Sunday, March 16, 2025

Arizona interlude

Tucson, Arizona

Unexpectedly, I found myself in Arizona for 5 days this week to help out with an ailing family member. After all kinds of wild weather and a new found (and deep) familiarity with the layout of the Tucson Medical Center, I am headed home. The skies were lovely, but Tucson is definitely not the place for me for more than a few days...

More book recs:

  • "The Buried" by Peter Hessler (great book about the Arab Spring in Egypt)
  • "Memorial Days" by Geraldine Brooks. Wow.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Books on Bikes

Seattle, Washington

My latest three reads (listens):

  • "Intermezzo" by Sally Rooney (a great read)
  • "Foundation" by Isaac Asimov (a class sci-fi read)
  • "Mania" by Lionel Shriver (serious satire!)

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Home & settled

Seattle, Washington

After the joys, adventures, and work (!) of wandering in Switzerland and Iceland, it's great to be home to a sparkling clean house (thank you, A!) and the comforts of home. My only regret? That I didn't get a tea towel in Iceland to match the one I found in Switzerland. Good to be away and good to be home!

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The Secret Lagoon (or Old Pool)

Selfoss, Iceland

On our last full day in Iceland, Frank and I finally made it to one of Iceland's famous geothermal pools: Gamla Laugin (The Old Pool) which has been re-branded as the "The Secret Lagoon." It's a far less fancy place than the Blue Lagoon or one of the other geothermal spas and lies just 40 minutes by car from Selfoss. Basically, there's just one big outdoor pool with burbling hot pools along one edge of the place. But you get the feel of the thing and it was a gorgeous afternoon for such an activity. I'd definitely recommend it for something a bit less over-the-top!


Bicycles of Iceland

Selfoss, Iceland

Based on a close examination of hundreds of kilometers of the Iceland Ring Road, I don't expect to return to Iceland for a biking adventure any time soon. I need a serious road shoulder, at the very least. However, I noted with envy the dedicated bikes lines throughout Reykjavík. And then, of course, these fantastic less rideable bikes...



How to choose?

Selfoss, Iceland

I'm not even a knitter anymore but this yarn store in Selfoss drew me in, and I HAD to buy some traditional Icelandic wool, if at least for a friend. But how to choose the color/colors?

From the shopkeeper I learned that this very loosely spun wool is to be knit with two--or three strands--and not single-ply. So, I bought two greens and made my escape!

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Woman, Rebel, Captain

Eyrarbakki, Iceland

Several nights in Selfoss made me examine the map around Selfoss more carefully, and what did I discover? That Selfoss lies only a few kilometers away from Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri--the two towns which figure prominently in the great book I just finished listening to: "Woman, Rebel, Captain" by Margaret Willson. If you're travelling to Iceland (or even if you're not), this is a fascinating portrait of an amazing woman who lived in the late 1700's and early 1800's. Don't miss it!