Tag: Travel

Almost summer – therapy dog edition

May 15, 2026

Mid-May heralds the wind down of activities for the current school year. Sadie and I made our final visit to the local public library yesterday. Next week will be our EOY celebration at the elementary school where we visit each week. And then summer for us officially begins! Her highness will kick things off with a spa day while I attend my bee group meeting.

We’ll still be making therapy dog visits during the summer months. Our national organization requires 1 visit every 90 days to remain in good standing. For therapy dog teams who primarily follow an academic calendar, the months of June, July and August can quickly turn into a summer scramble as we try to find events to meet this requirement. Making a single visit in July will keep us in good standing, but Big Girl likes to work.

Our summer visit schedule looks different every year. This time, Sadie’s favorite assistant principal is in charge of summer school and invited us to make as many visits as we want in June. Just for fun, we’ll add in a local summer camp and Gigi’s Playhouse visits for July. There are two other events in which I’d like to participate; however they require 1-1/2 – 2 hours of travel time each way. Gas prices and ongoing road construction will determine whether or not we participate in those.

Standing therapy dog visits that follow an academic calendar typically resume by Labor Day. The school is already confirmed to continue for the 2026-27 school year. The public library is TBD. The current vibe seems to be one of changes ahead, so we’ll see what happens. My 11 year run as a therapy dog volunteer at this library has been wonderful, but I’ll be totally fine if this chapter comes to an end.

Deciding which quilt retreat to attend

May 6, 2026

Ok, you’ve compiled your list of quilting events. How do you decide which one to attend?

After the surgeon’s report that my husband did not need surgery at this time, the option to travel is a reality once again. I went through the list of potential quilting events I’d compiled over the past few months. Many were already sold out, including one location where my husband had wanted to tag along. Events with only dormitory style sleeping arrangements still available were removed from consideration.

Four events remained – each one requiring air travel. I kept circling back to one and finally registered after estimating travel costs (a bit of a splurge, but within reason). The draw is that it’s in a city I’ve never been to previously and the event offers classes with instructors who are on my instructor/class wish list. An opportunity to take a class with two of them in 2024 (much closer to home) was cancelled. I’m taking full advantage of this unexpected second chance. This is the type of quilty bucket list travel I planned for in retirement.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about myself:

  1. Cruises are not my thing.
  2. I enjoy solo travel. A private room option is essential – and I’m willing to pay a reasonable upcharge for it.
  3. While I will occasionally share a room with someone that I know, I am not into sharing a room with total strangers.
  4. Retreats in new-to-me locations are given priority consideration.
  5. Instructor led classes are highly preferred where significant travel is involved.
  6. If the proposed projects don’t appeal to me, I’ll pass.
  7. Sometimes, it’s absolutely worth splurging a little bit more just for the experience.

My preferences mean there are events I’ll likely never attend – and I’m totally okay with that. I don’t feel the least bit left out. In fact, I find inspiration in the projects marketed by various companies sponsoring quilt cruises. I can always buy the pattern or kit and make it at home, on sew days or at other BYOP retreats.

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com


Helping out

April 26, 2026

Today, I helped one of my guild members with a teen sewing group that she runs. We were at the Peachtree Library in Midtown, directly across from the High Museum of Art. The library’s located on the third floor of an office building, complete with its own free parking (14 spaces) and dedicated elevator. The nearest MARTA train station is the Arts Center (behind the High Museum, Alliance Theatre and Symphony Hall).

Our assigned meeting room was WONDERFUL, with moveable furniture, plenty of electrical outlets and lots of natural light. We even had a visitor stop in to ask how she could join in. The library staff we worked with were thrilled to have the space being used. The only drawback to this location is that free, library parking is extremely limited. Surrounding pay lots charge $16-$25 per session – which they can, given their proximity to the Arts Center District and Midtown.

Many moons ago, I worked as a legal assistant/librarian two blocks up the street. I actually parked in the parking deck across the street from the library. The library branch certainly looks much different today than it did years ago when I stopped in on my lunch breaks. I enjoyed my trip down memory lane – just not the traffic going home.

This group previously met at the Buckhead Library until limited parking and frequent special events at the surrounding businesses became a real issue. Today’s location could certainly work as long as she can secure the 10-2 time slot. As an alternative, I suggested that she look into the Northside Branch – about 2.5 miles away – but with a lot more available free parking (not surprising as this branch is in a much more residential area).

One of the parents in attendance is teacher at Midtown HS. She lives closer to me and asked if her daughter might be able to join a future CraftLAB session. We’ll see.

Today really underscored my desire to find a stitching meet-up space in Smyrna that’s free or charges a nominal fee ($5 per person, drink order, snack purchase, etc.) where we can gather 1-2x per month.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com