Hi Everyone! MUSICA? Oui! Well, that ol’ clock’s been a-tickin’ and suddenly, almost momentarily, we are going to climb aboard the Queen Mary 2 and sail out (following a hurricane, but oh, who cares, oh yeah, me😜) into the deep and churning North Atlantic, wearing our anti-sea sickness bracelets, eating (hopefully), tea-drinking, dancing, sleeping, knitting, diary-writing across the ocean until we get to the port of Southhampton in Jolly Olde England. We go on Thursday . . . this Thursday, ready or not . . .
LOOK 👀at this place! Are you ready for this? A friend of ours sent this wonderful photo from his recent trip to Scotland ~ I thought you’d like to see where we’re going. Not just Joe and me, but you too, virtual travelers, thru the backroads of the English Countryside, all the way up to Scotland . . .👏 We’ll take photos and post them as we go so you can enjoy this true-life adventure along with us. We are SO excited!!!!! I mean really! That tiny white spot halfway up this mountain is a house! And the white dots in the “foreground” are lambs. Yes, it’s vast. Probably makes you cry from being overwhelmed with joy when you see it (and smell it, and breathe it) in person. I can’t wait. 
Sailing, sailing, over the ocean blue . . . I made the BEST playlist for the trip, I can’t wait to get in the car and let Vera Lynn give us a Calgon kind of day . . .
So we’ve been readying everything . . . planning for the people to come put the storm windows on in another month or so, drying out the basement from the exploding hot water heater debacle (better now than later) . . . making sure the garden is put to bed as best we can . . . it’s still going strong . . .
Joe’s finishing up the job that our dear friend Paul started when he was here with Rachel helping us celebrate Joe’s Birthday! A miracle, that this bannister is repaired before we go. It’s only been broken and a health hazard for about three years! Paul, if you see this, thank you. Aphrodisiac City, men at work.💞 It took a village.
Here’s my guy now . . .
We’re supposed to be having a hurricane or a tropical storm (no one can decide) today, or maybe more like it, tonight. But we took our walk this morning as we always do . . . and it was just gorgeous, with lots of wind and a fallish chill in the air. I’ll miss this walk ~ it’s my spot. Although something tells me we’ll be able to find plenty of other wonderful places where we’re going! The photo above looks in one direction, then I turned around and . . .
And this is it in the other direction. At the end of this road is the water. Heaven?
We stopped and visited our “Creek Friends,” Bruce and Gayle, who live down there . . . and this was the view from their amazing porch . . .
Bruce took our picture. Yes, we are happy!
Here we are starting our walk into the woods and back home . . . this is the part of the walk I call “Ireland.” Because this is what I imagine Ireland looks like. I’m probably wrong, but there you go!
And you know soon I have to leave the little love of my life, Jack Sprat who eats no fat . . .
The one who has more curiosity is his right paw than the rest of the world has in all four of theirs! 🐾🐾
See that rubber band on the book. Jack does!
Then I added a ball . . . he thinks I’m going to grab him, so he’s trying to get it without forgetting that he doesn’t want me to do that.
Bo-bo Baby . . . pure personality.
We’ve loved him since the very first day we brought him home. He is the hardest thing about leaving. (Did I tell you we will be celebrating Thanksgiving on board the ship the last evening on our return trip? It’s a long time from now, 2½ months!) Jack is so smart, he can get bored, and I don’t want him to wander around aimlessly when Barbara (who’s staying here with him) is at work, he needs a lot of attention. So far, besides Barbara, I’ve enlisted two other girlfriends to “come visit” and play with Jack. He has already gotten used to me being home. I adore this cat. I would take him if I could.
He gathers his toys. He is a hunter-gatherer. That’s like human.
And, there’s another problem I’m sorry to have to tell you. That our darling Girl Kitty has gone to heaven. After 15 wonderful years of bringing us love, purrs, laughter, and furry sweetness, our little green-eyed Girl became more and more ill, and crossed the rainbow bridge to kitty heaven.
It was a very bad day, the day we had to say goodbye into her trusting eyes. Poor little thing. Such an elegant little person. I know she feels so much better now, and that’s what makes it bearable. I don’t know what’s worse, losing someone who has loved you, or losing someone you love.😥
Adorable Girl. She made life more fun. She is missed already. We buried her in a pillowcase in the kitty graveyard in our garden, and marked her burying mound with flowers and a heart-shaped rock.
Despite the fact that Girl and Jack couldn’t really be called best friends, or even passing acquaintances for the most part . . . and I’m sure being an only child more or less makes Jack’s day, still, he must notice that he is alone. So that’s why my girlfriends are coming to play with him while we’re away.
I have faith in the unseen plan. I trust that all works out exactly as it’s supposed to. Whether I like it or not. My job seems to do the best I can and keep going.
And so, onward and upward, we are packing. Here are the napkins, complete with ants, and the tablecloth I’m packing for our upcoming BYO Picnic Basket Party in Stourhead, 
Wiltshire, at High Noon, on Sept. 18, near the grass bridge. I hope our rental house has a basket to put our picnic in, baskets are hard to pack in suitcases! But we’ll get one! Our picnic is going to be a world thing ~ kindred spirits are coming from everywhere. We’ll be toasting Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday ~ the invitation was extended through the Beatrix Potter Society’s wonderful (free) online newsletter called Pottering About. And if you can’t make it? That’s what I’m for. Pictures will be here waiting for you.❤️
Here’s how our picnic won’t look.
Maybe more like this if I can find a hat like that.
