We have arrived…Loving life in the bush once again!!!…

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It’s delightful to see some of the same wildlife we’ve come to know over the years we’ve been coming to Marloth Park.   

It was a long two travel days, the kind that seem to stretch beyond the limits of time and patience, where hours blur together, and your body forgets what time zone it belongs to. We left Eden Prairie at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, carrying with us not only our bags but that familiar mix of anticipation and fatigue that always seems to come with these big transitions. By the time we arrived in Marloth Park on Thursday at 10:30 am, we had been in motion, waiting, sitting, standing, and navigating for a total of 32.5 hours. That number hardly seems real when I write it, but our bodies certainly felt every bit of it.

There is a seven-hour time difference, and when you add in the seven hours we spent at the hotel in Johannesburg, it becomes clear why everything felt just a little off balance. Still, despite the exhaustion, we are deeply grateful to have arrived safely. That sense of gratitude always settles in quickly, overriding the discomfort of travel and reminding us why we do this again and again.

Bossy and the girls.

Yesterday morning brought a small hiccup when our flight from Johannesburg to Nelspruit was delayed due to fog. We have come to expect these little pauses in Africa, where nature still has the final say. The delay, thankfully, was only about 30 minutes, just enough time to shift our expectations without derailing the day. As the fog began to lift, so did that tension that builds when you are so close to your final destination.

Tom did not sleep much at the hotel, which is not surprising given how his mind tends to stay alert in unfamiliar places. I managed to get a solid four hours, which felt like a gift under the circumstances. By the time we arrived in Marloth Park, we were both running on fumes. Tom took a short nap, surrendering to exhaustion, while I did what I often do in these moments: I began unpacking. Something is grounding about putting things in their place, about turning a temporary space into something that feels like home.

This young warthog stopped by shortly after we arrived.

As of 9:00 am today, we are completely unpacked. I still can’t quite believe we got it all done so quickly. Suitcases are empty, clothes are in drawers, and the familiar comfort of our surroundings has returned. Of course, now comes the mountain of laundry that follows every long journey, along with a trip to Komatipoort for the rest of our shopping. It is all part of settling in, part of reestablishing our life here.

Once Tom woke from his nap, we headed out to Daisy’s Den to pick up pellets and birdseed, small but meaningful rituals that mark our return. From there, we stopped at the meat market and the local Spar Market. Walking in and seeing familiar faces was one of the best parts of the day. There is something so heartwarming about being recognized, about receiving hugs and warm greetings that remind us we are not just visitors here. We are part of this community, even if only for part of our travels.

We had briefly considered going out for dinner last night, but that idea quickly faded as the day caught up with us. Instead, we found a cooked chicken at the market, along with rice for Tom and eggs for me, and made our way back to the house. It turned into a simple, comforting meal, the kind that feels just right after such a long journey. It was too cold to eat outside, so we sat at the dining room table, wrapped in that contentment that comes from being exactly where you want to be.

It was fun to see Ms. Bushbuck visit once again, among manymotherbushbucks who stop by.

After dinner and a much-needed shower, we tried to watch a few shows, hoping it would help us stay awake until a reasonable hour. But sleep kept finding us, pulling us under in short bursts as we drifted in and out. Our goal had been to make it to 10:00 pm, but even that felt ambitious. After dozing on and off, we finally turned off the light around midnight.

I slept straight through until 7:00 am, which feels like a small miracle. Tom, on the other hand, has been up since 3:30 am, his internal clock still trying to catch up. He will likely take a nap later, once Vusi is done here, and hopefully tonight will bring him the deep rest he needs to adjust fully.

As for me, I am feeling surprisingly good. The antibiotics seem to have cleared the lingering sinus infection, and although I still have a bit of a cough from the pneumonia, I feel strong and energized. Once again, I have managed to avoid the usual effects of jet lag, which feels like quite a victory.

We laughed when we were served Krispy Kreme donuts of the Airlink flight which was only 35 minutes long.Tom ate his and mine.

Tonight, we plan to go to Jabula for dinner. We have not told Dawn and Leon that we will be there. We always enjoy surprising them, walking in and seeing their faces light up. It is one of those simple joys that never gets old.

