On pleasant autumn afternoons, my daughter and I enjoy walking around our neighborhood now filled with trees and shrubs displaying yellow, golden, orange, deep red, bright red and even pink magenta-colored leaves. The other day on our walk, a neighbor passing us said, “Aren’t the trees beautiful this year?” Yes, they are!

I traveled to Argentina a few years ago. I imagined tango dancers, humid days, lots of people on the streets, excellent food. My imagination didn’t fail me. But what I hadn’t expected was to be enthralled by Evita Peron, and the wonderful song, “Don’t Cry for me Argentina.” Click on the link below and you’ll be humming the song all day long! Madonna sings “Don’t Cry for me Argentina,” from the balcony of the statehouse. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Madonna+con%27t+cry+for+me+argentina

Which is your favorite? I love both, but the changing leaves are a gift to us every fall. Orange, yellow, red, green, brown — I love them all. Add some hot cider, chocolate, or tea and a cozy fire to take the chill off and enjoy getting together with friends and family.

I’m scheduled to go on my first ever cruise at the end of January. I’m anxiously awaiting news. Will it go or not? Should I go or not? I am soooo looking forward to escaping winter and enjoying some sunny days and warm beaches! Do you have any travel plans coming up?

There are advantages of hiking trails in late fall and winter as opposed to summer. First, of course, there’s the lack of sweat-producing heat…no cooling scarf or ice water required. Then, there’s the enhanced view. Fewer leaves let us see the creek or the hillsides from many places where the views are hidden by summer foliage. To top it off, the earthy smells and satisfying crunch of fallen leaves give one a unique seasonal experience. On the ridge overlooking the Missouri River at Weston State Park

What a find! Out on an automobile-free island in Puget Sound, we hiked to the top of a hill. There we found a tiny but lovely library, built by the local school children for the adults on the island. The donated books were all good reads! Rustic, comfortable, and full of good reads