Here’s the last one we had at Stourhead. We are not just whistling Dixie about the fun-ness and the beauty and simplicity of this gorgeous place!!! But I have to say, I’ve never met a picnic I didn’t like.
Lots of packing going on. I’m in love with these packing squares. Have you heard of them? They are new to me and I’ve been marveling over them like they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and already both of the people to whom I was waxing poetic knew all about them. So I may be the last on earth to hear of them. But just in case YOU are actually the last on earth . . . these things are WONDERFUL for organizing suitcases. You get four of them in a set, all different sizes. This is the smallest one . . .
Perfect little, soft, zippered square, and inside are all my scarves folded up. You know how when you travel your scarves unscramble all over the inside of your suitcase? You fold them a hundred and fifty times but it doesn’t help? That can’t happen with this. It’s like having dresser drawers in your suitcase. This is the scarf drawer! And you can see through the top, so you know what’s inside. Just pull it out by its tote-able handle, and there they all are!
Here’s the next size up . . . the sock drawer!
All zipped up and organized. Don’tcha love it? I still have the T-shirt and jammie drawer and the sweater drawer to go! But VERY handy. Just pile them in your suitcase and you’re ready to go. You can read more about them HERE:
And these, I got two of the big ones, and one little one, for our bathroom stuff. So we don’t have to hunt! Pretty neat huh? I got them HERE . . . and everything comes in other colors.
Here’s some of our electrical gear including that heavy boxed transformer. You can’t see the extension cord and the power strip, but there’s the English hairdryer we bought the last time we were there. So anyway, we’re getting organized. I hope you are too . . . you know we plan to smuggle you all aboard and I want you to be ready. Don’t forget your fuzzy slippers and flannel jammies and cozy bankies, your diary, your book, and all the things that make you happy. We’ll provide the tea and the MUSICA!
And if you get ready early, you can spend a little while listening to the radio . . . I was interviewed by the Good Life Guy last week . . . we had so much fun, I thought you might like to hear it. Just go HERE. I love the radio!
My charm bracelet and the first charm Joe ever gave me . . .
Here’s a wonderful poem by our Girlfriend Georgie (@farmgirlgeorgie on Twitter) . . . which she wrote after we came home in 2012, before A Fine Romance was published.
- We watched you sail out, 🚢we watched you come home
- You told us the tales as through England 🇬🇧 you roamed.
- There were cups made by Emma, and beautiful sheep.
- Your journey was endless. My when did you sleep?
- We laughed 😂 and we cried as we followed your posts.
- It’s as though we were there, all the time, we would boast . . .
- “You should see where we’ve been. We’re going here next.”
- And every day it got better. 🌄 We were never perplexed!
- And soon we will all take this journey again.
- You will bring us along with paints, brushes and pens.
- The memories you’ve lived have been captured in part
- On paper and bound, 📚 given birth from your heart!💛
Isn’t that good? Didn’t she do a good job? I wasn’t sure if I’d ever shown you this, but it was too cute not to share. I’ll be keeping a diary again this trip🎨, and we’ll see if it becomes a Scotland Diary or not! I’ll definitely need to paint us a new map! I packed my art things! Basically, I packed everything! If you need anything, extra socks, a teacup, a pen, laundry soap, or anything, just ask, I’m sure I’ll have it with me.
Since I started writing this post, the wind has gotten stronger, the temperature has 
dropped ~ it’s cold! And rain is pattering the windows ~ it’s getting interesting out there, trees are bending and leaves are flying. I’m in sweater and shawl, it’s cozy here and I won’t be a bit surprised if Joe makes us a fire! We might be studying our map of Scotland in candlelight tonight if we lose our electricity!
Okay everyone, I could yak all day, but I gotta go pack those other two squares! Won’t be long now till Bon Voyage, I’ll see you on the ship! You can watch HERE to see us leave the harbor at 5 pm on Thursday. I’ll be the teeny person waving madly from the top deck. Your Pal, Anna Susanna Dana Branchburger the Third who loves you.💕
Thinking of you and Joe on the loss of Girl Kitty – such a sweetheart. Have a wonderful trip – can’t wait to go along with you!! Safe travels!
Hello, Dear Sue, Good-bye, Dear Sue!
Goodness, this has been quite the year for you….of life, love, loss….
I will start by saying that I am sorry for the heaviness your heart feels amidst so many other things going on, but hopefully those other things have been the things that have gotten you through. And in the spirit of other things, may you & Joe have a blessed trip! I will surely be there for the ride. I can’t wait! (Don’t worry, Jack will be fine!) Hope you have weathered the storm o’k….looks like better days ahead…..just in time! I just LOVE that photo of you and Joe….I am printing it out and putting it in “A Fine Romance” book! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Georgie’s darling (and true!) poem! Here we go again! Take good care and enjoy! The snowflakes will be flying around here before we know it!
P.S. Those packing squares are great! My kids have used them over the years for college packing/dorm life and they are wonderful! You can fit alot in them, too!
Thank you darling Tina! xoxo
Oh, you two and Jack, I’m so very, very sorry about the loss of Girl Kitty; two losses in one year, yes, you do need an ocean voyage to smooth your feathers. Thank you so much for sharing with your friends. I’ve so enjoyed all three of your books, you are an inspiration in more ways that you know. Safe journey, friends, you know we’ll be with you all the way and back . . . and you can Skype with Jack! Bon voyage!
I’m sorry to hear about Girl kitty. It’s so hard to say good-bye but yet you don’t want to see them suffer. Our sweet girl kitty lost her health battle after Memorial weekend and we still feel the loss, as she was our one and only. I’m glad you have Jack’s entertainment all lined up! 🙂 That will keep him nice and busy until you return.
