, is to book a hotel with breakfast included. This ensures that you will start off your day with a fabulous cup of coffee while getting mentally prepared to speak a foreign language. Practice French with the morning desk clerk, plan your routes, and seek advice from fellow map wielding travelers in the lobby who will hopefully offer insider tips for your day ahead.
Stay Busy
Organized activities focus your day and help break the ice meeting others, making solo travel something to be embraced, not dreaded! Sign up for a session learning the history of chocolate making (tasting included) at La Maison du Chocolat, book a wine and cheese tasting at O Chateau, or head for a concert at la Cité de la musique. These experiences are great alternatives that give you the opportunity to mingle with locals and tourists alike while experiencing something nouveau.
Solo in a Group
Craving dinner companionship at the end of the day? I have never been, but hear from a very reliable friend, Stuart, that dinner at Jim Hayne’s house is quite an adventure. Strangers from all over the world show up solo or in groups and engage in repartee while dining on fabulous home-cooked food. Jim seeks a donation only to defray the cost of the meal. Anything extra reportedly gets passed along to various artistic charities. The suggested donation is 25 Euros and there is no need to bring a thing – wine included! Reservations can be made at Jim-Haynes.com. What better venue for solo travelers to not feel alone in a foreign city!
Incognito and Introspective?
More traditional ways for parties of one to tour Paris incognito or to meet other people include museums and cafés. Museums are an obvious choice because you have the option to take a guided tour to be with others or purchase headphones and go on your own if you are feeling especially introspective. Cafés and Brasseries are the preferred places to eat when solo in Paris – you will see many a Parisian dining alone outside (no matter the weather) facing the street where it’s the best people-watching in the world!
Whether traveling alone for business or choice, Paris is one of the easiest places to amuse oneself. The Joie de Vivre is infectious – go for it!
My note: This is so absolutely cool: http://www.jim-haynes.com/. I vow to do this the next time I am in Paris! I wish every city had something like this!
Solo Travel in Paris – Great tips from a Francophile
Welcome to guest blogger Priscilla Pilon, author of the blog Weekend In Paris. Priscilla is a Francophile, Freelance writer and marketer who is passionate about all travel, with an emphasis on Paris. All photos courtesy of Priscilla Pilon
Solo Travel in Paris poses no problems for me, nor should it for you. Pre-planning mixed with a hint of spontaneity will combine to set the stage for a fantastic trip for one to Paris!
For Starters
A must, in my opinion, is to book a hotel with breakfast included. This ensures that you will start off your day with a fabulous cup of coffee while getting mentally prepared to speak a foreign language. Practice French with the morning desk clerk, plan your routes, and seek advice from fellow map wielding travelers in the lobby who will hopefully offer insider tips for your day ahead.
Stay Busy
Organized activities focus your day and help break the ice meeting others, making solo travel something to be embraced, not dreaded! Sign up for a session learning the history of chocolate making (tasting included) at La Maison du Chocolat, book a wine and cheese tasting at O Chateau, or head for a concert at la Cité de la musique. These experiences are great alternatives that give you the opportunity to mingle with locals and tourists alike while experiencing something nouveau.
Solo in a Group
Craving dinner companionship at the end of the day? I have never been, but hear from a very reliable friend, Stuart, that dinner at Jim Hayne’s house is quite an adventure. Strangers from all over the world show up solo or in groups and engage in repartee while dining on fabulous home-cooked food. Jim seeks a donation only to defray the cost of the meal. Anything extra reportedly gets passed along to various artistic charities. The suggested donation is 25 Euros and there is no need to bring a thing – wine included! Reservations can be made at Jim-Haynes.com. What better venue for solo travelers to not feel alone in a foreign city!
Incognito and Introspective?
More traditional ways for parties of one to tour Paris incognito or to meet other people include museums and cafés. Museums are an obvious choice because you have the option to take a guided tour to be with others or purchase headphones and go on your own if you are feeling especially introspective. Cafés and Brasseries are the preferred places to eat when solo in Paris – you will see many a Parisian dining alone outside (no matter the weather) facing the street where it’s the best people-watching in the world!
