Category Archives: Travelogues

2025 Ireland, cooking, grandkids, Travelogues

Ireland, day 3

06/24/2025 Laura 12 Comments

Rain’s one thing, but wind that turns the air into raw, blustery March? It calls for a fire in the sitting room. It’s cozy and comfortable there. Logan and Savanna are sleeping in as they stayed up until about four watching a basketball game—Logan’s team won. When Kayla gets up and around, she’s lost her voice. Since mine’s been whacked on and off for days, I understand her annoyance.

But she looks so much better.

Tea and honey for us.

Kat sits with the doorstop Atlas, searching for sites and activities. If we were golfers, it lists every golf course in Ireland. But no.

We’re not right next door to historic sites here in our corner of Galway, but will scout some out on the way up to Mayo, and again once there. But we do find activities close enough.

But not for this raw, rainy day.

The Switch entertains many, and the view’s dramatic outside the windows. And when the sun peaks out, JR and Kayla go for a walk in the very brisk fresh air. Then out in his new rainbow rain coat goes Griffin with his mom even as the rain returns.

And in our little corner of Galway, it seems many things are also closed on Monday. So off to the market go Kat and Savanna for what I need to make spaghetti.

Kayla and I converse with our whispery voices.

As the rain stops, the sun comes out and the wind blows and blows, I make red sauce, Kat puts together a salad bar. On this changeable day outdoors, it’s nice to have the whole gang gathered inside with various activities and conversations. And it smells really good!

Logan’s requested steaks which he pan fries. That smells good, too. The boy’s a good cook when he decides to cook.

I cut thick slices of French bread, Jason butters and adds the garlic salt—and because that’s how I do it, we sprinkle on a little basil. The oven’s completely foreign to me, but we figure it out. Pasta’s boiling, bread’s broiling. And here’s a big spaghetti/steak dinner for nine.

Griffin’s a big fan of Nana’s spaghetti, and inhales an adult portion before falling asleep against Kat. He stays out through the rest of the meal until JR carries him down to bed. After all, the kid was up at dawn and hasn’t quit all day.

We were going to have cake for a belated birthday celebration for Kat, but Griffin’s out, and the rest of us are stuffed.

Clean up time. Many dishes, many pots and pans. More tea and honey.

The younger set wants to play Monopoly, but until everyone’s back in one place, we have a short game of Hearts in the sitting room.

Time for Monopoly, and no, I am firm on it, I don’t want to play.* Visions of endless games in my childhood lurk. Monopoly is forever! Glaciers melt, land masses form, eons often pass before the end. This one adds a kick as it’s the Brit version. So it’s Fleet Street and Piccadilly instead of Boardwalk and Park Place.

And I learn, at least for me, this is a game more fun to watch than play. Colt, the novice, jumps into an early lead. Logan tries wheeling and dealing off the jump. Kat recounts the Pong House rules when she was a kid playing with her brothers. The players incorporate a couple.

Logan, land rich, cash poor, gets dinged hard, has to sell off, and is still down to mere dollars. Colt owns the railroads, and they appear to be magnets for the other players. So it goes, round and round, trading, selling, buying, mortgaging.

I go out to pour a drink, and see smoke blowing across the bay, and a fire beyond the trees to, I guess, the north. I alert the troops.

After watching, we decide it’s someone’s barrel fire, but keep an eye on it, just in case.

It burns in that single spot, and finally goes out. So no need for 999.

At the game, JR looks strong, then boom. Reversal of fortunes. Logan makes a come back, then goes bankrupt. Savanna’s been hanging in, nice and steady, but cash and property dribble away, and another bankruptcy.

Kayla’s quietly taken one side of the board. Colt adds hotels. Kayla’s whispery voice is very sinister as she slowly but steadily collects on her properties.

And JR hits one of Colt’s big ones. All gone!

It’s down to the siblings. Colt has a pot full of money, the lion’s share of property, but Kayla’s scrappy and hangs on. Hangs on until I admit defeat. I need my bed. And as I leave, Colt is victorious. The newbie beats the vets.

The sun’s supposed to make an appearance today, and the wind is scheduled to take a bit of a rest. Thanks to Kat’s research we’re off late morning for: A mine, sheep and turf. Not sure what that’ll be like but we’re going. Kayla and I quickly and decisively opt out of going down in a mine. We’ll have sheep, turf and a gift shop. And hopefully some pretty weather.

Gotta go get my workout in, then head up to see what’s doing.

Nora

Notes from Laura:

*excuse me???? A game someone named Nora will not play???????? I am vindicated.

My last two travelogues are up:

Weekend

Up to the Lakes

2025 Ireland, General, grandkids, Travelogues

Ireland, day 2

06/23/2025 Laura 22 Comments

Ireland—Day Two

On this rainy morning, Griffin and his daddy are the other early risers. They greet me as they pass the gym on their way upstairs. Workout done, dressed for the lazy, rainy day, I head up to find some of the group at breakfast. Jason makes me some toasted brown bread and butter. Yum.

The bay’s all misty with the rain and little boats float on the gray.

