Tag: Travel

Coffee That Impresses Me

I like a mild-tasting coffee. I do not want a robust or overly strong coffee. I once tried a coffee that had a hint of chocolate, and it was a perfect combination of flavors. When I ask my barista to put a lot of froth on my cappuccino, I expect a lot of froth. Several times over the years, I asked for a lot of froth, but my cappuccino had only two teaspoons, which was very disappointing. Once a barista asked me if I knew what a cappuccino was, I replied yes, as I had had several in Italy. The funniest experience was when a barista made a cappuccino with dry coffee cream. The capouichino was undrinkable, so we asked for our money back. Once I ordered a latte in France, I got one cup of hot tea and one cup of hot coffee. I could see how she thought I had ordered tea, but I could not figure out why she bought out a cup of coffee as well. I ordered a hot latte on a cold winter’s day, and my barista brought out a Frappee. I drank it and said, ” Can I please have a hot latte now. I want a barista who is fully trained and knows what she is doing, as that makes for the perfect coffee drink. I prefer coffee shops that sell food along with their coffee. Coffee shops should be clean, and you should be able to hear each other while you visit. If they play music, I want it playing softly in the background.

Restaurants And Food

I have ordered food at a restaurant where the soup was almost cold, and blood was running out of the steak. I told our waitress to reheat the soup and bake the steak until it was well done. One time, I went to a restaurant, and they had run out of almost everything on the menu. I ended up ordering a salad. I want a restaurant with a pleasing ambiance, and I like one where I can watch them preparing the food. It’s nice to go to a restaurant and have them remember what you want to order. It is nice when the waitress brings out fresh water and more bread without having to ask. I have eaten at five-star restaurants while traveling, and that is indeed a wonderful experience. The waiter comes to your table and asks if you need anything else, offering more coffee or hordevers. I have ordered duck, lamb, oysters, Virginia ham, and other remarkable, mouthwatering foods over the years. Eating on the French Riviera was one of my favorite places to eat. How the meal is prepared and presented at the table tells you in advance if the food will be good or bad. Treat yourself while on vacation, as memories last forever and other things fade away over time. You only go around once, so make the moments memorable.

Tags Coffee, food, Travel

Life Has Its Ups And Downs

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date December 10, 2025
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Smooth Sailing

When things are going our way and we are feeling well, we may forget to thank God for our many blessings. We should never get so comfortable in life that we forget to thank God for what he has done for us, helping us have a happy life. We should not become complacent and think things will be fine without thanking God every day for our home, family, health, happiness, and what he provides for us. Not all days will have sunny skies. Some days will bring rain, but that is a blessing as it helps crops, trees, and vegetables grow that sustain us. Blizzards are common in the winter months, and the melted snow helps replenish the soil’s moisture for next year’s crops. All things have a purpose and season in life, and it is our job to see the purpose in what goes on in our lives. We can help each other when the storms of life get turbulent and seem out of our control. Always remember that God knows what you are going through, and you are never truly alone in life.

Travel

I love to travel, see new places, and experience new things. I love eating the various foods that each country specializes in. I love Greek baklava, Italian pizza, and many more mouthwatering foods. Travel delays are never fun, but try to make the best of them. If you have to stay an extra night in a town, go to a concert or play and have a wonderful experience that will stay with you forever. Go to some of the stores in town, and I guarantee you will find a treasure to take home.

Life Can Be Full of Fun Surprises

Life has a new adventure every day. We should never waste a day; we should make it count. Reading is a good pastime in the winter months. I like to read devotions and see how they apply to my day. Call someone on the phone and have a pleasant visit with them instead of texting. The human voice can be very soothing and healing if it is the voice of someone who truly cares about you and loves you. Have a spontaneous day with a friend where you don’t really have any plans, and I am sure you will have a very memorable day. You may discover a new restaurant, bakery, or coffee shop that you want to return to later. I got stuck in an Amish driveway one winter, and he put hot ashes under my tires, and I got unstuck right away. He was very friendly and kind, and I still go there to buy eggs, baked goods, and more.

Life Will Have Ups And Downs.

How we handle ups and downs is up to us. We must not let the down times keep us down, as there will always be blue skies again after the storms. God helps us weather storms, as all we have to do is pray to God without ceasing, on our journey through life. God heals us; we are all God’s messengers; and he cares for all of his flock.

