PYOCC

 

I asked a Farmer Friend I know if their candy corn crop was good this year. I got no reply. I hope it is. I love candy corn. I would even go to the farm to PYOCC (Pick Your Own Candy Corn.)

Off The Path

I have always been one who likes to travel off the beaten path.

I don’t go on Group Tours (unless they are 1 Day ones) and I don’t like travelling by myself.

I have used all sorts of different traveling methods: an Old Soviet Train with Uncomfortable Wooden Benches in Russia; Over-Crowded Ferries; a Plane that was held together with Duct Tape; High Speed Trains; a 3 Seater Arctic Hydro-Plane; Limousines; First Class Planes; Private Taxis; Public Taxis; a Private Jet; a Hired Car with a Private Driver; a Snowmobile; a Gondola in Venice; a Monorail; a Speed Boat; in a Hot Air Balloon; an Over-Crowded Plane with no Class Sections and random Animals on it (Not Service Animals); a Paddle Boat; a Helicopter;  a Bike; a Funicular in Ukraine; a Canoe and a Dog Sled.

I have stayed in all sorts of different places: in a Hostel that was a Former Jail in Canada; in the back of a Pick-Up Truck; at a 6 Star Resort; at a Haunted Motel; at a Soviet Khrushchevka in Ukraine;  at All-Inclusive Resorts; at a Hotel that was constantly bombed during the 30 years of The Troubles; in the Back Seat of my Car;  at a French Castle; at a Closed Rest Area with no Visitor’s Center during a snowstorm; in an Ice Fishing Hut; in a Wilderness Emergency Cabin; on the Beach; in a Tent; on the Bare Ground; on a Bench during the Russian Winter; in a Cave; on a Houseboat; on a Barn; in a Tree House and at an Irish Castle.

I have done many fun and exciting things: gone Sky-Diving; gone Bungee Jumping; gone Para-Gliding; jumped out of a Helicopter into the Mediterranean Sea; gone Skinny Dipping; went to the Blue Grotto in Malta; swam in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland; went to German, Croatian, French, Dutch, British and Austrian Christmas Markets; went Rock Climbing off a Scottish Castle on Loch Lomond; skied in the Austrian and German Alps; swam with Dolphins in the Bahamas; spent the night at Frankenstein’s Castle in Darmstadt, Germany; went to Raves; went to Euro Disney in Paris; went to Disney World in Florida; went to Lego Land;  went to the Cliffs of Mohr in Ireland; walked on an Alaskan Glacier; went to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland; went to the Munich Oktoberfest; went to the Gullfoss in Iceland (where the European and Atlantic Tectonic Plates meet); went to the Gaeltacht (Irish-Speaking Area of Ireland); sat on the Throne at the Winter Palace/The Hermitage in Saint Petersburg; saw the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels); saw the Crown Jewels of England; went into the World Trade Center many times over the years when my Mom worked there; went to the Pentagon several times when my Dad worked there, went to the Rosh Hanikra Caves in Israel; saw the Canadian Maple Crown; went inside Lenin’s Mausoleum on Moscow; went to Stonehenge; went to the Masada Fortress in Israel; went to Sherwood Forrest;  went to Peterhof Castle in Saint Petersburg; flew a small plane from West Germany to England; fed Shamu at Sea World in San Antonio; reenacted in a Revolutionary War Battle at Saratoga; went to the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Canada; went to the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica; went up Magnetic Hill in Canada; took a tour of the White House; had a Colonial-Themed Meal at Colonial Williamsburg; swam in the Dead Sea; went to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; visited the Oldest City in the World – Jericho and rode a Horse in the Rain Forrest in Costa Rica.

I have travelled to many places most Americans haven’t: Several Hours North of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Russia (living there 2 times and visiting there 3 times); Montenegro; Croatia; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Cyprus; the West Bank Palestinian Territories; Iceland; West Germany; Campobello Island, Canada; Poland; the Isle of Skye, Scotland; the United Arab Emirates; Northern Ireland; Malta; Kuwait; Greece; Israel and Ukraine.

I have been very lucky and have gotten to do so many fun and interesting things in so many fun and interesting places.

I don't take any of that lightly.

For the past 17 years I have lived off-the-beaten path on my Mountain here in  New England where the Arctic Circle gets more Visitors every year then we do.

