rkrontheroad

A labor of love

The mountain town I live in—Georgetown, Colorado—is part of the Georgetown-Silver Plume National Historic Landmark District. A mouthful, I know, but it means that it’s been recognized as a place to preserve, to care for, and to last in its natural state for decades and even centuries to come. Historic preservation is a way ofContinue reading “A labor of love”

Festivals of Scotland

Who knew there were so many festivals in Scotland? A few years ago, my brother, son, and I took part in unique, fascinating celebrations all over that northern stretch of Great Britain in just two weeks. Years before, when I was teaching in Guatemala, I took an end-of-year holiday jaunt around the British Isles withContinue reading “Festivals of Scotland”

Your most powerful weapon

Stunned and bereaved as I have been by the recent, and not recent, brutal murders of African-Americans by police for no reason, I was at a loss to add my words, to comment, other than those of the strong voices I have read in op-eds and on social media. Then, this morning, I read anContinue reading “Your most powerful weapon”

India: Sheroes

She + heroes. But I’ll get to that later. You have to keep on your toes in India; everyone has an angle. I’ve learned to be cautious, as an international traveler, with anyone who approaches unsolicited and offers a taxi. At the Delhi airport last spring, a taxi hawker beckoned for me to follow him.Continue reading “India: Sheroes”

I miss hugs

I miss hugs. It’s been a while since I’ve been in an intimate relationship, and much longer since I’ve lived with someone. But I’m not talking about the caresses of romantic affection. I miss hugs with friends, with family, some human contact, even a face-to-face rather than online conversation. The warmth of a shared smile,Continue reading “I miss hugs”

Nepal: Milk Mothers and Happy Holi

I may not travel again any time soon, grounded as we all are by the coronavirus pandemic, but I still have travel stories in my head… A year ago, I joined a Habitat for Humanity build in Nepal, arriving in Kathmandu a day earlier than scheduled to explore on my own, after a five-day stopContinue reading “Nepal: Milk Mothers and Happy Holi”

Aloosh, Doodee, and Foofah

Last summer, Emily Griffith Technical College, an arm of Denver Public Schools, put out a call for volunteer English teachers for refugees. The college holds English classes that many attend, but there are those that cannot travel to class for various reasons and require home visits. My last full-time jobs were teaching English as aContinue reading “Aloosh, Doodee, and Foofah”

Mardi Gras

The blog on my previous website, RRontheroad.com, was primarily a log of travel stories—and my warmest thanks to all of you who followed my travels for years while I lived abroad. It’s a good way to start this one. My son, Adam, does ocean research and has been stationed for two or three years inContinue reading “Mardi Gras”