Are you leaving again?

Posted on May 10, 2024 by adriennecohen221

This is the third in a mini-series of posts about travel, primarily traveling alone in a busy, crowded world, and about what is great and not so great about solo travel, or about traveling in general.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have spent a lifetime traveling. I delight in telling newfound friends that my first cruise was at the age of nine, aboard a military transport ship. It was by no means a form of luxury travel, but to this day I have fond memories of the small round porthole in our family cabin, and of trying to sleep as the ship pitched through the waves of the north Atlantic. I also have vivid memories of dishes and glassware sliding across the dinner table as the ship rolled in heavy seas one evening. Despite all of that, I was hooked on cruising.

Not long after that, I was on an international flight — in those days, it was not a jet. Between Germany and New York City, there were two refueling stops, the first in Keflavik, Iceland, and the second at Gander, Newfoundland. Although I had flown before, this was definitely a long and, at the time, exciting trip!

As a food and travel writer, I was away from home for a total of 91 nights in 2023. Even for me, that’s a lot of time “on the road.” Note that at least a third of those nights away were aboard cruise ships, and a fair number of days included “road trips,” my second love — born from a childhood spent traveling by car across vast stretches of the western United States.

I do not write fiction. I simply strive to tell the truth about the places I go, the sights I see, the food I consume, and the people I meet. Most of my experiences have been positive. I think it’s all too obvious that I love traveling.

However, I cannot say that I’m never lonely, tired, hungry, or distraught when I travel. Especially when I am by myself on assignment. What I can say is that, no matter what the circumstances, I consider myself fortunate to be traveling at a time when so many options exist to see the world. The people, the places, the tours, the memories that I bring home from every trip — those are the reasons I keep a bag half-packed and am able to leave on short notice. I travel whenever and wherever I have a chance. I have no intentions of “retiring,” and it’s my travel experiences become the “soul” of my writing and lend credence to my words.

Travel keeps a person delightfully off-balance. I have no idea who first expressed that thought, but it’s true. And it’s that “off-balance” perspective, I think, that allows new ideas and perceptions to take hold, flourish, and grow. Traveling puts the world in perspective. It provides a wealth of beginnings with endings yet to be written. That’s what makes each trip distinctive. No, not every one is wonderful, but all are memorable.

What’s it like being constantly on the go? For me, it’s the realization of possibilities. I have to admit that these days I am not always on the go. But I also must say that when I am not traveling, there is invariably another trip on my mind. Planning a trip can be almost as much fun as the trip itself. The next best thing to traveling is thinking about traveling!

I like not knowing what will happen next. I like being surprised, and I like taking unexpected turns along the path of life.

What about you?

Note: If you missed my first two posts in this mini-series, you can read them here: https://rightoffmain.com/2023/11/29/solo-travel-just-go/ and https://rightoffmain.com/2023/12/21/travel-tales-when-plans-go-awry/

Posted in Commentary, Solo Travel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What a difference a day makes

Posted on March 16, 2024 by adriennecohen221

Had I not watched television news yesterday, talked to residents of my community, or experienced the wind, rain and hail of the previous night, I might have believed that spring is now in full bloom here in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

I awoke this morning to fluffy white clouds filling a beautiful blue sky. The temperature is pleasant, the wind is calm, and the birds are singing. There are no golfers on the course, but it’s early. The course, however, still has water ponding in low spots from the drenching rains that visited us. I doubt that many golfers will be out today.

The EF-2 tornado that struck our Village Thursday evening was real, and I cannot forget that. So, today, I ventured out to visit nearby shopping areas and streets and neighborhoods other than my own. I wanted to see for myself the damage caused by the half-mile wide tornado that spent some 20 minutes cutting a path more than eight miles long through this tree-filled gated community.

Outside the gates, life and commerce continue just as normal, except for one horribly twisted shell of a building that was lifted off its foundation and deposited only a few feet away, adjacent to a strip center that was, for the most part, untouched. Today, a handful of people were seen sorting through a debris field almost the size of a city block

The manned main gate allows residents and authorized visitors to enter this community, home to slightly more than 14,000 people. The gates may add to our sense of security in some ways, but they were no deterrent to the wind and hail visited upon Hot Springs Village two nights ago.

It’s hard to believe that nature can be this brutal.

Later today, on my brief drive through the Village, I did my best to keep out of the way of the army of workers helping to clear debris, remove tree limbs from roadways, and restore power. The cleanup effort will continue, perhaps for weeks. Thankfully, there was minimal damage to homes and businesses in the area, and no serious injuries were reported. For that, we are all thankful.

The extent of the damage took my breath away. Once again, I was surprised at just how close these severely damaged pockets in the community are to my home. It was a vivid reminder of the power of nature and how ill-prepared many of us are for this kind of “natural” disaster.

Here are some photos:

It’s hard to believe that a metal building can be transformed into twisted rubble while buildings just next door sustain no visible damage. It’s harder still to understand how a debris field can be deposited virtually in the front house of a home not far away. But I have now seen up close the damage wrought by the relatively slow-moving tornado that swept through my area. I will not easily forget these images.

Much credit is due the hundreds of utility repair workers, road-clearing crews, tree removal companies, first responders, Village employees, street crews and others who responded to help our community. And residents must be commended for helping neighbors as necessary, and for listening to recommendations to stay off the streets and “out of the way” so that the professionals could get to work. You might also be interested in reading my first account of the storm, posted before we knew the full extent of the damage.

It has been quite an experience, one I hope I will not be required to repeat!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Storm’s Aftermath

Posted on March 15, 2024 by adriennecohen221

It was a dark and stormy night last night.

This morning, it’s a grey and dreary morning. March 15, 2024, in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. The creek outside my home is flowing fast, and there are puddles of water in the low spots on my property.

From my balcony, I see no alarming signs of damage from last night’s storm. We are safe and warm. We have electricity and water. There are no downed power poles or uprooted trees in sight. However, some in our Village of approximately 14,000 residents do not yet have power restored and we all are urged to be judicious about water usage until possible damage can be assessed or remedied.

Last night, somewhere around 8:30 p.m., a confirmed tornado, albeit a slow-moving and relatively minor one, moved through our area, formed out of a bank of thunderstorms that was widespread from Ohio to southern Arkansas. News reports point to some severe damage to businesses and commercial buildings on the highways near our gated residential community, but so far, at least, there have been no reported deaths or major injuries. Some neighborhoods reported hail the size of softballs, and we understand that tree limbs and downed power lines dot the landscape. We have heard reports of major damage to some roofs, and at least one home is reported to be almost totally destroyed. Such damage has not been confirmed, and such reports are relatively few.

Pulling Together

This morning, it feels more like “community” here than on most days. But there are no neighbors out walking their dogs, no golfers on the course. Residents have been vigilant about checking on friends and neighbors. At least one church opened its doors last night to shelter anyone without power, and those with home damage. Other groups continue to monitor members and neighbors, offering aid to anyone in need. Multiple e-mail and message chains appeared last night, asking folks to respond simply by saying “okay” or “all is well.” That also provided a way for officials to quickly assess where property damage was most severe, and where power outages existed. Many residents have felt compelled to notify far-flung friends and family about conditions here, thinking that they don’t want relatives to hear about “our tornado” on the national news. Somehow, this morning, the feeling is that we live in the “small-town” America that many of us wish still existed

Area schools opened late this morning after it was determined that school buses could safely complete their routes. But they opened, and life will soon return to its normal cadence for most of us. Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses have done a commendable job of keeping us “in the loop” about closings, cancellations, altered hours of operation, and other essential information. But all are determined to move on from yesterday’s storm.

The Reality

I have never before been so close to a tornado’s touchdown, even though I have lived for many years in areas where tornados are far from unknown. Was it frightening? I don’t know; it was over too quickly. It came with too little warning.

My husband and I don’t have the comfort of a “safe room” in our home; our nearest shelter is a basement storage room accessible only via an exterior pathway. We might not have had enough warning last night to make our way there, but it was not an option to follow a slippery downhill pathway in driving rain while also being pelted by large hail.

I wasn’t ready for that kind of adventure. Instead, my husband and I watched television news reports as the path of the suspected tornado swerved into an area just blocks away from our street. We watched in fascination, awed by the weather team’s ability to pinpoint the exact area where the tornado would (and did) touch down.

Memories of the Past

On my mind was an evening several years ago in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. Then, my husband and I huddled in an interior hallway of our home. That was scary because I could “feel” the winds as they hovered around neighborhood trees and rooftops. It was as if the house groaned in the effort to hang on. And then we heard the “freight train” sounds as the worst of the fast-moving storm passed nearby. That was fear — clear and unmistakable.

That particular tornado struck down in the DFW Metroplex some 30-40 miles away! I am not eager to repeat that experience, nor to be witness to that sort of major devastation.

This was different. My husband and I stood looking out at the darkness that surrounded us. It was still and quiet outside last night. A sliding door to our screened porch was open, but except for the sound of raindrops, there was little hint of the approaching storm. We saw the brightly-colored weather maps on television and could not reconcile them with the view outside our window.  

At that moment, there was no thunder, no lightning, no wind noise. There was nothing to cause fear other than the occasional loud bang of a hailstone on the roof and the relentless pleas of the broadcast weatherman to take cover immediately.

We did not react in the prescribed manner. It was not that we didn’t know what we should have done. It was simply that we did not react. The rain continued, heavy at times, far into the night, after the tornado warning was lifted. When we finally went to bed, it was hard to sleep soundly.

Assessing the Storm

This morning, as we listened to a radio interview with Kelly Hale, general manager of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association, we realized again how lucky we are. Indeed, we have valid reasons to believe that all the residents of our Village are fortunate. Yes, there is property damage. Yes, tree limbs block at least some of our major thoroughfares within the Village. Yes, some small roads are almost inaccessible. Yes, there are power outages.

But, as was noted on the radio this morning, crews from the power companies are on the job to reset power poles; cleanup is underway, and first responders are visiting homes in our community to check on residents. We feel fortunate, indeed. But we have been instructed to stay home and allow the professional first responders, utility workers, and cleanup crews to do their jobs.

In effect, we have been asked to put aside our curiosity and stay out of the way. I am certain there will be time for volunteer labor in our community, but, for now, it can and should wait until the major repairs and cleanup are finished. I am certain also that we will come together as a community to clean up, fix up and move on, just as other communities have done in the past.

