This Girl

My first job out of high school was a part time gig at a nursing home as a Tray Aide. My main duties were to make beds, exchange linens, fill ice and water pitchers in residents' rooms and help the Nurse Aides as needed. It wasn't long before I realized that the most important duty was one that was not a featured bullet in my position description, and that was to smile and greet each resident as I entered their home. Think for a moment, how it must feel to sit day after day in a "home" while being treated as a "patient." If taking a little extra care while making beds and chatting a bit with the residents brought them a little closer to home, well, it was the least I could do. One such resident was quite close to my heart. Agnes was a petite lady, with gray, thick hair and eyes that had long since retired, having lived a life of paying close attention to detail. Although Agnes could not see very well, she had a sixth sense in knowing who had entered the ro...

So, I am not exactly the beacon of organization. I know this. I hide it well, but I know this to be true. Well, I guess I hide it well except for the four stacks of papers on my desk with themes like "stuff to file", "stuff to read", "stuff to read and then file" and "?". Another tell-tale sign lies deep within the drawer of my cherished antique desk that I once restored and saved from that ghastly, thick layer of dark green paint by which it was once covered. I pray that no nosey parkers open it, for inside lies every greeting card I've ever received, old keys, old key chains, junk mail that I refuse to believe is junk, all swimming around waiting to see the light of day. Or, more realistically, light of the living room. But, I digress. Anywho, although my organizational skills are a figment of the imaginations of those who hire me for my organizational skills, and that is a shortcoming, I am capable of learning from my mistakes. Please a...

I promised that my next travel blog would be a list of the top ten reasons why you should visit Krakow. So, here I am to deliver. While these might be my top ten, they are in no way meant to be inclusive, and are in no particular order. Remember, I blog about whatever pops into my head, and single file does not exist in my head. Here goes. 1. Klezmer-Hois : Best. Jewish. Food. Ever. In the heart of Kazimierz, or the Jewish district, this little gem is worth it just to see the 16th century building that houses this hotel/restaurant. Words cannot describe the charm of this little house. See accompanying photo. We went there for lunch and should have gone back for dinner and the nightly concert. Next time. Definitely. 2. The People. One thing I like best about traveling is soaking up new cultures. And what would culture be without the people? The Poles are a sweet, friendly, jovial and proud people. Sure, there will be those who are "all business", but for the most part, we...