Life feels full in this moment. Louise and Danie are as wonderful and thoughtful as ever. We are back in the bush, surrounded by the beauty of this place and the comfort of both our animal and human friends. There is a deep sense of contentment here, one that settles into your bones and reminds you that, despite the long journey, every mile was worth it. We are grateful.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 12, 2016:

In Bali, a fisherman on a tiny homemade raft is most likely fishing for squid, which is caught close to the shore. For more photos, please click here.

Travel day 1…Flights to Nelspruit/Kruger/Mpumalanga…

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We are sitting in a restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport.

Currently, we are seated at a restaurant in Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, tucked into a small corner with our carry-on bags at our feet and just enough space on the table for our laptops and phones. It feels like that pause before something big begins, a moment suspended between what has been familiar and what lies ahead. Around us, travelers come and go, some hurried, some relaxed, all with their own destinations and stories unfolding.

It is 2:30 pm now, and we will board in about an hour. There is something comforting about knowing the first leg of this journey will be relatively easy. A two-hour and thirty-seven-minute flight to Atlanta feels manageable, almost like a warm-up for what is to come. We find ourselves wondering if there will be screens on the plane, something to help pass the time with a movie or a show. If not, we will do what so many travelers do these days and retreat into our phones, scrolling, reading, watching, and quietly passing the minutes until we land.

With our T-Mobile accounts, we will have WiFi on the flight, which feels like a small luxury, especially on travel days like this. It keeps us connected, not just to the world, but to the little routines that bring us comfort. Lately, that has meant keeping up with every game of the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL playoffs. It has been such an unexpected joy to follow along so closely, even while preparing for a trip halfway across the world.

During our two-hour and twenty-five-minute layover in Atlanta, we are hoping to catch at least part of tonight’s game. There is something almost amusing about the idea of sitting in an airport, yet still tied into the familiar excitement of a hockey game. Richard, with his season tickets, will be there in person, surrounded by the crowd’s energy. He will send updates, just in case we lose connection or cannot stream the game on the plane. It is comforting to know that, in some small way, we will still be part of it.

And then comes the long stretch. The flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, sixteen hours in the air, crossing oceans and time zones, moving steadily toward a completely different landscape. It is the kind of journey that requires patience and a willingness to let go, to settle into the pace of the flight, to rest when we can, and to accept that time will move differently up there.

Once we arrive in Johannesburg, we will spend the night at the airport hotel. By then, we imagine we will be both exhausted and relieved, grateful to have completed the hardest part of the journey. There is something reassuring about that overnight pause, a chance to regroup before the final leg.

Our last flight departs at 7:00 am the following morning, South African time, and in less than an hour, we will be there. Just like that, after all the planning and travel, we will arrive in Marloth Park before 10:00 am. It almost feels surreal to think about it now, sitting here in an airport restaurant in Minnesota.

We are hoping we will feel rested enough to unpack, settle in, and make that first familiar trip to Daisy’s Den for pellets, then to the meat market, followed by a quick stop at the little grocery store for a few essentials. The next day, or so, we will drive to Komatipoort and wander through the aisles of the Spar Market, filling our cart with the things that will carry us through the coming week.

And then, finally, it will begin. The quiet, the stillness, the beauty of the bush. After all the movement and noise of travel, we will ease into a different pace, one that feels both grounding and deeply restorative. It is that thought, more than anything, that carries us forward right now as we sit here waiting to board.

Keep an eye out for our next post. It might be a day or two.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 9, 2016:

Another decorative archway in Bali, wishing good fortune to those departing the village. For more photos, please click here.

Day 22…Minnesota family visit…One day and counting…Yesterday, another visit to Urgent Care…

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Once we arrive in Johannesburg, we will stay overnight at the airport hotel and then fly to Nelspruit/Mpumalanga/Kruger in the morning. From there, we’ll pick up the rental car and then drive to Marloth Park (about 90 minutes).

Here we are at 11:00 am on Monday, and somehow, almost everything is packed. All that remains are the clothes we are wearing and a few toiletries that will find their way into our bags tomorrow before we head out. There is a quiet sense of completion in the room, as if the suitcases themselves are resting, waiting patiently for the final zip.

Later this afternoon, we will head over to TJ and Sarah’s home for a barbecue, one last gathering with them before we leave. Tammy will be there, along with Tracy and Vincent, and I already know it will be one of those visits where you try to stay present while acknowledging that goodbye is approaching. These moments always feel a little heavier, even when filled with laughter and familiar conversation.

