What’s Cooking in Burgundy

“It’s all about the ingredients and knowing where they come from,” says Marjorie Taylor, chef and co-founder of The Cook’s Atelier. She’s leading us through the bountiful and beautiful stalls of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, olives, and herbs from someRead more

The Great Apple Tart Hunt

Apples have always been my favorite fruit. Baked, crisped, sauced, sautéed, turnovered, caramelized, roasted, or juiced – or best of all, just freshly picked from a tree – apples are an enduring touchstone in my life. When I was learning theRead more

First Impressions of Paris

First Impressions of Paris

“We’ll always have Paris.” That’s my favorite line from my favorite movie – Casablanca. Rick sure knew what he was talking about when he said his final goodbye to Ilsa. You change and your circumstances change, but Paris stays withRead more

The Secret Bunker Where Churchill Battled World War II

The Secret Bunker Where Churchill Battled World War II

The year was 1938. The times in London were tense and uncertain as Adolph Hitler threatened mass war in Europe. As a safeguard against sudden and unexpected air attack, the British government decided to establish a central emergency working refugeRead more

Help! We’re Imprisoned In The Tower of London!

Help! We’re Imprisoned In The Tower of London!

Under the gleam of the full moon, Bill, Ann and I were locked inside the Tower of London. Literally. Locked up in the formidable stone-walled complex on the bank of the Thames River that has served as a fortress, palaceRead more

A Panoramic Look at London

A Panoramic Look at London

London and Paris are two of Bill’s and my favorite destinations. How could they not be? Both cities are uniquely beautiful and enchanting, and have much in common: they  exude a vibrancy that belies their ages, revere their storied histories,Read more

Miracle on the Hudson – A Survivor’s Story

Miracle on the Hudson – A Survivor’s Story

Beth McHugh believes in miracles, and well she should. Little did she know when she boarded US Airways Flight 1549 on January, 15, 2009, that she would be among the 150 passengers and five crew members who would survive theRead more

Miracle on the Hudson and More Stories of Flight

Miracle on the Hudson and More Stories of Flight

“It’s the white elephant in the room.” That’s how Wally Coppinger somewhat facetiously referred to the US Airways plane that was before us during my recent private tour of the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, where he’s executive director. It’sRead more

Fort Ross — The Russian Stronghold in America

Fort Ross — The Russian Stronghold in America

Hank Birnbaum selected a sea otter pelt from a pile of skins displayed on a wooden table and let me caress the soft, luxurious fur. “Sea otters don’t have a layer of blubber to help them keep warm, unlike otherRead more

Sampling the Arts in Raleigh

Sampling the Arts in Raleigh

How wonderful to have friends who place top bids in online charity auctions and then ask you to share their winnings. Our friends, Carole and Keith, did just that when she was the recipient of a four-person food and artRead more