Archive for August, 2015
Adapting Sri Lankan Cooking Methods
As a widow, cooking for one, I have surprised myself in resorting to techniques I learned in Sri Lanka. In late December 2005, one year after Sri Lanka was struck by a tsunami, I went with a small construction team from my church to help build a new village for…
Westward, Ho!
Three Coasts in 13 Days From Nantucket to Corpus Christi to Carmel in less than two weeks is a bit of a push, but how could I turn down the gracious invitation of dear friends with a house in Carmel? A married couple can give no better gift to widowed…
Bouncing Back From Adversity
As I read about grief recovery, I continually see references to resilience: The ability to bounce back from adversity, loss, trauma. Resilience–or lack thereof–plays a huge role in happiness and depression. As Dominque Browning wrote in a New York Times article, “I’m Too Old for This”: “The key to life is resilience,…
Travel Tip #11. Invest in a Cross-Body Purse
Travel Tip #11. Invest in a cross-body purse for travel, sightseeing and shopping to free your hands and discourage purse-snatchers. In March 2010, on my first trip as a widow, I flew to Paris for a few days, where I stayed alone at Lev’s and my favorite hotel before taking the trains to…
Lessons From Nantucket Gardens
The Nantucket Garden Club held its annual home and garden tour while we were there in July–eight homes on historic Darling and Farmer streets. Since Nantucket was laid out in the Colonial period, when houses were at the front of deep, narrow lots, getting to peek in these hidden gardens is…
Special Travel Tip: Research Hotel Conditions
Earlier in the summer I blogged about the importance of hotel quality, location and amenities: Spend more on hotels and transportation if necessary to assure your safety and comfort. It costs less for one to travel than for two. Determine hotel in-room amenities in advance. If there is no in-room…