Reflections on Travel and Other Things

I love to travel. I'd almost forgotten how much until I received a follow on Twitter from someone who spends her life traveling and writing about it. My, how I envy this woman!

On her blog, she had a story about Vienna, Austria, focusing on restaurants, places to visit, things to see. It's been a few years since I last visited Vienna. When I first saw the city years ago, I had the most acute sensation of deja vu. I felt at home. I knew instinctively where things were.

On my last visit there, I had no fear of walking the streets alone. I got to hear the Boys Choir. I loved every moment spent in the city.

Do you have a special place you long to visit? Do you know a spot that is dear to your heart? Is it close to home, like Williamsburg?

"Williamsburg Gardens" - pastel painting ©Mary Montague Sikes

On Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., I'm teaching a pastel workshop at This Century Art Gallery Education Center.

This is for artists of all levels from beginner to advanced. Pastels are one of my favorite art tools. If you are in this area, I would love to show you the joy of working with them!

Mary Montague Sikes

Zumba Classes - Have You Tried Them?

Reading the previous post about all those dances started me thinking. Have you tried Zumba classes? I have. The first couple of classes I took, I hated because the instructors gave so few cues it was impossible to follow anything. Then I discovered Indi at Gloucester Wellness and Fitness Center. I loved her classes, and although I knew too little to follow the steps at first, I kept coming to class and have learned the dances--at least enough to follow. If you haven't tried Zumba, you'll discover it's fun and a great cardio workout!

The A to Z Challenge starts today and it goes for the entire month of April except for Sundays. I'm trying a real challenge this month. I'm doing a painting a day, using the letter for the day to determine my subject, mostly animals and flowers. My painting for today is an alligator because of the Jefferson Hotel and all the alligators that once lived in the lobby. Hope you will check it out.

--Mary Montague Sikes

It's Hard to Lose a Precious Animal

©Mary Montague Sikes

One of our daughters lost her precious cat this week. This beautiful kitty had been part of her life for almost 20 years. It's been very difficult for Amy. She had nursed this pet which has been suffering from renal failure for four years.

Animals are extremely important in the lives of many people. Something about cats is especially endearing. I remember a pretty gray kitty named Smokey that enriched my life as I was growing up. She would greet me by rising up on her hind legs to stroke her head against my hand. She met me like that everyday on the sidewalk in front of our house when I arrived from school. Then one day she wasn't there. A car had struck and killed her. I was devastated.

That's when I learned there is no easy way to lose a beloved pet. We can only be grateful they have spent time with us to enrich our lives. We can only hope their spirits will remain with us always...

--Mary Montague Sikes