Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I loved the food and family and gathering with friends, especially as it was one of the few non-religious holidays. I love stuffing and gravy and cranberry sauce, but I had never thought…
It has been eight years since my father died. Sometimes it seems like forever, sometimes I still just can't believe it. His death, while expected, was a surprise. I had actually spent the day speaking with the palliative care team…
A couple of weeks ago, our good friends were visiting from the US and we decided to take a day trip to Amos. Amos is a small village a few miles from here on the coast. In this area of…
Doesn't that sound smarmy? One of the best parts of visiting İçmeler is being about a mile from the Mediterranean. My in-laws summer house is snuggled up against the mountains that surround the village. While it would be nice to…
I have spent most or part of the summer in Içmeler since 2009. When we moved back to the US in 2015 we didn't go to Içmeler that summer. I have missed it more than I realized. It has also…
It has been four years since I left Turkey. I lived there for most of my (young) adult life, from 24 to 30. I absorbed much of how I live my life from that time, learning to move more slowly,…
I had hoped to keep blogging when I moved back to the U.S. It's obvious that it didn't work out. I was too absorbed in living my life, instead of being an observer, to keep writing. Many things have happened…
It has been more than a year since I have blogged. I have started different posts many times, but never finished. The last year has been exciting, fun, challenging and full of new adventures, as always. Last year in August I started…
I cannot believe it has been a year. The move and changes have consumed my life, but in an amazing way. I hope to start blogging again. Our lives are full and rich, with new friends, renewed friends and old…
I am waking up everyday so excited for our new adventure. It is getting more and more real! I packed up most of the shipment that will be staying in Turkey (at the summer house) as well as the stuff…