Getting ready for our hike at Big Basin, CA, to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, January 2014. Photo credit Lara Ortiz-Luis
My name is Mary-Ann. I am an empty-nester. I moved to the Bay Area in Northern California from Toronto, Canada, in the Fall of 1996, with my husband, Louie, and my daughter, Lara.
I became curious about blogs when I stumbled on some really good ones. Then I found out that my daughter had started a writing blog with a bunch of college friends. They had all promised to write a hundred words as often as possible. Their blog, All of a Hundred, served as a creative outlet that helped them hone in their craft from the discipline that came with the commitment. I was intrigued. I guest-posted a few times and it helped me gather the initiative and chops to start my own blog.
My Family, who I will follow to the ends of the earth, as Carole King has been telling us all these years in “Where You Lead.” Photo taken on a Saturday hike at Fort Funston, CA, 2013.
I have promised to write about anything and everything that interests, troubles, or intrigues me, from mundane everyday circumstances or seemingly trivial occurrences to iconic moments in history. I promise to be gracious, ethical, never derogatory nor unnecessarily unfair or heartless. (However, I do have some opinionated opinions about certain matters!) All, except the family business where I spend upwards of 12 to 14 hours a day, and sometimes more. (There are days I feel that I think about work even when I’m asleep!)
Overlooking Goreme Valley, Central Anatolia, (c) Likeitiz
My hubby and I love to hike on trails and travel the world. I enjoy it when the culture, language, and surroundings are foreign. These distract me enough from the humdrum of my day-to-day preoccupations at work. These trips are a great adventure and I always look forward to them. I love picking up the lingo, being able to read the signs, discovering the new and the different—food, wine, sights, a different way of life than my own. I like to immerse myself in the “foreign-ness” of my surroundings, and even the details of their daily life. It is my way of celebrating diversity, history, and the endless possibilities of the future. I look for a few familiar things just for comfort but take pleasure in the new, the different, the alternatives to what I consider my creature comforts. I can come back refreshed in the Bay Area and ready to go at it again.
Lounging at the pool in Montecristo, Sunset Beach, Cabo San Lucas. April 2014
I value and cherish my family and my friends. We are a generation that is totally unencumbered by our birthplaces. My family spans three continents with different time zones. Our friends are from all over the globe. So, when we meet to catch up on our lives, it is always a treasured experience that I relive and savor in my memory bank for a long time.
Hot Cocoa called “a la taza” with soy milk at SOMA Chocolatemaker, Toronto, Canada, photo credit (c) Likeitiz
Do drop by, join me for some conversation, and leave some comments. But treat it as though you dropped by for coffee and we’re gathered around in my kitchen, musing, philosophizing, and best of all, reveling in the great company.
– July 2009
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well I have been following your blog for a while (on and off) and I wanted to drop by and leave a note and just say I enjoy it when I am here and hope to drop by more regularly the coming year – peace 🙂
oh – and we are almost full empty nesters – have one in college and one 3 years away –
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It will be tough initially. The house will be unusually quiet. Then it dawns upon you: the endless possibilities…
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Just a beautiful and interesting experience here! Sounds like your starting a new chapter in Life? Love all the photo’s too! I wish you all the best in your Life Journey. I’m a new fan. And Thanks for stopping by my blogs. 🙂
God Bless,
Author Catherine Lyon 🙂
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Hi Mary-Ann, I’m enjoying your cheerful blog! This year I’ve resolved to discover and comment on a positive blog every day, in hopes of improving my mindset and bringing more kindness and joy to the world, while keeping a list on my own blog to help others find positive reading material. Your site is today’s entry, and I am glad to have found it! I feel that blogging is like virtual hiking, in that there’s always something new and different to explore. 🙂
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Hello, Meg. Good to meet you. I don’t know if my blog is always positive. Sometimes, I get going on something I’m passionate about and I get myself in a tizzy about it. But yes, my blog is my outlet for looking for the reasons why I consider myself fortunate and blessed! Your mission sounds wonderful. May I join in?
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Yes, please do! I’ve posted more details on this page: http://megevans.com/random-kindness-blog-tour
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Beautiful photograph. I enjoy your blog so much! Please accept the Sunshine award to recognise great work that is full of life http://litadoolan.net/2014/02/14/sunshine-smiles-day/
All my good regards
Lita
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Hello 🙂 Dropping by to thank you for the follow and the comment on Rara’s blog.
Haven’t looked around much yet but…after spotting the post called Dog’s Thanksgiving Thoughts…yea…I’m gonna look forward to more posts from you 😉
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😀
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This is awesome! I like everything about this blog and your photos show an artists eye. There is lots more to capturing a moment than clicking a button.
Oh…I dig your blog!
I just got around to visiting , and it was worth it. I look forward to more great stuff!
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I’m having a sort of wonky day, so if I’ve already told you this– sorry! Haha, 🙂 But … Since you’re doing NaBloPoMo with us in November, if you want to do a YeahWrite guest post during that month — I talked to Erica and she’d love to have you! 😀
You just need to let her know where to reach you and she’ll send you info. You can pre-write it & choose your date. They have a big audience, so it’s probably worth it if you have time! 🙂
Just comment on their post, letting her know you’re game! yeahwrite.me/kickoff-132/
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Hi Rara. I’d love to take up the challenge. How do I contact Erica?
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Just go over to http://yeahwrite.me/kickoff-132/ and leave a comment there letting her know you’re down to guest post! 🙂
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Ooops. Found it!
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Hi, Thanks for the follow.
