What Kind of Dog is That??!! ("The Pet Gazette," August/September 2014 issue)

 

 

(I expanded an earlier post about my dog Simon, sent it to "The Pet Gazette" and lo and behold, they published it.  Simon has given his permission.)

 

Okay, when they handed out canine beauty, Simon was standing in the wrong line.  He has a German shepherd head, Corgi legs, Terrier fur and Australian cattle dog body.  Name any breed.  It’s in there.   Yet Simon is more than the sum of his parts.  In fact, in his own way, he’s perfect with only one flaw.

 

Learning to Navigate (Connecticut Muse Magazine, Spring 2013)

I swallow hard, trying to work up courage.  My car sits in the garage and I take the passenger seat, feeling like I’m climbing onto an unsafe carnival ride.  I look to my seventeen year old son who’s driving and make sure my seat belt’s fastened.  “Okay, let’s go,” I say, trying to sound chipper.  Patrick shoves the gear shift in reverse.  The car jumps.  Off we go, backing out too fast.  The first “slow down” comes out of my mouth.

A Peak in Provence: Part 1 (Seven Part Series: In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

                                      

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I must confess, after signing on for this trip to France, I had a case of buyer's remorse.  I had vowed to do something exciting, different, meaningful this summer so when I saw the invitation to a Provence writer's retreat, I leapt.

Continued on this link...http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/archives/10026

A Peak in Provence: Part 2 (In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

After breakfast of croissants and coffee, I explore Collobrieres. Around every corner I gasp at huge, medieval wooden doors, thick wrought iron gates, lavender gardens.  I meander down side streets no wider than ten feet.  Red geraniums sit in window boxes, aged wooden shutters lie against rough walls painted in blues, yellows and greens.  I happen down a narrow side street and find a memorial of flowers in a doorway. 

Continued...http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/archives/10045

A Peak in Provence: Part 3 (In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

Friday, June 22, 2012

After breakfast I hike the roads overlooking the village, thanking God for Zumba as I make my way up steep, windy hills.  As usual the vistas are both breath-taking and quaint, like a Cezanne painting. 

I move along and feel a funny contentment.  No doubt some of it comes from being unshackled from the washing machine and dirty dishes.  But it’s also the air, the food, the sun.  I think of the people back home who would love this trip and know I’m lucky.
Continued...http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/archives/10058

A Peak in Provence: Part 4 (In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

Saturday, June 23, 2012

This morning my I-phone alarm sounds off at a strange time and I reach over to investigate.  But the alarm tone I chose a year ago, church bells, is not coming from this device.  It’s coming from outside my window, the call to Saturday mass.  I've grown to love this ancient form of communication, so different from the modern world with I-pads, texting and 24-hour news.  Continued...http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/archives/10093

A Peak in Provence: Part 5 (In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

A Peak in Provence: Part 5 (In the Know Traveler, September 2012)

Sunday, June 24, 2012

I have an awful confession.  I'm ready to kill the ducks.  Every night there's some canard catastrophe outside my window where they all quack incessantly like car alarms.  I have no idea what's happening and don't begrudge their avian drama, but does it have to be at 3:00 a.m.? 
 Continued...http://www.intheknowtraveler.com/archives/10144