Author: Tricia A. Mitchell

  • Lessons From Erna: Remembering a Talented Musician, Teacher, and Friend

    In a black and white image, bordered by a simple silver frame on my piano, she is seated behind the wheel of a classic roadster. Coyly sporting a riding cap, cream-colored driving gloves, and her trademark smile is a woman who not only taught me about arpeggios, flats, and sharps, but also about life, its…

  • Our Peterhof Gardens Promenade

    Often referred to as Russia’s Versailles, the Peterhof Palace gardens (Петерго́ф) offered us a picturesque — albeit congested and hectic — spot to stroll during a visit to St. Petersburg earlier this month. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peterhof was commissioned by Peter the Great in the 18th century.

  • A church steeple rises above a field of sunflowers in France's Burgundy region.

    Golden Moments in Burgundy, France

    It is no wonder why one of the counties in France’s Burgundy region is known as the Côte d’Or. During our July sojourn in France’s ‘Golden Hills,’ the fields were ablaze with vibrant tournesols (sunflowers), freshly-groomed wheat, and vineyards — where still-maturing grapes glistened with dew. In the villages of Burgundy, sand-colored stone homes were accented with shutters painted…

  • Photo du Jour: Giraffe Mug Shots – Johannesburg, South Africa

    A giraffe, just outside the South African city of Johannesburg, flashes playful expressions.

  • Why I Adore Heidelberg, Germany: Celebrating Ten Years in the Loveliest of Cities

    Ich hab’ mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren, (I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg). So goes a line from a German musical of the same name. For the past ten years, I have called Heidelberg, Germany home. Along the way, I’ve also fallen for this extraordinary place’s charms. What do I most adore about this graceful city…