Northern Noise

Last night I had two distinct dreams that I remember clearly. In the first, I was showering in the locker room at the University of Alaska Patty Center, when I looked down to see strange purple bumps all over my legs. I touched one and a small, pink worm starting to emerge. I didn't panic, but called Bob to find a doctor and started pulling all these worms out of my skin. He couldn't find a doctor or clinic who would take me, so I sat on the bench and watched the worms.... In the second dream we were at a food court in a busy mall. Bob was underneath one of the tables, throwing a football at passerby's feet, trying to trip them. He seemed to have an unlimited supply of footballs, because I don't recall him having to go get them after he'd thrown them. I tried to tell him that he was acting annoying and dangerous, but he kept laughing and saying he was having fun. His aim was good, and when innocent bystanders kept tripping after getting nailed in the feet by

No cell reception, no computer, lots of food, lots of laughs, sunshine, 10th anniversary, hot tubs on the beach, crazy boys, sand everywhere, attack of the killer zombie slugzillas, cioppino galore, lots of coffee, snuggling the baby, deflating air mattresses, 3 to a bed, discovery of vintage bookstores, figuring out how to get books home, not thinking about work, snuggling, teasing, staying up too late, fresh tomatoes, lemon pudding cake, killer Bob-B-Q ribs, missing the girls, missing the dogs, not long enough visit, sad to go.....

Here I am in Boston. Spent some time walking around the Freedom Trail, seeing all these amazing historical sites and taking it all in. But of course I forgot my camera, so today was supposed to be picture taking day. Left the hotel, in the rain but thankful I'd bought a cute umbrella the day before, and headed back to the Freedom Trail which starts at the Boston Common. Walked through the Gardens, and thought I'd take a picture of the swan boats and the bridge. Pulled out the camera and got "lens error." So no pictures. Luckily I have my iphone, so I figured I'd head to a store and buy a cheap camera. Found a Radio Shack not too far away (and almost directly across from Filene's Basement, a bargain shopper's paradise), bought a deal of a camera, left the battery with the very helpful clerk to charge, shopped, went back and was ready to roll. Freedom Trail for pictures, here I come! But first, a stop at the swan boats, to find that... ready for th

So tonight I'm eating Boston cream pie in Boston, Ma. Last night I dined on locally grown Oregon delights - including cassis berrries, asparagus and truffle risotto, and some lovely cheeses. Oh, and did I mention the Edgefield-made wine and whiskey? Not much beats food that fresh, especially enjoyed with a good friend or a sister (or a gal who is both!) Awhile ago, I met a friend in Portland for the weekend, and we reveled in the local foods and wines served at the Southpark Seafood Grill and Wine bar, downtown on S.W. Salmon Street. That meal, and pasta tossed with incredibly fresh peas, asparagus and morels that I devoured once in Washington D.C., have really changed the kind of eating I try to enjoy while traveling. There are always great restaurants around - I've hit some great steak houses and loved some Italian food in my travels - but finding a spot where great food is created with fresh local ingrediants is truly the way to get a taste of a region. Maybe it makes