Pardon me as I take a look back. . .

It's Saturday morning and I was watching Jack Hanna"s "Into The Wild" on the Animal Planet when I I found myself thinking about what a remarkably interesting life I've been privileged to live.  Hanna, on the TV, was in Africa, a fascinating country that I've been to twice, the second time with my grandson Adam who was 14 at the time. (Adam will be 40 on his next birthday.  He still remembers the trip. We won't mention my number that is coming up on the 19th of this month.)

Hanna was learning all about venomous snakes and watched as scientists anaesthetized a cobra to be able to extract venom that was then used to create anti-venom for treatment of snake bites.  That took me back to my pr days when I represented the Serpentarium in Miami and used to bring press to watch the incredible snake man, Bill Haast, extract venom from very wide awake, very scary, cobras.  Working for The Serp, as we used to call it, was like no other client I ever had, and I've had some beauties.  Especially since I was, and still am, deathly afraid of snakes.

Next, Hanna was in the Florida Keys, watching as a giant sea turtle that had been badly injured, was now healthy and was being released back into the ocean.  That took me back really far, when I was the pr director for an advertising agency in Miami that represented the Florida Keys and Key West.  I went to the very Preserve that Hanna was visiting and participated in baby turtle releases that were covered by the press at my urging.  The press loved those kind of activities in those days, not so sure they do any more.

My public relations business took me to an incredible number of interesting places. . .Spain, France, Italy, California, New York.  My love of travel has added multiple more fascinating visits. . Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Gibraltar, Alaska, Russia, China, Thailand and most recently, Paris, Prague and Budapest.  I've skied in Gstaad and hot air ballooned over the Burgundy wine country, as well as hiked the Appalachian Trail.  I even spent eight days on a raft doing the rapids of the Colorado River. Let's face it.  I've been an adventurer most of my adult life.  The list goes on, because in April, Paul and I are going to The Galapagos, one fascinating place that has been on my bucket list but I've never been.  Can't wait to commune with the tortoises.  Obviously, I still love to travel.

If I sound like I'm reminiscing, I plead guilty.  With a birthday coming up in two weeks, I guess it's a given.  Nice to know I have no regrets when it comes to exciting life experiences.

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