Road Trip!

Glory be!  The sun is shining on the peach tress!  Georgia peach trees, that is!  The weather from here to the weekend is supposed to warm up, be sunny, and nice.  When I fly out on Saturday it should be around 60 degrees.

   My friend "Traveling" Terri A. from Nora Springs, IA, wants to road trip to haunted Edinburgh Manor in Scotch Grove, IA this spring.  We'll bring Barb A. from Mason City along and check it out.

Look here for more info about the asylum:  http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/creepy-asylum-ia/

I've read some comments about the place and it's about 50-50 as to whether there is paranormal activity there.  

Orphan Train in Concordia, KS

   I would also like to visit several nearby places in Kansas. Check out the URL's for more information.  

One place is the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia. - https://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/historyresults.php?id=288).  In 1854, the Orphan Train Movement began in New York City when 15,000 displaced children rode the train to their new home in Michigan.  From 1854-1929, over 200,000 children found homes in the 48 states and parts of Canada.  Kansas became home to 7,000 children.  The National Orphan Train Complex is a museum and a research center dedicated to the Orphan Train Movement, the various institutions that participated, and the children and agents who rode the train. The NOTC is the only museum in the country that currently focuses solely on the Orphan Train Movement.

I'd also like to visit Lindsborg, known as "Little Sweden."  - http://www.lindsborgcity.org/   The city celebrates its Swedish heritage with many events and attractions.  Swedish immigrants settled in the Smoky Valley Region in 1869.  One of the city's big events is the annual Midsummer's Festival in June. This national Swedish holiday offers Swedish food, music, art, games and the raising of the Midsommarstag (Midsummer Pole). Another big event coming soon on 19-MARCH is Vaffeldagen (International Waffle Day) where waffles is king.  There are also many historic sites, museums,gift shops, and churches to visit in Lindsborg. UFF DA!

And Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz in Liberal - http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2815.  We all know that the story of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz takes place in Kansas, but where?  In 1981, Liberal decided to answer that question.  Now you can visit Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz.  The tour starts in the gift shop and moves to Dorothy's house.  From there you enter the Land of Oz and finally end up in the museum.  A Tornado Simulation Room was added in MARCH, 2015. 

Welcome! to Liberal, KS

                                               

                                                   Making a dala in Lindsborg, KS

   Anyone who wants to road trip with me, just let me know.

Until next time.....

There's no place like Home

  I am counting down the days until I go home. It's 3 days, BTW.  I like to travel, but 2 weeks is about my limit.  I think it is the same with all people.  It's great to travel but it's nice to go home.
  It's been great to visit Tim, Dad, and Laura in GA. I've probably seen those 3 more in the 2 weeks I have been here than I have in 5 years all together. Time has a talent for getting by us.  We all enjoyed looking over pictures of when Tim was little.  I'm sure Tim will miss when I'm gone!
  The weather here hasn't always been pretty.  The sun tried to peek out on this very dreary, damp day.  Rain is in the forecast for several days.  But, HEY!, I'm not in the mid-west or north-east with it's cold and snow!

  I finished 3 books and am now on the 4th.  I very much enjoyed Patrick Taylor's An Irish Country Girl.  Much of the story is based on Irish mythology. The story begins with Christmas Day in 1964 with flashbacks to Maureen O'Hanlon's childhood from 1922-1929 in County Cork, Ireland.
Maureen's skill at storytelling, her belief in the Sidhe and her own fey powers are interwoven with the themes of loyalty and betrayal, love and hatred, and life and death.  I also perked up at the recounting of Irish history.  After having been to Ireland, and especially Dublin, I well know some of the people and places mentioned in the story. The author's own love and interest in Irish myths is evident with the simple, yet knowledgeable way he describes the psyche of the Irish mind and heart,.  Also included are several Irish recipes, a glossary of the translations of expressions used in County Cork, and glossary of Irish names and pronunciations.  If you're hooked on Irish myths and want a good story too, this book is for you.  Taylor's other "Irish Country" books take place in Ulster (Northern Ireland).

   My blog seems short for today.  Until we meet again.....

