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xakara
Greetings, Kittens!
I'm under deadline with the clock ticking and just didn't have the brain-space left to craft a 13 today. Fortunately, I didn't have to, I pulled in the lovely Kimberley Troutte instead. I know you're in capable hands.
Enjoy.
Xakara has graciously allowed me to play the Thursday Thirteen with you. I thought it would be easy.
I was wrong. It’s amazingly difficult to think of thirteen things that go together (unless we are talking
about doughnuts or cookies!). I stewed about this for a couple of days, wondering what in the world I
could share.
Then I thought about Sara, the main character in my book SOUL STEALER, who comes face-to-face with
Death and negotiates for more time. Sara clearly understands the value of her last few days on earth
and uses those precious minutes wisely.
On a whole, I’d say yes. I love my life, my family, community and home. But I’m going to let you in on a
secret—there is one teensy little thing that is missing. Travel.
I love to travel, but after having kids and a day-job and bills and more day-jobs and more bills, it became
harder to pick up and go. Still, I want to go. Sometimes desperately. I crave the adventure of seeing new
places, meeting new faces, being awed by the world around me.
1) Greece. OMG, I’ve always wanted to see Athens. Who doesn’t? Those white buildings
overlooking the deep blue sea. Ancient history all around. The food!
2) Rome. Okay, a trip to both Greece and Rome would be amazing. A lifetime adventure. Dang, I
might be drooling a little over here.
3) France. Especially during the Tour de France. My hubby and I are big cycling fans, so I would
LOVE to follow the Tour cycling route.
5) Ireland. Come on, can any place really be that green? I want to see for myself.
6) Australia. I have been to Sydney and would go back in a heartbeat. Great people, beaches,
amazing Barrier Reef.
8) Hawaii. Snorkeling, surfing, exploring, volcanoes, coffee, warm gentle breezes scented arm air
scented by amazing flowers…What’s not to love?
9) Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. Always wanted to go there. The mountains,
the beauty, the wildness of it, the freedom. Just not in the Winter, or when it’s too hot.
10) Caribbean Islands. I’ve been to a few of them and would love to see more. Swimming,
snorkeling, warm water, great food….Wow, this list is really stirring up the travel lust.
11) New York. Always, wanted to see the Big Apple. Always. The city, food, Broadway? Where’s my
suitcase?
12) Canada. So close, but so far. I’ve seen pictures and know a few amazing Canadians. Would love
to go there. Maybe by train. Or ship!
One day, hopefully soon, I want to see all thirteen places and more.
Kimberley Troutte has two books published by Samhain Publishing, SOUL STEALER and CATCH ME
IN CASTILE. She is a Southern California girl. She lives with her husband, two sons, one dog, and
three very large snakes. She’s been an accountant, substitute teacher, caterer, financial analyst for a
major defense contractor, real-estate broker, aerobics instructor, freelance writer and caregiver to
creatures the kids/hubby/dog drag in.
Visit her at: www.kimberleytroutte.com
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no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 10:33 am (UTC)Shelley
www.shelleymunro.com
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 02:07 pm (UTC)good to see you here.
It's wonderful that you have gotten to travel with your hubby. My parents were able to work it out with kids. Now I realize what a true blessing that was. It's expensive! And hard with everyone's schedules. And challenging. I do want to take them places, though.
I'm working on Hawaii for next year.
Kimberley
Ah, yes....
Date: 2011-04-14 10:46 am (UTC)Which brings me to your #4: "Switzerland. Those gorgeous mountains and fresh air."
Don't forget the boys in lycra... ;) (I've got a one-track mind - but I like where it's going!)
Re: Ah, yes....
Date: 2011-04-14 02:11 pm (UTC)And what about Swiss-Italians? I've met a few and they are not bad to look at either.
My house is on the Amgen Tour of California route this year. I'll be thinking of you as the cyclists speed by my front yard.
Re: Ah, yes....
