Yesterday, on Facebook, we saw a photo of Tusker taken many blocks from us. Basket had scared him off several times in the past months, and he finally gave up visiting us since Basket tends to come by several times a day.  

It’s good to see Basket being lovely to his girlfriend.  He’s quite the bully, but he certainly enjoys when I talk to him and, with those tiny beady eyes, looks intently into mine.  I often wonder what he’s thinking.

We couldn’t have been happier than to see nyala coming by one more time.

It’s arrogant of us humans to assume animals don’t think and purely react utilizing instinct. After spending almost two years (total) in Africa, most of our time watching wildlife behavior, we’re convinced that although they don’t speak (our language), they certainly know how to communicate with us.

Undoubtedly, such behavior requires a fraction of thinking, and we’re convinced that we aren’t superior to wildlife. We’re just different, and they have a right to be here on this earth as much as we do, if not more.  They were here long before us humans.

Friends have asked if it will be hard to leave here. Now with only five days remaining until we depart, I am feeling a bit of melancholy knowing we are leaving behind our animal and human friends. 

A male bushbuck was relaxing in the garden.

But, these past three months have been difficult, and I can’t help but associate this environment with the many challenges.  I’m sure, in no time at all, I’ll be longing to return as memories of the wildlife and our social life flood my mind.  

This morning at 9:00 am, we returned to the medical clinic for treatment on my leg. Doc Theo had left for a much-deserved 10 day holiday, and now we see Doc Phillip in his absence. Unexpectedly, there was a slight improvement in the size of the wound, maybe as much as 20%.

Although painful, I sincerely believe the walking has been instrumental in increasing the blood flow and thus aiding in the bit of healing. If this continues through the week, there is a slight chance we could avoid driving three hours a day, every other day, to a wound clinic in Galway.

This morning’s zebra visitors.

We could treat the wound at “home” wearing latex gloves, using the healing cream, and re-bandaging it every other day as is being done now. By the end of the week, we’ll forward the photos to Theo, and if he approves, we can bypass the necessity of the long drive.  

He insisted we stay in touch with him while he’s still on holiday and, after that, sending him photos each time we removed the bandages. In the interim, Doc Phillip is sending him photos every two days. He will assess the photos and determine if other professional care is necessary.

I’m not going to get overly enthusiastic yet. I’ve done this several times to be sorely disappointed when it took a turn for the worse a few days later. It’s been sweet when many of our readers have written to congratulate me on the improvement, only to find myself writhing in pain a day later. Tentatively, I mention this slight improvement.

This morning, I figured out how to use my new fitness watch, which Tom purchased for me while I was in hospital. It was highly motivating to see the results of my walking on the digital readout. My goal shortly will be 10,000 steps per day.

An elephant family was drinking from the sparse amounts of water in the river during the summer months.

From this site:  “How far are 10,000 steps? An average person has a stride length of approximately 2.1 to 2.5 feet. That means that it takes over 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and 10,000 steps would be almost 5 miles.”  

Of course, this will include general walking about the house, going outdoors, and performing usual household tasks, cooking, shopping, and the like. But, this goal of 10,000 steps per day will be good for my heart and as my legs continue to heal fully. Wearing this device is highly instrumental in motivating me.  

I’ll have completed half this amount since walking is still challenging and painful by the end of today.  Hopefully, by the end of the first month in Ireland, I’ll be able to fulfill my goal.  

They willingly share.

Today, we’re planning to return the walker to the kindly local homeowner who graciously offered it a no cost. Of course, we have a gift bag for her with many thanks and appreciation. 

I made a concerted effort not to use the walker over the weekend, and now, although I’m still limping, I can get around unassisted. It’s still difficult to stand from a sitting position or get out of bed when I only have the use of my arms to support me, but finally, they, too, are getting stronger.

I’ve completed more packing, organizing, and sorting at this point. If I had only an hour to get ready to go, I could pull it off. The task of scanning and logging receipts is completed.  

Ms. Toad, already fattening up for mating soon. We turn on the light each night to attract flying insects for her to eat.

Our paperwork for immigration is in an envelope, ready for their reviewal. A rental car has been booked at over twice the cost we paid in South Africa (we’re expecting everything to be more expensive in Ireland). 

