Getting in the spirit....

So I made it back to London with my 2 red berry wreaths, 4 feet of garland, 2 real-looking evergreen candle wreaths, 1 reindeer kitchen rug, and no partridge in a pear tree....but I bet I can buy one at Harrods! As a matter of fact yesterday, I took a twilight walk - 3 PM- around the outside of Harrods and Harvey Nichols just to get in the spirit and see the beautiful holiday windows. Funny how the toys and children's delights are on the back side and the designer luxuries, including a gold Rolls Royce & Lamborghini are along the main street. What is that old saying about " a man and his toys"? Earlier in the day Lilla and I bonded over a frosted freezer and I brought up the newspaper article about our neighbor upstairs. She had her opinions but also told me that Robin's father (AKA scar-face) only had £100 thousand to give away....SF's step father is the "richest man in the world" (apparently NOT the Donald!) and his mother gives him an allowance. Something tells me it is more than we put in Haley's account every month!

Climb Every Mountain

Early morning fog at the Villa in Talla!


Guess what? The day after Sandi leaves the monsoon rains and wind hit! We had perfect weather the whole time she was here. Very good timing I'd say. I did make my way to the Royal Geographical Society for my first women's club meeting where I intended to be inspired by the guest speaker - the first British woman to climb Everest. A remarkable achievement of courage and determination....and I won't even ride my bike down a London street , or hop the train to Paris by myself! I wondered what drives a person, a woman, to know that those who have gone before her have died trying, to want to climb to the top of the world. She seemed so "normal", like someone you could easily get to know, casually talking about the potential of losing her eyesite to frostbite in seconds. When asked what "it" was, she simply said a "passion", that kind of passion that you can see in someones eyes when they talk about their dream. Now, I don't know if I have ever felt that kind of passion to accomplish anything grand in my life......maybe it is yet to come!

living in London...

It's November and Brompton Square is feeling like home. I have spent the last month walking every cobblestone alley to find my way to the post office, Whole Foods, Hyde Park, Harrods, and the Tube stations. I have eaten my share of fish and chips and enjoyed several pots 'o' tea but I am looking forward to being in Boston for a good old cup of Dunkin Donuts and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family.