Not long before her death at 95-years-young, my beloved grandmother Frances told me that she was coming back in the next life as a peacock. “Nothing could be more fitting,” I said, laughing and wishing it to be so. A jitterbug dance champion in her younger days, she was still lighting up the dance floor … More The Restoration of a Fresco, with Peacock Flair
When a great friend and former colleague asked if I would consider writing an Italian travel story for her gorgeous new magazine Huntsville’s CityLifestyle, I hesitated. The road has been long since I left professional travel writing to embark on the meandering-toward-disaster path of book writing. Before the sabbatical, I cranked out story after story … More Can 2025 Kick Off A New Era of Travel? Let’s Hope So!
The subject matter and tone of the last update were heavier and more emotional than most renovation stories, I realize. For this one, I thought I’d share some of the ridiculous situations and on-the-fly decisions inherent in any good reno project. And, because no one has ever appreciated silliness and spontaneity more than our late-friend … More From Bitter to Sweet: A Kitchen Transformation, along with a Dollop of Detours
Here’s the first in a series of “Before and After” stories. Transformation: Bathrooms. For weeks, I’ve struggled with how to continue sharing this renovation story. How easy it would be to let the before-and-after photos speak for themselves – and, I think these images communicate volumes, at least I hope so – but, my heart … More So Much More Than A Renovation Story.
I have been promising the first renovation update for weeks – seven weeks, to be exact – then, well, things kept getting in the way. You know, “things” like: tearing down walls, gutting ancient bathrooms, pulverizing a horrendous kitchen down to the floor studs, researching, choosing, and sourcing materials – all in a language not … More Renovation Lucca Update: Week 7
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