TRAVEL TIPS FOR PACKING LIGHTLY

When I travel now, I pack as lightly as I can, because HEAVY LUGGAGE and I are no longer compatible. I've gotten pretty good at it and for up to a 2-WEEK TRIP I take only a SPINNER CARRY-ON and a SPINNER TOTE (packed with all NECESSITIES and my handbag, which can fit under the seat if necessary). 

It was suggested that I share a couple of my PACKING TIPS with you.

1.  DAILY MEDICATIONS/SUPPLEMENTS - 

I used to take my weekly plastic container, but if you travel for 2 weeks you need 2 of them and if it's 15 days, what do you do? Those plastic containers are bulky and no longer the best way to package them. 

At CVS you can purchase a package of 50 DISPOSABLE PILL POUCHES for $4.29.  If you diligently save them as you empty them during your trip, you can get 2-3 trips out of each bag.

After laying out all of my meds/supplements for the number of days I need (PLUS 4-5 extra days in case of flight delays or damage to a dose) I fill each little bag with one DAILY DOSE. 

It doesn't hurt to package up some chewable VITAMIN C too, in case you end up with a cold from those NASTY airplane germs........

I've gotten into the habit of placing my PILL PACKETS in my spinner TOTE, in the zippered section inside the front flap, so for every trip, they are in the same place. And the TOTE always comes with me on the plane. They are easy to access and EVERY MORNING I simply pull one out and put it in my purse to take with breakfast. 

Oh, and BTW, I always keep one extra packet in my purse, in case I'm in a rush in the morning and forget to grab one.

2.  MAKING CLOTHING DECISIONS -

This is the TOUGHEST SKILL to MASTER. I used to pack WAY TOO MUCH - thinking I needed "choices". But now that I'm committed to LIGHTWEIGHT traveling, I've had to GET ORGANIZED! 

FIRST, I gather all of the clothing (on hangers) that I WANT to take. Then I thoughtfully and diligently DELETE, DELETE, DELETE what I don't NEED. If it's 14 DAYS, I pack 14 TOPS and 7 BOTTOMS and that's ALL!

In the photo below, the hanging clothes on the LEFT are what I ELIMINATED and on the RIGHT are what I'm going to pack.  

Notice that the ones I'm going to pack are all on SKINNY HANGERS with FOAM.  This is IMPORTANT.

For instance, this trip is 16 DAYS - in WARM WEATHER. 2 DAYS will be travel/flight days. So, it's actually only 14 DAYS to pack for. The weather will be warm enough for SHORTS/CAPRIS, SLEEVELESS, and SHORT-SLEEVES, but evenings should be cooler.

I'll WEAR one outfit on the plane (with my "go-with-everything" zippered hoodie and bulkiest SHOES) and will continue to wear it throughout DAY 1 (even after an overnight flight). So, make sure it's a comfy one! Plus that's one less day you have to pack for.......

Travel is so much more casual these days - you don't have to dress up for dinner - so, I plan for wearing 1 OUTFIT for ONE WHOLE DAY and I no longer change for DINNER (unless on a cruise ship). This makes planning so much easier!

BOTTOMS -
I'm packing 4 pairs of long SHORTS, 2 pairs of CAPRIS, and 1 pair of PANTS. That's 7 BOTTOMS. I plan to wear each of them 2 times.  

TOPS -
14 DAYS = 14 TOPS ON HANGERS (yes, on hangers!!), which are hanging inside of PLASTIC BAGS (ones you get at the DRYCLEANER), which helps to minimize WRINKLES. I put about 4-5 TOPS in each plastic bag and I pack the 2 TOPS TOGETHER that I've planned for each BOTTOM.

Oh, and I always pack 1 BLACK SWEATER, which is hanging over one of the TOPS,  and 1 lightweight, "go-with-everything", ZIPPERED HOODIE (or JACKET), which I mentioned I'll wear on the plane.

3.  PACKING YOUR CARRY-ON - 

BOTTOMS - ROLL each one (7 bottoms and 1 bathing suit shown here) and tuck tightly together (in one layer) in the bottom of the deeper side of the CARRY-ON.

MISC ITEMS - 
On the other side of the CARRY-ON pack UNDIES, PJ's and SHOES.

Remember to wear your BULKIEST pair of shoes on the plane and pack only 2-3 OTHER PAIRS (maximum).

I bought the most DELIGHTFUL, COLORFUL, LIGHTWEIGHT, SHOE BAGS on AMAZON! Silly, but they make me HAPPY to look at them.......

