Nancy Monson

Living in a hot-weather climate can be wonderful in the winter. Northerners often envy Southerners and Arizonans basking in warm, sunny weather while they shiver in the cold and ice — and they may even flock to those states as snowbirds. But come summer, the two groups swap places, and those who live in southern states and Arizona typically yearn for cooler destinations.
"The heat and humidity in Texas in the summer are constant, and it doesn't cool down at night like it does in other places,...

When I travel, I enjoy myself most if my vacation has a purpose. I'm easily bored lying around a pool or beach for more than a day or two, and I'm not a big drinker or shopper. That's why I always look to view art wherever I go, but also to make art.
For instance, I recently visited Hawaii to learn about quilting on a specialized long-arm machine (with a side trip to Pearl Harbor). Next, I'm considering a group trip to Yosemite National Park to do some watercolor painting and gentle hiking.
J...

Walking along the brick sidewalks of Portland, Maine’s waterfront, it’s hard to miss the state’s claim to fame: lobster. Traps are piled high on the wharfs near small day boats. You can catch the scent of the Atlantic Ocean on the breeze. Brightly colored lobster trinkets and t-shirts abound in gift stores. And on almost every menu, you can find lobster, whether it be steamed, stewed, fried, bisqued, scampied, or sliced and diced on a hot dog bun.
Although once so plentiful that it w...

“I’m calling you from my sunglasses,” I tell my sister, Linda, after having purchased a smart pair for myself this past Christmas. “I’m answering from my smart watch,” she replies.
At 65 and 67, respectively, we’re still at the forefront of technology!
My new glasses look like regular sunglasses but have artificial intelligence (AI) ca...

I was approaching my 50th state, Oregon, and Road Scholar is in its 50th year of existence, so there was a sense of synchronicity for me when I saw The Faces of Oregon: Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge & Astoria program in their catalog.
I've found that as I get older, it’s easy to feel like there is nothing new left to experience in life. I have this sense that I'm going to get up every morning and it's just going to be more of the same. That's where travel comes in, and especially the kind of...

Do your kids love mummies and brightly colored sculptures? Are you intrigued by the world of ancient Greece or the counter-culture art studios of the 1960s? Then it might be time to indulge your inner artist and expand your family's artistic horizons with our collection of top art museums in the U.S., where you'll find Old World masterpieces, contemporary creations and plenty of pieces that intrigue and inspire.
Vote for the best art museum once per day until polls close on February 27 at noo...

Travel north and west — almost as far west as you can go — in New York State and you’ll reach a small town called Chautauqua. Perched on a gloriously shimmering lake, the town is home to Chautauqua Institution, a world-renowned organization that gently buzzes with activity for nine weeks each summer. Drawing upwards of 100,000 people annually, participants come to take part in literary, music and dance, re...

I’ve reached my goal of seeing every state in the US – here’s how you can do it, too
By Nancy Monson
I turned 65 this year (hello Medicare!) and this June I visited Oregon to achieve my goal of seeing all 50 states before year's end. According to a recent poll conducted by YouGov, fewer than 2% of Americans have visited every state plus Washington, D.C. Most have been to about 17 states, so I know I've achieved something special.
How did I get there? Back in my late 40s, I realized that I had...

At these supermarkets, you can sip beer while you check off your grocery list, sample coffee as you grab gourmet cheeses or indulge in $20 smoothies that make your face shine. More of a bottom-line shopper? We've got you covered too. Plenty of the stores on our list focus on affordability and no-nonsense displays, so you can quickly grab what you need without blowing your budget. We also highlight which supermarkets have the most delicious prepared foods.
Vote for the best supermarket once pe...

A lifesaver for busy singles, tired parents or anyone who finds the task of meal planning a little too much, meal delivery kits make eating at home less of a hassle. Prefer to take more of a hands-on approach? Opt for one of the kits that includes fresh, colorful ingredients with straightforward recipes. But if you're in a season of life that's keeping you out of the kitchen, many of the services below offer heat-and-eat meals prepared by professional chefs with specific dietary needs in mind...

Over the past year, I've crisscrossed my home state of Connecticut on more than a few nights searching for the aurora borealis, which has been showing up farther south in the United States than is typical. Colloquially known as the northern lights, I find the night-time light show magical and other-worldly.
My neighbors had been texting me pictures of their views of purple, pink and blue skies they got by simply stepping into their backyards, making me green with envy. I've seen the lights in...

Traveling can be stressful. We all know that, so it’s important to find ways to tamp down the stress. Personally, I find bringing along some craft projects is a perfect way to keep me calm and pass the time during inevitable delays and gaps in my itinerary, as well as help me wind down for sleep. Making art also allows me to create mementos of my trips.
Tapping into your creative side has a lot of proven mental health benefits, with research going back decades. The researcher Robert Reiner, P...

Many people can now renew a passport online or through an app
By Nancy Monson
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December 5, 2024
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Travel and Adventures
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When it came time to renew my passport recently, I was delighted to find that the process has become easier than ever before. The reason? The U.S. government now allows you to renew online if you meet certain requirements and you can take a photo with your phone.
"The online option makes for a smoother process for consumers," says Bill Coyle, vice president of agent e...

As a health coach, I always advise my clients to try meditation. The reason: Its benefits are tremendous for both the body and the mind. Research shows that a regular meditation practice can relieve stress, improve your mood, lessen pain and help you sleep.
Meditation is also a great way to combat travel anxiety — and travel provides the perfect opportunity to give meditation a try. Meditation is a great stress-reliever for the challenges of traveling, whether you’re facing flight delays, dea...

If you visit the South these days, you’ll inevitably see billboards for Buc-ee’s featuring a toothy beaver selling brisket, beef jerky, and gas. I never considered going near the place until a friend told me that Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich is amazing. Then, my nephew came back from a trip to visit a friend in Georgia, who immediately took him to neighboring Alabama to have lunch at Buc-ee’s. Lunch. At a gas station. Hmmm.
Intrigued, I made my first-ever stop at Buc-ee’s last year on a road tri...