Tomorrow morning, Greg will stop by the hotel after returning from his weekend away with Heather. They were in Chicago to attend her daughter Hannah’s graduation, and it will be so good to see him, even if only briefly. There is something meaningful about those final visits, those last hugs, those fulfilling reassurances that distance does not diminish connection.

My dear friend Chere stopped by for a few hours yesterday morning, and we moaned over how little time we had together during this visit. Cherie and Gary travel a lot, too, but we always manage to stay in touch, as with my dear friend Karen in Florida and many other dear friends throughout the world.

Our flight to Atlanta is scheduled for 4:09 in the afternoon. We will likely arrive at the airport around 1:00 to return the rental car and check in, giving ourselves plenty of time to move through the process without feeling rushed. It is the beginning of a long few travel days that will eventually carry us across the ocean on that sixteen-hour flight to Johannesburg. In total, we’ll be traveling for roughly 34 hours, plus the 11-hour layover in Johannesburg and the 90-minute drive to Marloth Park, resulting in almost a full two-day journey.

Yesterday, though, brought a different kind of reality. By early afternoon, my head was pounding, and my face hurt, where my sinuses are located, every time I moved.  I finally accepted what had been lingering in the background for days. After more than a month of dealing with RSV and pneumonia, it became clear that a sinus infection had taken hold. It made no sense to ignore it, especially with such a long journey ahead.

The wait at Chanhassen Urgent Care stretched to almost three hours. I suggested to Tom that he head back to the hotel rather than sit there with me, and he agreed. He dropped me off at 1:30, and by the time we were both back in the room again, it was close to 5:00, after we picked up the prescription for antibiotics, which is another five-day course of the same medication I had taken for the pneumonia.

I have now taken two doses, one last night and one this morning, and already I feel the difference. It is remarkable how quickly relief can come once you begin addressing what is wrong. Packing this morning felt entirely different from what it would have been yesterday. Instead of struggling through each movement, I was able to focus, organize, and move forward with purpose.

We have come to realize that we can pack everything in about three hours. There was a time when I would fuss over it for days, carefully considering every item, every possibility. Now, it feels simpler, more intuitive. The only exception is Marloth Park, where I gather nonperishable food items, along with a few pans and kitchen supplies, which remain there for our use, and Louise stores them for us.

When we arrive, Vusi and Zef will have already delivered the bins and our camp chairs, the ones we use when we sit by the river. They will also bring the items we ordered online, including Tom’s favorite Lion beer and low-carb Prosecco for me. It always feels a bit surreal that these small comforts are waiting for us, even so far from where we began.

I find myself thinking about those first evenings back, when we settle onto the veranda with a drink in hand, watching the wildlife as it comes and goes. In South Africa, adult beverages at sundown are called “sundowners,” and they hold a kind of peace that is difficult to describe, often enjoyed with our many friends in the bush. There are so many reasons, along with the wildlife, that remind me why we return, again and again.

I will miss Norman. That absence will be felt in ways I cannot quite put into words. But I also know that, in time, new connections will form. The bush has a way of filling your heart again, often when you least expect it.

Life there is not always gentle. There are harsh realities that exist alongside the beauty, and they are impossible to ignore. Yet somehow, it is within that balance that we find meaning. It is not perfect, but it is real, and that has always been enough.

If we can, we’ll post again tomorrow during our layover in Atlanta, which you will see much later than our usual posting time.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 8, 2016:

We spotted this friendly neighbor (no English) making bowls, as shown in her hands, which are used for offerings at Hindu temples. For more photos, please click here.

Day 21…Minnesota family visit…Attended another fantastic graduation party….Two days and counting…

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Heather and her daughter, Megan at the graduation party.

While I was still coughing quite a bit on Friday, I decided to stay home rather than join Tom for the weekly gathering at Billy’s Bar and Grill in Anoka. These get-togethers mean a lot, especially with Tom being the youngest of the remaining six siblings, and I never want to miss an opportunity to be part of those moments. But as I sat there thinking about it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my lingering cough might make his older sisters and brother-in-law uncomfortable. Even though it has been over a month since we first got sick and I am fairly certain I am no longer contagious, it simply felt like the considerate choice to stay behind.

