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AVOID TROUBLE BY DOCUMENTING EVERYTHING, PHOTOGRAPHING DAMAGE, OBSERVING LOCAL SIGNS Renting a car abroad -- here in Sardinia -- calls for advance planning. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER RENTING A CAR  while traveling abroad can be unnerving. Daunting questions arise: What do you do about a bang or a ding noticed before you take the car out of the lot? How will you transcend a language barrier? Do you book at home before you go, or wait and take your chances there? What about airport rentals versus A small car is a good idea, particularly in southern Europe. downtown or hotel rentals? Can you pick up your car in one town and deliver it in another? THESE TIPS  -- in two blog posts, today and Saturday -- will help you navigate the paperwork and come out safely with a good experience.  We've had luck renting through Europcar, which we've used in several European cities. It's a thrill to be on the road and on your own in a new place! You can indeed pick up a car in one town and drop it off in another, but you must make your desire clear in the contract from the beginning. (Say you're flying into Barcelona and returning to the U.S. from Madrid.  No worries, but let the car people know on-line.) Maneuvering in close quarters -- here Egypt -- challenges.   So that you do not squander a moment of your precious time abroad, book in advance. You will save money  by booking on line and printing out the contract. Take some time on the web and look and comparison shop.  Even payment can be made before you leave home.  You'll know the precise amount and won't have to translate Euros or other foreign currency. It's also cheaper, easier, safer and less likely to include hidden clauses. Once you are abroad, exchange rates can change, you'll have unfamiliar rental agreements, possible language barriers and other cultural differences.   GASSING UP .  You'll get the car with a full tank and save money by filling it up yourself just  before you return it.  Most car companies charge a standard fee of up to $100, depending on the car's size, if they refill it for you.  Hertz charged us for gas, despite the fact that we'd filled up the car minutes before returning it.  We supplied the dated credit credit card receipt showing the charge in Euros for a full tank.  In time, the charge was reversed. Be sure to fill your tank up just before you return the car; keep a receipt. IT'S A SHAME  we have to be so defensive while renting cars, but it's the way life has become.  Record anything suspicious for the record "just in case."   We rent the car in the airport and return it to the airport, which is cheaper than returning or renting downtown or at your hotel.  And you save the cab fare to get to your first overnight stop. If you are unlucky enough to have an accident, take photos.   WE DOCUMENT with photos any scratches, dings or questionable areas not noted on the contract. This was helpful recently when Hertz also charged our credit card nearly $300 more for a supposed dent incurred, the company said, during our rental. We disputed the charge with photos of a small ding taken before we left the lot.  It proved that we hadn't done it, that it was a rusty dent and had obviously occurred some time ago.  We also noted that part of the "damage" in the bad photos sent us was a tree leaf. If, gods forbid, you do have an accident, take photos of everything while waiting for the officials. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going in unfamiliar cities.   ASK ABOUT  weekend specials, late penalties and gas charges.  Unadvertised discounts and hidden costs may not be explained at the time of rental, and it may be too late once you find out.  Be sure to know the time for drop-off. Be a bit early. Many rental agencies begin charging for each 24-hour-period from the time of rental, and will bill a full day if you return the car even minutes after another 24-hour period begins. In Rome and elsewhere, scooters buzz easily about cars.     START A FOLDER as soon as you book your trip. Toss clippings and promotional codes you come upon.  If you see a TV ad for a good rental car rate, jot it down.  If you're reading a magazine or newspaper, clip ads and write down promotional codes. Many of the best rates do not show up on agents' computer screens.   Inquire about senior citizen, AAA, credit card and frequent flier program discounts or add-on offers. Be sure to show your airline or member card for the promised mileage credit before you drive the car off the lot. THIS WEEKEND : Small or large car, manual or automatic transmission, driver's license and insurance information. More on car rentals abroad. We post weekends and Wednesdays.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and tell your friends about www.whereiscookic.com .

VISIONARY PHILANTHROPIST AND HIS ARTIST PARTNER CREATE DESERT ART Bighorn sheep, who roam on the desert, are perched playfully for a stand-off during mating season. A tyrannosaurus rex awaits your discovery in Borrego Springs. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE DESERT  beckoned and we answered the call, delighting in the surprise of sculptural art on the way. We've been to the desert many times, enjoying the spring flowers and bird life,  favorite places to stay and some wonderful restaurants. This time, we discovered prehistoric life --  dinosaurs, mammoths, and sabre-toothed cats and tortoises that would have charmed Darwin. An ancestor of our modern birds picks up his prey and flies. Beautifully crafted metal sculptures -- including elephants, eagles and even a desert jeep with passengers --   are positioned to suggest roaming the deserts of San Diego County, near our home here in southern California. Outside of the town of Borrego Springs lies Galleta Meadows, inspiration of the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Dennis Avery. An imposing Indian chief joins the ranks of prehistoric and modern life. HE CALLED  these massive steel sculptures "Sky Art," probably because he placed them on the desert scrub to jump out at the tourist and draw the eye skyward. Framed by the blue desert sky and mountains of the Anza Borrego desert, the giant sculptures catch the eye and tickle the imagination. This tortoise is worthy of a Darwin nod. Avery, a visionary land owner of Galleta Meadows Estates in Borrego, conceived of the idea of adding “free standing art” to his property. He commissioned Ricardo Breceda of Temecula, California, to create the metal sculptures you see today. Breceda operates Perris Jurassic Park along I-215 just south of Perris. Keller takes an imaginary ride in a desert jeep. The late Mr. Avery.  MOST OF  the animals depicted are from various prehistoric periods. However, there are a few that represents modern time, such as Desert Bighorn Sheep that Borrego Springs is named after (“Borrego” in Spanish means sheep). There are also a few that are more fictional, such as the 350-foot serpent that was erected in July of 2011.  Cleverly, it appears to slink under the highway, so its slithering length is on both sides of the road! HOW WONDERFUL  to come across these sculptures, installed remarkably since April of 2008.  The surreal menagerie -- a gift of Avery -- sit on private parcels of Galleta Meadows Estate -- open to the public and accessible from Borrego Springs Road. A pack mule and a miner's supplies seem to be taking a rest. THE ARTIST  Breceda, is a master welder who uses scrap bars, wire and metal then pounds the materials with various hammers for life-like texture and skin.  We counted more than 60 camels, sloths, saber-tooth cats, wooly mammoths, raptors, wild boars, bighorns and tortoises, along with giant birds large enough to carry off a small pig. All are peacefully co-existing over a span of several square miles.  The wild horses and bighorns may be modern desert dwellers, but some of the vertebrates date from the Pliocene-Pleistocene era up to five million years ago. A padre and his faithful dog preach the gospel in Borrego. ALTHOUGH AVERY  died in 2012, his widow, Sally Tsui Wong-Avery, continues to sustain his generous  gift.  Her husband and the artist added humans to the collection in 2010, including a missionary, explorer and field workers -- all of whom shaped desert life. The local chamber has published a helpful "Village Guide" with directions on discovering the llamas, mammoths, grasshopper, tapirs, peccaries, and more. I took pleasure in discovering Galletta Meadows and this intriguing art because galletta means cookie and that, as we know, is my nickname! UP NEXT: THERE'S MUCH more to discover of the desert's spring gifts and plenty to do in Borrego Springs -- from buying delicious dates and grapefruit, to enjoying a fine meal, discovering nature close-up on Palm Canyon Trail and learning to identify a few cacti. We'll look at that next week, but first, we salute the lively current theater scene in San Diego, with a look at a trio of fine productions.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and tell your friends about our Wednesdays and weekend posts at:  www.whereiscookie.com

