What To Do In Vevey, Switzerland
Vevey, Switzerland is a vibrant town on the north shores of Lake Geneva (Lake Leman) about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Lausanne or 50 kilometers (32 miles) from Geneva. The town is most famous for being the home of Charlie Chaplin for the last 25 years of his life (1952-1977) although the Swiss may tell you Vevey is most famous for being the place where milk chocolate was invented in 1875. Or, they may tell you that Vevey is where the Nestle Company was founded in 1866 by Henri Nestle. All may all be true but Vevey is also where the Musee de l’Alimentation or the Food Museum is located. Read more 
A Life Coach, Really?
Lately, I’ve been reading and hearing quite a bit about life coaches. There was a time when the only coaches in my universe were for sports: football, soccer, baseball, water polo, track, and all the other sports Americans are just mad for. But in recent years there has been a proliferation of coaches for every aspect of life: diet, health, exercise, executive, business, financial, dating, conflict, religious, and the big one of all: LIFE. Read more
Cream of Tomato Soup (Without the Cream)
It’s a keeper, mom” – those were the words spoken by my daughter last night after I made a my newest version of her favorite soup: Cream of Tomato. Music to my ears after a week of strike-outs (Rice and Shrimp Salad with Peas, Low Fat Italian Meatballs – frankly, I should have known better than to try something low-fat linked with the word “Italian”). Read more
Zyliss: The Swiss Queen of Gadgets
In my home, I am known as the “Gadget Queen” – a nickname that was given to me a few years back by a friend who noted that every time he and his family visited, I had a new gadget. He would barrel in the front door and before putting his suitcases down would say “so, what’s the new gadget this year?” Read more
Technology Turn-Off
Nearly ten years ago, my husband and I turned off our cell phones and moved to Madrid, Spain. Cell phones weren’t in the hands of every man, woman, and child so we didn’t really think we were disconnecting from life. After all, we would still have a land line. We opted not to have cell phones in Spain primarily because we didn’t feel the need and we wanted to live in the moment with our young daughter. She was beginning first grade and we took her to school, picked her up, and if she went anywhere, we were always with her so there really was no need for a cell phone. Read more
A Day in Le Mont Saint-Michel, France
Le Mont Saint-Michel or more casually known as Mont St. Michel is probably one of the most photographed sites in France (after the Eiffel Tower). I was there in 1977 and remember being taken aback by the site of the towering island in the distance, charmed by the narrow stone streets for pedestrians only, and being served a huge omelet for lunch, which is what the town is also famous far. Flash forward 34 years and not much has changed. Read more
A Day in Bayeux, France
- The Cathedrale Notre-Dame of Bayeux
- The Bayeux Tapestry Read more
A Day in Normandy, France
In 1977 I went on a high school trip to France, Belgium and Holland – a whirlwind trip over 10 days that included a visit to the west coast of France although and I was unable to see Normandy because I was sick and left at the hotel to convalesce that day. I always regretted not being able to go so when my husband and I decided to explore the west side of France, Normandy was on our schedule. Read more
Franzen and Irving: Rock Stars of the Literary World
Several months ago, Jonathan Franzen and John Irving appeared together at a book club forum in Hartford, Connecticut. I was giddy with excitement at the prospect of seeing two of my favorite authors in a panel discussion. This wasn’t a book store appearance but a chance to hear two very talented authors speak about writing and their thoughts on literature. My husband compared my enthusiasm to the anticipation most people feel before an upcoming rock concert. Point well taken but Franzen and Irving are rock stars in the oft ignored literary world. Read more
Corn – The Other Grain
Corn or “maize” has been getting bad press over the past few years primarily because its best attributes – speed and versatility – can also be its worst, thus inviting criticism. Corn grows rapidly in diverse climates and as such is grown throughout the world although the USA and China are the largest producers. In its most pure form, corn is a grain cultivated and harvested early with the kernels used as a vegetable because its natural sugar content is at its highest early: hence the word “sweet corn.” High in fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, and vitamin C, corn is also low in fat and sodium. Read more
Paddock Post 