Whether traveling alone for business or choice, Paris is one of the easiest places to amuse oneself. The Joie de Vivre is infectious – go for it!
My note: This is so absolutely cool: http://www.jim-haynes.com/. I vow to do this the next time I am in Paris! I wish every city had something like this!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tall Ships in Chicago
The Tall Ships have arrived at Navy Pier. Here they are, right outside my window!
(Click photos to enlarge)
Opening Day parade of the tall ships on Lake Michigan
Close up of one of the tall ships
Shooting off the cannon
Circling past Navy Pier and out onto the lake again...
...past the lighthouse.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Flowers in the City
Some people have this impression that the city is all concrete. Maybe many cities are, but Chicago is known for its lakefront beaches and biking/jogging path (some 20 miles of it north to south) completely dedicated to the recreation of its citizens (no shipping, commercial industry), its parks, and its FLOWERS! Mayor Daley has done a great job of beautifying the city and at one point (not sure if it is still true) Chicago was leading the pack in "green cities." He started the green movement in Chicago by constructing a roof garden on city hall, encouraging other buildings to follow suit.
These are a sampling some of the flowering planters and landscaped areas around the city....
(Click photos to enlarge)
These are a sampling some of the flowering planters and landscaped areas around the city....
(Click photos to enlarge)
And these are just examples of planters around Streeterville, my neighborhood. All along Michigan Avenue are center planters filled with seasonal foliage; window boxes and planters hang from many buildings on many streets in the city; the developing River Walk (a subject for a future post) displays gardens and plantings; and rooftop gardens abound in our city.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Women Traveling Alone, Pt. III -- 7 Reasons to Go
Reposted from Solo Traveler
August 18, 2010 by Janice
A twitter friend, @ DSXmac, told me that she heard a woman say that all women should travel alone before they get married.
Interesting comment. While I don’t like the “should” word – it’s quite judgmental in my mind — going solo is a good idea for women (and men) at just about any stage of life. Whether you’ve never been married, are married with kids, divorced, widowed, partnered with an empty nest… here are some great reasons to travel solo.
7 Reasons to Go
1. Discover yourself as you discover the world – before you get tied down, learn self-reliance, decision-making and how to organize your time.
2. Do what you want to do when you want to do it.
3. Have a last hurrah before you have children.
4. Discover who you are when you’re not responsible for children or a partner
5. Take a break from endless daily responsibilities and come back refreshed.
6. Build confidence after a divorce or loss.
7. Eat dessert first – do anything you want to do without being judged.
August 18, 2010 by Janice
A twitter friend, @ DSXmac, told me that she heard a woman say that all women should travel alone before they get married.
Interesting comment. While I don’t like the “should” word – it’s quite judgmental in my mind — going solo is a good idea for women (and men) at just about any stage of life. Whether you’ve never been married, are married with kids, divorced, widowed, partnered with an empty nest… here are some great reasons to travel solo.
7 Reasons to Go
1. Discover yourself as you discover the world – before you get tied down, learn self-reliance, decision-making and how to organize your time.
2. Do what you want to do when you want to do it.
3. Have a last hurrah before you have children.
4. Discover who you are when you’re not responsible for children or a partner
5. Take a break from endless daily responsibilities and come back refreshed.
6. Build confidence after a divorce or loss.
7. Eat dessert first – do anything you want to do without being judged.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Little Secret
If you, like me, aren't a bent-like-a-pretzel-over-the-handlebars, ride-as-fast-as-you-can cyclist and like to leisurely bike, looking at people and places, I'll share with you a little secret place of mine to bike: Grant Park. During the week, not the weekend.