I see little green men

OK.  I'm just going to put this out there...
   Is it me or does anyone else think the new X-FILES is crazy and confusing?  I watched both Sunday and Monday night episodes and I'm lost.  To be honest, I liked the old X-FILES but I can't say I've seen every episode.  But I petty much know the background.
  Basicly -  Fox Mulder (David Duchovny)'s sister is missing and he believes she was abducted by aliens.  Fox was only twelve-years-old at the time but he has made it his life's mission to find her.  He becomes a FBI Special Agent and director of a department of unsolved paranormal cases called the X-Files.  Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), also a FBI Special Agent, is assigned to monitor Mulder.  Together they come to trust and believe in only each other.  " Mysterious men comprising a shadow element within the U.S. government, known as "The Syndicate", are the major villains in the series; late in the series it is revealed that The Syndicate acts as the only liaison between mankind and a group of extraterrestrials that intends to destroy the human species."  Taken from Wiki-pedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Files.  Another insight - 15 years ago they had a son, William, whom they put up for adoption to help protect him from evil forces.
   The the new series takes place 14 years later when Fox and Dana are reunited to help a possible alien abductee.  In watching the show, I was tickled pink with the humor.  I loved it when Fox mentioned ObamaCare as reason for the Foundation Mutation Center.  The conspiracy theories mentioned are right out of the news and FOX media.  I'm still not sure I'll continue watching the show or not.

   THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE                                

   Lynne is a new employee of the Symphony Seed Paper Company in Santa Fe.  They are a small company that creates materials from seed paper.  You can plant the paper in the ground and it grows.  Her job includes design, manufacturing, and assistance.  She helps design materials, correspond with clients, and assist with printing, cutting and shipping.   Lynne has her own desk.  Yeah, Lynne!!!  Go to  http://seedcards.com to see their products.

   New info on the front about Dad's procedures.  Yesterday the radiologist found a dark spot on the X-rays of Dad's neck.  Due to medication problems, the artery procedures will have to wait until the specialist gives the go-ahead.  I don't know if the artery procedures will occur yet this week.  I'm guessing that means another trip to the hospital for a consultation.

 
 Tim's architectural  firm had their winter party last weekend.  One of the door prizes were 2 prepaid airplane tickets to either Central America, the Caribbean, or Mexico. Yes, Time won them!  He has to use the tickets before 05-JAN-2017.  I suppose he'll take his girlfriend, Laura, with him instead of his favorite sister, me.  Oh, well.




Well, I'm at the end.

Happy Birthday, Mate!

Geoff & Jenna in Australia

   Happy Birthday, Down Under!  Today is the 28th b-day of our son, Geoff.  I talked to him via Face Time on my cell phone yesterday as it was 24-JAN in Australia. [They're 17 hours ahead of us.]  He said he had to work but had the 25th off.  Party time!

   The snow has disappeared and it was warmer today.  Dad and Tim went shopping.

   I've been reading my books.  I'm on #3 now.  It's title is A Country Irish Girl by Patrick Taylor, The book is part of Taylor's fictional series about Northern Irish country life in the 1960's.  So far the book has been interesting.  Here's the Amazon blurb for the book:

 "Readers of Patrick Taylor's books know Mrs. Kinky Kincaid as the unflappable housekeeper who looks after two frequently frazzled doctors in the colorful Irish village of Ballybucklebo. She is a trusted fixture in the lives of those around her, and it often seems as though Kinky has always been there.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Some forty-odd years before and many miles to the south, the girl who would someday be Kinky Kincaid was Maureen O'Hanlon, a farmer's daughter growing up in the emerald hills and glens of County Cork. A precocious girl on the cusp of womanhood, Maureen has a head full of dreams, a heart open to romance, and something more: a gift for seeing beyond the ordinary into the mystic realm of fairies, spirits, and even the dreaded Banshee, whose terrifying wail she first hears on a snowy night in 1922….

As she grows into a young woman, Maureen finds herself torn between love and her fondest aspirations, for the future is a mystery even for one blessed with the sight. Encountering both joy and sorrow, Maureen at last finds herself on the road to Ballybucklebo―and the strong and compassionate woman she was always destined to become.

An Irish Country Girl is another captivating tale by Patrick Taylor, a true Irish storyteller."

  Has anyone else read any of Patrick Taylor's books or the Ballybucklebo series?

   There is a store called BOOKAHOLIC in Wichita that sells, buys, and trades books.  Right inside the door are several sales racks.  I got 10 books for $10.00 before I left KS.  There is a 50 cents/book rack too.  Some of the books are older, but I've found some classics and more popular titles too.  Nice if you're looking for a cheap, easy read.  I get many of my books there.

