My Daily Travels

After years of abuse, these beauties received an overdue power washing, and interior and exterior renovations along with a rainbow of colors to brighten up the neighborhood that was once overrun by drugs. Today, Oakland has a unique identity that offers its own flavor of venues and affordable... Sign in to see full entry.

Since John's co-worker was injured during a steam blast a few weeks ago at the steel mill, John has been working double shifts to cover his co-worker who has been on the mend. Along with the 16-hour days, he has been dealing with shift work that has thrown our lives a bit upside down. Tonight is his... Sign in to see full entry.

We have experienced a severely light winter so far and the spring flowers are popping up everywhere. Everything from tulips, daffodils, and the crocus pictured above are showing off their beauty all around Pittsburgh. We are expecting flurries tomorrow, but these hearty flowers seem to flourish... Sign in to see full entry.

After learning that I have high cholesterol, I knew that it was time to change my meal plans just a bit to accommodate my new dietary lifestyle. In the bread aisle at Aldi I came across some spinach herb and tomato wraps. They are perfect for making hot or cold sandwiches. I bought some honey maple... Sign in to see full entry.

This is a common scene in western Pennsylvania where I live. The barges and the railroad cars that run parallel to the rivers transport the coal to US Steel and other facilities that turn the coal into coke so that consumers can have needed products that are made from steel. Steel demand around the... Sign in to see full entry.

I grew up an only child until I was 18. My mother had just recently married step-dad #4 and became pregnant not long after they said their wedding day nuptials. I couldn't be more proud of my little brother, and even though we are 18 years apart in age, we get along great. In fact, he is the one... Sign in to see full entry.

Sitting in our yard this afternoon at the picnic table, enjoying the sunshine and mild temperatures along with the variety of wildlife that visits our yard daily; today, all species of feathered friends decided to visit for the birdie buffet that we regularly put out for them. Everything from a... Sign in to see full entry.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Add the peas, cooked bacon, cheddar cheese, and red onion and stir to combine. Chill the salad for at least one hour before serving. Sign in to see full entry.

I just learned something new this week. The magic plant code number ✨42✨ found on some gallons of milk means that the milk was processed in Pennsylvania and was predominantly sourced from Pennsylvania dairy farms. Buying locally is a great way to support dairy farmers from your state. To see your... Sign in to see full entry.

This month, my mother is finally retiring at the age of 75 from her career in the medical field. I have always been fascinated by her dedication to hanging in there for just one more year. She and I have always agreed that a person needs a purpose in their life to make it feel worthwhile. Also this... Sign in to see full entry.