Like a drunken sailor trying to land a joke, none of the words coming out of my mouth made any sense – to anyone. Not to me. Not to anyone in line. And certainly not to the woman from whom I was trying to purchase a train ticket. She stared at me from behind her … More Vrot-swaf
As I’ve traveled and lived around the U.S. and abroad I’m usually pretty easy to place, thanks to my accent. My long vowels and hard ‘ch’s always point back to Chicago, to which I say, “youbetcha” for I am very proud indeed to call myself a Midwesterner. It wasn’t until I was in a Lyft … More Roots
During the week-long-party-on-wheels that is RAGBRAI, all… no, MOST inhibitions are thrown to the wind. Men and women who ordinarily armor themselves with suits and dresses – of the sort that hide bulges and accentuate the more flattering curves, be it of muscle or body shape – strip down to spandex, which by nature hides … More When Pigs Fly
Had I stayed in Girl Scouts beyond the third grade, perhaps I would have learned the proper techniques to starting and maintaining a fire. However, due to an unfortunate overnight camp trip that involved a rogue raccoon, thousands of spiders and a trip to the ER I did not last very long with the green-sash-club. … More Stoked: 2017 in Review
Wake-up calls on RAGBRAI come early, as most of us rise with the sun and are eager to hit the road to beat the mid-day heat. Why they do this monstrous ride during the hottest week of the entire year is beyond me. Nevertheless, we enjoy and revel in it. After taking down the tent … More Saddle Sores, Sunburn & Other Pleasantries
The Wild Rose 