With the rain, some lounging, some still sleeping, I decide to write for an hour or two. Jason helps me set up my lap top on the big dining room table. I need an extension cord, which—being Jason—he’s brought along. As I write, others get up, and I hear lots of talk and laughter from the kitchen. It’s a very nice playlist for someone who generally works in silence.

I put in my time, and satisfied, shut down. And the rain’s stopped, the skies are clearing a bit. I fix Kayla a little lunch, JR and Kat go for a few more supplies. I put my boots on, a vest and scarf and go out for a tour of the gardens. Our neighbor, the donkey, runs to the stone fence to bray at me.

Jason and Griffin come out, and this time Daddy’s challenged to races. More blue than gray now in the sky, and a brisk breeze along with the sunlight. It feels marvelous. I decide to go get scissors and cut some flowers for the house. Shasta daisies, yellow daisies, pink roses, flowers I don’t recognize. They make a nice bright spot on the kitchen table.

I see in the distance, Savanna’s lead Logan and Kat down to the edge of the bay. I’ll have to try that—need to pick the way over rocks.

I’ve opened a window in my room and now can’t close it. Apparently everyone’s got the same problem, but JR figures it out, and demonstrates the little release button.

Good to know.

Kayla’s up and around, but doesn’t feel up to going out to dinner. We plan to go for pub grub, and a first Guinness for Logan, JR and Savanna. But it’s a small village, and it’s Sunday. Options are very limited.

Viewing the bay (Kayla, JR, Griffin). Photo by Kat.

We change out of lounge around clothes and head out to the one open pub. Really more of a bar, as it turns out. Pool table in the front, tables in the back. A few people playing pool, but we’re the only patrons in the back.

Group shot! Logan, Savanna, Colt, Nora, Kat, Griffin, JR, Jason.

Half pints of Guinness for the three who want to try it. JR likes, Logan likes, Savanna likes a bit less so Logan drinks most of her glass. And I think, the last he was in Ireland with me, Logan was about three, younger than Griffin.

Time zooms.

Since the bar doesn’t serve food, Kat’s found a take-away fish and chips place that also has burgers and chicken, etc. We’ll take a veggie burger back to Kayla. JR, Kat, Griffin and Colt once again head out for supplies. We always seem to forget one thing. The rest of us head to place our dinner order.

It’s a cute little place, efficient and friendly. They also have milkshakes which my three companions order. It’s spitting some rain now and considerably colder. Then before our order’s up—very efficient—the rain’s stopped.

We start back, relying on the GPS, which doesn’t tell us to turn right or left out of the tiny lot. We choose incorrectly and end up going for an adventurous, scenic ride on a seriously skinny road around the bay in a tidy little neighborhood. Up, down, wind, wind. It’s really pretty, and a challenge for Jason.

He meets the challenge, and we’re back. Time to use the big dining table, set out plates, divvy up the orders. I open my take-away box to a HUGE slab of golden fried cod and a football field of fries.

It’s all delish.

Everyone’s happy and very well-fed.

There’s been talk about streaming the Minecraft movie on this chilly evening. Lounging clothes again, and my choice is pjs. We gather in what we think of as the TV room, on the big couch, big beanbag chairs, wherever, and Jason sets up the streaming on the big TV through his laptop.

Griffin’s already seen the movie two or three times, but this doesn’t lessen his enjoyment. It’s bright, funny, wacky and sweet.

Then it’s definitely time for bed. Made it till almost 11!

And still I’m awake shortly after five. WHY? Give sleep another shot, but fail. So upstairs I go to get a Diet Coke to fuel me to write the blog. And there’s Griffin sitting at the counter watching a Minecraft video. He invites me to watch with him, but I tell him I need to write the blog, workout, then I can watch.

Five minutes later, he peeks in my room, tells me he’s just checking on me. LOL. So I suggest he bring his IPad down and we can watch while I write the blog. So while I write this, he’s stretched out on my bed, explaining Obsidian, Hacker Blocks, zombies, and many other aspects to me.

And I think how lovely it is he wants to share and keep me informed.

I’m nearly done when Jason comes in, wondering where his kid is. So three generations sit on the bed awhile until the video ends.

Now my boy’s upstairs making breakfast for his boy.

I’m going to work out, get dressed and see what the day has in store.

2025 Ireland, grandkids, Travelogues

Ireland, day 1

06/22/2025 Laura 26 Comments

We’re on our way on an 8:30 pm flight. A little stress and chaos as Kayla’s hit with a fever a couple hours before takeoff, but the doc cleared her, so we’re off. Griffin, as always, is thrilled with the whole idea of flying, which somehow manages to cut down on my absolute hate of the whole idea of flying.

All in all, smooth flight. Not without some bumps, but easily 90 percent smooth, which I very much appreciate. Nobody got much sleep, but we arrive, and to sunny skies. Yay!!

Customs is pretty smooth, too. We landed early, so we’ll wait awhile to pick up our cars. Two cars as there are 9 of us. Plus luggage for nine. We’d arranged with Ashford—where we head next week—to send a follow car for the luggage, but Kat thinks she can load us up.

