Latest world travel warnings from the US State Department…

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A blowhole in lava rock in Kauai. A blowhole or marine geyser is formed as sea caves grow landward and upward into vertical shafts and expose themselves toward the surface.

Before we commit to traveling to a country that may be questionable for safety, we check the US Department of State for any new travel warnings we may not have known. Often, countries that have the perception of safety for traveling may be in the throes of political unrest or increased kidnapping, murders, and other heinous crimes.

Pickpocketing must be considered a possibility in every country since offenders are seldom apprehended by police or suffer minimal consequences, thus increasing the risks for tourists.

From time to time, we check the State Department’s current information for countries we’ve already planned to visit in the distant future. We may not be able to cancel plans we’ve already paid for unless the war has commenced or escalated since we made the booking, such as when we booked a cruise to Ukraine and the war recently escalated. In that case, we received a refund from the cruise line when we weren’t interested in the alternate ports of call.

Please do not assume that a cruise port of call is safe simply because the cruise line included it in its itinerary. Many crimes have been perpetrated against cruise passengers when they visit various ports of call.

Many travelers also choose to visit various well-known resorts in Mexico. However, proceed with caution when deciding to travel to many of these popular resorts, based on countless reports of serious crimes committed against tourists at these resorts and nightclubs.

As of February 16, 2025, the US Department of State has issued the following travel advisories:

Visit travel.gov for detailed information on any of the following warnings:

Level 4: Do Not Travel

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo: Travelers are advised against visiting due to ongoing armed conflict and civil unrest.

  • Manzanillo, Mexico: The city has experienced high rates of violent crime, including murders and kidnappings, leading to a Level 4 advisory.

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

  • Guinea-Bissau: Political instability and crime have prompted a Level 3 advisory.

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

  • China: The advisory level was recently downgraded from Level 3 to Level 2 following the release of three American citizens. Travelers should remain cautious due to the potential arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

  • Ghana: Increased caution is advised due to crime.

  • Republic of the Congo: Travelers should be cautious due to crime and civil unrest.

  • Greenland: Exercise increased caution due to environmental hazards.

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba: These destinations are considered safe for travel with standard precautions

For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of travel advisories, visit the US Department of State’s official website.

Additionally, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) can provide timely updates and assist in emergencies abroad.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 16, 2015:

A closer view of the pods growing on the above Hala Tree. In a way, it resembles a pine cone. For more photos, please click here.
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Photos from Valentine’s evening…

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The view from our table at Luna Rosa in the Village in Lake Las Vegas.

It was a lovely evening. First, we headed to Speakeasy for happy hour and then made the short walk to Luna Roa for dinner. As always, the ambiance was inviting, the service was impeccable, and the food was fresh and delicious. We perused the Valentine’s Day menu for $125 per person, deciding it was way too much food for us when everything on the menu, as shown below, was included.

Luna Rosa offered a Valentine’s Day menu for $125 per person.

With my dietary limitations, especially since I am working on losing weight, and Tom’s picky taste buds, spending $250 when neither of us ever orders appetizers or desserts makes no sense. We often see diners enjoying multiple courses, but we don’t care to eat that much food.

Instead, Tom ordered the lasagne, a dish he knew he’d like, and I ordered the salmon salad, as shown in the two photos below.

On the other hand, Tom chose this delicious beef lasagne with bread and butter on the side.
Since I am still losing weight, I opted for this low-carb salmon salad.

I’d brought my homemade salad dressing since restaurant dressings are often made with oils I don’t consume. Perhaps at Luna Rose, a more fine-dining establishment, they had dressings made with olive oil, but sugar is often added for flavor. I filled a small plastic container with my dressing and used it discreetly to avoid drawing attention to myself while using it.

Tom at Luna Rosa on our Valentine’s Day dinner.

Tonight, when we dine out again at Speakeasy, where they have a good salmon salad, I’ll do the same and bring a batch of my homemade salad dressing that I made this morning. We had a hearty breakfast this morning of thick-sliced bacon, which we baked in the oven at 375F for about 18 minutes for perfect doneness, and organic pasture-raised eggs fried in my amazing skillet sprayed with ghee spray.

It was fun to celebrate Valentine’s Day dinner at Luna Rosa.

Once I upload this post, I will do my exercises and begin working on our tax prep document for our accountant. I plan to have it completed by Monday and forward it to him, along with the documents we received at the mailing service, which they will forward to him per our instructions. It will be a relief to do this before we leave two weeks from today.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you have a lovely weekend.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 15, 2015:

We took this video of the albatross interacting with one another in their beautiful dance. For more, please click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!…Fun news about a dear friend to share…15 days and counting…

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Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers/friends and world travelers. May your day be filled with love and adventure.

We don’t make a big fuss about Valentine’s Day other than to go out to dinner. We stopped giving one another cards and gifts like we did in our old lives. I’d usually decorate a cake in my heart-shaped baking pan, befitting the occasion. We’d either go out to dinner at a special place, or if time allowed, I’d make a special dinner.

Tom was often working on the railroad in those days, and we may have had to celebrate on a different day when we knew he’d be home. Celebrating all special occasions was predicated on his work schedule, which often changed by the day. Now, as world-traveling retirees, we can do whatever we’d like, which usually consists of dinner at an incredibly lovely restaurant.

We’re going to the fabulous Italian restaurant in the Village in Lake Las Vegas tonight, a short walk from our condo. We enjoy the candlelight ambiance, white linen tablecloths, black-and-white-dressed Italian servers, a view of the lake, and fantastic food to celebrate this day together. That’s all we need besides the joy of being together on this day and every day.

On another note, our dear friend Lisa, whom I met in the 1980s in Minnesota and with whom I have stayed in close touch over the years, is coming to Marloth Park for an entire month at the end of March. Tom and Lisa have also become good friends, and it will be delightful to share the wonders of the bush with her soon.

A few days ago, I was on the phone with Lisa when she booked her flight from Orlando, Florida, to Nelspruit/Kruger/Mpumalanga (MQP), arriving on April 2, the same day Tom has to return the rental car to the small airport. That way, Lisa could ride with Tom on his return drive and then again for her return flight when she leaves on May 1, and he returns the rental car again.

Lisa and I are like sisters, with endless stories to remember of our friendship over the years. We never run out of conversation and treasure our time together. It will be fun for all of us. Of course, sharing the wonders of the bush with a dear visitor is beyond exciting. Her visit will only enhance the time we will spend in the bush.

We’re also waiting to hear from our dear friends Rich and Karen, who live in Florida and plan to visit sometime during our second stay in Marloth Park from June to September. We should hear from them soon.

As of tomorrow, February 15, it will be two weeks until we depart Nevada to begin the long journey to South Africa. It’s been almost two years since we left in April 2023. When we left, we thought we’d be returning in 13 months and now, after dealing with medical issues, we’re returning in 23 months. I’ve missed it so much.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. We hope you have an opportunity to share your love with those special people in your lives today and always.

Be well.♥

Photo from ten years ago today, February 14, 2015:

This Laysan Albatross parent and chick sit close to one another until the chick becomes more confident and the parents feel more at ease. In time, the chick will likely be left behind on its own in June or July. For more photos, please click here.

Scary emergency in the middle of the night!…See our video!…

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The above video is from last night, around 3:15 am, when a loud announcement and evacuation warning came over the loudspeakers in the condos and hallways.

We were startled out of bed when we heard the sirens going off in the middle of the night.I heard the alarms before Tom since he doesn’t wear his hearing aids to bed. When I heard the sirens, I immediately woke him up while we each scrambled to get out the door.

Before opening the door, we felt it for warmth and then bolted down the hallway to the stairway leading to the building’s lobby. When we arrived, a few dozen residents, many with their dogs, were gathered in the lobby, as shown in the above photo.

I felt exceptionally safe since Tom is a former volunteer fireman. I couldn’t have been in better hands. Unable to find my zippered sweatshirt, I put on my shoes and head to the lobby with Tom, wearing my full-coverage pajamas. There was no time for fashion conscientiousness.

Once in the lobby, when we hadn’t seen or smelled smoke, we felt comfortable staying indoors to wait for the fire department staff to arrive. We waited only about 30 feet from the front door. At least two dozen people had the same idea, waiting indoors when it was cold outside, around 50F, 10 C.

Another few dozen residents waited outdoors wearing heavy coats and jackets. Previously, we had no idea how many people were staying in this condo complex in Lake Las Vegas. There may have been under 40 people, not very many, for this good-sized, 178-unit building, many of which are privately owned by many who only live here part-time.

After about 45 minutes passed and no fire trucks had arrived, I decided to call 911. (The building is not overseen by staff during the night.) As soon as I connected to the 911 operator and she saw where I was calling from, she explained that the fire trucks would arrive any minute.