Usually during the week, it's fairly empty and clear for biking back and forth and around and around. I ride along the lakefront path (which can be actually dangerous with all the joggers and other bikers) past the yacht club and boats and cross over into Grant Park. The city has newly paved around Buckingham Fountain, so it's nice to do a few rounds feeling the spray on your face, then if it's hot, stick to the heavily shaded paths. I clocked 15 miles the other day just biking back and forth around the park and the strip of bike path between Museum Campus and Monroe Avenue!
Unfortunately, on this particular day, the city was setting up all over the park for the annual free Lollapalooza (free bands playing F-S-S and vendor tents galore) so in some parts I had to dodge workers and fencing and tent frames going up. Ugh. I hate Lollapalooza. In my early years, I'm sure I would've been one of the teens or 20-somethings going to hear the music, drink and look for the opposite sex, but nowadays, I see it as just a huge crowd of noisy, drunken kids. I'm officially o-l-d, I guess.
Usually during the week, it's fairly empty and clear for biking back and forth and around and around. I ride along the lakefront path (which can be actually dangerous with all the joggers and other bikers) past the yacht club and boats and cross over into Grant Park. The city has newly paved around Buckingham Fountain, so it's nice to do a few rounds feeling the spray on your face, then if it's hot, stick to the heavily shaded paths. I clocked 15 miles the other day just biking back and forth around the park and the strip of bike path between Museum Campus and Monroe Avenue!
Unfortunately, on this particular day, the city was setting up all over the park for the annual free Lollapalooza (free bands playing F-S-S and vendor tents galore) so in some parts I had to dodge workers and fencing and tent frames going up. Ugh. I hate Lollapalooza. In my early years, I'm sure I would've been one of the teens or 20-somethings going to hear the music, drink and look for the opposite sex, but nowadays, I see it as just a huge crowd of noisy, drunken kids. I'm officially o-l-d, I guess.
(Click photos to enlarge)
Clear and free paths around the park during the week (usually without the ugly event fencing, set up now for Lollapalooza)
Signage for Lollapalooza
With giant four-sided schedules of bands playing for the event
But still lots of open paths for biking
Just the occasional group of segway renters (and not the tent framing being put up that you see in this photo)
Buckingham Fountain with the landmark Hilton Hotel in the background
With the 200' center spray, a new tourist feature...
And "new" Chicago on the south side of the park
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
7AM Biking on the Pier
My city condo faces Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. I never tire of the view. Peaceful waters, sailboats, dinner cruise ships, motorboats. The Ferris Wheel and amusement park rides. Crowds on the Pier, Bubba Gump's, Harry Carrey's, the Beer Garden and the Shakespeare Theater.
And in the early morning, nothing but a few walkers, joggers, cyclists and delivery trucks. Oh, and fishermen.
And in the early morning, nothing but a few walkers, joggers, cyclists and delivery trucks. Oh, and fishermen.
(Click photos to enlarge)
Backside of Pier, John Hancock building in background
Early fishermen
Planters all along the backside of Pier
The city as seen from the back of Navy Pier
Early walkers, joggers, cyclists on the Pier
Another view of the city from the Pier
Front side of Pier, my building in the distant middle
Shakespeare Theater, dinner cruise boats, my building in the distance
Further down the Pier, restaurants, Ferris Wheel, rides, bike rentals
City from the Pier, hot air balloon in center
Early morning on the lake
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Back in the [City] Again
You older Baby Boomers, will recognize that spin on the old Western cowboy song, "I'm Back in the Saddle Again."
Oi. I have not much to blog about this morning, so I'll just share some photos of "being back" in my city place for the weekend.
Snore.
Oi. I have not much to blog about this morning, so I'll just share some photos of "being back" in my city place for the weekend.
Snore.
(Click photos to enlarge)
Full moon over the lake
"Computer Corner" from where I'm blogging right now
"Reading Corner"
"Writing Corner"
"Bike Corner"
(typical storage in a city condo, when you don't want to use the bike room)
"Cooking Corner"
"Sleeping Corner"
My condo in the city is so tiny, I just have "corners" as designated areas. But its sufficient for me.
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