If anyone can, it’s Kat. But I’m looking at the mountain range of luggage, the space in the cars. And thinking, no possible away.

In about twenty minutes, I realize once again: Never underestimate Kat.

This is Jason’s first time driving on the left—he’s practiced virtually, but this is his debut. And Kat hasn’t done it since we were here in 2019. Nothing to do but do it, so we head out of the airport toward Galway. I’m in the passenger seat with Jason, Logan and Savanna in the back. Kat has Kayla, JR, Colt and Griffin.

BW’s going to Portugal in September for a photography deal, so he opted out of this trip.

Jason does fine, though I let him know along the way, he’s riding a little too close on the left.

Wide roads to start, and little traffic on this Saturday morning. Then it’s through towns, some neighborhoods. It’s lovely to see the flowers here again, all so bright and lush in dooryards or growing wild on roadsides and fields

A little too close on the left as roads narrow and wind on this nearly two-hour drive. (After little to no sleep.)

And there are the green fields under blue skies, the hills rolling up to the mountains. The white sheep and lazy cows. And here a village with the narrow road hemmed in by parked cars on both sides. Jason threads that needle.

We’re into Connemara, the wild, stony mountains etched giants against the summer blue sky. It’s just glorious. And here’s Galway Bay with its little knots of green islands, spreading out blue. Houses with gardens bright in dooryards, field after green field cropped by sheep.

Narrow, winding roads flanked by tall hedgerow of fuchsia, red drops on walls of green.

A little close on the left!

We’re nearly there, and very early for our check in, but they’ve told us to come ahead.

And it happens.

Around a curve, a car coming on the right. Seriously close on the left this time, and bang we hit the rocks on the shoulder. Oops! The car noisily objects. We pull over when we find a spot.

Two flat left tires.

Text Kat as Jason tries to contact roadside assistance.

At least we broke down in a pretty spot!

Kat delivers her load of luggage and passengers—we’re just minutes away from our house on the bay. After a lot of effort Jason finally reaches a human being who will send that assistance. Savanna and Logan explore the hill behind us, the field across. Kat comes back for the rest of us. Jason will wait with the car.

And to hark back to Young Frankenstein, we say: It could be worse. It could be raining.

We have a lovely place on the bay with a lot of room, pretty gardens, a green lawn. The views! The air! The glory of not being in a moving vehicle of any kind.

Turns out the follow-car drive from Ashford had been at the airport. We were early; he was earlier, and therefore didn’t get the message we didn’t need the service.

But he’s delighted he’s has the drive, hasn’t been to this area in quite a while. He brings us two welcome baskets from the castle. Wine, cheese, bread, honey, chocolate! A big and tasty surprise.

The mountain range of luggage now spreads through the eat-in area off the kitchen. I ask strong Colt to take my garment bag down to my room. I’m on the lower level, which I guess here is the first floor. Big windows opening out to the patio, flowers, tidy stone walls butting up against the spread of green lawn. And a little fireplace! I may get that going some rainy night.

I unpack that one, go up to the kitchen area where we have the side door to a little porch open for the beautiful breeze. Kayla’s out of the shower and in bed. Not feverish but not feeling wonderful either. I make her some toast—Kat and some of the gang are heading out to get some lunch. I break out the champagne I’d put in the freezer on arrival, have a glass while Griffin and I entertain ourselves.

He’s found a chess board, wants me to play. Neither of us really know how, but it doesn’t stop us.

We have a lot of rooms in this place—one’s a little gym I’ll make use of this morning. Kat brings back a pack of soup mix (Kayla’s request) from the nearby gas station, so I make that while she and JR head to the market.

Take the girl down soup, a slice of brown bread from the basket, some tea with honey. She’s looking better to her nana’s eye.

Time to put groceries away, and have JR carry my other suitcase down. Unpack, wonder if I’ll really need all the clothes I was certain I’d need when I packed them.

Jason’s back! They actually sent two new tires—the others were shot.

I go outside to wander, marvel at the cranesbill which is five times the spread of any of mine. The air feels so good, and the view just gets better. A little white sailboat glides along.

Griffin, never one to miss the opportunity, decides he and I need to have races—three laps, he decrees—over the lawn. He has the advantage as he’s six, I’m not. I’m barefoot, he’s not.

But we run, then apparently it’s time for battle and choosing weapons. He has a Legendary Bow. Well, I want one, too.

I am, of course, defeated.

In one of the living areas, they’ve set up a Switch. We also discuss dinner and opt for carry out on our first night. We’re tired travelers, which I prove my conking on the sofa during Switch. Wake to find most of us eating pizza or chicken tenders, chips. Logan is conked in his room.

Eat, talk about tomorrow, and everyone thinks it should be a lazy, easy day—not a lot of driving. Clean up the kitchen. Jason and Griffin have conked on the sofa now. It’s barely eight, but we’re all done.

I made it until about nine, just closed the curtains on the windows, and crashed.