24: Ukraine

24: Ukraine

Ukraine stood with the United States on 9/11 and 22 years later we stand with Ukraine.

In 2001 the US faced pure evil and in 2022-2023- 2024- 2025 Ukraine faces pure evil.

24: Mike Kehoe

24: Mike Kehoe

 Here is New York Firefighter Mike Kehoe inside the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

He is running up the stairs, through thick airplane engine smoke and fires, to save people while others) are running to their safety.

He survived the collapse by a mere 30 seconds.

343 of his Firefighter Colleagues did not.

24: Michael & Roselle

 24: Michael And Roselle

Michael Hingson has been Blind since Birth.

He worked as a Regional Sales Manager and Head of Operations for Quantum/ATL, a Data-Protection Agency, on the 78th floor of the North Tower at the World Trade Center with his Service Dog, Roselle.

On September 11, 2001 Michael was setting up the Conference Room for their Breakfast Meeting and Roselle took her position near the door to great People.

Moments later Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower swaying it back and forth.

Michael and Roselle walked down 78 flights of stairs to safety.

Roselle passed away on June 26, 2011 with Michael and his Wife, Karen, by her side.

They subsequently formed Roselle’s Dream Foundation in her honor; the Nonprofit Charity educates People on Blindness and assists Blind Children and Adults in obtaining technology to help them navigate the world around them.

24: Jumpers

24: Jumpers

 24 years ago today (September 11, 2001) an estimated 200 people jumped to their deaths from the burning Towers of the World Trade Center before they collapsed. They have since been called “Jumpers."

The vast majority were at or above the points of impact from the planes and had to choose either to burn or choke to death or jump.

In early video coverage (when the Towers were burning, but hadn't collapsed yet) you can hear the "thumps" as their bodies hit the ground.

This is a picture (called “The Falling Man”) of an unidentified man who jumped out of the burning Towers to the street below. It was only published once in the United States (on September 12, 2001) and then never again because many people thought it was too horrific to see.

It IS horrific and that is why EVERYONE (especially those too young on 9/11 or not yet born then) needs to see it and others like it. It captures exactly what happened on 9/11. Thousands of innocent men, women and children started their day like any other and then were wounded or killed because of the actions of the Terrorists.

The NY Medical Examiner’s Office doesn’t classify the people who jumped from the Towers as “Suicides” because they did not go to their work that day intending to die. They were faced with no other options since no rescue workers could get to them and the smoke and fire were about to consume them.

In the Documentaries and other Video Footage of the Attacks you can clearly hear the “thumps” and “crashes” of those who jumped as they hit other buildings, cars, people or the streets below.

The exact number of “Jumpers” will never be known since both Towers fell on top of them afterwards.

24: Wheelchair

24: Wheelchair

 (Picture: John Cerqueira on the left and Michael Benfante on the right shortly after leaving the World Trade Center carrying Tina Hansen in a wheelchair from the 68th Floor and handing her over to the Paramedics. Moments later the Towers fell.)

24 years ago today (on September 11, 2001) 22 year old John Cerqueira and his Boss, Michael Benfante, went from the 81st Floor down to the 68th Floor of the North Towers of the World Trade Center after the planes hit the Towers.

On the 68th Floor they came across a Woman they had never met, Tina Hansen, in a mechanized wheelchair who needed help evacuating since the elevators weren’t working.

The 2 Men transferred Tina from her mechanized wheelchair to a nearby evacuation wheelchair and started carrying her down from the 68th Floor.

It took an hour for the 2 Men to carry the wheelchair and Tina from the 68th Floor to the outside (through thick smoke, fires and lots of people.)

They had made it down 20 Floors when the South Towers Collapsed rocking the North Towers.

They quickened their pace and made it down to the outside where a News Reporter took their picture (right after they handled Tina Hansen to Paramedics and moments before the North Tower fell.)

A year later John Cerqueira was at Michael Benfante’s Wedding as was Tina Hansen, in her new wheelchair.

Russia Attacks Poland

Russia launched 19 to 23 Military Drones from the Russian Federation into Poland today (September 10, 2025.)

(A home in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland lost its roof due to a Russian Drone.)

At least 8 Drones were shot down.

The Airspace over Warsaw International Airport, Warsaw Modlin Airport, Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport, and Lublin Airport was closed while the Russian Drone Fleet was in Polish Airspace.

