News Trend Korean Colors|Actual

The people of Seoul lean into a strong shared fashion aesthetic. Walking the city streets in winter, I notice that almost everyone is wearing a black or dark navy puffer jacket. Inside restaurants and bookstores, when they take off their coats, I see that the color palette continues in somber tones of black, navy, white, and dare I say it, tan as a bold accent.

I'm not exaggerating. Everyone under the age of forty apparently has pretty much eliminated vibrant colors from their wardrobe.

At first, I found the dark uniform to be a bit dull, but soon I came to embrace it. The colors are endlessly flattering to the Korean hair and skin type, and the entire city looks chic and effortlessly put together.

And even though the people dress themselves in a monochromatic vibe, that's not to say the city lacks color.. Because what Seoul may not boast in flashy fashion, as an afternoon's walk around my daughter's Gangnam neighborhood proves, it more than makes up for with its colorful architecture.

Some buildings go for a fully saturated color story:

^ A coffee shop in the neighborhood. I don't even drink coffee but I love to feast my eyes on this baby blue every morning.

^ Apartments. What a sunny sight to come home to.

^ A hot pink bridal shop with plants and black staircases that take it from good to great.

Others feature colorful design elements:

^ A strip of tomato red brings these neutrals to life and give me a certain sense that up on that rooftop patio, there's a party going on.

^ Orange and yellow make good neighbors.

^ Not even sure what that color block of school bus yellow is but I don't care. It lights up my eyeballs and I like it.

And others concentrate their colorful fire power on the front door:

^ Yellow door is sunny and bright. I don't exactly know what this store was selling, but I sure wanted to walk through that door and find out.

^ This magenta portal may actually be an elevator but same difference.

^ These red doors are everything. If only I could have crammed them into my carry-on bag.

Even the construction barricades join the party mood in bright red

^ And yes, the construction crane working behind this crimson curtain was also red.

So here's my advice. When you travel to South Korea, pack all your black turtlenecks, leather jackets, black jeans, and navy striped tops. But be sure to bring your sunglasses too because the postmodern architecture on the city streets will dazzle your eyes.

* * * * *

A full accounting of my trip to Seoul:

Morning In Seoul

Korean Barbecue

Blue Buildings

Shopping At Hara Cake

Sunday In Seoul

Sipping And Shopping In Sinsa

Happy Lunar New Year From Seoul

Our Bakery

In-N-Out

Cheongdam Square In Gangnam

Cheonggyecheon Stream At Night

Gracie's Snowmageddon

Seoul Food

Flying Away

Korean Colors

News Trend Protect Our Planet With Reusable Shopping Bags|Actual

"What are you giving up for Lent?"

That's a common question in these forty days before Easter. And when I ask, nine times out of ten, the answer is chocolate, beer, or social media.

But what if we look at Lent as an opportunity not to just temporarily give up a bad habit but to start a good habit - a habit that makes a difference to people, to the world, to God.

This year for Lent, my goal is to protect our planet. I'm looking for ways to lessen my impact on our mother earth and bring me joy at the same time.

Here is the story of my progress.

* * * * *

Reusable shopping bags are hardly a news flash.

I've owned them for two decades and used them...Um, less frequently than I might have.

I have good intentions but honestly, let's face it. Reusable bags are a lot more work than just using the bags at the store, and sometimes I just don't want to be bothered.

But I have uncovered a secret. Cute shopping bags inspire me. And so I have collected a variety of reusable bags that not only suit my shopping purposes but also make me happy when I use them.

^ These are my tried and true favorite bags for my routine grocery shopping. Not only are the bags big, strong, and designed to stand fairly well, they also fold down to almost nothing for a slim fit into my purse. And when the bag is rolled to its storage size, the nifty straps at the bottom reach around the bundle and snap together to hold the squishy shape in place. I bought these on Earth Day back in 2007 and while I confess they have been used only intermittently, they are still adorable and going strong.

Shop more Envirosaxhere.

^ I don't feel horribly guilty about using plastic or paper shopping bags because we reuse them in a hundred different ways around the house. It's those flimsy plastic produce sacks that drag me down in shame because once the fruits and vegetables are unpacked at home, I have no further use for them. I feel much better when I use these mesh cuties to transport my tangerines and broccoli, and I'm much more likely to pick out bulk items, like individual carrots, rather than grabbing a prepackaged plastic sack. After use, I flip the bag inside out and shake any bits and pieces into the sink; every now and then I give them a quick hand wash and let them dry in the sun.

