Who Are We?

The Little Prince“Grown-ups love figures… When you tell them you’ve made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? ” Instead they demand “How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? ” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Perhaps you can surmise from the quote above that I am loathe to cross-examine or be cross-examined when I make a new acquaintance.  I don’t want people to draw conclusions such as “She does yoga so she must love green tea.” Or, “She lives in Portland so she must be a tree-hugger who never shaves her armpits!”  I much prefer getting to know a person by spending time with them.  This allows me to experience them rather than pigeonhole them based on extraneous factors.   I will share with you that reading and learning are very important to me.  I also love to travel but not as a tourist getting off and on the bus sleepwalking through ten cities in ten days.  I prefer to visit fewer places and savor the sights and locale.  I love good food and workout regularly so I can eat more delicious food.  I also love good books and good movies that engross me regardless of the topic.  I love solitude but not being alone all the time.  Even though I relish my private space, I do “play well with others”.

The Coat I Did Not Buy

redjacketThere was a really cute coat that I fell in love with while visiting Whistler, B.C. in September.  It was a  raincoat by Helly Hansen with simple lines in a soft olive color.  Not that I needed another raincoat.  By my last count, I own one yellow, two black, and  one brown raincoat and two rain jackets.  That is more than enough for rainy Portland.

So, why was I even looking at raincoats?  Poor planning.

It was pouring rain everyday while I was in Whistler.  I had ignored the weather forecasts thinking it can’t rain everyday. I simply was not prepared for all of the walking in the rain  that I would do in this charming resort.  Because I had packed the wrong coats for my stay,  I was either wet and freezing in a down vest over a long tee shirt or roasting in a full-length North Face down coat.

Conveniently, there was a Helly Hansen store on the ground level of the Westin Resort where I was a guest.  The American dollar was strong against the Canadian dollar.  Plus,  there was a sale in progress- one of the perks of vacationing at the end of the season.  It was a simple equation.  I need a raincoat and the price was right for a charming, versatile Helly Hansen raincoat.  So, what was the conflict? Continue reading “The Coat I Did Not Buy” →

Reading, Eating, Conversing Italian Style!

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The best book club ever!   No one has to cook, clean their house, or clean up afterwards.  Just pay $20 and show up at Nicoletta’s Table in Lake Oswego.  The ambiance, the food, and the lively conversation will transport you to Italy for a few hours.   I always feel as though I have been on a mini vacation! Many thanks to Shari Newman, proprietor and her talented staff Liane and Suzanne for making these meetings so much fun.  They spoil us with a yummy 3-4 course lunch including dessert and prosecco.

The next gathering is Wednesday, Novmber 18, 11:30 -1:30 P.M.  The book is An Italian Journey: A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany by James Ernest Shaw.  I downloaded a copy on my Kindle.   Make a reservation by calling Nicoletta’s Table at 503-699-2927.  Ciao!

Cherish One Another

Two friends were recently married but opted out of a honeymoon.  This was not because they could not afford a trip or could not  take the time away from their jobs.  Rather, it was a promise to each other to live their lives together in a joyous, meaningful fashion so that everyday was a honeymoon.  Or, as Mark Twain said about his wife “Wheresoever she was, there was Eden.”
― Mark Twain, The Diary of Adam and Eve

Continue reading “Cherish One Another” →

My Favorite Food Places

Disclosure:  In my work with AJP Northwest, I have the opportunity to visit many restaurants, bakeries, bars and food carts.  Many of the places that I recommend are clients of AJP Northwest.   However, I would never recommend a place unless I loved it.  It’s that simple!  Continue reading “My Favorite Food Places” →

A New Life for Ginny

Every once in a while, I yearn for a dog.  I envision a sweet, loving dog sitting by my desk as I work, accompanying me on long walks, and listening to me as I talk to her instead of myself.  When I have this feeling, I visit a few websites and bookmark pictures of dogs that I like.  That usually is the end of it which is a good thing as I work full time and travel often.  My life does not accommodate a dog! Continue reading “A New Life for Ginny” →

Welcome!

Welcome to my world and my journey as a busy woman!   I love my life!  I am happy and busy with my career, my family, friends, and activities.   I will share my “finds”, my insight and my experiences.  I do this to lighten the load for another, to make someone’s day a little better and perhaps to solve a problem or offer a different perspective on a situation.  Also, I will share guest posts!

Please stay tuned for fun, interesting and informative posts.  Cheers!

Working from Home!

Continue reading “Working from Home!” →