A Guided Tour
...of my brain this week!
Nothing squishy or gross, promise! No, “guided brain tour” is just another way to describe E-Musings itself. Every week, I try to share what’s inspiring me, enlightening me, making me laugh and/or cry…and, as always, I thank you so much for taking the tour!
TOUR GUIDES I HAVE KNOWN (actual ones, that is!)
Over the years, I’ve not been much for large (or even small) group tours. The people move too fast or too slow, the guide mumbles or shouts, too much time is spent on the sights in which I’m least interested, while we zip past stuff I’d really like to learn about. But I have come to enjoy certain tour experiences, and lately Steve and I have taken a short tour during every trip. We took a delicious walking food tour of Vienna led by a terrific guide named Ornella (the food wasn’t walking, of course, we were).
In Germany we were very glad to have a knowledgable and compassionate guide, Stephen, leading us through the concentration camp at Dachau.
Most recently, we took a three hour walking tour of London, led by a lovely young woman. Cleo not only knew her British history and culture, but also regaled us with fun facts galore—all this while shepherding us in steady rain. Some of those gems will stay with me; for example, Brits sometimes call going for a drink “tapping the Admiral.” Why? Well, after Admiral Lord Nelson died, his body was transported on a sea voyage from Spain back to England. To preserve the deceased, the sailors put the remains in a cask of rum. As the journey progressed, it became clear that some of the crew was drinking from that same cask (eeewww, I know, but a great story!
I’ve written about our Evan, and the fascinating adventure tours he leads in Washington State, complete with botany and geology lessons, as his groups trek up Mount Rainier, and through Olympic National Park.
Don’t think I’ll ever sign on for a complete tour package (making our own travel mistakes is more fun), but I have definitely gained much respect for the savvy folks who add depth and color to our experiences away from home!
POEM: HYMN By Marie Howe
I am a huge fan of Marie Howe’s poetry, and am so happy to share this, from her newest collection. Science has discovered that the universe does, indeed, emit a hum, which Howe describes as “hymn,” a joyous song celebrating the common thread that runs through all of us…I found this video of the poem on Maria Popova’s wonderful and always thought-provoking site, The Marginalian (note—Popova’s “brain tour” is much smarter than mine!)
MUSIC: GIVE ME JESUS (TRADITIONAL, SUNG BY JEREMY CAMP)
Everyone who knows me more than a little, knows I want this played at my funeral. If you outlive me, and if you get wind of a memorial service for me that does NOT include this gorgeous song, you have my permission to rush into church holding a giant boom box over your head (a la John Cusack in Say Anything), and to hit PLAY!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: BEVERLEY NICHOLS
Writing at the same time as superstar Noel Coward, I don’t think Mr. Nichols got the international attention he deserved (though he was very popular in England). His books range from cosy tomes about his house and garden (Merry Hall, Laughter on the Stairs), to a scorching book about his abusive father (Father Figure). Nichols always wore his heart on his sleeve, which really endeared him to me. Over the years, I have collected all of his books from second-hand bookshops, and they are still go-to comfort reads. Here’s a blog post I wrote about him, many years ago…
TWO TERRIFIC NEWSLETTERS WRITTEN BY OLDER WOMEN (LIKE ME!) WITH THEIR OWN MEDIA EMPIRES (NOT LIKE ME!)
Sure, they’re household names (one was once America’s Today Show sweetheart, and the other is former Cali first lady and part Kennedy to boot). But Katie and Maria are using their fame for good, promoting many worthy causes, sharing important and inspiring information, interviews, etc. Both are well worth following!! (Tangentially, and speaking of former Today Show hosts, I think Jane Pauley is doing an AWESOME job at the helm of CBS Sunday Morning—it ain’t easy filling Charles Osgood’s formidable footsteps!!)
BLOG PREVIEW: JORO’S WEB
You think Charlotte spun a significant web? Try the giant Joro spider, whose webs can span 10 feet! This, and MUCH more, about a soon-to-be-here arachnid that’s giving me big-league nightmares!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Ah, Rick! I’m not sure I’ll ever sign up for a Rick Steves official tour, but I love you anyway—and you’re spot on with this quote. There really is no souvenir to beat a wider, and wiser, worldview!! Have a wonderful week my friends!