Remembering 'Uncle Cog' for his wry wit, Harry A. Cosgriffe,above right, poses with his siblings, circa 1930.From left, Richard (thewriter's father), twins Nancy and Mary, Harry. "Uncle Cog" was the oldest  child, but outlivedhis three siblings. In left photo,Cog with his daughters,"my girls," he called them,Susie, Colleen and Kathleen.  attention to detail and devotion to family STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER HE'D HAVE loved the weekend.  Fun, frolic, feasting, reminiscing, dancing, laughter.  And moisture -- both in tears shed as we said "so-long", and in welcome rain on the ranch land. Rick Cosgriffe amused and touched gatherers with his eloquent remembrance of his uncle. Harry Arthur Cosgriffe, "Uncle Cog" to his doting nieces and nephews, was born in 1920 and died in March of this year.  His three daughters, my cousins, decided to honor his memory in July, giving friends and family time to reflect on the loss and make travel plans. So the weekend after the Fourth of July unfolded with joy, a gentle wind, music and memories. Relatives and friends   from in a dozen states and many Montana towns gathered to pay respect as Uncle's ashes rested in a beautiful urn crafted by a nephew. The Crazy Mountain Inn was a regular dining out option for Uncle Cog and Aunt Peg and some of us stayed here. NIECES PLAYED , sang and my cousin Nancy Ellen delivered a loving eulogy while her sister Diane led a rousing "You Are My Sunshine."   My brother Rick compared  his Uncle's orderly and well planned life to the white fence surrounding the Two Dot ranch where he spent decades of happy summers. He imagined that Uncle's heart "soared like a hawk" each time he approached the Crazy Mountains from his other home in Pullman, Washington. For his heart was always here in the shadow of the Rockies with the comforting sight of horses, cattle and wheat fields. Uncle Cog and my dad, Richard Edward Cosgriffe, were bookend brothers, with twin girls born between, Mary and Nancy.  They shared a love of land and family, engendered during their ranch rearing and Harlowton roots.  They both loved to reminisce and each told a good story. They adored the familiar landscape of their youth. THE WEEKEND,  for the Richard Cosgriffes, offered an opportunity for our own five-sibling reunion and we gathered for two days at Martinsdale's Crazy Mountain Inn (that's an upcoming post -- great fun).   From left, the three offspring of Harry Cosgriffe and Peg Moore: Kathleen, Colleen and Susie, who planned a delightful four-part day of honoring their dad. Uncle's day was a four-part opus on Saturday, July 6.  My three cousins -- Kathleen, Susie and Colleen -- greeted mourners and celebrants at Harlowton Cemetery, where Uncle's parents, in-laws, uncle, sisters, brother and a nephew are interred.  I offered piano music on a keyboard.  Children romped, with respectful restraint, and dogs were welcome, including my twin Yorkies, Nick and Nora. WHEN A GUY  reaches his 90s, with many accomplishments and legions of admirers, it's hard to be too sad.  We'll miss him, of course, but we had him a long time and for that we are grateful. The Cosgriffes walk to their own   Cookie plays keyboard in the wind as mourners arrive.  Among her tunes, a favorite of Uncle Cog's, Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In." drummer when it comes to staging memorials. We're not big on dour funerals. Our good-byes are emotional occasions with music and poetry. That's our Irish showing, I suppose. MY OWN  memories of Uncle Cog shine: There's the time our large family plus a couple friends stopped on a camping trip, at the Big Timber drive-in in the early 1960s.  My parents had fashioned the back of a cattle truck into a camper and we looked like own own version of "The Beverly Hillbillies" with blankets and books, lanterns and coolers, fishing gear, guitars, dogs and sleeping bags. Cog and my Aunt Peg happened to be at the drive-in having a late lunch when we made our larger-than-life ice cream stop.   Since Cog loved to dance, it was fitting that his memorial ended at his beloved Two Dot Bar with music and action on the dance floor. Uncle walked slowly to our truck, then hoisted himself up to peer over his bi-focals into the back. He smiled broadly, and deadpanned, "I don't suppose there's there room for one more?" HE ONCE  told me he did his best thinking on the back of a horse.  I replied that my best thoughts came at 30,000 feet in the first class section of an airplane. "Just different modes of transportation," he opined. "I'll bet that's where you come up with your good stories!" ONE WINTRY  day a few years ago, my sister Olivia and I were invited by Uncle to the Cosgriffe-Moore ranch, where the dessert part of his memorial day was held. Peg was detained in Washington state and Uncle invited us to sleep at the ranch and sup at the Two-Dot Bar. "It's not a salad kind of place," he offered. "Good burgers. That's what to order." The Fire Hall was the place for the feast following the cemetery rituals, with more tributes here by a  brother-in-law and grandson, and music: a group sing of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." UNCLE  WAS  unruffled when we arrived with my ancient sheepdog, Smedley, and a rescue mutt, Max. But, he said, sadly, "I'm afraid they will have to stay in the garage.  House rules." As dusk came, snow fell and the temperature dropped, Uncle disappeared into the basement with an old horse blanket under his arm. "I made a bed for Smedley and Max," he said, returning. "But you must swear never to tell Peg that a large wet dog and his equally moist little friend spent the night in this house!" With both Cog and Peg gone now -- and Smedley and Maxwell long in their own doggie urns -- I can tell this sweet story. ANOTHER TIME,  Uncle wrote me asking how much truth poetry should have.  He had been pondering a poem I wrote, inspired by my memory of a Guests were encouraged to write a memory and sign in. 1954 visit to my great Aunt Maud's home in White Sulphur Springs. He wondered how much was "fact" and how much was imagination. This interesting question launched a continuing discussion about poetry versus reporting, the liberties poetry can and should take, that its "truth" comes from its evocative nature, from its expression of feelings. That details and ideas can craft a larger "truth" through compelling style, language and rhythm. The Cosgriffe-Moore home welcomed family and friends at the memorial. GOOD REPORTING,  I wrote Uncle, comes from factual ordering of events and circumstances. They're different literary beasts. He wrote me back: "A Plus on your explanation, dear niece. You have written a fine poem. Let the record show you are also a good reporter. I enjoyed your explanation on the differences between the two forms." An Angus at home on the range. HOW I WISH  we'd been able to visit our ancestral homes in Ireland together. I've felt the family influence in my trips there and know Uncle reveled in touring A scenic view of Jordan, where both the writer and her Uncle Cog spent time, but never together. the linen mill in northern Ireland where his grandfather Arthur worked.  I'd have loved for us to experience the wonders of the Middle East together. Uncle lived for several years in Jordan, where he was praised for his inventive agricultural contributions. I've visited a half-dozen times, recently looking down upon Jordan from a lovely vantage point with Israeli friends.   Cousins help cut and serve the "Uncle Cog" memorial cakes. I know Uncle was proud that so many of us have become teachers, writers, counselors, communicators, curious global citizens.  He earned his doctorate in adult education at University of Chicago and like many others in the family, had a passionate commitment to education and travel. The Cosgriffe brothers, Harry and Richard; the twins, Mary, seated  left, and Nancy, right and their dad Harry Cosgriffe, center, in the 1950s.   HE MADE  many friends in Jordan and I remember one story of a days-long wedding at which he was an honored guest. A niece, Misha, places a white rose with the urn. My last note from Uncle came after I wrote daddy's obituary for several newspapers. I erroneously listed his only brother's residences as Pullman, Wash., (correct) and Ryegate (wrong -- it's Two Dot and I know better.) Correcting me with his characteristic diplomacy, Uncle Cog pointed out the mistake then said, "It was a wonderful obituary. I've always been proud of you.  And I did date lots of Ryegate girls, so I'll bet that's what you were thinking about." AS HIS  memorial day wound down, with tributes and toasts, dining, beer, wine, dancing, rain and elaborate Cowboy hats were in vogue at the Two Dot Bar dance. cakes and storytelling, I thought of the roses loved ones had placed on the urn, each one saying, perhaps, some last word of thanks, maybe even deadpanning a one-liner. My kindly, smart Uncle -- who made a bed for two cold, wet dogs -- had a good heart and sharp mind. I thanked him for that. Dear Uncle, I kept the dog secret for years.  But it's such a good story, it just had to be told. COMING UP:   Ever think about how much of our language comes from sailing? It's true:  from ship shape to lowering the boom.  A look at the many phrases we use whose roots are in sailing and boats. So many words from our language derive from our love of boats and the sea, here a rainbow framed harbor in Lisbon, Portugal. And our family stages a third birthday party for our delightful Christena, born with Down Syndrome. We examine the joys and challenges of raising a handicapped child, with my brother, a single dad, and a large and loving family and friends support system. And traveling light at Martinsdale's Crazy Mountain Inn. Remember to explore, learn and live. Tune us in Wednesdays  and           Saturdays at:       whereiscookie.com

