Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.

With our combined innate ability and concomitant enthusiasm during over seven years of world travel, there were few, if any, occasions for which we could say, “We don’t know” about our plans.

We were surprised by the excellent roads in Madeira.

As is the case for embarking on any holiday/vacation, part of the joy of traveling the world is the anticipation of what is yet to come. For the first time since October 2012, when we began our journey, we can only say, “We don’t know” what the future holds.

At the beginning of our travels, we’d often book locations, holiday homes, and cruises, as much as two years in advance. We discovered that these distant bookings provided us with a sense of comfort by not having a home, knowing where we’d be short.

More one-way double lane tunnels in our area.

Now, during times of Covid-19, we don’t know anything beyond the next 24-hours. Within a matter of a week, international airports could open both in India and another possible location. Within hours, we could be packed and out the door on our way to the airport.

No doubt, this is unsettling. But, our situation is not so unusual when workers worldwide don’t know when and if they’ll return to work or when they’ll be able to pay their bills and put food on the table. However, speculation by their country’s leaders may provide a modicum of information leading to speculation as to when this will transpire.

What story would this abandoned house tell?

Does the world need to get moving again? The loss of life and well-being may far exceed the number of potential deaths from this virus. People here in India are out of work, starving while watching their modest way of life dissipating before their eyes.

But, as much as opinionated people like to espouse that the lockdown should end, the delay in doing so lies within this same premise, “We don’t know” what will happen if it ends. If “they” knew, more consistent and positive action would be taken.

Many of the tunnels on the island are one way to reduce the risks of accidents.

Blaming our leaders is pointless. “They” don’t know. Scientists don’t know, although many claim to have the answers, which vary from “open everything up” to “keep the lockdown in force for the next year or more.”

In many ways, lockdown is easy for us. We don’t have to purchase food and supplies and expose ourselves to the potential carriers who aren’t wearing a mask or exhibiting symptoms.

Driving around Madeira was challenging, although the roads are newer and well maintained.

Our only exposure is to the staff here, which has been changing recently to take over for staff members who’ve been living here for months, like us. Their temperature is taken daily, but most carriers don’t have a temperature and silently expose those in their surroundings each time they talk, let alone cough or sneeze.

Have you ever been in a conversation in a sunlight-filled space to observe the droplets spewed from a person’s mouth while talking with passion? It’s no different than the dust we see under those same conditions.

The nutrient-rich hills of Madeira were being prepared for summer produce.

So, now as the days turn into nights, weeks into months, we still don’t know, nor can we realistically speculate on what the future holds for us, for you, for the world.

This hill is considerably steeper than it appears. When sitting at the top, one can’t see the upcoming road due to the steep drop-off.

As for us world travelers, still unwilling to give up the definition of who we are, we have no idea if and when we’ll be able to continue. This virus has a life of its own, and no one, at this point, on this planet, can definitively say anything more than, “I don’t know.”

The old stone tunnel in the area was used until the newer longer tunnel was built in recent years.

This uncertainty monopolizes many of our thoughts and feeds into our fears. We all pray for the time when we can say, “I do know,” and we can continue with our lives, albeit in a newly defined state of existence with whatever those guidelines may be.

For now, may we all find some peace taking bite-sized pieces out of each day as we all strive to make it through this trying time.

Photo from one year ago today, May 23, 2019:

A gate to a private drive or boat launch in Connemara, Ireland. Please click here for more.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.
Today’s photos are from May 22, 2019, from Connemara, Ireland.  Please click here for more details.

At every turn, the scenery is breathtaking.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I was suffering from chronic pain in my face, particularly the right cheek. Knowing there was no way I could see a doctor with a high risk of Covid-19, doctors’ offices closed, and emergency rooms and hospitals packed with virus-sick patients, my only alternative was to self-diagnose.

No doubt doing so carries several risks, but my options were non-existent. After hours of research at reliable websites, I determined I had either a sinus infection or an abscessed tooth. 

Neither condition was glaringly obvious other than the dull ache in my cheekbone and the side of my face. At that point, I began a Z-pack, a five-day course of Azithromycin diligently following dosing instructions.

An abandoned boat in part covered in vegetation creates this classic scene.

