Hello Renaissance Rebecca Subscribers and Friends– You may have noticed that I haven’t posted on this blog since Nov 22, 2024. This is because I’m working on something new and am writing on a different platform once per week. I want to keep reading your stuff–how do I sign up? What’s this new thing you’re…
Category: The People I Thank
Camino with Dad 2024: Just When You Think You Know Someone . . .
June 15, 2024 Did you feel the earth wobble on its axis a few hours ago? That was because my father was eating KALE SOUP. We sat down to the table and there were EDIBLE FLOWERS in our bowls. And he ate those, too!! Two years ago had I stumbled into the garden of a…
Best Moments of 2023
As usual, they are in no particular order. . . As usual, I’m sure there are many more that I missed. If that was you, I’m sorry. Know that I love each and every one of you and any moment shared with you is a moment I treasure. Much love to you all, Rebecca
A First Time For Everything
“You are so lucky, kid,” I told my youngest sister Meg as we stood in St. Peter’s Square, the basilica looming over us. “You will never see it like this ever again.” It was January, 2022. By this point, we’d taken COVID tests in three different countries. In the coming days, we’d stand in an…
These Are A Few of My Favorite Things
“We’re moving to Spain,” Michael would tell people. But me? I couldn’t say those words. “We’re going to Spain for a year,” I’d say. “Maybe we’ll stay longer.” And honestly? Every time I heard Michael say, “We’re moving to Spain,” my heart raced a little. In an anxious, nervous moving-is-a-big-word kind of way. Besides, was…
Outrageous Goals
I don’t do it regularly. But every once in a while I make myself some (outrageous?) goals. I put a date on them. Put them out to the world. Take baby steps towards them. And then the world opens up, embraces my idea, gives me an avenue I’d never imagined, and hands me my wish…
In Memoriam: Barbara Winter
My original blog post, Sept. 4, 2011: It was a full page ad. The woman wore funky glasses and an angled, blunt haircut. Her posture, her smile, the sparkle in her eyes emanated a happiness, a confidence, and a freedom I wanted. But none of that is what drew me in. As I flipped through…
Solo Travel 101 (Thank you, Mr. Briggs and Ms. Troccia)
My first trip “across the pond” was led by my 11th grade English and Social Studies teachers Mr. Briggs and Ms. Troccia. We saw all the major sites: the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. But the most important thing I was given on that trip? An adult’s belief in my ability to navigate…
A Friendship Story
I scanned the shelves of the refrigerated case. Fanta. Aquarius. Pineapple juice. But no orange juice. And then I remembered: I’m in Spain. I turned to the counter and there it was: a pile of oranges in a square tub atop the now-recognizable-to-me juicer. Every bar/coffee shop in Spain has one, even here in the…
Oh, The People You’ll Meet (Part 1)
In a book given to many college graduates, Dr. Suess talks about The Places You’ll Go. I think the sequel should be called Oh, The People You’ll Meet. Thanks to modern technology (i.e. Facebook, e-mail) and not-so-modern means (i.e. word of mouth), I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people in the few…
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