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Susan Munson & Frank Bechter Joined Jerry Miller To Play Live Music On The I ❤ CVille Show!

by Jerry Miller, Publisher

Charlottesville singer songwriters Susan Munson & Frank Bechter joined me on The I Love CVille Show to perform live music!

Susan, a longtime Charlottesville native, played an array of originals accompanied by Frank Bechter, a talented bass player. Susan and Frank brought positive energy to the set. They discussed their musical inspirations, passions, favorite venues and more! We loved having Frank & Susan on the I Love CVille Show!

Susan and Frank perform as a duo in Mojo Pie and play in other Charlottesville and Central Virginia bands, including Mama Tried, Bobblehead and more!

The I Love CVille Show is powered by four generation strong Intrastate Inc., trusted limo company Camryn Limousine, the talented Dr. Scott Wagner of Scott Wagner Chiropractic and Sports Medicine, custom home builder John Kerber of Dominion Custom Homes, entrepreneur Patricia Boden’s Animal Connection – All Natural Store for Healthy Pets and Mary Birkholz of Caring For Creatures.

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy Bill Tucker Joined Keith Smith & Jerry Miller On “Real Talk: An Insider’s Guide To Real Estate Across Central Virginia!” and Host Of “Morgan In The Mornings” Tom Morgan & DJ At Rock Hits 92.3 FM Chris Gallagher Joined Jerry Miller On The I ❤ CVille Show!

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Jerry Miller, CEO & Publisher

Jerry Miller is the founder & CEO of I Love CVille, VMV Brands and I Love CVille Real Estate, which are all head-quartered on The Historic Charlottesville Downtown Mall. Jerry is passionate about the #ShopLocal movement and supporting local merchants, restaurants, breweries and wineries. Get to know Jerry at


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 Britannia Accommodation - P&O Cruises

Britannia's sumptuous accommodation

Our boutique style cabins are more stylish and comfortable than ever with soothing colours, bespoke artworks from British artists and large flatscreen TVs for films on demand.

Bathrooms have glass shower screens and pamper packs from The White Company.

Our inside cabins are perfect for those who prefer to be out and about enjoying the ship.

Then there's our balcony cabins. There’s nothing quite like stepping out into your own private space where you can dine throughout the day and unwind in the ultimate room with a view. We've included 27 single cabins for solo travellers, many of which also have balconies.

Spacious butler-serviced Suites feature a lounge for entertaining, a dressing area and broad balcony with steamer loungers.

Standard cabin facilities

  • Daily steward service
  • TV, radio and telephone
  • Hairdryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Safe
  • Tea/coffee making facilities
  • Air conditioning
  • Vanity/writing desk and chair
  • Wardrobe and drawer space
  • If you are travelling with children between the age of 2 and 12, each child will have a bag of jelly beans and special bedding
  • Pamper pack. Toiletries included: 100ml Shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser, 40g soap and shower cap

Inside cabins

Inside Cabins

Balcony cabins

Balcony Cabins

A selection of Britannia cruises

View a selection of Britannia cruises below

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Posts Tagged ‘zoodiac’

A Vintage Virgo: From The Alchymical Zoodiac

September 12, 2010

Each year at this time, my perceptions and energies seem preternaturally focused. Considering my September 13 birth date, is this a given? Or do we all find ourselves in this state on or around our birthdays throughout the year? Those who subscribe to astrological analysis with an emphasis on sun signs will confidently point to the sign of the zodiac in a certain position over the ecliptic and nod sagely. The history of science credits ancient astronomy and medieval alchemy as precursors to our understanding of the workings of creation and our role in it. While astrology’s readings of our personalities and events have also been part of human culture for millennia, our conventional science has yet to provide proof of this connection and has relegated astrology to the fiefdom of the foolish. Intuition suggests that this categorization of astrology may be premature; there is still much to learn about ourselves if we can move past its early efforts and allow its wisdom to augment our own. These sentiments inspired my creation of The Alchymical Zoodiac: A Celestial Bestiary (Imaginarius Editions, 2009) which may be purchased at my website: http://www.winnlederer.com/zoodiacbook/default.htm

Happy Birthday, fellow Virgoans (August 22nd-September 23rd)!


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Adam McKay Hopes to Next Direct Meteor Satire; Talks MarvelCinemaGate

Published on Nov 08, 2019

Filmmaker Adam McKay has had quite the unpredictable career. From head writing on Saturday Night Live, to making Will Ferrell comedy classics Anchorman and Step Brothers, to making political muckrakers The Big Short and Vice, to helping birth the "It Show" of the moment Succession -- McKay's points of interest seem to know no bounds. Now, as reported by Deadline, McKay will keep poking the hornet's nest of hot-button issues with newly founded production company Hyperobject Industries. Their deal with Paramount Pictures will hopefully foster the home for McKay's next directorial project: Don't Look Up. If …

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Author: Gregory Lawrence


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Tag: Investment Banking13

Impact Investors Tag: Investment Banking 11

All or A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irela

Barclays moves lends invests and protects money for 48 million customers and clients worldwide.We have over 325 years of history and expertise in banking. Barclays is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England

Type: Investment Fund Manager Geography: Global Impact: Access to Financial Services

brm bank

(BRM) is not just a new bank. It is the first banking institution in the WAEMU region specialized in investment banking and capital markets. BRM relies on financial innovation to realize its ambition to increase the liquidity and efficiency of the WAEMU capital markets. With its expertise BRM is able to build financing and placement solutions across national geographies.BRM customers can enjoy tailor made solutions that fit their business environment markets and organizations. Through detailed analysis of customers specifics BRM processes aim at transforming customers potential from dormancy to business values.By so doing BRM is able to reveal the true values of customers businesses.

Type: Institutional Investor Geography: Senegal Impact: Access to Financial Services

Commercial International Bank (CIB)

Commercial International Bank S.A.E. is an Egyptian private sector bank. The company corporate headquarters are located in Cairo Egypt. The bank serves more than 500000 clients and has more than 6000 employees.

Type: Bank Geography: Egypt Impact: Access to Financial Services

Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse Group is a leading financial services company advising clients in all aspects of finance across the globe and around the clock.

Type: Corporate Geography: Oceania Impact: Access to Financial Services

Deutsche Bank

Founded in Berlin in 1870 to support the internationalization of Germany's business Deutsche Bank is a leading global provider of financial services.We have established strong bases in all major emerging markets and therefore have good prospects for business growth in fast growing economies including the Asia Pacific region Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America. In Europe we are well placed to benefit from the aforementioned resilient conditions in our home market Germany and from continued strong levels of corporate activity in the euro zone.

Type: Investment Fund Manager Geography: Global Impact: Income/Productivity Growth

First City Monument Bank

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking led group FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services while enhancing the growth and achievement of the personal and business aspirations of our customers.

Type: Bank Geography: Nigeria Impact: Access to Financial Services

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative

United States of America

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million investment to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services.

Type: Foundation Geography: Global Impact: Access to Financial Services

HFC Bank

HFC Bank (Ghana) Limited a subsidiary of Republic Financial Holdings Limited of Trinidad & Tobago is a leading Universal Banking Institution in Ghana and arguably the most diversified Financial Institution. As a one stop Financial Institution our services include Corporate Commercial and Retail Banking Investment Banking Mortgage Banking and Micro FinanceWith our history of Home Finance Company we have been very instrumental in the development of the mortgage industry in Ghana and continue to be the number one home loan provider in the country. We have supported many Ghanaians both in Ghana and abroad to own their homes.We understand that Banking is not a repeat purchase of our services by our customers. We see Banking as a development process where we provide services by analyzing our customers needs and building deeper and more effective customer relationship.Our Parent Company Republic Financial Holdings Limited is the largest and most profitable independent Bank in the English speaking Caribbean having served the region for over one eighty (180) years. The Group has assets in excess of $9.92 billion as at 2016 and rated BBB by the Standard and Poor.We engage in a number of Community engagement initiatives. We therefore ensure that as we work to deliver sustainable growth and shareholder value we also contribute to the wider Community by being a responsible corporate citizen a Bank with a heart and an employer of choiceOur highly skilled and professional staff remains committed to making our customers the centre of our business. We provide innovative Products that cut across our varied customer base.

Type: Bank Geography: Ghana Impact: Access to Financial Services

Morgan Stanley

United States of America

Morgan Stanley mobilizes capital to help governments corporations institutions and individuals around the world achieve their financial goals. For over 75 years the firm s reputation for using innovative thinking to solve complex problems has been well earned and rarely matched. A consistent industry leader throughout decades of dramatic change in modern finance Morgan Stanley will continue to break new ground in advising serving and providing new opportunities for its clients.

Type: Corporate Geography: Europe Impact:

The Africa Group

The Africa Group is an advisory and research start-up firm focused on the continent of Africa. Due to its singular focus, deep networks and geographic expertise, The Africa Group offers on the ground market intelligence and a unique perspective in investing across the Continent. As a start-up, our immediate focus is to deliver innovative and pioneering research which intersect the financial, political and macro-economic landscapes of the Continent. As a group, they hold a positive outlook for development of African enterprise and its integration into the world economy.