I’m looking forward to following along with you on your trip! You will LOVE Scotland ~ it’s just as beautiful as England and Ireland. Hope you get to stop in Edinburgh and look at the city from the top of the castle.
We used the packing cubes on our last trip & it made a world of difference. You will never pack again without them! Have a safe & glorious trip!
What a delightful picture of you and Joe! I can see the sparkle of a new travel adventure and fun times ahead in your eyes, Susan. ♥ Huge hugs for sharing another adventure with all of us! Can’t wait to explore Scotland together! Hoping there might be a few peeks on Instagram, too. So many Girlfriends enjoy keeping in touch there in the loveliest ways. I’m all set for our Thursday send off! Can’t wait!
Bon voyage and safe travels, dear ones!
Love you,
Dawn (in Illinois)
You are going to LOVE Scotland! I think we saw that same little house when we were there. I live in the Rockies and I was still amazed at the mountains in Scotland, they are enormous. We’ll be in London the day of the picnic, wish we could join you. I’ll just have to plan better next time. Can’t wait to read about your adventures. Safe travels to you and Joe!
I’m so very sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. My thoughts are with you. We lost our dog in February and though both our dog and Girl Kitty lived long lives, it doesn’t make it any easier.
Have a wonderful trip! By the way, and I’m sorry it took so long, I finally read A Fine Romance! I finished it yesterday. My husband and I are planning a trip to England and Paris next year and reading about your adventures was so wonderful! Thank you so much! I’ve been to England before but there is much more to see. I’ve also been to Scotland – but I spent my time in Edinburgh. I hope you’re going to go there? There’s a castle right in the middle of the city! Thank you Susan for all you give to us.
We’re going to Edinburgh! Meeting our friends Elizabeth and Mike there!
Oh Susan, Just when I think I’ve found all the answers to help soften the pain from loosing one of my beloved animals ( they are just other nations with souls) someone comes into my life with still more soothing ways to get through these most difficult times (that would be you and how you are handling your Girl kitty’s passing). So “thanks” for that. And on a lighter note, my Vet just moved to North Carolina from PA with all of her animals including her cats. She did share with us that her cat, Rufus, meowed for 7 straight hours on the trip. Now wouldn’t everyone on the Queen Mary just love that. Have a great day!
7 straight hours! Oh my!
Bon Voyage! Can’t believe it is here already. The last voyage was so exciting, looking forward to this one as well. ❤ for Girl Kitty. Now, a princess with wings.
Whoops! I forget to mention this. When you wrote of Ellen Terry (I read all about famous actors when I was a kid in preparation for what has been a lifetime of work in the professional theater) I wondered if you knew that she was the great-aunt of John Gielgud? I always loved knowing that these great actors were related. much love, Claudia.
That makes her even more perfect!!!
Looking forward to more armchair travel with you and Joe. We’re still unpacking from the move so are not going anywhere this year so will doubly enjoy your trip. Have safe fun travels! 🙂
Dear Susan, I love your blog and books so much . You inspire me to honor my own creative homemaking. Have a wonderful trip….you and Joe are the perfect couple! So sad to read of your sweet Kitty’s passing. I lost my little Shawnna girl last November and still cry a bit each day for her, so I well understand your loss.
Thanks for all of your writings and creative coziness!
Most Sincerely,
Nancy Thompson
Awe, so sorry to hear about Girl Kitty, such a sweet pink nose. It sounds like a brave and selfless decision you made there. What an exciting trip you have ahead of you, bon voyage and see you at Stourhead – we have a family weekend ‘down south’ planned centred around the picnic, cannot wait! 😊
Susan thank you for sharing your travels with us. I always look forward to new posts.
Love the pictures and artwork and quotes. Always brings a smile to my face. So sorry about Girl Kitty – been there and yes, sad and bad day. Safe travels and thanks for sharing your days.
I’m very sorry to hear the news of the passing of sweet Girl Kitty. She was so loved and will be missed. Wishing you and Joe happy travels! I can’t believe it’s almost time to go! 😉
Dear Susan,
I am very sorry to hear the loss of Girl Kitty. She was such an elegant cat and she always looked so proper in all of the photos you shared. She was very lucky to have such a wonderful life with you and Joe.
I am most excited about “our” voyage to England and Scotland. I can’t wait to share the trip with you. I am ready to go…tea, journal and novel in tow!! :)Thanks for taking us all along!! I wish you and Joe safe and happy travels. Have a delightful trip!! Good Health all the way!! Bon Voyage!! Love, Hugs and Prayers, Tricia B. XOXOXOXO 🙂
So sorry about Girl Kitty. She lived a long and loved life. Have a wonderful trip overseas. I will be thinking of your travels and hopefully getting tips for our son who will be making his first overseas trip next year, to Scotland!
Susan, I’m so sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. We had brother and sister cats. The brother died two years ago at 16 and the sister at 18. In June we got two new kittens. They were 8 months old and are sisters. Winnie and Polly are their names and they are absolutely adorable. Very loving and friendly. I am so excited to see your pictures of Scotland. My grandfather was born there and came over when he was 16. We’ve heard so many stories over the years. My parents went for a visit, but neither my sister nor I have been. We both claim to be 100% Scottish, even though we know that’s impossible. Safe travels!
So excited! What fancy clothes are you bringing for dinner on the ship? Oops, I mean our ship…
Velvet ~ almost everything. eeeek!
I’m so very sorry about Girl Kitty! Excited for you and Joe and your trip. Bon Vogage and Safe and Fun Travels!!!
