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!

Postcard: Still Counting

Norman Rockwell

"I pray I will never forget the good things that can happen

when our country is united."—Jiggs

Tom Brokaw called them the Greatest Generation. He's quick to point out they weren't perfect, but they pulled together when times were tough. My dad kept a journal while he was a soldier during World War II. When he got his orders to ship home, he was sick and he wasn't able to leave with the other guys. Finally he was loaded onto a hospital ship; that day he made his final entry in the form of a prayer.

"I pray to God that the day will never come when I no longer appreciate the privilege of being alive. If I have learned nothing more than appreciation during my 25 months overseas then my time has been profitably spent.

"God, help me remember the heat rash, how I suffered with the miserable heartburn, the hundreds of cankers that I'm hospitalized with, the diarrhea, the impetigo that covers me and spreads so fast, and the unbearable heat.

"If my time overseas has been unpleasant, it has nevertheless been an experience I would never trade for a million dollars. I have acquired a sense of values and an appreciation of life that I never had before. I hope I shall always remember my experiences. I pray I'll always appreciate my country and what my friends died to protect."

My dad Jiggs (left) and his buddies in Australia, 1943

Postcard: Learning to be Thankful

Grace by Norman Rockwell

Chelsea said the blessing:

" . . . and please bless that we'll like all our food,
and please bless that we'll even like the chicken.
And please bless that we'll like whatever our drink is . . . "

God answers prayers with the blessings we need.
I wrote about a personal miracle here.

Postcard: Traditional Thoughts

After hours of togetherness,
Mary thought for just a moment
about flipping her family the bird.

(Now, now . . .

you are not related to a bunch of turkeys . . . )

Are traditions all they're cracked up to be?
Click here.

Postcard: Oma Kit

Norman Rockwell

"It's from TravelinOma. She's off with the grands.
I wonder what she took this time."

Oma Kit Ideas:

Stack the cups.
(Each one represents a blessing.)

Magnet Play
(Tell a story in two minutes—set the timer.)

Talking Fork

"Native Americans pass around a talking stick which gives the user storyteller power. This fork has the same magic. While you hold this fork you will have the gift of a silver tongue. A family memory will flow through you and everyone will listen spellbound."

*Be prepared with an Oma Kit! Click here for more ideas.