Much to my delight, after about three days, I began to experience some results. By day 5, the pain was gone and stayed gone until another five days passed, and then the pain started again. I was devastated. What now?

I used ice packs, heat packs and took Paracetamol (Tylenol) to no avail. There was no improvement whatsoever. As the days passed, it became worse than it was initially. I was at a loss as to what to do. Not wanting to worry Tom, I kept it to myself, only mentioning once the discomfort had returned.

Yesterday, feeling frustrated, only exasperated by our lockdown-in-Mumbai situation, a breakthrough happened… I had a toothache in a tooth in an upper molar, one I had wanted to have repaired before we left South Africa last May by our all-time favorite dentist in Komatipoort, Dr. Luzaan Du Preez.

Ireland consists of many boggy areas that are prevalent here in Connemara, Ireland.

However, only three months after open-heart surgery, she suggested I wait a year to fix the tooth since I wasn’t experiencing any pain. Well, yesterday, one week and one year after we left, the tooth started hurting. I realized I had an abscessed tooth which was causing the facial pain.

Instead, we both easily recalled Tom having this same problem while living in Savusavu, Fiji, and visiting a local dentist when Tom was experiencing the same pain I am feeling now. We recalled taking photos of the two antibiotics he took, which we posted on our site on November 10, 2015. See photo below:

Tom’s free prescriptions for an abscessed tooth;  two antibiotics and one packet of non-prescription ibuprofen. See the post here.

With a bit of effort, by enlarging the photo, we read the names and doses of the medications. I realized taking this medication wasn’t a permanent solution, but it might hold me long enough until we can get to a dentist, hopefully in South Africa. 

Online again, I verified the medications and dosages for this purpose and set about to order them from a Mumbai online pharmacy. The pharmacy requires a local cell number, the outstanding staff member, Samira, allowed me to use her number at the hotel’s reception desk. After a few hours of attempting to place the order when my phone number isn’t local to India.

Getting the medication online without a local doctor’s consultation requires a phone appointment with one of the pharmacy’s doctors. Samira let me use her cell to make all of this work. At 5:30 sharp, the call came in on Samira’s phone by a doctor who reviewed my symptoms and confirmed the meds I had ordered were appropriate. 

Rocks are seen everywhere in Ireland.  From this site:  “The geological map of Ireland displays a wide variety of rock types which have originated at different periods of geological time. The oldest rocks are metamorphic gneisses which are to be found on Inishtrahull, several miles off Malin Head in Co. Donegal, and elsewhere in the north-west. They originally formed as igneous rocks 1750-1780 million years ago.”

Unfortunately, once I ordered the medications, I discovered they wouldn’t be delivered until May 25th. That date was too far away. My situation was worsening by the hour. Although I proceeded with the order, a three-day wait was unthinkable, not knowing there was any other option.

Samira suggested she’d call local pharmacies to search for the drugs to be delivered right away. Around 7:30 pm, Samira called to inform me the medication had arrived at the reception desk. The cost for both antibiotics was INR 360, US $4.75, which included delivery. Oh, good grief. What a deal! I wonder how much these would have been in the USA.

Immediately, I started the medications, which I’ll continue to take every eight hours and will continue to do so for one week. I’ll still accept the other order in the interim since while we’re in lockdown, the problem could return as it did for Tom a few months later. 

The plural word for a group of sheep is flock, dove, or herd.  An extensive group of sheep is a band or mob.

Regardless of the risks of taking antibiotics, the chances of letting this infection continue to rage, especially with a heart condition such as mine, makes no sense at all.

The first round of antibiotics I took, the Z-Pack, may work for a mild tooth abscess, but not nearly as well as this combination of two types of antibiotics. That’s why I experienced some relief for a few days.

My situation during times of Covid-19 is not unusual. Doctors and dentist’s offices are closed worldwide, and the risk of going to an urgent care facility or emergency room is too risky at this time. 

Wildflowers are often found blooming on the side of the road, especially this time of year as summer nears.

Sadly, many patients needing emergency treatment, cancer care, and heart attacks and strokes fail to seek medical care due to a lack of availability and justifiable fear. 

