I’m traveling again this day. The above image is a reflection of the lighting above my head in a Delta lounge at ATL airport.
The image seems to set my sights as I prepare to take my chair in the sky for a ride to Houston.
The impetus for this trip is the Chicks in concert. The Chicks, once called the Dixie Chicks, are on tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album, The Long Way.
We’ll be front and center at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio, TX. Well, near front and center. It’s going to be such fun! I’m singing along already.
There is additional good-feel delight ahead on this trip. A reunion. Stay tuned.
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.
I’m wearing a tan hat. My daughter-in-law found us on TV
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.
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.
Latte + cardamom bun & cappuccino + cinnamon bun
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.
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.
Giant Swedish marshmallows (hay) in abundance
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.
Beth walked into a frame set up for impromptu photographs. The timing was perfect, as I tapped the camera button.
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.
Lake Siljan – this morning
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.
The Swedish church in Leksand
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.”
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.
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.
Mother walking young child to school
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.
Santa Fe Opera Crosby Theatre
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.
Today I’m on my way to New Mexico. It’s the last piece of celebrating my 85th birthday.
Breezing thru Atlanta
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!
Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
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.
