Recovering After a Thanksgiving Feast: A Journey of Gratitude, Rest, and Reset

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 29, 2024 with 0 Comment

We boarded a whale-watching boat for a 90-minute excursion. Although we didn’t see whales, we enjoyed the dolphins.

We hope our American friends/readers, and family had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day. Ours was atypical when this year, I made Tom several dishes he enjoys, along with two roasted turkey breasts. He asked for mashed potatoes with gravy, bread sausage, onion and mushroom stuffing, and the usual green bean casserole, none of which I eat.

My only indulgence was homemade keto pumpkin pie topped with real whipped cream. Otherwise, I had turkey breast and salad, after which I was still hungry. Subsequently, rather than wait a few hours, I had my pie shortly after dinner. Tom enjoyed his Costco pumpkin pie a few hours later.

When I made Tom’s side dishes, I made extra for several future meals. I froze several portions. When the turkey runs out in a few days, we’ll buy other meats he can have with the leftovers. I am having a salad with lots of veggies, diced turkey, and gorgonzola cheese tonight and may repeat this tomorrow night.

Although I didn’t make all the usual side dishes, I still spent considerable time in the little kitchen, chopping and dicing. It’s a relief not to cook for a few days.

Here are a few comments about recharging after the big event for those who indulged in the entire Thanksgiving dinner feeling stuffed and bloated today:

Recovering After a Thanksgiving Feast: A Journey of Gratitude, Rest, and Reset

Thanksgiving dinner is more than just a meal. It’s a glorious, belly-filling celebration of abundance, family, and tradition. But let’s be honest: after the turkey’s been carved, the mashed potatoes demolished, and the pies devoured, we’re often left in a state of culinary aftermath. It’s not regrettable, exactly. After all, we live for these moments, but the sensation of overindulgence is real.

So, how do we recover after eating Thanksgiving dinner? The process isn’t just about soothing an overstuffed stomach; it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and gently guide ourselves back to equilibrium.

1. The Art of the Digestive Pause

First, let’s acknowledge the truth: digestion is work. After a Thanksgiving feast, your body is like an overbooked restaurant kitchen—working overtime to process that mountain of food. One of the kindest things you can do is pause and give it space to catch up.

For a reason, a slow, meandering walk after dinner is a time-honored tradition. While you might feel like collapsing into a couch cushion, a gentle stroll can help stimulate digestion without taxing your body. Bundled up against the November chill, this walk offers a perfect opportunity to share laughs and stories with loved ones or savor the quiet glow of the evening.

2. The Hydration Reset

Thanksgiving feasts are notoriously salty, such as gravy, stuffing, and casseroles, and even turkey brings its sodium A-game. While that’s part of their irresistible charm, it can leave you feeling bloated and dehydrated.

Water is your best friend here. Sipping warm water with lemon or herbal tea like ginger or peppermint can work wonders. These liquids soothe the digestive system, combat the meal’s richness, and gently rehydrate your body. Plus, a mug of something warm feels like an extension of the meal’s comfort without the weight of another slice of pie.

3. The Nap Dilemma

Ah, the infamous post-meal nap. Turkey often gets the blame for our sleepiness due to its tryptophan content. Still, the reality is simpler: when you eat a large, carb-heavy meal, your body redirects blood flow to your digestive system, making you drowsy.

If you must nap, make it short—a 20-minute power nap can help you feel refreshed without plunging into the groggy depths of a sleep cycle. For those who stay awake, embrace the cozy magic of Thanksgiving evening: sink into the couch with a favorite movie, engage in board games, or scroll through family photos while nursing your food coma.

4. Reflecting on Gratitude

As your body works through its turkey-and-stuffing to-do list, take a moment to reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving. Gratitude is like a balm for the mind, helping shift focus from feelings of overindulgence to appreciation for the meal and the moments surrounding it.

Think about the effort that went into the feast—whether you were the chef or savored the fruits of someone else’s labor. Consider the laughter across the table, the traditions upheld, and the love shared. These thoughts, light as they are, can make the fullness in your belly feel a little more bearable.

5. The Gentle Morning After

The morning after Thanksgiving can be a mix of sensations: lingering fullness, slight sluggishness, and a fridge filled with leftovers calling your name. Starting your day gently is key.

Begin with something light and hydrating, like a piece of fruit, a smoothie, or yogurt with a sprinkle of granola. While leftovers are tempting for breakfast, saving them for later in the day gives your body a chance to reset.