Now ready for whatever the day brings after some real sleep that wasn’t at 30,000 feet. But first, I’m going to make use of the gym on a day with breezes and cloudy skies.

Nora

Note from Laura:

I’m learning that coordinating apps, internet and photo types takes a bit of concentration. So I’ll get these up as I’m able.

And you can find my travelogue her: On the Road

2025 Ireland, Cranky Publicist, Laura's posts, Travelogues

Updates of all sorts

06/15/2025 Laura 14 Comments

The Garden
Many of you worried about the F-ing Wings since they weren’t part of the photos in Nora’s two garden posts this spring. Never fear, they are just fine. I literally stopped as I went up Nora’s drive a couple weeks ago, opened my car window and took this just for you all.

Why was I heading up the drive? Well it was time for the annual trip to Tyson’s Corner for Kat’s birthday shopping trip.

Saks
On the first day, there was lots of walking around the mall and talking as we planned various upcoming trips. On day 2, the team at Saks — as always — created a wonderful experience. We even learned how to plant/care for orchids! An assortment of the colorful fun is below.

Part of the Saks team with Sarah, Kayla and Kat.

In Death in Depth
I posted the final episode of In Death In Depth on Friday. We had a lot of fun creating the series last summer and I have tons of notes on how to make Season 2 even better. Nora answered over 50 questions last year that I combined into themes for each episode. I’m working on the questions we’ll film at The Greenbrier in late July.

Travelogue time
But first, there’s a trip to Ireland and a travelogue to produce.

This year is going to be different. Not only will Nora and family travel to Ireland late this coming week, but my husband and I are going on our own adventure which will end with me joining Nora at The Lodge at Ashford Castle for the reader event on July 6.

Yes I’m going this year. So I won’t be manning Travelogue Central at my office desk, waiting for photos and texts in order to set them up and post by a specific time. Instead I’ll be winging it as I travel from London to Windsor to Glasgow (by way of the Lake District), fly to Ireland and visit relatives. After all that I’ll get myself to Ashford.

The updates will happen, promise, I just want to warn you that timing could be different due to location and internet and what’s on my list for the day.

I’ll be writing my own blog over on Substack (free). When the first one is up, I’ll share the link here. You can follow my IG account for photos because I’ll definitely be taking them.

And that’s the updates for now.

Laura

grandkids, New York City, Travelogues

New York, New York

10/20/2024 Laura 12 Comments

We had a great week with perfect fall weather on our annual trip to New York.

We had an easy trip up where Laura and her Mark had arrived before us. Straight up to our home away from home for the week, to catch breath, unpack. Travel day room service dinner, just the thing.

The next day is midtown shopping. I have my agenda. Kayla absolutely has hers. And we do a good job with Laura as companion and JR, bless him, as Sherpa. We meet Jason, Kat and Griffin at the Lego store to start things off.

Fun for all!

Then it’s off for girl shopping. A long, satisfying day, lots of steps banked. Lots of hang out time, lots of play time for Griffin. A parade to avoid on Sunday, but I have my target and a work-around, meet up with Laura.

Bull’s eye!

A visit from Kat’s triplet nephews and niece and their moms for the evening. Always fun to see them.

Kayla and JR are booked to see Gracie Abrams at Rock Center. All dressed, excited—and she had to cancel. Big disappointment.

BUT! She’s able to reschedule for a couple days after we’re due to leave. So we figure it out. They’ll stay on when we go, train home, car service here to where JR’s car is, drive to their home, scramble and drive back to college.

They’re young, they can handle it. (And they did!)

Griffin trying out a new playground before lunch. Photo by j a-b.

Monday is downtown. More shopping, then pizza at Lombardi’s. Just yummy as always.

Meanwhile we’re rooting for the Mets as Mark and Laura are lifelong fans. I am not a National League girl, but I make an exception. Plus, despite the O’s crushing defeat by the Mets in ‘69 (I hold a grudge) I will always go for the Mets over the Yankees. Even though our sweet JR is a Yankee’s fan. (I don’t hold it against him.)

Tuesday is our fall foundation meeting, and it goes smoothly. We all put our foundation business hats on and get her done. As a reward we head to Serendipity III up town. Jason, JR and I walk, the rest take the subway. I want that hot fudge sundae so only order some fries while most get lunch.

My favorite of all? Griffin wanted vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. His eyes nearly popped out when they brought that parfait dish out for him. For myself, I did a decent job on my sundae, and BW—knowing I wouldn’t finish—took over and polished it off.

The same group walked back.

We planned for the Central Park zoo on Wednesday, and to everyone’s surprise, they were closed for a special event. So we contented ourselves with the carousel, and hit FAO Schwarz. Griffin’s bd’s coming up, and there’s Christmas. Plus he loves the rocket ship they have, and he and I went into outer space for some time. Then he discovered the floor piano keys. He, Jason and I played a few tunes.

Intergalactic Nana and Griffin conversation. Photo by j a-b.