As soon as I hung up, the fire trucks pulled into the driveway, and several firemen scoured the building for about 20 minutes, checking every floor and every condo for specific issues. Apparently, none were found, and eventually, they turned off the alarms and gave us the “all clear” to return to our units.

By the time we returned to bed, it was about 4:30 am. Being awake like that during the night made it challenging to fall back asleep. It wasn’t until after 5:30 am that I finally drifted off, awakening at 9:30 and feeling sluggish. Tom was up and about by 9:00 am and I entered the kitchen to make breakfast at 10:00 am, showered and dressed for the day, finally feeling energized to tackle another day.

We had a tasty breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast for Tom, and bacon and eggs (topped with guacamole and Picante sauce) and Greek yogurt with ground flaxseeds for me. I’ve already completed my exercise routine, talked to our friend Lisa on the phone, and am just about to complete today’s post.

We are grateful to have caught up on sleep, ultimately been safe after the false alarm, and grateful for another day in the life…

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 13, 2015:

As we approached this unusual plant, we were reminded of sweet corn, which appears to be covered in a velvety cloth. It is called Zamia Furfuracea. For more photos, please click here.

Today is my six-year “heartaversary”…What is life expectancy after open heart surgery?…

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Kauai is rich with colorful vegetation.

It was six years ago today that I had emergency open-heart coronary bypass surgery in Nelspruit, South Africa. Although it was a long and painful recovery, no words can describe how grateful I am to have come out on the other side now feeling well and thriving.

One might say, why celebrate such a dreadful experience? But, the celebration isn’t over the procedure itself but more about having survived and, in my case, the ability to continue to travel the world now, six years later. Sure, there have been some setbacks, most recently requiring the visit to the Cleveland Clinic with excellent results after three previous misdiagnoses in three countries by three cardiologists. There, I had many tests and the elimination of a dangerous drug.

After this extensive surgery, one can’t help but wonder about potential life expectancy. Here’s some information in that regard:

The life expectancy after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery varies depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, lifestyle, and the presence of other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. However, here are some general trends:

  • Average Survival: Many patients live 10 to 20 years after bypass surgery, especially if they adopt heart-healthy habits.
  • 10-Year Survival Rate: Around 70-80% of patients live 10 years post-surgery.
  • 15-Year Survival Rate: About 50-60% of patients live beyond 15 years.
  • 20-Year Survival Rate: Some studies show that about 25-30% of patients reach the 20-year mark.

Factors That Influence Lifespan After CABG:

  1. Lifestyle Changes: Patients who eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking, and control their blood pressure and cholesterol tend to live longer. (My lifestyle is ideal in this regard).
  2. Underlying Health Conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, and severe heart failure can shorten life expectancy. (I have none of these).
  3. Age at Surgery: Younger patients have longer survival rates than older patients undergoing the procedure. (I was 70 at the time of this surgery).
  4. Success of the Surgery: If the grafts remain open and blood flow is maintained, the heart can function well for decades. (One of my grafts has failed, but my heart is functioning well without that graft based on a recent angiogram at Cleveland Clinic).

CABG is not a cure for heart disease, but it significantly improves the quality of life and survival by reducing the risk of heart attacks and other complications. Regular follow-ups with a cardiologist are crucial for long-term success.

After the complete workup at the Cleveland Clinic, I feel comfortable waiting a few years for another review while we’re visiting family in Minnesota. At that time, I’ll go to the more conveniently located Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, 90 minutes from where we’ll be staying.

In the interim and the future, I will continue with my healthy lifestyle: a healthy low carb unprocessed-foods diet, daily exercise, quality sleep, low stress, frequent socialization, and positive relationships. Of course, being with Tom Lyman is always a boost for good health with his upbeat demeanor, loving support, and playful nature.

For me, I’ve found that the fewer prescription drugs I take, the better I feel. For my age and history, I only take a few medications and supplements that support heart health.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 12, 2015:

The Kauai Path was a lot longer than it appeared when we first started walking. For more photos, please click here.

Fantastic evening with family…Gosh, I’ve missed this!…

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My two sons and I were together for the first time in years, with Richard (left) living in Las Vegas and Greg in Minneapolis. (I should have opened my eyes!)

It was a lovely evening with my two sons and their girlfriends. The last time I was together with both of my sons, as mentioned, was in 2009 at Greg’s 40th birthday party.

