Leslie Livingston 
“I came from a family of repairers. The spider is a repairer. If you bash into the web of a spider, she doesn’t get mad. She weaves and repairs it.” — Louise Bourgeois It was the winter of my discontent. Well, actually, it was the winter of my daughter’s discontent. She had been unceremoniously dumped by … Read more
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ Saint Augustine Paris is always in vogue. Every year, tourism in Paris reaches record levels with no end in sight, despite the rain, gloom, and snooty natives. We Americans, hopelessly infatuated with Paris, are the most frequent visitors. Like … Read more
Here’s my guide to the Musée de la Vie Romantique, a romantic museum in the romantic Nouvelle Athens area of Paris. It’s one of Paris’ best small museums and it’s dedicated to Romanticism. In the lexicon of swoonful museums names, the Musée de la Vie Romantique wins top prize. Just saying the name out loud … Read more
Planning a trip in southern Spain? If you can’t resist an imposing Moorish fortress, here’s my guide to the Almeria Alcazaba.Snuggled away on the southeast corner of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Almeria is a hidden gem in Andalucia. It’s a rough Andalusian beauty with a magnificent well-preserved fortress. The 1430 meter walled fortress is part of … Read more
If you’re a lover of French history or antique weapons, then Les Invalides and Paris’ Musée de l’Armée is a must see site in Paris. Or if you’re a dude. Apparently, dudes love the place. As I walked in, I overheard a group of friends chatting about the museum. One woman remarked, “it’s a dude’s … Read more
“I don’t play her as a villain, I don’t set out to do that consciously, I just play a woman who is a survivor and will do exactly what a man would do — which is, you know, murder somebody when you’re in a war.” — Lena Headey on her character, Cersei Lannister With Season … Read more
Just outside the Golden Gate of Diocletian’s Palace in Split Croatia is a massive statue of a figure that, on first glance, appears to be a wizard. On second glance, getting a little closer, you can tell that it is a religious figure. On third glance, you can see that the man has a shiny … Read more
There’s no shortage of metaphorical ways to become unmoored in life — lost souls, lost hope, lost causes, lost love. I’ve suffered from all of them at some point. But what I particularly specialize in is just getting lost. Anywhere. Anytime. I have zero sense of direction. I suspect it’s a genetic mutation, the problem … Read more
Here’s my ultimate guide to experiencing the enchanting Casa de Pilatos in Seville. This elegant aristocratic palace is a true hidden gem that often goes unnoticed amid the city’s bustling crowds. Tucked away in Seville’s historic district, about a 15 minute stroll from the Cathedral, Casa de Pilatos offers a serene escape from the city’s … Read more
These events occurred many years ago, but in the narrative of my life when they occurred is meaningless because of what transpired. And what still transpires. The Need for an Escape It was a season of returns. I had planned a romantic getaway to Paris. It would be my fourth visit, this time with my … Read more