The directions to the Connemara house have been printed, and a wheelchair has been arranged for me for all flight legs. All that is left is for Tom to pack and a few odds and ends for me. I’m at peace that I’ve done all I can at this point.

Mom is teaching her baby a little about headbutting.

We’ll be back with more tomorrow as we continue to count down the days until we leave Africa.

Be well, dear friends. Thank you for “hanging in there” with us!

Photo from one year ago today, May 6, 2018:

Although they all had their backs to us, it was great to see these elephants. For more photos, please click here.

For new visitors, male lions have the big mane surrounding their faces, whereas the females do not, as shown in the photo we took in Kruger.

A water main burst on Oliphant Street, the main and only fully paved road in Marloth Park. With it being the weekend, most likely, it won’t be repaired until later tomorrow.  

Two females and one male enjoying the shade under a tree in hot weather.

Of course, we’re grateful for the tank, and it does provide heated (not drinkable) water for anything we need.  Tom goes outside to turn it off when we go to bed. It makes a loud motor sound every few minutes and is located close to the bedroom window.  It’s loud enough it would keep us awake.

I believe this is a bateleur we spotted in Kruger.

The aircon makes various loud noises throughout the night, but we’ve had plenty of time to become accustomed to these sounds, and they no longer awaken us during the night. Speaking of awakening during the night…oh, I had a rough night last night.  

I was awake from shortly after midnight until 4:30 am and finally dozed off, awakening every half hour or so until I finally gave up and got up. I suppose I can blame my thoughts on keeping me awake. I couldn’t seem to shut off my brain while thinking about the upcoming long travel day with three flights and two layovers.

Last October, Tom and I were at Aamazing River View when friends Lois and Tom visited for three weeks.

I also thought about our immigration issue and if we’ll have trouble exiting the country when we never got a response from the immigration department regarding our requested extension. Most likely, we’ll have to pay a stiff fine if they won’t allow our accompanying documents to support the reasons for overstaying.

Lois and Tom, friends from the US who came to visit us for three weeks last October. We had a fantastic time when they called and stayed with us.  We hear from them often.

Then, of course, I was thinking about the issue of further treatment on my leg when we get to Ireland. After considerable research, it appears there are no wound facilities within a 90-minute drive from where we’ll be living in Connemara. The closest such clinic is in Galway, and we’ll have to make the drive every other day for treatment which could last for a few more months.

Three elephants on the river.

The doctor says the wound is too severe for us to handle it on our own. Only the next few days will determine if there is even a remote possibility we could take the care of the wound on our own if, based on some miracle, it’s improved since Friday, which I doubt. 

I want to be optimistic enough to say these three scenarios don’t worry me, and I can sleep like a baby. Still, until we have the three more doctor appointments here in the days before we depart and finally arrive in Ireland, our minds won’t be at ease. That’s the way it is.

Lilies are beginning to bloom in the river.

Yesterday, hobbling about the bedroom, I packed all of my clothing from the drawers and closet into my one large suitcase. There still is plenty of additional packing to tackle, but I feel I have a good handle on the most challenging part, my clothing.

Shortly after I was done, we had two surprise visitors, Sonja and Rob, the owners of this house. It was delightful talking to them and sharing stories of beautiful experiences we’ve had in their lovely home and garden. 

Lounging lion laying low…

As renters for the past 15 months, we had plenty to share as they did as well for their lives in Africa, living in the bordering country of Mozambique. We thanked them profusely for letting us stay so long and especially for designing the perfect veranda for wildlife viewing.

Hyenas are necessarily handsome-looking dogs but are fun to see in Kruger.

Most homes in Marloth Park have ground-level verandas, and some require walking up a flight of stairs or two to get a glimpse of the wildlife.  It has been perfect here, a scenario that served us well.

Today, I’ll do a little more packing of only a few items in the cupboards we can take with us. After all the unexpected expenses we’ve incurred as a result of the surgeries, there’s no way we’re willing to pay for overweight luggage by taking food products with us.

