218: The Magic Episode
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Alison is obsessed with the 4 part docu-series, Wild Crime on Hulu. It is a documentary that “follows the uniquely qualified team of special agents that are responsible for investigating crimes that occur in the National Park System, as they tackle cases and bring law and order to this public land.”
Lulu is obsessed with her Lasko table top space heater. She’s had it a while, so it’s probably discontinued by now, but it’s light and moveable, inexpensive and most importantly, effective! It’s perfect for her outside yoga on a chilly Florida winter evening. Ok, northerners…we get it…Florida ain’t cold!
Good MORNING, morning people!!!
Alison has a repeat wish and that is her wish to be a morning person. Looks like her circadian rhythm is geared more towards Night Owl! Me too, sister!
Lulu wishes there were a closed captioning mask that would translate what you say so people can see it without you having to take your mask down. I think it’s a great inclusive and safe idea! Get on it, scientists! My choice of images that said, ‘Forced Socializing’ is just for our favorite introvert, Lulu!
This week’s inspiration word is MAGIC so Alison decided to go to the enchanted city that is Cuenca, Spain. It is “Nestled in the canyon within the borders of the Serranía de Cuenca Nature Reserve, Ciudad Encantada (“Enchanted City”) is home to a collection of rock formations that have been molded by the forces of nature to resemble an array of figures and scenes.” Nature is strong and fascinating as the elements have caused these rocks to appear like a boat, bear, crocodile, dog, elephant and so many more.
She found a great VRBO over Easter weekend as that was one way for her to get her 10K numbers up; apparently it’s pretty economical to visit Cuenca! Breakfast was at Sala Cinco before she went to Los Ojos de la Mora to see the legendary anonymously painted eyes in the mountain! Click the link to find out about the amazing legendary story! Of course, she needed an unwashable/undry-cleanable Farfetch Eye Dress to wear on her trip. It looks like it has a clear shower curtain on the outside, but I’d still be afraid it would disintegrate, but hey…it’s imaginary!
From there it was on to the San Pablo Bridge. It is one of the most popular footbridges that was originally built in the 16th century to connect San Pablo convent to the old town over the Huécar River. The current bridge was constructed in 1902 of iron and wood, and those who don't mind heights or a little swaying will enjoy the best possible views of the Hanging Houses. One of the benefits of being in Cuenca during Easter week is attending the Sacred Music Week, which includes internationally-renowned orchestras, choirs and performers.
Dinner at Figón del Huécar gave her a breathtaking view outdoors for a fine meal. It was the family residence for more than 20 years of singer D. José Luis Perales. Inspired by all the rock formations earlier in the day, Alison decided she’d like to have one of her face! I mean, who wouldn’t!? So, she contracted John C. Dunton, to sculpt her visage. He is a Seattle area stone sculptor who provides custom stone fabrication services to individuals, companies and more. And because fine artists deserve to be paid what they are worth, that totaled her 10K day out at 10K!
Now, being an ex-wife of a talented magician, I can’t believe I didn’t know about Colon, Michigan. But, I digress…you’ll hear about that later in this section. This week, Lulu went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, the city that was not only recently named one of the 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2020-21 by U.S. News and World Report but it was ranked the No. 1 Coolest Place in the U.S. with the lowest cost of living. And it's also the home of the Kalamazoo Promise that guarantees college tuition to graduates of the Kalamazoo Public Schools, the largest program of its kind anywhere. Now, that’s pretty cool, folks!
Lulu loves charming homes as much as I do, so I just LOVED the Kalamazoo House B&B! So very charming! Some of the things that come with the charm are:
Daily, 2 course, made-from-scratch gourmet breakfast served in the dining room or in warmer months on the front porch
• Fresh baked home-made cookies in the evening
• Access to 24 hour coffee and tea station
• Mini fridge on main floor and 3rd floor
She chose Room #4 which is described as: “The private ensuite bathroom has a beautiful large black jetted air tub, perfect for the both of you to sit back and relax. A separate walk-in tiled shower is next to the jetted tub. Sink into the comfortable new pillow-top King bed and enjoy the romance of the firelight from the electric fireplace. This room is the home’s original 2nd-floor master bedroom of David and Amelia Lilienfeld and features a stunning view of the Chihuly glass sculpture in the museum next door.” I would love that view!
Using our Rentalcars.com affiliate link, she rented a Suburban then jaunted off to breakfasts at Crow’s Nest for the Croque Madame Benedict. Don’t ask what makes it a ‘madame’ instead of a ‘monsieur’…you’ll regret it. Although the sad truth is that Black Owl Cafe was still closed due to the pandemic, she was able to order 100% compostable K-cups for her single serving coffee loving father online whilst supporting an ecologically sustainably-minded business during their hard times! And all that purchasing made her crave actual hot caffeine, so she went to Factory Coffee for an Earl grey tea latte with oat milk. The way she and Alison raved about that, I’m going to have to try it!
Ok, so now we are at the magic part of Lulu’s day…in Colon, Michigan, also known (except to me) as the “magic capitol of the world.” If you visit the Magic Roundup Site, you’ll find tons of info about the Lakeside Cemetery, the final resting place for over 30 magicians - more than any other cemetery in the world. Blackstone, Don Alan, Monk Watson, The Amazing Conklins, Jack Gwynne, Karrell Fox, Bob Lund and dozens more magicians.
They even have Colon Magic Camp, July 19th and 20th or maybe the Colon Magic Flea Market, August 2nd -5th may interest your magic-lovin’ sensibilities! Lulu decided to sponsor a Magic Walk of Fame for all the men who have ever brought a deck of cards to a bar and tried to pick up a girl with a magic trick. I’m just going to keep my ex-magic wife mouth shut here… ;)
With all that magic around, Lulu wanted to purchase some to enjoy for herself and friends. She went to the Fab Magic Company and stocked up on double flash guns, spark ejectors, visible vampire combo, Hippity Hop Wisemen, Big illusions, Comedy legs table, and the Lighthead illusion. With all that purchased, she was ready to head back to the Kalamazoo House B&B where she hired Gold Company, the internationally regarded and award-winning vocal jazz ensemble from Western Michigan University to serenade all the B&B guests while they drank the beer from Saugatuck Brewing and some food truck fare. Then it was time to close out this 10K night with some warm delivered Insomnia Cookies! Now, that’s what I call MAGIC!
Alison is in love with the Facebook scheduler app. It was such a happy surprise that she can schedule her FB posts without having to use a separate scheduling app.
Lulu has been reminded of late that she’s ‘head over heels’ in love with TEA! She even has an electric kettle by her bed! I travel with one most times, but I’m not at the bedside level quite yet. You go, Lulu!
Gotta love a hot Royal Milk Tea!
CHECK OUT THE CHARITIES WE FOUND IN THE CITIES WE VISITED:
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