Postcard: Travel Benefits

I'll be back Monday.
In the meantime, read my philosophy of travel.

I've missed you!

Postcard: Right to Write

Viennese Cafe

"Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one."
—A. J. Liebling

One of my bloggy friends, Ronni Bennett, wrote, "Freedom of the press still belongs to those who own one, and blogging means practically anyone can own one. That is the Number One reason why blogs matter. With blogging we designate a fairly beautiful thing: the extension to many more people of a free press—the right to publish your thoughts to the world."

Here's a wonderful post by William Zinsser who believes we have a right to write.

So write!
Take others on your travels through life!

Postcard: Travel Wardrobe

Remember all that hogwash I told you about my travel wardrobe?
After almost three weeks in the same clothes, I'd like to burn them all!
Read Angie's advice on flop-proof travel outfits.
(I'm getting a dirndl.)

Postcard: Travel Writer

I'm in Vienna, Austria researching a novel I'm writing.
I study at home, too. Some of my favorite teachers write
The Bookshelf Muse.
Visit there for a dose of inspiration.

Postcard: It's Not All Schnitzel

This week we're in Vienna, Austria doing some research for my novel,
but being a historian is not all Schnitzel mit Nudeln.
Here's the dirt.

Postcard: A Mini Vacation

Back when I was having babies, Dee said, "Let's name the last one after you."
That's why we have a Mini Mart!
Marta's a master blogger, and knows her stuff. Read her post on:
Jealousy and Blogging.
(And tell her I miss her!)

Postcard: Window to the Past

You meet the most interesting people traveling to the past.
Visit my friend Sheri to see why time-travel is the way to go.

Tell her hi from her old pal Marty.
We ran against each other for Historian in junior high. (She won.)
And we're both historians now!

Postcard: April Showers

Don't let a little rain spoil your trip!
Visit Amy to find out how you can bloom where you're planted.
(Tell her her mom says hi.)

Postcard: Travel Advice For Life

Right now we're in Ireland digging for my brother-in-law's roots.
He died in 1999 so we're writing his story. Today we're meeting my sister
Jolyn for a heritage tour of Portaferry.
Read her advice. She's very wise.

Postcard: Mountain Top

Some vistas inspire poetry.
Anna, my daughter-in-law, sees the earth through loving eyes.
When you read her words, you will, too.
Give her my love!

Postcard: Tourist Sites

Wondering whether to take the kids?
Christie has a horror story for you!
(This story involves a couple of my grands.)
Tell her hi from her MIL.

Postcard: Time Travel

"I never travel without my diary.
One should have something sensational to read on the train."

I got hold of Connie's diary. You've got to read it!
She tells what it was like Back in the Olden Days
and I've loved every entry.

(Tell her TravelinOma is sharing her secrets.)

Postcard: How to be a Hometown Tourist

Bring your camera!
We're visiting Linsey in Washington, DC.

(Make sure you say "Hi" from TravelinOma.)

Postcard: How to Get to the Motherhood

Cesky Krumlov

You don't need to be in a foreign land to wonder where your path will lead.
Visit Gabi for a sweet post about her road to motherhood.
Tell her I said hi.
(She'll know who I am. I'm her mom.)

Postcard: French Bread

You don't knead to go to Paris for French Bread.
Check out Heidi's recipe!
(That's my girl!)

Ready, Get Set . . .

Norman Rockwell

Go!

I'm off to London, Ireland and Austria.
But I have big plans for you!
You'll be visiting some of my favorite spots—
and some of you will be welcoming us.
(I love to pop in on folks. Don't you?)

Watch for my postcards!

Packing It In

As you can see, Viennese women are chic!
I'll be one of them for a week,
and I'm bringing my chic in one carry-on suitcase.

