The term medieval conjures up some pretty powerful images. Princesses, castles, plague (let’s skip that one) and, of course, blade-wielding, powerful and chivalrous knights. It’s enough to make a frequent reader of historical romances like myself swoon! Imagine the pageantry, the clashing of swords, damsels in distress and wondrous feats of horsemanship. Wouldn’t it be […]

Plan A Nashville Performance Trip  Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Nashville, Tennessee. My husband was attending a conference that highlighted Nashville as a great student destination and we stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Not only did we stay at the Gaylord, we stayed in the presidential suite at the Gaylord. Wow. It […]

Winter this year has been like an old friend that doesn’t recognize that he’s worn out his welcome. It starts out as an unexpected visit, making you feel cozy and nostalgic. As time drags on, you realize you aren’t necessarily that close. In fact, you don’t really like him at all. Now you want him […]

Teenagers love two things: music and eating. I happen to have a teenager (of the male variety) and I can verify that music and eating top his daily to do list. I went from weekly grocery shopping to what feels like hourly grocery shopping in the span of two short years! Conversely, I have no […]

My brother and his wife recently visited Spain, a spectacular country rich in history and culture. Upon their return, we were treated to an hour-long PowerPoint presentation highlighting the trip. One hour. One very long hour. Una larga hora. It was lovely, but as I found myself fighting to keep my eyelids open, I thought […]

When my children were in elementary school, they had a bus driver named Mr. Ernie. While most drivers recognize that young children have some anxiety around these first school experiences- particularly riding the bus- Mr. Ernie was not so enlightened. He greeted each bright-eyed, smiling child with a curmudgeonly scowl and a loud “sit daahhn” […]

Bright sunshine, warm sand and the relaxing sounds of the ocean that’s my idea of a perfect vacation. Roadside markers, historical sites and guided tours that’s my husband’s idea of a perfect vacation! Fortunately, our visit to Coastal Virginia met the mark for both of us (the kids had a fabulous time, too!). If you […]

The decorations are packed away and the holiday bills are arriving by bulk mail. Happy New Year! If you are an educator, you know exactly what the new year brings a crush of responsibilities and deadlines! The school year is now moving in fast forward, and covering curriculum, completing extra-curricular activities and wading through the […]

  If you’ve already checked out 5 Awesome Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains, you might want to find out what else you can do!  Here are 5 more awesome things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Family Fun On the must-do list is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Voted America’s #1 Aquarium by TripAdvisor, […]

5 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville are outstanding destinations for families, students, sports, and performance groups. There really is something for everyone in this delightfully appealing region of the country.  Here are 5 things to do in the Smoky Mountains! Go “Glamping” Nestled in the heart of the […]

If you want to inspire, educate, or simply love this wonderful nation, plan a student trip to its capital. There’s no better civics lesson than a student trip to Washington D.C. You can visit the most prestigious address in the world, tour monuments, or stop at Arlington Cemetery to witness the changing of the guards. […]

The first time I visited Boston, I was fresh out of college and working for a non-profit. I directed a program in conjunction with public school librarians and had the opportunity to travel with them throughout the country. I distinctly remember leading the way through the Boston Public Gardens as a naive, bright-eyed 22-year old, […]