   I also use ABE BOOKS, http://www.abebooks.com/ to order books.  ABE Books offer a wide variety of new and used books from inexpensive to rare.  The vendors are from around the world so that really offers a lot of choices you might not have otherwise.  I have received books from England and Ireland. 

Here are some more pictures of Geoff:

Geoff @ Iowa State Fair

      

Geoff - 2006

Time to close my note to you.  Talk to you tomorrow....

Thought of the day.....

Snowy Georgia Saturday

   Snow started falling last night and is still going.  Not like the mid-west US, but softly drifting flakes falling down from the grey, partly-cloudy sky.  Poetic, right?  It's very cold outside - feels like 12 degrees.

   Well, week 1 is done and now to start week 2.  I've learned a lot about healthy eating as my job as meal planner and chef for a diabetic with a low sodium diet.  And for the most part I have been following the same meal plans.  Each meal has 50% fruits & vegetables, 25% grains/starches and 25% protein.  Following the rules can be tricky when you're used to meat and potatoes every meal!  I can't wait to try out some new recipes on Steve when I get home.  I haven't eaten any 'treats' because there aren't any here!
   As Tim says: use fresh ingredients first, then frozen, and lastly canned.  Dad CAN NOT eat processed food, fast food, or salty foods.  Good-bye Micky D's, Colonel Sanders, Pizza Ranch, and Golden Corral, to name a few. It really is amazing what food items contain salt,  And I have to look for low/no sugar items too!  We are getting into a routine of what to eat. I won't bore you with menus, but I have become a creative cook!

   OK. Looked it up.  WHO KNEW!!!  
13 foods that might surprise you with high sodium content:

1. sauces/marinades/dressings
2. cottage cheese
3. cereal
4. bagels
5. baked goods
6. soups
7. "reduced salt" foods
8. veggie burgers
9. hot chocolate
10. pancakes
11. frozen veggies in sauce
12. sandwiches
13. chicken breasts [raw]

   Dad received 3 care boxes from Trudy the other day.  They were full of western genre books and appropriate snacks.  We now have a "Stan's Snack Sack" full of treats just for Dad.  [Thanks, Trudy]

   I think I'm going to make my walk/step goal this week!  I've been over daily goal most of the week.  I'll have to write 2 blogs today to meet my blog goal.  Tim doesn't have internet at his house.  Like I said before, I'm using my cell phone as a personal hot spot.

 
    I'm ending for now.  Be looking for my next blog.

 

Atlanta bound

   This has been a really rocky week!
   Last Saturday [16-JAN] I flew out of Wichita, had a lay-over in Dallas, and then headed toward Atlanta.  I mentioned earlier that I am scheduled to stay at Tim's house to care for my Dad for 2 weeks. The trip took nearly all day and I arrived in GA in the evening.
   I had never been to Tim's house before.  It is a fixer-upper in various levels of fixing in a quaint, hilly suburb,  The house is surrounded on 3 sides by tall trees. The back deck looks out over a wooded area.  As I type this and look out the window, I can see a squirrel sitting on a tree branch surveying the neighborhood.
   The first few days were chilly as the furnace wasn't working properly.  That's fixed now.  And a good thing as today is dreary, cold, and holding the promise of bad weather.

Emory University Hospitals

   For 3 days my Dad and I traveled to Emory University Hospitals for tests - a 30 minute trip one-way.  Our days started at 9:30 am at the clinics and we didn't get home until after 3:00 pm in the afternoon.
   My Dad is on board for 2 procedures: artery repair and heart valve repair.  The calendar looks like this: Next week - artery repair; next 4 weeks - recovery; late February/early March - heart valve repair; March-April - recovery/cardio rehab.  It looks like he will be at Tim's house at least through April.  Trudy is coming down on January 31st for a week.
   Thank you to all who have called him, sent him notes, and kept us in your thoughts and prayers.