Covid-19 impacts people’s lives, health, and well-being throughout the world and those who have other medical conditions that may require immediate care. The fall-out is alarming.

May we all be healthy and feeling well during these times of Covid-19, as many of us struggle to find solutions for self-care in the interim. Call your family doctor immediately if situations arise. Don’t choose self-care over professional care when it’s available. In my case, I had no other options.

Photo from one year ago today, May 22, 2019:

Clouds are reflecting on a lake while on a drive while in Connemara, Ireland. Click here for details.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.

Today’s photos are from May 20, 2018, from Chobe National Park in Botswana. Please click here for more details.

Albert, our guide in Chobe National Park and on the Chobe River, had pulled the safari vehicle close to the river to take photos of the elephants easily.

It’s all over the news. Cases and deaths from Covid-19 are increasing rapidly, particularly in Maharashtra, where we are located, mainly due to circumstances increasing in Mumbai.

Three baby elephants were off at a distance, and the moms were angry they’d wandered off.  They started calling for them, and they came running. This happened so quickly we had no time to react and take a video. When the babies returned, it appeared the moms were scolding them as they kicked up sand while bellowing.

Local news as of May 18th from this site:
Coronavirus Lockdown Extension 4.0 Guidelines News (State Wise): With nearly 90,000 cases, the number of COVID-19 patients in India grows rapidly. India has already overtaken China in terms of the number of people affected by the Coronavirus. The number of positive cases in the country is now at 90,927, including 53,946 active cases, 34,109 cured/discharged/migrated cases, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today. The death toll stands at 2,872. India has been under lockdown since March 25. The Modi government has extended the lockdown further till May 31 and released Lockdown 4.0 Guidelines today. The delineation of red, green, and orange zones will be decided by the respective State/Union Territory governments, after taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Home Ministry said.”

Approximately one-third of the nation’s cases have been in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai. 

They were so close to us we didn’t need to use any zoom on the camera. See below for stats from this site:

“COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, India 2020 by type
Published by Sanika Diwanji, May 18, 2020

Maharashtra confirmed around 33,000 cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) as of May 18, 2020, with 1,198 fatalities and 7,688 recoveries. India reported about 96,000 cases, including this state, that same day. The country went into lockdown on March 25, the largest globally, restricting 1.3 billion people and extended until May 3, 2020. The lockdown was extended for another two weeks from May 4, 2020 (now until May 31). As per the new guidelines, the country was divided into red, orange, and green zones. Red zones are designated as the hot spots and will not see any relaxations in comparison to the areas considered less prone to the spread of the virus.”

A few stragglers who’d been grazing followed suit.

One baby insisted on suckling after all of the action.

Things started to settle down.

Finally, they decided to wander off.

The worry exhibited by the moms was heartwarming to witness.  We were grateful to have seen such an event.

One baby insisted on suckling after all of the action.

Another calf suckling.

Photo from one year ago today, May 20, 2019:

Appealing view of clouds reflecting into the body of water in Connemara, Ireland. For more photos, please click here.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.
Today’s photos are from May 19, 2015. Please click here for more details.

A few times each day, I allow my mind to “go there,” to the place where I try to grasp the magnitude of the circumstances in the world during this unprecedented pandemic.

Huge boulders were placed on the beach as a breakwater, or were they there all along?

Then, I allow myself to contemplate our situation; locked in a hotel room in Mumbai, India, for two months so far and possibly more months to come, only allowed to walk the corridor, which I do ten times a day.

Of course, it’s during the walks that my mind wanders to the harsh realities. Sure, we’re safe, we have air-con, two meals a day, all the coffee/tea we can drink, a strong WiFi signal, daily cleaning service, a comfortable bed and seating, and an HDMI cord we can use to stream media on a flat-screen TV to keep us entertained.

A lone tree near the shore on the Kauai Path.

The hotel’s power has gone off several times in the past few days, if only for a minute or less. But are we headed toward a power grid shut down due to economic conditions and lack of workers in Mumbai? This is a frightening thought, but a situation that is entirely possible during these times of Covid-19. 

I always listen to podcasts or videos while walking, but it takes only a little flash in my brain to send it in to a whirlwind of thoughts often centered around this:

What’s next?