So instead, I settled in for a quiet evening on my own. There was something oddly comforting about it. I ordered dinner through Grubhub, taking advantage of the no-delivery-fee benefit with Amazon Prime, and treated myself to a Chipotle beef-and-chicken bowl. It felt indulgent in the best possible way. I streamed a few movies, the kind you can kind of watch while resting, and spent some time chatting with my sister Julie. Before I knew it, the evening had slipped by, and soon Tom was back, full of stories from the night.

Heather’s other children (left rear): Andi, Hannah, and Doug; Heather and Greg (rear center); and other family members at the grad party.

Yesterday brought a complete change of pace as we made the 45-minute drive to Shoreview for Megan’s graduation party. Megan is Heather’s daughter, and it was such a joy to be included in such a special celebration. The party was wonderful, full of warmth, laughter, and that unmistakable feeling of pride that surrounds a milestone like this. We had the chance to meet more of Heather’s family and friends, which made the day feel even richer.

It was also so special to spend time again with Greg and two of our grandchildren, Miles and Maisie, along with Maisie’s boyfriend, Dakota. Madighan had to work and couldn’t join us. I found myself looking at them and thinking how quickly everything has changed. Miles will soon be heading off to the University of Minnesota, moving into the dorms and beginning this exciting new chapter. Maisie is already out on her own, with an apartment near the farm where she works and close to Dakota. Madighan is living with her mom, Camille, finding her own way as well. She graduates in 2028, and of course, we will be here for that! It is one of those moments where you pause and realize that your children are now raising independent young adults, and the life you once knew has gently shifted into something new. Greg is on the brink of becoming an empty nester, and it all seems to have happened in the blink of an eye.

This morning, I am looking forward to a visit from my dear friend Chere, where we’ll meet in the hotel’s dining room. These one-on-one conversations have always meant so much to me. At the same time, Tom has headed off to the laundromat in Chanhassen. I offered to go along, after I met with Chere, but he assured me he would be just fine handling it on his own. It will give him a few hours to take care of things, and me a chance to sit, sip my coffee, and enjoy Chere’s company.

More friends at Megan’s graduation party.

Later today, we will begin packing, which we’ll likely finish tomorrow. In the late afternoon, we are heading over to TJ and Sarah’s home for a barbecue with Tammy, Tracy, and Vincent. It feels like these last few days are filled with meaningful goodbyes and one more chance to be together before we head off again.

Somewhere in the next couple of days, we will also see Greg again after he and Heather return from Chicago, where they are attending Hannah’s graduation. It has been a whirlwind for them, one celebration after another, yet they have still found the time to be with us during our visit. That means more than words can say, especially after we were under the weather and missed time with all of them.

Tonight, we will likely keep things simple once again, ordering dinner to go and spending a quiet evening together. After everything, it feels good to slow down, to reflect, and to appreciate these moments as they come.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 7, 2016:

No photos were posted on this date due to WiFi issues in Bali.

Day 19…Minnesota family visit….Today is our 5000th post!!!…Four days and counting…

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Rookie, Tom, and I, and Joe Soucheray. It was such fun visiting the guys and participating in the podcast.

We are still reeling after our delightful experience visiting Joe Soucheray and the crew for our podcast a few days ago. Even now, as we reflect, it feels like one of those rare moments in life that lingers just a little longer than expected. The kind you carry with you as you move through the next days, smiling to yourself each time it comes to mind.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to listen to it, please click here for our post with the link. It was such a joy to be there, to share our story, and to feel so welcomed by Joe and the entire team. There are no words to fully express our gratitude for the warm and wonderful responses we received afterward. Messages poured in from our loyal readers, along with countless new readers who discovered us through the podcast and took the time to explore our website.

We did our best to respond to every comment, every message, every kind word that came our way. If we missed you, please accept our sincere apologies and know how deeply we appreciate your support. Each note meant more to us than we can adequately describe. It is this connection, this shared sense of curiosity and kindness, that keeps us moving forward, writing post after post, day after day, year after year.

As it turns out, we recently marked our 5000th post since we began this journey on March 15, 2016. Click here for that first post! Seeing that number stopped us in our tracks for a moment. If we had written every single day since we started, we would have reached 5196 posts by now. But in those early years, as we were finding our footing in this new way of life, we did not always write daily. There were also times when life intervened, as it so often does. Medical issues slowed us down, long travel days left us too weary, and in those earlier times, unreliable WiFi sometimes made posting impossible. Thankfully, some of those challenges have become less frequent, but they are still part of the story.