We are at home because we don’t want to escalate the problem. We have seen some pictures posted online of the tree limbs and the debris in our neighborhoods. We will watch the television news reports this afternoon. We will eagerly await the final storm assessment from the authorities. And then, as necessary, we will join with our neighbors to help restore our community.

The Day After 

Now it is late afternoon in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. The first photos are just now being aired on television showing the damage to our community. Here are the facts:

The National Weather Service has confirmed that it is believed an EF-2 tornado cut a swath through our community last night with a storm track approximately one-half mile wide, with winds of about 115 miles per hour. It is believed that the track on the ground was approximately eight miles long. We will eagerly watch the continuing coverage of the storm that burst into our community unexpectedly last night. I, for one, am eager to get out and see the damage to my community firsthand.

For now, though, I am grateful that it was not worse. 

With much of the world under siege from events so much more terrifying than a spring storm, we count our blessings. We do, however, look forward to seeing sun and blue sky once again!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Travel Tales: When plans go awry

Posted on December 21, 2023 by adriennecohen221

I arrived at Sea-Tac airport after the dinner hour from Fairbanks, Alaska. I had a layover of about three hours, and I was a bit disoriented by an airport that seemed to have more than doubled in size since my last visit. It took two trams, three escalators and what seemed like a mile-long walk with a carry-on and my overstuffed “personal item” to arrive at my continuing flight’s gate in a different terminal. The waiting area was crowded with passengers waiting to board an interim flight.

I walked on, hoping to find a spot to relax and have a bite to eat.

When I spied an inviting airport bistro, I was “all in,” despite a large number of empty tables. I found an open bar stool and asked for a menu, only to be told by a busy server that the kitchen had closed 30 minutes earlier.

Aha! I sighed, understanding the reason for the empty tables.

I ordered a glass of my favorite red wine, only to be told it was sold out. I accepted an alternative. A fellow traveler arrived to occupy the stool next to me, and he also asked about food. Then he ordered as well, settling on his third choice of a draft ale!

We raised our glasses in a mutual toast to safe travels and no dinner, speaking briefly about the irony of being unable to order food or drinks of choice in a place that catered exclusively to travelers. There wasn’t even a “grab and go” food venue in sight on a weekday evening at one of the top dozen international airports in the country. It was not quite 9 p.m.

We were both destined to fly on without dinner, but an hour’s worth of interesting conversation ensued, until it came time to pay our bills. Suffice it to say that my single glass of “acceptable” wine, not including gratuity, cost more than I pay at home for a full bottle of my favorite red. My newfound friend was equally surprised by the price of his two draws from the tap. Shaking our heads, and wishing one another well, we made our way to our gates, eager to board our separate flights, his to the east coast, mine to Dallas.

The point of this story is not that the situation would have been any different had I been traveling with my partner. Together, we would have been equally tired, hungry, and dismayed by the prices. But we would probably have consoled ourselves with laughter, and resolved to never travel again without a nutritious breakfast bar or a package of cheese crackers.

So, I simply reiterate the advice I offer to travelers young and old: Stay flexible, and don’t forget to pack your sense of humor! But now, I will routinely tuck a snack into my carry-on — a bag of peanut butter M&Ms perhaps, or some salted nuts. And I will most certainly ask the price before ordering anything!

My equally important recommendation: Always talk to strangers! made that Seattle experience bearable. Actually, the ability to talk about our shared frustration helped alleviate the hunger and the time passed quickly. Sharing makes even difficult times bearable. Connecting with another human being always lightens the emotional load.

Two weeks earlier in Dallas, a friend had dropped me at my airline’s curbside check-in counter. I had booked my flight with the airline credit card. One of my expected perks was a no-fee checked bag and I planned to take advantage of it to simplify my passage through security as well as to lighten my load at a layover airport. To my surprise, however, curbside check-in was unavailable for my international flight to Vancouver, B.C., and the “free bag check” only applies to domestic routes. Once inside the terminal, I paid the fee, handed over my bag, made my way through security and on to the departure gate noted on my boarding pass.

I settled into a seat; boarding was scheduled about an hour later. A woman with a distinctly British accent sat next to me. She had arrived from London, and was traveling to Vancouver to visit her daughter. We touched on a variety of other topics, including the coronation of King Charles III, with television coverage beginning shortly after midnight Vancouver time.

“I am not a monarchist,” she said. “Are you?”

I thought about that for a second. “No,” I offered. “I am not a monarchist,” thinking to myself that was a concept Americans gave up on two and a half centuries ago. But I added that I had watched the coverage of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral some months before, and planned on watching some of the coronation coverage as well.

She volunteered that she had no intention of watching the pageantry taking place in her home country, and we spoke at length about the monarchy and its role in the modern world, about life in our respective nations, about Canada, our families, our travels, and our hopes for the future. We didn’t solve any world problems, but we learned we had more similarities than differences and we enjoyed our time together, until we heard a “final boarding” announcement over the public address system.

It was only then that we realized we were among only a handful of passengers waiting at that particular gate, and that there were no airline representatives there.

To our dismay, we checked the adjacent schedule board and discovered we had been waiting at the wrong gate. We grabbed our carry-on bags and totes and made a dash through the concourse, arriving at the proper gate to be greeted with frowns — then smiles — just as the ground crew prepared to close the airline door!

