Sleeping Beauty Ballet

Last night I went to the Russian Ballet's performance of Sleeping Beauty.  It was MAGNIFIQUE!  The costumes were like jewels-come-to-life, the dancers sheer perfection, and the sets elaborate and colorful. All in all, some enchanted evening!

Enough is Enough! Air Travel - No Fun, Anymore

7 Air Travel Perks That Used to Be Free

by Tara Struyk

If you're an experienced traveler, you've probably already noticed that air travel perks are few and far between, especially if you aren't a first or business-class traveler. In the heydays of airline travel (1940s-60s), flying was actually a glamorous experience because it was so new, expensive and exclusive. But even in more recent memory, flying was still a fast and relatively pleasant way to travel.


Not so much anymore. A whole new generation of air travellers is adjusting to new delays, discomforts and, despite the increased affordability of airline travel, the fact that travelers can now expect to get a whole lot less for that ticket price. Like, just a seat and possibly a few ounces of pretzels - if you're lucky. Flying used to have a few perks, but these have fallen by the wayside, much like the fashionably outfitted flight attendants and the free cocktails they once served up.

In recent years, struggling airlines have been squeezing revenue out of passengers wherever they can. Here we look at (and long for) airline perks that used to be free
1. Luggage

A mere two years ago, passengers could fly on any U.S. airline and check two bags at no cost. Today, most carriers charge around $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second - that's a total of $120 dollars more for a round trip! If you have overweight baggage (for most airlines this is more than 50 pounds), expect an additional charge of between $75 and several hundred dollars, depending on weight.  The luggage charges have also introduced a new level of discomfort for coach passengers; on full flights, cabins are reportedly nearly bursting at the seams with carry-on luggage.
2. Food

Maybe it wasn't always great, but at least it was free. There are still a few domestic flights and classes of service where you can indulge in airplane food without reaching for your wallet, but for the most part, the days of free in-flight meals are gone.


For example, the Transportation Library archival collections at Northwestern University lists scores of old airline menus. United Airlines' coach class meals included salads, desserts, sandwiches and beverages, with menu items such as "Pineapple Tartelette" (1962, San Francisco - Denver) and "Breast of Chicken Virginienne" (1963, Washington to Denver). Customers still enjoy free meals on most international flights, but for economy class flights within in the U.S., if you fly United today, you'll have to settle for a cold salads or sandwiches for $9.


Continental Airlines was one of the last bastions of free meal service until it announced it would begin selling meals to coach passengers on most domestic flights this year.


Most airlines still offer a free snack or two, but they run along the lines of a fraction of an ounce of pretzels or crackers. And some airlines have even eliminated free snacks altogether.
3. Creature Comforts

Whether you're only on a short flight or are flying clear across the country, comfort is optional. In other words, you'll have to pay for it. In earlier days of airline travel, passengers were given pillows and blankets - and even playing cards, pens and magazines - free of charge to make their flights comfortable. Not anymore.


American Airlines announced in February that it would follow the lead of competitors like JetBlue and U.S. Airways and begin charging $8 for pillows and blankets on domestic trips. The good news is, you can keep your plastic inflatable neck pillow and fleece blanket for future trips.
4. Headphones

You have probably tried out a pair of spindly, coach-class headphones before. They're junk - and you get to keep them! Yup, those cheap, uncomfortable headphones used on airplanes now come at a price of $1-$5 on most airlines. And, while some airlines are introducing new entertainment options such as WiFi and Pay-per-View, these may also come at a price.
5. Leg Room

In March, Continental Airlines announced that it would begin charging coach passengers extra if they wanted more leg room. It joins United and JetBlue in charging for seats that could once be requested upon checking in, or were just handed out arbitrarily. And this extra seven inches or so comes at fairly hefty price - more than $50 for a domestic flight depending on the length of the flight and the popularity of the route.
6. Booking

Since you're already buying a service, you wouldn't think that the airlines would have to charge you to sell it - but they do. Many major U.S. airlines charge a fee to book a flight over the phone or in person. Online travel agents such as Orbitz and Expedia removed their booking fees in 2009, but many airlines still charge them depending on how you book.
7. Changing Your Plans

If something comes up and you can't make your flight, changing your ticket - even to an equal or less-expensive flight - will cost you between $75 and $300 depending on the airline. Of course, you could buy what's called a "refundable ticket," or "refundable fare," which allows you to get (most of) your money back if you have to cancel your flight, and to avoid additional penalties for making changes. But guess what? These tickets cost considerably more than non-refundable ones.
How Far Will It Go?
The recent rash of new airline fees has left many pondering what could be next. In 2009, U.K. flyers were outraged at Irish budget carrier Ryanair's announcement that it was considering charging passengers to use the restroom. So far, this particular fee has not been put in place, but only time will tell how far airlines will go - or how much more nickel-and-diming passengers will tolerate

Live Simply

Some days, it’s not about passion and courage. It’s not about heroism and drama. It’s not about slaying dragons or conjuring exotic visions... Some days, it's simply about the delicious act of doing simple things, simply.