Last night brought another special moment as we met up with Tammy, Vincent, TJ, Sarah, and Jayden at Texas Roadhouse in Shakopee, Minnesota, just a short drive from here. Walking into the restaurant, hearing familiar voices, and sharing a meal together felt like stepping into a pocket of comfort and joy. There is something so grounding about sitting around a table with people you care about, laughing, catching up, and simply being present. We had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to seeing them again on our final night here, Monday, at TJ and Sarah’s home for a barbecue.

And now, today holds yet another long-awaited visit. For the first time since we arrived, we are finally making it to Billy’s Bar and Grill in Anoka, Minnesota, for Tom’s weekly family gathering at this fun bar and restaurant. On the way, we will stop in Blaine to pick up two of Tom’s sisters, Colleen and Patty, who will ride along with us. This will be the first time we have seen Tom’s siblings and other family members since we arrived on May 16. It is hard to believe how quickly time has passed, especially considering how much of it was spent recovering from being sick with pneumonia.

Unfortunately, we will not have the opportunity to spend more time with them after today. In just four days, we will be boarding a flight to South Africa, beginning the next chapter of this journey that continues to unfold in ways we never could have imagined.

Wow. Even writing that feels surreal. We had better get packing.

We will be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 5, 2016:

Last night, in Bali, as we exited the bedroom to make our cheese plate, we spotted this huge Nursery Web Spider. Although their bite may be painful, it apparently isn’t life-threatening.Tom was able to scoot it outside with the broom. No screaming. Just photos. For more photos, please click here.

Day 18…Minnesota family visit…Here’s our new, June 3, 2026, Garage Logic podcast!…

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6/3 The traveling Lymans live in studio today

To listen to yesterday’s live podcast at Garage Logic, when we were invited as guests, please click the above link entitled, “6/3 The traveling Lymans live in studio today.”

To listen to the four-year-old podcast, please click here.

It could not have felt more familiar or more joyful than yesterday, when we walked back into the podcast recording studio to appear once again as guests on the widely loved Garage Logic podcast, broadcasting from the KSTP TV studios in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Four years had somehow slipped by since our last visit, and yet the moment we stepped inside, it felt as though no time had passed at all.

With road construction weaving through the city like an unpredictable maze, we chose to leave earlier than necessary, not wanting to risk being late for the 11:45 arrival before the noon start. There is something comforting about arriving early, about sitting for a moment and taking it all in before the energy of a live show begins. The studio, with its quiet hum before airtime, held that familiar sense of anticipation.

Joe and the crew greeted us in a way that only genuine people can. There were enthusiastic handshakes, warm hugs, and wide smiles that made us feel not just welcome, but truly remembered. It is a rare and special thing to return to a place after several years and be received with such openness. In that moment, any lingering nervousness simply faded away.

Sitting down in the studio again brought back a flood of memories from our last appearance. Back then, we had come with a different set of experiences, a different chapter of life behind us. Now, after years of travel, unexpected detours, and recent health challenges, we carried new stories, new reflections, and perhaps a deeper appreciation for simply being present.

We had come prepared, of course. Notes were tucked neatly away, ideas we thought we might share, points we believed we should remember. But as the conversation began, those notes stayed exactly where they were. Joe has a remarkable gift as an interviewer. His questions are thoughtful and engaging, unfolding naturally in a way that invites conversation rather than performance. One question led to another, each one opening the door to stories we had not even planned to tell.

The pace of the conversation felt effortless. It moved along with an ease that made time slip by unnoticed. The rest of the crew joined in seamlessly, adding their own questions and perspectives, creating a lively and welcoming exchange. There was laughter, reflection, and that comfortable sense of being part of something shared rather than something staged.

For a brief moment, we allowed ourselves to feel something we rarely claim. The way they welcomed us back, the genuine interest in our journey, and the kindness in their responses made us feel, in the most humble sense, like we mattered in that space. Not in a grand or exaggerated way, but in a simple, human way that felt deeply meaningful.

