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Category Archives: travel

Wise and Wonderful Words: William Least Heat Moon, BLUE HIGHWAYS

William Least Heat Moon is the modern deTocqueville, traveling the country, observing America. The next few posts will be short excerpts from his book BLUE HIGHWAYS, published in 1982, called by some, including me, a masterpiece. Moon avoids main highways, and tiring of the desert, decides to head into the mountains toward Cedar Breaks, ColoradoContinue reading “Wise and Wonderful Words: William Least Heat Moon, BLUE HIGHWAYS”

IN ARGENTINA: Dogs

Just watching the dogs of Argentina freed my soul. In the park yesterday, near the lake, my daughter and I sat on a bench and watched the dogs play, unleashed. They tussled over palm fronds, tried to take the ball out of each other’s mouth, raced each other for the stick thrown into the water,Continue reading “IN ARGENTINA: Dogs”

IS SIXTY TOO OLD TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN?

When I was sixty, seven of us decided to climb Blue Mountain in the Adirondacks. I’d done it before and wasn’t too enthusiastic—climbing mountains does not bring me joy— but here was a challenge. Could I still do it? What better to do on that particular day? Our group assembled at the trailhead: four adults,Continue reading “IS SIXTY TOO OLD TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN?”

THREE RESTAURANTS IN BURGUNDY, FRANCE

AUX BERGES de THIL, Thil-sur-Arroux, Burgundy This is the co-owner, co-hostess, partner of the chef. It is a mom-and-pop restaurant (though they don’t have any children) which supports local farmers by serving their products. The chef trained in London and they both get along well in English. The food was inventive and served proudly. AContinue reading “THREE RESTAURANTS IN BURGUNDY, FRANCE”

BE A BETTER COOK — LEARN FROM RESTAURANTS

My mother was a riot in the kitchen. She’d look at a recipe (usually in the New York Times Food section) and say, “I can’t make this tonight because I don’t have any parsley.” “Mom,” I remonstrated, “you don’t need parsley. You can use cilantro or just omit it.” But no. I, on the otherContinue reading “BE A BETTER COOK — LEARN FROM RESTAURANTS”

Scenes from France

    Living in France was lovely, at least for ten days. I spoke French, ate and shopped French, and drove French. We ate foie gras, elaborate desserts, fried foods, butter, fragrant cheese; for breakfast we had croissants, and the occasional pastry. And we each lost two pounds. Terry says, “You know that book, WhyContinue reading “Scenes from France”