Scotland is known for its castles. There are few more romantic sights in the British Isles than a Scottish castle! We visited several, each very unique and different. Cawdor Castle is like visiting a home vs. a museum. Furnished with authentic family furniture, art & artifacts, it is currently lived in – by the same family for hundreds of years. The vast gardens are magnificent. Learn more in this blog.
Category Archives: History
Edinburgh, Scotland: Royal Mile (Travel)
Edinburgh, Scotland is regarded as one of Europe’s most handsome capitals! The 1st stop on our cruise of the British Isles, our short visit included the historic Royal Mile in the Old City high atop Castle Hill. Highlights of this visit are included in this blog.
Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul, MN USA
Continuing our Travel Dates to sites in our backyard, this year we plan to visit Minnesota Historical Society sites. The first was to the newly renovated Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul, at the confluence of the Mississippi & Minnesota Rivers. This blog includes my vast array of photos, tells the story of this site, its history – & shares new things we learned!
Nicollet Island on the Mississippi River, Minneapolis, MN USA (Travel)
Nicollet Island is a tiny little island in Minneapolis on the Mississippi River. Home to private houses built on public park land, charming inns and venues in old industrial buildings, a huge iconic neon beer sign, and nature paths through wooded shorelines, it is a treasure to be explored! Find out more in this blog!
9/11 – New York City Remembered
9/11…New York City…Both conjure up strong memories in my mind and emotions in my heart. As scenes of the horrors of 9/11 have been reviewed on this 20th anniversary, I flash back to memories of my personal times in NYC. As a young woman – I lived and worked in Manhattan. Years later, as a tour leader – I led groups of students to explore this great city. In this blog, I revisit and remember this city and reflect on its great resiliency.
Standing Tall: Art for President’s Day 2021
Happy birthday, George! Today is President’s Day when we honor all USA presidents. I focus on Washington because he was first. Did you know that America had “court painters” much like Europe before the camera? Learn more as my blog highlights 4 famous portraits of GW, including my 2 favorite at our local Mia.
Smile, Mona Lisa! (Leonardo da vinci)
No study of famous art would be complete without a look at what is arguably the most famous painting in the world: the Mona Lisa–and her famous smile! Who is she? Where is she? What’s the big deal about her smile? Her eyes? Find out more on my blog!
MLK & Art for The Problem We All Live With…
Today is a national holiday honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. My blog highlights several works of art including portraits and photgraphs of Martin Luther King Jr. along with Rockwell’s famous painting, “The Problem We All Live With,” which symbolizes the continuing struggle for racial equality. They reflect the life and legacy of his great man. Read more about these paintings and his legacy in art on my blog.
Film Discussion: The Nativity (Israel)
“The Nativity” (2006) is a perfect Christmas film for the whole family. It is an intimate look at the journey of this historical family from Nazareth to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth. In an authentic biblical scenario, it incorporates themes of hope, faith, love and commitment as well as historical insight that is both biblical and political. It has become an annual tradition in our home.
A Dome. . . A Birthday. . . A Trip to Israel
Jerusalem’s “Dome on the Rock” on Temple Mount, sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, is iconic for the Old City. My last trip to Jerusalem also commemorates my most memorable birthday!
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