Brushstrokes of Light
When life sets the mood and inspiration to write poetry.
Category: Travel
Age Buster
Today is our second sea day of a sixteen day Panama Canal cruise, San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. Sea days are the best for unwinding and recharging the batteries with some good, healthy routines: a fast-paced three-mile walk around the promenade, time at the gym, some yoga stretching, maybe some water aerobics. My must-do’s enabling… Read More Age Buster
New England Doggie Road Trip
Sitting on the deck writing, I can hear a bird trill to his friends. It’s melodic, like an invitation to come hang out together. A bumble bee has taken a liking to my hat. I resist the impulse to swat it away and instead hold my breath and let it buzz around the brim. The… Read More New England Doggie Road Trip
Back Home & Happy Holidays
How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? Dr. Seuss We have been home almost a month and a half. I’m not going to lie, the adjustment to getting… Read More Back Home & Happy Holidays
Tale of Three Cities
“Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new.” Paracelsus Have you ever gone on a vacation anticipating loads of time to catch up on your reading, do some writing if so inclined, only to find you didn’t squeeze much of this in? Well that’s me. The intention was there to fit… Read More Tale of Three Cities
Galway Girl
My father grew up on Galway Road. In Canada. It was a farming community north of Toronto, where many Irish immigrants settled. They named their road as a reminder of home. One of six boys and two girls, the Allen boys lived up to their Irish roots. They worked hard, liked their drink, and family… Read More Galway Girl
This & That & Not So Much
Random thoughts my minds-eye has taken note of during this trip that remind me I’m not at home.
In no particular order:
~ Where are all the homeless people? We saw maybe one street person in Barcelona, a handful in London and Wales and of the six places we have visited so far in Ireland it wasn’t until we got to Galway that we have seen a total of three men sitting on the sidewalk with a blanket and money cup. The blankets are so clean and comfy looking they give the appearance it could be more of a day job.
… Read More This & That & Not So Much
Churches, Castles, Donkeys and Beer
You can’t visit Ireland without bumping into a church. These impressive buildings dominate the skyline in cities and small towns and beg to be visited. You can’t enter a city or town that doesn’t have its very own castle. Ross Castle, 15th century in Killarney. Doonagore Castle 16th century, in Doolin. We see this… Read More Churches, Castles, Donkeys and Beer
Detours
Some of my best and often surprising experiences have resulted by taking a detour. Waterford, Ireland wasn’t top of the list to visit. Johnny joked I shouldn’t be anywhere near a crystal factory with my history of breaking things. Our travels tend to revolve around nature. Which is why we booked Killarney – Ring of… Read More Detours
9/11 and Waterford Crystal
Today, we are remembering 9/11, the heroes, the victims, the surreal dark cloud that engulfed the world. It didn’t matter where we lived, who we had sex with, what box we checked at the voting booth, we all came together for a brief moment in tragedy, changed forever by the horrific terrorist act. Last week… Read More 9/11 and Waterford Crystal
Writing Moments 