As the train left Florence, whisking us over the soft rolling hills towards Rome, my thoughts converged on this ancient city, home of the Vatican and the once great Roman Empire. I, like millions before me, wanted to undertake a Jubilee pilgrimage. All roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes. At least it was …
Instead of sun, I was seeking a pre-Christmas feast of Renaissance art by the magnificent artists of Florence, and then on to a special spiritual pilgrimage to Rome. There is budding research that viewing beautiful art can be a mood elevator. Feeling powerless to change a world plagued with cruelties of wars, injustices and moral …
Feasting on Michelangelo, Botticelli, Fra Angelico and lots of Pasta Read More »
Paris was cold and grey on an early October morning as my flight took off from Orly, heading towards sunny Crete. I was craving a deluge of Cretan sun to offset my annual slow descent into a seasonal mood slump. This usually occurs around mid-October from dwindling light. Fall is also the best time …
Crete’s Instense Blue Sea and Sun Was Just the Boost I Needed Read More »
I wanted to spend my birthday in a pretty setting not far from Paris. I could have chosen the beach, but since I am heading back to Greece soon, the Loire came to mind, when memories of lovely Blois blossomed in my thoughts. Last year, my birthday celebration was on the Seine, so why …
July 22, the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, remains a popular and sprit filled celebration where many will gather in the Basilica of Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume and near her grotto in La Sainte Baume for several days in southern France, to honor Saint Mary Magdalene, as they have for ages. For me, July …
Saint Mary Magdalene and La Sainte Baume; A Very Mysterious Place Indeed Read More »
A replica of the Statue of Liberty, seen behind me, on Île aux Cygnes, took on a more sobering meaning for this American last weekend. I had just enjoyed a lovely dinner on a restaurant barge along the banks of the Seine in the shadow of La Tour d’Eiffel. This universal symbol of America, a …
Nota Bene: Although the event happened in April, the message I wanted to convey is timeless. I had never been to a Paris marathon before, until last April, because I never knew any runners. That all changed this year when I found out that Amy, the courageous mother of my two wonderful grandchildren and …
It has been more than a few moons since I have posted anything. Several of you have expressed concern over my absence. The photo of me with the full moon between the towers of Notre Dame, taken after a crown of thorns veneration this winter, was in a post that never got published. Moons are …
Do you have an old or new dream that keeps bouncing around in your mind? An unfulfilled passion? Are you feeling stuck and desperately wanting some change in your life? When desire swells to the extent, that it can’t be extinguished, it’s time to listen! The bells of change are trying to get your …
December’s cold and rainy greyness has a new beacon of light overlooking the Paris skyline. Notre Dame de Paris with new radiant luminosity miraculously has reopened! Advent is a time of hope, waiting and expectation for Christians around the globe to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. How fitting that many like myself will …
Miraculous Notre Dame Reopens, Memories and Reflections Read More »
Frankly, I never imagined what seemed like a simple yet hard fall while mopping the floor at the end of June would end up being a 3-month ordeal! Retrospectively, I should have known that going barefoot while mopping makes for slippery wet floors and is a no-no. I call myself careful to watch out for …
I have always believed that birthdays are not just another calendar year or notch on your life dateline. There is much more to it than blowing out candles on a special cake and drinking bubbly, both of which I love to do! I recently celebrated another birthday about two weeks ago with much gratitude! This …
Birthdays, More Than Candles, Cake and Champagne Read More »