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BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON June 18, 2014

Summer Books for Boomers Worth Rereading

Harry Potter Lord of the Rings

Why summer, if not for spending long, lazy afternoons in a gently swinging hammock, absorbed in one great book after another? Especially when those books hold a universe of magic, mystery, adventure, play, romance, reflection, or simplicity – the very essence of summer. Here are a few summer books for boomers worth rereading. Timeless treasures, reading pleasures . . .

Magic

Who doesn’t love a little magic in her life? Conjure up the spells of Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling’s world – Serpentsortia! Imperio! – or inhabit Middle-Earth with elves and hobbits in Lord of the Rings for pure escapism and fantasy. Rediscover the value of friendship, loyalty and heroism no matter the cost or consequences.

Mystery

Donna Leon

It’s easy to immerse yourself in the world of Donna Leon’s mysteries. Her series features the beloved everyman, Commissario Guido Brunetti, whose crime cases deal with truth, justice and the Venetian way. Leon paints a convincing portrait of a man caught up in social issues of the day against the backdrop of a loving family in a city of irresistible beauty.

Play

Robert Moss

Summer days inspire us to slow down and play. Make your own fun with games that dreamers play in The Three “Only” Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence & Imagination, a non-fiction guide to living your life out loud by dream archeologist, Robert Moss. The author counsels, “Dreaming is less about sleep than waking up” and “The time is always now.” Sometimes life rhymes . . .

Adventure

For wanderboomers, tales of swashbuckling adventures flash back to Robin Hood and his merry men or thrilling stories of pirates sailing the wine dark sea. Maybe that’s why I find Patrick O’Brien’s series of Jack Aubrey novels so comforting and compelling. Aubrey’s sidekick is the ship’s surgeon/naturalist, Stephen Maturin. The story of their friendship while serving in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars offers both heartbreak and inspiration.

Romance

I love a good beach book (engaging, escapist, quick read) as much as anyone. But for the lasting pleasure of a literary romance, I turn to Love in the Time of Cholera by Noble prize winner, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, every time. How long would you wait for the love of your life? Would you wait fifty-one years, nine months and four days?

Reflection

Gift from the Sea

With stretches of unstructured summer days (Yes, I can dream) comes time for reflection. In her memoir, Gift from the Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh muses on the meaning of what matters most. By sharing her thoughts on work-life balance, motherhood and marriage from her own life experiences, she inspires gratitude, grace and tranquility.

Simplicity

Caroline Kennedy Mary Oliver

Even with limited downtime, my summer reading plans always include a book of poetry. Why? Because a good poem suspends a moment in time that captures a special mood or feeling. We identify with how it feels to fall in or out of love, become a parent or face middle age, delight in the sight of a deer in the woods or choose which of two roads that diverge there. A good poem can be read, remembered and cherished for crystallizing an extraordinary or everyday universal experience. Recommended volumes include Mary Oliver’s New and Selected Poems, Volume Two and Caroline Kennedy’s She Walks in Beauty: A Woman’s Journey Through Poems.

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s on your reading list this summer, wanderboomers? What are your go-to books every year?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Entertainment, Gifts Tagged With: boomers, Donna Leon, Gift from the Sea, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Patrick O'Brien, Robert Moss, romance, summer reading

BY Nancy Mueller 22 Comments ON June 21, 2013

Lavender Festival at Pelindaba Farm

SanJuanLavender

Butterfly Lavender Plant

Lavender lovers rejoice! Only one more month until the annual Pelindaba Lavender Festival on beautiful San Juan Island.

PelindabaLavenderFarm

Pelindaba Farm

“Pelindaba” comes from the Zulu word meaning “a place of great gatherings.” With a nod to his South African roots, owner/founder Stephen Robins also chose a name that captures his vision of the certified organic farm.

Robins must be doing something right. Viewers of King 5 Evening Magazine, an NBC affiliate, recently crowned Pelindaba “Best Public Garden” for the fifth year since 2009.

PelindabaLavenderFarmVisitorCenter

Visitor Center

Beyond appreciating the beautiful bucolic setting, visitors can engage in a variety of family fun activities during the festival:

PelindabaLavenderFarmGifts

Lavender Gifts

Feed the senses with a stroll through the scented fields, of course. But also be sure to sample the lavender cookies, ice tea and ice cream. Mmm . . .

To find out more about the history of the farm, view the multi-media exhibits on site.   Tour the on-site distillery to learn how essential oils are extracted from the flowers.

SanJuanLavenderBouquet

Learn how to make beautiful crafts, wander through the demonstration garden, or create your own lavender bouquets to bring home.

All in all, what a lovely way to spend a summer’s day . . .

When to go:

The festival runs the weekend of July 20th – 21st 2013, though visitors to the farm are welcome from May – October.

Directions:

  • To reach Pelindaba Farm, take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, WA or Sidney, BC; the Victoria Clipper from Seattle, WA or Victoria, BC; or fly with Kenmore Air or San Juan Airlines.
  • Pelindaba is located one block from the Friday Harbor ferry landing at 150 First Street.

Free parking and admission.

Wander on!

