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WanderBoomer on the Move!

Oh, what a ride it’s been!

I first met Chief Wanderer of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Beth Whitman, when she signed up for my “Travel Writing for Fun & Profit” class more years ago than I care to remember. We exchanged books, her then brand-new Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India for my Work Worldwide: International Career Strategies for the Adventurous Job Seeker. We stayed in touch over the next few years, meeting up at various travel events throughout the Seattle area. Soon after my dazzling tour of Alaska’s Inside Passage in 2010, Beth invited me to join her roster of Wanderbloggers, and a fun, profitable partnership was born.

Too-many-to-count trips later for both of us, Beth has made the decision to take Wanderlust and Lipstick in a new direction. As her mission remains inspiring women to travel, especially solo, it makes sense for her to bring her site back to her original roots. In the meantime, we Wanderbloogers are using Beth’s news as a catalyst to move headlong into our own bold new adventurers.

My new travel site, WanderBoomer.com, is under design as I write this farewell post to you, my loyal readers. When my site launches, you will be the first to know. Expect continuing coverage of fascinating worldwide destinations, travel tips on how to travel smart, photography inspiration and much more! In the meantime, be sure to follow me for updates on my social media sites:

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It’s been a joy sharing my travels on Wanderlust and Lipstick! YOU have inspired me, through your comments and conversations, to leave my cultural baggage at home, seek out new adventures, and above all, to keep on moving. I thank Beth for the opportunity to be part of such a fabulous community and you, my readers, for your on-going support and shared love of all things travel.

Wander on!

Nancy

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

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?

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments

10 Fun Ways Boomers Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Here are 10 fun ways boomers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. Why? Because everyone knows you don’t have to be Irish to have fun on St. Patrick’s Day (though it helps). On March 17th, everyone with a spirit of play are honorary Irish folk whatever your family name.

#1 – Form Your Own St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Round up your usual neighborhood suspects, pick up a flute, a fiddle and some pipes, and off you go!

#2 – Play a Few Irish Tunes.

Plug into Pandora or iTunes to listen to soothing Irish lullabies and happy melodies.

#3 – Stage a Reading of Your Favorite Irish Authors and Poets.

Invite your Irish-loving friends over to share their favorite poems or writings from the Land of Leprechauns. Revel in the lyrical beauty of such Irish poets as William Butler Yeats, Seamus Heaney and the writings of James Joyce.

#4 – Prepare Your Favorite Irish Dishes.

You can’t go wrong with corned beef & cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, colcannon (cabbage and mashed potatoes) and soda bread. And let’s not forget dessert. My new favorite? Chocolate Stout Cupcakes. They had me at chocolate and Guinness.

#5 – Raise the Irish Flag.

In honor of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, hoist the tri-colored Irish flag. The flag symbolizes the hope for peace (white) between the native people of Ireland in the South, most of whom are Roman Catholic (green) and the British supporters of William of Orange in the North, most of whom are Protestant (orange).

#6 – Stop By Your Favorite Pub for a Pint or Two.

Order a Guinness, a Black & Tan or a shot of Irish whiskey before settling in to listen to a few yarns from the locals.

#7 – Take a Heritage Tour to Ireland.

A visit to Ireland is still on my bucket list. And one of these St. Patrick’s Days, I’m going to hop on a plane to visit the home of my great-grandmother who immigrated to the United States.

#8 – Look for Leprechauns.

Leprechauns are out and about if you just know where to look for them. Typically found in Ireland, of course, I have it on the best authority (my own) that these wee creatures make special appearances all over the world on St. Patrick’s Day. Just follow the leprechaun’s footprints to his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

#9 – Go Step-Dancing.

For inspiration, look no further than River Dance. Before you know, you’ll be on your feet trying to do the same. Good luck with that!

#10 – Whatever Else You Do, Wear Green!

And whatever you do, avoid wearing orange unless you want a mild pinch. St. Patrick is a Catholic saint, so wearin’ of the green symbolizes your support of his special day.

May the road rise up to meet you . . .

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition, wanderboomers? Please share with us here.

WanderBoomer on the Move!

Summer Books for Boomers Worth Rereading

10 Fun Ways Boomers Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

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