Packing List
Two pair pants (jeans and black)
Four T-shirts (1 black, 1 bright, 2 print)
Two tank tops (black, white)
Lightweight black Cardigan
Denim and other jacket
Silver jewelry
Long (fake) pearl necklace and earrings
Cream colored long silk opera scarf
Three colorful scarves for jacket
Two pairs shoes (black and red)
PJ's
Four sets underwear

This is all I'm taking for a three-week trip.
On the plane I'm wearing black leggings,
a black tunic, gray tunic vest, and a red pashmina.
(This will be good for lounging around,
when I want to seem dressed.)

Everything except the jacket and jeans can be hand-washed.
I always take lightweight fabrics that will dry overnight.

I pack kits so I can unpack and pack quickly.
Nightstand kit: little flashlight, tissues, lotion, chapstick.
Secretary kit: Check register, calculator, pen, envelope for receipts.
Recharge kit: camera and phone chargers, extra batteries, memory card.
Toiletries, Make-up, the usual.

I use a cool packing cube for my clothes.
It has hard plastic pieces for the top and bottom to keep things neat.
I take a fabric laundry sack, and an extra Le Sac bag that folds into it's own pouch.
If I need to, I can stuff the Le Sac with my laundry bag, check it for the flight home,
and have room for souvenirs.

It never looks like it will all fit.

I stuff in two umbrellas to vary my look in the photos.
(That's why I take two jackets.)

Push it all down, and voila!

Viennese Chic!

(P.S. We make a stop at the local post office before we leave a city, and mail any purchases home, so we don't get overloaded. They have boxes and tape there.)

I'll send postcards!

Plan a Research Trip

"If you look like your passport photo,
then in all probability you need the journey."
—Earl Wilson

Tips for a Genealogy Research Trip:

1. Make a list of your objectives. Ask yourself, "How can I make the best use of my time?"
2. Prepare folders with names, dates and other information you already have.
3. Use Google maps to find churches, cemeteries, schools, etc. that will be possible resources.
   
4. Search the Internet for addresses, hours, and phone numbers of courthouses, libraries, archives, and historical societies you'd like to visit.
5. Email or call ahead for information on collections. Do they have card files, newspapers or original records that can only be searched at that repository? Are there records that have not been microfilmed, such as church records?
   
6. Take a magnifying glass to help in reading old records.
7. Figure out how to use the setting for taking pictures of documents on your camera. Take an extra battery.
8. Take a digital recorder if you plan to do oral interviews, or to record your observations. (I'm excited to try this feature on my iPhone.)
   
9. Be ready with a notebook to document your findings and the sources, and folders to stash old photos or postcards you come across in antique stores.
   
10. Get some sleep before you leave.
    

Works in Progress

Big anniversary.
(Click for more)

Cousins Club Newsletter
(Click for more)


Planning a trip!
(Click for more)

More to come . . .

Favorite Sunday

LDS Conference Center

Twice a year our church throws a party.

LDS Conference Center

Members from all over the world gather in Salt Lake City for workshops and meetings,

LDS First Presidency

And to listen to a prophet's voice.


Conference Packets

Families all over the world gather and watch it on TV.
Even though Temple Square is only a block from my house,
I choose to be a home viewer,



Because there are some spiritual moments I'd hate to miss.



Our traditional Conference Trail Mix is a bucket of sweets with a few nuts,
kind of like the group that eats it.

First we say the blessing,

And eat delicious food.

Then some of us act out messages that the rest of us just listen to.

Messages like "How Do I Love Thee"

Today was my favorite kind of Sunday.


I used my new iPhone 4 to take these photos.
I got it last week, and there's just one problem:
I can't figure out how to set it down!
(Please suggest your favorite apps.)

My Inheritance

June and Jiggs' Wedding
April 1, 1946

Aunt Marie told me about the diamond clip.
How did I miss out on that???

Sixty-five years ago my parents got married. At the wedding breakfast my grampa gave a tribute to his new daughter-in-law. He said he had a special wedding present for her, something that had been in the family for years: a diamond clip.

Thrilled, she opened the little box and found . . .

a dime and clip.

(It was April Fool's Day!)

They lived happily ever after anyway.