The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

A New Blog (And A Disclaimer)

This is more of a public service announcement than a blog post but, technically, it is the first post at my new web home: The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist.

Cue jazz hands, confetti,…

Blogging
Sep, 24, 2023
13 Comments

Toronto Day Three/Four: Long Walks, Skylines by Night and the Art Gallery of Ontario

With our kiddos staying with family in nearby Barrie, John and I had a full 24 hours to explore the city. Alone! (Spoiler alert: it was much easier to navigate Toronto without kids in…

Toronto, Travel
Apr, 03, 2023
0 Comments

Toronto Day Two: City Hall, Shopping Malls, and the Aquarium

After our late-night on Day One – and all that walking – we were a more subdued family the morning of Day Two . We slept well, but everyone was still awake early because…

Toronto, Travel
Apr, 02, 2023
0 Comments

Toronto Day One: Graffiti, Rollercoasters, Ice Cream, and Backyard Fishing

*My travel recaps from our trip to Toronto were deleted due to an issue with my previous blog server; I still had all the text from my daily summaries and I’m slowly going back,…

Toronto, Travel
Apr, 01, 2023
3 Comments

Rome Day Five: Rain, Lots of Michelangelo, and the Pope

Our final day in Rome and one major landmark remaining: the Vatican Museums, most famous for housing the Sistine Chapel.

Read any guidebook and their one common piece of advice for visiting the Vatican museums…

Rome, Travel
Mar, 07, 2023
1 Comments

Rome (and Florence) Day Four: Naked Statues, Giant Churches, Old Bridges…and the Best Pasta I Ate in Italy

*My travel recaps from our trip to Rome were deleted due to an issue with my previous blog server; I still had all the text from my daily summaries and I’m slowly going back,…

Rome, Travel
Mar, 05, 2023
1 Comments

Rome Day Three: Our Colosseum Tour, 551 Steps at St. Peter’s, and One Very Cold Shower

*My travel recaps from our trip to Rome were deleted due to an issue with my previous blog server; I still had all the text from my daily summaries and I’m slowly going back,…