For most flights, I pack a carry-on and a tote bag as a personal item. For a short trip (5 days or less), it’s all the room I need. But sometimes, I need to check a bag. It’s not the nightmare it was when fees were high and lost bags were common. If you’re a committed…

How many countries have you visited? I’ve logged 33 to date, a discovery I made after mapping them with Pin Traveler. The app makes it super simple to track the wonderful places I’ve explored. Pinning destinations was a trip down memory lane. A blurry one, at times…

When I say “New York,” do you picture a city skyline, Broadway theaters and the Statue of Liberty? It’s not surprising that these iconic New York City images spring to mind. But New York State has nearly 55,000 square miles to explore. And most of it looks and feels very…

“I don’t care. I’m happy with whatever you decide.” Nobody tasked with planning activities for a group ever wants to hear these words. But it’s the response I normally receive from my companions who suppress their own wants and desires because…

Got a mild case of the blues? It happens to me occasionally. I can feel it coming on when the days start to blend together; I decline invitations from friends and spend more time hunkering down at home. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve earned the right to withdraw. After my mom died…

“If only I had a greenhouse, a 1/2-acre English cottage, cutting garden and staff to assist with digging holes, my gardening life would be complete.” This is how I feel every time I finish scrolling through dreamy garden images on Instagram. And it’s not a good feeling…