Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

The season carries many meanings whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, or simply the turning of the year.

Introducing our family to the pleasures of our much loved Hawaii added pleasure to the trip in many ways. Here we are -- Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, at left, with our Bay Area family, the Ganners: Steve, James, Amarylla and Peny, on the shores of Hilton's Waikoloa Resort on the Big Island. Story By Christene Meyers Photos By Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" WE LOVE to travel with our niece, nephew-in-law and their kids. Seeing a new place with a youngster g

London is a striking commentary on architectural evolution. This street scene illustrates the blend of history and innovation. With dozens of medieval landmarks like the Tower of London, there are beautiful modern buildings such as The Shard, with 26 stories, dozens of restaurants, residential living and a five-star hotel.

A troupe of actors makes its way across the U.S., as silent movies give way to the talkies. Side trips to Paris and London, with a stop in rural Montana, plus a love triangle, drug addiction, show biz flair, loyalty tested, gunslingers, jealousies and dreams. Critics praised the tone, detail, intricate relationships and colorful rendering of place, period and interesting people.

First novel by Christene "Cookie" Meyers. "Lilian's Last Dance"

We are working to update and transfer more than 800 articles and thousands of photos. Whereiscookie.com our new website, will offer the same tips and insights you've come to enjoy in 13 years and more than 150 countries, dozens of performances and nature stories.

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Venice remains one of the world’s most magical destinations, where centuries of art, history, and culture rise from the water. Our visit revealed both the romance of the floating city and the growing challenges of over tourism, including new visitor taxes designed to protect this unforgettable Italian treasure

This recipe for Char Siu came from a sweet old Vietnamese woman we met on a bike tour in Vietnam. Ba Diem didn't have specific measurements (like my Irish grandmother.) So improvise and use your best judgment. Here's her ancient and delicious recipe.

Gratitude comes in family size for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, in center, surrounded by her clan of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted family and the next generation. GATHER TOGETHER, ROLL MERRILY ALONG, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, BE GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Editor's Note: Our annual Thanksgiving essay is dedicated to our American friends and family and extended clan and pals abroad who celebrate their thanks on other days. Cookie and Grandpa Gus on Thanksgiving Day

The clan gathered for a birthday party for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, but she didn't know it was also a wedding. Her longtime partner, photographer Bruce Keller, had arranged the ceremony with the couple's niece and nephew, Amarylla and Steve Ganner. "Father Steve" officiated. "Father Steve," a San Francisco lay minister, has officiated at other weddings. He and his wife, Cookie's niece Amarylla, secretly arranged with Keller to add a wedding to the birthday bash. GROOM P

More than five decades after Little Big Man transformed the Western movie genre, Christine "Cookie" Myers returned to celebrate the film's enduring legacy. As a 20-year-old cast member during production and a featured speaker at the Little Big Man Symposium, she shared behind-the-scenes memories of one of Montana's most influential films.

A Travel story about bloggers Cookie and Keller train adventures with friends and family around the globe

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MY GRANDPARENTS lived next door, so we didn't have far to go to enjoy their guidance and company. Holiday meals at their home were much loved tradition. We sang "Over the River and Through the Woods"with gusto to please Gran Olive, who taught us the melody and her revised lyrics. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Coming shortly after her Nov. 19 birthday, it was an extension of that -- a bonus time together to play music, Scrabble, pinochle and cribbage, to visit, cook a

Two glitzy birthday concerts this week were an unadulterated love fest for Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto 95 years ago on Aug. 3.

Christene "Cookie" Meyers at the dedication of the Bruce Meyers Poets Garden, May, 1993, on the campus of Montana State University-Billings, then Eastern Montana College. Three of the professor's poems etched on marble were written on the memorial site. The garden is listed in the Smithsonian's list of public art (see link below.) STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Architect Ted Wirth and EMC president Bruce Carpenter discuss the project at the groundbreaking i

Bruce Kemp Meyers celebrated life and shared his acting talents, despite chronic heart problems. Bruce Meyers played Daddy Warbucks in "Annie." The title role was played by Becca Barthelmess and Lana Fox Gribas played Grace. Warbucks and Grace marry and adopt all the orphans. Our Airedale Gandalf played Sandy the dog, also adopted by the new family. OVATION: A birthday salute for Bruce Kemp Meyers and his lively life in the theater STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Photos from CM

The Yorkshire terrier's small size belies its personality: energetic, spirited, domineering. Yorkies are affectionate. They love attention, a good choice for one who wants to dote on a dog with tenacious personality. Beneath the glossy coat beats the heart of a feisty terrier.--AKC's "Dog Breeds, What Dog For Me?"

In Naples and this diverse corner of Italy you'll find ancient courtyards and grand staircases, elegant halls and busy streets, buses, busts, scooters, smokers, tourists, locals, dust, wine shops, great museums, majestic cathedrals and irreverent youth. While there, take a drive to Positano up the gorgeous Amalfi coast.