Happy hippos…

It’s hard to believe that we’ll be settling into our new home in Ireland a week from today. Although we have these various items on our minds that we must deal with over the following months, we’re hopeful for the quality time we’ll spend reveling in the peaceful and exquisite environment of Connemara, Ireland.

May your day be spent reveling in your surroundings wherever you may be.

Photo from one year ago today, May 5, 2018:

This gorgeous feta, onion, and lettuce salad served by Louise and Danie was enhanced with edible flowers, indicative of the attention to detail and creativity these two fine hosts possessed when we joined them for dinner at their home. For more photos, please click here.

Fish eagles often land on dead trees, which enable them to scour the area for food. They are also known to eat carrion and fish and are classified as kleptoparasites (they steal prey from other birds). Goliath Herons are known to lose a percentage of their catch to fish eagles. Their main diet is fish, sometimes dead, but mostly caught live. Catfish and lungfish are seen most frequently.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A giraffe in the bush checking out her surroundings.

Also, I didn’t want to wear the only pair of leggings I have knowing that after eight hours or so, the knees would start to look baggy, and I’d hate that. I’d considered wearing tight and stretchy workout leggings, but they’d cause too much pressure on the bad left leg.

So I put on the jeans, which are a little stretchy and now a little baggy since I lost weight, and I was thrilled. I’ll have to continue wearing the compression stockings for months, which will show, but they are an identical match to my skin color, and I doubt anyone will notice and point the finger at the “woman wearing pantyhose with her jeans.”  

A fish eagle, one of the most prolific eagles in Kruger National Park.

If they do point and stare, including at the scar at my neckline, I don’t care. I’m alive and that’s what matters. And besides, I’m on my way to a three month holiday in Ireland with my loving husband. What more could a girl ask for?

When I pulled the jeans out of the drawer I hadn’t opened in months, I was reminded that packing in on the immediate horizon. It’s a task I’m anticipating with a certain amount of dread this time when I’ll have to deal with my painful leg while doing so.

Sure, Tom would pack for me, but I need to be moving about to build more strength, and packing may be one of many means in doing so. Yesterday, although painful, I walked for 20 minutes in two 10-minute increments. Today, I’ll do three 10-minute increments and keep building from there. Its a work in progress.

A young male kudu at a nearby construction site.

This morning at 10:15, we return to Dr. Theo’s office to see Doc Phillip, who will continue with the debridement of my leg. We already said goodbye to Doc Theo on Wednesday when we saw him for the last time since he was going on holiday for 10 days.  

I’m still hanging onto the hope that my leg will heal enough in the next eight days to avoid the necessity of going to a wound clinic in Galway, Ireland, an over an hour drive each way. HMakingthat drive every few days would be frustrating and impose upon our plans for the time we’ll spend in the country.  

Bushbabies…

Although we’ve had a few WiFi outages in the past few weeks, we’ve been fortunate not to experience any power or water outages. (I suppose by my saying this, both will go out this afternoon! It’s got to be a coincidence!) what a weird thing that is…one says they haven’t had a cold in years, and the next day they awaken with a cold. Go figure.

It’s made life so much easier the past weeks, especially at night when we need aircon on more than ever. The compression stockings make my legs and feet so hot, I need the cool air to allow me to sleep. Luckily, last night, we both slept well.

This toxic caterpillar is to be avoided at all costs.  The hairs can cause a toxic reaction and considerable distress.

Last night I received an email from Eric at our mailing service in Nevada, MailLinkPlus.  The cost to ship the box to Ireland, the quickest service offered by DHL, is ZAR 4882, US $340. It is scheduled to arrive on May 8th but based on going through customs, it could take an additional week or more.  

I alerted the holiday homeowner about the pending package arrival, asking her to pay any customs fees included, which we’ll reimburse her upon arrival. Hopefully, all goes well with the delivery.

There’s nothing as pretty as a full moon.

That’s all for today, dear readers.  Just think, in 10 days we’ll be posting photos of our new surroundings in the quaint and historic town of Connemara, Ireland. As hard as it will be to say goodbye to all of our Marloth Park friends, both human and animal, we’re very excited to step into this new chapter of our lives.

Be well. Be happy. We’ll be thinking of YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, May 3, 2018:

Zebra nursing in our garden. For more photos, please click here.