Movement can help too—whether it’s a yoga session, a brisk walk, or even stretching on your living room floor. This movement doesn’t have to be about “working off” the meal; it’s about restoring energy and helping your body find its rhythm again.

6. Revisiting Leftovers with Intention

Speaking of leftovers, let’s give them the respect they deserve. Thanksgiving leftovers are not just food but an extension of the celebration. But instead of diving headfirst into another heavy plate, approach them with balance in mind.

Pair rich dishes with lighter fare—think a salad with shredded turkey or roasted veggies alongside a smaller slice of pie. This way, you can enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving without overwhelming your system all over again.

7. A Reminder to Be Gentle with Yourself

It’s easy to feel a twinge of guilt after a Thanksgiving feast, especially if you ate more than you planned. But here’s the thing: food is meant to be enjoyed, and Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate abundance in all its forms. A single day of indulgence doesn’t undo your health or habits; it often reminds us of the joy and connection that food brings.

Instead of dwelling on how much you ate, focus on how much you enjoyed. Thanksgiving isn’t about restraint. It’s about embracing the fullness of life in every sense of the word.

8. Carrying the Spirit Forward

Finally, as you recover, think about how you can carry the gratitude and warmth of Thanksgiving into the days that follow. Small acts of mindfulness can extend the holiday’s magic, whether it’s sharing leftovers with neighbors, calling a family member you missed, or simply journaling about the day.

In the end, recovering from a Thanksgiving feast is less about undoing the meal and more about embracing it fully—its flavors, emotions, and memories, and finding your way back to balance with gratitude and care.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 29, 2014:

I walked across the lawn of the neighboring condo building a couple of times each week to the local grocer, Tradewinds. For more photos, please click here.

Why aren’t we flying to Nevada…What weather can we expect while in Cleveland until December 14?…And, on our upcoming 2000+ mile road trip across the US?

Posted by worldwide-admin on November 10, 2024 with 0 Comment

There are numerous varieties of palm trees in Maui that produce red berries such as these.

We contemplated flying to Nevada rather than driving across the US in winter weather. For our non-US readers, here’s a map of the US.

We will be driving from Ohio (OH on the map) to Nevada (NV), taking the southern route based on weather conditions to avoid snowy travel as much as possible. Of course, in December, it’s unavoidable. We could easily encounter snow in New Mexico (NM), especially in the mountains. In 1969, I lived in New Mexico, and although it didn’t snow a lot, it did occasionally.

So, the question becomes, why drive when we could fly? It’s not much about the cost since we already rented a car for a week and will pay for hotels and meals along the way. It could take us four or five days to get to Nevada since we prefer not to drive more than 400 miles daily.

One primary reason is that we don’t care about flying domestically in the US if we can avoid it. We are not interested in the cost of heavy bags, delayed flights, or airport confusion. Sure, we may spend a little more time driving, but it’s fun to travel through the US. Also, we’re always paying for a place to stay overnight in our nomadic lifestyle and for meals wherever we may be.

Flights from Cleveland to Las Vegas cost the same as the rental car for a week. Based on the prices for our extra luggage if we fly, any additional driving costs are a “wash.” We only eat breakfast and dinner and will look for hotels with breakfasts included during the trip.

The end result? We can bring all our remaining non-perishable foods in the rented SUV, which we’ll use in Nevada, saving us a considerable sum based on today’s prices. It’s not huge, but it could be around $200. While we are in Nevada for 2½ months, we will trim what we have in our luggage and get down to the checked weight allowed for international flights. We have yet to book our flight to South Africa but will do so after the holidays.

Driving so close to Christmas may not be too bad since we will be on the road starting on December 14. Our only concern will be the weather; we will do everything possible to avoid snow and ice. After encountering a snowstorm in Utah last May when we left California for Minnesota, we realized we can’t predict what we’ll experience. But we can change our route or take another day or two to get to Nevada if necessary. There’s no worry here.

If we make it to Nevada in five days, we’ll still have the rental car for a few days, so we can do some shopping and dining out. We may not need to head to our mailing service since we’ll receive a shipment from them in the next few days with everything we need from our mailbox.

Today, we just finished watching Sunday Morning and will start watching the Minnesota Vikings game in a few hours. It will be a good day!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 10, 2014:

An old boat was awaiting restoration or a Maui junkyard. For more photos, please click here.

