Irish I Was in Ireland
Travel

Irish I Was in Ireland

There are very few countries that inspire ancestral pride like Ireland on March 17 (and, if it that does not fall on a weekend, for the days leading up to March 17). Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration for all things Irish with images of shamrocks, leprechauns and the “wearing of the green” to celebrate the Emerald Isle. You’ll hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t claim at least a bit of Irish on this day and, in the spirit of this friendly country, no one will actually double check your claim. Continue reading

Get Over the Polar Vortex and Get Beach Ready
Travel / United States

Get Over the Polar Vortex and Get Beach Ready

A friend who lives in Connecticut called me last week. Apparently the polar vortex and all of the crazy weather that has been affecting the country got to be a bit too much for her.

“I need a beach–somewhere warm, not too far from an airport. I need to get out of here,” she said.

She’s not the only one who has been feeling this way. From tweets to Facebook posts to conversations that I’ve had with friends living from Colorado to Atlanta to New Hampshire, everyone’s a bit over the cold and ready for the beach. Continue reading