Tags delays, Inspirations with Laura, tips, Travel

Happy Life

Good News Improves Everyone’s Mindset

If your Doctor tells you you are holding your own and getting along fine, and your prayers have been answered, you feel revived and rejuvenated. Maintaining a positive mindset and staying active are two key factors in a long life, alongside supportive friends and family. Securing a higher-paying job can brighten anyone’s day. If your children do well in life, that is a parent’s ultimate dream for their children to be happy and content with their lives. People who are happily married tend to live longer than those who are not happy in their marriage.

Do Things That Make You Happy In Life

If you belong to a group and all they do is criticize your every move, get out of that group ASAP, as they are not your friends, and they do not care about your overall well-being. Never volunteer anywhere where you are told you do not do enough. Life is too short to put up with that. I hope you have a job that you love doing, and that you look forward to it every day, as it fulfills you and gives you a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Pets Can Brighten Your Days For Many Years

I have always loved pets. I have had a pet goat, dogs, gerbils, parakeets, horses, hamsters, fish, a hermit crab, turtles, guinea pigs, and cats. Cats are my favorite pets. I love their deep and soothing purrs, as well as how they lie next to you when you’re not feeling well, and their overall demeanor. All cats have different personalities, and each one is unique in its behavior and preferences, such as the type of toys it likes or the kind of bed it prefers. I got my first cat when I was two years old, and I have loved them ever since.

Travel

One of my favorite hobbies is traveling. I loved visiting the places in Europe where my ancestors immigrated from and walking down the same streets they walked in the 1600s. Some people were still familiar with their last name, and they shared some history with me that I was very pleased to learn. I love the architecture of old buildings and seeing how people in different countries live, their customs, and trying the delicious foods each country has to offer. Some people on the tour always ate at McDonald’s, but not me. I want to enjoy the food from each country. No matter where you travel, everyone still wants the same things out of life, such as happiness, contentment, and a loving and caring family and friends.

You Will Have A Happy Life With God In Your Life

With God by your side, you will be happy and fulfilled in your life. Without God in your life, you have nothing, and you will be like a ship lost at sea with no lighthouse or compass, and you will never make it back to shore. God is my beacon, shining brightly in my life.

Tags friends, health, Inspirations with Laura, life, Travel

Life's Happenings

Life’s Happenings

Memorable Moments

All of us will have many memorable moments in our lifetime. Some moments will be very happy and some will be very sad. Remembering the special moments that stand out will comfort you through the sad moments. When you graduate, get your first job, get married, have children, and travel, these will be happy moments indeed. When a loved one dies, we are very sad, and there will be moments when we cry because our loved one is not here on earth anymore. We must remember that if they were in pain or life was getting hard for them, they are in heaven now, where there is no suffering or pain anymore. I hope you have many memorable moments to look forward to. Never let past tragedies deny you a happy and fulfilled future.

Pets

Pets bring a lot of happiness into their owners’ lives. When you get home from work, your pets greet you. They may wag their tail and wish to play ball with you or walk with you. Cats love to sit on your lap or curl up next to you in bed and gently purr away. Cats love it if you have various cat toys to play with. Pets instinctively know when you are not feeling well and will do their best to comfort you. Pets have been known to grieve for days after the passing of their owner. Cats may not eat for several days. A dog once went to the cemetery daily and lay on the grave where his master had died. We had a pet parakeet that would not eat while we were on vacation, and when we returned, he started eating again immediately.

Life And God

Your relationship with God is your most important relationship in life. If your relationship with God is not good, you cannot retain any good relationships with anyone else in your life. God has set an example for us on how to lead a good life; if we do not follow it, our lives will be doomed. To have a happy and fulfilled life, you must put God first. God put us first as his son Jesus died on the cross so that we may be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life.

Family And Friends

Over the years, you will have many lovely and memorable moments with your family and friends. You will have wonderful family gatherings for anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, holidays, and picnics. Traveling and discovering new places, scenery, foods, historical events, and sites add to the spice of life’s happenings. Hold your family and friends close and never take them for granted. Let them know you love and respect them, and hold them dear in life’s happenings. God bless you, and I hope you will be blessed through your life with God, family, and friends by your side in all of life’s happenings. Sing praises to God daily.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, memorable moment's, pets, Travel

My Favorite Car And Pickup

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 10, 2025
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I Had A 1975 Malibu Classic Car