Poland invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Article 4 is generally considered the starting point for major NATO operations, and therefore is intended for either emergencies or situations of urgency. It officially calls for consultation over military matters when "the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened." Upon its invocation, the issue is discussed in the North Atlantic Council, and can formally lead into a joint decision or action (logistic, military, or otherwise) on behalf of the Alliance.

Poland is a Member Country of the European Union so all 26 other EU Member Countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romanis, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) need to come together and punish Putin and Russia for this Attack.

Poland is a Member Country of NATO so all 31 other NATO Member Countries (Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States) need to come together and punish Putin and Russia for this attack.

Putin and the Russians have been attacking anything they want (Non-Military Men, Women and Children; Schools, Universities, Hospitals, Churches, etc.) they have committed countless War Crimes (Massacres of Non-Military Men, Women and Children; the Rape of Men, Women and Children; the Kidnapping of Men, Women and Children; the Torture of Men, Women and Children, etc.)

The EU and NATO now need to not only hold Russia accountable for all their past Crimes, but now their attack on the EU and on NATO.

We should have a diverse response to these Russian Attacks with Diplomatic Repercussions, Economic Repercussions as well as even Military Repercussions (including the bombing of Russia.)

Putin and his Nazi Zs only understand force and so we need to show them that force.

If we do nothing or have a poor response then Putin will see we don’t have a spine and will continue to attack wherever and whomever they want.

I am also in favor of sending NATO Troops (including Americans) to Ukraine. It stopped the Serbians from committing their War Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Croatia in the 1990s so hopefully it will stop Russia from committing their War Crimes in Ukraine today.

Putin and Russia have attacked us and now they are our Enemy (because an Attack on one NATO Country is an Attack on Every NATO Country) and we need to treat them as such. 

My Shots

 

 This prick got pricked!

That’s right I got my Covid and Flu Shots today.

For the first time in 16 years I had to go to a new Pharmacy 6 towns from my town since the other Pharmacy in the next town closed.

Sadly, because the Health and Human Services Director (Robert Kennedy Jr.) is an Anti-Vaxxer the vast majority of Americans (around 330 Million People) can’t get the Covid Vaccine this year if they wanted to.

I was only able to because of my Pre-Existing Conditions.

Why do I bother getting any vaccines?

I have been Volunteering regularly at the Nursing Home since last May and don’t want to get anyone there sick.

Even if I wasn’t Volunteering there I wouldn’t want to get my Sister sick and then have her go to work and get the Elderly and Disabled sick.

One-Way

 

Sadly many relationships (Family and Friends) are only "one way streets."

That's where one person is the only one  - or at least the main one - to initiate contact with another person.

 People often use the excuse that they are busy or they forgot, but if you really cared you would remember and find the time.

Everyone is busy.

Everyone forgets things.

Those aren't good excuses - especially in a world of IMs, e-mails, cell phones, FaceTime, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, regular mail, landline phones, etc.

I hope that I am not the person who is too busy or who forgets people.

Bottom Line: Check in on your Family, your Friends, the Elderly, the Sick, the Disabled, your Neighbors, etc.

50: Leonard Matlovich

 

50 years ago today (September 8, 1975) Technical Sergeant Leonard Phillip Matlovich of the US Air Force became the first Actively Serving Gay Service to purposely Out himself to the US Military to fight their ban on Homosexuals in the US Military.

He not only was on the cover of “Time” Magazine and The New York Times,  but did numerous Television Interviews (CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite) and had a Television Movie made about himself.

Leonard Matlovich was born on June 6, 1943 at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Georgia to Air Force Sergeant Leonard Matlovich.

He was a Military Brat who moved from one Base to another due to his Father’s Air Force career.

Leonard enlisted in the US Air Force when he was 19 years old in 1963.

Leonard volunteered for service in Vietnam and served 3 Tours of Duty there.

He was seriously wounded when he stepped on a landmine in Da Nang, South Vietnam.

He received the: Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Air Force Commendation,

Back in the US and after witnessing the Racism of the Jim Crow South, Leonard volunteered to teach Air Force Race Relations Classes.

He became so successful that the Air Force sent him around the country to coach other Instructors.

Leonard gradually came to believe that the discrimination faced by Gay People was similar to that faced by African Americans.

