Author Archives: marigold

Hello, Columbus

Posted on October 9, 2011 by marigold

  Christopher Columbus, who did not discover America (he was preceded by about five hundred years by Leif Ericson and maybe others), started Spanish colonization of what was called the “New World.” Born in Genoa, Columbus first sought funding from … Continue reading →

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Hot Dog!

Posted on October 2, 2011 by marigold

One of the factoids on the “About Iceland” video shown on Icelandair  is that the most famous restaurant in Reykjavik is a hot dog stand. It’s absolutely true–in business since 1937, it’s called Baejarins Beztu Pylsur which translates as “the … Continue reading →

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Mermaids Like to Have Fun

Posted on September 27, 2011 by marigold

 Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid Among other attributes, Copenhagen is famous for the Royal Danish Ballet, smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches) and the Little Mermaid statue in the harbor that didn’t attract much notice until the 1952 Danny Kaye movie, Hans Christian Anderson. The … Continue reading →

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Blue, Gray and Multi

Posted on September 22, 2011 by marigold

  Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Blue Is the color of the water in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon—baby blue, due to the silicone and algae in it. The Blue Lagoon is a huge attraction, both for Icelanders, (who jump into water, both cold … Continue reading →

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Tight Little Island

Posted on September 17, 2011 by marigold

No, not Britain. Iceland, a country with a total population of 318,000 people, two-thirds of whom live here in Reykjavik. The whole country is roughly the size of Kentucky. The people have tremendous self-esteem which must be part of the … Continue reading →

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Is it Camping or Campy?

Posted on September 12, 2011 by marigold

Thirty-six years ago, four families, including nine children, went camping with actual, (albeit, rented), tents and sleeping bags. The tradition continues. Over the years, we’ve canoed Connecticut’s Housatonic and Vermont’s Battenkill; gone tubing on the Esopus River near Kingston, NY; … Continue reading →

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Art, Engines and Schooners

Posted on August 24, 2011 by marigold

Camden, Maine isn’t called the ‘Jewel of the Mid-Coast’ for nothing. The town, the picturesque harbor and the gracious old houses, many now converted to B&Bs or inns, are charming without overkill. There are numerous restaurants of every type and … Continue reading →

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Happy as a Clam

Posted on August 18, 2011 by marigold

If anyone knows the derivation of this phrase, please let me know. It never made sense as clams seem like rather emotionless –albeit delicious—blobs. Good eating, yes but happy? Hard to tell. One of the first things we did after … Continue reading →

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Pissaro, St. Bernards and Summer Pudding

Posted on August 13, 2011 by marigold

Whenever I visit the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA, I marvel that such incredible holdings came from sewing machines. Sterling Clark inherited a fortune from his grandfather who was a principal in the Singer sewing machine company. Initially, Sterling … Continue reading →

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Are the Stars Out Tonight?

Posted on August 7, 2011 by marigold

A few years ago, a friend gave us a telescope. It’s not quite up there with Mount Palomar but it’s not a toy either. After dinner in Dorset, VT, I suggested to a seven-year-old granddaughter that we look at the … Continue reading →

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