Date: 2011-04-14 02:14 pm (UTC)Kimberley
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 10:47 am (UTC)New York
Date: 2011-04-14 02:12 pm (UTC)Kimberley
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 11:41 am (UTC)Australia is at the top of my list of places to see. Another is British Columbia, just to sit in the hot springs of the Rocky Mountains.
Happy T13!
Adelle
Date: 2011-04-14 02:20 pm (UTC)I do have a funny story, though. Last year, we took little man to Disneyland. Unfortunately, it was one of those rare rainy days in Southern California (except for this year, we've had a ton of rain). Anyway, we waited in line in the rain for two hours for the very first ride. When we got to the front, the ride stopped and the attendants told us it was broken!
My son looked at me and said, "I thought this was supposed to be the happiest place on earth. This sucks!"
British Columbia would be another awesome place to go. You sold me at "hot springs". Where'd I put my list?
Thanks, Adelle.
Kimberley
travelling
Date: 2011-04-14 02:26 pm (UTC)2. Rome was fabulous. the gelato there is the best in the world. walking tours of where Roman emperors worshipped ancient gods is humbling ground of history. there is ancient casually sitting beside neon. marvelous.
Re: travelling
Date: 2011-04-14 02:27 pm (UTC)Re: travelling
Date: 2011-04-14 04:06 pm (UTC)Gelato! I forgot about gelato. Love it! Dark chocolate gelato in Rome? Holy cats, I've got to go.
Kimberley
travel
Date: 2011-04-14 03:06 pm (UTC)Re: travel
Date: 2011-04-14 04:07 pm (UTC)Kimberley
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 04:06 pm (UTC)To Xakara
Date: 2011-04-14 04:12 pm (UTC)We could start with gelato in Rome, meet KMenozzi to watch the Giro and her boys is lycra, skip on over to Switzerland and do the whole European tour.
Deep sigh.
Alice Audrey
Date: 2011-04-14 04:09 pm (UTC)Re: Alice Audrey
Date: 2011-04-14 04:15 pm (UTC)Sorry you had to suffer that, Alice! You'll have to go back for real.
I went to Orlando last year for the annual Romance Writer's of America Conference. It was totally awesome, but the conference took up most of my time and I didn't get to sight-see too much. I want to go back too. What I saw was beautiful.
Kimberley
Alaska
Date: 2011-04-14 04:19 pm (UTC)My son and my parents are leaving tomorrow for Alaska! I know! I didn't get invited. Can you believe that?
I am thrilled for my boy. This will be a great adventure for him and it is wonderful that he gets to spend time with the grandparents.
A couple of years ago they took him to the Galapagos Islands!!! I forgot to add that to my list. I HAVE to go there one day.
Re: Alaska
Date: 2011-04-14 04:20 pm (UTC)I haven't figured out how to post under my own name, so I keep showing up anonymous. No biggee.
Kimberley Troutte
Re: Alaska
Date: 2011-04-14 05:10 pm (UTC)Heather
Date: 2011-04-14 04:20 pm (UTC)Re: Heather
Date: 2011-04-14 04:30 pm (UTC)Kimberley
great places to visit
Date: 2011-04-14 04:22 pm (UTC)Re: great places to visit
Date: 2011-04-14 04:33 pm (UTC)Thanks for stopping by, Lorien.
Kimberley
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 04:36 pm (UTC)Lands of heritage
Date: 2011-04-14 05:07 pm (UTC)Kimberley
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 04:39 pm (UTC)Holly
hmwsnapshots.blogspot.com
Holly
Date: 2011-04-14 05:09 pm (UTC)You know the more we talk, the more places I want to add:
The Tahitian Islands. Bora Bora in one of those little huts sitting out in the blue water.
Kimberley
Fabulous Thursday 13!
Date: 2011-04-14 10:10 pm (UTC)My list would include the Mediterranean, and Great Britain, and Africa for a safari... and I will ponder others...
Happy Thursday!
Sherilee @ Sweet Tea and Sunshine
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 10:16 pm (UTC)From The Gal Herself at One Gal's Musings
Date: 2011-04-28 07:48 pm (UTC)