I’m sure the first question on many folks’ minds after they read this title is, “What the heck is Meow Wolf?” Well, you are not alone. I thought the same thing when I first read about it. So, let me explain it as best as I can.

While I have never been much of a jewelry person, I have always been interested in gems, minerals, and rocks in general. My dad was an avid rock enthusiast and so it was hard NOT to become interested in rocks myself. One of the gems (minerals) that has always fascinated me was turquoise. You can almost always spot turquoise throughout history due to its beautiful, distinct blue-green color. Egyptian pharaohs wore it (like King Tut’s Ceremonial Mask). Native Americans wore it and designed with it, as did many other cultures across the globe.

Does your family enjoy Lego creations and beautiful flowers? Then you should absolutely go to the Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha before May 18! It is fun, informative, and the kid in you will love it. So will your actual kids and grandchildren.

In August 2024 I achieved a personal milestone (a.k.a. Bucket list) that I added to my to-do list in 2013 - more than 11 years ago. I spent one absolutely GLORIOUS full day at The Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. To me, this place is like heaven on earth. See why!

As I have “acquired years and wisdom” (read between the lines), I have discovered that “tiptoeing through the tulips” is actually very beneficial for my well-being on multiple levels. I now LOVE gardens, particularly botanical gardens! Not only do they encourage me to get my steps in, the flowers, foliage, and trees enhance my mental health and feed my soul. The artwork inspires me. Listening to the birds sing and watching butterflies flit around calms and fascinates me. And I always learn something new. In short, spending time in a garden just makes me doggone happy. Maybe you can relate! 😁

Ok, fellow Iowans - did you know that the beautiful Iowa Capitol building in Des Moines was not the original Iowa Capitol? Despite learning Iowa history in elementary school, I had forgotten that the original capitol building was in Iowa City and served as its first seat of government for approximately ten years, from 1846 to 1857. The building would then become the University of Iowa’s first building.

If you’re like me, you love to discover unexpected little gems when you travel, especially ones that are underrated or somewhat unknown. When you find a place like that, it feels sort of like you have opened a surprise birthday gift and are delighted. That was the way I felt when I visited the ESSE Purse Museum and Store!