Have a safe and happy trip. Thanks for your interesting Blogs.
So sorry to hear of Girl Kitty’s passing. How is Jack doing?
So many have said it so much better, but, darling Girl Kitty, we will miss her sweet face. She always looked so serene in photos on the blog. She was a blessing to you and Joe for many years. You both loved her and she loved both of you.
The photo of Scotland at the top of this blog – gorgeous!! Have a happy, wonderful voyage, and looking forward to hearing all the news and photos. Queen Mary 2 is a beautiful ship – I looked her up on Cunard’s website – and it looks like you will have some good entertainment on board. Hopefully the weather calms down and it’s smooth sailing. Bon Voyage!
Lots of smiles! I saw your tweet yesterday that you’re one of the speakers (aka entertainment) on board the QM2 this trip!
P.S.
Thank you for the NY Harbor webcam website link. It was so much fun to watch the harbor from about 4:45 to 6 PM and see the Queen Mary 2 going out to sea. I saw some people waving from the decks – even thought I saw a couple waving with white hankies!
Yes, I just sort of found out myself!
Writing from England and sending lots of best wishes for your safe journey over here.. I know you will love every minute of being in the uk…keep lots of things for your next book..which I can,t wait to read..blessings to you both . Love and prayers. Sandrax
So excited for you and Joe (and the girlfriends) as you prepare to set sail. I know you will have a fantastic trip. I am sending a hug or few to you, you were such good parents to Girl. She was lucky to have spent her life in such loving spot. Bob Voyage!
Have an absolutely wonderful time and thanks ever so much for taking us with you (Don’t I sound British?!)!
I am so sorry to read about Girl Kitty. I hope she meets my son’s beloved dog Leia over the rainbow bridge. I know by their sweet temperaments that they will become bosom buddies.
Safe travels to you and Joe.
Hi Susan: I wrote a reply and then it disappeared into Cloud heaven or something before I could send it!! So if this is a duplicate, just know the Cloud was better at keeping track of my replies than I am!
Wow! You have had a full plate, with dear Girl Kitty leaving for kitty heaven, and the water heater exploding! You will be glad for 9 days at Sea to recuperate, before launching forth on land!
I had tears in my eyes looking into that darling face and beautiful green eyes; all our love and condolences to you at her loss. Perhaps the timing is good. With the fabulous journey ahead, it will help to occupy your heart and mind.
Just LOVED that photo of you and Joe on the beach. You both look so well and happy. I’m so very happy for you as you have this fantastic travel experience by sea and then again across England and into Scotland. So glad you are doing all this while you can! And thank you so much for taking us with you!
And that SCENE of Scotland! Vast is the only word for it, isn’t it! I can’t comprehend it fully! I’m sure a Diary of Scotland will be forthcoming!
As I’m resurrecting my rusty hand lettering and practicing, practicing, my admiration for your ability and accomplishment increases with every stroke of pen and brush!
We’ll be watching on Thursday evening as you move off out of New York Harbor. You’ll probably hear us all shouting in unison! Tell the other passengers not to be alarmed! It’s just the Girlfriends!
Well, we certainly wish you the very best of adventures! You have certainly earned this!! Bon Voyage! Excited and ready to travel!! xoxo
Susan, I am so very sorry about girl kitty. You have had a rough year. Our fur babies bring such joy and happiness into our lives. I know I can’t remember what our lives were like before we had our kitty Bodie.
Safe trip to you and Joe. How exciting! Thanks so much for taking us all with you. Can’t wait to ride along with you. Anne
Yay! Can’t wait to follow along! We used packing cubes on our Europe trip too and I will never pack without them again.
So sorry about Girl Kitty.
Bon Voyage!
Oh Sue, I’m gutted, I won’t be able to make it to the picnic at Stourhead. I hope you have a super day though and I’ll be thinking of you all.
I hope you have a wonderful trip. I’m looking forward to catching up with all the adventures on your blog when I get back home.
xx
So sorry Pam, maybe another time! xoxo
Life is a roller coaster, isn’t it. Very sorry for your loss of Girl Kitty. And joyous beginning of the adventure of a long trip packed with fun. Thank you for sharing your life with us. We live vicariously through your blog. Safe travels
Have a great trip and enjoy. I can’t wait to read your postings. I am so sorry about Girl Kitty always so hard when our fur babies pass away.
Aw, so sad to bury a beloved pet. RIP, Girl Kitty! But such a blessing to have the Jackster waiting at home to greet you on your return. 🙂 Can’t wait to read and see all about your travels. Thanks so much, Susan, for taking us all along!
Wishing you every happiness as you travel! I’ve been to Scotland and it is magical and so, so beautiful. I’m so happy you are going there! I’ve also been to Ireland and I hope you will go there sometime. It is definitely a place worth spending time. The greens are greener and the blues are bluer and the “craic” is marvelous! Safe travels and love to you!
I am so excited for you to be going back to the UK. My husband and I just returned from England, Scotland and Wales two weeks ago. What wonderful memories, including having lunch at one of Beatrix Potter’s farms. I printed the picture you included in your blog of Scotland because we had been there too. Such incredible landscape. Have a wonderful time and I will look forward to seeing your pictures and hearing your tales of adventure. Bon Voyage!
Great and safe travels! Thank you for taking us along. You are the best.
So very sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. It so very hard to lose our fur babies. Sending oodles of hugs your way. Bon Voyage.
Bless Your Heart…..condolences on the loss of Girl Kitty. You gave her a magical and wonderful life, and I know she immensely blessed yours. Safe travels. So looking forward to seeing it all through your pictures and words.
