Jnane Tamsna…Garden Paradise

“The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don’t want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don’t have a soul.” –Thomas More The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.”–Gertrude Jekyll My love of gardens began…

Luxury Tent Experience…Camping in the Country

At Manzil la Tortue one escapes the mayhem of Marrakesh and enjoys glamping at its finest.

Spring Planting and a Wild Ride

At my home in Nashville, Tennessee my favorite room had no walls.  On my second-story deck my kids and pets would swing and I’d grill dinner most every night.  Every day started under the trees with coffee, a Quiet Time,  writing until heat drove me inside.  I taught three streets from my school and  Friday nights Wildcats would swing by after the game. The…

Snowbird Report from The Atlas Mountains

All winter, especially when stressed, I’ve looked to the Atlas Mountains from whence cometh my strength.  Surrounding Marrakesh the  snowy sentinels protect my heart and mind, particularly when work gets stressful.  I take my lunch and take to the hills.  Literally.  Staring at their beauty is a breather that calms my soul. Seeing pictures from home of Kentucky and Tennessee buried under record snow…

Cupid Crawl from Riad Mur Akush to La Maison Arabe

Each day for six months has been nothing but new. My only constant has been change. Even traditions–Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—were celebrated in first-ever ways. St. Valentine’s Day 2015 I climbed with friends to a riad rooftop supported by 300-year-old walls. New chums encircled by the snowy Atlas Mountains, we sat sleeveless  on a sunny summit above the Marrakech Medina. Good company,…

Finding Friends in Fes

Frazzled, frustrated, fearful in Fes. I left not a fan. To be fair, the seven- hour bus ride on CTM with no bathroom break began the trip badly. At 10 AM as Monica and I tried to board behind other passengers allowed on the coach at the station, we were yelled at angrily and herded back into the lobby. As we showed the glaring…

Sunny Sunday with Marrakech Trekkers

Today marked the first hike of a new group and I’m so glad I joined.  It was the maiden voyage of the Marrakech Trekkers—almost literally— given the rain -swollen river that gushed across the road we needed to cross.  On the other side were mountain villages we’d hike around and through, lookouts over green valleys and the snow covered Atlas Mountains. Even before we…

In Marrakesh Girls SOAR

Like many who come to Morocco, I have stepped off a camel onto sand soft as powdered sugar. I have stepped onto a balcony overlooking nothing but ramparts and sea. I have stepped around a corner in the mountains knowing that more blue alleys await. All marvels and memories under the Moroccan sun. But one of my best Marrakesh moments was stepping into a circle…

From the Desert to the Daily: First Three Months

November 18, was Morocco’s Independence Day, the 58th anniversary of freedom from the French Protectorate lasting from 1912–1956. It was a milestone birthday of my cousin, Annette, a loving lady who hosted our family reunion in Kentucky last summer.  And it was a marker for me. Three months ago I landed in this country and began a new era in my life. I’ve thought…

Chefchaouen, Morocco: My Blue City

You have plenty of courage, I am sure,” answered Oz….There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty. Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. –L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Of course I have…