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THREE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN HISTORIC ISRAELI CITY  Cookie takes a moment to meditate and give thanks for her return to a favorite city at the Western Wall, Jerusalem. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS The Dome of the Rock , sacred Muslim shrine, circa 685, offers gorgeous mosaics  and  is an Islamic architectural  monument. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER NO CITY  on the planet makes such an emotional impact on so many people. Jerusalem, the proud capital of Israel, sits handsomely atop a plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It has survived centuries of upheaval, invasion, plunder and celebration. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre figures prominently in the Easter week remembrances when thousands visit.  It remains one of the most beautiful, cohesive and oldest cities in the world, considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam. WE WERE  struck by the beautiful light -- and the peaceful nature of the people.  Although it is a bustling, busy city, Jerusalem has an underlying feeling of reverence.  Within a mile, we visited the historic Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall, all iconic, historic sites crucial to understanding the major world religions which share this diverse city and revere its sacred past. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre,   the site of Christ's tomb, is sacred to believers. Israel's eight million people live in an area a bit smaller than New Jersey.  About 840,000 people call Jerusalem home, with   Jews comprising about 61 per cent, Muslims about 35 per cent, Christians and other faiths the remaining four per cent. The spectacular Dome of the Rock against the Jerusalem skyline. Cookie lights a candle for departed loved ones in Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been preserved for centuries. EASTER TIME  in Jerusalem is a wondrous spectacle for all faiths. Many Christian rituals have roots in Jewish traditions. The celebration of the Jewish festival of Passover, for example, commemorates the exodus of Jews from captivity in Egypt.  Passover has been mixed with Easter for centuries.  The Hebrew word Pesach, originally meaning Passover, came to mean Easter as well. Holy Week and Easter in Jerusalem mingle as members of both faiths celebrate their rich cultures. The magnificent Dome of the Rock is also a visitor's must. This stunning 7th-century Jerusalem edifice enshrines the rock from which Muḥammad is said to have ascended to heaven. A journey to Masada in the Judean desert is a great day trip from Jerusalem. The rugged  natural fortress  is a symbol of Jewish bravery and tenacity.  It overlooks the Dead Sea. AS LENT  draws to a close, native sons and daughters might avoid Jerusalem. They may celebrate their heritage at Masada or Galilee, or even with a float in the Dead Sea. But many Christians consider an Easter visit to Jerusalem a priority on their bucket lists. THE SPECTACLE  in Jerusalem is thrilling, as locals and pilgrims celebrate Holy Week in the Holy City.  THE CULMINATION of course is Easter Sunday. Even for non-believers, celebrating the events of Jesus’ life at the sites where they occurred is moving. Easter Week   began last Sunday with the celebration of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, greeted by cheering throngs.  Palm Sunday mass was celebrated at the monumental Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the palm procession following. Thousands of Christians from around the world joyfully marched from Bethphage, singing in many languages, down the western slope of the Mount of Olives across the Kidron valley and into the Old City. The next days were for praying and meditation. Yosh Wickman  and Bruce Keller at the Dead Sea, another Israel site. THEN ON HOLY Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper was celebrated at the Holy Sepulchre followed by ceremony with the Franciscans on Mount Zion, and a meditative holy hour with the actor portraying Jesus, leading up to his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.  A memorable candlelight procession followed to the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu where Jesus is said to have spent the night after his arrest.  I always light candles for my departed loved ones. The colorful fabrics of Arab people attract the eye. The crucifixion marked Good Friday, followed by Easter Vigil and vespers, the climax of the week, in the Basilica of the Resurrection.  ON EASTER  Sunday, mass was again celebrated for throngs at 8 a.m. with a procession around Jesus’ tomb. Many pilgrims follow the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa. They also celebrate Christ’s funeral at the Sepulchre, an event unique to the Church of Jerusalem, reenacting the deposition of Christ’s body into the tomb. THERE IS  so much to do and see in Israel!  I've been lucky to make five visits, and I hope for another.  The culture is rich and varied, the amalgam of people, history and architecture are thrilling.  The people are warm, witty, proud and welcoming.   The food is fabulous. The beauty of the villages and particularly glorious Jerusalem has an unforgettable staying power. Cookie's favorite tree, the jacaranda, was in bloom throughout a recent trip through Central America, Colombia and west Mexico.   COMING UP :  Speaking of beauty, the glorious purple jacaranda tree bloomed a path for us for nearly a month as we departed San Diego to visit seven countries south of us. Our recent transit of the Panama Canal segued to Central America with its variety and wonders.  We also stopped in Puerto Vallarta, made famous in the early 1960s by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during filming of "The Night of the Iguana." Sure, there are drugs.  But the delights trump the fear, with fabulous food, adventurous people, and the glories of the natural world of birds, monkeys, trees and waterways. Remember to explore, learn and live and join us Wednesdays and weekends:  www.whereiscookie.com

Jacarandas in all their glory escort our travelers through seven tropical countries The jacaranda accompanied, and perhaps blessed, a recent sea journey from San Diego to Florida. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER HUNDREDS  of jacaranda trees were our talismans on a recent foray to Mexico, Central America and the tip of South America. Our adventure was enhanced by the gorgeous purple blossoms at every stop in an itinerary highlighted by a transit of the Panama Canal. We'll share the Panama Canal's wonders.  Legend has it that if you walk beneath a jacaranda and one of its gorgeous trumpet blossoms falls on your head, good fortune will favor you. And so it has.  We are safely back. Applause for Gabriel Garcia Marquez.   WE'LL TAKE YOU to seven countries, a dozen villages and several major cities including Cartegena, birthplace of the magnificent writer and Colombian native son and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who passed away last week, days after we'd strolled past his home. A central figure in Latin America's "magical realism" movement, Marquez is revered in Colombia and especially in Cartegena, where we spent time near the home he kept while living in Mexico City, where he died. A wedding unfolded as our travelers journeyed through the Americas, enjoying the variety of cultures and sights.  The beautiful blooms of the jacaranda floated to the ground throughout the city, as if in celebration of his life and colorful writing. The tree and the author have much in common.  