In which the author offers a public service announcement for foreign readers This week, the US television that permeates our cultural environment here (north of the 49th parallel) is just chock full of THANKSGIVING. Yes, all in capital letters, shouting, second only to the attention that is apparently due to…

I am writing this on the 22nd of November. For those of you in the Excited States of America, that’s Thanksgiving week. For Canadians like me, that’s six weeks AFTER Thanksgiving. But I digress. I was looking out my condominium window one night earlier this week and was startled to…

A photo journey through the fruits and flora of this Mediterranean gem Having spent more than 65 years living on the fringes of a North American rain forest, I’ve become pretty used to being surrounded by tall trees, evergreens that creep down to the seashore on one side and up…

In which the author reflects on a brush with the future, and is chastened. About eight months ago, my husband observed that my right hand was shaking when I lifted my cup to drink my morning coffee. Truth be told, I’d noticed it too. And occasionally, when I was tired…

In which Sicilian hospitality creates wonderful memories One of the best things about travelling with a high quality tour company is the special, extra experiences they offer which are not accessible to other visitors to Italy. We’ve experienced this priceless opportunity on every one of the trips we’ve taken with…

One of the pleasures of traveling is the ability to break with everyday routine. For the most part, being on vacation means enjoying a time without grocery shopping, laundry, house cleaning, obligations or work deadlines. Just lean into the novelty of new surroundings, new food options, new experiences, and go…

In which the author reflects on the ubiquity of stupendous edifices in Sicily I rarely set foot in a church when I’m at home, and if I do, it’s likely either to attend a funeral or a classical music concert. I am not a person of faith, and so the…

Remaining entranced with the novelty of travel It’s day two in of my European getaway, and as usual on an international vacation, I’m enjoying the people-watching. Enjoying lunch at one of the ubiquitous open air cafes, we have a ringside seat to the endless flow of pedestrian traffic. The ethnic…

In which the writer arrives at a chastening reality I was in a bit of a mood. The airline had emailed to say our flight was 75 minutes late — we hadn’t even begun the holiday yet, and already there was something to worry about, since that delay severely cut…