The Street Hockey Goalie
Growing up, we lived in the city of Monongahela, across the street from Williams Elementary School. It was built in the 1890s and was a yellow brick fortress about half-way up the hill that was…
The Case for a Queen
In the US we have no royalty. Kardashians not withstanding. In fact, we went to great lengths to get rid of the last king we had way back in 1776. But I’m sitting here enduring…
Driving Through Ireland – The mountains, the sea, and Guinness
Ireland by car is a great way to go. Once you get by the whole “driving on the wrong side of the road” thing. In 2009, near the end of our 13 month stint in…
London on a Two-Day Pass – Day 2
Day Number 2+ So our trip to London could not be done in a day. The first day saw us utilizing our London Pass to great effect. However, we were somewhat limited by the included…
London on a Two-Day London Pass – Day 1
London is a great place. History, style and elegance, great food, and they speak some semblance of English there. They even got a queen. About 10 years ago, we were lucky enough to live in…
In the Kitchen – Home-made Paprika
I always liked the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. But, what if life gives you thousands of peppers? As my readers know, I am an avid gardener, and each year I plant…
The U.K. – Back to the Future
Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home. Ten-plus years ago, we spent 13 months in the United Kingdom. My son Max was 3, and turned 4 while there. He loved trains. We lived in…
Greater Allegheny Passage Bike Trail – Biking The Heights from Ohiopyle to Connellsville
Let Isaac Newton Work for You We are lucky enough to actually live on the Greater Allegheny Passage trail. This trail is primarily an old railway that has been converted to a crushed limestone path…
Biking Through Liverpool – Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s The Beatles!
Liverpool, England Beatles!, Beatles!, Beatles! Growing up in Western PA, the neighbor girl, Joyce, was about 8 years older than me. She would sit in her bedroom with her record player playing Beatles songs on…
In the Kitchen – The Anaheim vs. Hatch Stuffed Pepper Challenge
Stuffed Peppers – A History One of the best things about peppers is that they are inherently hollow, and just begging to be stuffed with stuff. Growing up with an Italian mom, we had stuffed…