Polar bears do it all the time...

Plunge into ice cold water, that is.

So…why not me?

Yesterday was my second annual polar bear plunge with the L Street Brownies. This time I dunked my head under water.

Air temperature yesterday at 8:00 am: 41° (F)*
Water temperature yesterday at 8:00 am: 43° (F)*

Wow!

*As measured by NOAA buoy station BHBM3 – 8443970, Boston MA. (They told [...]

January 2nd, 2012 | Category: Celebrating, Swimming | Leave a comment

Christmas markets…

A few years ago I had the chance to visit my first Christmas market, in Salzburg.

What a treat it was. Warm people and warm hearts to ward off the Christmas Eve chill. Fun toys and tchotchkes. Delicious aromas from the food carts.

I highly recommend visiting one if you get the chance.

November 30th, 2011 | Category: Austria, Celebrating | Leave a comment

The new year…

Have you started planning for your New Years travel or celebration?

Just yesterday, I was scheduling an upcoming appointment and the receptionist said “That’s right before Thanksgiving.”

Makes it feel like the Polar Bear plunge is just around the corner!

September 26th, 2011 | Category: Celebrating, Traveling | Leave a comment

Running into Rick…

Picture it: Salzburg, Christmas Eve, 2004

There I was, wandering around the Christmas market surrounding the cathedral, just hours before it closed for the season. Taking in the sights, the sounds, the smells, wondering what I should nosh on. When suddenly, much to my surprise, passed a personage into my view.

What ho! Is that Rick Steves [...]

April 1st, 2011 | Category: Austria, Celebrating, Traveling | Leave a comment

Don’t worry, be happy…

101 Ways to be Happy

Enjoy…

January 14th, 2011 | Category: Celebrating, Wondering | Leave a comment

Polar bears do it...

So I can, too.

What: Polar Bear Plunge with the L Street Brownies
When: January 1, 2011 9:55 am EST
Coordinates: 42.3294995 N , 71.0372294 W
Water temperature: 36.5° (F)*
Air temperature:  48.7° (F)*
Time in the water: Approximately 1 minute (toe in to heel out)
What got wet: Everything but my head
Surprising discovery #1: It didn’t feel cold being on the [...]

January 1st, 2011 | Category: Celebrating, Swimming | Leave a comment

Twelve days...

From the best yarn and fiber arts store anywhere on the planet, Halcyon Yarn in Bath, Maine comes my new favorite holiday carol, sure to become a classic: Twelve Days of Stitchmas.

Happy holidays!

December 15th, 2010 | Category: Celebrating | Leave a comment

Good things...

One good thing about my job: All the really wonderful people I get to talk to and interview for the stories and pieces I write.

Another good thing: When I get to see photos of the people I’m writing about, which is usually a shot of them doing something they love to do. It brings a [...]

September 3rd, 2010 | Category: Celebrating, Writing | Leave a comment

Happy anniversary…

Today we celebrate:

The naming of Washington DC as the capital (1790)
The installation of the world’s first parking meter (1935)
The publishing of Catcher in the Rye (1951)
The launch of Apollo 11 (1969)

Happy July 16 everyone!

July 16th, 2010 | Category: Celebrating | Leave a comment