Of course, I wanted the dinner to be perfect and the dessert they requested, bread pudding, to be equally delicious. I was pleased to know they all liked the food. It was the first dinner party we’d had in almost two years, and as an experienced cook and foodie, it was easy to do, although time-consuming.

I’m glad I prepped the food as much as possible the prior day, making yesterday relatively easy. I don’t stress when preparing meals for guests. Instead I focus on getting everything done on time, seasoned well, and cooked to perfection. Even Tom, a picky eater, loved the bread pudding.

Fortunately, I made an extra pan of bread pudding for dessert, which he’ll savor over the next few evenings. As for the pot pie, enough servings are left for the next few nights, when I’ll have barramundi, scallops, and salad, making the next few days easy. The fish and scallops will be cooked together and seasoned well in my excellent skillet. The heavy pan I’m insisting on will accompany us to Africa in my luggage.

At the moment, I’m doing laundry to hang on the indoor rack. Tom cleaned the kitchen after breakfast, which he especially enjoyed with two pieces of toast, bacon, and eggs. It’s a rarity that we ever have bread on hand, but when we do, such as this occasion, leftover from making the bread pudding, he’s on Cloud 9.

Speaking of Tom, he was so helpful with all the dishes last night. After everyone left, I wiped down the island’s granite countertop. This morning, we did a little more cleanup, and we’re back to our usual tidy and organized household.

As for the evening, the conversation was lively and animated, telling stories from my son’s childhood and many current stories and experiences. Tom and the two lovely girlfriends were easily included in the conversation. It couldn’t have been more fun and filled with laughter.

With Greg and Heather’s early morning flight, they all left by 9:00 pm. We’ll see them in less than four months, and we’ll see Richard and his girlfriend for dinner on my birthday, February 20.

A few minutes ago, I booked a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation at Luna Rosa, a gourmet Italian restaurant in the Village in Lake Las Vegas.

Our 30th wedding anniversary is on Friday, March 7, which we will celebrate at Jabula in Marloth Park. How fun that will be. We have many celebrations ahead of us, but most of all, we celebrate good health, which enables us to continue our travels. We are so grateful.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 11, 2015:

We visited an open house for which we’ve included several photos. This is the fabulous view of Hanalei Bay. from the lanai. For more photos, please click here.

Busy day!…Family coming for dinner!…First time we’ve had a dinner party in almost two years…

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The individual keto chicken pot pies we are serving today.

We last had a dinner party in Marloth Park almost two years ago. My entertaining skills are a little rusty, especially since we didn’t have proper serving dishes, linen napkins, or placemats. Thank goodness family is coming since the expectations aren’t quite the same as if friends entertained us with an abundance of housewares and cooking supplies.

I doubt any of our friends would mind if we weren’t fully equipped to entertain, as experienced in Marloth Park when we had as many as 14 dinner gusts and improvised with what we had on hand. It always worked out well.

Since I am feeling so much better, I can tackle this, especially since both of my sons and their girlfriends provide me with plenty of enthusiasm and motivation. We haven’t been together since Greg’s 40th birthday party in 2009, over 15 years ago. Wow, how time flies. It seems like yesterday.

Our menu isn’t elaborate. I am making keto chicken pot pies in individual servings (small tin foil loaf pans, see the above photos, with a side of rice and salad and, for dessert, Martha Stewart’s Bread Pudding (which the kids suggested). I won’t be eating the dessert, but it will be fun to watch them enjoy it.

Tom asked me to save some of the leftover bread so he could have toast for the next few days. That’s my guy…the breadman!

We’ve had a fun time with Greg and Heather here, but they leave for Minneapolis tomorrow. We will see them again in June at Granddaughter Maisie’s graduation. In the past few years, we’ve spent a lot of time with family. We won’t return to the US until June 2026 for Grandson Mile’s graduation.

Health provided, after that, we may not return to the US until 2028 for Granddaughter Madighan’s graduation, at that point being away for two years. But, at this point in life, predicting the future is difficult. We are very grateful for every single day, let alone years.

All I have left to do today is make the dessert, cook the rice, and cook the pot pies in the oven. I’m glad I did so much yesterday, making today a more leisurely day.  Although my health is greatly improved, my legs tire easily while standing for extended periods. I always pace myself when making meals and doing household tasks.