I love “traveling” with you…. this is on my bucket list to visit someday
Have a wonderful trip!
Oh do PLEASE add Instagram to ways to share your joy!!!! Pretty please. We were planning a Spring trip to the UK…..then got the happy news a new grandchild will be sharing our life in the New Year. So planning for the year after. Til then I will enjoy it with you and Joe. Safe journey. I have the same little sailor doll. I got it when I was five and sailed from Holland to the US!!!! 😘❤️
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your sweet email message. YOU are most welcome!
“Have a wonderful trip across the sea! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure!” ~C
(It broke my heart to just read the news about Girl Kitty. Find comfort in knowing that she knew how much you loved her. Hugs.)
Susan, So very sorry to hear the sad news of your little sweetheart. I have an older kitty too and I know it’s just a matter of time. But have a most wonderful trip! I’m looking forward to reading the blog and hearing all about your adventures. Bon Voyage and much love, Jacqui xoxo
Hi Susan!
I hope you and Joe have a wonderful trip! Thanks so much for letting us come along by way of the blog and twitter! You are always so sweet to share your adventures with your girlfriends! I can hardly wait for your trip to begin! Have fun!
Susan and Joe ~~
May the Travelin’ Gods Shine Upon You Both going and coming and coming and going.
Blessed Be ..looking forward to all your ”sharings ”Gotta love that you’ll let us enjoy this trip tooooooooooo !!
hello everyone, good morning Susan. okay I’m packed and ready to go along, and after watching that storm, I got some more seasick bracelets, we may be needing those. i have a funny story about seasickness, it happened to my grandpa and he wasn’t even on a boat at the time. he had to watch ocean shots for a film that he was working on, Mutiny on the Bounty, and they needed the perfect scene with stormy waves at sea, well he watch for awhile and had to get out of there, he was literally turning green from the seasickness. LOL!!!!!!! after that he would never set foot on a boat or go anywhere near the ocean, or watch a movie with the ocean in it… he would get very seasick. i am so sorry about girl kitty, i know it hurts… well feels like you are dying at times, but it does pass and we remember all the good times with them, and that they are waiting for us at the rainbow bridge. i know my Inky is there and i am sure she came forward to meet girl kitty and keep her company. Inky was a little mother to our band of characters we adopted along the way, she kept Tabby and Midnight both in line, and swatted them if they if they forgot their manners around the house. keep safe and see you at the boat, bon voyage and smooth sailing. hugs…… 🙂
As I wish you Bon voyage I am in Prague anticipating flying home tomorrow! It has been a fabulous trip but we have traveled almost nonstop since the Spring with only a week here and there to go home, love our puppies, wash clothes, take care of the yard and go again . We are so blessed to have the health, means and te to do this but I can not wait to go home to Fall , decorate, eat home cooked meals, have puppy companions and finishy quilt. Thank you for taking me along on your trip…..it’s the only way I want to travel for a while. Have a wonderful te !!!!
Nothing like going away, and NOTHING like going home, loaded with new memories. xoxo
I’m so sorry for all of the heartache you’ve had this year but equally as happy for all of the joy you’ve been able to feel as well! I tell my teenage daughter that life is all about balance in so many ways! I cannot wait to live vicariously through your adventures in England and Scotland! Please say hello to Jamie and Claire (especially Jamie lol) 🙂
Bon Voyage! Hope you have a wonderful time! I visited Scotland in May 2005 and saw so many baby sheep out in the fields with their mamas! I loved everything about the country from the Highlands to Edinburgh.
I hope there’s another book in this wonderful trip, Susan! Have fun and safe travels!
Dear Susan,
So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. I actually cried a little reading about her and your other kitties in your last book. My Charlie kitty is 16 and I have a cat that looks just like Jack so I can relate to you by way of cats!!! Have a great trip and I am so excited to hear all about Scotland. That is where I want to go!
Christine
I am so sorry about your sweet Girl Kitty. It is always so hard when we lose one of our dear little fur family. They give us so much love and are such a wonderful vessel for us to fill with our love. It has been hard the last two mionths because several of my friends have lost furbabies and furgrandbabies. We all get so attached to each others as if they are part of our lives too. I guess they are in a way, we love our friends and love who they love. And I guess the same was with Girl Kitty, she was a part of your life we all loved also. I know you, Joe and Jack will miss her sweet self. But so thankful you have Jack to always cheer you!
As sad as it makes us all when they leave us I wouldn’t change a moment of it, I just could not imagine life without my dear pets.
I know you and Joe will have a wonderful adventure and I am so looking forward to escaping the reality of my world a little bit to follow you!
Love
Dolores
Oh! Farewell to Girl Kitty. It’s always so tough to say goodbye. I’m glad you have a big trip to occupy your thoughts. I cannot WAIT to see the pictures!
Dear Susan…
So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty passing on. All your kitties are so cute.
Have a great voyage.🛳🛳🛳
I will looking forward to the posts…I am getting ready to fit myself into your suitcases…hope there is plenty of room! Looking forward to travelling to Scotland again…everything is awesome there. If you have time and go to Edinburgh…don’t miss the Writers Museum or Museum of Childhood.
I bought those packing cubes when we went to England…they were so handy…it was a good investment.
Well be safe and keep us informed.
Susan and Joe…have a wonderful time …am so jealous!!!!!
I am sorry for your loss of your dear kitty, Girl. We lost our kitty this year too, Nicky, after 17 wonderful years. I wish you safe passage and will look forward to your posts as you travel about.
No girlfriend weeps alone, dear Susan. We share your joys and your sorrows. We all love you dearly. I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when sad things come into your life…….
Life is kind in giving us respite from sad times, too…….here comes another joyful chapter in your life (and ours!) with this lovely trip. May your heart be light. May the journey be sweet! Fare thee well! Blessings, Susan and Joe. Blessings!
Hi Susan!
So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. She must have had a very happy life with you.
The love of an animal is a wonder
This friendship was very special
She was a true and sweet friend
And was loved until the very end.
Happy packing and organizing for your trip to Scotland! I so hope to run into you there on our own vacation to Scotland! Bon voyage and who knows… see you soon?
I can’t wait for you to get going. I am so looking forward to all the photos. I sailed on the QM2 with my mother in 2008. What a lovely way to travel!
Safe journey and enjoy every minute of your time in England. It’s a lovely place.
Have a wonderful safe trip! I lived in the UK for 18 years, love to see you going back there now, it’s 6 years since my last visit. Can’t wait for your next book!
So so sorry to hear about Girl Kitty, she was a good age. She is in Kitty Heaven now with my Patches, its been a year now since I lost her.
Fabulous poem by your girlfriend Georgie!
Love you Susan and Joe, I keep reading and re-reading the first 3 books.
I am a fellow artist. What art supplies do you pack for the trip? Do you take everything? Or just minimal and pick up supplies there? What do you pack them in?
Paper, pens, pencils, a little hand-worked pencil sharpener (shaped like a mushroom, I got it last time we went), watercolors, brushes, blotters, just all the regular stuff I think. I wish I could say I packed them in the perfect thing, but I haven’t found that yet. I pack them in a shallow box about the size of the paper.
Sending loving thoughts to you as we remember sweet Girl Kitty. It’s because we love them so very much that the letting go is so hard. But, you know, as often as it happens in our house, we never decide not to “go again”–the joys are too great. We’ll send our sunny thoughts to Master Jack while you’re away. And I’ll lend you my mantra, borrowed from St. Julian, who loved the company of her own cat, “All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well…”
So sorry to hear that Girl Kitty has passed away. It is so hard to give up our pets. Do enjoy your travels — my husband and I love Scotland and hope to go back some day.
So sorry about Girl Kitty. I have lost several cats in my lifetime. Excited about going on “our” trip. Hope there’s another book coming from it…
I am so sorry about Girl Kitty, she will live on in your memories and always be a part of you. You and Joe are in my thoughts and prayers. This has been quite the journey for the both of you!
Hope you enjoy your next adventure and thank you for along us to partake in the “home version”.
Happy and safe travels my friends!
Batten down the hatches on the MV. Bon Voyage to England and Scotland. We are having empathy rain here on the Door. I am glad my son (FL) and hubby (VA) made it through the weekend with all the crazy tropical weather.
Trying to fit in the last Dog Days of Summer. It will be interesting to see what Autumn looks like in England and Scotland. You take great photos!
Sad to hear about Girl Kitty. Ah the circle of life.
Hugs,
Margot
I’m so so sorry about your kitty…..I just lost Hanna my 15 year old Wire haired fox terrier. Before her I brought another WHFT back with me on the plane from England. I just love their spunky quirky personalities. You’ve had a very full year and I am getting excited for you and Joe to board the ship. It sounds so romantic. Before you go buy the Pioneer Woman’s story about when she met and married her husband. It is so wonderful and so so romantic it will just make your heart flutter and I promise you won’t be able to put it down!! It’s called ‘Black Heels to Tractor Wheels’. I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!💜 Have a wonderful trip!!🎈🎈🎈 Don’t forget your bumbershoot!!!💜💜💜
Buon viaggio Susan and Joe!
So excited for your journey! Thank you for taking us all along with you 🙂
My condolences on the passing of Girl Kitty. She had a beautiful life filled
with so much love. Rest in peace sweet girl.
Sending love!
Laura
I am so sorry for the loss of Girl Kitty. My beloved Bertie will be 16 in a few weeks and he is struggling. These wonderful years went by so quickly. It will be devastating to say goodbye as I know it was for you all. Safe travels for a wonderful trip.
Here’s a hug for you, Joe & Jack in honor of Girl Kitty. She had the best ‘parents’ who really loved her, and a brother who put up with her (like brothers often do). Here’s another hug to ensure a Bon Voyage–not to be greedy, but can we have a virtual picnic like the live stream of the New York harbor? Now that would be the ‘next best thing’, wouldn’t it? Batten down the hatches, you’re in for a bumpy ride tonight, hope the power stays on! Safe passage on QE2 and may the sun shine brightly on your Scottish travels….
Have the time of your lives! Those packing cubes look very nice, but I’ve been
using the less expensive version for years…..zip lock plastic bags (they come in
all sizes too).
Can you get them to be a little bit thick? The squares are probably 3 or 4 inches deep. Which means they hold a lot . . . but maybe they make zip lock plastic bags like that too? Great idea . . . My girlfriend Lowely saves all those plastic things that blankets come in and uses those the same way.
Holy Cow, are you a Dana? So is my hubby! Which means I am as well, I suppose. Which branch are you? (No pun intended) We are Edward Dana branch. Maybe email me privately about this.
No, not a Dana . . . only a little joke after Roseann Roseanna Danna!
Hi Susan
How I adore when you do a new blog post
Have the best time ever, I know you will*** I am so sorry about Girl Kitty, its so hard to loose someone you love, and I know she was so very special to you. She is with your Daddy in heaven I am sure of it
have a safe trip, hope those sea bands do the job. I am sure they will. I have a pair also I need to wear 🙂
Have a great day Susan, its super windy and chilly here too. Love this weather
deezie
Oh my, Georgie captured the trip beautifully. My husband and I did Scotland and England after reading a fine romance. I told him you were leaving Thursday and he said, “see if they’ll let us go and tell them we’ll carry their luggage”.
Bon Voyage and blessings to you and Joe!
Hello, Susan! I am “new” to you! I just read Isle of Dreams just to read about Martha’s Vineyard, where I first and hopefully not last, visited two years ago and fell in love with after at the crazy Partridge Family style bus tour! I LOVE your style and your adventures and your “normal”. The cats are an added bonus! I feel like your best friend and am psyched to have you in my life.
Thanks you!
Thank you right back Carole~!
As another girlfriend wrote, I too had a strange feeling about Girl when you didn’t put her photo up faster….you loved her, she loved and trusted you and Joe with everything she had. She was your little queen in the house, regal and slightly aloof, but full of love, your dear girl ~ she was special! I also adore the photo of you and Joe ~ it should be your Christmas card, you guys are simply exuding joy! I’m excited and ready to go as well, probably not packed as beautifully as you, but good enough! See you Thursday, it’s going to be sooo much fun! <3
Wishing you and Joe smooth sailing Susan:) My condolences for your kitty, that garden grave sounds so lovely though. I was just looking at my kitty today thinking that I will be so sad the day she’s not here to show me just how amazingly divine it is to sleep the whole day away with such abandon. Looking forward to sharing in your travel adventure. Thank you for bringing us as your readers along with you.
Enjoy your trip and thank you for letting me come along on your escapdes in Scotland.. Also so
sorry to hear about your loss of your Kitty. Animals are very much
part of your family.
Dear Susan–I am so sorry to hear Girl Kitty has passed away. I am a cat person, too. It is almost unbearable to have to say good-bye to a beloved kitty.
I like Elaine’s idea that Blog Daddy and Girl Kitty have joined forces to watch over you.
I hope you and Joe have a terrific trip. Have you visited, or will you be visiting Woburn Abbey while you are in England? (The home of the Dukes of Bedford.) It is where the custom of Afternoon Tea was originated–by the 4th Duchess of Bedford! It sounds like a place after your own heart!
Have a safe and wonderful voyage!
…….VickeyB
So sorry about Girl Kitty. I had a male cat that had the same markings. Fritz lived 16 years and we still miss him.
So excited about the trip….I will be waiting by my Ipad for all the updates.
Thanks for taking us along with you and Joe.
This is a wonderful post! I am so so sad that you have lost girl kitty. Losing our little furry loved ones is so difficult. I know that you are busy packing! We just got back from our annual girls trip to California. We always stay around Newport Beach, and travel up and down the coast, visiting quaint little village is, antique stores, and places to have tea. Paris in a cup was again on our list! We had a beautiful lunch, relaxed, sip tea, and let our sunburned skin relax until the next beach day. We rented a surgery, and drove up along the boardwalk and sing songs like put another nickel in, in the Nickelodeon. At times, people would applied, but always smiled, waved, and urged us to say more!
It was a super fun time, and I’m almost done washing all the laundry, putting things away, and organizing all those bathroom things back into their regular places. Traveling is so much fun, but so much work! I can’t even imagine a stay as long and fast as you and Joe are doing. But, we will all enjoy the photographs, the stories, and sharing your memories.
Please have a safe travel, tell that hurricane to just go away, and sending lots and lots of love for a wonderful time! Love, Joann
Oh Bon Voyage! Our recent trip to Scotland made me in love with all things Scottish. And heather! HEATHER! Once you see those purple heather covered hills, and examine those endearing tiny flowers, you will never be the same. Bet we see them in your art!! You are in for a treat. I can hardly wait to read what you post! Have fun! 😊
I’m so sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. She was well loved, that’s for sure! And I’m very excited about going to Scotland! I’ve always wanted to go! Thanks for taking us along. Off to investigate those packing cubes! 😉
You haven’t been receiving the last few emails I’ve sent, and I don’t know why. But, I hope you get this one because I don’t want you leave on the cruise without me! I’m more than ready to escape my day to day hum-drum. Also, by the time I receive your blog, the girlfriends have already so poetically and heartfeltedly (I don’t think that’s a word, but anyway) expressed what I wanted to say about Girl Kitty. So, I’ll just send healing, white light thoughts your way. Also, when we board ship, be sure to leave one of your bags open just a bit as I am claustrophobic 🙂 Stay safe!
I will do that, Darylene!
I’m so sorry to hear about Girl Kitty! I had to pick up my kitty and bury my nose in her warm soft neck. We shared a snuggle in remembrance of Girl Kitty :).
So happy to hear your trip is almost underway. What an exciting time. i can’t wait to go “with you” and I will definitely be chomping at the bit for the book. Though I know that’s a ways off.
Happy Travels!!
Can’t wait to travel with you on this trip. I went to Scotland 4 years ago and I can’t wait to go back. I was only there 10 days, so I didn’t see nearly as much as you will. Have a wonderful trip and I’ll be watching!!!
Dear Susan, I am so very sorry to hear that Girl Kitty has passed after I read about it I looked over at Tommy and Timmy my two Cats and I cherish every moment with them, Girl Kitty was a Beauty and Jack is a Little Bundle of Joy, Enjoy every minute of your Trip I will be reading and following…Karen Seward
I am sure that if you can find a picnic basket you can find a suitable hat!
