Cometsgirl

I just brewed a cappuccino on my home espresso machine, using beans I purchased in Berlin. It’s possibly the best cappuccino I’ve brewed.

I’m reminded that I need to post a blog about my recent FIBA (International Basketball Federation) experience.

I still can’t believe I was in Berlin for the Women’s Basketball World Cup!

It’s important to get your Merch.

We were in Berlin for the first eight (out of twelve) games of the tournament.

Two of the four days we were in Berlin, we spent twelve hours in the basketball arena. That’s 24 hours of women’s basketball. Abundance!

It was a blast!

We saw sixteen teams play eight games. The first day of games we sat a good way from the court. The second day of games, we were in row five.

Everyone was up-beat, no matter the country. Everyone was friendly.

The very last game out of the eight games, was the United States vs Italy.

Sold out.

Our seats were in the fifth row behind the team.

The players were so near! All the expressions, the sweat, the joy, the not-joy, on the players and the coach’s face – was right there to see.

The score was close from start to finish. It was a real challenge for me to watch a well-played-by-both-teams game.

I much prefer a blowout. Looking back, having the game so close added to the experience of the win.

Oh my gosh, it was more than I ever imagined it would be.

Now that I’ve been home for a couple of weeks, I find I can’t sit on my couch and watch women’s basketball games on TV. It is just not the same experience I had in the Uber Arena.

I miss being present.

Oh, I am very spoiled.

Four years from now. 2030. Tokyo, Japan. Perhaps.

Traveling mercies.

Ten hours of sleep later…

we walked a few blocks from the hotel for breakfast.

It was a one- woman operation. She spoke little English, so hand symbols worked fine enough.

It was a welcome place after the drive the day before from Tillsburg to Stockholm, for our evening flight to Berlin.

The hotel room is amazing. Lots of room. Interesting, but sparse decor. Small deck to walk out on and see all the gardens.

After a restful afternoon, it was time for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

To wrap up the day…

Yep, Dark Matter.

Seven rooms of chill, beauty, wonder.

Very cool.

Home for the night. Big day ahead.

Last night my friend and I flew from Sweden to Berlin.

Fika is the Swedish tradition of pausing your day to enjoy coffee, a sweet treat, and conversation with friends, family, or colleagues.

In Sweden there were daily opportunities to partake of Fikas.

Fiba, on the other hand, is the Women’s Basketball World Cup.

This will be the 20th edition of the quadrennial world championship for women’s national basketball.

During the next four days, we will attend eight games. Four games are played each day so we will see a total of sixteen teams. We will see the USA vs Italy.

I’ll be wearing my Cometsgirl hat.

I never expected to be in Berlin, attending eight World Cup Women’s Basketball games.

Yet, here I am with my best friend.

Never say never.

Today was the reason for my trip to Sweden. Just as I chose what I wanted to do for my 85th birthday, my friend declared what she wanted to do for her 75th birthday.

She wanted to travel to Sweden to see the Carl & Karin Larsson home. I said I would come along.

This was the day.

It was a beautiful drive from the Green Hotel to the Larsson property.

A stop for kaffe along the journey was a delight.

Past fields

and tunnels.

We had time before the tour to wander the beautiful grounds.

At noon six of us were gathered for the tour of the home. It was simply beauty. We were not allowed to take photographs.

Instead, we spent the time listening to the story of Karin and Carl and their children. With time to stand in the rooms, climb the stairs to the upper floors, we experience the paintings. The furniture. The rugs. The words.

We were filled with the story of their stories. We were stunned over the vastness of color. Of words. Filled. Grateful.

Happy Birthday.

I’m in Tällberg, Sweden.

Last week my traveling friend and I flew to Frankfurt, continuing on to Stockholm, Sweden.

After a couple of days in Stockholm, we drove to Tällberg. We arrived last night at dusk, following the descending sun.

It’s beautiful here, overlooking Lake Siljan.

Today, after a large and delicious breakfast by the Green Hotel, it was time to go to church.

It was beautiful worship. A woman who parked next to us, shepherded us through the service. She believed we were why she had come to church today.

In her sermon, the deacon charged us with these words, “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make that change.”

Amen.

On a 10 hour flight, three meals are served. I have to say, the 3rd serving was the best.

My traveling friend and I flew to Frankfurt last night. A couple of hours in the Lufthansa lounge, one more flight, and I’ll be in Sweden.

I’m getting a new country!

This next flight is a about two hours and will feel like a breeze after the Houston to Frankfurt overnight trek in the sky.

Boarding now,

Traveling mercies.

Having recently turned 85, I’m aware the road ahead is far shorter than the road behind.