I loved the Malibu very much because it had a lot of get-up-and-go. It was maroon in color with black vinyl seats. It had air conditioning, electric windows, and an old-fashioned run-of-the-mile radio, but it sounded good, and the car had excellent speakers. I loved the maroon color; the black vinyl seats were comfortable and offered terrific support for your back. I often drove that Chevy Malibu years ago. I drove it to college, and it never failed me once. I even adjusted the carburetor myself once, and it ran correctly. When I first purchased the car, it was not running quite like it should, as the choke was stuck open. I had a new choke installed, and that was all the car ever needed except for ordinary maintenance. Once, I took my Chevy to a gas station, and the attendant came out and said my car was leaking transmission fluid. I did not believe him, so I told my father to look at it when I got home, and he said it was fine. He had put some transmission oil on a rag and the transmission, thinking he could pull the wool over my eyes. Well, think again, buddy. I traded it off for a different car when it had 80,000 miles on it. Later, I saw my Malibu in town, and the guy driving it had the pedal to the metal. I have fond memories of an excellent Chevy Malibu Classic.

1995 GMC Pickup

I have had the GMC pickup from day one. It was reasonably priced at a car dealership near our home. It has roll-down windows but not electric ones, so because of the factory window mistake, it came with free four-wheel drive. I thought four-wheel drive was more important than the windows, so we purchased it. It is Victory Red with the four-wheel drive shifter on the floor. The seats are cloth with black and gray in them and a vinyl wrap around them. The floor inside is rubber, and it also has vinyl floor mats. I have never had to do anything to the truck except for routine maintenance. It has a V6 engine, but it has a lot of spunk. It is a convenient pickup as it has a full-sized bed, which makes hauling lumber a breeze. I like it because it is lower to the ground than the newer pickups, making it easier to get into and out of. I do not drive the pickup often, but I love driving it when I need a pickup for moving something large, trash hauling, lumber, appliances, carpeting, and so much more. Hang onto your older vehicles, as they were built to last, and they have a lot of metal in them, not fiberglass. Your maintenance bill will not be as costly as they are not digital, parts are easy to get to, and nothing is as compact as the new cars. What were your memorable vehicles through the years?

Tags cars, pickup, Travel

What I Want In My Hotel Room

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date February 24, 2025
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Clean Bedding And Clean Towels

My friend and I stayed in a hotel that had towels like sandpaper. One of the wash clothes was a dish rag, and the other towels were so old they were yellow. We asked about the towels the next day, and she said they were trying to save the environment by not using fabric softener and not replacing the towels until they had holes in them. The rooms were clean, at least. If I travel without reservations, I ask to look the room over before deciding to stay there. One time, it was a good thing we looked the room over first, as the bedding and everything in the room smelled of cigarette smoke. One time, the room had blankets they were still using that were older than I am. After we looked it over, we said we wanted to look at some more places before we decided. We were sure glad we did, as the next place we looked at was a suite that was fit for a king. One hotel had a sign-up to leave your dirty towels on the floor if you wanted clean towels the next day. We followed their rules to a T, and no clean towels appeared. And they told us they were trying to save energy. We told the manager we needed clean towels and finally got them.

I Want A Quiet Room

I was on a tour once alone, and our rooms were over a bar. I did not get any rest that night. They were playing polka music in the dining area at night. I also turned on the radio by the bed, polka music. As the night went on, I listened to the people in the bar getting more inebriated. The next day, I had a Red Bull to stay awake during the tour. One time, they were playing Elvis music all night until 2 AM. Once, my parents and I had the misfortune of staying in a hotel next to a race track we could not see as we checked in after dark.

I Want Soap And Shampoo

Sometimes, there is no shampoo in the room, and if you do not have room to pack any, you must use hand soap on your hair. I generally ask for shampoo and conditioner. However, if hand soap is occasionally not in your room, I immediately ask for some.

Plenty Of Pillows To Choose From

I like a medium-firm pillow for a good night’s rest, so I love it when there are at least four pillows. Once in a while, I may switch a pillow at night if the other one does not work out.

I Like To Have Books To Read About The Area And A Piece Of Candy On The Bed

The candy adds just the right little touch. I love it when the room has books about the area so I can plan what to see and do while vacationing there.

Friendly And Helpful Concierge

I love it when the concierge calls a taxi for you or gets concert tickets for you. They also direct you to a specific area you want to see and tell you the best places to eat. Some concierges greet you immediately in the morning and ask if there is anything you need or want them to do for you, which is much appreciated.