   Since I don't have a car here, we tried the Uber experience as our way to travel to the hospital.  For those unfamiliar with Uber, it is a taxi-like service whereby people hire out to drive customers to destinations.  Using the Uber app on your phone/computer, you text in your location and destination and then request an Uber driver.  The request is picked up by a registered Uber driver, who contacts you via map, listing how long it will take until s/he arrives.  We waited as long as 15 minutes and as short as 4 minutes for our driver to arrive. In the 4 times we used Uber we never got the same driver twice.  You get in the car and off you go!  Payment is by credit card or Pay Pal.  No money is exchanged unless you tip the driver.
   Our first driver was Cameron, a well-educated, army veteran.  We talked all the way!  Being an Uber driver is Cameron's only job. He works daily from 3:00 am to 3:00 pm, give-or-take.  Cameron said he usually clears around $1,000.00 a week.  One draw back, he mentioned was that you pay your own taxes and insurance.  Plus there are so many people joining the Uber ranks that it can get hard to get clients. I googled it and drivers can make about $17.50 an hour and they work the hours that they want.  Cameron said that many college students become Uber drivers to make extra money.  The driver and the vehicle used has to meet certain standards to be an Uber driver.
   Shawn, another Uber driver said that using an Uber car is cheaper than using a taxi.  He stated that our trip might cost $30.00 by Uber but $65.00 by taxi.  The other 2 drivers didn't talk very much. Our trips usually cost between $20-$25 one-way.  It's one payment per trip no matter the number of riders.
  I finally have internet.  I'm using my cell phone as a hot spot.

Hey, BTW, how did your KINDNESS CHALLENGE go?

Well, until next time.....

TGIF

TGIF.....

   Tonight Steve and I ate at the China Star, an oriental super buffet on Central Avenue.  Out of 5 stars, I give it **** (4 stars)!  The crab rangoon was good, as were the breaded crab meat bites.  I thought the spring roll had an extra 'kick' to it - maybe ginger. The usual oriental entrees were offered and this time crab legs with butter. The coconut shrimp was good, unbreaded, and covered in a coconut sauce instead. Tasty!  There were many seafood dishes - maybe because it's Friday.  I also enjoyed a delicious stuffed mushroom cap appetizer. The salad table was a little light on the offerings (I've seen better and Steve even commented about it).  [Insert New City Buffet in Mason City, IA.]  The dessert table featured cookies, small cakes, and ice cream.  The facility was clean and the wait staff was attentive.  We'll return to the China Star again.

    I finished reading my illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  Great book.  I'm in love with Harry Potter and his wizarding world all over again!  If you can't purchase your own copy - beg, borrow, or steal one!  No, not steal. OK?  But get a copy and read/re-read it and look at the fantastic illustrations!  You won't be disappointed!

   I'm taking several books with me to read when I travel to GA.

Is this heaven?  No, it's Iowa!

   Welcome back to Iowa, Sadie and Tony!  :)  Our niece Sadie and her fiance have moved back to Iowa from sunny California.  Did you remember your winter coats!?!  Ha-Ha.  I know, not funny.

   Tim has informed me that my Dad is on a new diet. And Tim's household has committed to following the same diet program.  We call it "The Dad Diet" and Tim says just imagine cardboard on the menu.  No salt, sugar, fats, starchy carbs, oils, - and dare I say it? - no taste.  I don't use salt but not eating bread or potatoes is going to kill me!  I hear Laura [Tim's girlfriend] makes a great fruit smoothie.  Maybe I should try "The Steve Diet" which includes soup and salad for supper.

   I plan to keep my blog going while in GA, so don't forget to stop by for new entries.
   Until next time....

 

 

Sad News For Harry Potter Fans

Sad News  

 I'm sure the Harry Potter world is reeling following the news today of the death of Sir Alan Rickman who perfected the role of Professor Severus Snape in the 8 Harry Potter Series movies.

Professor Severus Snape

  Check out this link for more information about Sir Alan Rickman: http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2016/01/14/honoring-late-alan-rickman/

Severus Snape was never my favorite HP character.  I understood his love for Lily Potter but thought he was mean to Harry. I think he is hard to understand. Of course he is important to the HP story. 

   I enjoyed Sir Alan's role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner,  He brought both comedy and drama to the film. 

R.I. P. Sir Alan Rickman.

   Speaking of Harry Potter.....  I'm really enjoying my Illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!  The illustrations are beautiful!  Some of them are similar to movie scenes, others are completely new.  It's been so long since I've read the series.  I've forgotten so much.  It's like coming home to revisit the series.

