NAOSHIMA ISLAND - ARCHITECTURE & ART

This past December, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting one of what I consider to be one of Japan’s national treasure’s: Naoshima Island and the Benesse Art Site. Felt a bit like Planes, Trains and Automobiles getting there…bullet train, local train, ferry. Once there, you will not want to leave. Although, we were able to see most everything in the two days/nights we spent. Set on the Seto Inland Sea where the unspoiled landscape of Japan still exists, Benesse is a collection of art and architecture interwoven with nature. The art, while incredibly inspiring, is not the main focus. The island and the people who live there are the main focus, and the art brings out the charm of the island. Serene, magical, inspiring, contemplative and interactive, combining modern art with traditional Japanese housing and Tadao Ando architecture.

COPENHAGEN: A LIVABLE CITY

I recently spent a few days in Copenhagen and was very impressed with how livable this Scandinavian city is. And it wasn’t always so. Copenhagen has re-emerged over the past 30 years from a somewhat nondescript industrial city to a beacon of outstanding new architecture and a haven for foodies. Their Noma won best restaurant in the world so many times, it had to be removed from the competition. The architecture and housing is accessible to all with renters and homeowners living together in a very egalitarian society. Almost all spaces are public spaces including schoolyards and business parks. Lines are not drawn. Green space, water views, good architecture (not to mention sustainable) is provided for all regardless of income level. Another very impressive aspect of the Danish society in this livable city is the emphasis placed on getting to places more easily via bicycle than by automobile. There are even certain routes and bridges accessible only by bicycle that foster a much more economical means of travel. The guide on our architectural bicycle tour said that this gave her a feeling of having a super power!

JILL BUROWS SLIPPERS & KEYCHAINS

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If you don’t yet have a pair of Jill Burrows slippers, now is the time! Jill, who also happens to be the designer of my fabulous website, is a wonderful friend, designer, entrepreneur and human. She has created the most elegant, comfortable and stylish slippers inspired by Moroccan traditional design. They come in all sorts of delicious color combinations and are perfect for home and travel. Treat yourself or treat a friend. The keychains make fabulous gifts as well. It feels good to support small businesses and to look good while you’re doing it!

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SRI LANKA A WELCOME PLACE FOR VISITORS

My family and I recently took a trip to Sri Lanka, and I'm often asked, “Why?” While I can easily reply, “Why not?” I would not be doing the country a service. Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful places I have visited with green lush jungle, tea plantations, the repetition across the landscape of temple, paddy, tank (watering hole or lake). The food is simple and sublime. The birding and search for leopards excites young and old, and of course the elephants. The elephants are a part of the culture, often a nuisance to farmers or worse…deadly. It is amazing to witness people living side by side with these incredible mammals. Sri Lanka has endured 150 years of colonization by the Portuguese, then 150 years by the Dutch and finally 150 years by the English. Not long after freedom, there was a long and horrendous civil war, followed by the tsumami and then Covid. Sri Lanka needs us and wants us to visit. If you have the means, go and explore, eat and drink in the beauty, the culture, the kind and gentle people.

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

While it wasn’t back with a vengeance post pandemic, it was definitely back. I enjoyed sitting on the front porch passing out candy to the littles ones who begged as much as I enjoyed hosting a bunch of teens in my backyard. After the trick-or-treat rush on my quiet street, I headed out with the dog, husband and bff to Armstrong to be with the throngs of revelers. It wasn’t late, but we sadly were catching the tail end. No homespun bands playing in yards, no cops patrolling cars fighting to navigate through the crowds, no hipster church groups handing out free iced coffee and pancakes. Instead, homeowners shouting across the street at adults without costumes and without kids to please help get the candy the hell out of their house!