Traveling on Foot

Traveling on foot can be adventure. This 4 legged creature travels everywhere on foot. AND if you're traveling on foot, through the woods...be careful you don't startle wild life. Startled wild life can be dangerous.
Actually, this creature and I weren't in each other's space at all. I was pouring a cup of coffee looking out the kitchen window at a friends house Christmas morning in Cleveland Ohio. Gates Mills to be exact. She has acreage and so seeing wild life is common place. I took the picture right through the window and so did a bit of computer work to diminish the flash that hit the window and....reduce the blur a bit caused by the distance and using the digital zoom.

Safety though is important when traveling. Particularly in winter. Cars provide protection and heat, and often people forget to pack with safety in mind. Do you have a pair of boots in the car when you travel in the winter? If not, you should. The weather may be beautiful when you start out, then turn cold, wet, snowy icy and cold. Should you have car trouble, or an accident you need to be safely and warmly able to get out of the car in conditions that may not be the safety and warmth of someone's garage. Do you have mittens, a heavy coat and hat? If not, you should for the same reason.

Enjoy your holiday travels and be take a little precaution...........pack for an emergency.

Time Travel and Froehliche Weihnachten

Time travel of sorts. This is my ancestral family (Dad's side) 5 generations ago. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas (Froehliche Weihnachten).

My great great grandfather was a big man, especially for those times. Born in Germany Wilhelm Heinrich Mader, he immigrated to this country when he was young and single. He came alone after the death of his parents. He married Anna Heinlein who was also born in Germany; but immigrated to this country with her parents. They made their home in Chillicothe, Ohio.

I'd love to know what their Christmas's were like so long ago. I know they had a goose pen in their yard and that would have been The Christmas Dinner.

So, from my family to yours.
Merry Christmas

Gift Ideas when you Travel, Temecula California

Recently came across this very creative use of wine corks. I save my wine corks....to do "something" with them; though as yet haven't. Spotted this nifty wine and wine glass holder in a gift shop while touring the wine country of Temecula. Didn't have room in my suitcase as the time to purchase it....been thinking about it though, and looking at the mound of corks I've saved. Temecula is an awesome place to visit. In fact, we've been there 3 times and will be going again. Lots of different wineries, fun and interesting people, and ...the food.............yummy.
So for those of you who've not saved corks, perhaps you have a fancy sewing machine you've done anything with lately. Pull it out and embroidery a cute saying on some nice tea towels. Wouldn't that make a lovely gift? Personally, I loved this one; but you might have one that suits you or the person you have in mind. I'm always looking for neat and unique gifts while traveling. These fun tea towels were in the same gift shop there in Temecula. There's pretty scenery, good wine, good food............something for everyone. Add it to your list of places to visit.

ARUBA

Me in a bathing suit! When in Aruba you just don't know what you might see. Actually, we were waiting on the city bus to go to the grocery store....fun is everywhere in Aruba, even at the bus stop. You don't need a car to get around. The public transporation is quick, easy, and very affordable.


It truly is One Happy Island, where else would you see these 2 teams cuddled up? lol

It's cold in so many places now, with everyone rushing around trying to get things done for Christmas...thought you needed a little hint of warmer weather.........think Aruba. Which reminds me, I need to schedule our next trip there.

Public Art in San Diego Harbor

View 1 you see Mom, Child, and returning Sailor being reunited in a group hug.
View 2 you see the couple. Public Art is plentiful in San Diego's harbor area and worth the walk up and down to see them all. As you can, they're lighted at night. This particular art's history is unknown to me. I did not see (perhaps I missed it), a plague indicating whom the artist was, or if this was specific to a particular sailor. I did some looking here on line and also came up empty for this sculpture. Perhaps it's new enough, nothing has yet been posted?

We like art because it makes us feel something. Surely this sculpture does that. It also gets you thinking. Before the speed of communication with cell phones, texting, the internet, Military and their family relied on slow mail service during war times. Can you imagine not knowing where your loved one was.........whether they were ok or not? Can you imagine not hearing from them for weeks at a time? Today's military find themselves in difficult situations; but I think the lack of communication that existed back in World Wars I and II, The Korea War (Conflict) etc. had to be a horrible burden. Probably actually harder on families then those who served. Those who served pretty well knew their families were doing ok.

Take time, enjoy the art, and let it give you pause. If you go to San Diego and see this particular sculpture, please let me know if you see whom the artist is.

Scroll back to the last 2 posts for additional art along the harbor in San Diego.

**edited to indicate the name of this fabulous 7 foot bronze sculpture is "HomeComing" by Stanley Bleifeld. A visitor to the blog left a comment indicating that. Much appreciate it Oside Native. I deleted the comment since it had a link as links in comments often cause spam. Links beyond the link that is for the person's blog. Adding Oside's link blog link here.