A bushy path to the beach on the Kauai Path.

Will we continue traveling, and if so, how can we protect ourselves from Covid-19 when we continue? Yesterday, our dear friend Louise sent us a news report that Tanzania may be opening its borders soon. As a developing country, they cannot afford to continue to block international tourists from entering. 

Tanzania is rife with wildlife and home to a part of the vast Serengeti well-known worldwide for the Great Migration, which often occurs from June to October each year. 

While in Kenya in 2013, we had the opportunity to witness the tail-end of the migration, but having the entire experience would be exciting. If we were living in Tanzania, it would be accessible to time it correctly for the best advantage of this unbelievable experience.

The beach in downtown Kapaa.

During this annual event, over five million animals, many of which are wildebeests and zebras, cross the Mara River over and over again as it weaves through Kenya and Tanzania. This may be an excellent opportunity for us down the road once we can leave India.

But, any hopes and dreams for the future continue to be on hold at this point. Another question that looms in my mind is how we will protect ourselves from the virus once we do continue? 

A house during construction above the Kauai Path has a magnificent distant view of the sea.

Will a vaccine be available at some point? Will it be safe? Will it work? Will it mean we can be more relaxed in wearing masks, gloves, goggles while social distancing? Will we always need to social distance?

What will the world look like in six months, a year, two years for travelers? Will lengthy delays at airports, baggage restrictions, and increased fares impact our way of life?

The Kauai Path is well maintained and has several restroom buildings and lifeguard vehicles with surfboards for aiding in water rescues.

We don’t know the answers to any of these questions now and may not know for some time to come. At this point, we aren’t considering stopping our world journey, but will circumstances dictate we cannot carry on?

From there, more big questions loom; Where would be live? Where is there such a place that would be affordable for us? And could it be in a place where we’d find the joy and fulfillment we’ve had while traveling? And, above all, would it be safe?

In every direction, a mountain view enhances the exquisite scenery in Kauai. On most days, clouds hover over the mountains. The sky is seldom apparent for more than an hour.

Are we headed to a dystopian society, one I’ve watched in countless sci-fi movies over the years? Dystopian is described at this link. I no longer watch such movies.

No, I don’t mean to be negative. However, we both tend to try to be realistic and face our fears.

This photo makes us smile as we recall how lucky we met Jerry and Vicki in January 2015.

In my wildest nightmare, I would never have imagined the situation we are experiencing now. On the flip side, we are hopeful that the virus will eventually waft away, and all of us can continue with our lives, our plans, and our hopes for the future. 

Stay safe. Stay hopeful.

Photo from one year ago today, May 19, 2019:

This morning view from our holiday home in Connemara, Ireland. For more details, please click here.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.
Today’s photos are from May 18, 2016. Please click here for more details.

The reporting of Covid-19 cases in India may be highly skewed, with many citizens with symptoms not going to hospitals or seeking medical care. With a population of over 1.3 billion, they can only speculate on the number of cases occurring behind the scenes where many don’t have access to medical care or won’t seek medical care. 

As of today, there are 96,169 documented cases with 3029 deaths. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what is yet to come for India. These past 24-hours resulted in the highest number of new cases in a day, with over 5342 in the entire country, with 34% of the cases occurring in Maharastra, where Mumbai is the capital city.

In Nagara, Bali fish are brought in from the various boats at the Negara Harbour to be distributed to many vendors.

These conditions don’t bode well for us getting out of here anytime soon. Why would India open its second busiest airport (next to Dehli) for international flights with these types of numbers? They won’t.

Each time I walk, I look out the window at the end of one of the corridors ten times a day before I turn around to retrace my steps. Invariably, a group of men, many not wearing face masks, commiserating in a parking lot, standing close to one another. This is common in India, and unless this behavior changes, Covid-19 won’t have a chance to level off soon.

This fishing boat with its pink and black sail passed by a few days ago.

A few of our readers have written suggesting that we can fly out when outgoing flights to other countries. But, the reality remains that planes won’t be flying empty into India to transport international passengers “out” of India. International flights won’t be available until India is willing to allow international travelers “in.” We don’t foresee this happening at any time soon.