Shop more BlueAvocadohere.

^ Though I use them for ordinary grocery runs, these are the bags I'm mostly likely to take when I'm running errands at the mall or around town. For whatever it's worth, the fabric is a bit stiffer than my Envirosax bags and rather than roll into a bundle, these bags fold neatly into a square that fits into their matching pouch. At first, I was constantly misplacing those little puches when I pulled the bags out to use them, but it's easy enough to slip the pouch into the bag as soon as it's unfolded. I got the LOVE bag from Abercrombie & Fitch a few years ago, and I snapped up the strawberry and striped bags in Seoul this past winter.

Shop more BAGGU here

^ These canvas bags are perfect for carrying books, stationery, and other flat treasures home from the store. The flat bottom, rectangular shape, and heavy fabric keep corners crisp and covers uncreased. In terms of storage features, they are decidedly old school - I hang them from a hook or lay them flat on a shelf. But what they lack in foldability they make up for in feels. Way back in the day, my daughters hand-painted them with stencils and stamps, and I love these bags all the more for their homespun charm.

Shop canvas bags at Michaels here

^ Last but definitely not least, my French market bags put a smile on my face every time I use them. Granted, they are fussy little things - any package with square corners is likely to poke through the net and ruin the aesthetic. But when I fill them with a handful of loose apples or oranges, a wedge of brie cheese, a baguette, and best of all, a bunch of fresh flowers. my reusable bag cup runneth over.

These are not the most practical bags in my reusable bag arsenal but it is entirely possible that they are the cutest.

I bought my market bags here.

* * * * *

Read on about my efforts to help protect our planet

Reusable Shopping Bags

Biodegradable Toothbrushes

Eliminating Plastic Food Packaging

Bar Soap

Glass Food Storage

Stainless Steel Straws

Supporting Innovation

News Trend Protect Our Planet With Biodegradable Toothbrushes|Actual

"What are you giving up for Lent?"

That's a common question in these forty days before Easter. And when I ask, nine times out of ten, the answer is chocolate, beer, or social media.

But what if we look at Lent as an opportunity not to just temporarily give up a bad habit but to start a good habit - a habit that makes a difference to people, to the world, to God.

This year for Lent, my goal is to protect our planet. I'm looking for ways to lessen my impact on our mother earth and bring me joy at the same time.

Here is the story of my progress.

* * * * *

These bamboo-handled toothbrushes can be used just as long as a traditional plastic-handled toothbrush. But when the time comes to toss one away, it fully composts in a matter of weeks.

The sustainable bamboo is naturally moisture proof and smooth to the touch.

The bristles are soft though made of nylon so sadly, they are not biodegradable. The manufacturers are still working on an alternate material.

Cleverly, the stylish handles are numbered so that bathroom mates can easily keep track of their own brush.

Each individual brush is boxed separately within the four-brush set so some can be easily stored for future use.

Even the packaging made from paper and entirely recyclable.

And at eight dollars for a set of four, these bamboo toothbrushes are a great value.

* * * * *

However.

I must confess that I knew none of these facts when I ordered mine.

I simply got it in my head that I needed a bamboo toothbrush stat.And without reading so much as a single review or looking at even one alternative, I:

jumped on Amazon,

searched "bamboo toothbrush" and looked straight away for the Amazon's Choice banner,

hit "Buy Nowdanquot; and swiped right.

And now I'm off to use mine for the first time. Let's see if my ignorance pays off.

* * * * *

Shop here for the Isshah charcoal bamboo toothbrush. Or you can gohere for a full list of options, if you'd like to actually compare a few options before making a purchase.

* * * * *

Read on about my efforts to help protect our planet

Reusable Shopping Bags

Biodegradable Toothbrushes

Eliminating Plastic Food Packaging

Bar Soap

Glass Food Storage

Stainless Steel Straws

Supporting Innovation

News Trend Protect Our Planet By Eliminating Plastic Food Packaging|Actual

"What are you giving up for Lent?"

That's a common question in these forty days before Easter. And when I ask, nine times out of ten, the answer is chocolate, beer, or social media.

But what if we look at Lent as an opportunity not to just temporarily give up a bad habit but to start a good habit - a habit that makes a difference to people, to the world, to God.

This year for Lent, my goal is to protect our planet. I'm looking for ways to lessen my impact on our mother earth and bring me joy at the same time.

Here is the story of my progress.

* * * * *

Oh, plastic. You are such a blessing and, as I'm reminded on the daily these days, quite a curse.

