Forgotten differences

Back in the States after being overseas for almost a year, I keep stumbling across some 'everyday sightings' here in the US that you just don't see in Kiev.  Relatively non noteworthy  that only now, upon seeing again, do I realize are additional differences.....




Ink: An hour in the airport alone and it's obvious how much more ink we have here.  In Ukraine you just don't see much of it (and given you do see plenty of skin - I don't think the ink is simply hiding)

Eco Motivation: OK, this one is obviously missing in Ukraine......but I was reminded how vehemently the US (& California in particular) is protecting Mother Earth with this sighting....

Seriously - no plastic bags even available for purchase here.   Go California - setting the eco bar ever higher!




Muscles & Same Sex Couples: While the women in Kyiv are often quite svelte, bulgy muscles or serious tone is not something that is widely visible......and same sex couples?  NO WAY!  Pretty 50 years ago on that one.......

BUT, on the other hand, while at the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz (another whole story on its own), I did see someone who reminded me of home in Kyiv....

What hair!

So despite the reminder about the differences, I was also reminded we have our similarities too!




Here's to appreciating differences & wishing you a good hair day.

Wonderfully weird Santa Cruz

A short 14 hour 'jaunt' (3 hour drive + 2 flights) from Minnesota gets us to sunny Northern California....

We KNEW we were in California with these sure signs.....

Holy produce - blueberries the size of marbles, all perfect and delish!

Eco Extravaganza - hybrid cars, recycling bins everywhere....

...even along the side of the path!

Fit & healthy - bikers & joggers everywhere.  And I literally have not seen a single smoker since entering the state.  They clearly aren't making it easy to light up - no smoking in buildings & according to this can, no smoking on the beach path either!  

AND, Then there's Santa Cruz...... there's a whole next level of interest when you enter Santa Cruz - a medium sized beach city self-reported a weird town....

The town is probably most well known for its 'Beach Boardwalk'....a nice wide, sandy beach with an old-time amusement park adjacent to it....

But where's the weird in that?

The weirdness is its inhabitants.....fab dread guy

....pro peace demonstrators......

....creative can recycling.....

The best yet is the 'stuffie RV' - a camper van decorated with tons of stuffed animals and a 'LOVE ALL' sign atop driving around the city spreading the good word......

But weird is fun - so here's to having fun - especially if you're proudly waving your 'freak flag' while doing it!

You know you're in Minnesota

After a year of stealth photographs & reporting generalities overseas, it only seems fair to turn the camera around on the good old USA....


While I grew up moving around, every summer we religiously vacationed in Minnesota.  One of the northern most states, it's known for its 10,000+ lakes, abundant farms and down-home simplicity.  Ok, blah, blah, blah - what are the 'real obvious signs' that you are in Minnesota?




Lake Fun: Sand castles, paddling, tubing, water skiing and throwing clams - all scream Minnesota to me...

Dairy Queen: While technically neighboring Wisconsin takes the 'dairy state' title, I cannot go into a DQ without thinking fondly of Minnesota....

Crafty: Likely due to the C-O-L-D winters, Minnesota is the state where I suspect crafting began.  Knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, jamming - you name it - these ladies do it with skill.

Zoe enjoyed some beading at Mary's - a family friend & ex-school teacher who operates a beading extravaganza twice a week.




Delicious, farm-fresh (but not so weight conscious) food

Yes - that is pork chops on a stick!

And they really are fantastic!

Fishin' & Huntin':  In the bookstore today, we had to wait behind a guy showing the clerk pictures of the spotted walleye he caught yesterday.  But you can be certain you are in Minnesota when you pull into the gas station & see one of these....

Imagine - being able to buy your live bait 24 hours a day!




So here's to summer vacation and to Minnesota's fabulous & happily under-rated appeal

Simple joy

A friend asked what we miss most from home.......beyond the most important & obvious - friends and family - the things that give me big joy are surprisingly basic...

Garbage disposal = oh how fab to not have to scoop chunks of food out of the sink....

'Normal American' sized wash machine = Oh how even more fab to be able to wash a week's worth of laundry for 4 in 2 loads!  (Barbie inside for scale)

High speed internet = Oh how exciting to upload pictures so fast you don't need to have a book to read while waiting....

Fountain Diet = Ice, a straw and a lid in a giant cup - often refillable - how soda was meant to be served!  

(please ignore the 'Zoe food show' going on - it was only day 2 home - excitement trumped manners)

Knowing what the hell is going on = Our favorite diner omelets at 7:30, haircuts at 9, treats at 7-11 after, library at 10, grocery shopping and pizza for lunch all before the 2pm dentist......oh the joys of efficiency that comes with knowing where things are and how they work!

(and entertaining that with that hair she is the professional!)

Heres to celebrating favorites - big and small!

Fs for London

With a stop over in London, I vow to no longer lament the loss of non-stop flights (not so many places we can fly directly from Kyiv)….London was FFFFFantastic

Friendly:   2 crabby post-flight adults, 3 kids and 6 rolley bags is generally a hot mess people steer clear of……not in London!  On the tube heading to our hotel, we had no less than a ½ dozen commuters stop & help carry bags up or down stairs for us.  Sales clerks smile & strangers chat you up (oh how I miss that!). 

Even construction signs are polite……

Fancy: the buildings, sidewalks, grocery stores and airport all looked fancy.  Add the entertaining pomp & circumstances permeating things like the Buckingham Palace’s changing of the guards…..

…Wimbeldon being aired on a big screen in a public square

….with appropriately fancy chairs (not even corded down!)

The abundance of nice public rental bikes pushed several of us over the edge..

....ready to pack bags & move there!

Flag waving:  Given the Queen’s Jubilee (celebrating her 60 years at the throne) on top of the Olympics opening in less than a month, I guess it is not all that surprising that patriotism was in the air…..

….or that tourist shops are capitalizing on it…..

But hot damn, the Union Jack is really everywhere

Fried deliciousness: The fish n chips really was all I had hoped it would be and more…..

Foul Language: Given my own appreciation of colorful descriptors (‘shit ton’, ‘f@#$ nut’), the abundance of F-bombs & “Bloody Hells” cracked me up.  And ‘blimey’ – anything in a British accent sounds funnier anyhow

Fun: The city is bursting with fun things to do…..

Theater aplenty – we saw Shrek the musical with good friends from Kiev (back in the UK for summer)….

Major sites - given our excessive Chevy Chase European Vacation quoting “Look kids, Big Ben”, we prioritized accordingly......

(can you guess which kid came down with a fever later that day?)

After all that, Xavier reported his London highlight was our lengthy visit to the (relatively new & enormous) M&M World store!

He has an interesting way of showing his love given his 'mini altercation' with the red M&M 

....he reports he was just trying to open the M&M’s mouth to see the person inside.. 

... it looked a lot like a shove to me.  Mr. Red M&M quickly stepped aside to try to engage other more gentle fans!

Happy Monday.  Here's to fantastic detours!