Each year we renew our oversized mailbox in October at ZAR 2251, US $156 per year. In addition, we pay fees for scanned mail (per our request) to be placed into our online file for review at ZAR 28, US $2 per page.  

A young bull, most likely ostracized from the herd as he matured, wanders down the hill in Kruger to the Crocodile River.

In most cases, when a piece of snail mail has been scanned, and we either print it (unlikely) or read it, we can check in their system that the item is to be shredded to keep from accumulating clutter in the box.  

Possibly, a mom and her two offspring, most likely born five years apart or more, which is typical for elephants.

Subsequently, the only mail in our mailbox at any given time are items we want to save for when we return to Nevada and will collect at that time, or if necessary (such as tax documents) have forwarded to us in the next shipment.

Rarely, regardless of where we’re living at any given time, it makes no sense to send items to us via the “regular” postal service. Most recently, a box we’d been waiting for months became lost in a pile of 7.5 million undelivered items in South Africa when there was a strike.  

A young monitor lizard was climbing a tree in our garden.

Our package was inside a shipping container in Pretoria. We’d later heard stories of packages never being delivered or taking as long as three years to be delivered.  We should have known better than to ship a much-needed package via US Postal Service to South Africa, especially when we were unable to purchase insurance on the package.

The US Postal Service is aware that South Africa’s mailing service is horrible and refuses to insure packages. The result for that particular package? Money…we paid ZAR 2000, US $139, to have the package found and delivered to us in Marloth Park by a postal service employee. Money speaks loud and clear.

A mom and her calf cooling off in the river.

But, now, as we’ve accumulated several items in our mailbox in Nevada, we decided to have the package shipped to us in Ireland, not here in South Africa. The owner of the holiday rental provided us with the address and advised us to use DHL.

This morning, I went through all the items in our large mailbox in Nevada, and object by item either marked; 1. Keep in the mailbox (for future reference or handling); 2. Send with the next shipment or, 3. Throw away.

The sugar cane burning season has started once again, during which we get soot on the veranda and even into the house when the wind is blowing.

Each item is listed by the return address on the letter or package. With this, we can recognize 90% of the mail to determine if we want it sent to us, tossed, or saved.

The essential items in today’s shipment are our two debit cards. We’re hoping the package will arrive before we get to Ireland since both of our debit cards, which we use to get cash at ATMs, will be in that box. We’ll be arriving in Ireland with literally not a single euro on hand or means of getting money to use while there. 

Initially, we set up our credit cards without PINS to reduce the risk of theft and to keep our costs down when credit card companies charge exorbitant fees for taking cash on a card. (Of course, we could go to any bank and have funds transferred from our bank accounts or any of our credit cards. It worked for us so far during the first almost seven years of world travel.

Tom often sees figures of one type or another in cloud formations.  In this case, he would have seen this as an angel.

But, recently, based on the unplanned scenario of me having open-heart surgery, we had to cancel our plans to return to the US in April, during which time we’d have collected the new debit cards, which expired on the last day of March.

We had plenty of SA rands (ZAR) on hand to get us through our remaining time here but not any euros to see us through any time in Ireland. Getting these debit cards sorted out was a mess when Wells Fargo canceled them when we hadn’t activated them in a timely fashion. 

Big Daddy and zebras were sharing pellets in harmony.

When we noticed the newest cards had arrived at the mailbox a few weeks ago, we instructed Wells Fargo to give us over a month to receive and activate the new cards.  

If we don’t have the package during our first week in Ireland, we’ll call Wells Fargo again to extend the time we’ll have to activate the cards. (We didn’t want activated debit cards to go through customs in the US or Ireland to avoid further complications if stolen).

Dad (far left), mom, and ostrich chicks.

Twice, we reordered new debit cards to be delivered here in Marloth Park, and in both cases, they were lost in the mail, in this case, Fed Ex International. After this, we swore we’d never ship any kind to or from South Africa.

Today, I’ve gone through every item in our physical mailbox in Nevada, deciding which items we want to be included in the shipment. For example, Tom ordered a new RFID wallet when the almost seven-year-old similar item has fallen apart. I no longer use a wallet keeping credit cards in my name in Tom’s wallet.

