H2O

I read the book by Irving Stone about Michelangelo. I’m fascinated. I’m enamored. I want to visit!

My husband lived in Spain for a couple of years and enjoyed his experience so much that he still cooks Spanish food for me on a regular basis. He lived in Andalusia. I want to see where he lived and meet the people he loved and enjoy those tapas!

My husband lived in Spain for a few years and has shown me photographs of his visit to the Alhambra. I am enamored with the tiled patios and stunning gardens. I want to see the real thing!

I have friends that used to take a family trip and hike from rim to rim in the Grand Canyon. When I heard them talk about it, I decided that I’d like to do it. I’ve since come to terms with the fact that I don’t like to hike, but something in me still wants to do it—I want that experience.

The dalahest (a hand carved, hand painted, typically orange wooden horse) is made in Dalarna. I have family from Dalarna (generations ago). My sister visited Sweden and brought me my own dalahest (it always fascinated me when I saw the dalahest at my grandparents’ house when I went to visit). I just want to see the homeland.

Grandma was born in Bergen and came to the United States through Ellis Island when she was 3 years old. I don’t know much else about it. She always wanted to go back for a visit, but didn’t make it before she passed away. I’m not fond of pickled fish, but Lefsa is quite good. The only Norwegian I know is one drinking song and a lullaby. So, I’d love to see the land of my forefathers and I’ve heard it’s incredibly beautiful!

Black, glossy, handmade pottery with intricate white designs. You can get it many places, but it’s my understanding that it’s all made in Oaxaca. Need I say more?

So, I saw the remake of the movie Sabrina. Sabrina lived in Paris for a time and shot black and white photographs along the River Seine. The river, the walkway along the side of it, and the accompanying bridges and lamp posts have been in so many movies. I can’t imagine how beautiful it must be in person. I really enjoy black and white photography and I want to come home with my own photographs documenting my visit to that great river.

I’ve been researching my family history and have the names of so many relatives from the London area. The information I have also lists the churches they were christened and married in during the 1700’s and 1800’s. I’m sure at least a few of those churches are probably still in use and I’d love to visit them and see where my family lived—where I came from.

I took an art history class in college. We studied a painting by Raphael that resides at the Uffizi Gallery, entitled something like “The Virgin with the Christ Child and St. John.” The Christ child and St. John were playing together as toddlers. The painting really had an impact on me. It’s difficult to find any kind of reproduction of it, and ever since I learned about it I’ve wanted to see the original.