March 1, 2026 Greetings! Greetings from Tromso! Norway’s Arctic capital seems almost balmy today, with blue skies and a high of 4 degrees Celsius. We’ve warmed up since our last stop in Alta, way up in the north of Norway, which was…bracing. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. We are well ensconced on Viking Vela. It’s been about a year and a half since I’ve sailed with Viking, and I am reminded of all the reasons I enjoy the experience....
2 days ago • 10 min read
February 15, 2026 Greetings! Warm greetings from a very snowy Riga — we got 10 cm of snow yesterday, which has turned the city into a winter wonderland…if one that is difficult to navigate, particularly as I had to do. But we soldier on! Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. This has been a busy week, primarily of writing and cooking, and also preparing for the next cruise contract. So I haven’t much to report, but when I come to you next...
16 days ago • 8 min read
February 8, 2026 Greetings! Hello from Riga! Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. This has been a busy week, and one characterized by some trips around Latvia. Dmitry and I went to Ventspils to re-register our EU residency, grateful, as always, to the Government of Latvia for having us for another year! Yesterday, we made our way to Jelgava to explore that city’s annual ice sculpture festival. My association with ice sculptures stems...
23 days ago • 5 min read
February 1, 2026 Greetings! Happy February! (January happened fast, did it not?) I’m coming to you once again from Riga, where I have really been sticking close to home, pulling ahead on several writing projects and administration, as well as the annual clutter bust, which is going splendidly. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. RIP Catherine O'Hara I was so saddened to learn of the death of the marvelous Catherine O’Hara, and I am sure...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
January 25, 2026 Greetings! I hope 2026 is treating you well! I’m still in frigid Riga, where I have been busy doing several pieces on Vikings, concocting hearty stews like this one, which was phenomenal, and still enjoying the luxury of being home while also gearing up for the next adventure in Norway! I’m in the midst of a very energetic clutter bust, which always gets my juices flowing — it’s also been a good excuse to listen to some marvelous audio entertainment. Did you receive this...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
January 18, 2026 Greetings! Hello from Riga, where we are enjoying a classic winter wonderland, lucky enough to still enjoy all the holiday lights in situ. This is very sensible of the city authorities as the sun doesn’t really show itself much before 9:00 am and bids us farewell around 3:30. My determination to get more steps in has been thwarted by serious sub-zero temperatures, which look likely to drop even further in the coming days. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click...
about 1 month ago • 8 min read
January 11, 2026 Greetings! As you read this, I am making my way home after three months on the road, starting back in Monte Carlo in mid-October! We concluded our very enjoyable Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2, where I was delighted to be reunited with two fellow travelers from our epic voyage to Japan on Seabourn Quest. The cruise community is small, but very mighty. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. The Britannia Restaurant |...
about 2 months ago • 6 min read
January 4, 2026 Greetings and Happy New Year! I am one day into another transatlantic journey on the Queen Mary 2, which is a marvelous way to begin 2026. Nine days on board offer both time and space to reflect and plan for the year ahead. I have so many potential projects in the pipeline — all of them exciting — but my task next week will be to pick which to tackle in the coming year. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. I hope your...
about 2 months ago • 7 min read
December 21, 2025 Greetings! I’m in Los Angeles for one day, having disembarked Vista after a very happy and productive month on board, traveling from Barcelona all the way to the West Coast of the USA. This put the cap on a busy autumn season that began in the Adriatic and Eastern Med in early September on Seabourn Encore, and then the Western Med on Seabourn Ovation. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Click here for your own free subscription. It has been marvelous to spend so...
2 months ago • 6 min read