Mr. Nyala, sniffing Ms. Kudu.  Wouldn’t he love an opportunity to mate?

After all, we’re always together, and without me having a wallet or similar such items, there’s less to be lost in the event of a theft. For this very reason, I don’t own or use a handbag and haven’t done so since we landed in Kenya in September 2013.

Also, in this shipment is two pairs of jeans for me, a few sweaters, and long sleeve tee shirts for use while in cool Ireland and also in Minnesota, US when we finally return in six months in November 2019 when it will be freezing.

This lonely nyala, the only of this species in all of Marloth Park, would surely like to have a family of his own.

I haven’t received from MaillinkPlus the cost of shipping this package to Ireland since we’ll need it quickly due to the time difference. As typical, I’m expecting it to be approximately ZAR 5771, US $400, and even sent by the fastest means, most likely won’t arrive any sooner than 10 days from today.

We were living our lives as world travelers. We are continually faced with challenges that we consider minor, compared to the recent necessity of major heart surgery, including surgeries for complications.

No one said life would be easy, but stuff happens regardless of where you live or your chosen lifestyle. It’s how we handle it that determines our ability and enthusiasm in carrying on. For us, we’re excited to carry on…

Photo from one year ago today, May 2, 2018:

A morning’s photo of Scar Face clearly illustrated his improvement. We were excited to see his continuing recovery from this horrific injury. I wish we could see him one more time before we leave in nine days.  For more photos, please click here.

As it turned out, last night, I realized this wouldn’t be possible as the pain continued. Twice, since Saturday, I’ve canceled reservations to go out to dinner when it became impossible in my current state.  

A massive bull elephant in Kruger.

Instead, today at 1630 hours (4:30 pm), Uschi and Evan will stop by for a visit. I wish I could whip up some appetizers for their holiday, but doing so would require standing on my feet, and I’m not ready to do so.  

Also, we’d gone shopping for a few essential items before we knew they were coming, and since we’re using up our current food supply, we don’t have anything tasty on hand to offer guests without getting involved in a big cooking ordeal.

A large rhino in Kruger.

Disappointed once again, we let them know that going out to dinner wasn’t possible at this point. However, we wanted to see them once more as we wind down our remaining 10 days in Marloth Park.

I’ve yet to start packing and will probably wait to do so until next week. After living in this house for almost 15 months, the drawers and cupboards are filled with items we need to consider for packing or donating.  

Vultures are on the lookout for their next meal.

The kitchen cabinets are packed with spices, condiments, and various household products, none of which we’ll be able to fit into our luggage. The bedroom’s dressers, wardrobe, and surfaces are all filled and covered with our “stuff.”  

Then, of course, is the bathroom which contains a myriad of toiletries, soaps, and shampoos. During each stay in a holiday home, I attempt to avoid duplicating items we already have on hand.

A parade of elephants crossing a dirt road in Kruger.

But, you know how that goes. While at the market or pharmacy, it’s easy to forget what we have on hand back at the house, and suddenly we have three bottles of conditioner when we only need one.

In the past few days, I’ve managed to enter all of the receipts to our Excel spreadsheet and file and submit both health insurance claims to our difficult-to-deal-with health insurance company who’s still hedging on paying the outstanding balance owed for the bypass surgery of over two months ago.

Cautiously, making their way across the road.

We are responsible for this balance should they fail to pay, which is almost ZAR 300000, US $20,964.  If we spend it now, we’ll play hell in trying to collect this from them. In the same manner, they will be unlikely to reimburse us for the two claims over ZAR 200000, US $13,976.  

At this point is conceivable we could end up having paid ZAR 500000, US $35,000 for my surgery, which should have been covered less ZAR 86181, US $6,000 for three deductibles, one for each of three hospital admissions which includes the angiogram, bypass surgery, and two leg surgeries. Sorting this could drag on for some time.

Intimidation mouthful of razor-sharp teeth.

Crocs don’t have sweat glands and open their mouths at rest to cool off.

Mom and baby wildebeest in Kruger.