Today, the lockdown was extended until May 31st, although some businesses have been allowed to open, including trains, buses, tuk-tuk, taxis, and small shops. Liquor and cigarettes sales continue to be banned.

These ducks hang out at the rice paddy fields, awaiting their share of rice the locals provide.

Also, several readers have suggested we order takeaway (carry-out) meals based on the repetitiousness of our meals in the hotel. Most takeaway restaurants offer foods we don’t eat or don’t comply with my way of eating. Plus, we can’t help but consider the safety of foods/meals from outside restaurants. 

During our entire time touring India, before the lockdown, we rarely dined in any local restaurants, except for a few high-end facilities while we made stops while on the Maharajas Express Train in late January and early February. 

The rice paddies are ready for planting.  See this site for more details.  “The Balinese system of irrigating their rice terraces is known as Subak. It is such an important part of Balinese culture that in June 2012, it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status. This method for irrigating the land was inspired by ancient Hindu philosophy, and it has been used since at least the 11th century. Using this method, the rice fields were built around temples, and the allocation of water was the responsibility of priests. For this irrigation management to work successfully, it has required that members of each community cooperate and work in partnership. Each community member takes responsibility for maintaining the system’s integrity, which is why the terraces tend to look so well maintained. The rice farmers work as a unit to create appropriate canals and dams. Another important element of the Subak system is the religious festivals that mark the cycle of the year.”

Even then, a few passengers complained they’d acquired some gastrointestinal distress from dining in those few upscale spots. While in Udaipur, we walked across the street to dine at a lovely restaurant without any issues.

But, “fast food” restaurants may not be as safe and as strict in handling food during the pandemic, making takeaway meals out too risky at this point. This is our reality.

Huge bags of rice, ready for processing, at the side of the road awaiting pickup.

In the realm of things, eating the same two meals twice a day is no big deal. They are tasty, nutritious, made with the utmost care, and served hot even when delivered to our room.

We found out we can now order our dinner at 6:30 instead of 7:00 pm, which helps since my breakfast doesn’t hold me all day. By mid-afternoon, I get ravenous, but it often passes after a few cups of decaf coffee.

The rice begins to grow for eventual harvesting by hand. Rice paddies are a prolific source of revenue in Bali and many other parts of the world.

Life in lockdown continues, day after day, week after week, and now month after month. We have no idea when this will end, where we’ll be able to go when it does, and what life will be like on the other side. Then again, neither do any of YOU.

Please hang in there with us as we pray for good health and safety for us all.

Photo from one year ago today, May 18, 2019:

A cow in a field with her two white calves in Connemara, Ireland. For more, please click here.

Note: To all of our readers visiting our site via a smartphone, please click the “View web version” tab under the word, “Home” at the bottom of the page to access the web version enabling you to access all of our archives on the right side of the page. We’ll be updating our site in a few months, making these extra steps unnecessary. Thank you.
Today’s photos are from May 17, 2019. Please click here for more details.

During the lockdown, most of us are looking for special programs to stream. We stumbled across a show entitled “Spy in the Wild” that requires a subscription to the documentary service on Amazon, “Curiosity Stream.”

They are offering a free one-month trial which, after a month, the credit card on file at Amazon will be charged INR 227, US $2.99 a month until canceled. We’ll finish watching the series “Spy in the Wild” before the free trial ends, never needing to pay the monthly fee.

After reviewing other series they offered on this channel, we didn’t see any others we longed to see and canceled it already. However, when canceling one of these streaming services, you will be allowed to continue streaming until the end of the free trial period.

From this site:  “In 1842, a German writer and geographer called Johann Georg Kohl traveled around Ireland, publishing an account of his journey the following year. “Of all the countries in the world,” he observed, “Ireland is the country for ruins. Here you have ruins of every period of history, from the time of the Phoenicians down to the present day… each century has marked its progress by the ruins it has left. Nay, every decade, one might almost say, has set its sign up on Ireland, for in all directions, you see several dilapidated buildings, ruins of yesterday’s erection.”

As for this series, it is absolutely “over the top,” inducing laughter and smiles. Great for kids and adults, it offers a wealth of information from man-made cameras in the form of the actual animals they are spying on, such as Spy Mongoose, Spy Warthog, Spy Meerkat, etc., which looks almost exactly like the animal it’s representing. 