Type: Accelerator/Incubator Geography: Africa Impact: Capacity Building

UBS is a global financial services firm with a 150 year heritage serving corporations governments institutions and individuals. Headquartered in Zurich and Basel Switzerland UBS has offices in more than 50 countries. The UBS Group has four business divisions including Wealth Management & Swiss Bank which serves high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals globally as well as private and corporate clients in Switzerland. As of 2009 social investing philanthropy and strategic charitable services have been unified within the Wealth Management unit under a new dedicated Philanthropy & Values Based Investing team.

Type: Investment Fund Manager Geography: Global Impact: Access to Financial Services


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Dalit mother of two kicked out of house by husband, in-laws; complaint filed under SC/ST Atrocities Act

Sreenivas Janyala
K Bharathi with her two daughters outside her in-law’s house. (Source: Sreenivas Janyala)

A 25-year-old Dalit mother of two was left to fend for herself after her husband and in-laws kicked her out of the house in Husnabad in Telangana. The woman, K Bharathi, sat in front of her husband’s house with her two daughters for two days without food until police rescued and admitted her to a hospital.

On September 11, Bharathi’s husband M Ranjit had asked her to leave and told her that all his relatives were refusing to visit them because she is Dalit.

Ranjit and Bharathi’s relationship started four years back when they met online, fell in love and got married. While Ranjit belongs to BC community and hails from Mancherial district, Bharthi is from Mala (SC) community. However, at that time Ranjit’s parents agreed for the marriage although his relatives refused to attend the wedding. Trouble for Bharathi started a year after the marriage when she gave birth to a daughter. In her statement to Husnabad Police in Siddipet district, Bharathi said her husband and in-laws started harassing her for giving birth to a daughter and demanded dowry.

Her parents gave Rs 5 lakhs and also helped Ranjit start a bakery in Husnabad. Last year, Bharathi gave birth to their second daughter. According to Inspector B Srinivas, under the pretext that relatives had stopped visiting them as Bharathi is Dalit, Ranjit and his parents asked her to leave the house several times. According to police, in the first week of this month, her in-laws told her that their relatives were boycotting them due to her presence in the house.

"She complained that she was abused and beaten up and thrown out of the house with her two daughters. She was told to bring an additional dowry of Rs 20 lakhs if she wants to return. She went back to her parents house who tried to talk to her in-laws. Ranjit, however, called her a day later and told her that he was getting married to another woman following which she rushed back to her in-law’s house but they locked it and went away to their relatives’ place. Not knowing what to do, she sat there for two days until someone called police and we rescued her. We have registered a complaint under SC/ST Atrocities Act. We have also called the couple for a round of counselling on Sunday to see if they can sort out the issue," the Inspector said.

When Bharathi was sitting outside the house with her two little daughters, some women informed the deputy sarpanch of village Kommula Bhaskar who informed the police and helped lodge the complaint.


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Formula 1 2019: Did Ferrari favour Sebastian Vettel? Mistakes from Mercedes and other talking points from Singapore GP

Mithila Mehta and Kunal Shah

After celebrating dual wins at Spa and Monza, Ferrari's team principal Mattia Binotto boldly claimed in the build-up to the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix that Ferrari could win more races in the season. At the time, it seemed Binotto was being optimistic. In fact, till the qualifying hour of this weekend's race, no one imagined that Ferrari would claim pole position and eventually the race win on the streets of Singapore. After Charles Leclerc's success in the previous two rounds, it was Sebastian Vettel who stepped onto the top step of the podium, followed across the chequered flag by Leclerc and Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.

This was only the second race of this season where neither Mercedes driver finished on the podium. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished fourth and fifth respectively, in a race where Mercedes surprisingly lacked outright pace and the tyre strategy against two of their rivals. Alexander Albon finished sixth, ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris who claimed the 'best of the rest' among the mid-field drivers. Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly, who is still in contention for a re-promotion at Red Bull Racing in 2020, finished eighth and was followed by Renault's Nico Hulkenberg and Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi. Seven out of the ten teams finished in the points " Racing Point, Haas and Williams being the ones that missed out.

Is Sebastian Vettel back?

Before we get into dissecting Ferrari's controversial race strategy, it would be worth pondering and celebrating Vettel's win " one that has come after more than a year's wait. After a grim last many months and races full of mistakes, it was good to see Vettel claim the top step of the podium, despite not being the fastest driver on track, barring a few minutes in Q3 when he briefly held provisional pole position. Singapore, where Vettel now has the highest number of wins (five) for any driver, should offer a psychological boost to the quadruple world champion, who also claimed his 53rd career win. The alternate truth also being that Vettel is still the only driver on the grid closest to a race ban.

Ferrari favoured Vettel?

Ferrari scored their first 1-2 of the season. In fact, it is the team's first three-wins-on-the-trot since 2008 " a display of form and pace that everyone was expecting from the Scuderia since the start of the season. However, their win had a cloud of doubt and controversy. On lap 20, Vettel was called into the pits for fresh rubber. This was considered out of line since Vettel was third, behind the then race leader Leclerc and Hamilton. Leclerc was called for his tyre change a lap later and at the exit, he found himself jumped by Vettel in the race classification. Leclerc's expectation that he should've been offered the winning tyre strategy by virtue of being the faster and higher placed driver in the race classification is fair.

Given the nature of the circuit, the reduced race pace, Ferrari's desire to score a 1-2 finish and the repeated Safety Car periods in the latter half of the race, Leclerc was unable to challenge Vettel for the lead of the race, even though he claimed multiple times on the team radio that he could go faster. So did Ferrari favour Vettel in race strategy? Given the team's history of offering staunch support towards their 'number 1' driver, it would be hard to assess this question without a bias. However, here are some facts that could help reach an answer that might not be crystal clear.

Post-race, Leclerc shared that Ferrari had agreed to drive to a slower race pace in their race debrief. From the race simulations on Friday, Ferrari knew that Mercedes and Red Bull Racing were faster. Their best bet was to score pole position, maintain track position at the start and control the pace of the race " all of which went to plan on Sunday. In the early part of the race, Leclerc did as Ferrari had planned. lap as slowly as possible (nearly 13 seconds off his qualifying pace), thereby bunching up the field and reducing the chance for his rivals to pit earlier and attempt the undercut. "We couldn't really go much slower,'' radioed a frustrated Hamilton.

Why so slow?

Despite the pit window for the 'soft tyre' runners opening up, the front runners chose to drive around slowly in circles waiting for someone else to take the bait. The situation was such that had Leclerc pitted from the lead, the 30 seconds required to complete a full pit-stop would have seen him drop to 17th place. On lap 20, Ferrari saw a gap open up, by pitting Vettel when they did, they managed to bring their driver out of the pits and ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who was running lower down the order after an early pit-stop to repair first lap damage. Vettel made the most of this clean air, built a gap, one that allowed him to take the lead from Leclerc on the next lap. Expectedly Leclerc was upset and radioed his team multiple times during the race to express his displeasure, but could Ferrari have done any different?

In hindsight, one should question why this very question is being asked. For Ferrari, the World Championships are out of sight in 2019. The team is rebuilding itself after repeated changes in management and personnel. After embarrassing mistakes in the first half of the season, the team acted smartly for the third time in three races to claim victory. If the championships are out of sight, why would the team favour one driver over the other? Ferrari's agile strategy saw them go better in Singapore. Instead of settling for a 1-3 finish, the team scored a 1-2 finish, scoring vital points in the Constructors' Championship, one they were under immense threat from Red Bull Racing only a few races ago.

Leclerc's new learning

It is understandable to see Leclerc question his team's tactics and be upset. After all, the Monegasque is in the form of his life, claiming two back-to-back wins against Hamilton in the last two races. In Singapore, Leclerc claimed a sensational pole position (again, ahead of Hamilton) after driving an on-the-limit and sublime qualifying lap. It was Leclerc's pole position that opened up the possibility of Ferrari aiming for victory in the first place. Again, actual nature of conversations in the post-race debrief or Ferrari's actual reasons in not known, but for Leclerc, the Singapore Grand Prix would've offered one more learning " the politics of racing for Ferrari.

Back to race strategy, Ferrari pitted Vettel at the time they did to protect the German's podium spot from Verstappen, who also pitted on the same lap. The question could be asked if Leclerc should've pitted a lap earlier, but there are two things to keep in mind. First, Leclerc was leading the race and was under no real threat on-track or in the pits. At the time, Ferrari were happy to keep track position while waiting to see Mercedes-Hamilton play their card. Second, Ferrari's understandable desire to get both cars on the podium, especially on a track where no one expected them to be in contention. In fact, Ferrari's strategy checkmated Mercedes, their immediate rivals on track.

Mercedes' mistakes

Mercedes didn't see the Ferrari onslaught coming, not in qualifying, not in the race. In fact, Ferrari's pit wall out-thought the reigning world champions, leading Hamilton to lose second place. Mercedes and Hamilton did try and salvage their race by attempting a different race strategy. They went longer in the first stint and hoped that a Safety Car would intervene and gift them a free stop.