We encountered this flock of ostriches on a recent drive in Marloth Park. For more photos, please click here.

Female lions were lounging in the shade.

But, those falling somewhere in the middle seem to be the most difficult to navigate when the outcome can manifest in several different ways.  When it comes to medical issues, at times, we find ourselves stymied.

Most recently, a decision hovering in my mind has been, do I reduce the fat in my diet with the unproven notion that a low-fat diet reduces heart disease? Or do I go with the three doctor’s opinions, all highly competent professionals, that reducing fat in my diet won’t have a bearing on the future state of my cardiovascular system?  

Dinner in Kruger National Park when friends Lois and Tom visited when we’d gone on a nighttime game drive.

Not necessarily for everyone. Heredity was responsible for clogging my arteries beginning 20 or 30 years ago. During that time, I always ate a very low-fat diet to keep my weight under control.  

Most of the family members on my mother’s side were grossly overweight and had type 2 diabetes, both of which are significant risk factors for coronary artery disease. I saw their health fail as a child and decided in my teenage years I’d never become overweight and, I didn’t.

A cute bunny on the road in Kruger National Park.

On a low-fat diet, I was nearly starving myself for many years, always hungry.  By consuming a low carb, higher fat, sugar-free diet, I’m seldom hungry and can easily control my weight and avoid diabetes.  

I consume healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil (in moderation), fatty fish, dark chocolate (without sugar), certain nuts (moderate amounts, not including peanuts or cashews), whole eggs, and small amounts of full-fat dairy products. I do not eat fried foods or foods swimming in oils or trans fats. Medical science supports this way of eating.

A pair of hippos and a couple of cape buffaloes.

But, some family members are trying to convince me to eat a low-fat diet. If I do so, the pain in my spine will return since a low-carb diet, for me, had significantly reduced inflammation and, subsequently, chronic pain. If I do so, it could further damage my cardiovascular system.

After considerable research lately and weighing the pros and cons, I unhesitatingly decided to stick with my current eating plan, which the doctors condone is best for my long-term health.

The only squirrel we’ve seen in South Africa.

In the past 24 hours, another decision faced me. The doctor suggested I start walking to increase the blood flow to my legs and possibly reduce the healing time. Although this may appear in the “little significance” category, it became a significant decision.  

I agreed with this premise when logically, it made all the sense in the world. So, yesterday, upon returning to the house, I started walking for five minutes once every two hours, setting the timer on my phone for both and walking and the waiting times. 

A nyala, the first we spotted in Kruger.

During the first five-minute walk, I found I had to walk tiptoed on my bad left leg due to my inability to place the foot flat on the floor due to the pain. It felt as if the wound was tearing open if I tried. 

After the second five-minute walk, I noticed the wound was oozing through the bandage and the compression stocking. By the third five-minute walk, it began bleeding and was exceedingly painful.

A decision had to be made…do I continue walking, or do I hold off and give the wound more time to heal? Walking is vital for my cardiovascular rehab, but the wound needs to heal. It became a dilemma that I found comparable to my diet dilemma…ultimately, which is better for the long haul?

More nyala in Kruger.

For the remainder of the day, the pain was awful, and my left foot started to swell, which rolled into the night, and I only slept for a few hours. Another aspect entered the dilemma…lack of sleep is detrimental for both wound healing and cardiovascular health. Swelling is harmful to recovery.

This morning, we decided there would be no walking until it I can do so with less pain. Tomorrow morning we return to Doc Theo. We’ll discuss these concerns with him. Sure, I could have called him, but it wasn’t necessary.  

If I told him the pain was unbearable while walking, the foot had begun to swell, and the wound was leaking into the compression stocking, he would have said, “Don’t walk for now.”  Decision-making is not always “rocket science.”

So today, as they say, “A few steps forward and a few steps back.” I am hunkered down on the sofa in the living room, feet propped up on pillows where I will stay put for the day, hoping to reduce the pain and swelling and speed up the healing time.

Adorable baby Danie with his loving and attentive mom, Okey Dokey. He never stopped smiling and laughing the entire time they were visiting. They’d planned to visit us over the weekend, but Danie was sick, and it was best we didn’t get together. For more photos, please click here.