Among your many useful applications, you are such an inexpensive yet effective way to keep my groceries fresh.

But look. The Chinese recyclists don't want you anymore, and you're clogging up the oceans and really this madness just needs to stop.

And so I am bound and determined to forge ahead without you.

At least I'm taking baby steps in that direction.

Here's a sample of my daily grocery shop. Now, to be fair, this is lighter than usual - the dinner menu  led with veggie-stuffed pita sandwiches and I already had on hand several key ingredients:

Boston lettuce program.

But recycling you is no longer enough for me, plastic. I'm glad to recycle glass and paper but I don't want to deal with you at all any more.

There is no fast and easy way to be rid of you, plastic, but I will keep trying.

* * * * *

Read on about my efforts to help protect our planet

Reusable Shopping Bags

Biodegradable Toothbrushes

Eliminating Plastic Food Packaging

Bar Soap

Glass Food Storage

Stainless Steel Straws

Supporting Innovation

And sadly, my hyacinths came wrapped in not one but two layers of plastic. Sigh.

These days I am trying as much as possible to choose non-plastic packaging. And you better believe I recycle the heck out of everything - glass, paper, and most plastics are accepted in our recycling program.

But recycling you is no longer enough for me, plastic. I'm glad to recycle glass and paper but I don't want to deal with you at all any more.

There is no fast and easy way to be rid of you, plastic, but I will keep trying.

* * * * *

Read on about my efforts to help protect our planet

Reusable Shopping Bags

Biodegradable Toothbrushes

Eliminating Plastic Food Packaging

Bar Soap

Glass Food Storage

Stainless Steel Straws

Supporting Innovation

News Trend Dog-Walking Gloves|Actual

These are my dog-walking gloves. Because I treat my pup to a long 25 foot leash of luxurious semi-freedom, long enough for chasing rabbits, crawling into thickets, and climbing up the stairs of the occasional open door on a school bus, the gloves serve to protect my hands from dirt and debris as I coil up the rope at street crossings and encounters with humans, and they minimize the inevitable rope burns caused by an accelerating beast when she literally reaches the end of her rope.

And during the cooler months of the year, which here in the Pacific Northwest is literally all of them, my gloves give me a comfortable layer of warmth.

The gloves on the left are my old gloves. I've used them for many years and literally thousands of walks. They go back easily to 2010, which puts them in the middle of Ranger's life. The gloves have been on mountain hikes and beach walks, across the United States and back again many times over. Oh, the stories these gloves could tell, if only they could talk.

Of course, they can't. Gloves don't talk but the wear on these babies speaks for itself. Look at how the seams at the bottom of the palms are completely ripped out, and almost every single finger tip was worn through. These tried-and-trues have been past their prime for a good long time, but for purely sentimental reasons, I have hated to give them up.

They have still been sparking plenty of joy for me.

But today, as you may have guessed, is a merk new day. Strolling the aisles of Home Depot around midday, I spied the new, upgraded version of my old friends and impetuously snapped them up. A few hours later at walk time, I wore my new gloves for the very first time and while I confess to a bit of bittersweet nostalgia for my old ones, I also felt a surge of excitement.

I can't wait to see what adventures Gracie and I will have with my new dog-walking gloves.

^ Gracie before our first walk with my new gloves.

^Gracie after our first walk with my new gloves.

To be honest, I don't think she cares whether my gloves have holes or not.

All she knows is that when I put them on my hands, it's time for adventure.

News Trend A Wild Goose Chase|Actual

Yesterday, I was on a mission.

My goal was to track down some hardware for an old picture frame. Here, let me show you what I mean.

^ This is a watercolor I bought at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair when I was a brand new teenager back in, oh, probably 1974. My mom bought one by the same artist, and this was the first of many paintings and accessories that we bought in matching pairs.

Though we were two different people in many ways, especially during those rebellious days of my youth, my mom and I found common ground in these bright watercolor birds.

Sadly, though, over the years, my art fell into disrepair.

^ To be more precise, it's the frame that has gone kablooey See these two white plastic corner pieces? Their job is to snap into the back of  the DIY metal frame to hold the sides at perfect ninety degree angles.

^ Alas, two of the four corner pieces of my frame have gone missing. I still have the smaller metal pieces that align the front side of the frame. But the plastic pieces that anchor the back side of the frame are long gone.

I discussed my quandary with my frame shop guy who gave me the bad news. This frame is seriously old school and the component parts are no longer readily available. Try a craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby, he suggested, or maybe search online.