He was such a good kid in this toy heaven. (In fact, he was gold all week.) Held my hand, or Jason’s or Kat’s. Picked out a dragon for Nana, and gave me good ideas for a few gifts. Kat made the biggest haul, so they shipped stuff home.

Laura and Mark have tickets for the game, and we watched, hoping to spot them. Nope, but the Met’s clinched their division, so happy time.

Our view on Wednesday evening. Photo by Laura.

I meet up with my friends—agent and editor—on Thursday. Always so great to see them, to spend the day. We have a light lunch at MoMa as we have early dinner reservations and theater tickets.

And a breeze through MoMa’s gift shop bags more Christmas! I’m very nearly done.

I learn Stevie Nicks is in the other triplex—she’s doing SNL. Cool!

A nice walk to dinner, and we have a happy chatty table including Amy and Leslie’s husbands. Also always great to see them.

The play is just fantastic. Once Upon A Mattress is nothing but pure fun and happy. We couldn’t have had a better time. I think we all let out a week’s worth of laughs in under two hours.

I learned after that Candice Bergman was in our row. Wish I’d known!

She doesn’t mention in the post, but theater day was also Nora’s birthday. Photo by j a-b.

Then a really lovely evening walk home.

Another, this time successful, walk to the zoo on Friday. Jason, Griffin, Kayla, JR and me. It’s the first time Jason and I haven’t taken him that he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life on the big rope spider web. He enjoyed it, then moved on. He really liked the dinosaur egg kids can sit in. And the stone rabbits they (Kayla, too) crouch down so their face is under the ears. I have a picture somewhere of her and Logan doing this as Griffin’s age.

A boy on his favorite web. Photo by j a-b.

The penguins are the biggest hit, as they should be. A really fun day, a stop for lunch at the zoo cafe where Griffin claimed to want nothing, then ate all of Kayla’s fries because he decided they were yum.

We stopped on the way back at the Microsoft store. They have a floor where you can do gaming—which Kayla and JR did—and a big screen where you can project yourself as a Minecraft creature. We did that one for a long time, and it didn’t get old.

Home again for our last night. Laura’s daughter and her fiancé flew in from LA. They’re all going to Laura’s son and daughter-in-law’s on Saturday for her granddaughter’s first birthday. I have to add the kid is a Laura mini me, down to facial expressions. *

Loved seeing Clare and meeting her Nate, seeing the ring in person. Gorgeous!

Turns out they’re gamers as are Kayla and JR. They spoke that language to each other. **

Then it’s time to pack up, load up. Kayla and JR will move into the main hotel for the rest of their stay. JR’s parents are coming in from Connecticut for the day, meeting them for lunch. And Laura and Mark will be in NY several more days.

So we’re packed up, loaded up, and hug goodbye before we start off in the huge party bus for the trip home.

A busy, happy, fun week for all. I don’t think any of us missed a trick.

Am pleased to report Kayla and JR had a good time for the next couple of days, enjoyed the concert, caught the way before dawn train, got here to pick up JR’s car, drove to NC. ***

We actually had a huge tree come down across the lane the day before they got here. But got it cleared up before they did.

So all good, all around.

And we’re already looking forward to next year!

Nora

Notes from Laura: All in all, Mark and I were 1-2 for sporting events. It was a bit of delirious fun to watch the Mets win the division.

We already planned to see the MNF Jets game with our friend Sarah and her husband, Jack who are Bills fans (they left happy, we did not). Then we were offered tickets for the Met’s NLCS game on Oct. 16 so we took them. (Again, we left a bit sad.) Will see what tonight brings as the Mets and Jets play at the same time.

*My sweet granddaughter DOES look like me, but her parents have requested a media blackout so you’ll have to take our word for it. Or, just believe me when I share this photo of me at age 4.

**Nate’s the gamer in the engaged couple. Kayla noted the 100 Thieves logo on his jacket and asked about it. Suddenly Kayla, JR and Nate were in a serious discussion about e-sports, characters, games and many other terms that flew over the rest of our heads. Wish I thought to take a photo of them.

***The proof-of-health photo I took Sunday night at dinner with Kayla and JR. Nora thought when I said “kids” I meant Clare and Nate — but they headed back to LA 38 hours after landing in NYC.

cooking, grandkids, New York City, Travelogues

Weekend Busy

10/23/2023 Laura 26 Comments

I don’t mind weekend busy, as long as I feel it was worth it.

This one has been.

But before I get to that, we spent a week in NYC earlier in the month. BW, Jason, Kat, Griffin, Kayla, Laura and her Mark and me—along with JR, Kayla’s boyfriend, for a couple of days.

We took a big party bus up, as we are many, and nobody enjoyed that more than Griffin. Going along our long, twisty road minutes after we left the house, he threw up his hands. WEEE!! Roller Coaster! So we all joined in.

A few hours later, and we’re in the city where Laura already waited.

We zip up to our home away from home for the week, unpack, and enjoy and appreciate the lovely cheese service, the fruit, the views, and me—I pour a glass of champagne to help shake off the trip.

We take it pretty easy that first day—traveling will do that—order room service, play Monster trucks and Obstacle Course. Jason, BW and Kayla take a walk for some supplies.

