I just finished the loveliest book. I was going to avoid mentioning it on this blog for a few weeks so I could give it as a gift to Kathy for our birthday, but I can't wait.

It's called "Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman." I bought it on Christmas Eve, and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading it. It's about a woman who takes a 'sabbatical' from her career to travel solo through Europe. Many of her observations I couldn't quite relate to because she's in a different stage of life than I, but I found her journey as a single traveler inspiring. And she goes to all my favourite places in Europe: Paris, London, Oxford, Venice, and Rome. It simply is a 'must-read' at least for Jill and Kathy.

I found a wonderful quote that I will use when I write my final good-byes to the year 2004:

"Once in everyone's life there is apt to be a period when [s]he is fully awake, instead of half-asleep" -E. B. White

More melancholy reflections on 2004 to follow, probably much more than anyone other than I care to read, but that's the good part of a blog - you are under no obligation to read anything more than what interests you!