Whenever I do that character strengths test, you know the VIA one , my top characteristic is consistently Gratitude. I don’t know, maybe it comes from not having much in life when I was a child,* but I do find that I have a deep appreciation for all the wonderful people, opportunities and things I have … Continue reading Gratitude
Category: travel
Things I’ve learned during my 52nd trip around the sun
Honesty is free, yet more valuable than pretty much anything else. With each birthday, I feel more compelled to celebrate. My dog is smarter than I gave him credit for being. Last week during an “intestinal bout,” shall we say, he opened the screen door to the back deck rather than literally lose his sh*t … Continue reading Things I’ve learned during my 52nd trip around the sun
Overestimating competence
It seems that many of us believe we’re more capable than we are actually. Sometimes when I listen to a friend (or son) list their intended plan of action, I nod my head while mentally I’m shaking it. I know there’s no way it’s going to happen - the circumstances or conditions are never going … Continue reading Overestimating competence
Albany XXX
What’s up with that title, right? Is it porn? Extra large? Nope...Roman numerals - thirty, as in thirty years since I first moved to Albany. In August of 1988 I was 21. I moved here knowing not a single person, other than Mary Panza who I was lucky enough to meet when her roommate tried … Continue reading Albany XXX
Reflections on Summer 2018
My travels have taken me new places and I am so appreciative of the memories I made and the food I ate and the wine I drank and the friends I hugged. Cape Cod without children is like shared custody following the end of a marriage/relationship - a dirty little secret in all the best … Continue reading Reflections on Summer 2018
In pursuit of perfection
When I instruct 6th graders on bibliographic formatting I always tell them that perfect is never my goal, except for in MLA citations. Beyond that, perfect is not my expected, or even necessarily desired, outcome. I don’t need perfect. Authentic and true is more than enough for me. This year’s Cape vacation has come with … Continue reading In pursuit of perfection
The art of Vienna*
After taking in a fair share of dark history, when we hit Vienna I was ready to indulge in a little beauty. While I was in Salzburg, I had read something which said “go to Vienna for the art and Prague for the architecture.” Seemed reasonable to me until I arrived in Vienna and was … Continue reading The art of Vienna*