Category Archives: North State Voices Columns

Cold-weather water park vacation? Sheer Brilliance

With travel mostly off the table these days, armchair vacations through our televisions are filling the void. A few years back, we randomly flipped to the Travel channel and caught a show about the water park capital of the world, the Wisconsin Dells. You read that correctly. The world’s largest concentration of water parks, includingContinue reading “Cold-weather water park vacation? Sheer Brilliance”

Need some timely entertainment? “As you wish”

Soft throw blankets, homemade macaroni and cheese, bowls of chocolate chip mint ice cream, the company of a loved one, a dog, and a great movie. These are all things that can bring comfort during hard times. And let’s be honest, quarantined days are affording unprecedented opportunity for us to seek that which brings comfort.Continue reading “Need some timely entertainment? “As you wish””

Cheering for a return to some form of normalcy

The list of things missed feels miles long. As we continually cross events off the calendar and put an ‘X’ through plans, the reaction has dulled. There is no option, there is no alternative, there is no choice. Though Ken and I do not have school-aged kids at home anymore, I find my heart hurtingContinue reading “Cheering for a return to some form of normalcy”

Thanks, and giving; Soroptimists serve helpings of both

I can say with absolute certainty that I never imagined when I joined Soroptimist International of Chico (SI Chico), that I would end up in a traditional Japanese bathhouse with four other members, in our birthday suits. We were in the ancient capital of Kyoto, staying at a Japanese style hotel called a ryokan, knownContinue reading “Thanks, and giving; Soroptimists serve helpings of both”

When Girl Scouts braved the blizzard of 2008

The annual getaway to Truckee began with four carloads ferrying 15 pre- teen girls, each having packed enough gear for a month on the tundra, along with six brave adults. This retreat was a tradition eagerly anticipated by Chico Girl Scout Troop 16, together since the girls were small second grade Brownies at Shasta Elementary.Continue reading “When Girl Scouts braved the blizzard of 2008”

Disney Magic; Making dreams come true

Much to my chagrin, my run as a North State Voices columnist will finish with this entry. When mentioning this to friends and family, many have asked what I will do next. My immediate thought echo’s the sentiments of winning Olympians and championship sports teams and is spoken with pure gleeful joy; “I’m going toContinue reading “Disney Magic; Making dreams come true”

I am a runner-and you can be too!

I am a runner. These are words I literally never thought I would string together in describing myself. I always hated running. I was the girl who walked the mile test in junior high P.E. I never played an organized sport unless you count my elementary school league championship in handball. To be clear, I’mContinue reading “I am a runner-and you can be too!”

Girls on the Run Gets Empowerment Moving

Hands reach to pile one atop another in a loose circle of our team of 11 girls at Neal Dow Elementary. Faces shine from the perspiration of running and from the afterglow of having completed practice for the day. They chant in unison, hands bouncing to the beat of the words. Quietly, louder, then shouting;Continue reading “Girls on the Run Gets Empowerment Moving”

RV Life; Another Pandemic Pivot for the Better

Featured Post On the Road Again… We put on our sunglasses, click our seatbelts, and prepare to launch in our new motorhome. Once ready, we start to belt out “On the Road Again.”  Despite the fact that we are neither country music nor Willie Nelson fans, this catchy song has many lyrics that now ringContinue reading “RV Life; Another Pandemic Pivot for the Better”