Blog of the Swirly-eyed Sister
Gray skies, rain, and 40-degree temperatures greeted me this morning, but I’m not complaining. It’s only the second day of rain since I started this trip almost four weeks ago. Pretty amazing! The couple I’m staying with at the Air Continue reading Day 26: The Creative Life
Today I am mourning for the lost U.S. Senate and the dashed hopes of a Maine without a bully in the governor’s pulpit. NPR details the grim news as I drive from Galena, Illinois, to Urbana, Indiana. I voted a Continue reading Day 25: Morning of Mourning
Another day of sunshine and temperatures in the 50s—and a day of hellos and goodbyes. After a very pleasant stay with Michelle and Mark in Minneapolis, I bid them farewell with a promise that they’ll visit us in Maine. I Continue reading Day 24: Goodbyes and Hellos
I can’t believe 23 days have passed since John and I drove away from our home in Saco. The time is speeding by. Last night and today I’ve had a delightful visit with my former editor, Michelle, and her partner, Continue reading Day 23: Walleye but no lutefisk, thank you
As I drive the six hours to Minneapolis, I think about what a difference small acts of kindness, and gentility perhaps, make in fashioning one’s opinion of a place. One very large act of kindness—Annaleah’s willingness to give up a Continue reading Day 22: Kindnesses Large and Small
It was 38 degrees this morning and I had to deice the windshield. Now I know I’m really headed home. Too bad I couldn’t bring just a bit of the heat from Austin with me. After circling around a bit Continue reading Day 21: A New Friend in Council Bluffs
This will be a short post. Nine hours of driving and 11 hours on the road (with stops for meals) have wiped me out. At least I’m safe and sound at my latest Air BNB stop, a lovely home in Continue reading Day 20: Halloween in Omaha
Back on the road again. Last night Debbie, Robert, and I went to an authentic Mexican restaurant (not TexMex, Debbie assured me). Excellent fare. Very hot, tasty salsa, as was my meal, pulled pork with rice and beans and green Continue reading Day 19: If it’s Thursday, this must be Colorado
The mountains dominate everything here. Albuquerque itself rises 4,900 feet from the plains. The Sandia Mountains, 10,679 feet above sea level, are magnificent, an immovable presence that awes me every time I look up and see them towering above me. Continue reading Day 18: Mountains, Albuquerque, and Walter White
John is excited because I’m here in Breaking Bad territory, Albuquerque, NM. TV crews filmed an accident scene for the infamous show just down the street from my cousin’s house, where I’m staying. I’ll have to take photos so John Continue reading Day 17: Goodbye, Texas; Hello, Breaking Bad