HANGERED TOPS - 3 STEPS - lay flat, fold back in half, fold back the top of the hanger and repeat with the next grouping, starting from the opposite direction..... You are carefully FOLDING the HANGERED TOPS into the CARRY-ON over the rolled bottoms.

When you arrive, just unfold the hangers and hang them up. VOILA! Most of your unpacking is done! It's organized and so easy to choose your daily outfit and it takes only moments to re-pack too!!

That's it for the CARRY-ON - it holds ALL CLOTHES.

4. PACKING THE TOTE (NECESSITIES) - 

In addition to MEDICATIONS/SUPPLEMENTS, I pack......

• An EXTRA PAIR of PRESCRIPTION READING GLASSES
• WASHCLOTH
• PACKAGED SNACK (in case the plane is delayed on the runway)
• CHARGING CORDS (cell phone, iPad)
• USB POWER STRIP (European Plug from AMAZON)
• GPS
• INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
• LIQUIDS in a Quart Baggie
• TOILETRIES
• JEWELRY BAG
• BOOK
• TRAVEL NOTES/DOCUMENTS
• HANDBAG/PURSE 
• Since you can take only 2 items on the plane, this MUST fit into your TOTE!
• PASSPORT and BOARDING PASS are both in my HANDBAG!

So, there you have it. Hopefully, you've picked up AT LEAST ONE IDEA that you can use the next time that you pack LIGHTLY for a 2-WEEK TRIP!!

BON VOYAGE!!

JOAN

N.C. WYETH EXHIBIT AT THE BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1919)

Last week, MERRY, JACKIE and I met at "HANK'S PLACE" for an early lunch and then scooted across the street to the BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART to enjoy the art of N. C. WYETH, on special Exhibit.

Since a child, I was enamored with his ILLUSTRATIONS and my fascination and love for his work has remained strong. So, this Exhibit is one I couldn't miss.

We were greeted by the two paintings below, which are part of a series he called "THE INDIAN IN HIS SOLITUDE".

This next one - STORY OF MINERS STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE IN THE DEEP SNOW - you can literally feel the tension of the miners creeping up this narrow ledge.

"BRONCO BUSTER" (1906) was N. C.'s start into the ADVERTISING business. This painting caught my eye because CREAM OF WHEAT was one of my favorite breakfast cereals as a kid. I still enjoy it from time to time, particularly when I'm needing some "comfort".

MERRY pointed out that N. C. felt that the VIEWER would be more emotionally impacted by standing BEHIND the person being shot.  You really DO feel the IMPACT.  Interesting isn't it?  And I LOVE this frame!

I distinctly remember as a kid, being a bit disturbed by this illustration. The BLIND MAN looked so scared, it frightened me too!

And you probably recognize this iconic painting from TREASURE ISLAND..... 

With the money that WYETH earned from his TREASURE ISLAND series, he was able to purchase land in CHADDS FORD, PA where he built a home and studio. 

My next visit to the museum will include a tour of that home/studio.

This next PAINTING was my FAVORITE in the Exhibit. Something about the ACTION and the man FLEEING from near-death....... 

I particularly liked the HOLE in the HEEL of his SOCK (see close-up) that JACKIE and I both noticed at the same time!  THAT was a good GIGGLE! 

And JACKIE pointed out that this was an example of how he really captured in his imagination, even the smallest details of the reality of life for the commoner.

In the next two, I could imagine the sound of the quiet CRUNCHING of SNOW as they walked and searched. 

You can literally feel the SILENCE after this KILL - the SNOW on the TREES and blanketing the earth, added to that SILENT feeling for me........ 

WHAT an IMAGINATION N. C. WYETH had! He read the story, visualized the action and created these ILLUSTRATIONS right out of his head. I never had the ability to do this in any of my art classes and always MARVELED at those who could.

In the early 1900's when WYETH created these previous paintings, IMPRESSIONISM had already begun to take hold in PARIS. 

In the next 2 paintings, if you look closely, you'll see that even N. C. utilized Impressionism in some of his work. VERY different from what he was doing early on.

WYETH'S IMPRESSIONISTIC painting of GENERAL LAFAYETTE'S HEADQUARTERS - BUTTONWOOD FARM in PA (1920). 

I stared at this one for quite a while - captivating, calming and simply beautiful.

Two of his SELF-PORTRAITS 15 years apart - 

The second one shows N. C. WYETH in a top hat and cape - he LOVED to dress in COSTUME for family gatherings and for pranks. He also incorporated a fractured-looking background - a more modern technique he observed in contemporary Russian art.  

 (1909 - 1912)

(1927)

As he struggled to be accepted as and referred to as a "FINE ARTIST", rather than just an ILLUSTRATOR (which has been argued to be less revered), N. C. showed his skill in many different styles.

I actually PREFER his early ILLUSTRATIONS. To me, they are truly MAGICAL at FEEDING one's IMAGINATION!!

The N. C. WYETH Exhibit at the BRANDYWINE runs through SEPTEMBER 15th, so you still have a little time if you find yourself available to visit.......

JOAN

LESSON RE-LEARNED - STAY DETERMINED!

We all have CHOICES for how to handle FRUSTRATING, DISCOURAGING, even FRIGHTENING situations.

It happened to me recently. I did NOT choose to "throw my hands in the air" and take the FATALISTIC approach. Instead, I chose to remain POSITIVE and also was determined to act VERY DILIGENTLY, taking one step at a time to solve the problem that I HAD CREATED. Here's what happened.......

I made a reservation on BOOKING.COM - a website that I love. They have the BEST PHOTOS of the hotels/apartments etc., and it's easy to make your reservation on their site. 

Most hotels in the "OLD CITY" section were already booked (this is a last-minute trip), so I ended up booking an APARTMENT instead of my preference - a room in a BOUTIQUE HOTEL. I prefer a B&B or a hotel, where you can have breakfast there and a glass of wine in their bar in the evening. Staying in an apartment requires more work and takes up your time food and wine shopping, which I really didn't want to to. 

In the next few hours, I found availability in what I really wanted in the first place - a beautiful, BOUTIQUE HOTEL. I figured that the apartment, even though it was "NONREFUNDABLE", might allow me to cancel since it was booked just within the last 24 hours. The total NONREFUNDABLE COST for the apartment was $1,672! Shall I repeat that? NONREFUNDABLE = $1,672. 

So, at first, I went thru BOOKING.COM's website to contact the apartment manager to see if I could cancel the APARTMENT without a PENALTY. The apartment manager responded back thru BOOKING.COM, that it was NO PROBLEM. And just as I thought - DONE! 

So, I then went ahead and booked a room at the BOUTIQUE HOTEL.

Next, I officially clicked the button on BOOKING.COM to cancel the APARTMENT.  YIKES!!!  The next screen showed a REFUND of only $250. That's a $1,013 LOSS!!! Imagine my HORROR and ANGST and tendency to WORRY.

I could have stopped there and allowed myself to get all upset, full of ANXIETY, lose sleep, get an upset tummy, take on the "POOR ME" attitude..... you know the drill.

Instead, I MADE THE CHOICE to remain CALM yet DILIGENT, taking one step at a time to obtain the FULL REFUND, as promised by the apartment manager. I didn't give in to the feelings of DEFEAT and simply accept the financial loss. Admittedly, I was a bit concerned that BOOKING.COM might have their own cancellation fee, but I would keep my FOCUS, THINK POSITIVELY and ASK for the promised FULL REFUND anyway. 

And you know what? BOOKING.COM couldn't have been more accommodating! They just needed some time to hear back directly from the APARTMENT confirming that they were willing to refund the full amount to me and VOILA! A FULL REFUND!!

Once again, I'm practicing the life lesson learned from MOM - DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE and the life lesson from both MOM AND DAD to always remain POSITIVE. 

Dad used to say to us, "YOU NEVER KNOW 'TILL YOU ASK", and I hear that in my head all the time.

And CLOVER!!! teaches me daily all about PERSISTENCE!!  Thank you CLOVER!!!

And THANKS, MOM AND DAD. 

You both REMAIN ALIVE in my HEART and THOUGHTS and ACTIONS. It's a beautiful thing....... I'm very grateful.

JOAN

WHO KNEW ABOUT THIS TREASURE IN WILMINGTON, DE???

My friend CAROL asked if I had ever toured the NEMOURS ESTATE in WILMINGTON, DE? The gardens are designed after VERSAILLES in FRANCE....... HOW did I miss this?? I had no idea that this ESTATE even existed!! 

So, I emailed a few friends and arranged an "EXCURSION" for us (with lunch afterward of course). 

The WEATHER predictions were ALL WRONG, so the sunny day we were expecting was instead overcast and drizzling. Although we totally enjoyed a completely self-guided tour of the inside of the MANSION, we've already planned to return in the SPRING to see the gardens in FULL BLOOM ---- on a sunny day.

Their outdoor SCULPTURES are terrific - even on a cloudy day!

ALFRED I DUPONT (1864 - 1935) built this 77-ROOM MANSION on 300 of his 3,000 acres of ground to "woo" his second wife, ALICIA.  Unfortunately,  they shared the home for only about 10 years when she died quite unexpectedly. 

A year later, ALFRED married a gal he had known since she was 16 years old. Then in her mid-30's, JESSIE (20 yrs his junior) lived here until her death in 1970 at age 86. JESSIE and ALFRED are interred TOGETHER in a mausoleum on the property (identified by a tall tower).

The CHARITABLE TRUST that owns and manages the property opened the MANSION for visitors in 1977. 

ALFRED'S TRUST beneficiary is the NEMOURS FOUNDATION which supports the world-renowned NEMOURS ALFRED I DUPONT HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. You can see a corner of the HOSPITAL in the photo below - the blue-tiled building in the background.

The ENTRY GATE to the NEMOURS MANSION comes from a PALACE built by CATHERINE THE GREAT. 

Inside this 5-STORY MANSION, you are free to roam at will. There are several knowledgable people throughout the home to answer questions.

Of course, my favorite room was THE DRAWING ROOM, where the DUPONTS welcomed their guests with WINE and CHAMPAGNE.

This unique TABLE is encircled with the FACES of a number of women in the court of LOUIS XVI who were beheaded in the REIGN OF TERROR during the FRENCH REVOLUTION (as was LOUIS XVI - shown in the center).

The black and white tiled HALLWAYS are brilliantly lit by multiple, spectacular CHANDELIERS. Original FURNITURE, ART, and TAPESTRIES line the walls.

The CHANDELIERS (hanging in most of the rooms) are varied. 

Lots of GOLD. Lots of CHERUBS. 

In this particular BEDROOM, the CHANDELIER, the bedside WALL LIGHTS, AND the MIRROR are all made with colorful, hand-blown MURANO GLASS from VENICE, ITALY.

The KITCHEN was my 2nd favorite room. Notice the drawing of what a "PROPERLY SET" PLACE SETTING should look like. This space pleasantly reminded me of DOWNTON ABBEY.

The DUPONTS had a staff of 14 working for them at NEMOURS.

RUNNING WATER in the 1920's allowed for the installation of SHOWERS, BATHS and FLUSHABLE TOILETS. 

I think they said there are 11 BATHROOMS in the house. I LOVE the CHECKERED CERAMIC FLOOR TILES in each of them!

Very conscious of his health, in the basement ALFRED designed a WORKOUT ROOM - with a SHOWER next door. That's a "BUCKING BRONCO" exercise machine........ just shaking my head....... 

In the next room is a very long SHUFFLEBOARD TABLE and a BOWLING ALLEY. We had a shuffleboard table in our basement growing up, but it was only about HALF the length of this one!

Down the hall is a POOL ROOM with his GUN COLLECTION (he was a HUNTER, as was JESSIE) and his OFFICE. The tiny, old ELEVATOR in the hallway is a treasure.

.

The small, intricate, ceramic BEDSIDE LAMPS caught my eye, as did much of the unique, original ART. 

ALFRED was obviously a DOG-LOVER!

HANDMADE LACE CURTAINS with multiple panels of unique designs adorned many of the windows looking out onto the GORGEOUS OUTDOOR GARDENS (not a bad view, even for a CLOUDY day!).

One of my favorite pieces in the house was an INDOOR BIRDBATH, located inside the SOLARIUM.

The BREATHTAKING STAIRWAY, with its STAINED GLASS WINDOW, TAPESTRIES, and multi-tiered CHANDELIER, creates a memorable send-off.

On the way home, each of us shared what our FAVORITE room and items were. 

And then, a stop at the iconic BUCKLEY'S TAVERN in CENTERVILLE, DE for a yummy LUNCH from their expansive menu (crabcakes, chicken pot-pie, a crab salad, and a mushroom flatbread were enjoyed). 

This building, originally a residence along a DIRT ROAD, was built in 1817. 

Next, it served as a TOLL-GATE for those traveling to and from WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. 

It finally became a TAPROOM in the 1930's and was named BUCKLEY'S in 1951 when it's new owner (Dennis Buckley) took over.

On SUNDAYS they serve BRUNCH, which you can get for HALF-PRICE - IF you show up in your PAJAMAS!!!

GOTTA LOVE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN!!

JOAN