I am sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. We want to keep our kitties close forever – and then at the end we realize how sick they really were. Their little bodies lay so relaxed like when they were kittens. They are so stoic. (In memory of Phoebe, Taffie, Tigger, Butch, Goldman, Fuzzie, Boots, Fluffy, Spookie and Toby.)
Oh my heart . . . I lost my own sweet Kitty girl about six weeks ago and my heart has not yet lost its raggedy raw edges that hurt so much! She gave us 15 years of love too and the hole in my heart will never COMPLETELY heal. I’m so sorry for your loss, but, as you say, my Kitty girl and your Girl Kitty are feeling so much better now. They are together over that beautiful rainbow bridge. Bless their loving, furry fuzzies.
I may have been the very last to find out about packing squares – THANK YOU! I love organization and these look so like something that could become my newest obsession!
AND OH MY GOODNESS – I FORGOT! Bon voyage! I can’t wait to experience your trip through your photos and words!
Bon Voyage-and happy times ahead!! So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty–made me cry. She is off running amongst the flowers and birds with my kitties and all of us who have lost loved ones! Thank you for sharing!!
Oh joy, let the wild rumpus begin!
So sorry for your loss. A pet is your family, too. It is so hard to cope at times. On a happier note….have a wonderful cruise and trip!! I’ll look forward to hearing all about it. It makes me happy to hear your tales and see the pictures and illustrations to go with them!!! I found great travel bags for shirts at the Container Store. A great addition To keep them from getting too wrinkled. Too late for this trip, but they have wonderful travel things in their spring catalogue…that really work. Bon Voyage!
Awww, Girl Kitty. Rest in peace, sweetie girl. No more aches & pains – ever again. Just all the treats you want from now on [which, incidentally, will never make you fat] and everywhere you look – warm, sunny places for taking naps! And your Grandpa too. 💔
Oh, the anticipation of another big trip! You must be pretty excited right about now. I’m excited for you and for myself because I get to come along (virtual armchair traveling), but still exciting because you will keep us informed with blog, pictures, tweets,(hopefully possible aboard ship) and we will really feel like we are there. Looking at the picture your friends took of you and Joe I can see how happy you are, and the starting of fall time seems perfect to be traveling to jolly old England and Scotland; can’t wait to see pictures of Scotland!
It doesn’t feel very much like fall here today though, up close to ninety and humid too. I hope Hermine has worn down and blown out to sea and doesn’t cause any problems with the Queen Mary 2 coming into port or going out again.
So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty, I know how hard it is to loose a dearly loved furry member of the family. There were times for weeks after we lost our dog Katie that I would forget and hear something and look, thinking it was her, or think I heard her scratching at the door to be let out. Maybe her spirit was still here for a while, and if she was, she saw my tears many times during those hard first weeks. Took us three years before we were ready to adopt our current dog, and she’s very different from Katie, but we love her just as much. I’m sure Jack will be fine; bet he does miss her in his own way, and it’s great you have people coming in to play with him while you’re gone. You have given all your kitties a wonderful home over the years, I know because you’ve talked so lovingly about them, and Girl Kitty had a long happy life.
That said, it seems like things do work out as they are supposed to and this trip may be just what you need right now. Hope you get all the relaxation and recharging of batteries you need as you leisurely travel through England and Scotland, not forgetting the week or so it takes to get there on the ship. Hope those bands work for you and you can enjoy the good food and wine, entertainment and sea sunshine you can get! Safe travels on the voyage and on land, I’ll be watching for reports of your trip as they are posted.0X0X0X0X😊🚢💕
So sorry to hear of Girl Kitty’s passing. Our fur babies are just like our children. Stay safe when Hermine hits there. We had her as a hurricane here in Bradenton, FL last week, and she dumped a ton of rain on us. Hopefully she will be kind to you. Have a wonderful trip. Cannot wait to see the pictures and hear your stories.
My father-in-law will be on the ship with you! I so wanted to sneak into his bag so I could go along with you- oh well. Have a wonderful time and if you meet an elderly gentleman traveling alone from Texas with his cowboy boots on, that’s him😊
I’ll keep my eyes peeled!
Oh, Susan, I am so sorry that you had to say goodbye to your sweet little Girl Kitty. I know your heart is broken. I always share this sentiment with friends who have lost precious pets ~
Not gone…just…gone on ahead.
With heartfelt sympathy. ❤️
So sorry to hear about Girl Kitty. It’s been 5 years since our cat, Sasha, has been gone and I still miss her. Glad you are having your girlfriends come to visit and play with Jack. He will appreciate that!
Enjoy your trip and be safe.
I just finished a 3-day Downton Abbey Marathon on our local PBS station over the Labor Day Weekend. My Dad was a stickler for “staying off the roads” on 3-day weekends like Labor and Memorial Day when “all th’ Id-jets” were on the road. Words, thus far, to live by. We have been using the breaks to catch up with the news and weather, hope you are all safe on your coast! I envy your trip, but I’m so glad you are sailing (that’s how I came over here as a baby) and wish you the most very “bon” voyage ever!
Oh so excited for you AND for us, Susan! I have Scottish roots, and so we did a Scotland/Ireland tour a few years ago! Love, love, LOVE them both! You are in for such a treat – I hope you see some heather! When we were there it was June and there were rhododendrons everywhere in Scotland, a different kind of purple haze!
Post lots to us, and be safe!
What an adventure, what a trip!!! have so much fun and lots of tea and scones!! Winter will have arrived when you return with snow falling!
hi Susan
HAve a beautiful time on your voyage! I will be excited to see all the fun adventures
In England and Scotland!
Enjoy life to the fullest
elyse