Category: Uncategorized
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Butterflies and Bombs
“Hold up!”, Rick yells as we are coasting down a hill into an expanse of green, rimmed by jaw dropping Karst mountains. I quickly brake and turn to see him stopped in the middle of the deserted road, helmet off and looking perplexed. “What’s wrong?”, I holler back. He grins. “Butterfly in my helmet.” We…
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Thailand Two point Oh!
I’m exhausted. Seattle to Bangkok. 7000 miles. About 24 hours of travel. I’ve done this seven times in the last 12 months. Even so, when I hail a taxi home, I’m startled when I open the door and the cabby says, “Madam Teacher?” I look up from my fog of fatigue and see the driver…
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The Great Leap
Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, 1989. “Hey mister! You wanna Scuba?” Almost asleep on the beach, I look up to see our friend Mitch, negotiating a Scuba adventure. “What’s your name, mister?” asks the deeply tanned dive guy. “Mitch”, replies Mitch. “Feeeesh?”, the diver repeats with a half smile. We all burst out laughing and sign on…
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Hail Plastic!
Before I came to Thailand, I had tremendous disdain for plastic. Anything made of plastic was “cheap”, shoddy and downright tacky. And, the tackiest of all plastic items? The plastic shoe. Are you kidding? From up on my high horse, I could clearly see the faults of these synthetic fakes: they don’t shape to your…
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Pirate Gratitude
“I guess I’m done being afraid.” This thought struck me as I boarded a tiny boat with 8 guests, two guides and two boatmen. We had arrived in Labuan Bajo the day before. This small town on Flores Island in Indonesia, has seen the fast influx of backpackers heading either to sea or to the…
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Happy Birthday, Son
My younger son turned 23 yesterday and I am 7000 miles away. In many ways, I have Phillip to thank for this. He has taught me so much about living life courageously. I suspect he has no idea of his influence. So, this blog is a gift to my son, Phillip. Happy Birthday, man! When…
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Alone
About 30 years ago, I was on the city bus in Seattle. Coming or going to work, I don’t remember. I do remember the woman who sat next to me that day. I remember when she got on the bus and she was looking for a seat – our eyes met, and I must have…
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Thai Massage: It’s Complicated
Rick makes an audible sigh from the cushion next to me. I barely open my eyes and glance over at him. The woman is standing on my husband. Feet nimbly embedded on his thighs, slowly shifting weight from side to side, she works her toes into his tired muscles. I smile. Thai Massage. Typically weighing…
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Sour Spicy Yummy
“What are ya eating, John?” I called down the hall at school. John, 11, turns around and smiles. He’s holding a snack package with a kid friendly design and Thai writing. “It’s my favorite Miss Melissa! Do you want some?” I walk closer. It looks interesting. Long brownish strips on sticks. They look a little…
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It was everything.
2016. So many have said it was a lamentable year. No matter what side of the coin you are on, it seems that we have all grown tired of negative rhetoric and pessimism. However, I can truthfully say that I have learned so much from this “less than perfect; very UnHallmark, don’t post that on Facebook”…
Gonzo Girl 