The next day, as predicted, it’s raining. Off and on, but the on’s pretty heavy. Despite the wet, Kayla, Jason, Griffin and I head out—with Griffin pushing Baby (his doll) in the stroller. He’s not bothered by the rain a bit. We’re heading to FAO Swartz, and the fun for the wet boy begins.

While he’s interested and enjoying, what grabs him is the remote control cars on demonstration. He picks up one of them in a box, gives me a look, and hands it to me without a word. Okay then! I think he would’ve stayed there the entire day making the cat spin and flip. The only other thing he picks—again giving me a look, handing me the box—is a NYC yellow cab. Hey, his birthday is coming up.

Back home and a fun visit with Griffin’s triplet cousins and their moms. And Kayla, Laura and I grab a little shoe shopping time. Success all around!

Sunday is for the zoo—just Jason, the boy and me. A lovely day after the rain, a nice walk though we compete with the Sunday parade on Fifth. Just like last year, all Griffin wants is to bounce on the spider web trampoline. We finally convince him to explore, which he does, but somehow he manages to wind him way right back to the spider web.

Eventually, we tear him away and with Jason’s phone GPS, make our way to the carousel. This year our nearly 5-year-old boy sits his own horse.

Then he crashed on the couch.

We have our foundation meeting Monday—and since the BIG parade is happening, it’s a good day to stay away from the crowds.

Before we start, while I’m working out, Kat comes up and asks if I have scissors.

I have little, folding travel scissors, but Griffin’s decided he wants a hair cut. We can’t miss that decision!

And Kat makes that happen with my tiny scissors.

Pretty sure we did our Facebook Live, Laura and I, that day. But it blurs.

[Laura here. Yes we did a FB Live and you can watch on this link: https://www.facebook.com/jdrobbauthor/videos/331796992856586/?mibextid=zDhOQc%5D

And Tuesday is for serious shopping. I’m close to finishing up Christmas by the end of it. But before shopping, Laura, Kayla and I head out to The NY Times where I do a podcast. Not sure of the broadcast date, but I know Laura will let you know when we are.

What an amazing building. It’s my first time there. Impressive!

Wednesday is seeing my editor and agent—and long-time friends—more shopping, a lot of hanging out. So good to see them, and have time with them.

Kayla’s JR is in NY for a college program, and as he finishes up, he can stay with us for a couple days. We have dinner out, with our long-time friends, their spouses, before we see our first Broadway play since Covid.

JR and Kayla with a view. Photo by Laura

Six. Absolutely wonderful! The energy, the voices, the costumes. It reminds me why seeing live theater on Broadway is so very special.

Kayla and JR head out on their own on Thursday while Jason, Kat and Griffin find a playground. Leslie—my editor—Laura and I have some hang out time before everyone gathers again. And my beloved editor when I wrote for Silhouette, her husband, come over for drinks and dinner.

It’s been way too long! Lovely to see them and share our last night in the city.

The long road home on Friday—why are the east-bound lanes in PA so bumpy??? Then home again to happy dogs. Kayla’s headed out to the Era’s movie, and I figure I have the weekend to deal with all the shopping successes—and the stuff I ordered that came in during our week away.

Which I did. My One More Room resembles a storeroom at a department store, but it’s organized. After all, I have four birthdays and Christmas—so that’s a lot.

Spent the week getting seriously back to work. And that felt just fine.

Then it’s the weekend, again.

The season’s are changing, so that means shifting seasonal clothes—a chore! And done. More packages come in. Opened, organized and set there. Yes! Really nearly done.

Other organizing must be done on Saturday, but I get to it.

And it’s Sunday. Time to make soup—three bean and ham for this gorgeous, sunny fall day, and why not make some facoccia bread to go with it? BW’s out splitting wood (not with an axe, he has a splitter) and I spend the bulk of the day in the kitchen.

It’s nice, harvesting some herbs for the soup, the bread. And seeing my gardens still blooming. BW will watch football, and I’ll just veg the rest of the day.

I believe I’ll do just that, with an adult beverage.

Nora

2023 Cozumel, grandkids, Travelogues

Cozumel, last day

07/18/2023 Laura 12 Comments

Packing to go home’s always easier than packing for a trip. You don’t have to think: Do I want to take this? You’re taking everything.

So the majority of packing’s done in no time.

It’s panorama time! Kat and Jason already have it choreographed so that fun tradition goes smoothly.

It’s goodbye hugs for JR, and off to the airport—but he gets in a last chase with Griffin.

When she’s back, I hang with Kayla while Colt, Kat and Griffin enjoy the pool. We learn JR’s flight’s delayed an hour. Weather.

And Kat announces there’s a crab in the pool. This seems strange. It’s a dead crab which Colt scoops out with the net. But wait! There’s another, and this one’s very much alive! Colt is not quite so eager to scoop the live one, but between him and Kat, they chase it down—it scrambles some. Into the net with you! And Colt hauls it down to toss it back in the gulf.

