The Ken Burns documentary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition fleshes out the amazing adventures and challenges of the daring exploration of the new U.S. Louisiana Purchase and beyond. After Thor and I had watched the Ken Burns documentary of the American Revolution, we were eager to watch more history, so we settled in with
The Rambling Writer Review: Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery Read More »
The Unique New Harmony In the beginning of the pandemic, my husband Jeff and I wanted to keep up our travelling hobby, but do it safely. So we started driving to small towns within 100 miles of our home in Indianapolis, lunching in a downtown diner, taking photos of 19th Century bank buildings and main
Temporary Utopia: The Lovely New Harmony commune Read More »
Join Thor and me as we finally escape for some delayed R&R on Maui, with sunshine and daily snorkeling. But first, a tribute to Lahaina after the terrible wildfire of 2023. It’s been busy here since returning from our trip, and I’m still sorting Thor’s underwater photos with the promised images of snorkeling among sweet
The Rambling Writer’s Maui Vacation, part 1: Lahaina Memories Read More »
Join Thor, Reo dog, and me as we seize the day for what might be the last of the high mountain hiking for the season in the Mt. Baker Wilderness. Thor and I just returned from a wonderful, restorative vacation on Maui — and next week I will start the promised blog about our trip,
The Rambling Writer Hikes Hannegan Pass Trail Read More »
Worldcon was, this year, in Seattle. We like to mix recreational and professional activities and, since Wendy and I are both rock and geology nuts, we decided to do something we’ve been talking about for years: visiting the Channeled Scablands. The scablands are an interesting combination in Eastern Washington and Oregon. To understand this, you
The Channeled Scablands Read More »
Join Thor, Reo dog, and me as we seize the day for a beautiful hike in the Mt. Baker Wilderness — Chain Lakes Trail Encouraged by my better-than-expected energy on our previous week’s hike below Mt. Shuksan/Mt. Baker, Thor and I decided we’d try a more challenging hike on one of the last sunny days
The Rambling Writer’s End of Summer Hike at Mt. Baker Read More »
Flying in My Taxi In the previous posts, we’ve seen how different ways a 3- or 4-minute song can tell an entire story from beginning to end. Let’s see how that works in our next story song, Harry Chapin’s “Taxi”. Now that’s a longer song, more than 6 minutes, which is probably about as long
“Taxi” Story Song: Taking Tips, and Getting Stoned Read More »
Back to “Ode to Billie Joe” Part 2 So— Is this song a real (real, not true) story? That is, does it have a real story structure? There’s a beginning (the situation setup), a middle (the revelation of the death). Is there an ending? Yes, a really bleak one: A year has come and gone
Those “Billie Joe” Echoes–Death and Despair Read More »
As Autumn hints at coming winter, why not escape with Thor and me as we wistfully revisit some of our favorite beaches on fabulous Rhodos? NOTE: Due to too much “life” lately, Thor and I haven’t been able for a few years to make one of our wonderful fall trips to the fabulous Greek islands.
The Rambling Writer’s Favorite Greek Islands: Rhodes Beaches Read More »
Bobbie Gentry, a Mississippi singer/songwriter, wrote several great story songs. “Fancy” is my favorite, the story of a poor but beautiful girl being coached by her mama how to sell herself to the highest bidder. Okay, that’s kind of a disturbing lesson, but the song ends “happily,” with the brilliant line, “I may have been
A story song that echoes across centuries (well, 20th and 21st C): Ode to Billie Joe Read More »
Thor, Bear dog, and I simply HAD to return to the mountains, despite some mobility issues. Another Geezer Adventure. (Note: This is a rerun from 2023, posted just days before I learned that my never-smoker lung cancer had recurred with a large tumor in my chest that may have explained my continuing pain. A lot
The Rambling Writer Hikes and Swims Bagley Lakes Read More »
Join Thor and me as your virtual Thailand vacation continues with a tour via longtail boat of the dramatic sea stacks of Phangnga Bay. NOTE: Due to health issues, Thor and I haven’t been able to do much travel the past few years, so here’s our Thailand trip from 2020. We were lucky to squeak through the
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Thailand, part 19: Sea Stacks of Phangnga Bay Read More »
Join Thor and me for the last leg of your virtual Thailand vacation as we arrive at Phangnga Bay to see the famous karst sea stacks. NOTE: Due to health issues, Thor and I haven’t been able to do much travel the past few years, so here’s our Thailand trip from 2020. We were lucky
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Thailand, part 18: Phangnga Bay Read More »
