Long time no write...and there are lots of reasons for that: I took a riverboat trip starting in Switzerland and ending in Germany but something I always forget about (rain) resulted in our boat being stranded between bridges in Strasbourg and that was the end of the riverboat trip. I think we spent four nights on board and then emergency measures, combined with threats by booking agents, got us to a hotel in Frankfurt. From there we took day trips until flights back to the states could be arranged. Since every boat in Northern Europe was stranded, lots of previously happy river boaters were clustered at hubs awaiting transport. I like to travel off season but there is a price to pay and that is almost always a weather complication. I got to see the Chagall windows in Mainz and gained new appreciation for Martin Luther and the reformation...

Not to be discouraged, I'm packing right now for a trip to Venice where I meet my travel buddy, Gladys, we get on an Oceania boat and cruise the Med. We'll end up in Barcelona (I always think of Fawlty Towers...). I've refined my Europe wardrobe even more and this is the way it's going: 4 prs ponte slim pants in black, a couple of pairs of Eileen Fisher's slim pants, black and white Gap tanks, Eileen's black tanks, Gap black turtle necks, London Fog 3/4 black trench with brand new and beautiful black/gray scarf, my tried and true ankle boots with socks. Weather will warm up as we head up to Monte Carlo, so I'll be layering. I have dressy floaty tops to go over the same old tanks and pants for evening--Gladys is the only person on the trip I will ever see again and she doesn't care if I wear the same old thing all the time.

I'm taking my black trainers and a pair of dressy flat shoes for evening and of course, my Tiva flip-flops.

My tech bag will include mini-iPad (courtesy of my sons from Mother's Day this year) as well as my trusty iPod loaded with operas, audible books and 10 hours of white noise. My Bose noise cancelling headset is at the top of the heap with extra batteries. I'll have my iPhone but I won't use it unless there is an emergency, I have Skype loaded on the iPad and I love it.

I always pack a box of wine for the occasional slurp and discovered a new product: 1-1/2 bottle equivalent in a tall narrow box, easier to pack, easier to refrigerate.

And as for packing, I switched to packing cubes, and oh boy am I happy. I came back from Mexico about 20 years ago and discovered a filthy tennis shoe in my suitcase. I can't even begin to explain how disgusting that event was. I immediately started using the vacuum bags (as seen on TV) and have used them ever since. I've been searched by TSA or whoever many times but never any evidence that they rummaged around in the bags. However, I started reading about packing cubes and realized that they would be easier to manage in the suitcase. I bought some and soon realized that I loved the little dudes and ordered two more sets. Here's the deal: I can pack like items in one or one days' apparel, or whatever organizational method I choose. I then take a strip of painter's tape and using my handy Sharpie, mark the cube. This is especially helpful when travelling with my memory-impaired husband. I still use tissue paper for items that wrinkle badly but since items don't shift around in the suitcase, the result is much nicer looking clothing coming out of those cubes. Amazon has quite a selection.

Just bought my new maps, 'cause I love to follow along and need to reactivate my Duolingo Spanish lessons--

Dear husband is staying home, not particularly happy, but because of health problems is just not able to take the long flight and definitely cannot participate in shore excursions. Our caregiver will be here for the duration with her husband, so the Mr. will be well cared for.

I'm in the midst of planning a trip to India in Feb 2014 with another travel buddy, she's another old retired cop and we're coordinating our vaccinations at the moment. We are also investigating a trip to Cuba in the future.

If you get the idea that I don't want to stay home, you would be correct. I'm going to be 68 in January and if I'm lucky, I'll be like my Great Aunt Mary and live to be 106 and be in good health until the last six months. But, since I smoked for 20 years and I like to drink wine, two habits Aunt Mary did not have, I suspect that I will not be around another 40 years, so I'm travelling while the legs and brain are capable. Luckily I have travel buddies, including my sons, who sometimes accompany me, but if all else fails, I'll go by myself.

My current dream trip is a week in Verona and tickets to the opera at the Coliseum. My friend Gladys is going along with me to Lucca on this trip for the Puccini tour. She is a wonderful travel buddy.