   Yesterday, the dog girls and I spent some time sitting out in the backyard.  The weather was very pleasant.  Sunny, light breeze. Today it's scheduled to be warmer - almost 60 degrees.  It's hard for me to imagine this warm weather in mid-January!  Sorry, Iowa, Minnesota & Nebraska.

Well, I didn't win the billion dollar lottery. Did you?  I had such grand plans. Sigh.

   Today I'm doing laundry in prep for my 2 weeks in GA.  My Dad said to bring my winter coat and an extra sweater because it's cold there. 

   I've been warming up my husband to the fact that he will have to give Nattie (one of dogs) her medicine daily.  He so happy. NOT!  Nattie has congestive heart failure and is on 3 meds to help keep it in check. Cricket, the other dog, is an old lady.  Our son, Geoff, said that "Cricket is 84 years old in dog years and that's as old as Grandpa Sherrill"!

Cricket

Nattie

   Time to go.  Have a happy Friday!

Read! Read! Read!

Hello, Monday!
   Another start to the week!  Another chance for a new start!
   I made a new start of a sorts!  I started a new book, titled The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson.  It is a winner of The Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, a National Book Award Finalist, and a #1 National Bestseller. [Copyright date is 2003]  Erik Larson is also the author of Isaac's Storm, Dead Wake, In the Garden of the Beasts, Lethal Passage, The Naked Consumer, and Thunderstruck. 
   Since I just started reading it, I'll use the back cover blurb to describe the story: "Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life, Erik Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men - the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1983 World's Fair, striving to secure America's place in the world; and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death.  Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction."
   I'm not really a fan of the true crime genre, but what really caught my attention was the background use of the Chicago's World Fair.  In fact, I originally thought the book was a work of fiction. Imagine my surprise to discover it was a nonfiction piece with the Dewey Decimal number of 364.15.  Stay tuned for more updates!
   Just rear that this book is being made into a movie!  Leonardo DiCaprio will be starring as the murderer in the movie. I'm not sure when it's coming out.

   I finished a rather thick book today, titled The 12 Brides of Christmas Collection.  It is a collection of  "12 heartwarming historical romances for the season of love" by 12 well-known inspirational fiction writers.  The authors use nineteenth century settings across the heartland of America, old-fashioned Christmas traditions and sweet romance to unfold the stories of love and weddings. [Paraphrased from the back cover]
   The stories were an easy read and there were only 2 that I 'jumped-ahead' on while reading. I am not familiar with the authors, but I'm sure fans of inspirational fiction will recognize the names when they seek more information about this book.  The copyright dates of the stories are 2014.

   While we're talking about books....  I'm excited!  I received my copy of the new Illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!!!!  Yes, I know that should be "Sorcerer's Stone" but I have the British cover.
   I also got one for Marie for Christmas.  She's going to read it to Sam.  I had to order the books via Amazon because our local B&N didn't have any copies left.

I made plans to fly to GA to be with my Dad.  I leave this Saturday.  It might be several weeks before he has his heart procedure.  He sees a doctor this week and a specialist next week.  I'll be staying at Tim's house.

The weather here has been cold.. (But not like Iowa!)  At least there's no snow!  I really didn't mind the snow but I don't miss the endless days of freezing temperatures!  I've only worn my winter coat 2x!

Until another day....

Kindness

KINDNESS
 I recently saw a post on Face Book that paraphrasing, said something like America needs Jesus to survive.  While as a Christian I would agree, I believe there's more.  Christianity is not the only way to save America.  I have always believed there were other roads to achieve this goal.  My answer is to start with KINDNESS.
   If we were all just kind to each other that would solve some problem.  Sounds naive I know.  Really how can just being kind or nice to others help?
   It wouldn't matter if you were Buddhist, Native American, Wiccan, Muslim, Christian, or even atheist.  Kindness has no religion.  It's common courtesy to the other person.  It's also respect.  I can think of no true religion that does not advocate kindness and respect for others.  Even a person who has no religion can be kind.  I don't think that Christianity has the monopoly on kindness.

   Followers of Jesus believe it is a commandment to love others as themselves and to love their neighbor.  Wouldn't you be kind to yourself?  And it shouldn't be hard to be nice to those you love.
 Remember, Christians, you might be the only Bible someone reads.
And actions speak louder than words.


  My challenge to you....  Try being kind for 1 day.  If that's too much, try being kind just at school, or work, or for so many hours.  Start small, then go big!  After one day, make it two, then five and so on.

