If an out-of-town visitor is in town for long enough, it’s bound to happen. At some point we’ll spot them with their hands held tight against both ears and a shocked look on their face.  … more

The last house on our Derbyshire house tour was the Hardwick Estate, one of the two houses built by Elizabeth of Shrewsbury (1527-1608), who was a true Boss Lady and the second richest woman in … more

The question has lurked in my head for months now, springing up at the most unexpected times.  more

My friend and intrepid travel buddy Marystephanie and I were ready to see Chatsworth on the fourth day of our tour, but we were a bit panicked. Word had leaked out from some of our fellow tourmates that we would have to climb a six-foot stile on our journey to Chatsworth. When questioned, our guide Christopher “Gentle Incline” Garibaldi admitted that it was true. Now we had made it through some pretty interesting squeeze stiles so far on our treks, but the thought of a six-footer was definitely daunting. Nevertheless, we set off with a spring in our step and fingers crossed. more

Warning: What you’re about to read may cause the people around you to look at you like you’re losing your mind. You might want to let them know that you’re about to start talking to yourself … or not. You can always just see how long it takes them to notice. more

At long last the day arrived. I was going to be visiting the legendary Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire. It was the promise of a visit to Chatsworth that had lured me on this journey to begin with. … more

As we enter September just like the trees around us, we start to change with the change of the season. more

His voice was soft, almost a mumble, but I heard enough to understand.  The stranger standing near the doors to Marshall’s in Monticello was asking for money.  The family … more

My friend Marystephanie and I were enjoying our hikes to country houses in Derbyshire, England, much more when the heat broke after two days of 90+ degrees.  Our next day’s journey took us to … more

The lasts have begun again.  Somehow, they feel even more final this time, perhaps because we’ve been here before.  more

Our tour of English country houses continued with a welcome change in the weather. My friend Marystephanie and I were relieved to find the temperature lowered to 84 degrees. Believe me, those ten … more

This is how your brain folds in on itself.  It starts with a little girl stepping out from beneath a pop-up tent, a newborn baby in her arms. You’re so entranced by the perfection of … more

Day 2 of our tour of Derbyshire Houses proved to be the most strenuous of the lot. Temperatures hovered around 90 degrees. The day’s journey was described thusly: “A walk along an enchanting … more

The look was one part skeptical, one part amused, and I sensed a dash of something else in there. It wasn't confidence exactly but a sense that they knew something I didn’t.  more

Marystephanie and I were anxious to start our walking tour, in spite of the fact that Great Britain was in the middle of a major heat wave. We took an Uber to Euston Station for our train ride to Derby. more

It was the fourth day of vacation, and I’d spent the past five minutes wandering a CVS six hours from home looking for a quick hunger fix. I was on my second trip down the potato chip aisle when … more

I have given you all two weeks of explaining why and how I decided to return to the United Kingdom this past June, and enough of the suspense, already, you must be thinking. Let’s get this … more

I hate the phrase “picture perfect.”  It’s not the sort of thing you’d expect from a photographer, I’m sure, but these two words have wormed their way into my brain over the years and settled in like a pebble in your shoe, slowly but surely irritating the surface.  more

After a bit of planning, my second trip to the United Kingdom this year was underway. However, this trip was going to be a bit different. more

When most people use the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” they have a particular child in mind. more

No one can understand how difficult retirement is until you have entered the struggle yourself.  I know, I know, you think it’s all sunshine and rainbows and gumdrops, but NO!  It is none … more

Over the holiday weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to attend two concerts at the jewel of the Catskills, Bethel Woods. This venue, a gift to concertgoers from the visionary Alan Gerry … more

It was the sort of question that could only be asked by someone who spent her childhood moving from place to place, and it could only be asked of someone who’d done just the opposite.   … more

Star sightings occur when you see a celebrity out walking around in the world, like a regular person or something.  A celebrity, according to the currently accepted definition, is a person who has been in People magazine. more

When you’ve been capturing graduation ceremonies for the Democrat for more than two decades, you know exactly what to expect even before you arrive at commencement. more