Jacaranda is a Portuguese word meaning "having a hard core or hard branch."  Marquez sent his literary branches worldwide. Our visit to the southern Americas begins today, here at  www.whereiscookie.com The iguana inspired the title for the Burton film made in Puerto Vallarta. OUR TRIP  had myriad highlights -- a surprise wedding, a close-up of the remarkable canal itself, an embroidery lesson, rare bird sightings, howler monkeys, delightful meals ranging from curry to beans and rice and lamb stew, with gorgeous vegetables and fruits. Richard Burton in a still from the 1964 film. We'll be writing about El Set, made famous by the Burtons and actor John Huston during filming. WE'LL BE SKY  walking in Costa Rica and  hobnobbing in Puerto Vallarta at the popular bar, El Set, made famous by the late actor Richard Burton when he was there on location in the 1960s. Older locals still remember Burton's and Elizabeth Taylor's colorful stay there during filming of "The Night of the Iguana." We have the scoop! And speaking of iguanas, we'll take a look at the fellow who enjoyed the papaya we offered but had little interest in the pineapple or watermelon. We'll walk across a trio of wavering sky bridges, high above the Costa Rican rain forest, where we commune with toucans and crimson parrots.   We'll take a boat ride to a remote Guatemalan village on Lake Atitlan, in the heart of the Mayan world. And we'll report on the two days spent transiting the Panama Canal.  The technological marvel is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.  Humidity and a swaying sky bridge added drama as Cookie and Keller climbed with the monkeys in Costa Rica. The jacaranda flowers brought good luck to our travelers. Always, the jacaranda tree was our good luck and inspiration. Cruisers aboard the Legend of the Seas are bound from the Pacific to the Atlantic.  Each day, ships transit the canal from both oceans.  ITS VIVID  lilac-blue clusters of trumpet shaped blossoms are found in   tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, Hispaniola and the Bahamas, where the tree is native. It has been planted widely in Asia, especially in Nepal where it is beloved, and in Africa and Australia. By now, it has been introduced to most tropical climates on the planet, so beautiful are its   spring and early summer blossoms which fall to earth with a mass of color.  I've had the good fortune to enjoy them in Barcelona, Pretoria, and at the famous annual Grafton festival in Australia.  There is actually a town called Jacaranda City, 50 kilometers north of Johannesburg, with 70,000 plus flowering jacaranda trees. That place is on my bucket list! The richly figured timber is rarely cut, as the ornamental value is high. The interesting leathery seed pods follow flowering.  I'm hoping to plant some seeds this year here in San Diego, where there are thousands of these favorite trees. COMING SOON : We kick off the trip series at the Panama Canal, celebrating its 100th birthday. Then on to the surrounding countries which offer a variety of colorful and daring tourist activities, from scholarly cultural excursions to sheer play.  Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at:   www.whereiscookie.com

The graceful Bridge of the Americas is the first impressive site, beginning the Panama Canal transit.from the Pacific     Engineering marvel thrills as it raises the ship 85 feet to move it across land, Pacific to Atlantic It's a tight squeeze aboard the Legend of the Seas, at Mira Flores. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WHEN TEDDY  Roosevelt traveled to Panama in 1914 to proudly christen the new canal, he likely did not envision 14,000 ships a year transiting this “eighth wonder of the world.”  He surely knew, though, savvy man that he was, that the idea was not new. SINCE 1534,  sailors, explorers, kings and merchants had dreamed of connecting the oceans. It took Teddy and nearly 400 years, for the canal to happen. OUR RECENT  transit of this engineering wonder brought respect and delight for the feat often called the Crossroads of the World. Our bully President Theodore Roosevelt oversaw the realization of a long-term United States goal, knowing  the world needed a trans-isthmian canal to shave off thousands of miles, months of time and the long and arduous "around the horn" trip . THROUGH THE  1800s, American and British leaders and businessmen schemed for a way to ship goods quickly and cheaply between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The California Gold Rush and the 1855 railroad put the notion back in the news. Abandoned by the French, after thousands of their workers died of malaria, the U.S. took a shot at the project in the early 1900s.   A colorful array of some of  one  freighter's shipment.  PULITZER  Prize winning author David McCullough describes the intricate political maneuvering in his epic, "The Path Between the Seas."  The sweeping tome chronicles   the complex creation of the Panama Canal. It's a first-rate drama of the bold and brilliant engineering feat and all its tragedy and triumph, told by a master historian. Tugs and pilot boats are part of the water traffic during transit. The French had built the earlier Suez Canal, but that was in the desert on sandy earth.  They didn't have the savvy or equipment to break through the rocky earth in Central America. HERE ARE  some fun canal facts.  Did you know? *The Chagres River is the only river on the planet flowing into two oceans, dumping its waters into oceans on two continents – on opposite sides of the Continental Divide.  *The Panama Canal is essentially a “water elevator” moving ships between the two oceans, Atlantic and Pacific.  It’s a gravity fed The thrill of transiting oceans through the locks attracts tourists worldwide, here aboard Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas.  The transit is narrated, through all three sets of locks, and takes a full, fascinating day on ship. elevator raising ships 85 feet up and over the Divide and across two earthquake faults. * It represents a savings of 8,000 miles (rather than going around the tip of South America or “the The Pedro Miguel station awaits ships in transit on both sides.  horn”) avoiding some of the coldest, windy, dangerous and rough waters of the world. *The opening of the new, enlarged canal project has been delayed, due partly to flooding, and  to awarding the contract to the low bidder who ran out of money.  When we booked this spring cruise for 2014 – nearly two years ago – the new lane was to be open. *It is designed to increase the capacity for transporting goods and services from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and vice versa, enabling ships to carry three times larger capacity. * That the new, enlarged canal carried a price tag of $5.3 billion with contracts awarded to four countries:  Spain, Italy, Belgium and Panama. How is that international endeavor unfolding? It's $7 billion now and 18 months late. The expansion project is underway again, cutting a new trench. COMING WEDNESDAY:   The Panama Canal expansion may be open by late 2015.  That, too, is unfolding like a suspense novel.  It was supposed to open this year, but it was sidetracked, went way over budget and construction was stopped for months.  What will this "major heart surgery" do to the canal, and how much do ships pay for passage?  All at:   www.whereiscookie.com Please tell your friends and remember to explore, learn and live. We publish Wednesdays and weekends, rain or shine!

