Vermont: My New Blog

Hi all,  I'm taking a break from this blog and have started a new one, Happy Vermont Life. So stop by and check out it.

I think I take strong women for granted.  I am surrounded by them. Let's start at the top with Hilary and move on down throughout the ranks of business (IBM) to media (too many to name) and on down the line. 

Then there are my friends.  They are strong in numerous ways.  Balancing challenging careers with raising kids.  Working for democracy in not so very nice places.   Raising children in a time when so many questions are asked about parenting techniques. 

But in Libya, I was awe struck.   She was petite and beautiful across the hotel lobby.  I noticed her right away and just had a sense that there was some spark there.  It wasn't until the next night at dinner when a colleague and I joined her that I heard her story.  Of how she escaped to Tunisia after Gaddafi thugs went after her.  Of how her brother was arrested and tortured. Of how she helped in the refugee camps.

She is one of the many heros I met 2 weeks ago. I regret that I didn't take her photo.  But these photos symbolize what she fought for - and likely many other strong Libyan women like her.

My Travels to Libya

Libya, he said. Would I go to Libya.  It seemed like such an impossibility just a few short months ago.  But there I was with visa in hand boarding the plane just over a week ago.

And now as I sit to write this, I don't know where to begin to tell you what I saw. Who I met. What I learned about resilience and bravery. And hope.

But let me share with you some of the simple beauty that I saw there.

 From ornate slippers piled up so carefully.

 To Ostrich eggs in a wooden bowl.

To a simple fish pillow with colorful pom poms and a red eye.

But I Can Dream...

This week, some of our friends are in one of our favorite spots, Tulum, soaking up the sun and sipping cold limonadas beach side, probably eating home made guacemole.  Others are in Vermont, where the Snow God has finally decided to smile her grace upon them.

Oh, I am a wee bit jealous as I sit in grey D.C.  So, thank you West Elm for making me feel better. For transporting me to Marrakech, a city that is magical. Intoxicating. A shopper's paradise.  A city I have been lucky enough to visit.  Now, I'm thinking our Vermont barn renovation nook should be in a Moroccan theme. Hmm....

Vermont cuties

Who are these cuties?  And why do they love the city so much?  They are clearly kids who can appreciate cold temperatures.  But they did LOVE, LOVE, LOVE coming back to our house in D.C.

But I know they will miss this too.