"By acting as if I was not afraid, I gradually ceased to be afraid." — Theodore Roosevelt Grrrrreetings from State 49! This past week the OH and I began our much-anticipated, northern journey along the coast of Alaska. We stayed in Anchorage for a few days before setting sail on the Viking Ocean Cruise ship, the Orion, on Saturday. This is such an amazing part of the country--spectacular scenery, colorful carvings, friendly folk (love their pioneering spirit and humorous take

“Groundhog found fog. New snows and blue toes. Fine and dandy for Valentine candy. Snow spittin'; if you're not mitten-smitten, you'll be frostbitten! By jing-y feels spring-y.” ― The Old Farmer's Almanac Holy, chocolate truffles, month two of 2022, here we are! Have to say the Twitter trends ending January were a bit eye-popping: WWIII; political SOBs & #PartyGates; the never-ending vitriol (sigh) between the Vs (vaxxed) vs. UVs (unvaxxed); the fall, fall, fall of the stock

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween... Just five more days until the spookiest night of the year, who's ready to get their #Boo on? For this scary night post, I thought I'd give a writer's lift #Shoutout for a few books and stories I've previously read for this countdown to Halloween. These tales from various genres will prime the goosebumps, get those hearts pumping, and best of all, are calorie free!🎃 It's been

This week our escape from the family room #roadtrip takes us to the Sierra Mountains in northern California. We're headin' to the hills of Mammoth Mountain and the shores and mountain forests of Lake Tahoe. The good news is that there is still snow in 'them thar hills' making this #snowboot gal extremely happy! The feature pic ⏫ is of the Twin Lakes area in the Mammoth Mountain area. Unfortunately most of the lake view road was closed so this was the main water view to be had

The scariest day of the year is almost here---Election Day, oops, I mean #Halloween is this coming weekend! Here at the Rusty Pig aka our front yard pub, we only have memories of Halloweens past this Covid year since trick or treating house-to-house is currently banned. We decided not to put up our outdoor Spooktacular lights and décor this season so as to not tempt any tricksters. This is the first time in my 62 years that Halloween has been cancelled---I think the great pum