However, the Safety Car periods arrived much later in the race and at a time when it made no impact to the race strategy of the front runners. In their final attempt get onto the podium, Mercedes deployed team orders. Bottas, who was leading a pack of mid-field drivers, was asked to slow down by about three seconds a lap in the build-up to Hamilton's pit stop. As a result, Hamilton emerged ahead of Bottas with tyres that were seven laps fresher than his immediate rival, Verstappen. Hamilton's planned charged was dented by traffic and even more so by the three Safety Car periods in the second half of the race. The Safety Car periods further aided Ferrari's strategy by helping their drivers manage tyre wear in the closing stages of the race. After the race, Hamilton admitted, "It's painful for us because we could have easily won today. I was asking them to do the undercut, to take the risk, and go for it, but they didn't. Two other teams got it right today and leapfrogged us."

Red Bull missing

A podium would have been consolation for Red Bull. However, if Ferrari were favourites for Spa and Monza, Red Bull Racing were dubbed as the favourites for Singapore. In the build-up to the race, the narrative was a Mercedes vs Red Bull and Hamilton vs Verstappen battle. The Red Bull Racing-Honda package didn't deliver to expectations, although the team did well to beat Mercedes-Hamilton in the pit stops. From being the second fastest team in the first half of the season, Red Bull Racing seem a distant third since the summer break.

Typically Singapore

If Spa and Monza offered high-speed racing action, Singapore was like most other street circuits " about preservation, race strategy and multiple Safety Car periods. Those following Formula 1 since the ages would agree that both speed and strategy are vital ingredients of the sport. The 2019 Singapore Grand Prix was processional in parts, but anticipation built up every lap once the pit window opened up. In fact, the race gave us an unexpected race leader in Antonio Giovinazzi, who had the longest first stint (34 laps on the medium) among the points scoring finishers.

Championship standings

Mercedes would be disappointed after leaving Singapore without a podium, as would Red Bull Racing. These two teams dominated in Hungary (finished 40 seconds ahead of Ferrari), only three races ago " a circuit with characteristics similar to Singapore and Monaco. However, Hamilton built further on his gap to Bottas in the Drivers' Championship. It is only a matter of when and not if for the British racer to claim his sixth Formula 1 title. Though not celebrated as much, it is the battle for third place that will offer excitement as the season nears its end. Verstappen and Leclerc are tied on 200 points each, followed by Vettel who is six points adrift. Carlos Sainz Jr, who is targeting an ambitious sixth place (helped the Gasly-Albon swap), scored his third successive no points finish.

Alexander Albon, who is also aiming to get up to sixth and is targeting to retain his seat at Red Bull Racing in 2020, is only 16 points behind Sainz and is fast closing in. The British-Thai racer has finished fifth, sixth and sixth in the last three races. The battle for ninth place is between five drivers. Ricciardo is currently on 34 points, one point ahead of Daniil Kvyat and Nico Hulkenberg. A further two points behind are Lando Norris and Kimi Raikkonen. In the Constructors' Championship though, things are status-quo " Mercedes leading Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, followed by the rest. Ferrari's upswing in form and performances sees them nearly 100 points ahead of Red Bull Racing in second place.

This is a double header Formula 1 week, which means that the 2019 Russian Grand Prix is the coming weekend. The season has been reignited with Ferrari's resurgence. Can the Scuderia take the fight to Mercedes and Red Bull Racing at all the remaining rounds of the season?

Also See: Formula 1 2019: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel ends year-long drought for victory with Singapore Grand Prix triumph

Formula 1 2019: Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel praises confidence-boosting support after winning Singapore Grand Prix

Formula 1 2019: Lewis Hamilton eyes Singapore hat-trick through the haze as Charles Leclerc challenge looms

Read more on Sports by Firstpost.


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January 3, 2011

Runnymede Spa and Hotel

by Val Reynolds

It was easy to relax and chill out in the darkened room, with soothing music, gentle aromas and competent hands massaging my weary body. It was quite companionable as my colleague was on a treatment couch just a few feet away. We didn’t speak to each other, but it felt good.

I was at the spa in the Runnymede Hotel, Egham and pleasantly surprised at the peace and quiet. Having battled my way through the M25 traffic, actually it wasn’t that bad, with the aid of my trusty SatNav, I welcomed the chance of the Crystals and Champagne spa break after a particularly trying week at work.

A group of six of us were booked into the Aquitaine suite*, with a member of staff assigned to look after us. A completely private area separated from the main spa and gym areas it is only accessible by pass codes. Absolutely ideal for private parties of up to about eight.

With a room for relaxing, tv, massage chair, settees, easy chairs there is an adjoining treatment room for two. A changing area with lockers, two large shower rooms and smaller treatment rooms.

The facilities of the spa upstairs made it possible for us to go off to swim, or gym, so it was seldom that all of us were in the room at the same time. It is possible to have all your meals served in the suite which makes it all the more attractive as a retreat. In fact it would be ideal for a group wanting to spend the time meditating, doing yoga, and simply being quiet as there was absolutely no extraneous sound. However if you chose a break with the overnight stay your room would be in the hotel itself.

The spa section is well laid out, the pool was big and spacious, jacuzzi and eucalyptus steam room, well designed gym and exercise studio. The treatment rooms were high standard. There were very pleasant seated areas for relaxation and a very attractive dining room. The food was excellent, imaginative, well displayed and light.

The Crystal treatment made up of neck, back and shoulders massage using hot stones was done well. We chose the oils that appealed to our sense of smell the most. I chose the one that was intended to invigorate – an excellent choice! The facial was rounded off by the use of cool crystals to give contrast and a stimulus to the lymph system. The final head massage was excellent. Espa products were used throughout. It was good to have a coordinated massage that lasted well over an hour.

There is no doubt Runnymede is a luxury hotel from the moment you step through the revolving door, the decor and facilities are of a very high standard. It’s a family hotel with a few rules to please those of us wanting to be child free. For instance at 12 noon children have to leave the spa. They are then allowed to return between 3 and 5 pm.

The hotel is on the River Thames with spacious terraces for warm weather relaxing and lawns down to the river. A heated outdoor pool is open between April and September.

With easy access from the M25 and Heathrow, it is ideal for the traveller who wants a break between flights, or before/after that long haul flight, wanting to do a little historic sightseeing and have a gorgeous spa experience. There is an excellent Treatment Finder on their website to suit individual needs.

Depending on the package you choose prices are from £160 per night based on two people sharing a room, inclusive of VAT and service.

There are plenty of good value offers to choose from.

For further information or to make a booking call the spa on 01784 220600 or visit

*The suite is named after Eleanor Aquitaine mother of King John, who signed the Magna Carta in the famous fields opposite the hotel

This feature also appears on the SpaWellBeing website

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Cusco and Machupicchu hiking 07 days tour to Machu Picchu

Cusco, Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu are included in this exclusive Package in Peru

Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the greatest wonders in the world, and getting to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate may be one of the most magical and mystical moments in your lives. Walking along the path the Incas used for thousands of years is an inspiring moment that will transport you to those days of the Great Inca Empire.

This fascinating tour begins in the beautiful city of Cusco which still preserves the greatness of being the capital of an empire; this fantastic city embraces the whole legendary history of Peru, from its foundation to the withdrawal of the Spanish conquistadors. The second day of this tour you will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which unfolds along the Vilcanota River, north of the city of Cusco. The Valley retains its mystical spirit that inspires every traveler coming to visit by means of its summits, history and uniqueness.

After spending the night in the mystical and tranquil village of Ollantaytambo, we will begin to explore the wonderful Inca Trail, which was used by ancient Peruvians to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This path offers the possibility of finding innumerable Inca constructions that combined with nature, and gives a comprehensive view of the grandeur and importance that Machu Picchu had. You cannot miss the fantastic opportunity to see the spectacular legacy of the Incas and marvel at their magical paths!

HIGHLIGHTS: this is our definitive Peru travel package, where you will experience the grandeur of the Inca Civilization and the treasures of the Inca capital, Cusco, the snow-capped Andes, the Sacred Valley, while exploring the most breathtaking natural sights along the Inca trail, including the fascinating Machu Picchu.

Please contact us and one of our specialists will help you to come up with the perfect Tour in Peru.

Day 1
Arrival in Cusco.
Day 2
Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour
Day 3 - 6
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Tour
Day 7
Transfer from Hotel to the Airport

Hiking Tour Peru - Sacred Valley and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Amazing Ruins

For those looking to combine the cultural highlights of the Sacred Valley with the challenge of one of the world's best known hikes. The 7-day Inca Trail Trek will reward you with a stunning combination of the region's ruins, mountains capes and cloud forests.

Meals provided= (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner

Arrival in Cusco – Transfer to hotel
Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu - Sacsayhuaman - Day 1

Upon your arrival at the airport, our friendly and reliable staff assists you with the transfer to your hotel, and at the same time briefing you regarding all the services and tours included in your package.

The best advice we could give you at that point is to now rest and acclimatize as you are at 3,400 meters above sea level and your whole body is going to need quite some adaptation. If you are up to it, an option for a quiet and instructive afternoon could be a guided Cusco City Tour starting at 1:45 pm where you would have the opportunity to visit: the "Sun Temple" Koricancha, Cusco main Cathedral, Saqsayhuaman Inca Complex, Tambo Machay, Qenqo and Puca-Pucara.