  In other news, Sadie and Tony weren't able stay overnight on Friday.  They ran into bad weather in TX.  We're hoping we get to visit with them when they rush thru Wichita today.
  Steve has a KWCH-TV post holiday party tonight.  I'm not sure if I'm going with him or not going.
  Today is very cold (23 degrees) but it's sunny and there's no snow!

Ending this post....
No Act of Kindness is ever wasted.

Stepping Up!

   OK.  I'm not doing very well in the 'New You' contest.  I really need to step up my step count!  I've been rather lazy with my walking. I have 2 days left to catch up.  PUSH ME!!!
   I've been working on where guests can stay during Lynne & Dave's wedding in April.  I'm done!  I sent out info to Lynne/Dave and close family members.  The choice is between the Hampton Inn or the Hilton Garden Inn.  They are across the street from each other, with same price and amenities. Steve and I are staying at the Hampton Inn.
   Our niece, Sadie and her fiance, Tony, were going to stay overnight with us Friday night en route to Iowa.  But right now they are caught in a blizzard in Arizona.  Go Figure! We may get to visit with them Saturday if they pass thru Wichita. Tony starts his new job on Monday.  [In a side bar, Lynne said there was bad weather in Santa Fe, too!]
   I've been coloring in my "Outlander" coloring book.  I found a picture of Doune Castle in Scotland to color.  Doune Castle was the model for Castle Leoch on the TV series.  Adult coloring books seem to be very vogue right now!
   This morning I scanned more photos to put on dvds for my siblings.  I'm giving the original photos to the photo subjects.  There are some really old ones of my Alberts, Samuels, Sherrill & Eid ancestors.  There are a lot of them of my parents, Mom's family, and our time with the carnival.

Jerry & Donna Samuels

Leland, Alvernia & Dewain Sherrill

.  I only wish I could go back in time and visit with the people.  What stories they could tell!  There is always something new to discover when working on family history!  BTW, I'm willing to share any family history info with other family genealogists.

At the end of my post.
 
"Pray More. Worry Less"
 
 

First Blog of 2016, [AKA Trip across the Pond]

THIS IS MY FIRST BLOG OF 2016!
   I have always wanted to keep a diary and I guess this is a good medium to use.  Also, in part, I've entered this "Better You" competition and my personal goal for 2016 is keep a blog with at least 3 entries per week.I want to use this blog as a way to sort out my feelings, share news, and something to be committed to for 2016.
   I also have an exercise and nutrition goal, too! My exercise goal is to walk 30,000 steps a week.  I know that sounds lame but right now I average about 21,000 steps a week.  My nutrition goal is to eat a salad as a meal 3x a week.  A BIG move for me as I am NOT  a salad person.  Insert bread and I'd be your best food buddy!
   One other goal of my life was to travel  to Ireland.  Last October, my husband, Steve, and I holidayed in Ireland and Scotland for 2 weeks.  It was wonderful!

Doune Castle in Scotland

Culloden Battlefield in Scotland

In Dublin

  We also visited Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Belfast, The Titanic Museum, The Giant's Causeway, the Walls of Derry/Londonderry, Cabra Castle, and Newgrange in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the William Wallace Monument in Sterling, Loch Ness, Inverness, Clava Cairns, and Edinburgh in Scotland. The hop-on, hop-off buses in Dublin and Belfast were a great way to see the cities!
   We even ventured to Berwick-Upon-Tweed for lunch to say we were in England. Berwick is the northern-most city in England, just 2 miles south of the Scottish border in Northumberland.
   If you are an Outlander fan, you will recognize Doune Castle and the Culloden Battlefield.  Doune Castle was also used in the filming of the  Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie.
   Two special stops were in Ardee, County Louth in the Republic of Ireland and Stabane, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.  These are the home-places of Steve's BOYLE ancestors. It was an unique experience for me to actually be in the very towns where families were born.  We spent the days visiting cemeteries, churches, and libraries.
   We would definitely enjoy going back to any of these 3 countries!

    I would also like to travel to Germany and Luxembourg [other ancestral countries].  I started compiling family genealogies in 1998 and have never stopped!

   Where would you like to holiday?  A foreign country? A tourist stop? Or just stay home?

   Well, this seems like a good place to end my first blog entry.  So until next time....

MAKE GOOD CHOICES!