Once I upload this post, I will do my exercises, then set the dinner places on the island where we’ll have plenty of room.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today,  February 10, 2015:

Finally, the Laysan Albatross chicks hatched, all within a 24-hour period. It wasn’t easy getting a good photo of the chick when it was busy preening itself almost continuously. How quickly they learn to manicure their beautiful array of feathers. For more photos, please click here.

What’s the deal with a “REAL ID?”…Can I use a passport instead?…

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The precious Laysan Albatross chicks began to hatch in early February. We visited the site almost daily to savor the exciting events.

A few of our readers have asked about the requirements for US residents to provide a “READ ID” to travel domestically. As a result, the inquiries have prompted us to write about REAL IDs today to help clarify this US requirement.

How to Get a REAL ID

To obtain a REAL ID, follow these steps:

  1. Visit Your State’s DMV Website
    • Each state has slightly different requirements, so check your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website for specific details.
  2. Gather Required Documents (Original or Certified Copies)
    You’ll typically need:
    • Proof of Identity: U.S. passport or birth certificate
    • Social Security Number: SSN card, W-2, or 1099 form
    • Proof of Residency (2 documents): Utility bill, bank statement, lease/mortgage agreement
    • Proof of Name Change (if applicable): Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order
  3. Go to the DMV in Person
    • REAL IDs cannot be obtained online. You must visit a DMV office in person.
    • Bring all required documents.
    • Pass any necessary tests (vision test, for example).
    • Pay the fee (varies by state, typically $10–$50).
  4. Receive Your REAL ID
    • You’ll get a temporary paper ID immediately. The official REAL ID will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

How to Use a REAL ID

  • Domestic Air Travel (Starting May 7, 2025): Use it to board flights within the U.S.
  • Federal Buildings & Military Bases: Present it for entry where REAL ID is required.
  • Driving: If it’s a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you can use it just like a regular license.

Alternatives to REAL ID

If you don’t want a REAL ID, you can use:

  • U.S. Passport or Passport Card (Works for domestic & international travel)
  • Military ID
  • DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)

Is a REAL ID required in countries other than the US?

No, the REAL ID is a U.S.-specific requirement. Other countries do not require or recognize REAL ID for travel.

If you’re traveling outside the U.S., a passport is the primary document you’ll need. Depending on your destination and nationality, some countries may also require a visa.

If you’re driving in another country, you may need:

  • Your U.S. driver’s license (REAL ID or not, depending on the country)
  • An International Driving Permit (IDP) (required in some places)

So, while REAL ID is essential for domestic travel within the U.S., it does not impact international travel.

We won’t be applying for a REAL ID anytime soon since we cannot provide residence verification as mentioned above. We are doing fine using our passports.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 8, 2015:

An early evening from our lanai in Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

75F, 24C, warm day in Lake Las Vegas today…

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There are roughly 450,000 feral chickens on Kauai, Hawaii, more than the island’s human population. Chickens are the unofficial mascot of Kauai.

We couldn’t ask for nicer weather today. As always, the sun is shining, and the temperature is fast approaching 75F, 24C, today. It isn’t always this warm in Las Vegas in the winter months when we’ve seen it as cold as 30F, -1.11C in the past almost two months since we arrived here. There have even been a few days when it’s been colder here than in Minnesota.

It’s not as if we’re spending much time outdoors. Occasionally, we head out for a walk in the Village during the day. But, most often, we’re outdoors when we walk the short distances to dinner every Friday and Saturday night.

In 25 days, when we arrive in Marloth Park, it should start cooling off from the hot summer season. Coincidentally, it was also 25F, and 24C in Marloth Park today. But on Saturday, it will be 94F. 34C. In March, the high is usually under 90F, 32C, which is easy to take for Africa. As time passes, during our first 90-day stay, the temps will continue to drop, keeping in mind the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite the Northern Hemisphere. Winter is from June to August.

Since we’re returning to Minnesota for granddaughter Maisie’s graduation in June 2025, by the time we return to Marloth Park in June, winter will be at its coldest with a high of 81F, 27C. We love winter in the bush, but other than that, there’s a lack of vegetation for the wildlife in the winter months when the residents ramp up feeding the wildlife pellets, lucerne (hay), and various fruits and vegetables.

In those winter months, I’ve often spent a few hours each day cutting fruits and vegetables into bite-size pieces, befitting the size of the animals we’re feeding (never by hand…they are wild animals). Many disagree with humans feeding the wildlife and prefer to “let nature take its course,” but turning away starving animals is pretty tough. We often order hay bales to spread in the garden and the animals come in droves to dine on the fresh lucerne.