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Thanks for stopping by on my blog! Looking forward to delving into yours!
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How about over coffee in my virtual kitchen?
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I Nominate you for Bouquet of Super Awards – 27 Nominations
please choose any 3 awards out of the 27
accept it and oblige
there are no linkbacks for this award
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/bouquet-of-super-awards-27-nominations/
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This is a warm and welcoming introduction. I will most certainly be back!
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Hi! Thinking of you, your husband and Beau. I know you have a lot on your plate right now but thought I’d brighten your day by nominating you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
Hope all turns out okay. http://lidiatheexplorer.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/ive-been-nominated/
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Hello! I would like to tell you that I nominated you for the “Creative Blogger Award.” I truly enjoy visiting your page and I hope that in some small way, receiving this award can help encourage and brighten your day.
You can check it out on my blog site: http://goodtimestories.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/a-heart-felt-thank-you/
Once again,congratulations and have an awesome day!! Keep up the good work my friend!
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You are so kind! I wonder if I should reassess my site and perhaps create a page for this. Then when I’m feeling a little unsure of my writing abilities, I can gloss over the page for a “pat on the back” experience! Thank you for including me in your circle.
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I haven’t followed your blog for long, but I love reading it. I hope those that follow my blog will give yours a visit. I included you in my Best Moment Award, but if you don’t accept awards, that’s okay. If you do, the info is on my page. Keep up the super work!
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Thank you so much for this award. I am honored. I do “do awards.” I have still to do something about them. I’m not so used to getting these recognitions. But I will revel in the moment and do as the “awards ceremonies” entail. Thank you so very much. This made my day.
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Hi: From me to you:
http://theseeker57.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/awards-sharing-time/
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So you were a Canadian, eh? California is a nice state to live in, warm.
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Yes, with emphasis on the “eh!” We love Northern California. But we still enjoy visiting Canada. Love the people. Love the many issues that are non-issues to them and they’re causing so much angst over hear because much of the US is in a time warp stuck in the fifties. Love the beauty of the land too!
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Hi Mary-Ann! I hope you won’t mind another blogging award.:) I’ve just nominated you for a Tag! You’re It Award! Please click here for more info: http://eyedancers.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/a-super-sweet-blogging-award-and-tag-im-it/ Thanks!–Mike
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You are too sweet for my teeth, Mike!!!
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I appreciate your stopping by my site to comment. As another empty-nester that loves to travel, I anticipate many enjoyable hours here 🙂
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Congratulations ~ I’ve nominated you for the WP Family Award! Please stop by to pick up your award ~ Hugs to you! http://misifusa.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/a-la-familia-wp-family-awards/
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Congratulations. I nominated you for an award :
http://iiteeeestudents.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/being-nominated-my-silly-answers/
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Nice reading about you.
Thanks. For visiting my blog Ajaytao2010@wordpress.com. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may definitely find something of your interest.
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Pleasure to meet you and thank you visiting our little corner of the world!!!! Hope your weekend is wonderful!!!!
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We have an award for you! WOOF WOOF http://maggiemoosetracks.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/maggiemoose-reality-woof-woof/
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Your blog inspires me every time. So much love, hope , optimism, lessons to learn in life. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yor family.
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Nice meeting you here in cyber space. Thanks for visiting my poetry blog.
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We are kindred spirits; we both have family ties spanning three continents. Glad we connected Mary-Ann! 🙂
Elizabeth
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Let’s celebrate our lives on WordPress together!
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🙂
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I like your outlook; its so refreshing. I love your photo, too. We have a lot in common with our travel experiences and family being spread across the universe!
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It’s so nice to see a photo of you, Mary-Ann. I came by to see what you’d written lately & realised that I’ve never read your ‘About’. An empty-nester is when the kids have left home, isn’t it? Wow, that will be very strange when that happens…. very. Sounds like you are living well though. Cheers!
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Thanks for dropping by. An empty nest is when the young-ones have “flown the coop” as the cliche goes. It felt very strange in the beginning. In fact, I must have gone through a period of mourning. But now, it’s ok. Actually, it’s more than ok! It’s a new kind of fun!
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Thanks for the recent comment. I’m having the best of times in the Philippines. Delicious food, a loving family and beaches that help calm a restless heart….God bless you my friend.
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Just want to say hi and thank you for the last comment. God bless you always…
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Isn’t Cappadocia amazing? I was spellbound by the fairy chimneys! 🙂
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Yes. I found the caves very interesting. I was imagining them as working homes for villages of people in the 13th century. There were case that served as chapels for worship. The murals are still inact and preserved. Really awesome!
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Hi, I’ve nominated you for the versatile blogger award so if you would like it go here,
http://lucidgypsy.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/awards-update-part-two/
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Hi Mary-Ann! I guess that lovely lady in the picture is your daughter Lara. Is that right?
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Hello, Auntie Uta. The picture in the “about” section is me. My daughter is in the background only in a partial view.
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We have friends and relatives all over the globe too. So I can relate to a lot of what you’re saying, Thank you for writing about your life. I’m looking forward to visiting your blogs! I am Uta and I live in Australia, about 100 km south of Sydney. I am already a great-grandmother! I started blogging because I wanted my kids to have a record of my life. Here in Australia we have a great multi- cultural society.
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Thank you for the inspiring comments. That meant a lot to me. When I started blogging, I wasn’t really sure what I’ll do with it but then I realized the one thing that makes me happy the most are my family and so evolved into a family adventure of sort. What a small world, we left Union City, CA in 2006 for Texas. Miss my visits to San Fo. God Bless you and yourt family.
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