Today is our 12 year world travel anniversary. Happy Halloween!

Posted by worldwide-admin on October 31, 2024 with 0 Comment

A gnome sitting on a pumpkin with Thanksgiving decorations clipart, cozy autumn vibes, digital painting, isolated on white background — Happy Halloween!

It was 12 years ago today, Tom retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and we left Minnesota. We loaded up his SUV with way too much stuff to drive to Arizona for a two-month stay to wrap up some paperwork, buy new laptops and smartphones, and work on visas for upcoming cruises and travels.

Everything we’d owned was sold and gone, albeit with a modicum of tears that flowed freely after saying goodbye to our loved ones. We knew we’d miss family, but with easy Facetime access online, it wouldn’t be as challenging to be away as it might have been decades ago, before the internet.

We chose to stay in Arizona for a few months to see if we’d like to live there when we eventually settled down. The two months in Scottsdale convinced us that Arizona was unsuitable for us. The summer heat was unappealing, and somehow, we never acquired a connection to the state.

While there, we enjoyed spending time with Tom’s sisters in Apache Junction, but again, we couldn’t see ourselves living in a retirement community in Arizona or anywhere. In time, that may change our minds about living in a retirement community, but not now.

Here we are now, after 12 years of the most exciting and adventurous times of our lives, seeking the medical care we knew would eventually come to pass. Nothing we’ve discovered about my health thus far requires us to stop traveling. In our travels over the past 12 years, we’ve met many seniors with heart conditions similar to mine who continue to travel regularly, some even full-time, like us.

We’re not done yet. We still have plenty of world left to see and feel no urgency to make any permanent decisions. It’s funny, isn’t it, that we feel totally at ease with that uncertainty? Many have said that not having a home would make them uncomfortable and unsettled. For us, it’s not an issue at all.

I suppose this lifestyle has reshaped our needs, and we no longer feel compelled to have a place we call “home.” We’ve learned that such a decision can be made whenever we are ready from wherever we may be at any given time.

What are we doing to celebrate today? Without a rental car, there are no exceptional restaurants nearby that warrant an Uber ride, and the fact that we’ve already ordered takeaway meals from the best nearby restaurants, we see no reason to venture out. We considered having cocktails tonight since I have one unopened bottle of white wine, and Tom has a bottle of brandy. But it’s been two months since we’ve had a drink, and we don’t need to do so today.

Today is special to both of us, and neither food nor drink is required to revel in the memories we created over the past 12 years, let alone the 4448 posts we’ve uploaded since March 2012, (see the first post here) months before we left Minnesota, when we wrote our first post. At any moment, we can enjoy the memories of the past 12 years with only a few clicks in our archives.

When we look back at any of those posts, we are immediately transported back to those precious times, memories flooding our minds, with smiles on our faces and feelings of warmth in our hearts. We are grateful for the experiences, the times we spent together, the people we met along the way, and the people and places we have yet to see. We are grateful for the safety in our travels, although, at times, we encountered challenging situations.

And now, as we near the end of our time at Cleveland Clinic (four months to go), we are again grateful for the exceptional medical care and upcoming peace of mind we’ll carry with us when we leave.

Happy Halloween to all.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 31, 2014:

This rooster was strutting around, showing off his pretty plumage at a vegetable stand in Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Stuff happens…

Posted by worldwide-admin on June 9, 2024 with 0 Comment

We visited a small town in Madeira, Portugal, and spotted this pretty bridge.

It’s been a long 48 hours. My granddaughter had to have emergency gallbladder surgery (she’s doing fine now) at the same time as Tom became ill yesterday with an outrageous cough, and now, we can’t visit her, fearful she’s catching it from us. I am still ok but could easily catch this from him, with symptoms appearing in the next several days. He is miserable.

Not visiting my granddaughter while she recovers at home, fearful we’d inflict her with this virus, is frustrating. Instead, we’ve sent her a few fun “great well” gifts and texted her several times, letting her know we are thinking of her. As soon as Tom is recovered, we’ll go see her.

Of course, he refuses to go to Urgent Care since he’s been through this many times. He’s more susceptible to respiratory conditions than most since, in the past few years, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis after 42½ years of asbestos exposure while working for the railroad. There is no treatment or cure for the condition. His lungs are scarred. As a result, a simple cold can immediately impact his lungs, leaving him susceptible to pneumonia.

If we feel he develops pneumonia, most assuredly, we’ll be heading to the same Urgent Care facility we visited at least twice while in Minnesota in the past four years, once during COVID-19 and again when we were here last fall for a family visit. It took him quite a while to recover in both cases.

He’s using an electric nebulizer four times a day, with medication we carry with us, and taking Nyquil Day and Night, Claritan, and Vitamin C. He’s not eating much and has a fever. We can only wait and see how he feels to determine if we can attend some upcoming events this week.

All he ate for dinner last night was a small bowl of white rice. I’m hoping by this evening, he’ll be able to eat some protein, which will help him recover. I have a nice dinner ready to put together this evening.

We’re scheduled to attend daughter-in-law Tracy’s birthday party tomorrow night. But he’d have to have a miraculous recovery in the next 36 hours to attend. Nor does he want the potential of infecting others. Plus, if I am on the brink of contracting this virus, I could be infectious even if symptoms haven’t started.

As a result, it is quiet here. We’ve got shows streaming continually, but we aren’t really watching anything, and we cannot focus on anything other than him getting well soon. The housekeeper is here now. What a relief it is to have daily cleaning help and fresh towels now and into the future.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 9, 2014:

The dedication to farming and gardening is evident everywhere on the island of Madeira. For more photos, please click here.

Fantastic lunch with Theresa…Playing cards with family for nine hours!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on June 4, 2024 with 0 Comment

The interior of the Catholic church in Campanario, Madeira.

It’s 10:30 am. I slept poorly last night and almost didn’t post since I felt so tired. But once I showered and dressed, I started to feel a little better and got to work on today’s post.

Regardless of that, yesterday was an enjoyable day. Lunch with Theresa at Oliver’s was a pleasure. The food was fine but pricey. But we plan to get together again in the next few months before we leave for Cleveland in 82 days. The food was OK but pricey. I ordered the Waygu beef burger (3 ounces – no bun) topped with cheese and bacon with roasted Brussels sprouts.

Everything was too greasy for my liking. The Brussels sprouts were prepared with a sweet Asian sauce I could easily have done without and weren’t cooked well enough to make them easy to cut and eat. However, the delightful conversation with my dear old friend was more important then the food. Catching up on our lives since we last got together in September 2023 was lively and animated.

Of course, Theresa was concerned about my upcoming surgery, but we hurried through that discussion to move on to more cheerful topics, which was easy. I never want to be one of those people whose only conversations focus on health issues. No doubt we see this more and more with people our age.

Sure, it’s essential to express our health concerns with friends and family as they offer us love and support. But many more points of discussion make get-togethers memorable and meaningful.

As it turned out, Tom dropped me off at the restaurant in Blaine and intended to visit his sister Patty, who lives nearby. As it turned out, Patty had things to do, so he left earlier than expected. Unbeknownst to me, he was sitting in the parked rental car outside the restaurant, patiently waiting for me to be done.

The altar at a church in Madeira, Portugal.

I planned to call him when Theresa and I were ready to go. When I called him at 1:30 after our two-hour lunch, he cheerfully explained he was parked outside, not far from the door to the restaurant. I felt terrible he had waited so long, but he didn’t mind. That’s my guy, always looking out for me with a smile. When we came outside, he exited the car to give Theresa big hug. I did the same, and we were on our way to Mary and Eugene’s home, about 15 minutes from that location.

Shortly after we arrived, nephew Kevin, niece Jean, sisters Mary Ellen and husband Eugene, Patty, Collen, and Margie were there, and the day and evening’s card playing began. It couldn’t have been more fun, and we didn’t wrap it up until around 11:30 pm.

Mary served spaghetti, meatballs, and bread for dinner, which I don’t eat, but I gobbled up plenty of nuts that Kevin brought from Costco, eating way more than I should have. When we returned to the hotel, I felt stuffed and uncomfortable. Early in the evening, I drank two small glasses of low-alcohol red wine and later switched to a massive mug of Crystal Light Iced tea, adding to feeling full.

I tossed and turned all night, even getting up to take a few Rolaids around 2:00 am, and finally, by 3:00 am, I nodded off, awakening at 7:15 am. That was not much sleep, but perhaps a nap is on today’s agenda.

This afternoon, Tom will drive less than one mile to Cub Foods and pick up a grocery order I placed a while ago. I ordered two roasted chickens for tonight and tomorrow night’s dinner. All we have to add is rice and salad. Easy peasy.

That’s all, folks! Have an enjoyable day, whatever you do.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 4, 2014:

The view at sunset in Madeira took our breath away. For more photos, please click here.

Photos of our new place…

Posted by worldwide-admin on April 3, 2024 with 0 Comment

I’m not sure of the square footage; I imagine it’s a little over 700 square feet…a tiny house.

We are currently living in what is called a “Park Model” in a 55+ RV park in Apache Junction, Arizona. We’d never heard of a “Park Model” until we stayed in 2020 to visit three of Tom’s sisters, Mary Ellen (husband Eugene), Margie, and Colleen, and stayed for a few months.

The dining table has two side extension flaps but only two chairs.

This time, we will only be here for one month. Again, wanting to be near three of his six sisters, we booked only one month since his “Minnesota Snowbirds” will return to Minnesota for the spring and summer. Mary and Eugene leave on April 18, and Margie and Colleen leave the first week of May. We are booked here until May 1. Then, we head to California to see my sister Julie.

The bed is a tight fit in the small bedroom. Making the bed is tricky.

We’d never have chosen a vacation/holiday home in an RV park, nor would we have been interested in living in a “Park Model,” which is basically a mobile home set-up to appear permanent when we usually prefer stand-alone houses and some condos. The limited space is a drawback for us when, without the “L” shaped kitchen, it wouldn’t be much larger than a cruise cabin.

The living room has a loveseat and a recliner.

For one month, we were OK with the limited storage space. More importantly, he spends more time with his family, primarily in their 80s. Tom is the youngest of 11 children, with only seven surviving, including Tom. He’s always been close to his family, and it’s a special time when they get together.

There will be more family get-togethers in Minnesota, including with his adult children, Tammy and TJ, and their children, when we arrive in Minnesota in May, including time with my son Greg and his three children. Family time in the US is always fun and thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. Everyone gets along beautifully, and being together once again is always delightful.

Today’s photos were taken this morning. There appears to be some type of halo in my phone’s camera, and later on, I will figure out how to fix it. You can see by these photos how small the space is, but, like on a cruise ship, we somehow manage to find a space for everything, although it may not appear as tidy and organized as we might be with more spacious living quarters.

The bathroom is so tiny that the floor has no room for the scale.

We were spoiled after spending the past 3½ months in the gorgeous two-bedroom, two-bath condo in Lake Las Vegas. But, like the adaptable travelers that we are, we adjust to our new environment in a matter of a few days.

There was nowhere to store our bags other than this entryway. We’re using the sliding door in the living room for access.

Last night, after dinner, the family stopped by to visit, staying until after 9:00 pm. We’re invited to Mary and Eugene’s lovely and spacious “Park Model” for spaghetti dinner tonight. Since I don’t eat pasta, I’ll bring my dinner, a hearty tuna salad I made yesterday with hard-boiled eggs, celery, onions, and multiple spices to put atop a lettuce salad. We offered to bring a salad for everyone else, but Mary explained that none of them cares for salads. Tom will enjoy having spaghetti.

This old tiny TV monitor doesn’t have an HDMI plug-in. We’re streaming shows using my laptop.

Last night, I got to bed by 11:00 pm, and I didn’t sleep well. According to my Fitbit, I only slept a little over five hours. That will impact me tonight but I will do everything I can to stay awake and alert until my usual bedtime around 11:00 pm. I feel fine this morning and look forward to doing my exercises and continuing to organize a little more of our stuff.

Have a great “humpday,” and be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 3, 2014:

Our bodies adapt not only to the varying climates and seasons in many parts of the world but also to areas where seasonal changes are less evident, such as tropical climates. For more, please click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers, friends, family…Have a lovely day!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on February 14, 2024 with 0 Comment

Photo of us in January 2018 while we were in Buenos Aires, Argentina, only days before we left for Antarctica.

We started our day lounging in bed, laughing, talking, and reminiscing. We have so many unforgettable memories over the past 12 Valentine’s Days we’ve celebrated since we began traveling the world.

The Valentine’s Days before traveling are but a blur of memories that all jumbled together in our minds; I recall baking a heart-shaped cake each year using a heart-shaped pan I purchased at a yard sale for $1 over 40 years ago. I always gave Tom some romantic-type gift, and he always appeared with a bouquet of flowers and a sweet card.