Done, done and done. But to no avail.

It was later that evening when inspiration struck.

Thrift stores!

If I could stumble upon another DIY metal frame from the same era, I could salvage the parts I need and bring a happy ending to my conundrum.

That was a great idea. But three hours and four thrift stores later, my patience ran out. Inspired though my plan may have been, the thought ran through my head that the entire afternoon had turned into nothing but a wild goose chase.

As that phrase echoed in my mind, I couldn't help but smile.

I remembered a story from the middle days of my mom's journey through Lewy Body Dementia. Despite her best efforts to mask her growing confusion, people who knew Mom well could see that she was struggling and some began to lose confidence in her ability to reason.

One day, my mom was on a mission of her own. She had a silver teapot that needed repair and had tracked down a craftsman who could do the work. With his address in hand and a lifetime of familiarity with the roads in his neck of the woods, she summoned her driver, Amy, and together they set out to find him.

Well, let me say this. Despite the progression of that horrible disease, my mom had a keen sense of direction and an uncanny ability to find her way around. But poor Amy had lost faith in Mom's navigation skills, and apparently decided to disregard her instructions.

Which led to a long, protracted series of wrong turns, retraced steps, and driving in circles. Mom was infuriated by this nonsense and was eventually proved right when Amy finally listened to her directions and soon pulled into the craftsman's driveway.

Mom conducted her business and  in short order, she and Amy were back in the car headed for home.

"Well," the endlessly cheerful Amy chirped, "that turned out to be quite a wild goose chase, didn't it, Grace?!"

And at this point in the narrative, which Mom had on repeat for at least a week, she interjected, "Amy doesn't even know what she's talking about. A 'wild goose chase' means that you never find what you're looking for, but once she stopped her foolishness and did what I told her, we found the address right away.  That was NOT a wild goose chase at all."

I'm smiling again to think of Mom's unshakable confidence in herself and, even in the midst of that terrible disease, how right she actually was.

Her confidence lives on in me. I know I'll eventually figure out a way to secure the corners of my frame. Soon enough, it'll be hanging on the wall once again.

Every time I see it, I'll be reminded over and over again of that day when, much to our surprise, my mom and I bought matching paintings of watercolor birds.

And I will always smile to remember how she taught me the true meaning of a wild goose chase.

* * * * *

To read more stories about my mom's journey through Lewy Body Dementia, go here.

News Trend Gracie And Nala Walking Together|Actual

You can't really tell from this photo, but Gracie on the left outweighs Nala on the right

by about fifty pounds. Gracie is a shaggy bear cub and Nala a sleek little fox,

and walking together they are purely adorable.

Imagine you are driving through an ordinary Pacific Northwest neighborhood, your eyes filled with the usual suburban street scenes of trees and bushes, pavement and fences. Ho hum.

Suddenly you see a dog. Oh sure, there are plenty of interesting and attractive dogs wandering with their people along the way. But this is a red dog.

A very red dog.

Big and shaggy, stepping with a lively rhythm, head down, tail  up, excitement quivering along every inch of that gleaming, vibrant body.

And then. Zoinkies, what's this? You suddenly realize there are actually two dogs, almost identical in coloring and temperament and posture, zipping along on their ultra long leashes, together.

Two very red dogs walking together.

* * * * *

This is the story of Gracie and Nala.

Nala's human is Kelly, the angel who brought Gracie into my life. When Gracie's previous owner realized he could no longer care for her, he contacted Kelly, and Kelly led the efforts to find Gracie a new family. She is the one who brought Gracie to my front door on that very first day of our life together, and I am forever grateful for Kelly.

And since Kelly and Nala live just a few miles away, from time to time, we meet up for walks.

As much as I enjoy the solitude of Gracie's and my usual routine, it's fun to have a human companion, especially one who is such a kindred spirit. Our Irish lassies bond us together, though we have many other common interests and our walks are full of interesting conversation.

But as much as Kelly and I talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company, neither one of us takes our eyes off our dogs for an instant. We are constantly minding the long leashes, navigating intersections, watching for rabbits and squirrels, and admiring our gorgeous girls.

We humans enjoy our time together, but these walks are for Gracie and Nala. And there is nothing that gives me more joy than to see Gracie and Nala walking together.

* * * * *

Would you like to read more about how Gracie came to me?

Surprise!

What's In A Name?

First Trip To The Vet

Red Beauty

Two Weeks In