I am a total cathedral aficionado. I go cuckoo over cathedrals, particularly those in Europe. I have seen many unbelievably gorgeous cathedrals. But there was one cathedral still on my bucket list - the famous Milan Duomo.

Think the Library of Congress is for bookworms only? Think again, my friends! I took a short trek to Washington, D.C. last May and this is what I discovered on my very first visit.

Spring means tulips, mild sunny days, and lots of new things to do both indoors and outdoors in the Midwest. Here’s a list of fun activities to do in the next few weeks in he Omaha area. Let’s get out there! 😁

I’m going to start posting twice a week (see earlier schedule) about my 37-day trip to Europe last summer. And I’m choosing to start with the most fabulous, economical place to stay in Milan - the K34 Milano B & B operated by my now-dear Italian friend, Stefania!

I have been to many wonderful museums all over the world and I do enjoy most of the museums I have seen. But I have to say The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix ‘blew my socks right off!” 

I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s art and architecture for quite some time. I’ve visited a number of his projects such as a few of his houses in the Midwest, a hotel in Mason City, Iowa, and the Chicago neighborhood of Oak Park.

What do you think of when you see or think about a butterfly? I always think of Spring and colorful flowers. I also am enchanted by a butterfly’s flight - how they flit here and there but still manage to make it to where they want to be. In short, butterflies make me happy.

There are a number of cities known for their art museums and art events, but Scottsdale takes art to a whole new level!

One thing that has surprised me recently is the beauty of the desert in the Phoenix metro area. I guess I had always simply thought of deserts as dry, rather barren places.

If you’re anything like me, you don’t particularly love the month of January in the Midwest. Some folks get Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) and tire of the gray clouds, lack of sunshine and monotony of being indoors. I don’t tend to notice that much in myself, but I do crave beautiful green plants and colorful, blooming flowers this time of year.

And where oh where have I been in the last year or so?