I can only assume they ran away from home, decided the pool looked good. Then one met a tragic end.

Mario and other Switch games happen during the lunch hour.

BW and Jason do a drive around the island. Along the way they spot a wild pig and what they think were monkeys. I didn’t know we had either around here.

We decide on an early dinner and head to town. JR’s connecting flight is also delayed, so more airport hanging for him. Poor guy.

While we order dinner a storm sweeps in. Wild rain blowing in the wild wind. We’re under cover, but oh, those poor people on bikes, scooters, open-air jeeps! This is monsoon level rain, occasionally blowing sideways, just lashing down.

We’re lucky it finally eases off toward the end of our final dinner in Cozumel.

Home through big, splashing puddles.

Time for some Jack box.tv games, then bed before our departure day.

The birds are busy this morning, and very, very chatty. Lots of call and response going on. And no blue sky as dawn breaks. I’m really sorry to see the thick clouds up there as that’s where we’ll be in a few hours.

I’m going to squeeze in a quick workout, finish up the travel day packing—and hope some blue peeks out above as we ready ourselves to head home.

A lovely, fun, interesting, relaxing and occasionally adventurous family vacation. Many new memories banked. Really can’t ask for better.

Except—fingers crossed—a smooth flight home.

Nora

2023 Cozumel, grandkids, Travelogues

Cozumel, Day 15

07/17/2023 Laura 17 Comments

A pretty morning becomes a stormy one. Another hard driving rain pumps down with some wicked booms of thunder that roll into echoes. It comes and it goes with sun beaming, then sun washed away.

Sometime before the rain swept in, the older kids did some kayaking. I still don’t know how I missed that event.

The gang is thoroughly entertained by Mario Cart during the storm. There are wild cheers, groans and moans.

Then it clears again, looks like it might mean it this time. Kat takes Griffin off for a last round at the water park.

The report is much fun, but this time he was ready to go when the time came.

There are some daily chases, and my opponent appears to have forged some new weapons. He’s a tricky one.

Kayla and JR do some packing as he heads for home Sunday. The rest of us depart Monday.

Dinner plans evolve, and Italian wins the day. More Mario Cart before departure, and this time Griffin joins the cheering section. But when it comes time to do a little pano portrait in the living area, he departs and races himself for awhile.

A LOT of standing water here and there on the drive into town. I think they might have gotten hit even harder than we did.

And the sky opens again just as we park, so it’s a mad dash through it to the restaurant. But there, we’re under cover outside while an enormous cruise ship glides by in the distance through a curtain of mist.

I can’t resist that lovely citrus salad—and will get some grapefruit at home now and then to add to ours. Pizza and pasta for all, but for Logan who orders some sort of steak. It comes coiled around a vertical skewer, and is pretty impressive.

Steak delivery. Video by Kat.

Also, Logan reports, excellent.

We have the drama of sunset to add to our meal. It never gets old.

Front row sunset seating. Photo by Nora.

Griffin already goes for his new fave, yellow ice cream. So dessert and cappuccino it is. Jason and I both go for peach Melba, and yum. BW gets about half of mine.

Home again, and Poker is the game of the night. This time, all the luck seems to be on one side of the table. Logan, Kayla, Colt and I, on the other end, don’t win a single hand. JR takes an enormous pot at the end. Other than Logan, Kayla Colt and me, who are wiped out, the others fare well enough.

I hesitate to say it looks like a pretty day, but so far, so good. Workout’s done, and though Griffin and Jason aren’t in their usual morning spots, they should be over soon. We’ll do our annual panorama shot outdoors, then Jason and Kayla will take JR to the airport.

Today is for goodbyes and packing for our own departure tomorrow morning.

Whatever else today brings, it’s been a really wonderful family trip. We’re blessed to have four grandchildren ready and willing to travel with us, and as always the best traveling companions ever, Jason and Kat. Another bonus this year, with Kayla’s adorable JR.

Nora

2023 Cozumel, grandkids, Travelogues

Cozumel, Day 14

07/16/2023 Laura 5 Comments

I doubt I could’ve been more wrong about the weather.

The potentially pretty day clouds up by late morning. Rain comes, fairly nice at first. But before much longer, we have a driving wall of rain, and the palm trees are whipping. Even the covered patio won’t do during this.

It’s impressive with some quick lightning and its answering roll of thunder.

Griffin spots me, and the chase is on. He’s adopted my cross-arm Wonder Woman-like shield. And his, naturally, proves more powerful. He takes my hand in my defeat and guides me to the corner of a wall where I understand I will be stuck. With much effort, I gain my release.

We repeat this awhile until Colt takes my place.

JR and Kayla do laundry.

As it’s cooled considerably, I open the big accordion doors so the outside is in, the inside is out.

I make progress with some business at home—that’s a big check mark! My forever friend and our business manager makes more on Boonsboro business. Yay!

Time for a pitcher of margaritas.

The rain passes, and the sky blues again. Here’s the sun.

Kat and Griffin enjoy the pool. I think nobody enjoys the pool as much as Griffin, but Kat comes close.