Breathless, we exchanged glances as we made our separate ways to our assigned seats and waved goodbye. Were we so engrossed in conversation that we simply missed the announcement of a gate change? I am still confounded, but I am grateful for that opportunity to connect so deeply with a complete stranger, and I will always remember how quickly the time passed and how intertwined our lives seemed. Sharing a unique moment in time with another person is, to me, the best travel reward that I can imagine.

I am happy that we didn’t miss our flight, although even that might have been worth it! I believe wholeheartedly that the most memorable experiences begin when two strangers smile and say hello.

After a few hours of rest, I awoke in the middle of the night to view the news coverage of the coronation. I wondered if perhaps she had relented after all. Somehow, I hoped she was watching too.

Note: This is the second in a mini-series of posts about solo travel. I plan to continue to write about my solo experiences, as the spirit moves me and with no particular schedule in mind. I do hope though that you’ll come along with me and that you enjoy the world through my eyes. Also, I’d be pleased if you share comments about your experiences in various parts of the world. Click on the Follow button to receive email notification of future posts.

Posted in Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Holiday Spirit: Honoring Veterans

Posted on December 17, 2023 by adriennecohen221

Several hundred volunteers from nearby communities gathered Saturday morning, December 16, to place evergreen wreaths at the headstones of military veterans interred at Little Rock National Cemetery. They joined more than two million volunteers and supporters at more than 4,200 locations in the United States, abroad, and at sea to “remember, honor, and teach” the value of freedom and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who served in the military.

A brief ceremony before the actual wreath distribution recognized sponsors, truck drivers, organizers, and volunteers, with a military honor guard, tribute wreaths for each branch of military service, and a POW/MIA wreath. Scout representatives participated in the ceremony, and several individuals were presented with commemorative metal plaques.

The tradition began in 1992 when Worcester Wreath Company of Columbia Falls, Maine, had a surplus stock of wreaths near the end of the holiday season. The company, with the help of Olympia Snowe, a United States senator from Maine at the time, arranged to transport the wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. A wreath-laying ceremony was held that year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and approximately 5,000 wreaths were placed in the oldest section of the national cemetery.

It generated interest from citizens and groups in other states, and the Worcester family later began sending seven wreaths to national cemeteries across the country — one for each branch of service, with an additional one in remembrance of POWs and MIAs. Subsequently, with the support of veterans’ organizations, the family formed a non-profit organization to coordinate the growing requests and facilitate the efforts of numerous volunteers.

The single day in December when the wreaths are placed at the cemeteries culminates a year-round effort that involves more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporate contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry. Volunteer drivers transport wreaths throughout the nation. This year, three loaded tractor-trailers delivered more than 17,000 wreaths to the National Cemetery in Little Rock.

However, even that wasn’t enough to ensure that a wreath was available for the more than 21,000 headstones. Some of them date to the Civil War and the Spanish-American Conflict. Volunteers are asked to speak the name of each veteran as the wreath is placed; it becomes a moving tribute to those who served. There is a growing need for additional sponsorships and volunteers to meet next year’s goal, and the efforts begin right now. Visit Wreaths Across America for information about how to get involved.  

In December 2008, wreath-laying ceremonies were held in every state and Puerto Rico, and at 24 American cemeteries on foreign soil. A total of about 60,000 volunteers laid more than 100,000 wreaths, and the U.S. Congress unanimously voted December 13 of that year as “Wreaths Across America Day.”

Now, ceremonies are still held at Arlington, at the statehouses in nearly all states, and at Pearl Harbor, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In addition, the HART Ceremony (*Honoring Allies and Remembering Together), is conducted each year at international border-crossing sites between Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario; and Sweetwater, Montana, and the Alaskan//Canadian border.

Posted in Holiday Celebrations, Inspiration, Patriotism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solo Travel: Just Go

Posted on November 29, 2023 by adriennecohen221

Statistics show that an increasing number of solo travelers, particularly those in the 50-plus age range, will take to the highways, the seas, and the airways in coming years. We may not be back to pre-pandemic numbers, and the demographics may have changed, but tourism is booming. At the beginning of 2023, the expectation was that 25% of Americans, or 83 million people, would consider booking a solo trip this year. That included singles of all ages — from 20-somethings to octogenarians — both women and men.

Seventy-two percent of women in the US have taken a solo vacation, and nearly 60% of them would do so again within the next 12 months, according to one survey. Interestingly, 84% of solo travelers are women, and many book group tours, although the number of unattached males who travel alone for leisure has also increased. The number one international destination for solo travel is Australia, and 71% of unaccompanied travelers have visited Australia.

As a travel writer, I am increasingly aware that there is a new paradigm for travel.

Moving to new places was a way of life for me in my younger years, and as I matured I found that I truly love the ability to pack up and go, no matter what the purpose. The tradition of travel, of exploring new destinations, continued throughout my young adulthood and into my marriage. None of that has changed as I have grown older.

For several decades, I traveled almost exclusively as one of a pair, except for the occasional business trip, or a journey by myself to visit family. The same was true for my spouse during those years.

I didn’t give solo vacations much thought as a travel style until recently. My spouse is typically as supportive of spur-of-the-moment travel as I am. We have enjoyed beach vacations and cruises, quick weekend getaways, long road trips, and numerous vacations to unique destinations. Every trip has been memorable in some way. We have not yet, individually or as a couple, participated in an escorted group travel experience, nor do we routinely book choreographed excursions in foreign destinations. We typically prefer to explore on our own.

Make plans based on your individual needs and preferences.

The reasons for solo travel in today’s world have shifted. Price is certainly one factor, as more and more travel providers have begun to cater to singles. Major resorts and cruise lines have adjusted “double occupancy” rates, making prices more attractive. Some offer bonus perks for single travelers. Safety and companionship are still a legitimate concern for some, although less compelling than in the past. Single men may previously have felt less stigma attached to solo travel, but the discomfort in some cases was just as real. That is now less a concern as the numbers of solo travelers increase. Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be interesting and rewarding, and dining as a “party of one” doesn’t have to be a lonely experience.

While divorce or the death of a partner are still two of the primary reasons for solo travel, many choose to connect with friends or family at a destination, or for one segment of a trip. Take advantage of that freedom to plan your trips. Solo travelers have no need to consult with others about itineraries, daily schedules, sightseeing, dinner and entertainment plans, or even transportation and tour schedules. The many single travelers I have met recently speak of the autonomy they enjoy, and note that they particularly embrace their freedom of choice. They feel comfortable participating in group activities, but feel no obligation to always connect with others.

I, too, can enjoy solo travel, whether on assignment or strictly for pleasure, and I encourage my spouse to get away by himself or with others occasionally, as well. Our interests do not always mesh perfectly, and traveling solo to indulge our individual enthusiasms is the logical solution.

Here are some meaningful observations from my recent experiences:

Leisure travel differs from business travel in important ways. Traveling for business always entails a schedule and an agenda. Leisure travel can be a complex blend of timing, place, and mindset. Schedules can be altered “just because” at the last minute, and even well-thought-out itineraries and activities can be changed at will. For me, that’s a distinct benefit!

However, travel plans do not always unfold according to plan. Airport delays, reservation mix-ups, and random closures affect couples and groups equally, but they can be more difficult for a solo traveler, particularly for a tired, senior woman in a foreign city, a crowded airport or an unfamiliar cruise port.

During my years of travel, I have learned to be flexible, but I have not always been confident. I have, on occasion, made some unfortunate choices. I may make similar mistakes in the future. But, as is said, bad choices make for good stories!

So, I simply reiterate the advice I offer to any traveler: Always be flexible, and don’t forget to pack your sense of humor! Like a good Scout, I try to be prepared for the unexpected. I travel with a fully-charged cell phone, as well as a portable charger. I also tuck lemon drops and candied ginger (anecdotes for sudden nausea) into my carryon bag.

I do not hesitate to ask for help. I realize that I am not invincible!

An equally important recommendation: Always talk to strangers! Sharing travel frustrations makes them bearable. Exchanging smiles and small talk can be as pleasant as a quick nap, and you’ll part ways enriched by the connection with another human being.

This is the first of a series on Traveling as a Senior Woman. Follow me for more solo travel stories, and for additional tips on how to make every trip memorable.

Posted in Commentary, Inspiration, Travel | Leave a comment

Mark the date. I’ll make the popcorn!

Posted on June 10, 2023 by adriennecohen221

It was a long time to wait for a movie sequel — almost 42 years. Those of us who first were introduced to Star Wars on the big screen in 1977 could only hope that the wait would be worth it as we entered the theater to see Rise of Skywalker. It was.

I loved it!

I said that about the first one, and there are no better words in my vocabulary to express what I felt about this final one.

Now I am jubilant because it has been confirmed that Rise of Skywalker was not the final one after all! Maybe not by a long shot! In April, at Lucasfilm‘s Studio Showcase at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, it was announced that three new films are in the works, but with no target dates announced at that time. Other projects, to follow The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, were also outlined. Four days ago, the premiere date for a new live-action series on Disney+ was made public. Ahsoka will be aired initially August 23, and will continue weekly on Wednesdays! You can bet I’ll be tuned in!

I was an adult in 1977. Later, my son was equally taken by the story line; he reached maturity with a deep and abiding affection for the characters, and has awaited each new release in the intervening years with great anticipation. His now-teenage son is also a fan. I am a much older adult now, but I cannot wait to gather my old DVD’s and sit down one weekend soon to watch each episode again at my leisure.

I want to sink deep into the story once again, to experience the wonder of traveling to other worlds, to be charmed as always by Chewbacca and R2D2, enchanted by Obiwan; to face adventure with Leia, Luke and Han, and to learn from Yoda. There is pure delight to be found in every movie, even if it is Hollywood-style. I also want to again consider the message, to believe once more in the essential truth that good really can — and does — triumph over evil.

That, after all, is what those classic morality plays were all about. That is what Star Wars expresses masterfully in futuristic terms. It is as pertinent in our age as it was 500 years ago, as it still will be, I think, in another few decades, perhaps also in another 100 or 500 years. I suspect it’s as true on other worlds, if they exist, as here on earth.

What has assured the lasting popularity of Star Wars is its appeal to young and old alike. View the story as a fairy tale or fantasy, or look upon it as a reminder of universal truth. Or, at the very least, embrace the message as a fervent hope — that good will ultimately win out.

And that’s the point.

I loved Star Wars then. I loved Rise of Skywalker when it was released in December of 2019. I am certain I will love the new series and the yet-to-come new trilogy just as much with each re-viewing, and that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will be as enchanted at some point in the future as I was, as my son was.

I can only hope that the children who see these new movies will view the early ones as well — for background, for the story line, and for the simple fun of them all. Perhaps, then, 40-something years hence, they will still love them all as much as I do.

Our world has changed since 1977. But wonder remains. If we can still feel it today as it’s projected on a theater screen, perhaps it’s possible it will still be “wonder-full” in 2062 or beyond.

I certainly hope so!

https://wordpress.com/post/writeoffmain.wordpress.com/280

Posted in Children, Commentary, Family, History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Traveling smart in today’s world

Posted on February 22, 2023 by adriennecohen221

Today, more people are traveling than ever before, and total numbers are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year. Traveling always involves decision-making and at least a modicum of planning. If all goes well, it can be a joyful and exhilarating experience.

Unfortunately, the reality is that travel isn’t always painless. Schedules go awry; tempers flare and complications arise even during the shortest and best-planned trips. Weather delays are common, and there are growing logistical and safety concerns during peak holiday and summer travel seasons.

But that in no way means one should stay home. Even if you’re not a seasoned traveler. Even if you’re a senior citizen. Even if you’re traveling with small children. Even if you opt to travel alone to an unfamiliar destination. It does mean, however, that you should have a plan. No matter what your individual situation, the smart way to travel is to think beforehand about how you might deal with some common travel scenarios.

Think of it as an adult contingency plan, or enlist the kids or grandkids in a make-believe “travel drill.” Discuss why it’s important to know what to do and how to find help. Be matter of fact and confident. Travel should not provoke fear; travelers should exude confidence.

Some of the more common travel concerns today involve changed schedules, missed flights, petty crime, and credit card fraud. On our recent journey to South America and Antarctica, my husband and I encountered all of those, and dealt with other annoyances as well. Here’s how we coped:

Changing airline schedules and the potential of missed flights

Yes, travelers today are at the mercy of weather, overbooking, traffic jams, mechanical problems, and a number of other contingencies that can ruin a plan. Those things happen, and it does no good to give way to anger. Neither should you be consumed by fear of what might go wrong. The antidote to such delays, for us at least, is to plan to arrive at a destination well in advance of the time we need to be there. Wiggle room, even if it involves a night or two at a foreign hotel, is well worth it!

That being said, when we were told that the first leg of our three-flight itinerary from from Little Rock to to Santiago, Chile, would be delayed due to airline mechanical issues, we could not help but groan. Our trip had not even begun, and we momentarily thought it might end then and there. 

The first leg of our journey was to have been a relatively short flight to Charlotte. Then, another flight on to Miami where the plan was to meet up with another couple coming from Pennsylvania to board an overnight flight to Santiago. Making all the connections on time was a requirement, but we had sufficient time in each airport, and the weather forecast was for clear, dry conditions the entire way.

Rule 1: Never trust that your plans will fall perfectly into place. When we were told that there was no timeline for the needed aircraft repairs, we were concerned. With the announcement of a new scheduled arrival in Charlotte that was later than the anticipated departure of the connecting flight to Miami, we were upset.

Rule 2: Don’t lose your cool. I was one of the first in line at the airline counter to ask what could be done to enable our late-night international connection in Miami. I smiled as I asked! As it turns out, there was no way to make that connection. The alternative — suggested by the American Airlines passenger service rep who had helped us check our luggage — was to travel to Dallas and then board a non-stop flight to Santiago, with only about a two-hour layover at DFW Airport. It was a serendipitous solution and he made it happen. In fact, we would arrive at our destination about an hour earlier than previously planned. I asked about rerouting our checked luggage, and was assured that the airline knew where our bags were and where they needed to go. We were issued new tickets and boarding passes. 

Rule 3: Relax and reassess your options. We left a text message for our friends and made our way to our new gate, waiting for the flight to be called. Only then did we breathe sighs of relief. The flight to Dallas was short and uneventful. As promised, we later took our seats on the international flight out of Dallas, and we even slept a bit after being served dinner, awaking to see the sun rise over the Andes Mountains before landing at our destination. Our bags awaited us, as promised, in Chile.

The story doesn’t end there, however

A taxi transfer from the airport to our hotel in Santiago for the four of us had been booked and paid in advance. We had a company name and a confirmation, and we had a phone number. We made our way to the arrivals waiting area, where we expected to be greeted by a driver holding a card with our name on it. Because we were early, we were not overly concerned that no one was waiting.

One of the warnings we had received from previous travelers to Santiago focused on inflated taxi fares charged arriving passengers. We had followed the suggestion to book in advance and not fall prey to unscrupulous operators. We had heeded the warnings, and felt confident about our next moves.

When our friends arrived, it was nearly the time that our driver was to meet us. We were tired, and perhaps impatient, unfamiliar with the language and the airport layout. We tried, to no avail, to call the phone number we had. We checked our email and found nothing.

The details are not important here. Suffice it to say that we knew better, all four of us, but we still were victimized. We gullibly accepted help from a “charming” but ruthless con artist who offered to call our contact number from his phone. He looked at the number and made a call, speaking in Spanish. He reported to us that the company had apologized for the delay, but no car was currently available for us, It would be, he said, more than an hour until another car would be available. He then said that an associate of his had a van available, and would transport us to our hotel for a sum that was less than the charge for the ride we had booked, and that we could pay by credit card. Because we had no Chilean pesos in our possession, it seemed a reasonable solution.  

Should we have known better? Absolutely. We made a mistake, one we will not easily forget.

WARNING: Heed the specific warnings you receive about what to do and how to act in a foreign country. Ignore those warnings and deal with the consequences.

Awareness comes from unintentional mistakes

In our case, the consequences included having to respond to fraud inquiries from three separate credit card companies within hours of our arrival at the hotel. The driver of the van brought us to our hotel as promised, ran one credit card through a portable machine and reported that the charge (for $25) had been declined. Then, he tried another card, and another, with the same result, until we finally offered cash in American dollars, and the offer was accepted. (We actually tipped him a small amount for his trouble.) He unloaded our bags quickly and drove off immediately. 

We are grateful that we had phone service and that our respective credit suppliers are watchful and responsive. The attempted charges — just to make the extent of the problem clear — amounted to several thousands of dollars. (The fare for the cab ride we had originally booked was just under $50. Should we have questioned the $25 offer? Probably.) Our final liability — loss of the prepaid taxi fare. We later received email acknowledgement from the original company and driver that the scheduled pickup was deemed a “no show” after a 30-minute wait for us at the airport arrivals gate.

We consider it a relatively small price to pay for a big lesson learned. Other travelers have not been so fortunate. The experience was sobering, and we are still dealing with the fallout in some ways. It was not a pleasant introduction to a country that we had been prepared to like. Note that we did subsequently find much to like about Chile and its people!

Rule 4: Believe in the good, but prepare for the worst. From hidden money belts to a small cash reserve in the currency of each country you visit, from a credit card with a zero balance and an international reach to emergency numbers stored both on your cell phone and in your wallet, do what you need to do to keep in touch with your financial and personal resources at home.

Rule 5: Leave expensive, showy personal items at home. That includes jewelry, watches, extra electronic devices, and miscellaneous “toys.” Make use of hotel (or ship) safes for passports and travel documents, credit cards and cash, and look up local numbers for the embassy and consulate of your home country in the cities you plan to visit.

Rule 6: Don’t be paranoid, but, figuratively, “watch your back,” and the backs of fellow travelers. Petty crime — including theft of cell phones and cameras, and elusive pickpockets — is rampant worldwide. Again, we had been forewarned about such problems in the South American cities we were to visit, but we were not prepared to be approached by complete strangers in Santiago, in Valparaiso, in Montevideo, and in Buenos Aires, who told us in halting English to hold our phones tightly, to not sling our cameras casually across a shoulder, to remove wristwatches and flashy jewelry, and to hold our daypacks tightly against our bodies. In a way, such admonishments confirmed to us that most people are good; in another way, it was infinitely dismaying that residents warn visitors against the threats posed by their own countrymen. Vandals and bullies exist in all cultures. But I cannot help feel a lingering sadness that it is a way of life in some countries.

Rule 7: Opt for insurance.  Only you can decide what kind of insurance or how much is necessary. But to travel without the peace of mind that can be yours is an unnecessary gamble. Whether it’s reimbursement for lost luggage, coverage for trip delays and cancellations, or provision for medical treatment and emergency repatriation, most people consider some type of protection a necessity.

Whether you travel on your own, with a small group of friends or family, or as part of an organized tour, be aware that bad things can and do happen, perhaps more often than we realize. Don’t give in to fear, and certainly don’t stay home. Talk to others about their trips and their plans, and learn to know the people you encounter as you travel, as well as those you travel with.

Travel is still the best way to meet and learn about other people and other cultures, see new places, enrich your life, experience the wonders of this planet, and have stories to tell that will last a lifetime.

Now that we are home, will we travel again? You can count on it — as often and as far as possible!

Posted in Commentary, Current Events, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

December 7 . . .

Posted on December 7, 2022 by adriennecohen221

This day has always held unique meaning for me. From early childhood, I knew that the man who would become my father was on a military ship bound for The Philippines in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941. Before I realized the significance of that day, I knew that his ship had received new orders to turn back immediately and return to its West Coast port of embarkation. Had the ship not returned to U.S. waters, who knows how its fate, or mine, might have been different?

That was perhaps the first of the stories that were a part of my upbringing and the proud military traditions of my family. As I have grown older, the day has also grown more meaningful because it represents a time that, I believe, served to rally Americans in a way that few other events have united us. Our nation was thrust suddenly into a war that was not of our making. My father and my uncles served in that war, in Europe and the Pacific. Others of my family served in World War I, and still others wore the uniform proudly both in peacetime and during other campaigns fought by their country.

On a whim, as I thought about the events of Pearl Harbor those many years ago, I checked to see what else had occurred in history on December 7. It was on this date, also in 1941, that Adolf Hitler authorized the secretive “Night and Fog” campaign, aimed to arrest and execute citizens in territories occupied by Nazi Germany.

I was more than surprised to learn that, on December 7, 1917, the U.S. Congress approved a resolution which led to a declaration of war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Senate later approved the resolution 74-0, and the U.S. was officially a player in the “war to end all wars.” That’s a date in history I was never required in memorize in school.

It was also on this date — in 1972 — when NASA launched the last manned flight to the moon, carrying a crew of three — Command Module Pilot Ronald Evan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, and Commander Eugene Cernan. Schmitt and Cernan landed on the surface on December 11. The crew returned safely to earth December 19, with Schmitt and Cernan still the last human beings to have walked on the moon. That’s an event I cannot forget, although that mission was 50 years ago!

No doubt others have their own memories tied to December 7 — that’s the way it is with dates, whether they have historical impact or only personal significance. Sometimes, we are caught up short by the memories they provoke, and occasionally a date that should be marked in some larger way slips by unrecognized. Either way — whether it’s of lasting import or only a fleeting thought — perhaps there is more to celebrate and think about on this day than on most.

Several years ago, I was privileged to attend a ceremony at the small Veterans Memorial Plaza in Burleson, Texas. It was a moving tribute to those who served in World War II. The speaker was Don Graves, then a 93-year-old Marine Corps veteran who fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima, and was present at the ceremonial flag-raising on Mount Surabachi.

He was lucky. He survived. He noted that he would never forget the words of President Franklin Roosevelt the day following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was 16 at the time. He could not enlist for another six months, until he turned 17. “We were just kids,” he said, adding that he and his buddies signed up to fight for their country without thinking of the future or the consequences. “It was just the way we were brought up,” he said.

Now, that’s something to think about, isn’t it?

Posted in Commentary, Current Events, Patriotism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Being at home in the world

Posted on July 16, 2022 by adriennecohen221

Growing up, I had no home. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t homeless. But I never had a “home town,” a sense of belonging anywhere in particular. As an Army brat. I learned early on that home was wherever I might be at the moment, and that my address was apt to change at a moment’s notice.

“. . . at a moment’s notice.” That’s a bit of an exaggeration, and I realize I was luckier than some. I was uprooted far less than many of my early friends. Nevertheless, throughout my life I have invariably stammered and stumbled a bit when someone asks where I am from. It wasn’t until sixth grade that I completed an entire year at the same school. I found it hard to introduce myself to new classmates and neighbors, but I finally mastered an answer to the first question — “Where are you from?” I either named the state of my birth without further comment, or I opted to claim the last state I had lived in.

Even though I was fortunate enough to spend six years in Seattle, from sixth grade through my senior year of high school, my time there was spent at three different addresses. It seems somewhat surreal now, looking back over the span of years.

If there has been one constant in my life, it has been moving. Until relatively recently, actually in 2019, I had not lived at a single address for as long as five years. That milestone passed and stretched on to a sixth anniversary. And then, shortly after, my husband and I moved once again across a state line and into a new-to-us home in an established community.

It feels right, somehow, this new address. Now, after two years here, we feel truly at home.  I have no intention of moving on. I know that may change but, for now, I am content, and I no longer hesitate when asked where I am from. I am from right here! I have come home, and I plan to stay.

That in no way means I don’t want to travel. In fact, the urge is stronger than ever, and as COVID fears are diminished, I know my husband and I will take to the roadways, the airways and the seas as often as we can.

Ask any military kid where home is, and you’re likely to be greeted either with a blank stare, or a quick laugh before launching into an explanation of where s(he) was born and where she started school, the city where he learned to drive or first kissed, and other similar trivia. Military kids mark time by events and places, or through shared experiences independent of time. That doesn’t mean we don’t make good friends. Those friendships simply are, more often than not, among those who truly understand the concept that “home” is anywhere you unpack for longer than a week.

Those of us who loved the life thought it was entirely normal rather than disruptive. Yes, we collected plenty of stuff to assure that our memories of other places and other times were kept alive. Much of my stuff has traveled with me through the years, only to remain packed away in trunks and footlockers for decades. I regret not having “grandma’s attic” somewhere, where it all might have remained, safe and undisturbed, for decades. Some of my stuff has disappeared along the way. But the memories remain.

Now, after all these years, I am determined to rid my life of all that stuff. It’s difficult, because with every box that I tote up from the basement, or bring home from an overflowing storage unit, a small piece of my former life threatens to unravel. I’m having trouble making sense of it all, and I view everything with different eyes.

Sometimes an old photograph prompts giggles, sometimes grimaces. I snort in disbelief on occasion, sinking deep into half-forgotten memories from my childhood, and reliving what I recall fondly as some of the best of times.

The good times are far more vivid than any other experiences of those growing-up years. I seldom was lonely. My early life (actually my entire life) seems an unending adventure story. Perhaps that is why I pack a bag and board a plane, book a cruise or plan a road trip so readily. It was a habit formed through necessity at an early age, and I still embrace it.

I have to laugh now, every time someone asks where I’m from. I no longer pause or stammer with an answer, but I sometimes have to turn to my husband and wink. When we launch into the explanation of how we met and where we’ve lived, our listeners think we’re “spinning a yarn,” pulling their legs with a well-rehearsed fictional story. Not so, folks — It’s all true. Truth, as is said, is often stranger than fiction.

We recently returned from an extended trip three years in the making — a cruise to the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle. We had postponed the journey twice and rescheduled out of necessity due to COVID. It was a memorable experience, but it’s good to be home.

It feels right, and we look forward to being right here, at home, for the foreseeable future.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment