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Month: May 2022

Almost June, nearly summer

It’s May 31.

How often do we really stop to pause and think about what it means to be May 31? This date is usually wrapped up just after a holiday weekend (as it is today) and is filled with end of school and graduation celebrations. Some people (educators) are retiring. New doctors are graduating from medical school and packing up and heading off to residency.

May is a transition month and it never fails to feel rocky and unsettled for me. It’s always been a time of moving, celebrating, grieving. While I’m sure I’ve done these things in other months. I am certain that May has held the most CHANGE for me, and will continue to do so for the next several years as my kids venture out into the world.

image of my unsettled May self

So, how do I settle the rocking boat? By planning the summer and picking out what I want to write, read and see over the three summer months.

I’ve decided to take a new tack with this blog and and start entries that start with the question, “What if…”

What if I only read spy novels this summer? Would I better understand politics, would I be able to solve the puzzles? You’ll find out with me. I just requested from the library books with classic characters that I read about in the “5 of the Most Famous or Notorious Spies in Fiction” blog post by David Adams Cleveland on the criminalelement website. What a resource. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Do you have any favorite spy characters or books to recommend this summer? What are you reading?

Still here, still striving

Thanks for visiting Turtle Shell Travel!

Late winter and spring has been full of transition, lots of working, and TRAVEL ADVISING! I’m so excited to have joined the team at Fora Travel and am learning so much about the travel industry and destinations. Planning travel is simply what I love to do.

I’m finding that travel advising involves creativity. You get to create an experience, to enjoy and to share. This month, my creator project was an itinerary for a Portland Maine Girls’ Getaway. Check it out to see visit highlights for my home city!

I’ve also been looking for ways to pay the bills (in this beautiful Portland area neighborhood). So you’ll be seeing more sponsor links to explore.

As summer approaches, I’m looking forward to beach walks, laughter with friends, and, of course, travel to see my favorite people in Wisconsin and Washington State. I’m also looking to visit Maine’s First Ship in Bath, Maine. This is a restoration of the 1607 pinnacle Virginia, the first ship built in the US. Virginia will be launched on June 4, 2022 and a celebration will be held.

Burst Oral Care electric toothbrush…in LAVENDER!

Products I love

Today’s product I want to share is the BURST electric toothbrush. THE best things I’ve bought for my kids’ dental health (aside from the Invisalign Braces). I like that BURST sends new toothbrush heads every 12 months to keep the bristles fresh. And there is a lifetime guarantee (which we haven’t needed yet…). Please check out their website if you’re looking for ways to get your kids to brush regularly and completely. Any purchase helps me keep this website going and is greatly appreciated.

Looking to travel this summer or fall? Message me and I can recommend hotels, restaurants, flights. This costs you nothing. I work on commission on hotels & car rentals. The restaurants and flights are just fun for me to add it. I’m happy to help. No trip is too big or too small.