Whatever your afternoon choices were, you have your pre-departure briefing at 7:00pm presented by your Inca Trail tour guide at your hotel or our Cusco's office.

Excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (B, L)
Inca Trail 7 days - Pisaq - Sacred Valley - Day 2

We come pick you up from your hotel at approximately 8:30 am and travel from Cusco in direction of the mountains to start our Sacred Valley day tour. We descend 1500 feet to reach the Sacred Valley and arrive in the village of Pisac where we visit a traditional market brimming with local souvenirs for you to bring home. We then keep on exploring the extensive ruins of Pisac, with its unique Citadel from which you can observe many temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana or "Hitching post of the Sun".

For those who would rather spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organize a time and place to pick you up when returning from the market. We continue along the Urubamba River where we stop in the Urubamba village and have our buffet lunch.

A further 30 minutes' drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains and the valley of Patacancha and Willoq, where we have another occasion to admire the magnificence of Incan constructions, with the amazing temple of the Sun and its enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional outfits. On our return, we quickly visit the famous church and archeological site of Chincheros.

We are back in Cusco at 6.30-7:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch.

Cusco – Pisacucho – Wayllbamba (B, L, D)
Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu - Piscacucho - Day 3

Breakfast is served from 5:00 am at your hotel. At 6:00 am everyone is collected from their hotels and we all travel by bus for a bit more than three hours, passing by the picturesque villages of Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, until reaching the kilometer 82, where we begin our adventure along the Inca trail. We start our trek escorted by native "quechua" porters going through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River valley, where we could enjoy magnificent views of the snowcapped mountain Veronica (20,200'). We cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail to the right as it climbs steeply up from the river. After passing through a small village and an easy descent in direction of the Cusichaca 'Happy Bridge' River, we can perceive the ruins of the Inca hillfort of Huillca Raccay high above the mouth of the stream.

For a further 7 km the path follows the left bank of the watercourse up to the village of 'Grassy Plain' Wayllabamba (3,000m), in which we spend the night beside some spectacular ruins we have time to explore if your feet allow you to.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

Wayllabamba – Llulluchapampa – Pacaymayu (B, L, D)
Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu - Pacaymayo - Day 4

After a delicious breakfast, we start our second day of trekking, perhaps the most difficult one, as we have to climb to the highest pass of the Inca Trail, the striking 4,200 meters Warmihuañusca ("Dead woman's Pass"), offering in return a spectacular view of the Andes. The path continues on following a mountain stream up past hummingbirds and amazing stunted cloud forest. We pass by the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchapampa (3680 meters), another occasion to witness outstanding views down the valley.

After lunch, we start the descent towards the valley of Pacaymayu, where we make our camp for the night

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner.

Pacaymayu – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna (B, L, D)
Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu - Wiñayhuayna - Day 5

We leave Pacaymayu and walk for about an hour to get to the small circular ruins of Runkuracay, occupying a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below. Back on the trail with cautiously preserved original paving for 45 minutes and we are at the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m).

We keep on going down the steep steps from the pass with a particularly beautiful section of the trail as the path crosses high stone banks and skirts deep precipices, up till the 3rd pass after about 1 hour by way of a superbly designed stone staircase: 'Inaccessible Town' Sayacmarca. The name is quite properly adequate as the ruins are protected on three sides by sheer cliffs, even though no one knows the exact reason of these ruins.

We backtrack to rejoin the trail passing Conchamarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a tambo for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu. From then on the path descends into a magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, going through an impressive Inca tunnel carved into the rock along the way. The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m), offering excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,271m) and Veronica (5,750m). We just need a few minutes more and we find 'Town in the Clouds' Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far, down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual worship of water. You descend a thousand or so steps leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase, so better be careful on the way down with your probably tired knees after having walked all day.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner.

Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)
Inca Trail 7 days to Machu Picchu - Day 6

After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snowcapped mountains of Salcantay and Veronica, we leave our porters with a traditional song and dance, quite a folkloric way to say goodbye. Our final day of hiking brings us into the cloud forest with a series of Inca stairways to Winay Wayna, another interesting site full of swallows and orchids. Finally we reach Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and get on a bus down to our hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formally known as Aguas Calientes) and rejoice ourselves (or not) for our return to civilization.

In the late morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time to climb Huayna Picchu or else just wander around, soaking up the unique atmosphere. Note: due to permit restrictions, please let us know at the time of booking whether you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

In the afternoon, we board the train for an exciting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once at the terminal, our bus brings us back to Cusco and your hotel. If you have some energy left, you could of course always explore Cusco's interesting nightlife.

Meals: Breakfast.

Transfer out (B)

At the appropriate time and depending on your flight itinerary, our staff will organize your transfer from your hotel to the airport or bus station

The itinerary and campsites provided by the INC (institution that runs the Inca Trail) are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.

View Inca Trail Permits Availability

Information Details

Cusco and Inca Trail 7 Days on Google Maps


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Interdisciplinary research: personal memoir of a biochemist

Kausik Chattopadhyay

In this next article in our series on interdisciplinary research, Kausik Chattopadhyay from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, speaks about his journey into the field of studying bacterial pore-forming toxins, and how his academic background and present scientific environment have equipped him to probe this question from multidisciplinary angles.

Interdisciplinary research: personal memoir of a biochemist
Interdisciplinary research: personal memoir of a biochemist

I define myself as a protein biochemist”. But, when I am asked to define our research area, I get into trouble. I generally give an answer like this: We study structure-function mechanisms of bacterial pore-forming protein toxins”, which is probably a very-very specific research topic in the field of biological sciences. When I was asked to write about our journey in interdisciplinary science, I was not very sure about what to write. But then I realized that addressing most, if not all, of the problems of biology these days requires some sort of interdisciplinary approach, depending on how we define interdisciplinarity. In terms of my independent research career, I am about to complete ten years in March 2019. Therefore, this is an interesting opportunity for me to look back at our journey so far, and it will allow me to consolidate my thoughts regarding our future directions.

So, let me go back a few years.

After completing five and half years of post-doctoral research experience at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA, I joined the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali as an assistant professor of biology in 2009. It was a fascinating experience to start the PI job, more so to start everything from scratch, particularly since the institute itself was still at its infancy at that time. As it is probably true for many new PIs, the main challenge for me was to pick and establish the theme of my lab’s research – a theme that would allow me to get grants, attract and motivate PhD students and/or post-docs to join my lab, fetch us quality publications, and would not go out-of-fashion over the coming years. I considered taking up a research problem that we could start pursuing immediately with the basic infrastructure available with us, with the potential to expand its dimension as more advanced infrastructure would develop. And thus, our journey into the fascinating world of bacterial pore-forming toxins (PFTs) began.

Mechanisms of the membrane pore-formation processes employed by the PFTs offer many unsolved questions in the context of protein structure-function paradigm, and connect to some of the most intriguing issues that are relevant to the structure, folding and function of membrane proteins. Being potent virulence factors of bacterial pathogens, PFTs also serve as important targets to study in the context of bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interaction processes. It requires an interdisciplinary approach involving the tools and methodologies of biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, as well as cell biology and immunology to achieve an in-depth understanding of the mode of actions of bacterial PFTs.

Bacterial Pore Forming Toxins (PFT)

We started our journey in the field of PFT-biology by exploring some of the basic mechanistic issues that we could address by employing mostly biochemical and biophysical approaches. However, over the years we made attempts to venture into new areas, particularly exploring the consequences of the PFT functionalities in the context of host-pathogen interaction processes and host immunity.

For example, in the earlier years, we had mostly used the tools of protein and membrane biochemistry/biophysics to elucidate the physicochemical properties of the PFTs, to study how they interact with target membranes, and to understand mechanistic details of the oligomeric pore-formation processes in the membrane lipid bilayer environment. Now, in recent years, we have also started looking at how PFTs can trigger diverse cellular responses in the host eukaryotic cells. In particular, we are trying to explore whether and how the cells of the innate immune system, as the first responders, can mount any response against PFT-mediated attacks.

For this, we have tried to develop new expertise within the lab, and have also established collaborative efforts. I must say here that our journey so far would not have been possible at all without the hard work, and passionate involvement of all the past and present lab members.

I did my B.Sc. in Chemistry, followed by M.Sc. in Biochemistry. Subsequently, I pursued my PhD and post-doc research career in the field of biochemistry and structural biology in the broader context of microbiology and immunology. Obviously, due to my academic and research background, I developed an inclination toward addressing problems with biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches, with a strong impetus to understand their cellular and organismal implications. Therefore, I seek constant discussions, and collaborative interactions, if needed, with cell biologists, neurobiologists, immunologists, and computational biologists to address these problems from a broader perspective.

Our group at IISER Mohali

Any biological question can be queried from different angles. What we see in nature has evolved over millions of years and any biological function is regulated at multiple organisational levels: from genetic to cellular to organismal and finally ecological. Each level is highly complex and usually studied by a specific group of experts, such as geneticists, molecular biologists, biochemists, cell biologists to ecologists and evolutionary biologists. With tremendous advancement in each of these areas, specialization has taken deep roots in academia. However to get a complete picture, one needs to study it using multidisciplinary approaches. This requires two very important settings: (1) a broad academic background, and (2) a niche conducive to performing such interdisciplinary studies.

I had acquired some breadth in my approach to biological problems, but I am lucky to have found a suitable academic setting at IISER Mohali. Here, constant interactions with the faculty colleagues, who are cell biologists, neurobiologists, immunologists, computational biologists or evolutionary biologists, allow me to think about other exciting possibilities that could be ventured in the context of our studies on PFT-biology. In my opinion, the need for doing interdisciplinary science depends purely on the particular research problem. It cannot be imposed forcefully. But, what is important is to appreciate and explore the possibilities, if the need arises. And, for that, you need to be in a place where such possibilities can be ventured upon. Once again, for this I consider myself to be fortunate enough to be at a place like IISER Mohali.

At IISER Mohali, I am surrounded by faculty colleagues who are not only biologists, but are from all the disciplines of basic sciences, as well as from the field of humanities and social sciences. Even within our department of biological sciences, we have enormous diversity in terms of themes of the research fields and expertise among the faculty colleagues. Such an environment, along with an ambience of scientific and academic freedom, provides ample opportunity to build up collaborative efforts, whenever your research demands it. Apart from the direct opportunity of collaborative research, such an interdisciplinary environment encourages to at least think about the research possibilities beyond your expertise and comfort zone. Indeed, this has been true in my case.

I would rather say here that my own inhibition to go beyond my comfort zone was possibly the main challenge to use interdisciplinary approaches. One can always say that more funding would have been helpful, but I guess an experimental biologist can never possibly be satisfied with the available fund support, anyway.

I would also like to mention another very important aspect that I enjoy while being at IISER Mohali. We are all actively engaged in teaching here. I personally feel that teaching, particularly to the fresh undergraduate students who are coming to our program straight from the schools, gives me a different kind of flavour and satisfaction. They ask lots of questions. Many times, I do not know the answers, sometimes the answers are not yet known. But, in an attempt to meet their queries, I am forced to go back and read textbooks and literature to study the topics that are way beyond my area of research. I consider that there is another plus point of being actively engaged in teaching. My research activities may not, and will not go equally well all the time. Inevitably, there are phases when the research progress and output face challenges and blockades. During those times, teaching activities can be really satisfying as well as relaxing.

So, altogether, it has been an exciting journey so far for me, and I can only hope that it gets more exciting in the coming years.

Did you enjoy this article? Let us know in the comments below.


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Steven A. Mazzuca, Kenneth D. Brandt, J. Christopher Buckland-Wright, Kenneth A. Buckwalter, Barry P. Katz, John A. Lynch, Rupert J. Ward, Christine L. Emsley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

55 Scopus citations

Objective. To estimate the reproducibility of computerized measurements of minimum joint space width (JSW) in the medial tibiofemoral compartment in knee radiographs (semiflexed AP view) obtained from clinical radiology units. Methods. Technologists from 5 clinical radiology units were trained in the performance of the fluoroscopically assisted semiflexed AP knee examination. Each of 44 subjects (34 with knee osteoarthritis, OA, 10 with bilaterally normal knees) were examined within 7 days in 2 of the 5 units. The examination in each unit was repeated 1 week later. Minimum JSW was measured on digitized radiographic images with computer software that corrected for radiographic magnification. Results. Despite ongoing quality control by technologists, 11% of radiographs were flawed with respect to the protocol standard for knee rotation and 36% with respect to the standard for knee flexion. The standard error of measurement (SE(m)) of JSW in 174 knees that were examined twice in the same unit was 0.32 mm (SE(m) = 0.25 mm for the subset-of 76 paired radiographs with uniformly high quality). The overall between-unit SE(m) was 0.45 min. Within-unit, but not between-unit, precision was related to the technical quality of the radiographs. Precision was unrelated to subject age, sex, race, weight, and radiographic severity of knee OA. Conclusion. The within-unit precision of JSW measurements from all pairs of semiflexed views (irrespective of technical quality) represented a notable improvement over that observed in radiographs with flawed knee rotation or flexion (as would be the case in conventional extended knee views). In future applications of this technique, assurance of technical quality by an independent observer should result in a level of measurement precision that will permit the design of clinical trials of disease modifying OA drugs with fewer subjects and/or shorter duration of treatment than is possible with conventional knee radiography.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1359-1365
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Rheumatology
Issue number6
StatePublished - Jun 21 1999

  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Radiology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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Author Archives: jonna198

The Real Story of Labor Day

It’s Labor Day. I bet you think I’m going to hash over that age long debate over who founded it. Some say it was Mathew Maguire of the International Association of Machinists others claim it was Peter McGuire from the Brotherhood of Carpenters.

Maguire vs McGuire, really?

I am going to settle this dispute right here and now. The idea of Labor Day had been kicked around for years but unlike Maguire and McGuire, the real story of Labor Day has no mention on the official Department of Labor website. The real story of how Labor Day was signed into law started with The Pullman Palace Car Company.

The Pullman Co was a manufacturer of luxury railroad cars on the Southside of Chicago. In efforts to deter labor agitators George M. Pullman created a company town for his workers in 1881 and named it, oddly enough, Pullman. The press hailed him as a humanitarian and a visionary but George Pullman’s saw an opportunity to control and exploit.

He charged high rents, inflated the cost of utilities and increased the prices of goods sold at the company store. He allowed only churches of his own denomination, banned public speeches, independent newspapers and within 10 years his town was valued at five million, over six times his initial investment.

Workers had little enough to live on during prosperous times but when 1893 saw an economic downturn Pullman responded by cutting jobs and reducing wages. Paychecks were cut by a quarter. His rents and prices remained unchanged.

As Pullman squeezed, families could no longer afford to heat their homes or feed their children. Out of desperation many of the workers joined the American Railroad Union (ARU) led by Eugene V. Debs and attempted to bargain collectively.

George Pullman refused to negotiate. He fired them on the spot and gave them ten days to vacate their homes. This action led to the Pullman Strike of 1994.

Riots broke out from Ohio to California as 125,000 other union workers supported their plight. Railways were disrupted, damage was done and this led to the first federal injunction to stop a labor dispute (teach them to delay the US Mail and interstate commerce).

That year, on the Fourth of July, President Grover Cleveland sent twenty-five hundred US Army troops to Chicago to break that strike. He is reported to have said that if it took the entire US Army to deliver one postcard to Chicago then he would do so. In the aftermath thirty Americans were killed and an untold number were wounded. Within a week the strike was crushed.

As opportunistic as it may have seemed, it was time to make that old idea of a special day to honor the workers real. Congress voted unanimously to approve and six days after the end of the Pullman Strike President Cleveland signed the bill into law. Labor Day became a national holiday celebrating the social and economic contribution of the American workers and you get a long weekend, yay!

Pullman died 3 years later. His casket was encased in eighteen inches of reinforced concrete then topped with more concrete, a layer of steel rail and another layer of concrete. Two full days of burial to ensure that this hated man’s body would not be dug up and desecrated by the masses.

So cast your vote, was it Maguire vs McGuire who founded Labor Day or was it George Pullman’s greed, Grover Cleveland’s violent response to people demanding fairness and his immediate efforts to appease them?

I would like to wish you all a Happy Labor Day. Enjoy the day, eat a burger, shop the sales and raise a beer to all those who died in labor disputes to make our lives a little better. We have much to appreciate.

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By the Time we got to Woodstock

Woodstock note

I was sixteen, pampered and fearless. I took my mother’s car and drove to Woodstock, Dylan’s hometown in beautiful up-state New York, to a Music and Art Fair, an Aquarian exposition. How great did that sound? It was a happening. I folded my coolest clothes, placed them into my backpack, tucked my pillow with its starched white cover under my arm and set off on an adventure.

Anyone who went to Woodstock would probably not describe it as the best time of their lives. It rained enough to make you miserable. The bands were delayed. The sound system was inadequate, guitars probably warped from dampness and it wasn’t even in the town of Woodstock.

The traffic crawled, Leona at the wheel and the rest of us walked along side. I have a vague image of Mom’s shiny Buick passing the poorly parked hippy vans and beat up cars, a blur of happily tie dyed people giving peace signs and policemen who were surprisingly friendly, considering that most of us were openly breaking state and federal drug laws.Woodstock_poster

Miraculously we parked at the base of the hill, slung our back packs over our shoulders and hiked up the path. We arrived as they tore down the fences, gave away posters, the classic ones with a bird on the guitar and the original Aquarian water bearer. If we’d had any brains we’d have taken those precious items back to the car with our tickets intact but distracted by the outrageous level of coolness and the scent of marijuana we moved on.

I do not remember the first sight of that stage that made history. I do remember when my middle-class teenage-girl-mind identified the feeling of hunger and my first sense of lack. There were no burger stands, no ice cream or funnel cakes, no soda. We had plenty of cash in our pockets but, like most of the kids at Woodstock, we were completely unprepared.

A primitive water line assured us we would not die but we had no canteen. So, without food, water or common sense we forged onward, through masses of stoners to get as close to the stage as possible (which still seemed a lightyear away) and we claimed a patch of land.

Richie Havens sang “Freedom” and someone handed me a bottle of wine, I took a sip and passed it on. Someone gave me a gritty brownie I took a bite and passed that on. Magically food appeared from every direction, and magic food it was. One bite made us larger and one sip made us small. Soon a collective level of mind alteration permeated the field as we partook in unknown quantities… mostly psychedelic… and by that time, we didn’t much care.

Intermittent rain of every kind was reported but I clearly remember seeing the stars that first night. Dancing hippies everywhere, young people made love in the open and nobody was offended. Masses of wandering lost found new homes with temporary families.

There were announcements, mostly about our extraordinary coolness. We had closed the NY Thruway, were declared a disaster area and “Welcome to the first Free City in the World!” A Swami had blessed us and helicopters flew over, anti-war messages shouted and everyone agreed politically.

Woodstock Festival of Arts and Music at Bethel, New York, August 1969. (AP Photo)

They flew the bands in, ferried them across the sky. Music was everywhere. It was a night that a half a million young people took a collective sigh and melted into the hillside on Yazgur’s farm. Whatever came our way at Woodstock, we best relax and go with it.

With souls I’d never met I felt loved, cradled in the bosom of dear ones. They fed me, gave me drink. Should anything happen to me, this new family would care for me, tenderly as well as they possibly could… probably not very well but they would care for me… and there was a feeling of belonging to something, something much bigger than myself that made me almost tearful.

I folded my white pillow case and put it away when it rained. My quilt was soaked, my pillow ruined and I carried a bag of very cool clothes which I would never wear.

By half past Arlo Guthrie we realized that the need to pee was of greater importance than our land or this family we loved. We’d lost the people we came with, they’d disappeared into the crowd. Not losing Leona became paramount. She was the only one I knew from home and she had the keys to the car. We said good-bye to our loved ones and wrapped in muddied blankies we set off to find a bathroom and a place to sleep.

Cleary the first problem we faced was to simply relieve ourselves. The port-o–potty’s were soon to become their own disaster areas so we peed in the cornfield and relaxed between rows. I’d piled my coolest clothes on top of me for warmth and Joan Baez sang us into semi-consciousness. Then the rain began again.

To be cont..

Watch next Thursday for “Woodstock, the Dawn of Day Two”

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Writing Romance for Baby Boomers

It’s been great to get to know Australian blogger,Lana Pecherczyk  from Author Zoo. Lana asked me to write about romance novels from an aged perspective for her series on “How to write a Romance from A to Z”. Google Author Zoo and check them out!

Baby Boomer LOVE

by Jonna Ellis Holston

If you are writing romance then chances are that a large percentage of your readership will be of the baby boomer age. Infrequently is a romance novel written specifically for this generation, so in rarity we find value. If written well the rewards are great.

This is the population who met the Beatles, the Woodstock women who eased the way toward sexual freedom. They lived through the sixty’s and now they’re in their sixties. If you are interested in writing about and for the boomers then, author, know thy sub-genre.

Writing an older woman protagonist has undeniable appeal. In her you discover a character of complexity and depth. She has confidence, wisdom… experience. Imagine the possibilities for characters, setting and plot.

-Feel the energy between a silver cougar and her prey. Is her motivation lust for his hard body or is she damaged and hiding her need? Is he drawn to her mystique, living MILF fantasies or does he plan to steal her money? What do they talk about? Where is the conflict? Who gets hurt and who is healed?

-A similarly aged couple finds a second chance love. Can two households merge? Do their adult children worry about the wills or cringe in disgust with each kiss. Which is worse? Which is real? Can their love survive their offspring?

-An older woman is polyamorous. Is she honest or deceitful? What will the neighbors say about multiple partners? Would she care? Will her lovers meet in conflict then end in a threesome?

What about writing physical limitations and the body image issues that millennials have yet to discover? Tread lightly here lest you break the spell. Use softer images, shimmering fabric catching candlelight or try something risky like a shared vape under moonlight and they end up naked in the lake.

Her body is no longer perfect. You might describe the grace of her movement, the curve of a shoulder or the shape of his arms but consider what point when physical description must yield to expressions of feeling. The softness of her breast, the warmth of his skin, the magic of losing self-awareness in the moment, the urgency in knowing that this could be the last time either one experiences this feeling of love in their lifetime.

Age creeps on, choices lessen. Lovers sicken and die. When you write a character that a boomer identifies with she escapes more readily in your work. Once again she’s made beautiful, desirable and loved. They value this feeling for its rarity. They are greatly mindful of the moments ahead and appreciate each one all the more.

If you wish to write such a romance, understand that She is not your grandmother’s grandmother. She is Women’s Liberation in the Age of Aquarius. She’s the bra burner, the Great Mother and the flower child of love.

Do her justice. Write her truth. Write her well.

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Why Kernersville?

I once had a conversation that went like this:

Me: My biggest fear in life is that I will die in Kernersville.

Her: Why would you care where you die?

Me: I rather drown in the pool at the Paris Ritz or crash a plane into Iguazu Falls… or be shot by a jealous lover in Taos… something like that.

Her: You’re so dramatic.

Me: Are you saying the problem is me?

Kernersville is a perfectly lovely town with a fine historic district. At the crossroads of Main St. and Mountain there once stood a tavern where George Washington ate breakfast. There is a stone marker to commemorate this historic meal. For years a tanning salon stood on the site. I once joked to a woman that George Washington got his tans there. She believed me and repeated this, as fact, to her teenage daughter.

Geez, I thought, and I live here?

Truth is that I had a rough start and a low opinion of Kernersville. I didn’t fit in and it soon became evident that, if a tough city gal like me was to survive here, I needed to learn to keep my head down and my F-ing mouth shut.

But there is a reason why I stayed, a reason why the population of this town has almost doubled in the past twenty years. Here we wake to the song of the birds. It hardly ever snows and the gardens are lush with flowers. The rolling hills and halcyon of the Carolina Piedmont is the sort of place that’s too easy and comfortable to leave. Once you move here you tend to stay.

A short drive west is a location where a group of Moravians settled and stayed. Old Salem dates from the 1750’s. It became a center of talented craftsmen who valued education. Here they built Salem College, the first women’s college in America.

Winston-Salem is now known as the “City of the Arts” and for good reason. Not just because it founded the first arts council in the US, but because it is home to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA), The Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the UNC School of the Arts. Major film, theatre and music festivals are held each year. The list of attractions is endless.

East of Kernersville (take that, Steinbeck!) lies a place where Quakers settled, also in the 1750’s. Here the nationally recognized Greensboro Symphony led by the superb Demitri Sitkovetsky is heard. The Eastern Music Festival brings hundreds of concerts each year. And, historically speaking, from the Battle of Guildford Courthouse to the brave black students who sat at the Woolworth’s lunch counter, Greensboro has survived the best and worst of human nature.

And in the hub of this place, where art grows quicker than tobacco, Jule Korner’s father founded the Town of Kernersville. Jule was born here, on Main St and stayed. He built Korner’s Folly on Main St. He lived here and died here, on Main St.

His great home, Korner’s Folly, often called “the strangest home in America”, appears to have three stories from the outside but on the inside there are seven different levels. The ceiling height ranges from five and a half feet to twenty five. Originally there were stables on the first floor and the attic is believed to have been the first private “Little Theater” in America. Obviously Jule possessed a wildly creative soul. People laughed at and criticized him for his unusual tastes and constant renovation. He was an artist, his home was a work in progress and neither he nor his home fit in.

And like many evolutions in the piedmont, Jule’s home had a difficult start… rough beginnings as a livestock stable… with a dirt floor covered in horse sh!#. As time progressed it was altered to hold a reception parlor and sewing room. The heart of this home survived a continuous state of flux on so many levels, growing pains of constant change. The ceilings may have felt too high or hung too low, staircases and passages too wide or narrow. It was never a good fit for the Korner family then or to the many who visit it today. But the attic… in the attic of the structure grew actors and playwrights… the arts of the theater. Here our yesterday “lighted fools” as they strutted or fretted their “hour upon the stage”.

We are Korner’s Folly. We’re the actors, the inventors, the explorer and pilgrim. We are the artists and we are the art… all works in progress… ever blending.

I’ve grown to like Kernersville, this place that I call home. And when I die… let my ashes blow with the winds and settle where they may… because I belong to this land.

I’m staying.

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Did you Know this About May 5th?

by Jonna ellis holston

We often think of Cinco de Mayo as the Mexican 4th of July. When in reality it was the day that the poor Mexican people pissed off the rich and powerful French.

In short, after four years of civil war, Mexico owed millions in foreign debt. President Benito Juarez suspended payments of those debts for two years so that they could recover. Napoleon III took advantage and sent almost 6,000 highly trained and well equipped soldiers to secure said debt, yet on May 5th, 1862 the brave, unorganized fighters of Mexico crushed that French Army at The Battle of Puebla, probably yelling Arriba… Up… Go onward!

ONE BATTLE against (what was considered) the best army in the world, an army which had not been defeated in almost fifty years. Embarrassed, Napoleon sent in the French Navy, 30,000 more troops who went on to occupy Mexico City but that ONE battle became a symbol of Mexican pride and did a great service to America.

“Service to America,” you ask. “Why was this HUGELY important to the US?”

Because we were in the midst of our own Civil War and according to scholars and historians, the French planned to use Mexico as a base to help the Confederates against the Union Soldiers and IF THEY HAD we would live in a very different society today. Mexican guerilla freedom fighters continued to harass the French and in doing so, they thwarted French plans to INVADE our country.

So go out and party, celebrate! Have some tacos, fajitas, a margarita or two, and maybe thank a Mexican person because without their persistence we might not be a United States of America.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

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Never Doubt I Love

Sad blue eyes and a fine even smile, his build bragged of gym dues and vegetables. A friend of a friend, that’s usually how these things start, he said he was recently divorced, forty years void of love. I believed him. If any man seemed starved for affection it was he and if anyone’s self-esteem had been ruthlessly damaged, it was his.

hugBoth over sixty, an odd age for a summer love but astounding beauty like his was a gift. Was my judgment clouded by perfection, my sight blurred by superb? I wanted him and I wanted him to know that I wanted him, and the tastes of his kisses were pastries of sensory delight. I savored each one, found joy in his touch. I devoured this man from each graceful finger to his strong lovely legs, gave him the tenderness he had learned to live without. Freely, without shame I admit to loving this man with all my might.

I guarded him jealously because I knew he would not be mine for long. As soon as he understood what a commodity he was in a world full of women, he’d be gone. Someone younger and prettier would get him that is exactly how it happened.

I got to love that man for only six months before he found her and it was painful as hell when he left. For three full months I cried, spent sleepless nights writing bad poetry, I even considered Prozac till I began to recognize a small spark of joy between each tear. I could be pleased for him because I knew that if anyone deserved happiness it was he. If anyone deserved to be appreciated, if anyone ever deserved to be loved it was this man.

Maybe Rumi was right when he said, The wound is the place where Light enters you.” Or maybe Bob Marley when he said, “Truth is everybody is going to hurt you. You just gotta find the ones worth suffering for.” But I clung to one thought, maybe she deserved him.

I am impressed with my heart. It’s still open, still willing to endure injury in order to love. I’m proud that this weird world hasn’t jaded me and no barriers protect from deep feeling. I’m only slightly crazy, I don’t drink… and I’d give all the Prozac in Walgreen’s to have a chance like that again, to help a deserving man grow in confidence and realize he is worthy of love. This was life affirming and there is no experience more existential than skin to skin, heart to heart, face to face contact and sharing vital breath with someone you love.

Then I did the math. Six months of bliss minus three months of melancholy, I’m ahead by three months. Net positive, bliss, hell, ya, I’d do it again. It beat the heck out of crocheting shawls by lamp light.

If you must lose in love, lose to a woman half your age with long gorgeous legs and a doctorate. A large house on acres of land is a plus, an heiress maybe with a sports car or two for good measure. Or to a kind, sincere, loving soul who rescues animals, volunteers with the elderly and keeps a vegetable garden.

I saw them in the analgesic section of Walgreens. I peered through the endcap gaping. She had a fake set of boobs like two fishbowls, her hem was crooked and her eyelashes came from a box. I wished them well (him more so than her). Perhaps he has found the woman of his dreams or an adolescent-like crush on a cheap shiny piece or maybe, just maybe she recues kittens between hair appointments. So goodbye to my handsome, make your life happy… and love… love willingly, love passionately, love with everything you’ve got.

But, damnation, if I had lived forty years of neglect and had a body like his, I’d keep looking. In truth, I’d probably be messing around like Tiger Woods on hell fire.

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Meeting Jack Kerouac by Jonna Ellis Holston

I was about to meet Jack Kerouac, pioneer of the beat generation, the man who wrote On the Road in twenty days on Benzedrine, typed it on a 120 ft. scroll of tracing paper taped together like only a person high on Bennies would do, the guy who practically invented the style of spontaneous prose. Was this the most exciting night of my life? Alas, I was just a seven year old girl. Meeting Jack impressed me less than knowing that I could stay up late that night at Aunt Mary’s party.20160118_125848_resized

A man in a wrinkled trench with a Florida tan, a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, he stood before me. Auntie Mary handed me paper and a pen, told me to ask for his autograph. He was creepy, his undershirt was showing and he was… wobbly. With trepidation, I did as told.

“What do you want me to write?” he asked Mary, cigarette hanging between lips and acting as though he’d been pestered by a bug.

“Write something nice about Jonna,” she said and spelled my name for him. He wrote just that. Jonna… just Jonna and tried to hand it back to me. “Come on, Jack write something nice,” she goaded. He wrote more words, signed the page and handed it to Auntie for perusal.

“Jonna is a goner in Glockamara. Oh Jack, you’re so silly,” she laughed and passed the page to me.

I may have been only seven but I knew that this guy wasn’t normal. I thanked him and retreated. With signature in hand I ran to my place, my place behind the large potted plants to try and figure out, with my seven year old mind, what the heck the famous writer meant by Jonna is a goner in Glockamara. I knew about alcohol. I liked when the people at Mary’s parties got wobbly, everyone laughed and danced. There was even some old lady who would sing when she was wobbly. I could watch everyone from my little secret place but tonight I was keeping an eye on him, this guy… Kerouac, this weirdo that everyone seemed to be so gaga over, I mean… somebody had to.

What was so great about him? Look at how he was dressed. People wore their best at Mary’s parties, how come he got to wear dirty old clothes? And he was wobbly but he wasn’t singing or dancing or having fun. He wasn’t… enjoying wobbly.

“Oh, Jack, let me fill your drink.” I heard from somebody.

I spied Uncle Dino, crossed the room and climbed onto his lap. He explained that Jack was an alcoholic and I comprehended that notion pretty well. “Well if he drinks too much then why is everybody getting him more?” I asked… when life was still simple.

“Watch what he does. He takes his drink then he sits over there.” He pointed to the chair next to my place in the plants. “Watch him”. Jack sat; hunched over, sipped his drink. I soon got bored and started playing with Uncle Dino’s face. “There.”

“You missed it. Go watch him from the plants like you do.” Well this just floored me. How did Uncle Dino know about my place? People never paid attention to me at a grown-up party. Wasn’t I invisible? I skulked back to my place, as close to Jack as a plant to dirt.

“Jack, let me freshen your drink,” said some lady I knew. I looked across at Dino. He nodded and I realized that Dino was sitting in his place. That seemed pretty funny to me, that Dino had a place where he watched people too. We smiled knowingly, one observer to the other as she served Jack his drink; he took a small sip and held the glass precariously in his lap. I watched this old guy sip his drink and it was still boring, but a small leather notebook peeked from his pocket and it caught my eye. Jack shifted his weight and it stuck out a bit more, then he may have crossed his legs or something and it was right there…

I can’t say for sure if the book fell out of his pocket or if I helped it out. I may actually have picked the pocket of Jack Kerouac and then I hid the journal between the pots. Uncle Dino gave me a stern look from his place then tipped his chin for me to watch Jack. That was about as exciting as watching ice melt. His drink of amber, still half full, Jack lifted his head sharply, looked around then he dumped his drink into the plant beside him. What? Why did he do that? I looked to Dino for answers.

Jack jumped up to argue again with someone about something and I flipped through his book, his book of scribbles. I couldn’t read any of it but I recognized one symbol, the crucifix and it was on most every page. I guessed it was a prayer book and I reverently placed it in his chair and made for the shelter of Dino’s lap.

Jack died about ten years later, in 1969, of cirrhosis. I refreshed that memory with Uncle Dino several times and he confirmed that not only did he witness Jack dump drinks frequently but that he often saw him transform from nearly passed-out drunk to completely sober within seconds in order to read a passage or a poem, perfectly enunciated, for the crowd.

That was also the year when I first read On the Road I understood none of it. I’ve re-read the work several times since. What holds me to the pages is the rawness of his words, the feelings of how never did anything ever go right, the desperate a search to find meaning in a messed up life. In that way, I suppose, it’s every man’s story.

We were from Lowell. In 1959, the year I first saw Jack, Lowell was a distressed mill town of greyness and brick. Our family home overlooked greenery. About forty years earlier, he grew up near the smelly Merrimac which rippled its flotsam and side-floating fish. Everyone in town called him Jack… just Jack.

You can swim in the Merrimac River now. The mills are museums and trendy shops. Kerouac Park, downtown by the river… there, the homeless sleep. Monoliths engraved with exquisite quotes of his work shade the drug deals and wear spray paint graffiti. Somehow I think he’d be okay with that.

Jack claimed that his stories were about his search for God. I only know that I saw the crosses in his journal with my young impressionable eyes. To me his work will always be about hope, hope for the disenfranchised, hope for the oppressed, for the different, for the mad.

Glockamara, next I heard of Glocca Morra was from Finnian’s Rainbow. It’s a sentimental song about a fictional Irish town with little brooks, willow trees and a carefree boy with twinkling eyes. It sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

So, how are things in Glocca Morra, Jack, since you’ve been gone? I imagine that you are resting by a gentle stream with a cool breeze on your face. I hope you found peace and I hope you found God, because when I saw you, Jack, you drank alone.

Pictured above, Charles G Sampas (my uncle and Godfather), my beautiful mother, Rachel Ellis and Jack.

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Mary of the Sun

mary sampas (smaller)My Aunt Mary wrote for The Lowell Sun for seventy-six years. She started while still a high school girl… under pen names… looong before women commonly reported for newspapers. She and my Uncle Charles G Sampas, a mild mannered news editor from a great historic city’s newspaper, were my God Parents. Often glued to Mary’s side, I recall The Sun as a chaotic place full of screaming, sweaty reporters desperate to read ribbons spewed forth from the wires. I still smell the ink and burnt coffee, and hear the deafening noise of the printing machines. “It’s a lot of work to bring news to the people,” she told me.

And remember those phones that had wires attached to walls? Mary Sampas was attached to one of those… always tucked under an ear, scribbling notes and trading in gossip and fact as she covered the glamorous stars of old Hollywood, Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant, David Niven, many others. Mary and Charlie even accompanied the Kennedys on their Paris trip with Charles de Gaulle and then off to Vienna for the Khrushchev talks. Even Jackie called on Mary for the inside scoop.

She slept late… till the calls began… then the typing would start. Evenings were usually spent socializing with those who were known to be in the know. Hers was a world of endless working parties with artists, writers or prominent Democrats. With non-stop, indefatigable charm and the brain of a word processor she would pursue secrets, discover, verify. What was show and what remained hidden in the backroom smoke?

She brought me to my first ballet when I’d just turned eleven. After the captivating magic and beauty on stage I decided, right there, that I wanted to be a ballerina when I grew up. She asked me if I’d like to see the ballerinas up close. I thought I was the luckiest girl alive as we sauntered behind the curtains with press pass in hand. But I was struck by the naked authenticity of costumes tossed, the smell of sweat, cold cream and wilting rose. This was typical Mary, don’t get lost in this dream, this takes a lifetime of hard work and practice. Search for the story behind the story, find what’s real.

It wasn’t that she set out expose the chaotic core trapped in the center of every bright star; she just sought truth and didn’t treat children like babies. I don’t think she could have read a fairytale without somehow exposing the dust between pages. Even during the Camelot sparkle of the Kennedy years I knew about the telling fingernails, bitten down to the quick and smartly hidden under Jackie’s gloves.

She loved the famous, the talented, and the informed. She filled her life and home with them yet she intellectually cartwheeled over most. The glamorous and entertaining Mary possessed the most astute mind in the room and damn if she didn’t know that it was true. I went to some of those parties full of important people but I, too young to know that this wasn’t normalcy, usually fell asleep in her bed.

Aunt Mary’s last party was her grand finale. Kidney failure and she’d refused treatment. Saints Medical Center in Lowell gave Her Majesty the largest possible room where she was surrounded by friends, loved ones and family, where fans came to pay their respects to a most beloved woman, toasted the One who had provided a lifetime of the beautiful usage of language. From her hospital bed she wrote her last piece for the paper.

She called to say good bye. I could hear Frank Sinatra music playing faintly behind her. I, unwilling to let go, asked her if she thought dialysis would really be so terribly bad.

“Yes it would,” she said, yet another truth. “They say it won’t hurt but it always does.”

She told me how much she loved me and I, with tears welling, tried to convey to her what she meant to me and what an honor it was to have her in my life. I wanted to be there with her but there was a Nor-eastern blizzard in the forecast. I had a sprained ankle and my car needed breaks.

It was Classic Mary and the last truth she told me before she died. “You know,” she said, “you were always an awful lot of work.” I was, indeed, and smiles still linger on the tears of my memory. On January 12th, 2011, just over 5 years ago and at age 93, the Great Woman passed onward.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old, familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always did.

                                                                                Rosamunde Pilcher

                                                January 8th, 2016

Dear Auntie Mary,

You know… you could be a lot of work too,

But I would change nothing… because I had you.

PS: You always loved my bad poetry.

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Imagine, Selling Fear?

I used to work in broadcasting. Back in those days (I hate when I hear myself say that), to produce even a half hour of local news cost an astounding sum of money. I am going to share with you what I learned from years of working in TV; the programs exist to fill the spaces between commercials and the commercials (which exploit every conceivable weakness and fear in human-kind) bring in revenue which is mostly used to fund news departments. So when CNN launched 24hr News on June 1st, 1980 almost anyone who worked in the news industry thought it would be unsustainable and a whopping financial flop. That was over 35 years ago.

In spite of the unlimited video recording devices in our back pockets, TV news remains astronomically expensive to produce. Soon TV executives came to realize that it was too expensive to send reporters out to report on actual news and much LESS expensive to hire personalities to give their opinions on perceived news. Then those opinions can be played over and over until we accept opinion as fact. These are the people who are molding our history now. Heck, even Glenn Beck is writing and producing History House, preserving his version of history in stories for children who, he imagines, are just waiting for his opinions.

I recently met a group of friends discussing the violent crime rate and what we could do, as concerned citizens, to reduce it. If these fine people had read FBI reports instead of listening to 24hr News they would know that since the early 1990’s crime in America has dropped… sharply. We have reduced crime. We continue to reduce crime. Crime rates now are almost as low they were in 1960. That is fact (please google the FBI violent crime statistics if you doubt this), but how can you convince someone who watches the news… for the news cycle knows how remarkably effective fear is at keeping our eyes on the screen. They run and re-run opinions, between re-runs of shooting and gore… until we accept that NOW is… (Insert computer generated explosion) an unbelievably horrible time in which to live.

So I’m just going to come out and say this… TV is not real. TV news is an illusion. Magic pictures fly through the air. They invade our homes like body snatchers for profit, paid for by commercials selling products that promise to make us feel better. TV is turning us into a nation of frightened people and that’s a pretty sad commentary on the Home of the Brave.

All the while the world improves… silently.

Six months after the debut of CNN, singer/songwriter, John Lennon was shot down outside his home in New York City. It was run and re-run, between ads for deodorant and aspirin. You might have seen a picture of him on my FB page on the anniversary of his death. I reposted it from a woman named Chiron O’Keefe who keeps better accounts of such things. A day later I heard the lyrics of his song:

“A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear.”

And that is what I wish for too.

So, make it a good one. And if you want to watch your news, by all means, watch. Just remember that fear has been brought to you by someone who just wimagineants to sell you something.

Happy 5th,

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Strange Times and Weird Holidays

Billy Pilgrim came for Thanksgiving then swiftly became unstuck in time. He travelled onward… or back.

Those of you who remember Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five know that when time came unstuck for Billy, he could spring forward to a happier place or he could fall back to appalling happenstance, like the bombing of Dresden during World War II. Billy had no say when it came to the matter of time. We, however, have a modicum of control over ours.

We even time travel- to an extent, not physically like Billy, but we can remember… relive what that shiny red bike looked like on that best Christmas ever, recall what it felt like to hold a newborn. We think ahead, hope for better, and manifest our dreams. The Pilgrim within gets to choose where we travel. We don’t have to visit any of the ugly stuff, past present or future if we don’t want to.

In one of my favorite parts of Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy’s fiancé flashed her diamond ring at Mr. Rosewater, “Billy got it in the war,” she beamed. Did she know that the gem came from rubble which once was Dresden; the rock was a spoil of war? To her it was a symbol of love, her dream of upcoming happiness, her time travel forward.

Mr. Rosewater’s reply could not have been challenged, “That’s the wonderful thing about war. Everybody gets something.” I get it, Mr. Rosewater. Some people get diamonds and others get dead.

Without understating the sufferings of war by comparing them to holidays, I have to admit that similarities do exist… especially this particular Holiday Season.

And as I travel back to our family holidays, they were like a series of tiny Napoleonic battles. We shouted, pounded on tables, about politics, social issues… religion, we dug up past resentments… said hurtful words. There is no doubt that we loved each other, we loved each other like mad, but with the collective holiday anger of my crazy family? Unite us, add one case of brandy, a few bottles of Ouzo and we could have invaded Canada.

That’s the thing about holidays, everybody gets something. Some get arguments and some get loved, some get the Lexus and some stand in line for a meal. Some children get a bike and others get shot.

So as the month of gratitude gives way to peppermint truffles and decadence I will live my moments more deliberately, select my thoughts carefully, choose the kindest words possible when speaking about our world as it is. And with my memories, I guess, I’ll be selective. After all, those impetuous relatives are sorely missed now. So it goes.

I look forward with hopefulness, to a time when peace on planet earth is achievable. I’ll dream that everyone everywhere has food, clothing and shelter. I’ll imagine that it’s so. And I will accept what I get this year (thank you very much for the lovely brown socks) with grace.

I hope for patience and tolerance from all of the people I love. No gifts for me this year, there’s nothing I need, except one favor from all. I need an advance on forgiveness, like a caveat, a hall pass or a ‘get out of jail free’ card. Those will do very well for me, please. Because I, like Billy Pilgrim, have a history… and probably even a genetic pre-disposition to becoming unstuck… just a little.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

Enjoy Christmas present.

Take time for love!

And maybe re-read an old favorite,

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