GRANDMOTHER JIGGED AND COOKED CORNED BEEF, MUM DYED THE RICE GREEN AND WEPT AS SHE SAW IRELAND Cookie and her mother, Ellen, wearing the green.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER St. Patrick, a humble man, whom the holiday honors. Dancers will kick it up during the weekend and to Monday. MY FAVORITE  memories of St. Patrick's Day have to do with my two strongest female influences:  my mother and her mother, my beloved gran, Olive. They also have to do with parades and costumes -- because both women loved them. Proud of her Irish heritage -- Cobh in County Cork -- Gran taught us how to jig. She loved the holiday and described Cobh as vividly as if she'd lived there herself. "Oh, it's a lovely, small seaport town in County Cork, Southwest Ireland," she'd say, hands on her hips after opening an atlas to her clan's homeland. "It's on Great Island in Cork Harbour and it was from Cobn that our ancestors set sail for the new world -- never to return to Ireland again."  At this she'd dab her eyes and pour a stiff toddy. Celebrity's Century brought Cookie's mother to Cobh, Ireland, below right. 'Tis true, 'tis true.. In the era of transatlantic travel before the jet age, Cobh was often the last port for many of the great liners bound for America. It was at Cobh that the ill-fated Titanic made its last stop. My great gran's parents -- with my grandmother's mother, Christena Wilson -- sailed to America from Cobh on a less troubled but undoubtedly tragic journey. It was called Queenstown when Christena's clan left Ireland, and Gran made certain we knew that. She nurtured a romantic notion that her meeting of my grandfather Gustav Nystul, whose parents came from Norway, had a mystical connection to the Vikings who inhabited Ireland and the waters that both cultures shared.  SO IT WAS  with great emotion that my sister Robbie, my mother Ellen, and I sailed into Cobh on a Celebrity Cruise during the last year of my mother's life. The whole trip was delightful but Ireland was the highlight. Cook up a corned beef and cabbage dinner, such as Ellen enjoyed. during her "bucket list" trip to Ireland. "I'm home, I'm home," she wept as the beautiful and sleek Century ship sailed into port. It was as lovely, lively and green as my gran described it. The Ireland trip, and a trip a year later to Norway, where my grandfather's parents were born, were the two top items on mum's bucket list. I'm grateful I helped her complete this important circle in her life. THE CENTURY'S  able staff, knowing of mum's deep connection to the land, staged a private Irish-themed party after we came back on board, having toured the town and stopped at a pub for the inevitable corned beef and cabbage. Gran prepared it on a regular basis and mum yearned to taste it on native soil. Saint Patrick converted the pagans. St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. The following year, my mother astonished my Georgia sister and her family's Japanese members by coloring the rice green on St. Pat's day, her eccentric nod to the saint for which the holiday is named. She claimed it helped her reconnect with the green of Cobh. THE HISTORY  of St. Patrick's Day is an interesting one. Its obvious religious connections have morphed into a reason to party, whatever your faith, or even if you are faithless. Today, we Irish welcome you all! St. Patrick is said to have inspired the love of shamrocks, using it to explain the Trinity. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity and driving out the snakes while charming the pagans. Most of what we know comes from his two works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Saint Patrick probably didn't swill whisky, guzzle Guinness stout or sip green beer. He described himself as a “humble-minded man, pouring forth thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.” Cookie serves up an Ashland lunch at the wonderful eatery, Sesame. ALAS, THE BELOVED  saint would have his work cut out with me! Gran also told us that the shamrock became the national flower of Ireland because St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. Makes sense, gran. Happy St. Patrick's day up there! Bet you're jigging and knocking out Irish tunes on heaven's 88s. COMING UP:   Ephesus and its wonders, plus the glories of Ashland, Oregon, with its world class theater, charming boutique hotel, chocolate festival, fabulous food, glorious wine and cheese, scenery, spring blossoms and shopping. Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com . Please share the link with like minded folks. Our specialties are food, fun, travel, theater and general joie de vivre! Christene Meyers, aka "Cookie," was arts and travel editor with the Lee Newspapers for many years, interviewing stars including Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Fred Astaire, Katharine Hepburn, Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando. Her first "big movie" coverage was Arthur Penn's "Little Big Man," filmed in her native Montana in 1971. You can find this story at whereiscookie.

CREATIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM AT ASHLAND HOTEL Ame and James Beard are co-owners of Sweet Thang chocolates, gifts. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER BY DAY , she's a school principal, working with low-income kids to boost their self esteem, encouraging them to stay in school and plan productive lives. By night and weekends, she's a chocolate wizard, inventing new recipes for truffles, making cookies with the age old ingredient worshipped by millions. AMETHYST BEARD , called Ame for short, loves her students even more than she loves chocolate.  She's merged her two passions in a single endeavor. Recently, as principal and superintendent of Network Charter School in Eugene, Oregon, Beard cooked up a plan to bring six students to the Oregon Chocolate Festival. They helped set up and man a booth at the sponsoring Ashland Springs Hotel.  The endeavor won "best of show" in this theater driven town. Ame Beard wears two hats -- school principal and chocolate maker. Here, she shares samples with chocolate lovers at Ashland Springs Hotel's 10th annual Oregon Chocolate Festival. THE STUDENTS   are an engaging group, aged 15 to 17, selected for the festival for exceptional performance. Culinary teacher Evan Woodward considered their work ethic, ability, and teamwork skills, drawing on his experience as a businessman and professional chef. Woodward owns his own popular restaurant, Porcellino Bistro, in Eugene. The school's 120 students range from grade seven to twelve. As chosen "chocolate helpers" from the culinary class, their festival banner proclaimed "Le Petit Gourmet," from the Culinary Arts Program. The enterprise in Ashland represents only part of the school's ambitious training program. Ame Beard, center, cooked up a program to help students segue into life. Flanking her are culinary students Anakin Banker and Makayla Elliot. THE CLASS  also shares its talents with school mates, teachers and staff. "Each day the class prepares nutritious and pretty whole-foods meals," says Beard, "In the morning, they fix delicious breakfasts.  By noon, they've prepared lunch for the entire staff and student body.  It's a huge hit." THE STUDENTS  are learning everything needed to succeed in life beyond the school halls, in pursuit of worthy vocational careers. The 10th annual Oregon Chocolate Festival is the brainstorm and pet project of the hotel's director of sales and marketing, Karolina Wyszynska.  She welcomed the project to her lively and innovative festival. THE BELOVED, historic hotel was a perfect The chocolate festival also offered hats, earrings, crafts. setting for the kids to hone skills. People were in a festive mood as they tasted chocolate and shopped for specialty gifts, appreciating the variety and treats at the booths and taking time to commend Beard and the students for their enterprise. "We work on entrepreneurial skills, production line skills, customer service engagement, punctuality, taking direction gracefully," says Beard. All that came into play at the festival, plus preparation and budgeting for costs, materials and time. "MY IDEA  is to prepare them for whatever lies ahead -- whether it be college, owning a small business or being a useful, proud employee," says Beard.  Her husband and business partner, James Beard, is also a "chocolate moonlighter" and, says his wife, "super dad."  His day job is as a University of Oregon computer programmer. At the 2014 Chocolate Festival, the Beards' unique student booth got plenty of accolades. The Beards have developed a unique student program. "MANY   OF THESE kids come from challenging backgrounds, so I'm really proud," says Beard. Her school has among the highest combined poverty and disabled rates in Oregon, so the program gives kids a leg up. It's a mutual admiration society.  The respect of students for principal and vice versa shines through. Keller and Cookie prepare to enjoy a chocolate dinner. "THE SKILLS  they're sharpening outside class are   critical," says Beard. "Even though we would like to see our students attend higher education, many will become either employees or entrepreneurs. The skills displayed at the chocolate festival are immensely useful outside a regular school setting."  She points out that the festival booth incorporated math, English and science skills, applied to actual, real life situations. Artwork from chocolate. THE CLASS room also helps in the grooming.  "If a student is late, he or she could lose her position in class. "I'm trying to teach cause and effect, responsibility, consequence," says Beard. "They realize that being tardy in the work world can jeopardize a job." THE KIDS  learn to work together, to co-operate and compromise, to act professionally even if they don't particularly like everyone they encounter. "They also learn economics, to be wise with materials," she says. "If they make a product they cannot sell, they learn how waste impacts their business model and their budget," says Beard. "They were wonderful at the festival," she said, reflecting. "They were great with the public, interacting, using their skills, gaining confidence," she said. "This speaks highly of their maturity and drive." IT ALSO  speaks highly of their creative and caring principal. Jacksonville: lively yet peaceful southern Oregon town. COMING UP:   Jacksonville, Oregon, is a charming throwback to another era.  Especially in spring, the picturesque town is a gem to discover on a road trip. The entire village is on the historical register.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and check us out Wednesdays and weekends. We travel the world, interview the stars. Tell us what you'd like to hear about and please share the blog link with friends.  www.whereiscookie.com

COOKIE, KELLER GIVE THANKS TO NEW FRIENDS AND A DIVERSE, LIVELY SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY Boxes galore came from Arizona to southern California two years ago. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER BEGORRAH!  'Twas a mere two years ago, St Patty's week. We were tired and dusty as we finished dry-walling the living room ceiling, moving into our San Diego town home. We weren't expecting an invitation to a party! New friends, fun parties and a welcome to neighbors! WE'D SCOURED  the area from north county to the Mexico border for 18 months. We were losing hope we'd find our dream retirement home.  A roller coaster of actions and emotion prefaced our purchase: We found the home one morning, and "lost" it that afternoon. We'd jumped in the car after circling the listing in the morning paper. We loved the home and neighborhood, so hurried back to make an offer! The house had vanished from cyberspace. A call to our realtor friend determined that the home had just gone in escrow.    Last weekend's St. Patrick's Day party featured Chuck Colclasure playing guitar, Cookie singing. DRAT!  If anything should change, we told him, please call us immediately.  Then, miracle of miracles: the place fell out of escrow over a buyer-seller squabble about a minor repair the owner refused to make. We jumped on it, a lucky move. That St. Patrick's day week two years ago lives on in memory, a testimony to good timing and welcoming neighbors. Our unexpected invitation came between dry wall, the unpacking of an overloaded truck and a  PODS arrival from Phoenix. We felt like the Clampetts enroute to Beverly Hills. We were messy and tired from cleaning, painting and the aforementioned dry walling. The Clampetts of TV fame had nothing on Cookie and Keller. St. Pat's fun: Cookie, Keller, right; Chuck and Cathy, left. A PRETTY  neighbor stopped by, urging us to her party that night.  We declined, intent on finishing our work. But as dusk and fatigue settled, we reconsidered: let's go! We showered, grabbed a bottle of wine and plate of Bristol Farms cookies and wow! We came, saw, sang and feasted.  This lovely neighborhood "conquered" us. It's 2014 now and we feel still like extras in "Leave It To Beaver." The dog-friendly, diverse community is old-fashioned, gracious. Neighbors visit and chat with one another in Cookie and Keller's diverse neighborhood. Here the Madisons enjoy Halloween, dropping in to see if our writer and photographer have treats. (They did!) People water each others' plants, greet one another, stop by for a cuppa. They visit in their front yards. That contagious spirit is due largely to the Colclasures -- Chuck and Cathy -- now our friends. They're community oriented (she's president of the HOA) and brilliant at connecting people. Chuck sings, plays guitar and cooks when he's not teaching and talking philosophy. Cathy hangs whimsical banners outside their town home, heralding every season and holiday. She loves to dress up to a theme. THE PAIR are "the host and hostess with the mostess." Their annual Christmas party is so much fun, we try to plan trips around it. For their bashes they like to set up a keyboard.  After the potluck feast featuring Chuck's main course, a jam session might ensue, with Cookie and Chuck leading singing. Here's lookin' at you, kids, from a neighborhood party. WE LOVE  our neighborhood and our community. Every gathering has been fun and we're hoping to start a "food and friends" dining and wine group which will explore ethnic themes and draw us together to socialize and enjoy. Happy anniversary to us!  Thanks to all who welcomed us and continue to make us part of our exciting, friendly life here! May Irish eyes keep smiling (along with those of all diverse ethnicities represented in our area!)   Some time in these two years, I began to call our delightful neighborhood  "home." School principal Ame Beard, center, developed an inventive program to train students for life in the business world. Here Beard and students at Oregon's Chocolate Festival.  COMING UP:  An enterprising Oregon school principal in a low-income venue teaches life skills to be used as students pursue their futures. She uses her hobby -- chocolate making -- as the conduit.  "Sweet Thang" is a rock star! Plus thrills at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  Spring blooms in Ashland, Oregon, fabulous blue cheese from an 80-year old creamery, Ephesus antiquities and more. Christene Meyers shares knowledge and experience -- 69 countries and islands visited and dozens of celebrities interviewed, Tom Hanks to Liza Minnelli -- at www.whereiscookie.com .  Remember to explore, learn and live and please share our link.

Jacksonville, Oregon, may be a small town known but it's known for its large atmosphere and broad appeal. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Spring has sprung, in all its glory, in Jacksonville, Oregon.  THE ENTIRE  town is on the National Historic Register. Its trees, flowers are orchards handsomely groomed and abundant. The food is tasty and varied. Fruit and cheese are stars, with vineyards and tastings galore. The people are smart, friendly and welcoming. "Could you direct us to the closest winery?" we asked. "I'm going that way," the man in the truck motioned. Come on, follow me." WE RENTED a car to cap our week of play-going at nearby Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  I'd remembered a long-ago concert at the world famous Britt Festival and knew that Jacksonville was a pleasant, half-hour drive away. Jacksonville sports several fun coffee houses. IT WAS A  pastoral journey down memory lane, through land glorious with fruit tree blossoms. As we entered the pretty town, we felt immersed in its history. At every turn are proudly maintained homes, churches, public buildings. More than 100 historic structures stand in the town founded in 1852.   Horses, dogs and cows seem content. The Jacksonville Inn offers elegant, boutique style digs. Yet the landscape trumps everything in this breathtakingly beautiful town in southern Oregon. JACKSONVILLE  got its start during the "gold fever" days, for it was here that the Pacific Northwest's earliest gold discoveries occurred. The woods and world class music are part of  the Britt Festival's appeal. The front-and-center Jacksonville Inn welcomed us with its Western antiques and old-fashioned ambience.  The Inn has served several U.S. Presidents and is proud of its restaurant's carefully chosen menu. There are plenty of eateries, cafes and coffee shops, B&Bs, shopping and attractions, including a vintage trolley which will take you around in leisurely and colorful fashion. ONE OF THE  town's stand-outs, perhaps its most colorful offering, has put Jacksonville on the map.  It's the Britt Festival, a star of my youth, a musical extravaganza played out in a lovely wooded area right on the edge of town.  Last season's offerings ranged from  Cindy Lauper to Jeff Bridges, Michael Franti, REO Speedwagon, Kenny Loggins to the Doobie Brothers. Southern Oregon is full of unusual, fun small businesses, such as Gary West Artisan Smoked Meats. Yummy. Jacksonville's charming City Hall. WHILE YOU'RE  in a southern Oregon frame of mind, consider a trip to the coast.  Winchester Bay is one of the busiest fishing ports and you can book a scenic or sport fishing journey.  There are plentiful vineyards, and delightful shopping all along the way. Southern Oregon is generating tremendous interest among companies looking for a laid-back lifestyle in a setting where they can also compete. San Francisco is seven hours south and Portland five hours north! Medford offers direct flights to both cities. While in southern Oregon, you'll feel small-town charm with big-city appeal!    COMING SOON : A world famous festival unfolds in nearby Ashland, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Three unique theaters and a creative roster of plays charm visitors from all over the U.S. We blog about places, cruises, hotels, the hundreds of plays we see and the actors who perform in them. Let us know what you'd like to read about in our world travels: www.whereiscookie.com  Remember to explore, learn and live.  And please tell your friends.

Normally Cookie's playing piano at Montana Jack's this time of year, but no more  playing until the sling's off and muscles repaired. Fixing the hair -- a two-handed job -- requires help from Keller now. Wounded warrior arms herself for battle with the fates; she offers this appreciation for those whose loss is permanent Sailing is only a dream, with the chance of bumping the sling. Dancing isn't possible for now, with a sling on a sprained arm. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ANYONE WHO  has lost a limb to disease, injury or accident may find this confessional trite and cliched. I apologize to all of you, if this intended tribute sounds naive or self-pitying. But after 11 days with my left arm in a sling -- result of a painful and severe sprain -- I have utter respect for all who have lost an arm or leg and have no hope of recov. I will never view an amputee or quadriplegic, or anyone whose  limb has been rendered permanently useless in the same clueless light. My impediment is, to borrow from "Monty Python," a mere flesh wound.f Walking Nick and Nora was fun.  Now it's difficult and painful with only one arm. THIS ESSAY   is about arms, not legs, except as I involved them to make up for the temporarily lost limb. I actually used the pruners yesterday with my "good" right arm, and my left leg and knee, even involving my toes. I'm sure a wounded warrior or car accident survivor could write a parallel for legs. ALMOST EVERYTHING  we do in the course of a day -- from our mundane toiletries and ablutions to cooking, gardening, walking, reading, cleaning, cuddling -- requires both arms fully functioning. I started a list of the tasks I have had difficulty performing -- routine daily chores, and rituals particular to my life. With only one arm, everything is more complicated. In morning, I struggle with: * BRUSHING  my teeth.  No longer is one hand on the brush and the other on the toothpaste. I can put not even the slightest pressure on a tube. There are one-handed piano players, but a saxophone really requires both arms. Try holding a baby with one arm. * Putting on my bra. That's a two-hander! Keller to the rescue, although he claims he is far more adept at removing bras! * Taking a decent shower, washing hair. * Putting on a pair of earrings, zipping my pants. fixing my hair. * Stirring oatmeal, holding the breakfast toast to butter it. Unscrewing a new jar of jam. * Cutting a peach. * Opening a can of dog food. * Filling the bird feeders. Using the weed whacker. No dice. Maneuvering the weed whacker was easy earlier in summer. It's hard now.  * Watering the flowers and planting petunias -- it's hard to pull apart the roots of six-pack plants without both hands. I used my good arm and my teeth! (Sorry, dear dentist.) THAT'S JUST  to get me to mid-day. Afternoon chores and writing have been radically altered. With one arm, I have trouble with: * Typing -- I was 160 words a minute with no mistakes. Now I'm hunting and pecking with my right hand like my old time newspaper editors. * Threading a needle to do some mending. I finally put the needle between my toes to steady it. Gambling is possible with a single hand, but easier with two! * Collapsing a step ladder that was in my way.  I held it in place with my hip to fold it up. * Turning the pages of a book or magazine. * Changing a light bulb. * Opening a bottle of wine. (Corkscrew flipped out of my good hand and broke a glass.) Packing the trunk for an adventure used to be a pleasure! Now, cumbersome.  * Driving a car, riding a bike, pushing a wheel barrow, playing piano, tuning up my saxophone, folding laundry. Walking the Yorkies. * Mixing, baking and serving cookies. * Hoisting a sail as Cap'n Keller gives orders. * CHANGING  the hoses and screwing in the sprinkler, holding a baby or changing her diaper -- difficult if not impossible at this early stage of my "handicap." *  With my Irish up, I determined to hang a picture and finally did it, pounding in the hook, then straightening the small painting with my nose and shoulder. I've improvised to my best ability, as all handicapped people learn to do.  Again, humble kudos. TO EVERY  brave soul who has lost the use of a limb, then struggled to regain a "normal life," my fondest salute and admiration. In no way do I compare myself to you.  But next  time I see you crossing an intersection, maneuvering through a grocery store, or queuing up for a movie, I will ask if I can be helpful or provide even small service. Hats off to all the wounded, injured, recovering.  My lesson is one of thanks that my arm is mending.  I am richer for these weeks of repair and reflection.  My attitude is one of gratitude. Lisbon's ode to the explorers is a huge marble sculpture paying tribute to Portugal's discoveries.  It is located in the attractive Belem area. COMING SOON:  Let us lead you to the wonders of Lisbon, a city we love and think you will, too. Nautical lore and a beautiful port, fashion, food, music, museums and friendly people are part of the appeal.  Come to Portugal with us and remember to keep your sense of fun as you explore, learn and live. We post Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

BEARS COME OVER THE MOUNTAIN (AND ALMOST INTO THE KITCHEN) WHILE CRITTER, BEAUTY  ABOUND  This handsome fellow came across the yard at High Chaparral north of Nye, then scooted across the meadow. This bear has visited three years in a row.  He has a distinctive ear marking. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE BEAR  came again last night.  I was tidying up the kitchen, enjoying the hummingbird tweets and twitters, when he brushed against the kitchen window.  He pushed on the screen, growled, and I growled back. Keller prowls the mountains in all seasons for photos. Then with trembling hands (and one arm in a sling) I closed the glass windows and watched him circle the house, trying each window, trying every opening for a chance to come inside. Sunflowers are favorites of the birdies and of Cookie, here at High Chaparral. A friend down the road here in the rural West Fork of the Stillwater River kept a "spill-over" freezer on her closed-in porch for years.  One day she came home and found a bear eating ice cream and cookies.  He'd pawed open the top-fill freezer and helped himself to dessert for 12. I KNEW  why the bear came calling. The night before, we'd left the garage door open -- accidentally of course -- and he sensibly came in, lured no doubt by the fragrant smells of barbecue on our discarded paper plates. He tore open the plastic garbage bag, ate a few fragments of paper, then ripped into 40 pounds of grain-free Natural Balance dog food -- the most expensive money can buy. (Nothing's too good for the Yorkies -- or their guests!) BECAUSE I  was the only human in the house, I didn't want to risk the bear's possible intrusion. "He wouldn't have actually come in the house," my partner chastised later. "Oh, yeah?" Here in the hinterlands, we have lots of bear stories.  Bears in the kitchen, bears in the bedroom, bears in the basement, bears on the roof. Lions and tigers and, yes, bears! Someone's been sleeping in my bed.... THIS MAMA  bear and her yearling feasted, then crept up on the earthen wine cellar and onto the roof, scampering up to our artesian well then into the mountain brush to wherever bears go. Ranches offer a welcome with this traditional Montana arch. We've seen lots of other wonderful critters and gorgeous landscapes during our Beartooth times here at High Chaparral.  Family and friends from Ireland and Israel, Norway, California, Georgia, New York and Oregon, treasure their "critter sightings" and cherish the flora and gorgeous scenery. Come enjoy the bounty under the Big Sky, where the deer and the antelope play. Polish up your whistling or singing style, or hum along to this old family favorite, a beloved cowboy and campfire song.    HOME ON THE RANGE Cookie, Nick and Nora play where the skies are not cloudy. Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play, Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day. (Chorus after each verse:) Home, home on the range, Where the deer and the antelope play, Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day. Where the air is so pure, and the zephyrs so free, The breezes so balmy and light, That I would not exchange my home on the range, For all of the cities so bright. Twilight and the evening skies are a big attraction in Big Sky country. How often at night when the heavens are bright, With the light from the glittering stars, Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed, If their glory exceeds that of ours. Oh, I love these wild flowers in this dear land of ours, The curlew I love to hear cry, And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks, That graze on the mountain slopes high. Oh give me a land where the bright diamond sand, Flows leisurely down in the stream; Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along, Like a maid in a heavenly dream. Then I would not exchange my home on the range, Where the deer and the antelope play; Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day. Cookie's nightclub gigs in Montana and California are temporarily on hold as her left arm and hand heal. COMING UP:   While our writer hopes to regain use of her  badly damaged left arm and hand, she reflects on the tens of thousands of people who are permanently disabled. Brave amputees and determined quadriplegics have Cookie's earnest respect as she struggles -- albeit only temporarily -- with the daily challenges such an injury provides. A tribute to those whose limb function has been altered by illness or injury, and who improvise and learn to lead normal lives. Cookie is recording the hundreds of things she does with her limbs, and is giving thanks! She hopes in time to be typing again with both hands, but realizes thousands type with a single limb -- or their feet or mouths. This accident has opened her heart and mind..... a good thing. Then she and Keller share photos from recent trips to Lisbon, and the California coast where they sampled oceanfront hotels, and more.  The couple's credo is: have fun, be adventurous, and remember to explore, learn and live.  Check them out Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

PHOTO HOMAGE SPARES THE TYPING, SHARES KELLER'S LOVE OF BIRDS The Absaroka Range is home to many stunning birds, including eagles and hawks. Several varieties of hummingbirds frolic in Montana, above, San Diego, left.   BRUCE KELLER PHOTOS COOKIE MEYERS POEM INJURY to a writer's left arm makes typing tough, so we depart for a few days from our usual commentary, focusing more on photos. Today's piece features Cookie's poem and a Keller photo essay reflecting his love of birds, from San Diego and southern California to the wilds of south-central Montana.  Cookie's tumble was while filling bird feeders, a fact for which she in no way blames her feathered friends.  Please enjoy. These happy ducks were photographed in southern California. This fella is looking for supper at Oceanside Harbor, Calif. Felled by a sprain on a warm July night,our writer's one handed, a horrible plightfor one driven by nature, and music and words.So our Cookie's decided to share with you birds -- from the photos dear Keller has taken on trips,observing the wonders of flight, nests and flips.(Did we mention that Cookie has singed her hair, too?Now she's burned on the top, with an arm black and blue!)Scorched her mop burning weeds: bad ones that rankle.  An earlier fall meant she sprained her left ankle. Now these accidents numbering one, two and three, should mean summer's remainder is incident free.Meanwhile, typing's a challenge with only one arm, so we serve up these photos while Cooks avoids harm.   Songbirds serenade in both our states.  this one chirps, dips and chows down at High Chaparral, Montana.                                                               Bighorn sheep court near Stillwater Mine above Nye, Montana. COMING SOON:  Now that we've shared a few of our splendid Montana and California birds, we will offer a few critters spotted in or near our yard in Stillwater County.  We try to share our love of nature and our sense of adventure and fun.  Posts are Wednesdays and weekends.  Remember to enjoy, learn and live! Please spread the word about: www.whereiscookie.com

Approaching Crete at dusk, one sees hills of olive trees, and beautiful caves and beaches, with little hint of the heavy casualties during the infamous Battle for Crete, eventually a German victory in 1941. Cookie pays respect to the fallen at Souda Bay War Cemetery. THOUSANDS DIED  FOR FREEDOM  ON THIS IDYLLIC  MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ON THIS   holiday Monday, honoring the fallen who died for peace, freedom and a better world, we travel to the Souda Bay War Cemetery in the Greek Isles. As one enters the cemetery, a caretaker greets the car or hiker. Beautiful inlaid stone crosses accent the solemn tone. True, it is possible to visit Crete without including this moving  memorial. The island offers glamorous resorts and beaches. THE CAPITAL city Heraklion, is one of the Mediterranean's most fascinating and vibrant cities, replete with unusual museums, delightful gardens and eateries. But the cemetery is important. Strolling past geraniums red as Christmas berries, it's hard to imagine the violence, bloodshed and death that marked ferocious World War II battles for this key harbor.   PAST SMALL,  neat farmhouses, sunning chickens and sleeping dogs, one comes quietly to Souda Bay and the memorial. Elegant stone walking paths flank rows and rows of crosses and white marble grave markers.  What stories the ghosts could tell, of 1940 when Italy invaded mainland Greece and Crete's excellent harbors became a contentious battleground.  The Germans wanted the strategic point, critical to their war effort.   ALLIED BOMBERS  were within range. After much carnage, dominance of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean ended in mid-1941 when the Germans launched a massive airborne attack. Days of desperate and heroic fighting followed, but Allied troops were forced to evacuate.  Thousands were taken prisoner or died. Crete's key location made it a point of contention in WWII. NOW,  REMAINS  of the fallen sit sentinel at the northwest corner of Crete's Souda Bay. The meticulously groomed cemetery holds the graves of hundreds, mostly Commonwealth, who struggled valiantly to defend Crete against the German invasion in May and June of 1941. During two months of horrible battle, thousands perished.  More than 1,500 WWII servicemen are commemorated in the cemetery -- along with 19 World War I soldiers and some from other conflicts.   CRETE's FAME  goes back centuries before this memorial.  The island was central to the sophisticated Minoan Civilization, dating to 2700 B.C., and regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. This imposing, largest Greek isle is also one of the largest in the Mediterranean, covering 8.303 kilometers and spanning 260 km, east to west. A marker honors a fallen soldier, a doctor, above; below, one of several historic churches remaining in Crete. Its lovely, cave-lined coastline gives way to varied landscape, with many mountains. In the U.S., our Memorial Day was born of the ashes of the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, it was officially proclaimed after the war that tore our country apart, on May 5, 1868. General John Alexander Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, with veterans of all military branches observed the day later that month, on May 30, 1868. NEW YORK  officially recognized the holiday in 1873 and by 1890 all the northern states joined. It took the losses of World War I for the southern states to recognize the day.  From then on, the holiday was expanded to honor the dead of all wars and U.S. military actions. Luxury hotel accommodations are available on Crete, here a Four Seasons beach. FOR NEARLY a century, people called the holiday "Decoration Day" but it was not until 1967 that President Lyndon Banes Johnson signed legislation officially renaming the holiday "Memorial Day." That atrocities and barbarism scarred this idyllic place called Crete seems incredible and unfitting. Downey and Northridge, Calif., join San Diego in celebrating Greek heritage during the next two weeks. But the memorial's countless markers tell the tragic tale. HAPPILY,  many Greek communities across the U.S. celebrate their heritage in the days before and after our U.S. Memorial Day. Moussaka, souvlaki, and gyros will soon be served in Downey, Calif., and other Los Angeles area towns. The Valley Greek Festival in Northridge, goes on the boards daily during Memorial Day weekend, 1-9 p.m. COMING: Popular Ft. Lauderdale water taxis offer  leisurely cruising along the city's world famous waterways with commentary on celebrity homes. THE 30th annual Downey Greek Festival is June 7-8, with Greek fare and vendors showing Greek music, crafts and more.  Here in San Diego,  S t. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church stages its annual Greek Festival, June 13-15 with parking behind the San Diego Unified School District offices near Park Blvd. and El Cajon Blvd. All share heritage, culture, music, traditions, customs and food. Sounds like "opa" time to me. COMING UP : Fort Lauderdale and its famous water taxis offer romance, comfort, boats with a view, homes of the rich and famous, and a history lesson to boot. Find it soon at  www.whereiscookie.com   Ephesus intrigues with its ancient buildings, walkways and artwork. Then off to ancient Ephesus where the Bible's Paul preached and the mother of Jesus lived out her life. We offer a modern approach to travel and the arts as we zip through time and explore the wonders of the centuries. Our adventure tips are laced with a sense of fun with "insider" pointers. Take time to explore, learn and live. Please visit us Wednesdays, weekends and as the muse invites, at: www.whereiscookie.com

GET A BIRD'S EYE GLIMPSE OF THE HOMES AND LIFESTYLE OF THE FILTHY RICH Fort Lauderdale's famous Water Taxi takes tourists and locals on the city's famous waterways, with ease and beauty.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER DECADES AGO  -- before the white man set foot here --  water was the only way to get around in what is now Fort Lauderdale. It's still the most relaxing, prettiest and most interesting way to see the sights. One sees the beautiful back yards of the mansions from the canals. If you love star gossip and wouldn't shy from a glimpse of the rich and famous, Fort Lauderdale's your place. NFL stars, singers, musicians, actors, writers and, yes, porn stars invested in Fort Lauderdale. TO YOUR LEFT  ladies and gentlemen:  that's where Sonny and Cher lived for years. Down the way, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz loved their little white home on the corner. Andy Griffith lived nearby.  He loved to come out in his own boat. ("Little" in Lauderdale may mean 5,000 square feet, so keep that in mind.) Over there -- that's the palatial estate where many "Magnum P.I." episodes were shot. There's the home of an oil sheik from Saudi Arabia.  He bought his daughter a little place down the canal for a wedding gift last fall. WE'VE BEEN  to Fort Lauderdale many times, always on the prowl for new adventures. Fort Lauderdale at night is aglow with street and water traffic. The town has exciting nightlife, beautiful waterfront dining, and gorgeous shops on fashionable Las Olas Boulevard, the Rodeo Drive of southern Florida. But the town's Intracoastal Waterway system makes its canals a unique and beautiful way to see the sights. You'll learn the city's history from the draw bridges of the historic Esplanade area, to the "spring break" beaches, resort areas, new homes and stately old ones. WHETHER YOU want history, scenery, eateries or a blend, Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi service will deliver.  Its main route travels in two directions, upbound and downbound. Is this croc for real?  See for yourself on Fort Lauderdale's water taxi. DOWNBOUND  takes you down to the New River, and the downtown Fort Lauderdale and the trendy yet historic Las Olas area. Upbound takes you “up” north, towards the Galleria Mall and Shooters Restaurant. The Hollywood Route, heads south to Hollywood Beach, the young crowd and beach life. It's a thrill to move via water taxi under one of the several Fort Lauderdale bridges. WE'VE HOPPED  on and off many times and have always had entertaining, helpful crew. They know their stuff, like to chat about the locals and their mansions, and help you get where you need to go. In fact, the crew will happily help you plan your time in Fort Lauderdale, as you cruise past the town's sites. They know the history, the mansions, the stars, the sales prices and new and former owners of the sleek mega yachts. They share tips on the hottest restaurants, bars and attractions steps from water taxi stops. They offer discounts at the eateries and attractions for water taxi travelers. THE FORT  Lauderdale Water Taxi runs year-round, closing only Christmas Day. During the huge upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, service will be limited because the waterways are the main boat show venues. Fort Lauderdale's water life is at the heart of the city.   THE WATER  taxis glide by the town's exciting nightlife, outdoor eateries, the famous shops of Las Olas Boulevard, beautiful beaches, yacht clubs and majestic cruise ships traveling in and out of Port Everglades. Nothing worldwide compares to Fort Lauderdale's Intracoastal Waterway. Its lovely canals are so unique and beautiful, they have earned Fort Lauderdale the moniker “Venice of America.” Water Taxi is the best way to see them! Cookie waits in the wind for a water taxi to take her to dinner. Violinist Yale Strom got a standing ovation at last year's klezmer summit! THE WATER Taxi can also take you to Hollywood! Hop on in Fort Lauderdale at Stop 5 -- The Hilton Marina/Convention Center -- and hop off in the heart of Hollywood Beach, steps from fabulous dockside eateries. The Hollywood trip allows visitors to transfer in Fort Lauderdale. And when much of the world is snow-covered, the Hollywood Water Taxi is prepared for any weather.  It runs December through April and features a cabin with both air conditioning and heat, a full bar, snacks and restrooms. NEXT UP : Highlights from the annual Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival, which again features the talents of Yale Strom and other gifted musicians.  Saturday's post shares highlights and concert times on the Lyceum stage in downtown San Diego. Flamingos abound in their brilliant plumage, and we visit them next. ON TAP: Fort Lauderdale's wildlife and flowers are world famous. Bonnet House beckons, with gorgeous gardens and the inspiration for the estate's name, the bonnet lily. In mid-Ft. Lauderdale sits a verdant acreage and home, show piece of a history-minded, arts loving family who gave it to Florida. Lauderdale has the bustle and hustle of a beach town, but with playful flamingos, crocodiles and a wildlife refuge. How does nature survive and thrive among high rises, condos and mega-mansions. The welcoming Hyatt Pier 66 puts us in the center of the action.  We're about adventure tips with a sense of fun so take time to explore, learn and live. Visit us Wednesdays, weekends and as the muse invites, at  www.whereiscookie.com