Grammys, Scars, and Whiskey (again!)

Dearest Reader,

While Jeannie R. is catching up on her sleep after our India trip (and getting ready for Cuba later this month) I’ve been holed up in my apartment in rain-soaked LA. I woke up this morning to a report on KTLA that a mudslide on Beverly Glen (which links the San Fernando Valley to Beverly Hills) had left a bunch of debris and a piano in the middle of the road.

Where I used to live in Topanga and Malibu there are rocks and slides and rushing creeks and waterfalls, and it seems the whole of LaLaLand has been whipped into a frenzy about this weather event that’s already dumped “5 Mississippi rivers” on Southern California in the last 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, the glorious women owning the Grammys this year managed to show up with great looking hair. How did they do that? Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell (both women 45+...yay!) stole the show with their loving, passionate performances of, respectively, “Fast Car” and “Both Sides Now.” 

Tracy made our 2020 Election Relief Playlist (I’m sure we’ll need another one this year!) and Joni was part of Sheila Weller’s Woodstock 50th Anniversary article, as well as this story, also written by Sheila. Tracy and Joni are iconic and it was a thrill to see them back on stage, with standing ovations for both. 

At this age, we’ve all had our share of battle scars, most are invisible to others. But would you remove a scar that's visible if you could? That’s the question posed by Aimee Lee Ball in an article in NextTribe magazine this month. 

Also last week Jeannie Ralston wrote a travel article about places she loves in her new hometown, Asheville, North Carolina. Our spring trip to Asheville is already sold out, but we’re thinking of adding another departure in the Fall with the same itinerary. Stay tuned.

If you’re intrigued by our Scotland trip with the “Whisky Lassie” but you’re not able to come this year, find out why more women are drinking dark spirits in this story by Amy Keyishian. 

We hope you’re enjoying the journey so far. Whether you’re on the road with us or joining from the comfort of your living room, reading the magazine and traveling vicariously. We’ve got you, and we’re glad to have you with us.

A fond adieu until next time!

Jeannie E.

P.S. A last-minute opening on our trip to Africa next year. Must be booked by 3/12. Click here to learn more.