A few weeks ago, I celebrated PRIDE Month with my LGBTQ+ family and friends during a weekend in Provincetown, Massachusetts. As the tourism team says: “Provincetown is a favorite LGBTQ+ destination.” Known for its “bohemian culture,” it’s a welcoming place that “celebrates individuality and freedom of expression.” It was my first time visiting and I couldn’t have asked for a better initiation. If you’re looking for a FUN time, Provincetown is the place to go throughout the summer months (other seasons look equally inviting). The only negative is there is major traffic on the two lane road lea ..read more

It was Memorial Day weekend 2024 and I was primed for a relaxing 4-day weekend getaway in the paradise of Palm Springs, California. I would be going with my daughter A, son D and daughter-in-law S, for what would become a very “bougie” vacay. (Note regarding “bougie” which appears several times in this blog post it’s pronounced bou·jee and relates to or characteristic of a person who indulges in some of the luxuries and comforts of a fancy lifestyle; i.e. spends too much on bougie stuff she can’t afford.) It was my first time visiting and I was primed for joy and merriment with my three millen ..read more

Now that Memorial Day is over, it’s time for the summer movies to hit theaters or streaming. I had a chance to preview Summer Camp, which opens May 31. Targeted to a mature audience, our demographic for sure, it features some big name baby boomer actresses and actors including  Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert, Eugene Levy, and Beverly D’ Angelo. While the cast is superb and there are a few good lines and themes, it’s a “campy” movie with over-the-top comedy. If you went to summer camp as a kid or teen you may relate more. I watched the entire flick wanting bett ..read more

I felt like I was being transported into the Gilded Age when I stepped onto the grounds of the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a glorious day with a bright blue sky and very warm temps — perfect for exploring the mansion and the breathtaking outdoor gardens of the estate where the wealthy Vanderbilts once lived. It was well worth a visit. The Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC Must see Asheville attraction For sure when stopping in Asheville, like my daughter A and I did on our road trip home from Florida to New Jersey, you must make time for an afternoon at the Biltmore. There ..read more

In my last blog post, I told you about my 2024 mother-daughter road trip after my snowbird stay in Florida this winter. One of our favorite stops from the Sunshine State to the Garden State was in Asheville, North Carolina. As two foodies, my daughter A and I were in heaven when it came to eating our way around the city. During our stay we were lucky to have three gastronomical dinners with different James Beard-nominated chefs. Each restaurant had excellent service and phenomenal menus. (Note: We did make reservations in advance to get into these hot spots.) House Made Pickled and Fermented ..read more

I’m excited to tell you about my 2024 mother-daughter road trip home after my snowbird stay in Florida this winter. On the last day of March, my daughter A and I headed out on the open highways from the Sunshine State to the Garden State. This year we stopped in Savannah, Georgia; Asheville, North Carolina; and Charlottesville, Virginia. It took us a little less than a week to get back to New Jersey, driving five to six hours per day.   My daughter A and I went on our annual mother-daughter roadtrip earlier this month In this post, I’ll give you a brief overview of our travels. In futur ..read more

Warning: This blog post may make you hungry! In my last post, I recapped my 2024 snowbird stay in Southwest Florida. Today I’m going to share my foodie adventures exploring Naples culinary scene. Ooh, ooh, ooh, I did a lot of eating at restaurants and cafes in Naples and Bonita Springs this winter. Both neighboring towns have vibrant and constantly expanding dining options. I’ve picked eight to tell you about. Let’s dig in! Warm Lobster and Crab from The Bohemian Starting with breakfast in Bonita Springs Breakfast is my fav eat of the day. A good decaf latte or cold brew made with oat or al ..read more

With the start of spring this week, winter will soon be in the rearview mirror. There are only two more weeks left before my 2024 Florida snowbird stay in Southwest Florida comes to an end. Despite a rainy and rather cold January, February and March shaped up with an abundance of sunshine and warmth. Ooh, ooh, ooh, there is much to share about my activities including my time in Bonita Springs (BB) and Naples. Plus this year I spent several weeks further north, exploring Sarasota with my boyfriend E during his first snowbird stay at his Gulf Coast home. There was much to see and do all around ..read more

My friends at Road Scholar are hosting a “Great Global Giveaway” and I’m excited to tell you about it. I’m going to enter and hope you do too. I so want to plan a vacay with this travel company during my retirement. Road Scholar Great Global Giveaway In honor of it’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2025, Road Scholar is hosting a contest in advance called the “Great Global Giveaway.” Seven lucky winners will win one of seven educational adventures to seven continents, complete with airfare for two people. These seven trips, like all the programs Road Scholar offers, will have an emphasis on l ..read more

I had hoped to publish my inspirational word for the new year about four weeks ago. Needless to say it didn’t happen. Time flew by and now it’s February 1st and I’m finally sitting down to write. It’s a bit serendipity because my #oneword for 2024 is balance. These days I find life is a balancing act.  That’s why balance is my focus for the next 11 months. As I get older I’m finding it harder to create balance in my life. You would think that being 10 years into retirement that I would have found a better rhythm. Yet I haven’t. Perhaps it’s because there are so many things I want to ..read more