Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” — Dalai Lama A popular tourist attraction, the Jacobite steam locomotive-hauled train follows the same route through the West Highland region of Scotland as shown in the Harry Potter films. The longest staircase lock in Britain, Neptune’s Staircase lifts boats 64’ through a series of eight … More Wanderlust
“Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white.” — Jonathan Lockwood Huie Waiting for morning fog to clear before boarding ferry in Fort William, Oban, to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Wee Scottish Lassie playing by water’s edge brought smiles to our faces. Lighthouse marks … More Morning fog
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” — Rumi Captivated by the rolling mist and reflections on the glass face of the lake, we traded in our coffee for cameras and were rewarded with the unveiling of a whole world refreshed and dressed purely in beauty. * … More Refreshed
“The Scottish Highlands are incredible. There seems to be magic and poetry everywhere.” — Caitriona Balfe Today we set off by train to Ballachulish, mesmerized along the way by shadows and light playing on mountains that loomed against the sky, and by lakes and lochs that brought relief to the land’s might, before succumbing … More Scottish charm
“In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what people do.” — Gianni Versace Edinburgh Castle has overshadowed the heart of Scotland for well over a thousand years. A place of military strength where royalty could safely reside, its ruins still stand on the volcanic Castle Rock. A symbolic and real … More Royalty
“Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity.” — John Ruskin Also known as broom, thanks to its spiky and prickly spines, gorse has a more splendorous repute as reflected in the Scottish saying, “When gorse’s out of bloom, kissing’s out of season.” Few, however, pay much attention to such guidance, given the nearly … More Blanket of Solace
“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” — Helen Keller * * * “The art of looking sideways…” — Snowy Egret keeping an eye out for dinner. Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“If you can convince yourself that you look fabulous, you can save yourself the trouble of primping.” — Andy Warhol * * * Preening Cormorants — Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.” — Paris Hilton * * * Downright showy — Male house finch, photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“I like when guests come over early and we chop veggies and talk and play music.” — John Stamos * * * Visiting female house finch — Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 