This is hysterical, as the automated animal replicas provide an up-close view of animals’ emotions, behaviors, and actions in a way we’ve never seen before. We couldn’t recommend this series more, keeping you and your family entertained for hours.

If you are outside the USA, you’ll have to use a VPN to get into Amazon USA, which you can upload for free at some locations on the web. Once you have the VPN working, it’s necessary to set it at a USA location, or you’ll receive a message stating you cannot stream outside the USA.

A Belted Galloway cow. From this site:  “Belted Galloway cattle originated from western Scotland, a region whose weather is strikingly similar to Ireland’s damp climate! This makes Belted Galloways perfectly suitable for the wet, cold winters and the soft boggy terrain of Irish farms. Their long, curly outer coat is ideal for rainy weather, as its coarseness deflects moisture from the animal’s skin. They also have a soft undercoat to keep them warm in colder temperatures. The head of the Belted Galloway has long hair around its ears, preventing frostbite in a case of an extreme Irish freeze. Common nicknames for these cattle are ‘Belties’ or even ‘Oreo Cows’ due to their peculiar resemblance to the popular treat!”

Also, you can sign up for their free trial at Curiosity Stream’s site, for which you won’t need to use Amazon.

We use ExpressVPN, but there is an annual charge which you’ll have to check based on your location and operating system. Their customer service is exemplary, and they will walk you through the easy installation process. Right now, they are offering a free 90-day trial. Click here for the link.

So what’s new in our Covid-19 lockdown world today? I know I promised not to get into much Covid-19 information, but I have a safety suggestion to offer if you plan to fly on an airplane.

We spotted several Belted Galloway cattle in the country.  The last time we’d seen this breed of cattle was while living in New Zealand in March 2016.  See our link here.

The airlines that are operational in the world claim they are providing social distancing on flights. I am reading this is typically not the case on total flights. Please do your research, and you’ll see this is the case.

Many require masks, but now it’s been discovered that in a confined space such as an airplane, train, bus, or public venue, one may acquire the virus through their eyes. It may not be widespread, but it is happening. How easy it would be to have droplets get into our eyes from coughing, sneezing, or even talking to passengers within proximity.

Also, have you ever noticed how often we might rub or touch our eyes daily, as well as our faces? After reading this on various reputable sites, I decided we need to “up the ante” and wear clear goggles along with masks and gloves when we finally get to fly out of India or on any flights in the future.

As we drove through the countryside in Connemara, we were amazed by the number of ruins.

Yesterday at Amazon India, I purchased a few pairs of re-usable clear goggles for a low price. Also, the fog-free goggles help prevent eyeglasses from steaming up while wearing the masks.

Now, my challenge is getting Tom to agree to wear the goggles during the flights and while at the airport. There’s no point in me taking extra precautions if he, too, doesn’t follow suit since the virus is so easily passed among household family members.

I don’t care one iota how it “looks” to be walking around an airport and on a plane wearing a face mask, goggles, and gloves. Who cares what others may think or say? We’re trying to save our lives. It’s our business.

From this site:  “In Ireland, large-scale domestic and industrial peat usage is widespread. In the Republic of Ireland, a state-owned company called Bord na Móna is responsible for managing peat extraction. It processes the extracted peat into milled peat used in power stations and sells processed peat fuel in peat briquettes used for domestic heating. These are oblong bars of densely compressed, dried, and shredded peat. Peat moss is a manufactured product for use in garden cultivation. Turf (dried out peat sods) is also commonly used in rural areas.”

Is this extreme? Possibly. But I urge all of our family members/readers/friends to exercise the same caution while in crowded spaces. Until we have a better handle on the path of this virus in the future, extreme caution makes a lot of sense.

Otherwise, nothing much is new here.  As of tomorrow, India’s lockdown is continuing for another two weeks, but we anticipate this will continue for many weeks, if not months, to come. Like many of you, we stay in a holding pattern.

Stay healthy.

Photo from one year ago today, May 17, 2019:

A handsome horse at a pasture with other horses a few doors from our holiday home in Connemara, Ireland. For more photos, please click here.