Finding Inspiration in our everyday lives in the African Bush…Tom’s dental appointment postponed…

I am often asked if it is difficult to come up with a new topic when we write a new story every day of the year. The answer is yes; it can be challenging, depending on where we are in the world. In many locations, we struggle to find something interesting to share day after day. But here in the bush in Marloth Park, with wildlife surrounding us, something happens almost every 24 hours, providing me with plenty of fodder for a new post. Add our busy social life, dinners out, visits with friends, and weekly quiz nights, and I rarely find myself without something to write about.

We are incredibly grateful to all of our readers who find our stories worthy of the few minutes it takes to read a new post, or perhaps several posts accumulated over a period of time. Without all of you, there would be little point in our continuing to update our site so regularly. Your interest and support mean more to us than you may realize.

We often say that sharing our daily lives with readers worldwide has enhanced the quality of our almost 14 years of world travel, which we will celebrate later this month. Knowing that we will be writing about our experiences encourages us to be more mindful of our surroundings. We take photos, make videos, and pay attention to the little things that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Even an ordinary day can provide a special moment worth remembering and sharing.

After so many years of travel, it can be easy to become complacent, settling into a sedentary life with little excitement or passion. But that isn’t us! Each day, we find ourselves immersed in the simplest joys, some of which can consume the better part of a day. Watching a family of kudus wander into the garden, observing a colorful bird perched nearby, or waiting patiently for a shy visitor to appear can provide hours of entertainment. We never know what might happen next, and that is part of the appeal of living here.

Of course, not every moment is exciting. We have everyday responsibilities, household chores, cooking, laundry, and all the other mundane tasks that come with life wherever we are. We also need time to relax and recharge.

At night, when we head to the bedroom, we settle in with the mindless drivel of movies and TV series. Sometimes we watch something entertaining, and other times we wonder how a particular show ever made it onto television. Regardless, we love that time together, escaping everyday responsibilities for a while.

Lately, the afternoons have been especially hot, with temperatures feeling unseasonably high for this time of year. We often take a short nap to escape the heat, turning on our big fan to make things more comfortable. Tom can easily fall asleep for up to 20 minutes, but I rarely manage to nod off.

Instead, I watch news programs and documentaries on my phone. Fortunately, when Tom naps, he removes his hearing aids and can’t hear the low volume from my phone. That means I can enjoy watching something without disturbing him or using earbuds. It works well for both of us!

On another note, Tom’s dental appointment was canceled late yesterday because the laboratory hadn’t finished preparing his four temporary teeth. He’ll need them until his permanent teeth are ready to be fitted. We will have to wait a little longer for his appointment.

As for me, I am dreading my upcoming day-long dental appointment next Tuesday, although I am anxious to get it over with. Hopefully, the laboratory will have my temporary teeth ready in time so everything can proceed as planned. After all the dental issues we have been dealing with lately, it will be wonderful to put this behind us.

That’s about it for today. We’ll keep enjoying our time in the bush, appreciating the wildlife that visits us, and sharing our experiences with all of you. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Around here, that question alone is often enough to inspire another story!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 16, 2016: