Always Explore

I'll admit I'd gotten in to a bit of a rut.  Or maybe I'm just a hermit at heart.  I mean I've been in California for nearly a year and I don't think I've honestly done much of anything that was on my bucket list.  That's me...  Queen of Procrastination!

But a good friend recently decided to change that for me and took me across the border for lunch.  YUM!

I once went to Canada many years ago, but haven't left the country since.

Apparently this has shocked many people, as they seem to think I'm a well traveled gal.  I have NO idea where they got that idea.

So my wonderful friend decided to take me across the border for lunch.  I'll admit I was a bit nervous.  I mean I can barely as where the bathroom is.  Thankfully she is a fluent Spanish speaker and knows the area we went to pretty well.  We had a fantastic meal and I honestly can't wait to do it again!

Thanks again Martha!

And so you know...  I'm working on learning Spanish.  Have patience though.

Reconnecting

Ah summer!

A trip to Coronado w/ Hotel Del Coronado in back.

Who doesn't love the days of summer?  As a kid I couldn't wait to be out of school and free for 3 months.  Time to hang with my friends, play at the pool and read non-stop.  Now, especially since I live in sunny California, it doesn't hold as much meaning to me as it used to.  I get plenty of sunshine, can read whenever I please and live not too far from the ocean.  I think I may be a bit jaded.  

This summer gave me a special treat though.  I have been able to reconnect with three of my girlfriends from high school.  Can you hear the girly squeals and giggles in your head?  You should, because we did.

It was a great time to reminisce and catch up on what's going on in their lives now.  Two have married and have kids.  You may notice one lady (besides me) is in these photos.  That's because she lives here as well.  

So we made sure to tell people where to visit.  I took one girlfriend to Coronado beach to see the gold sparkling sand, live sand dollars and the Hotel Del Coronado.  We met up and had drinks later that night with our other friend.

Armor up!  It's gonna be a rough day.

Another girlfriend met up with us to tour the USS Gabby Gifford.    She's the newest LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) in the navy and is the type of ship my hubby is attached to.

And an outing with us is not complete if we can't be goofy together.

I've missed these ladies and I hope it's not another twenty something years before I see them again.

Although, I think they want me to come to them next time.

Hmm....

Happy Independence Day!

USS WISCONSIN

Pardon me as I am about to geek out ever so slightly over our nation's history.  If history bores you to tears or you just don't care, feel free to move along.  My feelings will not be hurt.

Independence Day, also referred to as Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States.  Yes, that normally means you are off work.  It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776.  The Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen American Colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer a part of the British Empire.

When you think Fourth of July I'm sure you are thinking fireworks, parades, barbecues, baseball games, concerts, fairs and family reunions which are great!

 However, this came about during the American Revolution which was the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776.  It actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.^[5][6] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4.

Coronado Bridge

Okay I'll step down from by soap box now and let you get on with your Fourth of July celebrations.  

And since I lived on the East and West Coast, I thought I'd share photos.  No I didn't take them, but that doesn't make them any less gorgeous!

Whatever you do, I hope you have a GREAT day!

Book Heaven

One corner of Powell's

Have you ever been to book heaven?  Recently I think I did.

Recently the hubby and I went on a mini vacation and headed up to see some friend in Salem, OR.  To any of my friends in Oregon who are reading this and upset that I didn't see them, please forgive.  It was a quick trip and we plan on coming up again.  PROMISE!

Our friends took us to Portland, OR to Powell's City of Books.  OMG!!!!  This a book lover's dream!

Powell's claims to be the largest independent new and used book store in the world.  And I'm inclined to believe them.

Selfies are hard when your group stares at you for wanting a selfie

It takes up an entire city block.  You read that right!  An full city block!  It contains over 68,000 square feet (about 1.6 acres) of retail space.  Can you even imagine?  They have 4 levels.  Four!

I thought I was going to faint.  It can be a bit overwhelming when you first start out.  I didn't even know where to begin.  My poor hubby followed me around for nearly 15 minutes watching me spin in circles.  I think I know how Belle felt when the Beast 'gave' her the gift of the library.

They also have 9 color coded rooms.  That's right they section things off by color so you know if you're in the right area!  And they have over 3,500 different sections.

The inventory?  A-MAZING!  The inventory for its retail and online sales is over four million new, used, rare, and out-of-print books.  And Powell's buys around 3,000 used books a day.

Whew!

Stopping for a sweet treat & caffeine

We spent a lot of time and money in there.  In fact we stopped in their coffee shop for a coffee and sweet treat to bring up our energy levels.

If ever you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting this place.  Who knows, you might even find one of my stories there.  

Author Interview

O'Hare Airport has dinosaurs

Just posted on the By The Bay blog is my author interview.

All the questions were submitted by the authors themselves, so it makes for an interesting read.  Go check it out!

Book Signing

Were you able to attend the book signing on May 1st?

No?  Don't worry, you can still purchase the book.  It's available at Amazon.

And if you want to see a few of the photos, you can click on the PHOTO tab to view more.

The weather was beautiful.  Perfect setting for our book signing at the East Beach Bay Front Club.

Count Down: 1 Day

Tomorrow is the book signing!

I'll be there.  Will you?