Child born with Down Syndrome sparks  love, unity, courage in Cosgriffe family Christena's auntie Misha bestowed a pretty new dress! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER, MISHA  MINESINGER, PATRICK COSGRIFFE SOMETIMES  we're tested in ways we don't understand. Our family has met many challenges. We rise to the occasion, doing the best we can. So it is with the Cosgriffes as we deal with a first:  raising a handicapped child. Christena Lynn Cosgriffe was born June 30, 2010, with Down Syndrome. MONTHS BEFORE  her birth, my brother Patrick left a voice message at my Arizona home, telling me "I'm going to be a papa," I was floored -- speechless -- a rarity for me. Christena likes music, and is happy to sing and clap with her musical family. Patrick was approaching 50.  He was single. He was planning to quit his job at Sears and return to college. He was overweight, with heart problems. For all these reasons, I asked my beloved brother: "A BABY?  Seriously? It isn't  April Fool's Day. Are you sure?" The baby's mother refused to take the test which would have determined a possible birth defect. She was in her mid-40s and the chance of a baby having Down Syndrome increases with its mother's age. We all crossed our fingers, meditated, prayed. The day the child was born, the doctor confirmed that Christena indeed was a "special needs" baby. She has Down Syndrome, an extra copy of chromosome 21. We feared "trisomy 21," is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of a third copy of chromosome 21.We'd done the homework. Now we had work to do. Christena's birthday party attracted family and friends, caregivers, and her physical and speech therapists.   HER FIRST  months were complicated and after an emotional, expensive and difficult legal battle, my brother Patrick H. Cosgriffe, obtained custody. Christena came "home" to our care. She's named after three strong women -- myself, her great-great grandmother Christena Wilson Pittendrigh, and another auntie, the late Robbie Lynn Cosgriffe Townsley, her first and finest advocate. The child adds joy to our lives, just as cliches about special needs children predict. But as Hillary Clinton famously said, "It takes a village." CHRISTENA'S  "village" is our Cosgriffe family -- strong, loving, loyal and, thank goodness, large. Her support includes a network of savvy and supportive speech and physical therapists, a fine pediatrician, excellent cardiologist, devoted daycare personnel and many others who love her, including Patrick's partner, Diane Moen, who loves Christena "like my own flesh and blood." Christena turns three at a party with friends and family. WEE CHRISTENA  had her first lung surgery in Denver when she was just weeks old.  She is beset with physical woes, relating to the birth defect: a tendency for ear infections, trouble chewing and sometimes swallowing because of compromised jaw muscles, a hole in her tiny heart which will likely require open-heart surgery down the road.  Her kidneys, eyes, thyroid and other organs are monitored and not those of a "normal" child. SHE COULD develop skeletal problems, so her posture is carefully observed.  She has worn leg braces and supports in her shoes, to boost her ankle function and walking. At her third birthday, she was walking with spirit and confidence. Patrick walks with her every day. Christena and her father, Patrick Harry Cosgriffe, enjoy their back yard. She is cheerful and loving, laughs and mimics others, and is an observant quick study. SHE QUICKLY learned my Yorkies' names, and says, "Oh, puppies. Hi, Nick and Nora."  She knows her colors and brings me the pups' kibble bowls -- blue for Nick, red for Nora. "OK, puppies. Eat now," she says, clapping her hands. WHEN SHE  was just days old, I touched my pointer finger to hers and whispered, "Sistine Chapel." That quickly became our greeting, one which others in "the village" have adopted. Michelangelo's magnificent painting of God and Adam touching hands has always inspired me, heretic that I claim to be. Christena and the writer, Christene, indulge in silliness, at play with zucchini.   When Christena sees me, she extends her "ET" finger to meet mine. I hope this is always our special greeting.  She calls me "Ween" -- her version of "Queen," my nickname from her, based on her tiny "Princess" t-shirt. "There are many princesses in a court," I told her when she was just one. "There is but one Queen! It is I!" "Q" IS A   tough letter to pronounce, but I know she'll master it. Christena and I have a special connection, which includes laughing and abundant silliness. My brother loves this late-in-life only child dearly.  He keeps her immaculate and beautifully groomed.  Her dark hair glistens, often in a pony tail.  Her face is always shiny clean.  She smells like a spring valley after rain. When she slops pea soup or smears frosting on her dress, she is quickly changed. Christena recently met cousins in the "Cosgriffe Village" at her great uncle Harry Cosgriffe's memorial. Auntie Olivia holds her at the Harlowton Cemetery. PATRICK HAS  returned to college, with plans to be a drug and alcohol counselor. He is losing weight, walking, getting fit. He busy day is long and complicated: study and classes, childcare and seeing to Christena's complex medical needs, exercising, support groups, laundry, meal preparation. Meanwhile, "The Village" fills in the cracks. Sister Olivia walks and dances with Christena. Brother Rick and his partner Jane watch her and read to her.  Sister Misha dotes on her, too, sending her adorable dresses from Atlanta.  I pick out books for her, sing to her and hope she'll be a piano player. She has nice, long fingers! Patrick's good friend, Ginger, loves her dearly and contributes to her care. Christena had a new birthday gown as she turned three. COUSINS, FRIENDS  and caretakers lavish love and attention upon her.  Her speech therapist Vicki Andre and her physical therapist Linda Malloy came to her birthday party.  They sing her praises, and believe she will be able to attend regular school, so well is she doing in day care and pre-school. The early attention paid is making all the difference in her handicap, needs and personal potential. MY LATE mother Ellen would have loved this child, a granddaughter younger than her great grandchildren. Her grandfather Richard would be smitten with her sweet smile and air kisses. YES, CHRISTENE  Lynn was born with difficulties to overcome. Down Syndrome is not for sissies. But luckily, she was born into a family willing to share the challenge and joys. Christena in the writer's arms, with her uncle Rick (in blue) and from left, her auntie Olivia, father Patrick, auntie Misha. Early treatment --  including speech, physical and occupational thearapy -- is essential to improving a Down Syndrome child's chances. Christena's therapists commend Patrick for seeking support and treatment the week of her birth, giving Christena a good chance at a happy, productive "normal" life. Sometimes, I hear Patrick reading her to sleep when I'm overnighting at the Billings house family members share. HE READS  with expression and I hear him answering Christena's questions:  "What's that?"  "That's a deer." "What's that?" "It's a rabbit." A bird. A cat.  A tree. A puppy. "Nick and Nora?" she asks.  Christena Lynn Cosgriffe on her way to sweet dreams.  PATRICK IS  old enough to be her grandfather. He knows that as she ages, her problems may multiply. But for now, she's thriving. Each Down Syndrome child is different. So is each parent. Patrick has devotion and discipline in spades. I WITNESS  that as he tucks her in at night, and wishes her "sweet dreams." We accept that Christena has Down Syndrome. She also has love, love, love. The Beatles song tells us that's all we need. Patrick and Christena have that in abundance. And they have the Cosgriffe "Village" staunchly in place behind them. The Bair Museum is one of the enticements in Martinsdale. COMING UP : With Pope Francis visiting Brazil and Egypt in turmoil, we examine the cultures and speculate on the excitement and challenge of change sweeping this pair of intriguing countries, both recently visited by the writer and photographer. And we look at a small Montana town in  summertime splendor as we visit Martinsdale's Crazy Mountain Inn and Bair Museum. Remember to explore, learn and live, and check us out Wednesdays and Saturdays at: www.whereiscookie.com .

We've borrowed many terms from life aboard ships; whether you "know the ropes" or not, come have fun  If you "know the ropes" you have proficiency in your task, a term which comes straight from sailing. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER AHOY , avast and shiver your timbers! Much of our language comes from the sea, from the early Phoenician and Greek cultures, on up through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when British naval vessels ruled the seas. Did you know, for instance, that "overwhelm" comes from the Middle English meaning to capsize. Our term, "square meal," comes from the square trays set before hungry seamen, the "three squares a day" promised in their contract. DO YOU  try to "go with the flow" and "give some slack" to your colleagues or friends? Both old sailing terms. Are you proud of "knowing the ropes" and understanding "the lay of the land."  Both derive from sailing, meaning proficiency in a task and knowledge of the terrain. Perhaps there is a modern day "floozy" aboard, enjoying. If you're a "leading light" in your business, you're a natural teacher or leader -- another sea term in which lights were hung to mark entry to a port and show other ships the way. MAYBE  you're a "floozy," meaning loose woman. This salty phrase comes from a centuries-old term, floozies, for women brought aboard when a vessel was in port. Basically prostitutes, assuming they received some pay.  Or perhaps they just liked fooling around with sailors. Are you a "Limey" -- hailing from the British Isles -- or a "loose cannon," slightly out of control? Limey dates to the 17th Century when British sailors were issued limes to combat scurvy.  The cannon reference   The term "loose cannon" comes from an unpredictable, loose cannon on deck. refers to the unpredictable or potentially dangerous cannon which came loose on decks of old sailing vessels. Want to tie up some "loose ends" -- or are you feeling "under the weather"? The "loose ends" refers to having everything shipshape on board -- no details overlooked, no ropes untied.  The "weather" reference refers to feeling ill and comes from the frequency of ship passengers becoming seasick in heavy weather. DO YOU  do your best to "keep an even keel"? Another sailing Above and below left,  writer and photographer are minding their "P's and Q's" or at least champagne . term for keeping a boat upright, not listing to either side. Today the expression is used when describing a person's emotions, encouraging level-headed or stable behavior. You may have guessed that "minding your P's and Q's" has to do with pints and quarts.    Sailors would get bar credit at the taverns in port until they were paid. The barman always kept a record of their drinks on a chalkboard  behind the bar. A mark was made under "P" for pint or "Q" for quart.  On payday, a sailor was liable for each mark next to his name, so he was forced to "mind his P's and Q's." Today the term means to remain well behaved. THERE ARE  many, many more. Even the word "nautical"  originates from the Greek word 'nauti' meaning sailor, not questionable behavior. "May Day" is one of my favorites, an internationally recognized voice radio signal for ships and people in stress or trouble -at-sea. Its source is actually a verb, the French Even the word "nautical" comes from the sea; "nauti" is Greek for sailor.   m'aidez which means "help me." So the next time you're sailing, think of language and its shipshape evolution. That term, by the way, shipshape, derives from the captain's command that everything be left in meticulous order or "shipshape" by the crew. HERE ARE a few more to ponder and have fun with. *Feeling over a barrel?  Sailors were sometimes tied over a cannon barrel when being whipped. Today the expression is used when someone is in a risky or precarious  situation with limited or no course of action. "Getting hitched" means marriage, deriving from joining ropes together. *High and dry: This expression usually refers to being without resources or support. It derives from the description of a ship that is beached or on the rocks.  She's "high -- as the tide recedes -- and "dry" without water. *Getting hitched: This common term usually describes the act of  marriage and comes from the ship hands' joining or hitching two ropes together to form one.  *Holy mackerel: Because mackerel spoils quickly, merchants were allowed to sell it on Sundays contradicting the blue laws in 17th-century England. Thus mackerel is a "holy" fish! The phrase is still If you wanted other vessels to see your identity, you flew your flag or "colors" when passing. used   as an expression of surprise.  *Swashbuckler has become synonymous with adventurer,  explorer or traveler. The word originated in the 1500s, and was used to refer to a below average swordsman. Its present day connotation is more glamourous. If you "scrape the bottom of the barrel," you're dealing with the undesirable, deriving from the ship's cook's last couple ladles of food which were not very appetizing. My daddy always woke us youngsters with "rise and shine," an old naval morning call now used to mean "get yourselves out of bed and greet the day!" "Swashbuckling" has its roots in sea language, connoting adventure. If you knew most of these, you've "passed with flying colors." This expression comes from the sailing custom of flying colors, or flags and pennants, to be identified when passing other ships at sea. Today this expression is used to refer to someone who has easily passed a test or some other trial or challenge! Aboard the Jada, out of San Diego bay, everything is "shipshape" in her beautifully restored galley. OKAY.  Now are you ready to go the "whole nine yards? This expression means "everything" or all encompassing. The expression comes from square-rigged sailing vessels that had three masts with three yards of sails on each. "The whole nine yards" meant all sails were up.  Now, perhaps you'll come into a windfall. Originally the word was used to refer to a rush of wind which would help a vessel's forward movement.  Today, it means a stroke of good luck. Since language has been evolving for hundreds of years, and the sea has played a huge part in our lives, it makes sense that our speech is permeated with nautical terms. TRY FIGURING  out "run the gauntlet" or "rake you from stem to stern".  While ancient armies forced soldiers to "run the gauntlet" the Royal Navy had its shipside version,  as a punishment for theft. The condemned was prevented from rushing by the master-at-arms with a cutlass and pushed forward by a corporal, while being beaten with rope yarns. If you're raked "stem to stern," you are verbally chastised completely, from one end of your "boat" to the other." So happy sailing.  Happy speaking. The two have a time honored connection! COMING UP : We take a loving look at our three-year old Christena, born with a birth defect, Down Syndrome,  but thriving in the "Cosgriffe Village." See how our family is coping with this delightful youngster (the writer's namesake) and how she is thriving with her single dad's steadfast care and many loving helpers. Christena recently celebrated her third birthday with balloons. Her father, Patrick Cosgriffe, hosted a party for her. AND, HAVE  you ever been to Martinsdale, Montana?  You're in for a treat. At the world class Bair Museum and the Crazy Mountain Inn with its delectable lemon pie. Remember to explore, learn and live.  Check us out Wednesdays and Saturdays at whereisccookie.com

Nick enjoys a romp at Harrah's Rincon near San Diego. Make your journey fun,  safe and smooth sailing  when you're traveling with four-footed pals   Nora is not certain she is enthused about a walk during a break between flights.      whether by plane or car, these tips will help you and pup enjoy STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Nick and Nora, Cookie and Keller enjoy a  break during Montana travel. IF YOUR  four-footed friend is part of the family, as are our Nick and Nora, you'll want to take them with you when you travel. Whether you journey by car or plane, these few tricks from a lifetime of traveling with pets, are offered to help make your journey and your pup's more pleasurable. FIRST, DO  your homework. If you're driving, make a plan for stops based on dog friendly hotels and motels.  There are many nowadays -- not the case 25 years ago when only a few hostelries accepted pets.  Now, pets may stay with you in many places -- even Nick is at home with his toy, enjoying the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.  some fancy B&Bs, and in certain Hyatts, Hiltons, Ritz Carltons, Red Lions, Best Westerns, Ramadas, and so on. We've taken our Yorkies to the beautiful Omni in Los Angeles, where they were given their own gift bag and special treats. WE'VE ENJOYED  the hospitality of a lovely dog-friendly wing at Harrah's Rincon northeast of San Diego. First, driving with your pups: *Once you've determined your route --  based on dog-friendly options -- make your reservations, asking for a room on a floor convenient to exiting. *Don't plan to do more than 300 or 350 miles a day- that's plenty for both human and canine. Nick and Nora are pooped but patient after a day on the road.  *Give pup his own place of honor in the car, on his own comfy pillow or doggie bed.  If it's hot, make sure he has plenty of air from the conditioner, or a crack in the window. *Take frequent breaks, at least every 100 or 125 miles. Walk a bit, to a creek or river, or in a pleasant park or rest stop. *Have a couple bottles of ice water in the cooler and make sure you offer pup plenty of water both inside and outside the car. Bring his own water bowl if you've room. *Minimize treats, offering a couple times a day, as a reward for playing catch with the toys you've taken along or walking with you. A stroll on Fisherman's Wharf for Nick, Nora, Cookie. *Have a separate tote bag for doggie stuff -- leashes, treats, enough kibbles for at least three meals. (No need to haul a 15-pound bag into the room each night, so leave the large stash in the car.) *Be sure you have pup's medical documents safely packed in his tote. Make certain his shots are current. *Include a favorite blanket or pillow to make him secure in the room. Let him socialize, if you normally do.  He'll make new friends on your walks. So will you. *Once you're inside, set out his water bowl immediately and put the blanket on a chair or bed where he'll be spending time.  Let him get familiar with the place. *Always carry a couple doggie pee-pads and put one in the bathroom just in case. Your pup will probably not have an accident, but sometimes travel can distress. Be forgiving. * KEEP TO  his schedule as best you can and don't leave him too long in the room. Nick takes a snooze on the road in dog-friendly Carmel. *We always tune in a TV program for Nick and Nora, usually the Discovery Channel, CNN or PBS. Classical music or jazz also seems to keep our pups calm.  Give a treat as you leave the room and thank pup for being such a good traveler. On a plane, things are a bit more complicated. *Make sure the airline knows you're "traveling with pet in cabin" and this means an extra charge -- usually $125 or $150 for coming and going. *Purchase or borrow the regulation carrier provided by pet stores and airline approved. *Get your vet to give you a prescription for a pet tranquilizer and use it a half-hour before you hit the airport. Keller, Nick and Nora in Santa Barbara. * GIVE PET  a good walk before you fly, and feed him about an hour before you head for the airport. That way, pup will likely sleep -- with the food digesting and his prescription tranquilizer (we use only half a pill for our 10-pounders and it's plenty). *Take off his collar before you head for TSA. Makes it easier because you'll have to carry him through x-ray with you (obviously, he must be taken out of his carry-on.) *Take along an EMPTY water bottle in his sherpa, and fill it as soon as you clear security. *Don't take him out of the carry-on -- it is forbidden. (I learned the hard way.) *Talk to him often -- he'll be under the seat in front of you. *Save your plastic cup. After you drink your cranberry juice or soda, use it to offer a drink to pup. *Tuck the leash in your purse or pup's carry-on. *Offer a treat once or twice during the flight and if it's a long day of travel, you may need to "re-up" the tranquilizer. In Downey, Calif., at the home of friends, the Yorkies are part of the family. *Tell your seat-mate that you have a doggie under the seat in case he yelps or causes a disturbance -- which may happen, but usually doesn't. *Take advantage of airport "doggie stations" if you're traveling more than one or two legs and have long lay-overs. You have to go back out of security, then in again, but your pet will thank you.  Some cities such as Davis, Calif., Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle have cute little dog-walk parks right on airport grounds. *Travel safely and with patience and humor! AT LEAST  one airline -- Alaska -- is considering giving mileage points for pet travel.  They should. It's expensive and we do all the work when the pet's in the cabin with us!  Torrey Pines Glider Port attracts tourists, locals, at sunset . COMING SOON:   A look at the magnificent Bair Museum in Martinsdale, a little treasure tucked away in the Crazy Mountains.  And summer fun with music, a world class glider port in San Diego, photography pointers and reveling in the natural world. Explore, learn and live Wednesdays and Saturdays at: www.whereiscookie.com

San Diego venue plays host to international adventurers A gorgeous, golden afternoon brings out gliders galore to the famed Torrey Pines Gliderport north of San Diego, Calif. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WITH THOUGHTS  of Peter Pan -- or Sally Field in "The Flying Nun," -- I gazed, spellbound, as  Folks bring chairs and watch the gliders. a 40-something man took flight. Our venue was the world famous Torrey Pines Gliderport, an historic flight park on the ocean's edge, founded in 1928. My "glider guide" was my partner, Bruce Keller, who has more tricks up his sleeve than a Las Vegas magician. Safely on terra firma, these gliders expressed elation at their experience. "I had no idea you knew so much about gliding," I gulped, as we walked to the edge of a cliff and he began to explain wind currents and sail plaining, describing all the necessary gear:  reserve chutes, harnesses, helmets and more. He knows his stuff. I KNEW  Keller spent years navigating the azure Pacific out his back door. He snorkles, scuba dives, sails and swims.  This fella understands wind, so I should have guessed he also has a handle on flying through the air with the greatest of ease.   The Torrey Pines Gliderport is a wonder to behold, a sentimental and spectacular favorite spot of locals and a sought- after tourist destination.  Keller has been a fan for years and is proud of its international appeal.  On our  The Torrey Pines cliffs could be dangerous, but skilled gliders navigate them artfully. several visits together, we heard French, Italian, German and Japanese, along with the usual English and Spanish spoken in San Diego environs.     We watched as certified instructors coached people from their twenties well into their seventies in the art of flying high by the clouds. I GOT A   crash course in paragliders and hang gliders. Hang gliders have solid wing structures and an aluminum frame, creating a V-shaped wing that resembles a stealth bomber. Paragliders have soft wing structures -- no internal frame.  Once inflated, they take on an elliptical shape. TORREY  Pines, a gorgeous, much photographed and well used scenic area in north La Jolla, is also a favorite of golfers -- you've seen televised tournaments there if you're an aficionado.  The park is also beloved as a fundraising venue.  Many films and commercials have been shot there, because of the stunning scenery.  I watched in wonder as advanced gilders soared over the cliffs and ocean, sweeping magically, then eventually landing in one piece, with a graceful downward or sideways motion. The art is in moving their bodies to bend with the wind and navigating the way they want to. Gliders float high above the Pacific, and see wonders beneath and all around. Wind conditions, of course, play a major role in the success of the adventure. Skilled gliders learn how to determine when the wind is best for prime soaring. I THINK  of myself as a fairly gutsy gal, but I fear I haven't the courage to soar with the hawks. For now, I'm content to watch and sigh, eyes heavenward, as the Torrey Pines gliders show me their stuff. I'm no cliff hanger, except as an appreciator.  And count me in as a fan of the Cliff Hanger Cafe at Torrey Pines Gliderport, which serves up yummy sandwiches, soups and salads. If you're braver than this reporter, you can hire certified instructors at the venue, or give a gift A glider lands with grace and ease at Torrey Pines Gliderport, which has been beloved since 1928. certificate to a loved one.  Call 858 452-9858 or go to www.flytorrey.com GLIDING BUFFS  are fit, trim and healthy looking.  And if you're looking for a romantic adventure with your sweetheart, you can fly tandem. What a thought! Keller could nudge me to consciousness if I fainted from terror.   Landlocked for now, Cookie may some day soar with the gliders. Could Nick and Nora come along? I long for the courage to brave it, for it looks like a wondrous pursuit -- the clouds close enough to touch, birds, whales and seals to enjoy, and the Pacific shimmering below. This past spring, we saw the migrating grey whales here, enroute to the Baja to give birth. For now, I'll do my flying in a 747. And my sailing in a boat.  But maybe sometime I'll glide! If not in this life, then in the next! "Uncle Cog," Harry A. Cosgriffe, atop his favorite horse at his Crazy Mountain ranch. COMING SATURDAY :  A tribute to a special uncle, as we attend his classic Montana send-off memorial.  "Uncle Cog" was beloved by many and a weekend celebration to honor his memory included music, prose, flowers, food, dancing, reminiscing, tears and laughter. That's this July 20 at www.whereiscookie.com Then we look at a family's challenge and rewards of nurturing a baby born with a birth defect. It truly takes a village! Plus more travel tips and photography pointers. Tune us in Wednesdays and Saturdays and remember to explore, learn and live.

HORSE HAS BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and JANE MILDER   This scene, of horses in pasture framed by the Crazy Mountains,   epitomizes the grandeur of Big Sky Country to many Montanans.  No horsing around. The horse goes back farther than we imagined.  So an homage seems in order.  With Fourth of July parades and the horse the star of the rodeo, we have new scientific information about his history.  But first, allow me some steed-steeped memories. MY CHILDHOOOD HORSE  was Peanuts.  He was 18 years old and three of us pre-schoolers could fit in the sway of his patient back.  He remains the favorite horse of many I've ridden since. There was Pedro delivering me safely down a rocky trail high above the sea, to the famed Leper Colony of Molokai. He was a mule, actually, so only half-horse.  And he was sure-footed, although he frightened me a number of times as rocks slipped under his sturdy shoes.  I heard one crash down to the ocean from our trail, carved against the jagged cliffs above the Pacific. Pedro didn't blink. THERE WAS FRANCO,   sleek on a  white sand beach in Italy.  He galloped when I had no interest -- a Roman holiday for sure but he was too frisky for me. I hit the sand. There was Jose, sweetly obedient on the Acapulco shore. Maggie took me for a Montana ride, packing into the Crazies.  She was an eater and got me in trouble with the guide.  A herd of wild horses looks to include several pregnant mares, caught in a pause of grazing and moving. Hank in the Tetons. Too frisky for this reporter. Seth on a Taos trail.  He chewed his way along just fine. "I want an old horse, close to the ground and slow. I don't care if he stops to munch grass," I always tell the guides and packers. "And let me be the last rider." San Diego's East County has a volunteer police posse in which riders, including Linda Slater and her horse Wendy help out in full regalia. Horses have plowed our fields, forged our trails, moved our cattle and hunted our outlaws.  Today, they still provide valuable services, in sheriff's volunteer groups and police posses. The horse has played a part in my life -- on and off the trail.  Even in the theater. For the horse has long fascinated poets and playwrights. Several of my favorite plays involve horses. At the top of the list is "Equus."  Horse inspired plays have won Tony awards and toured the world. Horses are the heart of the Kentucky Derby and I've visited the famed Lipizzaner Stallions on their home turf of Vienna.  Horses and riders share a unique bond.  Reverie and fitness are just two of the offshoots of the friendship. Horses have long been beloved by royals; Queen Elizabeth II has visited Wyoming friends to view their thoroughbreds. A driver takes his passengers around town square in the Canary Islands. FOR HORSE LOVERS  , there's news about the history of this gorgeous beast. The horse is even older than we've thought. By piecing together new genetic information, scientists have deciphered the complete genome of an extinct prehistoric horse that roamed the Yukon more than 700,000 years ago.  Analyzing a fossilized bone, scientists are rewriting the evolutionary history of the horse and smashing the previous record for the oldest complete genome ever sequenced. Do you hear that, Jose, Franco, Wendy, Maggie?  Your ancestors are making history! A horse tips his head to a sunny winter day near Luther, MT. In the new study, an international team of scientists led by Ludovic Orlando and Eske Willerslev at the University of Copenhagen used what’s become a common approach: comparing the DNA of  modern species to DNA recovered from fossil remains. Their study focuses on a frozen, fossil bone fragment found near Thistle Creek, Canada. By pushing DNA sequencing technology to its limits, they were able to rewind the evolutionary clock back further than ever before. So the next time you put your backside on a horse, show some respect. You're throwing your leg over millions of years of evolutionary history -- and a critter whose history goes back more than 700,000 years! COMING SATURDAY:  Flower Power to the people, as the year marks its half-way point. Future posts will circle the globe, giving tips on travel and taking memorable photos abroad.  We'll also celebrate the joys and trials of life with a handicapped child, explore a glider port, look at the moon and more. Enjoy the  Fourth of July and remember to explore, learn and live. We post each Wednesday and Saturday at: www.whereiscookie.com

"The water's running free and it's waiting there for me.... cool, clear water." Here, at Black's Beach in northern San Diego County, a favorite of glider aficionados and nude sunbathers.  Water works its magic on lakes, rivers, oceans STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Ducks enjoy a pond in San Diego's Kit Karson Park. WARS HAVE  been fought over it, countries conquered and fortunes lost over it. Crops have flourished or languished depending on its availability. We would all die without it. Precious, beautiful, nourishing, calming water. We soak our feet in it, wash our clothes, keep our lawns and flowers gorgeous and use its ice to cool our beverages. San Francisco's skyline and waters provide pretty boat and ship photos. Nothing beats a long cool drink from my spring-fed pump after a day of digging, planting, hiking or mowing at High Chaparral in Montana's Beartooth Mountains. WATER COVERS  71 per cent of the Earth, working its magic and singing its siren song. Lovers and poets slosh around in it.  Hundreds of famous movie scenes involve water, including "Singing in the Rain" with the magnificent dancing of that dapper, umbrella toting Gene Kelly.  Or how about steamy beach-side love making? Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr do some heavy breathing on the sands in "From Here to Eternity." Recently, "Titanic" put a grim and spectacular spin on water's deadly potential. MY PARTNER, Bruce Keller, was born and raised on the Pacific Ocean of southern California and spent summers on a lakeside cabin in rural Minnesota. I grew up in a small Montana town on the Stillwater River, and live part of the year on the west fork of that river today. My sister Peny was a lifeguard at the Columbus Pool.  So was my cousin Cliff.  I remember them both diving into the waters, turning heads, cutting through the air  with grace. BOTH KELLER  and I love sailing, as faithfuls of this blog know. Among our most glorious times are afternoons spent sailing Mission Bay, sometimes just the two of us and other times with visiting family or sailing friends.  Our holidays always take us to the water -- the shores of Lisbon, the bay of Olbia in Sardinia, a Cookie and her Atlanta sister, Misha, enjoy a sail on Mission Bay. rooftop garden overlooking the canals of Venice, a barge cruise  through the Loire Valley, stopping at chateaux and tasting the treats of the vineyards. Dinner cruises are a favorite of ours -- on the Seine in Paris, on the Thames in London. Around Manhattan with its glorious architecture. When we visit Seattle, we book a room on Elliot Bay.  In San Francisco, we try to situate ourselves with a view of Golden Gate Bridge or Fisherman's Wharf. In New York, it's a treat to look down upon the East River and watch the city lights. Fisherman's Wharf is always a picturesque photo opportunity. WATER'S magical mix is one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen, bonded by sharing electrons. Water has carved many of the world's great sites, including Arizona's Grand Canyon and the mighty canyons of our own Yellowstone Park. If one believes the story of Noah, the dove signaled the end of the flood, returning with a sprig of tree to prove that land would once again return to Earth. Here in the northern Rockies, I've found seashells on my meanderings. On cruises and Atlantic crossings, we've admired the frigate birds that follow the ship, hundreds of miles from land. This wonderful bird, related to pelicans, is also called the pirate bird and can have a Whale watching and a sunset cruise combine to delight the writer and photographer off the coast of Santa Barbara.  wing span of nearly eight feet. Our healing tears are salty water and I'm convinced of the boost my mental health gets from the negative ions provided by the Pacific. It's a universal solvent and can -- with time -- dissolve anything, cutting through solid marble, stone and steel. "Water, water, cool, clear water" as the Marty Robbins song goes.  May we always treat it with reverence and respect and be grateful for its life-giving force. COMING SATURDAY : Our travelers take to the skies and byways, with tips on traveling with beloved pets. Pointers await, through the next few blogs, on traveling safely abroad and making the most of your time and dollar.

The blossoms that bloom in the spring -- tra la -- here on a lovely street in La Jolla, Calif. BOWERS OF BUDS TAKE A BOW  AS SUMMER SWEETLY BLOOMS  And nearer to the river's trembling edge There grew broad flag-flowers, purple pranked with white And starry river buds among the sedge And floating water lilies, broad and bright -- Percy Bysshe Shelley (more Shelley in italics below) STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS  Daffodils show their stuff in Montana's spring. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER When words don't seem adequate, or cannot be appropriately summoned, a flower or bouquet communicates. Flowers say "I love you," "I'm sorry for your loss," "congratulations," "I miss you" and "I was a jerk. Please forgive me." We use and enjoy flowers at weddings, birthdays and graduations.  They ease the pain at funerals and memorials, bringing a lightness and beauty to the somber scene. FOR CENTURIES,  flowers, herbs and plants have given pleasure to people of all the nations.  One of my most vivid flower memories is of a long-ago hike in the Balinese rain forest.  Bruce and I came upon a cremation ceremony, about 50 people dressed in beautiful garlands and gowns.  They asked us to join the processional, and gave us flower petals which we dropped on the ground behind the departed.  They carried her to a pyre, bedecked in flowers, deposited food and flowers at the base, and set the thing ablaze. Because their beauty has the ability to bring cheer when someone is ill, recovering or downhearted, their fragrances can be used to make lovely perfumes, delicate foliage can be used for certain medicines and foods, and pungent smells can effect a mood. Orchids at the entrance of La Jolla Shores Resort. And in the warm hedge grew lush eglantine, green cowbind and moonlight-coloured may, And cherry-blossoms, and white cups, whose wine Was the bright dew, yet drained not by the day Flowers have been around much longer than man.  Honeybees and hummingbirds were enjoying flowers long before FTD.  Poets and playwrights have celebrated flowers.  Many people have a favorite.  My mother's was the gardenia and it is mine today. In the world's great museums, flower portraits abound -- even before the Renaissance.  Monet's lilies and Van Gogh's sunflowers are universally beloved.   Succulents offer color, blooms and an attractive lure for hummingbirds. In fact, so deeply do we honor flowers that we have formulated a language about flowers called "floriography." This "language" was particularly utilized during the Victorian era. Flowers well into past generations have had religious and symbolic meanings, and still do today.  There are references  to flowers, herbs and plants in Biblical times, and during the Middle Ages, herbs were even believed by some to have magical powers. Therefore, they were given a place of honor in the royal floral gardens. The use of these floral "gardens" existed well into the Victorian era,and helped to create the elaborate list of meanings to describe these beloved flowers.  A bloom of a camellia entices the photographer in our town home courtyard in San Diego. And wile dorse, and ivy serpentine, With its dark buds and leaves, wandering astray; And flowers azure, black and streaked with gold, Fairer than any wakened eyes behold. History tells us that royals have long used flowers and inspired their subjects to do the same.  During her long reign in England -- 1837 to 1901 -- Queen Victoria believed that a flower in the lapel or on the jacket was part of the attire of a properly dressed person. In the Victorian era, flower shops came into favor and, particularly around Covent Garden, where Eliza Doolittle first meets Henry Higgins, flower girls vied for customers as the wealthy people came and went to dinner and the theater. An ornamental willow leafs out at High Chaparral in Big Sky Country. ON A COLD  day in February in 1989, my late sister Robbie and I attended the Bolshoi Ballet in the Soviet Union, shortly before its fall and the dismantling of the wall. We were impressed that people with little money found enough coins to buy flowers in the lobby and throw them on stage as the dancers took their curtain call. Only months before her death, Robbie, spent two days in northern California creating dozens of bouquets for our niece's wedding. At Robbie's memorial, we made certain that flowers were part of our eulogy to her. The Maritime Museum includes many vessels in San Diego Bay. COMING WEDNESDAY : A celebration of the wonders of water. Lakes, rivers, streams and the majestic Pacific Ocean find a place in our blog as we honor the beauty of water and its hypnotic effect on our psyche. As summer unfolds, we explore travel, photography and a very special child. Remember to explore, learn and live. And check out our posts on Wednesdays and Saturdays at: whereiscookie.com

Grecian and Roman sculpture adorn the entryway and paths to San Simeon's Hearst Castle on the central California coast. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Hearst's youthful travels inspired his lavish creation of San Simeon. WHEN WILLIAM  Randolph Hearst was a little boy his mother took him on a grand tour of Europe.  There the tyke admired ancient statues, castles and frescoes, learned about the art of the Renaissance and dreamed of having his own artful place when he grew up. That fantasy became reality, a modern day Shangri-la, when the newspaper baron created San Simeon. Visitors pause outside the main mansion, by the outdoor pool. Hearst and his trusted architect, Julia Morgan, on site in 1926. We joined tourists from all over the world to admire the excesses of a true eccentric. Hearst traveled to Europe many times collecting the art that would become his legacy and placing it in his carefully designed mansion. His enterprising female architect Julia Morgan was with him every step of the way. INVITATIONS to Hearst Castle were highly coveted during its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. One of the many details is the ornate front door through which movie stars and others entered. Hollywood royalty and the politically elite visited, usually flying into the estate's airfield or taking a private Hearst-owned train car from Los Angeles. Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, the Marx Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Jimmy Stewart and presidents Calvin Coolidge and FDR visited.  Winston Churchill spent time with Hearst and his wife in New York City, then with Hearst and his mistress  at San Simeon, remarking that he found both Hearst partners delightful. The beautiful,.peaceful Neptune Pool, a favorite hiding place of Patty Hearst. WHILE GUESTS were expected to attend the formal dinners each evening, they were left to their own devices during the day while Hearst directed his business affairs. Since "the Ranch" had many facilities, guests could play tennis, hike, ask the kitchen to make a picnic, or simply wander about, read, enjoy the exotic wildlife and rejuvenate. ALCOHOL  was not forbidden, but was served in moderation and could not be brought in. Those who abused protocol were not invited back! The theater was available for viewings and Hearst often screened films after dinner, choosing from productions of his own film studio, Cosmopolitan Productions. The newspaper baron's many trips to Europe inspired the  compound known by millions as San Simeon.   HEARST CASTLE  was the inspiration for "Xanadu,"  the mansion of the 1941 Orson Welles classic film, "Citizen Kane," a fictionalization of William Randolph Hearst's career. However, the castle was not used for the film, which was shot at Oheka Castle in New York. Commercial filming is rare at Hearst Castle and most requests are denied.  Only two projects have been allowed to film on the premises: director Stanley Kubrick's "Spartacus," which used the castle as Crassus' villa; and a Lady Gaga music video. PATTY HEARST,  granddaughter of the mogul, remembers playing in the Neptune Pool and hiding behind its gorgeous statues.  She conducted a Travel Channel tour a few years back, recalling the place with affection. Hearst maintained his own fire truck on the premises -- just in case. Hearst Castle is both a national and California historical landmark, designed by Hearst's friend, Ms. Morgan, during their long collaboration -- 1919 to 1947. Hearst was still enhancing his creation when illness forced him to abandon the project in the late 1940s and he did not return to his beloved San Simeon before his 1951 death. THE CALIFORNIA  Park Commission voted to include the castle in its State Park System in 1954, with a proposed admission charge of $1 and 50 cents for the bus ride up. Today's tourists pay $25 per tour (cottages and kitchens, grand rooms, upstairs suites, the main castle and an evening tour). Packages are available including hotels and a delightful holiday tour is featured with evening lights.  (We loved the Best Western Plus Cavalier where we had a splendid ocean view room. More about that in our coastal hotels piece.)   Just a few miles from the Hearst Castle is San Simeon's Best Western Cavalier. This is the beautiful ocean view from our delightful room. THE HEARST FAMILY  keeps a villa on the grounds for its private use, separated from the parts tourists see.  The mansion and its grand collection of art and antiques includes Hearst's flashy red fire truck.  The complex is near a small unincorporated town, San Simeon, and the village of Cambria. Millions of travelers visit each year. When Hearst approached American architect Morgan with ideas for a new project in April 1915, his idea was to fashion a comfortable bungalow. "I'd like to build something upon the hill at San Simeon. I get tired of going up there and camping in tents. I'm getting too old for that. I'd like something a little more comfortable," he said. A candy emporium and much more await you in Old Town Sacramento,  Hearst formally named the estate "La Cuesta Encantada" ("The Enchanted Hill"), but usually called it "the ranch." Hearst Castle and grounds are sometimes referred to as "San Simeon" as is the surrounding   area and its lovely hotels. Phone 1-800-695-2269 for tickets or information or go to www.hearstcastle.org .   COMING SOON:  California dreaming means fun hotels and rooms with views....... then we're dreaming of a snake-free summer under the Big Sky, where seldom is heard a discouraging word. Plus Old Town Sacramento with terrific Greek food, live music, a candy emporium with dozens of salt water taffy tastes. And more, at www.whereiscookie.com

TAKE A TRAIN RIDE, CROSS A GOLD BRIDGE, TASTE GREEK TREATS AND SPLENDID TAFFY Candy by the barrels awaits sampling in Sacramento's Candy Heaven, with hundreds of varieties and flavors. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Tourists board a horse drawn carriage to tour Sacramento's Old Town. THE BRIDGE  with its golden mustard arches gets your attention. Painted the color of Dorothy's yellow brick road, it evokes a sense of fun and exploration. And that's what awaits you in Sacramento's Old Town. The historic area of California's capital dates back to the gold rush days of 1848 when prospectors, entrepreneurs and gamblers headed for fortune if not fame. The last stop on the Pony Express, Sacramento was also the terminus of the transcontinental railroad and -- like most gold rush towns -- Sacramento boasted a handsome array of saloons and bordellos. Kristen and Zach clown in Sacramento's Old Town. The stately Capitol Building in Sacramento.  TODAY'S OLD Sacramento pays homage to the local color that keeps the city in the eye of tourists and locals alike. Music and film festivals are booked months in advance. Our fun begins with the 1935 bridge, painted a playful gold in 2002 to honor California's "Golden State" moniker. Just over 28 acres, Old Town houses 53 historic buildings ranging from hotels to candy shops, jewelry and clothing venues and specialty shops with gifts unique to Sacramento.  Old Town brings out one's sense of fun. WE STROLLED  and enjoyed for five hours with Keller's daughter and her boyfriend, Kristen and Zach. The four of us strolled Front Street, dipping in a leather store, a throw-back to a hippie head shop with beads, oils and incense.  Then we checked out the delightful Old Sacramento Excursion Train Ride, a 40-minute round trip along the levees of the Sacramento River. The Tower Bridge in Sacramento connects Yolo and Sacramento counties. Horse and carriage rides are also  offered and there were takers for these as we enjoyed the art and antique shops -- "Penny Farthing" caught our eye.  Toy and kite shops and a fascinating emporium, G Willikers, were doing booming business. WE SATISFIED  our sweet teeth at Candy Heaven on Front Street, where young hawkers pass out coupons for free samples of salt water taffy -- including my favorite licorice, Keller's chocolate and a mint and jalapeno the kids discovered.  It has an interesting zingy aftertaste! For lunch, we happened upon the small and wonderful place Happy Pita Cafe. Terrific lamb wraps, Greek style, complete with both tasty mint and yogurt sauce and spicy hot sauce. A view of Sacramento and the lovely delta in earlier days. Mountain men, and a variety of Spanish, English and Portuguese explorers visited the area, and the usual complement of Catholic priests seeking converts to the faith. Sacramento is, proudly, California's capital. The State Capitol also has a Museum.  The complex houses past, present and future elements of the state, serving both as a museum and a working seat of government. It's a popular day trip for students and tourists alike, where one can watch history in the making. SACRAMENTO'S  recorded history begins in the decade of 1839-1848 with an embarcadero, constructed at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers.  But long before Europeans and Mexican-based adventurers such as Samuel Brannan and John Augustus Sutter Sr. and Jr., the Native American Maidu inhabited the fertile valley. Humpbacks, including a mother and calf, Delta and Dawn, swam into Sacramento's Delta. Whales have also ventured to Sacramento, swimming 90 nautical miles up the Sacramento River, attracting international attention. Finally, a nod to the aforementioned golden bridge. The handsome Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge across the Sacramento River, linking West Sacramento in Yolo County to the west, with the capital of California, Sacramento, in Sacramento County to the east. This fledgling entertained travelers Keller and Cookie, in their Nye yard. COMING SOON: California's coast offers some of the most delightful rooms you'll ever check into -- for spectacular views. Then off to Lisbon for a look at the lively arts and culture of this proud Portuguese city. And Montana's bird life is burgeoning with baby birdies.  We visit some fledlings and mature woodpeckers, eagles and more. Join us for travel off the beaten path, with a sense of fun, and an eye for nature and humor. Weekends and Wednesdays at: www.whereiscookie.com