Nancy

What are your favorite summer festivals, wanderboomers?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Gifts, Pacific Northwest, San Juan Island, Travel Experiences, WA, Washington State Tagged With: certified organic, family fun, Friday Harbor, King 5 Evening Magazine, lavender, lavender cookies, lavender festival, Pelindaba Farm, San Juan Island

BY Nancy Mueller 9 Comments ON April 6, 2013

F is for Farmers Market Destinations

HongKongFarmer'sMarketCrossroadFoundationFlickr (300 x 450)

Hong Kong Farmer’s Market – Photo courtesy of Crossroads Foundation – flickr

One of my favorite pursuits when traveling is visiting the local Farmers Markets to get an authentic, sensory feel of my destination.

Here I can discover fresh local produce, sampling and tasting as I saunter along from vendor to vendor, smiling while the farmers compete among themselves for my attention and pocketbook. I can get lost in listening to the music of a foreign language, learn where locals like to eat and how to prepare an evening’s meal from unfamiliar ingredients.

PikePlaceMarketProduce (450 x 338)

Seattle’s Pike Place Market

Even when home in Seattle, I can visit several different neighborhood markets to find unusual teas, melons and spices.

Flower Bouquet at Pike's Place Market (450 x 338)

Seattle’s Pike Place Market

And can I ever leave without purchasing a bouquet of flowers or gifts of indigenous handicrafts? Hardly.

Brazil (450 x 281)

Little Red Riding Hood & Friends from Brazil Farmer’s Market

Not a bad way to spend a few hours . . .

What’s your favorite farmer’s market, Wanderboomers?

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Ecuador, Gifts, Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Shopping, Travel Tips, Washington State Tagged With: Brazil, Farmers market, flowers, handicrafts, Hong Kong, indigenous, Pike Place market, produce, Seattle

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON December 21, 2012

Stocking Stuffer Gifts Under $10. for Travelers

As a special agent on Santa’s Secret Team this year, I was asked by the mirthful old man himself to sleuth out a few stocking stuffers sure to please the travelers on your list. Here’s what I found on my trip around the local mall:

1) Give your wanderluster a magic carpet ride to the African continent with these Moroccan Mints. Not only will the mints help refresh travelers’ energy; the small tin will also evoke memories of previous journeys or inspire a future trip. Price: $3.95 at Teavana

2) With intoxicating fragrances like rose, honeysuckle and lavender, Bonne Mere soaps made by L’Occitane en Provence will soothe the weary traveler at day’s end. Price: $7.00 per bar

3) Help your favorite wayfarer remember the little details that make a trip so memorable with one of these popular mini-travel journals. Moleskin journals have a certain cachet among artists and writers, though how could you go wrong with these three mini-notebooks of Paris?

Price: Moleskin – $6.95 & $8.95, Pack of 3 Vue de Paris – $9.95, Papyrus

4) Every traveler needs a little music in her life. For the ultimate portable musical instrument, Santa suggests a harmonica to draw or drive away a crowd, depending on the musician. With a unique sound that transcends musical genres, the harmonica can easily fit in your traveler’s pocket and offer solace to a friend far away from home. Price: $6.95, Barnes & Noble

5) Okay, this last gift might be a tad too large for the Christmas stocking, but for wanderboomers who like to stay in shape on the road, the Gaiam Walking Fit Kit provides a handy solution. The audio CD includes a 35  or 45 minute walking workout to sculpt, tone and strengthen. Price: $9.99 (35 minute workout), Barnes & Noble

What great gifts under $10. for travelers have you found this year, Wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Gifts, Holidays, Music Tagged With: Barnes & Noble, Bonne Mere, Christmas, Gaiam, Gaiam Walking Workout, gifts, harmonica, honeysuckle, L'Occitane, lavender, Moleskin, Moleskin mini-notebooks, Moroccan, Music, rose, Santa, Santa Claus, soaps, stocking stuffers, Teavana, traveler, wayfarer

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON April 25, 2012

The Perfect Sun Hat for Summer

Wanderboomer gals need the perfect hat for summer getaways, don’t we? You know the kind I’m talking about. One that looks fabulous no matter how many times we scrunch it up in our carry-on bags. One that shades our fair complexions on sunny days spent cruising or at the beach. One that doesn’t fly off in a sudden gust of wind.

Good news, ladies: I’ve found it! My top pick for the perfect summer sun hat was waiting for me at Chapel Hats, a boutique on Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki Beach. Not heading to Hawaii any time soon? No problem. Chapel Hats can be found in several locations: Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Roseville and Santa Clara, California,  Las Vegas, and the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Still not in your neighborhood? Of course, there’s always the on-line option, though you owe it to yourself to visit one of the site locations if you can. What a fun shop when you’re looking for just the right hat for a special need or event. After all, can we Wanderboomer gals ever have too many hats?

Three features of this black-striped de Lux hat make it a stand-out: first, the wide-brim provides plenty of protection for hair and face, a definite plus; second, the brim is supported with a wire insert that keeps the hat from flopping or drooping and makes it easy to re-shape after having it crushed in your carry-on bag; third, pulling down the inside band over your head prevents it from blowing off when the wind picks up, a benefit that I failed to notice the first two days I wore the hat. Who knew?

Chapel Hats Kalakaua
2356 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815
808-931-4984

Have you found your perfect summer hat, Wanderboomers? Tell us where you found it.

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Gifts, Travel Accessories Tagged With: Alberta, Bloomington, Calgary, California, carry-on bag, de Lux hats, Edmonton, hats, Hawaii, Kalakaua Avenue, Las Vegas, Minnesota, on-line, Roseville, Santa Clara, sun hat, the Mall of America, Waikiki Beach

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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