In 1973, when he was 30 years old, he Came Out to his Friends, but had to continue to keep it a secret from the US Military because of their Officially Gay Discrimination Policies.

In March 1975, after consulting with the ACLU and Gay Activists like Frank Kameny, Leonard hand-delivered a letter stating that he was Homosexual to his Langley Air Force Base Commanding Officer.

His Parents found out he was Gay when the story broke nationwide.

At that time, the Air Force had a fairly ill-defined exception clause that could allow Gay People to continue to serve if there were extenuating circumstances.

These circumstances might include being immature or drunk, exemplary service, or a one-time experimentation (known sarcastically as the "Queen for a Day" Rule). During Leonard’s September 1975 Administrative Discharge Hearing, an Air Force Attorney asked him if he would sign a document pledging to "never practice Homosexuality again" in exchange for being allowed to remain in the Air Force.

Leonard refused.

Despite his Exemplary Military Record, Tours of Duty in Vietnam, and high performance evaluations, the panel ruled Leonard Matlovich unfit for service, and he was recommended for a General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge.

The Base Commander, Colonel Alton J. Thogersen, citing Leonard’s Service Record, recommended that it be upgraded to Honorable. The Secretary of the Air Force agreed, confirming Matlovich's discharge in October 1975.

Leonard sued for reinstatement.

The Air Force offered Leonard a Financial Settlement instead. Convinced that the Military would find some other reason to Discharge him if he reentered the service, or that the Conservative Supreme Court would rule against him should the Air Force Appeal, Leonard accepted. The figure, based on back pay, future pay, and Pension, was $160,000 ($6,196,915.66 in 2025 Dollars.)

From the moment his case was revealed to the public, Leonard was repeatedly called upon by Gay Groups to help them with fundraising and advocating against Anti-Gay Discrimination, helping lead campaigns against Anita Bryant's efforts in Miami, Florida, to overturn a Gay Nondiscrimination Ordinance and John Briggs' attempt to ban Gay Teachers in California.

While appealing his Military Discharge, he moved from Virginia to Washington, D.C., and, in 1978, to San Francisco.

In 1981, he moved to the Russian River town of Guerneville, where he used the proceeds of his Settlement to open a Pizza Restaurant (it was closed in 1984.)

in 1985 he sold Ford Cars and once again became heavily involved in Gay Rights Causes and the fight for adequate HIV/AIDS Education and Treatment.

On June 22, 1988 in West Hollywood, California, a month before his 45^th Birthday, Leonard Matlovich died.

He was buried in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

On his Tombstone read: “When I was in the Military they gave me a Medal for killing Two Men and a Discharge for loving One.”

Before his death Leonard donated his Personal Papers and Memorabilia to the GLBT Historical Society, a Museum, Archives and Research Center in San Francisco.

In 2011 the United States Military officially ended its Gay Discrimination allowing Homosexuals to openly serve in the US Military.

In 2015, Homosexuals across the United States (except on Indian Reservations and American Samoa) were allowed to marry.

10 Days

The US Federal Government is set to Shutdown if both Houses and the President do not make a deal by September 30, 2025.

There are 4 weeks left, which may seem like a long time, but the House won’t be in session September 12^th-14^th and both the House and the Senate won’t be in-session September 19^th—September 28^th which means they only have 10 days to get a deal agreed to and signed (all 12 Funding Bills) before a Shutdown happens.

Right now there are no agreements on the 12 Funding Bills.

Since the Republicans control the House, the Senate and the Presidency if the Federal Government Shutdowns then it is solely the Republicans’’ fault that Ordinary Americans will suffer.

Government Attacked

 

Russia has attacked the Government Building in Kyiv, Ukraine.

They (the Russians) continue to push the War into more and more dangerous areas with their Kidnapping of Ukrainian Children; Raping Men, Women and Children; Massacring unarmed Civilians, Targeting Hospitals and Schools.

Now the Government Building.

I guess that means Kyiv would be in the right to attack Russia's Government Building (ie the Kremlin in Moscow.)

Those that do not support Ukraine are supporting Russia and their War Crimes - plain and simple.

Iran, China and North Korea are aiding Russia in their War Crimes.

European Countries and Canada are coming together to really help Ukraine and that is amazing to see.

Tres = 3

What do I use in my Tres Leches Cake?

Evaporated Milk, Condensed Milk, Almond Milk, Heavy Cream and Buttermilk.

^ I learned to count to 10 in Spanish by Maria and in English by the Count on “Sesame Street” and even I know that is wrong. ^

85: The Blitz

85 years ago today (September 7, 1940) the Germans started the Blitz over the United Kingdom.

(British Children in the East End of London, made homeless by the Blitz.)

This ended the Battle of Britain (July 10-September 6, 1940) in which the Germans bombed British military Targets to destroy the British Royal Air Force and to make the UK either sue for peace or be invaded by the Germans.

The Battle of Britian was fought between the Allies (British, Candian, Free French, Free Poles, Free Dutch, Free Belgians, Free Czechoslovaks, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and Newfounders) along with Volunteers from Neutral USA and Ireland against Germany.

The British won the Battle of Britain.

1,542 Allied Airmen died and 422 Allied Airmen were wounded during the Battle of Britain.

23,002 British Civilians were killed and 32,138 British Civilians were wounded during the Battle of Britain.

The Blitz lasted from September 7, 1940 -May 11, 1941.

The Germans bombed everything they could in the UK (Military Targets and Civilian Areas.)

They dropped 18,291 tons of bombs on London in 71 Air Raids over 8 months alone.

Besides London, the Germans also bombed: Liverpool (1,957 tons of bombs dropped), Hull, Bristol, Cardiff (115 tons of bombs dropped), Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton, Swansea, Belfast (440 tons of bombs dropped), Glasgow (1,329 tons of bombs dropped), Manchester (578 tons of bombs dropped), Coventry (818 tons of bombs dropped), Birmingham (1,852 tons of bombs dropped), etc.

The British used many kinds of Shelters to protect them from the German Air Raids: Basements, the Stations of the London Underground, Street Communal Shelters, Anderson Shelters (in people’s backyards with 3 million distributed) or a Morrison Shelter (a cage-like shelter kept inside the house for people in apartments or without a garden with ½ Million distributed.)

43,000 British Civilians were killed and 139,000 British Civilians were wounded during the Blitz.

The Blitz ended on May 11, 1941 and was a Strategic Defeat for Germany.

On June 13, 1944 the Germans launched their first Vergeltungswaffe-Eins (Revenge Weapon 1), or V-1 Rockets on London.

The V-1 Rockets required no crew, flew at a speed of 350 mph and when their buzzing noise stopped you had 12 seconds before the explosion.

10,492 V-1 Rockets landed in London from June 13-September 1, 1944 (1 every 2 hours for 81 Consecutive Days.)

6,184 Londoners were killed and 17,981 Londoners were wounded by the V-1 Rockets.

The last V-1 Rocket was launched in January 1945.

On September 7, 1944 the Germans launched their first Vergeltungswaffe 2 (Revenge Weapon 2) Rockets on London.

The V-2 Rockets travelled at supersonic speeds, impacted without audible warning, and proved unstoppable. No effective defense existed.

2,754 Londoners were killed and 6,523 Londoners were wounded by the V-2 Rockets.

The last V-2 Rocket hit London on March 27, 1945.

Dog Wins

 

How does my dog win every decision-making discussion?

This. This is how.

ESTA Increase

 

The price of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for those coming to the United States from Countries that don’t need an American Visa will increase from $21 to $40 per Traveler on September 30, 2025.

The price increase was part of the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

42 Countries need ESTA to come to the US: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel,  Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

80: Japan Surrender

80 years ago today (September 2, 1945) the Empire of Japan officially surrendered to the Allies (the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand) on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan ending World War 2.

The Surrender Ceremony lasted 23 minutes and was broadcast by radio across the World.

Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Japanese Government.

American General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, the Commander in the Southwest Pacific and Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers and signed in his capacity as Supreme Commander.

The Allied Copy of the Instrument is at the United States National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.

The Japanese copy is at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, and was last publicly displayed in 2015, as part of an exhibition marking the 70th Anniversary of the signing.

Shots

I just made an appointment to get the Covid and Flu Shots.

For 16 years I would go to the Rite Aid in the next Town, but that closed over this Summer so I have to drive to a Town 6 Towns to the north to get them.

Because of the Health and Human Services Director (Robert Kennedy Jr.) being an Anti-Vaxxer there is a major shortage of the Covid Vaccine across the United States.

I was only able to make an appointment to get the shot because of my pre-existing conditions.

I am not getting these shots (Flu or Covid) for myself.

I am getting them because my Sister works at a Nursing Home and I don't want to get her sick and have her get the Residents or Tenants living there sick.

Off The Path

 Off The Path

I have always been one who likes to travel off the beaten path.

I don’t go on Group Tours (unless they are 1 Day ones) and I don’t like travelling by myself.

I have used all sorts of different traveling methods: an Old Soviet Train with Uncomfortable Wooden Benches in Russia; Over-Crowded Ferries; a Plane that was held together with Duct Tape; High Speed Trains; a 3 Seater Arctic Hydro-Plane; Limousines; First Class Planes; Private Taxis; Public Taxis; a Private Jet; a Hired Car with a Private Driver; a Snowmobile; a Gondola in Venice; a Monorail; a Speed Boat; in a Hot Air Balloon; an Over-Crowded Plane with no Class Sections and random Animals on it (Not Service Animals); a Paddle Boat; a Helicopter;  a Bike; a Funicular in Ukraine; a Canoe and a Dog Sled.

I have stayed in all sorts of different places: in a Hostel that was a Former Jail in Canada; in the back of a Pick-Up Truck; at a 6 Star Resort; at a Haunted Motel; at a Soviet Khrushchevka in Ukraine;  at All-Inclusive Resorts; at a Hotel that was constantly bombed during the 30 years of The Troubles; in the Back Seat of my Car;  at a French Castle; at a Closed Rest Area with no Visitor’s Center during a snowstorm; in an Ice Fishing Hut; in a Wilderness Emergency Cabin; on the Beach; in a Tent; on the Bare Ground; on a Bench during the Russian Winter; in a Cave; on a Houseboat; on a Barn; in a Tree House and at an Irish Castle.

I have done many fun and exciting things: gone Sky-Diving; gone Bungee Jumping; gone Para-Gliding; jumped out of a Helicopter into the Mediterranean Sea; gone Skinny Dipping; went to the Blue Grotto in Malta; swam in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland; went to German, Croatian, French, Dutch, British and Austrian Christmas Markets; went Rock Climbing off a Scottish Castle on Loch Lomond; skied in the Austrian and German Alps; swam with Dolphins in the Bahamas; spent the night at Frankenstein’s Castle in Darmstadt, Germany; went to Raves; went to Euro Disney in Paris; went to Disney World in Florida; went to Lego Land;  went to the Cliffs of Mohr in Ireland; walked on an Alaskan Glacier; went to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland; went to the Munich Oktoberfest; went to the Gullfoss in Iceland (where the European and Atlantic Tectonic Plates meet); went to the Gaeltacht (Irish-Speaking Area of Ireland); sat on the Throne at the Winter Palace/The Hermitage in Saint Petersburg; saw the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels); saw the Crown Jewels of England; went into the World Trade Center many times over the years when my Mom worked there; went to the Pentagon several times when my Dad worked there, went to the Rosh Hanikra Caves in Israel; saw the Canadian Maple Crown; went inside Lenin’s Mausoleum on Moscow; went to Stonehenge; went to the Masada Fortress in Israel; went to Sherwood Forrest;  went to Peterhof Castle in Saint Petersburg; flew a small plane from West Germany to England; fed Shamu at Sea World in San Antonio; reenacted in a Revolutionary War Battle at Saratoga; went to the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Canada; went to the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica; went up Magnetic Hill in Canada; took a tour of the White House; had a Colonial-Themed Meal at Colonial Williamsburg; swam in the Dead Sea; went to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; visited the Oldest City in the World – Jericho and rode a Horse in the Rain Forrest in Costa Rica.

I have travelled to many places most Americans haven’t: Several Hours North of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Russia (living there 2 times and visiting there 3 times); Montenegro; Croatia; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Cyprus; the West Bank Palestinian Territories; Iceland; West Germany; Campobello Island, Canada; Poland; the Isle of Skye, Scotland; the United Arab Emirates; Northern Ireland; Malta; Kuwait; Greece; Israel and Ukraine.

I have been very lucky and have gotten to do so many fun and interesting things in so many fun and interesting places.

I don't take any of that lightly.

For the past 16 years I have lived off-the-beaten path on my Mountain here in northern New England where the Arctic Circle gets more Visitors every year then we do