For us and many other residents in the bush, the cost of feeding the animals is merely a related expense in enjoying the conservancy and its endless stream of wildlife to our gardens. Plus, the cost of fruits, vegetables, and lucerne is about 80% less than those items in the US.

A 50-pound bag of carrots costs only a few dollars, and apples aren’t much more.  We often drive to Lobombo, about 30 minutes from Marloth Park, to buy giant bags of carrots, pears, and apples at ridiculously low prices. There’s no doubt that inflation has increased the cost of food products in the past two years since we’ve been gone. We’ll report back as to what we pay when we shop.

Greg and Heather arrive today, but we told them to enjoy their first night without us since the two brothers hadn’t seen each other in quite a while, although they’ve stayed in close touch. The six of us will have fun together tomorrow night and the other nights while they are here.

Today will be another pleasant day as we go about a day’s typical tasks and pleasures in Lake Las Vegas. Soon, I’ll have to start preparing 2024 tax info for our accountant, lightening our load, and start packing. After all, we leave three weeks from tomorrow. Wow…the time has flown by!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 6, 2015:

We spotted a cattle egret while out and about in Princeville, Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

Easy life with an easy appetizer recipe for Super Bowl Sunday…

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Tom was sitting with a scarecrow at the Kauai Coffee Company, which we toured ten years ago.

It’s exciting that son Greg and his girlfriend Heather will be here in two days. I can hardly wait to see them and for all of us to be together for the first time in years. I am not planning anything and leaving the planning to them. I am so happy that I feel great after finally recovering from the three-week flu, leaving only an occasional cough.

It was fantastic going out to dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. We had a great time each evening. It’s disappointing that we can’t get out the door for under $100, regardless of how casual a restaurant may be. We don’t order more than a few drinks each, no appetizers or desserts. It’s not because we are “cheap.” We just don’t care to eat that much.

Even when preparing our meals, we don’t bother with appetizers (starters) or desserts since we are committed to losing a few pounds. In the past, we’d enjoy a little something after dinner, but we have stopped that bad habit since the first of the year. There’s no need to eat between meals or after dinner. Doing so only adds weight and certainly doesn’t improve our health.

Of course, treats may be on the menu for special occasions, such as the delicious recipe I listed below instead of a photo in the “Photo from ten years ago today.” However, I don’t eat that appetizer because the sweet jam contains lots of sugar. Lately, I’ve tightened my belt and lost some weight by reducing my daily carbs. I feel so much better doing so.

My exercise program is back in full swing as of last Monday, and now, a week later, I’m back to where I left off before I got sick four weeks ago. It feels good to vigorously exercise after being relatively immobile over the past 18 months.

This morning, I chatted with my dear friend Chere from Minnesota. Her busy, semi-retired lifestyle brings her much joy, but I cringe when I hear how much she has to do daily with ten balls in the air at any given time. That used to be me, but not now. How I spend my free time is totally up to me, and my freedom without many obligations is ideal for our unusual lifestyle. We love it this way.

That doesn’t mean we don’t love spending time with family and friends. We do. But, as we travel, our social life is simple and uncomplicated, and our free time is truly treasured. I suppose, in part, the fact we enjoy being together is a huge factor. Neither of us is ever bored with one another or when engaged in our preferred individual activities.

All I have yet to do today is finish prepping for tonight’s dinner and do my exercises. The condo is tidy, and the bedding and other laundry are done. We had bacon and eggs for breakfast and won’t eat again until dinner. Tom is seated at the kitchen island, listening to Garage Logic. We love this easy life.

We hope you have a lovely week, and we will continue to stay in touch even after Greg and Heather arrive.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 4, 2015:

Ten years ago today, we posted the following easy recipe: a great dish to bring to a party or serve on Superbowl Sunday. This recipe is from our dear friend Sue (husband Chip, who has since passed away), our beloved neighbor in our old lives.

Sue’s Lone Star Grill Salsa Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

1 jar Lone Star Grill Raspberry or Pineapple Salsa (or any other sweet salsa)

 3/4 C. cheddar cheese, grated

3/4 C. Monterey Jack Cheese, grated

2 green onions, sliced

1/2 C. sliced black olives

Spread cream cheese in a baking dish or 8″ pie plate. Spread salsa over the cream cheese. Combine the grated cheeses and sprinkle over the salsa. Top with onions and olives. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 15 minutes.

Serve with taco chips or crackers.