I ❤️ Seattle Public Library

Even though I was carrying "only" 15kg in my carry on (the international baggage limit is 22kg), it's hard enough to hoist your bag into an overhead bin. So I had to leave behind, in Hobart, a bunch of books I'd really like to read. So, how fabulous to find one of them at SPL.
Something good to read during Seattle's January dark.

Words to live by in 2018

White Christmas

My neighbors's house at 8pm Christmas night when I finally stepped off the bus from the light rail, from Sea Tac, plane 4 hours late from LAX, from SYD.

Some islands off Los Angeles

From my window seat on the final leg of my journey home to Seattle. It was looking very unpromising at LAX, with every flight to Seattle late and being bumped from a seat by a revenue passenger, But I finally got a seat (and all you need is 1) plus a Comfort + seat. I look forward to getting some consistent rest over the next few days. The trip has been tiring, as family visiting always is.

One resolution for 2018

India, for a 2nd time, perhaps, or somewhere else. I'm an ESL teacher, and there are many places that would welcome me. In my life, there's a lot of being, doing, seeing, walking, biking, skiing, camping, reading, teaching, resting, eating, enjoying, exploring, giving back, and receiving to be done.
My goal is "to get stuck in", as they say Down Under. This me, a year ago, at Indira Gandhi international. Yeah!

Happy Christmas to me

One year ago I was sitting on the roof of my desert haveli guesthouse in Jaipur, India, having a "modest" Indian meal under the stars. This year, I'm having an excellent vegetable tian, with green salad and a glass of McLaren Vale Shiraz/Mourvèdre at Scarlett in Sydney. My "holiday" trip to Australia is winding down. I've visited my elderly Mom in her memory care home up in Queensland, and borne witness to yet another life change. It's not easy. Loneliness periodically tears its ugly head, but, when I'm rested, I beat it back with a substantial stick. Go to hell, regrets! Stuff you. You serve no purpose. While it would be nice to have a companion with whom I could share this experience, I don't. What I do have is knowledge, hope, courage, and, on occasion, patience.
I no longer seek love, but I would welcome it with open arms.

Back to Sydney for Xmas Eve

It's in the low 90s, so a contrast to Hobart. I've managed to include 3 Sydney icons in this shot from Circular Quay.