Retro-Trip: Europe Trip Planning 1983

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness ~ Mark Twain

As a twenty-something, I recall visiting the home of my friend, JoBeth when she suggested we plan a trip to Europe. Europe? I had never really considered it. Could we? Really? Sure. Why not? JoBeth pulled out a map of Europe and our plan was set into motion.

• Munich, Germany
• Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. 
• Rome, Venice and Florence, Italy
• Switzerland
• Paris, France
• Ireland
• London, England

In that order.

A lofty goal, to be sure - but within a few months I had saved some cash, secured a 'Leave of Absence' from my job, purchased a Eurail Pass and sweet-talked a trusted friend (thank you, Karen) into house-sitting and managing my affairs (paying bills) while I was out of town.

See ya later Dallas!

1983: Me & JoBeth in Europe - It was all about the hair back then

Hello Oktoberfest!

Do You Always Tell The Truth?

Do you always tell the truth?

Today's NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Monthly) assignment topic was found via my cyber-friend, Heather at http://growingplacesnow.blogspot.com. "Do You Always Tell The Truth?" A virtual kick-in-the-ass for those of us who may need it - creatively speaking.

God only knows I could use a proverbial "jump-start".

It seems to me that my most recent obsession with losing weight has seriously impacted my imagination. The process of logic (weight loss = less caloric intake + more exercise) is very left brain dominant and has caused me to be neglectful of my right brain. That being said...

Do you always tell the truth?

Uhhhhh. I try.


I admit that my past lies were conjured up to either prevent hurting someone's feelings or to elevate my sense of self-esteem. They were based on fear. Fear of losing love, friendship or self but in the end, these scenarios were not redeeming and caused me more distress than if I had come clean from the outset.

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." - Mark Twain

 With a certain degree of difficulty, I have learned that many people respond alarmingly well to the truth (if delivered delicately) and honesty about oneself is a characteristic frequently admired. Who knew? 

 "People who are brutally honest get more satisfaction out of the brutality than out of the honesty." 

- Richard J. Needham

Now, back to my assignment...I think today's topic has more to do with creating a work of fiction than a question to be taken literally. I'm not quite there yet but hmmmm, fiction... food for thought.