Our home sits in the Chagrin River Valley on an acre, lined with trees and perennial gardens. You will find me in the garden, on a walk, behind a book, at a concert, aside a piece of art or at my computer, reserving an Airbnb for my next trip.

I belong to the Garden Club of America Cleveland, where I continue my education and enjoyment of all things green and flowering. In my book club explore genres beyond my usual reads of memoirs and non-fiction and prefer paper book versus an electronic device.

Within minutes, I can walk, bike, or ride to Cleveland Metroparks or a Geauga County Park. Our Golden Retriever enjoys wading in the river and meandering along the trails.  Just south is Cuyahoga Valley National Park where we continue our trekking.

My Cleveland favorites include: viewing art and special exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Art, listening to authors and opera at the Maltz Performing Arts Center, enjoying a night of classical music at Severance Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra or listening to Apollo’s Fire in one of the neighborhood churches. In the summer we enjoy outdoor shows at Jacobs Pavilion and Blossom Music Center. And for dining out, my favorite chef/owner is Doug Katz. I highly recommend his restaurants, Amba and Zhug. I also hear stirrings of more spots to come.

I have a growing list of international destinations I hope to add to those I’ve already enjoyed: Johannesburg, Auckland, Guatemala City, Stockholm, and Toronto. Our regular trips are to CA, NC and NJ where our daughters live, in addition to one here in Cleveland.

Growing up in the western Lake Erie harbor town of Vermilion and with roots in County Mayo, Ireland I feel most at home along the water’s edge or in a kayak launched from shore.  I often leave the beach with a pocket of sea glass, lake stones and a promise to myself to return soon.