Beneath My Feet

In the pottery studio in St. Quentin del la Poterie, France. 2018 Yep, that is exactly what you think it is! We've encountered these low-rider models many times in Asian countries. I can't believe I'm posting this, but it is important. Locating their whereabouts is one of the first questions you must learn how to ask when traveling in a foreign country.  But, in France be certain not to say " où est la salle de bain ?" like you learned in French class, as you will have them wondering why you need to take a bath at the museum. It's " où sont les toilettes? " ... the French don't sugar coat it! Surprisingly, this loo was in an old clay studio in southern France. We can't deny that we all must heed nature's call... even the Queen has a porcelain throne...  so does Oprah, Bill Gates, Mick Jagger, the Kardashians, and the Pope (that deserves a holy sh*t!)   Crappy jokes aside, the 'bottom'  line is: We are all human. PS or FYI: Not to ...

Center ground of Angkor Wat Buddhist Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia.  (2016) What if you had a guiding factor, an inner compass, to prevent you from making bad decisions? What if it would auto correct, or recalculate like a GPS to get you onto the right path? This curious photo shows how our local guide placed his phone's compass in the exact center of Angkor Wat. He explained how this enormous temple complex was built in perfect alignment with the four directions. Our perfect travel adventure aligns us with beaches, mixed with exploration of ancient cultures, their belief systems and feats of incredible engineering. What surprised us about this World Heritage site near Siem Reap, Cambodia was the sheer scale of it -- over 80 square miles, with something like 40 minor temple sites -- Angkor Wat being the major one. (Angkor means city and Wat means temple.) It was built in the early 1100s in just 30 years! Originally designed for Hindu deities, within 100 years it transitioned to a Bud...

It is a gift to share your home with creatures who comfort.  I know several people who live alone and have adopted pets in this crazy past year. Lucky them! You can see that an emotional bond quickly grows between them. Loving, caring for and spending time with animals truly enhances a person's well-being. Dogs love unconditionally -- our shortcomings don't bother them. Talk to them and you'll discover a trusted confidante. Laugh at their silly antics, a sure stress buster, and learn how to live by observing them. As they clearly demonstrate, the more naps you take, the more awakenings you experience. "Pets are inscrutable Zen masters sent to teach us the paradox of undoing in the hectic world where things always have to be done."   Sarah Ban Breathnach Photo: Our daughter's feet next to her lovely dog, Freya .

Khoa Lak beach, Thailand. 2018.  At low tide, we marvel at these intricate patterns along a soft sand beach in Thailand. Like thousands of tiny galaxies, these curious masterpieces come and go with the tides. They are composed of hundreds of minuscule sand balls . Nope, the invisible artists are not aliens, but teeny crabs called the "sand bubbler". These sand-coloured  critters are easy to miss. I imagine they feel the vibrations of our giant footsteps and scurry into their burrows. So, getting close to the little guys is pretty difficult. If you are still and patient, they will re-emerge.   The little crabs wait in their burrows until the time is right to emerge --  when the tide recedes.  Basically, the tiny balls are a product of the crabs' snacking. They sift through the sand for microscopic food. Th e scoured sand is rolled into balls and tossed aside. The crabs' work spirals outwards from their burrow's entrance, only to be washed away by the incoming tid...

After last year, people's New Year's intentions are leaning more towards family values and personal growth than the usual --  lose weight . It is important to reflect on a year past. It is also fun to look  back through journals and photos that can bring joyful reminders of times with friends, family, sunny vacations, and even challenging times.  Last summer, I happened across our family journals. Before they could even write, we started "thankful books" with our children, and we now treasure a stack of wonderful memories! We were to come up with one or two things we were grateful for that day or week. I' ve slacked off with this mindful practice since they've long left home. Maybe a New Year's resolution?  "If the only prayer you say in your life is  thank you , it will be enough."  ~Meister Eckhart Happy New Year to you!  And, happy birthday to our son Julian... who was 8 years old when he wrote in our very first gratitude journal! (below)