 

Jack Ricchiuto

American Designer and Writer

Art Gallery Show

Last Saturday night was the reception for an art gallery show I have a few framed photos in called, The Dream Seeding Show.  (Tiger and rooster above are mine.)  It's based on planting seeds for your dreams.  What do you want more than anything?  What would make you happier, healthier, saner, more secure?  What floats your boat?  Tickles your fancy?  Makes you smile and sigh, "my, oh my"?

Here's some of my favorite things and dreams:

My pup and kits.  (Of course.)  These are dreams-come-true, and I appreciate them every single day.  My 91 year old Mother.  Although, I will admit, it's harder and harder to witness her aging & slow deminse not to mention being reminded of my own mortality.
Okay, let's get on to happier dreams, shall we?

My own horse and carriage and the wherewithall to support them.  Children of my own.  I know, it's a bit late in the game for that but these are dreams, remember?  And adoption's still an option.  Peace of mind for whatever the situation is, the problems, the conflicts, the confusion, indecision, whatever.  That my mind and heart will be solid as a mountain, calm as ocean breezes.  Meditation helps, but I still fall short some days.

Good friends who bring out the best in me and I in them.  A close confidante, partner, spouse.  Someone I can travel with and feel good about sharing everything with.  Relaxing travel to Cornwall & Devon, the Cotswolds, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Denmark, Grand Cayman, and other towns I've always wanted to visit.  Excellent health right up until the end which I hope will be over 100.

Sweetie Sue getting chosen as Celebrity Spokesdog for the humane society.  She's a finalist.
All of my pets living into their 20s.  Moving to Vermont with a wonderful partner.  Maybe buying a small farm, having more animals.

Romance, beauty, nature, serenity, equinimity, lightheartedness, wonder, joy and a sense of well being most of the time if not all of the time.  A sense of appreciation, gratitude, mystery
adventure, pleasure and delight.

Think Spring

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits.

"From Endymion" by John Keats.

Weeds Are a Matter of Perspective

Messengers from the Wilderness

Weeds

 

A plant is a weed only within a certain context; one person’s weed is another person’s wildflower.

Simply expressed, a weed is any plant that grows where it isn’t wanted. Weeds are defined by their tendency to flourish at the expense of a gardener’s overall vision, and we tend to battle their presence in our yards. It is interesting to consider, though, that a plant is a weed only within a certain context, which is to say that one person’s weed is another person’s wildflower. Most of us have pulled at least one dandelion up by its roots and disposed of it in the interest of preserving the look of a perfect green lawn, yet the dandelion is good medicine, packed with healing properties and vitamin-rich leaves that are a delicious, spicy surprise in a summer salad.

 

In the wild, there is no such thing as a weed because the overall vision is in the hands of Mother Nature, who accommodates and incorporates all forms of life. In nature, balance is achieved over the long term, without the aid, or interference, of a human supervisor. While one plant may prevail over others for a certain period of time, eventually it will reach an apex and then it will naturally decline, allowing for other forms to be born and survive. This self-regulating realm was the first garden of our ancestors, who learned the art of agriculture from studying the forests and fields of the as yet uncultivated earth. In a sense, weeds are harbingers of this wildness, pushing their way into our well-ordered plots, undermining more delicate flora, and flourishing in spite of us.

 

The next time you see a weed, you might want to look deeply into its roots, discover its name, its habits, and its possible uses. Instead of seeing an unwanted intruder, you might see a healer offering its leaves for a medicinal tea or its flowers for a colorful salad. At the very least, if you look long enough, you will see a messenger from the wilderness of Mother Earth, reminding you that, even in the most carefully controlled garden, she cannot be completely ruled out.

Love Cannot Be Contained

Love cannot be contained within "speaking" or "listening"
Love is a Sea whose depths cannot be fathomed.
Would you dare try and count the drops of the sea?
Before the Sea of Love, the seven seas are nothing.
- Jalal-ud-Din Rumi

I like this quote, because it exemplifies how I feel about the people and pets I deeply love.  There is no ocean wide enough, no river deep enough to keep me from loving you.  I think there's a song with such lyrics.

For true love has no bounds and no boundaries.  Take pets, for example.  They love us completely and unconditionally.  And, we feel their immense warmth and comfort.  When I'm down or feeling lonely, my kits and pup always infuse my spirits with gentle joy.  No matter when or where, how or why. 

Always by my side.  A forever balm for my soul.

Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self-pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat... Never take yourself too seriously.

Og Mandino, 1923-1996

American Author and Inspirational Speaker