It’s been a lazy, rainy day so the sun, the pool time, the cooler air (that won’t last) are welcome.

Off to dinner, and again, we have a live band. We’re not seated so close this time, so conversation’s possible. And the music’s fun. After considerable debate, I decide on a burger. I can’t remember the last time I had one. I manage to make it clear I want burger and bun, no more. I am a burger and bun burger person.

The enthusiastic pool time has Griffin conking on the way to the restaurant. He sleeps on Mom awhile, then wakes, blinks around. He has yellow ice cream (vanilla) chicken fingers and fries. My burger is tasty, and huge. I cut it in half and nearly manage the half.

Palms framing the sunset. Photo by Nora.

The sun’s begun its drop toward the water as we head back. But on the walk to the car, I spot a shot, and take it. Back home, Colt dashes for the dock, and I follow behind him, Kat and Griffin.

Capturing the last of the sun. Photo by Colt.

The red sun’s hardly more than a dot at water’s edge, then poof! Gone. But the sky is still more than worthy for documenting.

We’re going to try six-handed Hearts. Kat, BW, Colt, me, JR, Kayla.

BW has a rough start as he takes the Queen on an early trick. And although there are a couple hearts in the widow, as it turns out, he has no chance to run them. We’re only playing to fifty.

After she racks up some points, Kat claims to have a plan. She’ll take just enough more to hit fifty and go back to zero—and does the math. Her plan falls apart, so it’s onto Plan B. Meanwhile Kayla gets stung a couple times, as do BW and JR. Colt makes the classic mistake of announcing he has zero and will win.

Oh, sweet summer child!

He takes the Queen and a handful of hearts in the very next hand. You do not tempt the god of cards.

I, on the other hand, have taken the Queen once, and a scatter of hearts throughout the game and remain low man. I am also seasoned enough to shut up about it.

In the end, Kat’s plan—even Plan C—fails, Colt’s hubris puts him over fifty, and I slide quietly into victory.

Bedtime for Griffin, but not before a Chase. Now he simply points to where I must stand and be stuck.

This morning, the yellow warbler is perched on a branch just above my own perch on the bedroom balcony. He doesn’t sing or call, just sits and looks around. Blue skies, so fingers crossed there can be some home-style snorkeling and kayaking today.

Time to work out.

2023 Cozumel, grandkids, Travelogues

Cozumel, Day 13

07/15/2023 Laura 7 Comments

Since I’m not going down water slides, I opt out of the water park. BW seems to want a lazy day, so the two of us stay back while the rest of the gang heads out for water adventuring.

Just as they leave, the power goes out.

Oh well.

BW and I read on the patio, and since the gang doesn’t quickly return, we assume power is okay where they are. And fortunately, it was only out a couple hours here.

I watch a grackle land by the pool, then his companion, and they play their own water games. Another joins. Then I see one sitting on the wall and start getting Hitchcock vibes when one more lands.

We do not have an attack of the grackles, so we read on.

I decide to trade my book for some work on my own.

Time for a snack, and shortly after, power’s back. I can now check my email as a lot of business is going on at home, and I need to keep up.

The gang has lunch at the park before they return. Fun for all. In fact so much fun for the youngest member, he didn’t want to leave. Some serious crying and strong objections to departure is reported.

The desired slide. Video by j a-b

Jason said while there he wanted to go on the slide. Was very determined. But the rules are you must go down alone, and no floaty vest. The kid’s too young to slide down into five feet of water alone—especially since you’re also not allowed to hang out at the bottom and catch the kid.

While disappointed, Griffin found much else to do, especially since the place was packed with kids.

A lower slide. Arg, matey! Photo by Kat.

Some hang time before dinner.

Then it’s back into town for food. Griffin’s new thing is delight in: 100-citement. Which means 100% excitement. We have some on the drive as a doorless Jeep pulls well into the road. Jason dodges it, then has to dodge another Jeep coming on the other side, THEN dodge a man in the road fixing a water pipe.

It’s like Mario! 100-citement. Do it again!

At the restaurant, Griffin settles for his iPad version of excitement. I have my own with the biggest margarita to date.

A little pre-dinner screen. Photo by Nora.

Good food, good drink, good company. The older kids go across the street for the sunset before we head home.

We’re a little later than usual, but there’s still time for Poker. Texas Hold ‘Em is the game, and this time I win the first round. There are bluffs, hopes rise and fall. The river has two queens and an eight—I forget what else as that’s what mattered to me as I have a queen and an eight for a full house in my hand.

Logan goes all in. I call on the biggest pot of the night. He has a full house—eights over queens. My queens over eights beat that. So I win the first and last pot of the night.

Some pre-bedtime Chase wraps things up.

Quiet this morning. Maybe the birds are planning something after all. I hope not as the sky is a pretty summer blue and so is the water. A big white excursion boat just passed, absolutely packed with people.

It feels like it’s going to be a lovely day.

Nora

Fall into the Story

Category Archives: Travelogues

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Cozumel, last day

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The official blog for Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb readers