As the hour came to an end, it was hard to believe how quickly it had passed. What began as a scheduled appearance turned into an experience that felt both grounding and uplifting. Walking out of the studio, we carried with us not just the memory of the conversation, but the warmth of reconnecting with people who create something special every single day.

It is moments like these that stay with you. Not because of any spotlight, but because of the connection, the storytelling, and the shared laughter that remind us why these experiences matter so much.

We truly could not have enjoyed it more.

With only five days remaining until we depart for South Africa, we are holding these meaningful moments with family close, knowing how quickly this time will pass. Each day feels full in a way that is both comforting and a little bittersweet.

Last night, we gathered with Greg, Heather, Miles, and Madighan for dinner at Pizza Luce in Eden Prairie. Sitting together, sharing a meal and easy conversation, reminded me how much I treasure these simple times. There is something about being around family that settles you, even when so much lies ahead.

Tonight, we will meet Tammy and Vincent, along with TJ, Sarah, and Jayden, at Texas Roadhouse. It will be the first time we have all been together, which makes it feel especially meaningful. we look forward to the laughter, the catching up, and the feeling of everyone in one place.

On Friday, we will head to Billy’s Bar and Grill to spend time with Tom’s siblings and other family members. Then Saturday morning brings Heather’s daughter Megan’s graduation party, another moment to celebrate and reflect on how quickly life moves forward.

Sunday will be quieter but just as special when my dear friend Chere stops by our hotel. We will sit together in the dining room and talk as if no time has passed, picking up right where we always do.

Before long, it will be time to leave. Two days later, on Thursday, we will arrive in Marloth Park, stepping into our next adventure while carrying all of these moments with us. The packing has begun.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 4, 2016:

An elaborate Hindu temple in Bali, at the beach. For more photos, please click here.

Day 17…Minnesota family visit…Off to do a podcast with Garage Logic…See past podcast here today…

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Fantastic interview at Garage Logic’s studio…

To listen to the 2022 podcast, please click the link above labeled “Fantastic interview at Garage Logic’s studio…“.

Today feels like a small milestone in the middle of a much larger journey. We are heading to the Garage Logic studio in Minneapolis for another podcast with Joe Soucheray and the crew, something that feels both familiar and entirely new at the same time. The last time we sat behind those microphones was May 6, 2022. Back then, we were coming out of our first and only bout with Covid-19, still a bit fragile, still finding our footing again.

It is strange how life circles back on itself. Here we are once again, recovering from illness, only this time it has been RSV and pneumonia that slowed us down. Different names, different symptoms, but the same feeling of trying to reclaim our energy and our sense of normalcy. Travel has always been such a big part of our lives, and this most recent cruise may very well have been our last big one. That thought lingers quietly in the background, not with sadness exactly, but with a kind of acceptance that comes from knowing seasons change whether we are ready or not.

I am especially grateful that we planned this podcast toward the end of our stay in Minnesota, six days before we depart for South Africa, which feels like just the right timing. It has given us the space we needed to rest, to heal, and to come back to ourselves slowly. Tom is no longer coughing, which in itself feels like a small victory worth celebrating. I am still dealing with an occasional cough, but it is manageable now. I will come prepared, with cough drops tucked into my bag and a bottle of water close at hand, just in case.

There is something comforting about returning to the Garage Logic studio. It is not just about the conversation, the microphones, or even the listeners. It is about connection. It is about sitting down with people who have followed our story, who have shared in our ups and downs, and who understand that life rarely goes according to plan.

We are looking forward to giving them an update, to letting them know where we have been, what we have experienced, and what we plan for the future.

We thought it might be fun to revisit the past as well. Today, we have posted the podcast from four years ago, as shown above, a snapshot of who we were at that moment in time. Listening back, I am sure we will hear traces of both fatigue and resilience. It will serve as a reminder of how far we have come, even when the path has not been easy.

The new podcast will follow tomorrow, and there is excitement in that. It feels like turning a page, like stepping forward once again. For those who want to listen sooner, it will be available on YouTube at no charge today after 3:00 pm CST. We love that it is accessible to anyone, anywhere, a way to stay connected no matter the distance.

As we get ready to walk into that studio today, I find myself feeling thankful. Thankful that we are well enough to go. Thankful for this opportunity again. And thankful for the listeners around the world who continue to share this journey with us.

We will be back tomorrow with all the details.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 3, 2016

This praying mantis in Bali actually looked at Tom while he took this photo. Good shot, Honey! He was as big as the palm of my hand. For more photos, please click here.

Day 16…Minnesota family visit…Great time at Miles’ graduation party…

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Our boy Miles. We are so proud of him.

It was a cold, rainy, and windy day, the kind that usually sends people retreating indoors, wrapping themselves in blankets, and canceling plans. But not this time. Not for Miles. Not for this milestone. Nearly one hundred invitees showed up, jackets zipped, hoods pulled tight, all determined to celebrate this moment with him. Something was comforting in that, a reminder that even the most uninviting weather cannot dampen the importance of family, connection, and shared joy.

Son Greg and granddaughter Madighan. For some odd reason, I can’t find the photos I took of Maisie Heather and Megan. We will add their photos next time we get together.

The tables were filled with an abundance of food that seemed to stretch endlessly. There were trays of meats and cheeses, salads, sandwiches, bowls of snacks, and desserts that looked as though they had been made with care and pride. Tom was in his own version of heaven. I watched him with a smile as he indulged in treats he so often avoids in our day-to-day lives. The highlight for him, without question, was the homemade strawberry shortcake prepared by our ex-daughter-in-law, Camille. Alongside that were potato chips and sweet snacks that he enjoyed without hesitation. For me, I stayed simple, picking at the meats and cheeses, content in my own way. It was hard resisting that cake, but I didn’t take a bite.

Miles and Madighan.

By the time we made our way back to the hotel close to 5:00 pm, neither of us had any desire for another bite of food. It was one of those rare and satisfying moments when you feel finished, not deprived, not overthinking, just done. We didn’t eat another morsel for the rest of the evening, and it felt perfectly fine.

A photo of Miles, me, and Greg at a Minnesota Twins ballgame a few years ago.

What made the day truly special, though, was being surrounded by family. Seeing our son Greg again always brings a sense of grounding, and it was lovely to spend time with his girlfriend, Heather, and her daughter, Megan, whose graduation party we’ll attend next Sunday. And then there were our three grandchildren, Maisie, Miles, and Madighan, each one growing into their own lives in ways that make us proud. They sat with us at times, talking easily and sharing pieces of their lives, while also moving in and out of the party’s busy energy.

This was only a small portion of the food.

One of the most fascinating touches of the day was the setup for what they called “dirty sodas.” I had heard of them in passing, but this was my first time seeing such an elaborate display. There were cans of soda lined up on ice, along with flavored syrups and cream, all ready to be mixed and customized. It seemed to be the latest trend among the younger crowd, and they embraced it with enthusiasm. We chose not to try one, content to observe from the sidelines, but it was fun to watch their excitement as they created their own combinations.

For much of the party, Miles and his friends were immersed in lawn games, laughing and competing in that easy way young people do. The adults, on the other hand, gathered in small groups, conversations weaving in and out as stories were shared and connections renewed. Every so often, Miles would pause, step away from his friends, and come over to acknowledge us. Those small gestures meant more than he probably realizes.

The strawberry shortcake was the hardest item for me to resist, but I didn’t take so much as a taste.

Madighan and Maisie spent time sitting with us, chatting along with Greg, Heather, and Megan. It struck me how responsible all three grandchildren have become. Each of them has a job, has purchased their own car, and takes care of their own insurance. There is something deeply reassuring in seeing that level of independence at their age. Their futures look bright, and that thought stayed with me long after we left.

The drinks and supplies for making “dirty sodas.”

It was also a pleasure to catch up with Camille and hear about how well she is doing. Life moves forward in unexpected ways, but there was a genuine ease in our conversation, a sense that time has softened everything into something manageable and kind.

Daughter-in-law Camille and Tom.

By the time we returned to the hotel, the contrast between the cold outdoors and the warmth inside felt especially comforting. We changed into more comfortable clothes and settled in for a quiet evening, watching Survivor, Season 50. After the damp air and hours of conversation, my coughing continued, lingering from this illness that refuses to let go fully. Being warm and still brought a sense of relief.

It had been a full day, in every sense of the word. A day of family, of small indulgences, of laughter, and of reflection. That is enough for now. We will be back.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 1, 2016:

Low tide at the beach on a cloudy day in Bali. For more photos, please click here.