On top of Notre-Dame de Paris

Following my first visit at Notre-Dame de Paris in late September of 2025, I learned that it was, once again, possible to climb the towers of the cathedral, something I had never done before. When planning my return trip to Germany by train, I allotted enough time between my arrival in Paris on October 1 … Continue reading On top of Notre-Dame de Paris

Bienvenue à Notre-Dame de Paris

When I left for Germany in August 2025 for a planned three-week stay, little did I know that I would be gone for nearly four months. Many of you will have experienced the pain and sadness that result from facing the mental and physical decline of an aging parent, and the turmoil associated with having … Continue reading Bienvenue à Notre-Dame de Paris

Pauline Chapel

Last week’s post featured the beautiful Brant and Broadmoor Hotel, and also mentioned the hotel’s founders, Julie and Spencer Penrose. Spencer Penrose (1865-1939), who hailed from a prominent Philadelphia family, had moved to the area in 1892, and partnered with an old school friend, Charles Tutt. Investments in real estate, gold processing, and copper mining … Continue reading Pauline Chapel

Welcome to San Luis

During an April road trip with Taos in New Mexico as our destination, my husband and I revisited San Luis, Colorado’s oldest continually inhabited town, founded in 1851. Like many settlements in southern Colorado, it carries a Spanish name, as this part of the state once lay in the territory of New Spain. The farther … Continue reading Welcome to San Luis

Still Hoping for Peace on Earth

As varied as our backgrounds and beliefs, we likely share the hope of a peaceful future for (wo)mankind. Despite being constantly bombarded with narratives of interpersonal differences and strife, each of us doubtlessly knows individuals who exemplify the good in humanity, or recall instances when someone’s unexpected kindhearted conduct stopped us in our tracks, and … Continue reading Still Hoping for Peace on Earth