Weekend Round-Up

Welcome, New Readers!  And welcome back, Old Friends.

Did you happen to stop by Tacky Tourist Photos this week?  If you haven't, you might want to give it a look - if only to see a familiar face.   

Kate the Beer Babe - When I first moved to my current small town, I was amazed at all the funny little quirks it held.  Sometimes it pays to play the tourist in your own home town!  I hope your car feels better soon - the sunsets on Lake Michigan aren't going to photograph themselves.  (And between you and me, how big is my head now that you've said I've inspired you [even if it's just in a small way]?  I can barely fit my hat on anymore.)

Purple Cow - Truth be told, along with going to Japan the year before, that Europe trip opened my eyes to just how vast world culture is, how we've all come to essentially the same place using extremely different roads.  If your daughters ever get the chance, I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.  As for keeping them out of trouble, well... :).  My mother always told me that she trusted me to know better and make good decisions, and somehow, that seemed to do the trick.  But then, I was born an Old Lady already, so I may just not have been able to keep up with those crazy kids.

Sarah - I think a fortune cookie a day is a lovely idea!  I've passed those big boxes of fortune cookies in the grocery store, and have thought to myself, "Surely they can't all be different."  But what a delightful thing if it turns out to be true!  I'll be following your fortunes with interest.

I've just come back from an instructive day surrounded by Chihuly glass, tropical fauna, butterflies, and pointillist landscaping, so look forward to those write ups later this week!

Thank you for reading.  Come back soon!  (And bring a friend!)

Weekend Round-Up

First, I want to give a hearty "Welcome" to all my new followers (and a fond "Welcome back" to my returning readers)!  I've had the blog for about two months now, and I couldn't be happier with the reception.  It's such a thrill to know that someone is reading what you've written, and an even bigger thrill to know that someone is more than just your mom.  

Speaking of my mom, I've had a few questions about the letters being posted, and thought I'd answer them here.  Yes, they're real.  A few years ago, Mom handed a stack of letters over to me, letters she had written to me during my first year.  I don't know if she ever actually meant to give them to me, and I'm almost certain she didn't write them thinking I would one day publish them for the world to see, but a lot of things go in to being a tourist, and I thought, "Well.  Why not this, too?"  I'll post one a week, every Monday, until I run out.  (I haven't read them in a while.  I hope there's nothing too embarrassing.)

I want to pass a shout out to blogger Megan, who left the following comment on my post about the Madonna of the Trail:

I read this article last week, and then went on a trip down to San Fransisco to

 explore(I'm new to Northern California). We came across a Madonna of the Trail 

in Golden Gate Park, and I was so excited because I knew 

who she was from reading your entry.

Thanks for the notice, Megan!  It's one thing to know that people are reading, but now I feel almost educational.   

And finally, while you're all here, can I point you in the direction of Tacky Tourist Photos?  If you've ever laughed at someone else's embarrassing vacation pictures (or gleefully shared your own), then this is the blog for you.  And they're soon to be featuring my ugly mug, so go, and go often!

Well, that's all for this week's Round-Up.   I'm always open to your questions and your comments and your suggestions, so please, if the mood moves you, don't hesitate to leave a comment, or send me an e-mail at thisamericantourist@gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you!