Author Archives: arleebug54

Binge-walking the Christmas Markets

Posted on December 11, 2019 by arleebug54

I’ve been pretty Scrooge-like for most of my adult life, shunning Christmas celebrations and festivities with a vengeance, due in large part to a combination of odd family dynamics and disillusionment about Christianity in general and its gross commercialization in … Continue reading →

Posted in Berlin, Germany | Tagged | 2 Comments

Dreams come true or “60 past 60”

Posted on October 28, 2019 by arleebug54

I’ve given a lot of thought as to whether or not to write this post, but I have come to the conclusion that I have a message that deserves to be heard. The reason for my hesitation is that, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

A wedding in Hamburg

Posted on September 28, 2019 by arleebug54

I’ve just returned from a lovely family weekend in the outskirts of Hamburg, and since it was both charming AND a bit of a departure from any other wedding I’ve ever been to, I decided to share it with you. … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Naked with strangers

Posted on July 30, 2019 by arleebug54

Spoiler alert…this is not a post that will be rife with nude pictures. If that’s your interest, move along now, no reason to tarry. To say I grew up in a prim and proper family with few PDAs (public displays … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany | Tagged | 2 Comments

Green places and spaces

Posted on July 27, 2019 by arleebug54

As you know, I am truly a cement-hugging, subway-loving urban gal. However, when my dear friend B strongly recommended that I visit the Liebermann-Villa am Wannsee to see the current exhibit and *even went so far as to give me … Continue reading →

Posted in Berlin | Tagged | 2 Comments

A weekend in the countryside…

Posted on July 16, 2019 by arleebug54

As you may know, I occasionally spend time in the Abruzzo region of Italy where T has a rural retreat and his workshop. Being a compulsively urban animal, I keep these visits to an absolute minimum since I invariably fall … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Power of Pleasures and the Growth of Gratitude

Posted on June 30, 2019 by arleebug54

Just this past week, June 25, 2019 to be precise, The Atlantic magazine ran an article entitled “The Yale Happiness Class, Distilled,” by Joe Pinsker. In it he reports that this year’s Aspen Institute hosted Laurie Santos, the Yale psychology … Continue reading →

Posted in Berlin, Germany, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Utterly Utrecht

Posted on June 23, 2019 by arleebug54

As you may know, a good bit of my European travel over the last several years has been occasioned by pen shows.  Writing instruments in general and fountain pens in particular have been a significant part of my life for … Continue reading →

Posted in Netherlands, Uncategorized | Tagged | 12 Comments

A slice of Schwerin

Posted on May 12, 2019 by arleebug54

I was fortunate that my good friend K recently invited M and me to go visit our friend U in Schwerin, giving us a chance to see the famous castle there and take a turn around the historic small town. … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Plucky Bydgoszcz

Posted on April 8, 2019 by arleebug54

So now I’m clueing you into my new travel dilemma. (And aren’t I the lucky one to have this at the top of my list?) I’m looking to find and explore cities in Europe that 1.) are not tourist Disneylands … Continue reading →

Posted in Poland, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments