Part 3: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Flamenco

Flamenco goddess Carmen Amaya. My father was from Spain, so even though I was born and mostly raised in the U.S., the music of my childhood was solely European classical and flamenco. That's why my upcoming novel is named, "Flamenco & the Sitting Cat," and here flamenco my marvelous visit to Madrid merits a post of… Continue reading Part 3: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Flamenco

Part 2: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Parks, Prado, and Sofia

Picasso's Guernica painting at the National Museum Art Centre Queen Sofia, Madrid, Spain.

Madrid is such a jam-packed marvel that it deserves more than one post. Spacious parks abound. Here I posed at one that displayed Don Quixote and his devoted Sancho Panza… Thank goodness these aren't the kinds of horses that need to be swept up after.We could have spent way more than just a day at… Continue reading Part 2: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Parks, Prado, and Sofia

Part 1: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Graffiti and Royal Palace

da-AL and her husband on the balcony of the Royal Palace of Madrid.

The king of Spain and his family weren't in when we visited, but we still enjoyed his nice house.Our three-week Spain/France adventure ended with four nights in Madrid — a city that needs far more time than that to fully appreciate all of its marvelousness — museums, architecture, public art, food (including the world’s oldest… Continue reading Part 1: Marvelous Madrid, Spain — Graffiti and Royal Palace

Part 2: What Has Your Pet Taught You? by da-AL

Close Up Of Washing Five Puppy Dog

Deciding... My husband and I agreed to adopt a dog. This was followed by months of discussion. What type of dog would harmonize best with our two cats? We settled on these dog requirements: It should be a puppy, so that it would learn early on to respect cats. It shouldn’t mature to larger than… Continue reading Part 2: What Has Your Pet Taught You? by da-AL

Part 1: What Has Your Pet Taught You? by da-AL

Smiling Cat

Happiness was mine... My loved ones were all content and healthy, I lived in a beautiful home, and I had just married an incredible man. Little did I know... I could be even happier! Moreover, my happiness teachers would be furry! The cats were my idea... My husband has every reason to loathe cats. They… Continue reading Part 1: What Has Your Pet Taught You? by da-AL