We were never disappointed, and when his work schedule allowed us to be together, we often went out to dinner at a fine restaurant, or, on a few occasions, I made a gourmet-type dinner to enjoy at home. Once we began traveling the world in October 2012, we both agreed to forego buying gifts and cards for one another. In many countries, there weren’t readily available shops with cards and gifts and…they took up room in our luggage.

Neither of us has ever been disappointed not to receive cards and gifts from one another. Instead, we made the special day all the more special in one way or another.

On this date, February 14, 2014, I wrote the following post found here. For today, I decided to repost some of the text from that day’s post, since ten years ago seems to have added significance. I wrote the following:

“So, today, I give this online card to my husband, lover, friend, and traveling companion. I offer these words, which is all I can give as we carry on with our travels. This will make sense for our readers who have followed along with us. For new readers, some of my corny poem may be confusing.

How We Share Our Love

Romantic notions, views of oceans, is how we share our love
Birds singing, church bells ringing, is how we share our love
Ships that sail, a stormy gale, is how we share our love
Security checks, broken steps is how we share our love

Power’s out, endless doubt, is how we share our love
Centipedes, constant needs, is how we share our love
Guards with guns, your silly puns, is how we share our love
Gluten free, a sight to see, is how we share our love

A flight delay, a humid day, is how we share our love
A lion roaring, a movie boring, is how we share our love
Outdoor living, kindness giving, is how we share our love
Broken PC, doesn’t blame me, is how we share our love

WiFi trouble, fees are double, is how we share our love
Memory making, pleasure taking, is how we share our love
Our stuff is gone, we continue on, is how we share our love
We don’t know when, it will ever end, is how we share our love

Happy Valentine’s Day to my love, our family, old and new friends, and all of you.”

Photo from ten years ago today, February 14, 2014:

Honey, if I can’t make your favorite butterscotch pie for Valentine’s Day to celebrate, I present you with this photo of one that I had made many moons ago when we ate sugar and flour. For more, please click here.

Two days and counting and stuff to do…Final evening with Greg, Heather, Madighan and Miles at a fantastic Mexican restaurant…Two game day…

Posted by worldwide-admin on October 9, 2023 with 0 Comment

Heather and Greg at the Mexican restaurant last night in Chanhassen. We are so happy they are together and enjoying their loving relationship.

Yep, in two days, we are leaving the US after many collective months since last April when we left South Africa, traveled to Florida, then to Norway and Greenland via cruises, and ended up in Nevada and Minnesota to visit family and friends. Now, we head to Ecuador, South America, to the second-highest city in the world, Quito.

Yesterday, we called Alamo car rental to extend the rental by two days. When we talked to one rep, he said he’d handle it with an email confirmation for the extra charges. The email never arrived. Several hours later, we called again, and another rep stated we couldn’t extend it without coming to the airport to sign a new two-day contract. Hogwash!

We decided to return the car today when we checked prices and discovered it would be $295 for the two more days. Instead, this morning, Tom is running a few last-minute errands and will return the car, taking an Uber back to the hotel. When we leave on Wednesday, it will be easier and quicker at the airport when we’ll be dropped off by another Uber and avoid returning the car at that time.

Miles, 15, and Mad,14, two of Greg’s children, and our grandchildren.

Tonight, we’ll walk over to Pizza Luce, across the parking lot from the hotel, to meet Tammy, Tracy, and Vincent for one final get-together for dinner and trivia before we leave. This afternoon, TJ will stop by to get help from Tom on setting up his trail cam and to say goodbye. From that point on, we will have seen everyone we wanted to see to say goodbye and will be on our way on Wednesday morning.

Without a doubt, this was the best visit we’ve had since we began our travels. No one was sick or unavailable, and we could easily set up times together, making sure each family got our undivided attention. Between Tom’s siblings, our kids and grandkids, and friends, we had a wonderful time on every occasion.

We spent a lot of money dining out and for other activities, but it was worth every last cent. Now, we can leave with peace of mind that we spent quality time with those we love. When will we return to the US? At this point, we have no idea. We will post the plan here when we do know, which may not be for some time.

Yesterday afternoon, we arrived at Greg’s home in Chaska to spend time with him, Heather, and the kids while watching the Minnesota Vikings football game. Again, they lost, which was disappointing but not surprising. We did our laundry during the game while Madighan and I worked on crocheting. I completed a winter scarf using every last bit of yarn.

A taco salad is the only entree Tom ever orders in Mexican restaurants. He scooped up the guacamole, which he doesn’t like, and gave it to me.

Mad said, “Grandma, I will think of you whenever I wear this!” I smiled from ear to ear, happy that it meant so much. I crocheted as fast as I could, recalling stitches from 50 years ago, the last time I crocheted when it was popular in the 1970s. During that era, crocheted clothing, purses, afghans, and pillows kept many of us busy with patterns and yarns.

Without a pattern, I used a simple stitch that my fingers remembered more than my brain. Actually, it was pretty fun, especially when it meant so much to Mad.

After the game ended, we all drove to a Mexican restaurant we’d visited in the past, Rey Azteca in Chanhassen, in our neighborhood. As we recall, the food was fresh and delicious. Every one of the six of us enjoyed the food, the ambiance, and the lively conversation. After dinner, we all said our goodbyes and Tom and I left to return to the hotel to watch the next Minnesota Twins game, already in the 5th inning. They won. We were thrilled.

After their entrees, Mad and Miles shared a Tres Leche cake drizzled with chocolate syrup. They gobbled it up.

I just received a notification from Alamo with the bill for the rental car, so Tom must already be on his way back from the airport in the Uber. I texted him on WhatsApp, and he said he’ll be here soon. We always miss one another, even when apart for short periods. How fortunate we are.

We’ll be back with more tomorrow and, most likely, even a post in the morning on our travel day since I think I can get something done before we depart.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 9, 2013:

This is a different angle from the photo already shown in an earlier post, but one that we saw in our first 90-minute drive, along with Anderson, our guide, as we waited for others to arrive. This giant 15-foot croc had captured an impala. With Anderson’s walkie-talkie, he was alerted when their plane landed, and we flew off in the little plane to the Maasai Mara. For more photos, please click here.

Four days and counting…Packing has begun…

Posted by worldwide-admin on July 24, 2023 with 2 Comments

We took this photo on Volstruis Street. The word volstruis means ostrich in Afrikaans. Sadly, in the past year, the lions killed all the ostriches in Marloth Park. For this post, please click here.

Note; Today’s photos are from a post on this date in 2018. For the story, please click here.

It’s been a long and enjoyable three months living in The Villages in Florida, but we are ready to move on. We never had a chance to look at any real estate for sale when neither of the agents we contacted returned our calls. They must be so busy they didn’t have time to deal with our curiosity.

Not only do they gravitate toward the river for food but also for water, where they drink, play, and swim.

We would have liked to peruse a few houses, but we had to let that option waft away with only the golf cart and the new construction very far from here. Besides, after three months here, we’ve decided we have no interest in ever living here permanently when and if this time comes that we must settle somewhere.

The summer weather is unbearable, and with the small backyards and gardens, there’s little chance or desire to be outdoors, which we’ve missed. It’s just not for us with the lack of wildlife and nature, although the scenery is quite lovely driving through the vast retirement community.

I am not a photographer by nature, but hopefully, over time, I will improve. Photo from 2018.

We loved seeing so many of our friends here, but we can and most likely will return to Florida for a visit sometime in the future and see them all again if it works out. We like that it’s an income-tax-free state, like Nevada, our state of residency, but that would never inspire us to live here.

We weren’t here during the busy winter season when many residents told us they couldn’t get a place to park when visiting any of the town squares for dinner, let alone getting a reservation for a meal. They said the traffic on the roads and golf cart paths is indescribable during winter when tourists and property owners return from colder climates for the excellent weather.

The green grasses along the river are pleasing to the elephants.

That’s not for us. We’re happier living in remote areas, away from crowds, long queues and traffic. Looking back at our almost 11 years of world travel, most of it was spent in remote locations.

You may ask, “Why would we enjoy cruising with the crowds on the various ships?”

The answer is simple. Sailing on a large ship with 500 to 2000 passengers doesn’t feel crowded to us. We can freely wander about the ship, find places to relax and socialize in the various areas and venues and really feel like we are in a small town. Plus, socialization on a cruise ship is ten times easier than it’s been while out and about here in The Villages.

Wildebeest Willie and a friend, along with some warthogs, at night.

We thought it would be more social, but we found many residents have their own little “cliqies” and don’t easily include “newbies” in the conversation. However, I must add we did meet several wonderfully friendly and interesting people while out and about in the town squares on several occasions.

I suppose my problem is comparing everywhere we go to Marloth Park, where strangers smile and stop to chat while at the market, the pharmacy, and then again…our favorite place, Jabula, “where everyone knows your name.” (Remember that line from the TV series, “Cheers?”

Trying out a few of the camera techniques I learned from our friend Ken, I still see that I have a long way to go.

Now, I must wrap this up and get to packing my stuff for the bag we’re shipping to the hotel in Minnesota, where we’ll arrive in less than seven weeks after the two cruises, one day in Boston with my cousin and the nine-day visit to Henderson, Nevada, to see Richard and renew our driver’s license. We’re looking forward to it all.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 24, 2013:

This was one of the many photos we took on the beach in Belize. As we’ve traveled, we’ve found that each beach has its breathtaking beauty, memorable in its way. For more, please click here.

Part 1…Photos and info about our temporary home in The Villages, Florida….

Posted by worldwide-admin on May 2, 2023 with 0 Comment

At certain points along the golf cart path in The Villages, the scenery was lovely.

The house photos will begin tomorrow, but today we’re sharing photos from our first drive using the golf cart that came with the house to the closest shopping area in our Fernandina neighborhood of The Villages. It was pretty fun.

I am a little tentative right now after the Afib bout on the plane, but since we arrived, all is well. My heart rate and blood pressure are normal, with no issues whatsoever. Hopefully, it was a fluke. It may have been too soon to travel on a plane so close to the time I was released from the hospital, only four days earlier. The cardiologist gave me the OK to travel. My fingers are crossed that was the case. I have no interest in going to more doctors and having more pointless tests.

The golf cart paths are easy to navigate.

We had never used a golf cart except in Belize in 2013 when rental cars were outrageously priced. We rented a golf cart to get around when we discovered the first holiday home we rented was infested with insects and had running water only a few hours a day. We used the golf cart to drive to other properties until we eventually found the excellent property where we stayed for our remaining time in the country.

If you’re interested in reading that story about Belize, please see our archives for the first few days of February 2013. It was quite a strange experience when we first started out, but it ultimately resulted in a wonderful experience when we settled into the lovely Laru Beya property in Placencia, Belize.

Zoom in to see the golf cart traffic jam.

We only used the golf cart for a few days at that time. While here at The Villages, the golf cart will be our only means of transportation for almost three months. At first, before we got it going, we were hesitant that this form of transportation would be sufficient for us. But, after yesterday’s first outing, we feel okay about it and will do well getting around. It just takes a little longer than driving a car.

As it turned out, I downloaded a free app, The Villages, which provides easy directions to all locations. What was most important to us was the golf cart paths permitted for driving to any site. This app made it very easy for us to find our way to the restaurant where we had breakfast yesterday and found a Publix grocery store across the road.

The only problem with this particular Yamaha brand of golf cart which is in excellent condition is there is little room for groceries for the ride back to our place. This limits the number of groceries we can purchase at any given time. Now, we understand why so many residents use InstaCart and order groceries online. We may decide to do the same since I prefer to pick out our food. mainly meat and produce.

We inched closer to the row of golf carts and were moving along only a few minutes later.

Today, I am posting photos from our first drive with the golf cart, and tomorrow and for the next few days will add photos I took this morning of the interior and exterior of this lovely three-bedroom home. We love this property since it is in perfect condition, has central air, and is more equipped with supplies and “stuff” than any holiday home we’ve rented in the past.

Tomorrow, we’ll share photos of various storage areas in the house so you can see how thorough this owner is. Wow! It’s mind-boggling, and she told us we don’t have to replace anything we use while we’re here. Sure, we may run out of paper products and laundry soap, but we won’t have to purchase cleaning supplies and many toiletries she’s provided.

Tom had his eyes on the road while driving the golf cart.

We love sharing extraordinary holiday/vacation homes with our readers. We couldn’t be more thrilled with this property. If you are interested in renting this property in the future, you can find the listing here on VRBO.

Last night, Tom was still full from his huge breakfast at Bob Evans Farmhouse, while I had a small breakfast with an omelet. We purchased a whole-cooked chicken at the market and ate the dark meat with a salad last night. Tonight, we’re having soft-shelled tacos stuffed with leftover chicken for me and ground taco meat I’ll make for Tom. We’ll be using keto cheese taco shells we found at the market. They are only one carb each, so seeing how good they are will be interesting. I’d read about these taco shells but couldn’t find them in South Africa.

We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 2, 2013: