Christmas Cards

I love the beauty of Christmas past

and

I would love to have postcards from all

of the following time periods.

or

or

or

Not sure why I find these cards so appealing but I do.

or

I think I'm just an old-fashioned girl.

Merry Christmas to All.

Connections

There is nothing like the love of some good friends.

I was so thrilled when I got this postcard

because, not only is Seattle one of my favorite places

in the entire world - 

a place where two of my sons and their families live -

but my friends Steph and Mark remembered this

fact, this connection, and thought of me as they visited this wondrous city.

I feel special.

Steph and Mark, I really hope your visit brought you as much

joy as this postcard brought me.

And I hope you found Seattle to be 

absolutely amazing..........full of fabulous food,

awesome bands, and wonderful people.

You sure made me day.

Thank you !!!

Let's go

Dreaming

We have a list a mile long but 

here's one of the top places

we dream of visiting.

France, Provence, Avignon

Again, one of our sons studying abroad.

His words -

"Mom and Dad -I'm in the middle of the walled town

of Avignon.  This is where the Popes of the 13th century

lived - not Rome.  This place is a

fantasy-like dream world.  I'm on the top of a hill in

the center of town over-looking the bridge

which is old - how old??

I'm so happy here.

It smells good.

It looks good and

there's lots of wine!!"

Just reading his description and feeling his joy,

makes us REALLY want to see and smell it for ourselves.

Oh, yes -

retirement is going to allow us

to travel.

And the places we'll see !!!!

Can't wait.

We are definitely going places.

Vicarious Living

Frequently I seem to know an awful lot about

places I've never been.

That's because I'm lucky enough to

have a family that has been almost

everywhere......not exaggerating !!!!

This is a postcard from our

oldest son who was studying for a semester

in exotic

MOROCCO !!!

What he wrote, brought this postcard alive.

"Hi Mom and Dad,

This is a postcard of what I thought Morocco

would be like - all deserts and Sheiks and what not.

In reality, although it is certainly different

from Seattle or California, Morocco is

full of satellite dishes and Pizza Huts.  It's 

a strange place.  It's coming and going

at the same time.  There is still

some of the old 'Aladdin' thing, but it's definitely in flux.

At least the Mint Tea is still here.  Or, as they call it, 

'Moroccan Whiskey'. "

Now do you see what I mean??

His words are so descriptive, so full or color and life.

I do feel like I've been there.

And I'd love to go back.

We're going places.

Japan

This is not a postcard but it could be.

This lovely Geisha lives at our house

and is always available for a quick trip down

Memory Lane.

We lived in Japan for five years.

Three of our children were born there.

So many memories are wrapped up in that one word

"Japan".

The wonderful people there, 

the incredible scenery,

the food - oh oh oh, the food ,

the amazing fireworks,

the smells, the language,

It was a beautiful time for Jim and I.

It's a beautiful memory.

How fortunate we are to have had this incredible experience.

Living in a foreign country is a true educational miracle.

Postcard in my mind.

Dreaming

Faraway Places I've been Dreaming About..........

Please join me on quick relaxing journey in our minds to Kauai............currently my favorite place EVER.  And this is a postcard I sent myself from there.  Whenever the pace of the world gets me down, I can take out my collection of postcards and - just that fast - I'm there.  Anyone for a quick martini and some sashimi at the Calypso ???  Just a stones throw from Hanalei Bay..................ahhh, I feel rejuvenated all ready.  

Where's the next stop in my Retirement Postcard Travels??