Welcome to Helium! I have been here for a couple of months now and I love it. Yes, my writing and rating stars come and go, but in Helium, I have found a bottomless pit, or rather, an endless sky into which I can hurl my thoughts, stories and opinions. I love Helium above other public writing forums because we emphasize quality writing. We also help each other become better writers. Friendly competition abounds, but Helium's crew of writers is the most friendly, helpful and interesting group you can find on the web.

I live at the beach with my husband and my dog, Lucy. We love it here. The weather sure beats the cold and snow we encountered while living in the Adirondack Mountains. (Though we miss all of our friends up there.) I am a beach baby at heart, even though I grew up in the landlocked state of Indiana.

I enjoy a huge variety of subjects, as evidenced by the variety of subjects about which I have written.

I read every moment that I am not at work or writing. I am a trained horticulturist, but I have stepped away from plants and back into the world of words.

My website is:

http://www.thegardenofwords.com

My Blog is:

http://www.thegardenofwords.com/gardenblog

My passion is ...

reading and writing and swimming at the beach.

I know too much about ...

plants.

My parents always told me ...

not to swear.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a librarian.

My favorite memory ...

meeting my husband for the first time in person-I asked him if he was Joe, and he meant to ask if I was Katie, but instead said "I'm Katie." Too sweet.

Why I write ...

life is funny and sad and weird. Writing helps. . .

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Reading: Telex from Cuba, The New Yorker

My first job ...

The best table bussing girl that ever bussed.

My best moment ...

listening to my sister.

My inspiration ...

My Dad. He is constantly under tremendous pressure and still always has time for his family.

Travel > United States Weekend getaway ideas in the US

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Your perfect weekend getaway within the United States depends on where you live. An ideal weekend getaway spot is close to home, but different enough so you feel as though you have been "away." Travel(either flying or driving) should not take more than four or five hours, otherwise, you will spend most of your long weekend in-route, and not relaxing and recreating. Your ideal spot should have plenty of your favorite activities, whether you enjoy site-seeing, eating, shopping, or outdooring.

Northeast:
Boston, Massachusetts is the perfect get-away. With something for everyone, e...

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