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Vipassana (1/3)
Lazily, I surf the internet, snuggled in the corner of my couch, wearing fuzzy socks, and a cuddly sweatshirt. “Meditation retreats near me.” Fancy, expensive ones are listed. These are…
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Swipe Right
While contemplating this chapter, I struggle with what to write about dating. I am very clear on what I did NOT want to write. First, I thought I would write…
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Financial Fitness
Maria’s 2019 Goals: Get my financial world in order. See number 1. What better time to address your financial health than with the approach of Tax Day, April 15th. This…
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Her Story Made History
The man in line beside me smirks at my answer to the cashier’s question “What movie?” Then, he stares at my breasts. I don’t know the reason for his mirth, disdain,…
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Happy Birthday, Erin!
I remember when my parents told Sean and me that they were pregnant with Erin. They called us to come inside from playing in the snow. “You are going to…
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Happy Birthday, Dad!
My Dad’s birthday is one day after my Mom’s. They are the same age for exactly one day. My Dad didn’t have the same request for writing down special memories…
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Happy Birthday, Mom!
Whenever I release a new blog post, my mom is the first one to read it, always sending me inspirational emails. “Wonderful post again. You are so special.” or “This…
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Connecticut, Delaware, Food, Friends, Lessons, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Memories, National Park, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Van
Acadia (1/3)
9 PM, 10/10/2016 Dear Mom and Dad, Guess what? I have decided to travel the United States in a camper van. Yes, I will be (probably temporarily) living in a van…
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My Name is Safety
After experiencing Yosemite National Park, I am fascinated by the many ways that people die there. The book, Death in Yosemite by Michael Ghiglieri and Charles Farabee published in 2008, is a fascinating…
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The Forty Percent Rule
It has been said that the worst part of Navy SEAL training is Hell Week, which is five and a half days of physical training for twenty hours a day, running over…
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Happy Alaska (5/5)
Aurora borealis, or the northern lights, can be seen an average of 243 days a year in Fairbanks. The northern lights are produced by charged electrons and protons striking the earth’s…
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Lessons Learned, Part Three
53. Everyone is your friend when you are at the top of McAfee Knob and everyone needs someone to take that iconic picture. 54. Walmart is the same in Billings,…
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Death in Memphis
Abby (the Hound Dog) and I are on our own again, headed to Memphis. I think Bill Bryson best described driving alone for an extended period of time in his…
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Austin and NOLA
Austin is the fastest growing large city in the United States. The local motto is “Keep Austin Weird” and it is featured on bumper stickers and T-shirts. Austin uses this…
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Pot
Everyone: “You’re in Colorado? Wink. Wink.” I was curious about how the legalized marijuana shops worked. I googled one near where I was staying in Fort Collins and visited. The…
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Lessons Learned, Part Two
29. Nothing will make you feel more alive than standing alone, on the top of a mountain, at 11,000 feet, in three feet of snow, without a single noise or…
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The Grand Tetons
Yes, they were named for exactly what you are thinking, you with the dirty mind. French trappers said that they looked like boobs and it stuck. “Tetons” is “breasts” in…
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Lessons Learned, Part One
So far on this trip, I have learned some valuable lessons: 1. Always drive the speed limit. It is respectful to the locals and the wildlife. Driving carefully is the…
Introspective optometrist seeks inspiration and adventure