Perhaps it’s why I chose this for an early lunch in the Delta lounge. A look in my mirror at home would say no! However, having just commandeered a Southwest Airlines wheelchair, tossing my carry-on luggage on the seat just now, said “go for it!”

The Delta Club personnel were not pleased as I arrived with a rival’s wheelchair. They quickly lifted my luggage off the seat and welcomed me to the fancy Delta lounge. I tried to tell them about my son, the Southwest Airlines Captain….

Before long it was time to board the aircraft and take my chair in the sky. It was such a beautiful day to fly.

Come along, you won’t believe where I’m going next.

Traveling mercies.

My travel to northern New Mexico began three days ago. It was clear there was a smoky haze.

The further north we drove, the more obvious the haze became.

We could see it. Smell it. Taste it.

The next day the haze slightly disappeared, as seen at sundown.

However the next morning, the first day of school, it looked like this.

Headlines in the Taos News:

Taos is socked in by Frijoles Fire smoke overnight

“The mountain peaks typically visible around the Taos Valley, have been obscured the past several mornings behind a scrim of particulate matter generated by the lightning-caused Frijoles Fire.”

“The smoke from this wildfire has regularly dropped air quality into the “Unhealthy” and “Moderate” categories across northern New Mexico. Local school districts and the New Mexico Department of Health have issued advisories due to the heavy particulate haze blanketing the region.”

Santa Fe Opera has had to cancel several performances in order to protect both the attendees and the artists.

I have found some difficulty breathing. My asthma, while under control for many decades, has made its presence known.

Not knowing if our performance will be called or not, my friend and I talked it over and decided another day in Taos at the Casa was best. After notifying the SFO Box Office, I arranged for another night at the Casa.

Peace is found in this place.

Today I’m on my way to New Mexico. It’s the last piece of celebrating my 85th birthday.

I, and my traveling friend, are going to the Santa Fe opera! I’ve not been to this opera hall for many years. I recall operas with the sunset in view at the back of the stage, with arias soaring!

But first, a few days in Taos.

Going to St. James Episcopal church on Sunday.

Going to Taos Apothecary for coffee and, hopefully will see owner friends, Lydia and Pablo.

Going to have the best ever massage from masseuse Bonnie.

Going to dinner with longtime friends, Abby and Dean, They live in the Earthship Community northwest of town.

Going to visit the renowned Harwood Museum.

Going to visit llama friends across the road from the Casa.

Going to eat blue corn cheese enchiladas as often as possible.

Then, go to the opera!

Traveling mercies.

A week ago I was in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s easy, and relatively quick, to fly to The Northwest Arkansas National airport, just 15-20 minutes away.

It’s a small operation.

It was wonderful to return to Bentonville!

My traveling friend greeted me with a scoop of ice cream as I deplaned. This trip was close to my 85th birthday, and part of the celebration.

Coffee at ONYX the next morning to begin the day.

Crystal Bridges Museum is like no other museum! Alice Walton, daughter of the founder of Walmart, used her own money to engage an architect from Europe; and then paid for construction and donated her own collection of American contemporary art. It has since attracted major funding and substantial gifts of significant art owned by individuals.

I’d be remiss if I don’t mention the ongoing support from the Walton Family Foundation.

The lodging is always 21C Hotel. It’s full of art, has a fabulous restaurant, and you can walk or bike to the museum. Green penguins are always about.

After breakfast, it was on to Crystal Bridges. When first entering, you see this:

On special exhibit was Keith Hering in 3D. It was interesting to read about how he went from a pop and street artist to national and international fame. And then stand close to the art itself.

The new addition to the museum adds an additional Crystal River crossing to view the art.

There is also an espresso cafe where one can order a cappuccino complete with Latte Art.

Strolling through the museum needs more time than we had. A good excuse to return.

The time we did have was filled with delight and new perspectives.

What really brought us to Bentonville was a concert. It featured one of my most favorite artists, Mary Chapin Carpenter.

The concert was on the outdoor grounds of The Momentary, a partner museum of Crystal Bridges. We had front row seats!

Hooray for the Riff Raff, an American Indie folk and Americana band, opened the concert. Their music was new to me. It was interesting and enjoyable.

Mavis Staples took the stage next. At 87 she still has a powerful voice which fit beautifully with the lyrics she sang.

The next voice we heard declared “the rest of the concert has been cancelled due to severe lightning. Leave Now. Leave NOW!”.

And so we did. Oh, it was such a disappointment.

But wait…

We stopped at a food truck which sold only ice cream.

Then we drove, parked and walked down a path to James Turrell’s artwork, Skyspace: The Way of Color

We entered the silent chamber, sat down on the walled bench, leaned back…and looked up.

We watched the day’s end.

Day is done. Gone the sun.

Phooey.