Older women, younger men, and the Duchess of Alba as a role model.

 Traveling to foreign countries is a challenge - and sometimes so is coming home

Old houses can be transformed. Men can't.

There are some things you really shouldn't try.

It always seemed to my mother that I went out of my way to embarrass her.

  I hate P.E. classes, fail at every sport, and still can't stand on my head.

Captain Carolyn addresses patriotism and other questionable virtues.

My taste in clothes is an embarrassment to my mother - until it isn't.