I watched a program about the 2024 “World Happiness Report.” The U.S. ranked # 23… with Finland #1, Denmark #2 and Iceland #3. Ukraine ranked #105 after being invaded by Russia. It was a sobering assessment that made me think about my own level of happiness. Obviously…
Florence is one of those totally unique cities which beckons one to return again and again. Like with most beautiful cities in Europe, early visits are like tearing through a museum. Not until later do you really start absorbing what you saw. I was fortunate to return and spend a…
Museums are a place for wonder, education, and often transformation. While in Dallas we visited the Dallas Art Museum with the grandchildren. Their last trip was 4 years ago. The Girls are next to a fabulous “Shakyamuni Buddha”, a 14th century sculpture from Thailand. I am always fascinated…
My favorite city is hurting and could use some love and special care. Drugs and the homeless continue to be a gargantuan problem to solve. Many national retailers have departed downtown diminishing some of the vitality. Prices are atrocious for both rentals and for retail. Some of the press ( especially…
I have had a number of passions over the years and one of them is a love of Asian art. Japan captured my interest as a small boy when my mom showed me a Japanese Satsuma bowl given to her from her mother. While taking care of grandchildren in Dallas…
Our last day visiting museums was wonderful in every way. We organized our itinerary at breakfast with the National Portrait Gallery as our first stop. It was fascinating to see how the museum curators wove a visual story of the people who have shaped the country…presidents, poets, activists, and…
Marla and I were amazingly fortunate to spend four full days exploring Washington DC museums with our grandson and dinners with friends. Paxton enjoys museums as much as we do so it was a major treat for all. The famous cherry blossoms had peaked but there were a few colorful…
Marla and I connected with our grandson Paxton for a trip to Washington DC last week. I asked friends on Facebook for their favorite DC restaurants and Del Mar Restaurant popped up a few times. One Facebook friend I haven’t had contact with in many years asked when…
Marla and I made reservations for a tour of Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art on our recent trip to Waikiki, something we have wanted to do for many years. The tours quickly sell out and also necessitate transport by a special bus from the Honolulu Museum of Art. We…
Greece was on our travel radar for many years, and we finally made it happen! Paris and the island of Guernsey were tiring but we did our best to rally. Our base was the Electra Metropolis Hotel in the Syndagma district. We had dinner on the terrace of our hotel…