Tags clean room, hotel rooms, soft towels, Travel

Broaden Your Horizons

Travel

Travel is an excellent way to broaden your horizons. You get to see things that you have read about in books and experience them firsthand. If you live in the States, travel to the different states, and you will be amazed by the beauty of each state. I love the mountains in Colorado and the smell of the crisp air up high in the mountains. Virginia was a lovely state to visit as it holds many historical events that helped shape our nation. Williamsburg, Virginia, has a living history area that you can walk through, and I thoroughly enjoyed that as I love history. I bought a silver cross that a silversmith made. I loved my visit to the New England States in the fall and enjoyed driving in New Hampshire and looking at all the beautiful fall colors. I loved driving along the coast of Maine and eating fresh lobster, crab legs, and lobster bisque soup. I had a wonderful time in Vermont, and I went to a farm that produces pure maple syrup, which is delicious. I had to purchase several bottles that they sent to my home address. Visiting The Vermont Country Store was fun, and I bought several items there. All the states will have something that will excite you, and you will remember what you saw and did in that state forever.

Make Sure You Learn Something New Everyday

Listen to documentaries, read your Bible, start a new hobby, read magazines or books on any nonfiction subject, plan a trip in the winter for the spring or summer, and talk to people. You will be surprised how much you can learn from them. Take any class on any subject you would like to learn more about. Listen to what your elders tell you as you will learn much from them, for they have lived through many different events and will be willing to share their stories with you. Listen closely to them, and you will walk away a better and more knowledgeable person.

Read Your Bible And Devotions

Follow God’s words, and you will notice how God can positively affect your life. Without God by our side, we are nothing. With God by our side, the possibilities are endless. The Bible teaches us life lessons, and yes, they do apply today. Think of how something you read in the Bible or a devotion applies to your everyday living. I have seen how devotion applied to many days in my life. God has always put the right people in my life at the right time. I thank God for my many blessings every day.

Overseas Travel

I have traveled to all of the countries my ancestors came from. I was lucky enough to visit with some of my wonderful relatives, and they treated my friend and me like royalty. I love Switzerland, as I love majestic mountain views and well-maintained buildings. I especially loved the village of Giswal, Switzerland. I could hear the cows ringing their bells in the meadow and see a farmer milking them in the morning. I loved how the village seemed to be untouched by the passage of time as it remained small. The church was beautiful, the cemetery was manicured to perfection, and the graves had a picture of each person who had died on them. In Amsterdam, I walked on the same streets and saw the same houses as my ancestors from the 1600s. I learned a lot about each country, and some people in the towns knew my ancestors’ last names. They told me their vast history, what they did for a living, and much more. Keep broadening your horizons. I saw Manx cats on The Isle Of Man.

Tags Bible and devotion's, do new things, Inspirations with Laura, read, seek adventure, Travel

What Can I Do To Keep Busy Once I Retire

What Can I Do To Keep Busy Once I Retire?

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date January 10, 2025
No Comments on What Can I Do To Keep Busy Once I Retire?

God Will Direct You

God knows what he wants you to do when you retire, and he will guide you and show you the way. When one door closes, God will open another door for you with much more behind that door. I became a lay minister for my church, and I love to call people on the phone and read my inspirations with laura post to them. I also visit with them, and I learn a great deal from our visits. I play my harmonicas at some assisted living facilities and rest homes. I love visiting people at the rest homes and look forward to our visits. I love to try to lift people’s spirits and listen to their joys and concerns. God knows all about you and where you can do the most good at whatever point you are on your life’s journey.

Gardening

I love gardening, and it offers bountiful harvests of many different types, such as exercise, enjoying the great outdoors, and eating healthy vegetables. Working the soil and raising crops gives one a great sense of accomplishment. It has been proven that gardeners are more mobile, fit, and trim than those who do not. I love mowing my yard and keeping my place looking neat and trim. I also love to keep my trees trimmed and bushes and brush under control. I use a small chainsaw that takes care of most tree trimming.

Travel

If you have not traveled much, start now, as one’s health and body can deteriorate quickly, making travel impossible. If you have a particular location, make plans to go there and enjoy the food, sights, and people and see all that you want to see in the time frame that you have allocated. Traveling with someone you know who enjoys the same things you do makes the vacation twice as lovely, and you will share and cherish those moments forever.

Get Out With Friends

In retirement, the worst thing you can do is stay in your house and be bored. Friends make even the bad times good by knowing what to say to you and motivating you in the right direction. If someone wants to be a friend with you, never say no if you think the friendship would work out well for both of you. One can never have too many good and trusted friends. God put family and friends on earth to help us along our journey in life.

If You Have A Desire To Do Something You Always Wanted To Do Now Is The Time

If you want to write and publish a book, write a song, do artwork, and much more, go for it. Some people have an old car that belonged to their Father, which they have always wanted to redo, and they now have time to make that dream a reality. You may want to remodel your home or downsize, so do it now and enjoy it for many years. Never put things off, or you may never get your dream completed. Think positive and keep your mind active with lifelong learning classes, reading, crossword puzzles, and more. I hope you enjoy a happy and healthy retirement for many years.

Tags gardening, get out with friends, God Will Direct You, Inspirations with Laura, retirement, Travel

Upcoming Events

Most of us Look Forward To Upcoming Events

I love to make travel plans with a friend, and I am overjoyed as time gets closer to when we take off on our vacation. Trips are fun and relaxing, and I love historic places and events. Looking forward to things keeps a person happy and content. Attending college, meeting new people, and taking classes that will enrich your life. What you learn can never be taken away from you as you will always retain that knowledge that will take you far and broaden your horizons regarding what you can achieve. An idle mind wastes time; you must keep enriching and learning new things daily. A friend once told me it is good to learn something new every day, and she was right. I was on a trip with a friend, and she wanted to attend church on Sunday. I foolishly said we were on vacation. She immediately told me what if God wanted to take a vacation on Sunday when we needed him desperately. I immediately said I would go to church. I am so glad we attended church on Sundays, as I enjoyed listening to the sermons and visiting with the parishioners. I learned a lot about each church and who started the church in each community. The people in church invited us to eat with them after church. Always attend church whenever you can while traveling.

We Look Forward To Exciting Challenges, Marriage, Children And More

Do something that challenges you now and then. See how many of your favorite kinds of books you can read in one year. Start an exercise regimen and watch those unwanted pounds shed away; you will be happier and healthier. Marrying the love of your life, spending many memorable and quality moments together, and having children and grandchildren that will carry on after you are gone are goals of many. I look forward to concerts and listening to people’s life stories. I like to look at new artwork at my local art museum and look at things in historical museums.

We Will Have Many Events Take Place In Our Life Over The Years

As we age, we will have health issues that we must get through, hopefully with loved ones by our side. I have noticed that some people in nursing homes have no one who comes to visit them except once a year. If you see or know such a person, contact them as they will enjoy your company. I am sure they would like to share their life story with you, and you will take away much by listening to them. As we get older, we do not want drama in our lives. We want peace, security, understanding, compassion, respect, love, and people who will go the extra mile to ensure we are happy, well cared for, and loved. Surround people with love, peace, joy, and hope, and make sure they live the best life possible. God bless those that touch the lives of others in positive ways.

Tags college, job, marriage, moving, retirement, Travel

Enjoy Life To Its Full Potential

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date December 13, 2024
No Comments on Enjoy Life To Its Full Potential

Get Out With People Often

If you do not get out with friends, you may dwell on problems. By getting out with friends, you can take your mind off your worries and focus on the positives in your life. If you lock yourself away like a hermit, you will continuously think of all the negative things that have happened to you. Friends lift your spirits and bring out the sunshine on the darkest days. A friend may suggest a fun outing or adventure you will remember for many years. You can always join a club of some kind. My grandmother belonged to a book club and made many friends just by being in that book club. If your local college has lifelong learning classes, take some of them as the classes will enrich your mind, and you will also make new friends. Go to a concert or a movie, and you will meet people from all different walks of life by just going to various events in your area or out of town. I hope you have been blessed to have traveled with friends and that you can cherish those wonderful memories forever.

Travel

I have been blessed to have an excellent travel companion over the years. She is older than me, but age makes no difference. We are very good friends. We do not take as long of trips as we did years ago, but we both enjoy each other’s company and make each other laugh. Travel while you can because you never know what lies down the road, as your health could change in a heartbeat. Traveling with someone who likes the same things you do and wants to experience the area’s foods, soak in the atmosphere, and take in as many events as possible is a blessing. I encourage everyone to find a friend to travel with as travel opens up a gateway of knowledge. I found out about my ancestors and walked on the same ground as they had before me. I visited the farm where my great-grandfather grew up as a child, and I visited with some of my cousins, which was a wonderful and memorable experience that I will hold dear forever.

Stay Focused On God

Staying focused on God is the primary key to living life to its full potential. If you do not, you will be like a ship lost at sea without a lighthouse or compass to lead it back to a safe harbor. Sometimes, we tend to drift away from God when we have smooth sailing, and then we ask God for help when we have turmoil. God does not want a rainy-day friend. He wants you to praise him in good and bad times. God has answered many of my prayers, for which I am immensely grateful. God knows what you need in your life and when to give it. Life is perplexing and complex as it has many curves and valleys, mountains, and treacherous events to get through, but with faith and God’s guidance, you will make it.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, Socialize, tips, Travel