Author Archive

A Sad Farewell (Pat)

Sorry to be so late today, but I had unexpected company last night. Good fun, but the blog, I fear, escaped my mind. We watched the special on Whitney Houston, and I couldn’t help but feel such great sorrow about a talent lost. One of my all-time favorite song sis “I’ll always love you,” and ...Read more.

Addicted to Downton Abbey (Pat)

Two of my favorite books last year were “Fall of Giants” by Ken Follett and “Only Time Will Tell” by Jeffrey Archer. Both books are set before and during World War I.   I loved the history and glimpses into a period often ignored. I particularly enjoyed the Follett book because the book — all 900 ...Read more.

“Island of Dreams” To Go On Line (Pat)

As a writer, I’m often asked whether I have a favorite book among those I’ve written. Or, more directly, what IS my favorite? I have a stock answer.   It’s like asking a mother what child she likes best. Each one is part of her. Each one has a different personality. Each one has different characteristics.  ...Read more.

Beautiful Baden Baden (Pat)

    One of the day trips from our ship was to Baden Baden located deep in the Black Forest, and it was as enchanting as I’d expected.   Baden Baden was one of the few German cities to escape destruction during World War II, mainly because it was a recreational area without any nearby ...Read more.

OUCH! (Pat)

This will be short today due to a tooth removall today (Friday) and a hefty amounts of pain relievers, steroids, and antibiotics. Warning: I’m not responsible for anything in this blog today. I always like to hope that I have a bit of a heroine in me. Just a trace, maybe. I want to be ...Read more.

More Rhine Adventures (Pat)

  Our river boat arrived in Cologne on a Sunday morning. Cologne is located on both sides of the Rhine River. It’s the fourth largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich) in Germany) and it is truly lovely. Although 72 percent of the city area was destroyed during World War Ii, the city has been ...Read more.

Strasbourg, A City of Wonders (Pat)

  First an apology.   I had a late birthday party last night, and that delayed my blog, but now here it is. On a Strasbourg Canal    The first stop on our Christmas Markets Rhine Cruise was Strasbourg, France which was absolutely delightful and full of surprises. Strasbourg has been strategically important since ancient times. ...Read more.

Travel and Discovery (Pat)

There’s nothing quite like a river cruise to sit back, relax and let the world go by.  Sometimes. At other times, you’re having new adventures and discoveries as pre-conceptions are being peeled away.   One reason I loved traveling is realizing I’ll see history in a new way, that I’ll see the connections and the differences ...Read more.

A Very Merry Christmas (Pat)

The castle above Heidelberg   First of all, I want to wish everyone  A very Merry Christmas and happy holidays.   I’m very happy to be back home from Germany and so were my dogs, Katy and Allie.    Allie even tolerated the indignity of  the Santa hat.    I tolerated two solid hours of dog kisses. I ...Read more.

Gingerbread Houses and Germany (Pat)

  Last week I promised some photos of our family’s annual gingerbread project. So here they are. Kits are purchased with the basic gingerbread house and the rest is left to the imagination of the participants.  There’s only one rule: you can only use edible items to decorate. No ifs, buts or maybes about it. ...Read more.