Oh, what a night!…

When we walked into Jabula last night, we were thrilled to see friend Lee, whom we met through Rita and Gerhard. It was great to see him. We invited him to dinner on Wednesday night.

Gerhard and Rita, dear friends whom we met years ago through our site, have visited Marloth Park many times. We became fast friends and have stayed in close touch regularly. They visited us a few times while we were in Lake Las Vegas, including surprising me on my birthday a few years ago.

We have it on our itinerary to see them when our fourth cruise ends in Seattle in May 2026. They live nearby in Vancouver, Washington, USA.

Soot from the sugarcane burning often flies through the air and lands on all outdoor surfaces in Marloth Park. Sugarcane burning is a common pre-harvest practice, particularly in regions like South Africa and parts of the US, where it’s done to remove excess leaves and trash, making manual or mechanical harvesting easier. While this practice improves harvest efficiency, it also has drawbacks, including environmental and health concerns.

We met Lee several years ago when he visited Marloth Park to see Rita and Gerhard and experience the bush with us. He has returned several times since. We’ve spent several social events with Lee over the years, and we were thrilled last night when we walked into Jabula and he was waiting for us. He’s here for one month.

While the conversation was lively and animated, Lee explained that he’d gone to Bali and stayed at the same holiday house we stayed in for four months in 2016. He chose that house after Rita and Gerhard stayed there, following our example. We are always thrilled when our readers follow our lead and share the great experiences we’ve had and shared online in our posts.

But the best part is making dear friends from our readership, many of whom we’ve stayed in close touch with. Without a doubt, we’ve continued to see Rita and Gerhard more than any others, and our mutual bond is close and meaningful.

There was a little more water in the Crocodile River after a few hours of light rain.

When Lee told us he bought the house next door to the house we rented (and Rita and Gerhard also rented), and invited us to come stay at any time. We’ve often talked about returning to Bali, and this may be the perfect opportunity.

While we were giddy from the exciting conversation, I had a great idea. What if Rita and Gerhard could join us in 2026, and we all could stay at Lee’s house, which has three bedrooms and a guest cottage, plenty of room for all of us!

A few years ago, during dinner at friends Kathy and Don’s house in Marloth Park, Rita and Gerhard shared their experiences of attending Oktoberfest in Germany in considerable detail. At that time, I told Tom I’d love to have that experience someday, attending the event with Rita and Gerhard, who are from Germany but are now both US citizens. The prospect of going to Ocktobefest has been on my mind since then.

A Big Daddy kudu was standing on a hill in Kruger. We don’t see many kudus when we drive through Kruger National Park. But we see plenty in our garden.

AS it turned out, Lee explained he purchased a “table for ten” for Oktoberfest, and we can join him anytime. We all agreed how fun it would be to attend this exciting event together in October 2026, and also visit Bali. Within minutes, we had Rita and Gerhard on the phone on WhatsApp while we simultaneously agreed that these are “must-dos” for the five of us.

Then, the surprise of all surprises, Rita and Gerhard, known for their surprises, confessed they are coming to Marloth Park on September 3, bringing Rita’s mom from Germany, putting aside their desire to surprise us this time. We are so excited. They rented a house from Louise and made her promise to keep the secret, which she did!

Gosh, these upcoming three weeks in Marloth Park will be exciting! Lee wil join us on Tuesday night for Quiz Night, as well as coming to dinner on Wednesday, and we’ll see Rita and Gerhard soon. On top of that, another of our readers, Christine, and her partner will be joining us at Jabula on September 12, which will likely bring the total number of attendees to more than just the four of us. We leave Marloth Park for Spain on September 14.

Wow! What an exciting night!

Today at 2:00 pm, we are heading to Daphne and Neville’s home for a braai and the South African Springboks rugby game, another fun event in the bush.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 23, 2015:

Not the most flattering photo of us. But, we couldn’t resist including a photo of us while in Australia, tasting the Mimolette cheese we’ve written about today, known for its “mites’ that live on the outside of the cheese as it ferments. The US has concerns over “bugs” on cheese. See the post here.

A delightful evening with old friends…An amazing escape for a beloved wild animal…

When Lisa put a plate of yogurt on the perch in her veanda, six bushbabies came to enjoy the treat. It was a treat for me to see them.

It had been quite a few years since I got together with Deidre, the director of Wild & Free Rehabilitation Centre, with Lisa, formerly referred to as the bushbaby caregiver. at Lisa’s home, a few kilometers from here.

Arriving at 4:30 pm as planned, Lisa and I had a few minutes to catch up while we waited for Deidre to arrive, after finishing her busy workload, caring for lost, injured, or ill wild animals in and around Marloth Park with a passion and dedication hard to match.

As the sun was setting at Ngwenya.

Deidre arrived with friend Karin, and the four of us enjoyed beverages and an endless stream of fascinating discussions about Marloth Park and its amazing wildlife, and the issues faced by the rescue center treating old, injured, and sick animals.

Of course, we discussed Norman at length, and when Deidre credited us for “saving Norman’s life” based on the video Tom took about ten days ago, which we sent to her. She and the vets had determined that Norman would be euthanized the next day. After reviewing our video, they determined he was doing better and appeared to be improving on his own, and the next day’s euthanasia was off!

The sunsets over the Crocodile River are always stunning.

Whew! We were both so happy to hear this. When Tom returned to pick me up, he joined the four of us on the veranda, and Deidre told him this story. He was also thrilled to hear that his video saved Norman’s life.

We also discussed Nathan’s injury to his horn, and with so many animals in the bush with horns, apparently, this is a common injury. Deidre and the vets agreed Nathan should heal without incident. That was a huge relief to hear as well. Tom enjoyed the lively conversation with the women, and then we headed home for dinner.

Deidre invited us to visit the rescue center next week, and we’ll write a comprehensive story with photos of the animals in her care afterward. We can hardly wait. The centre is not open to the general public due to the risk of diseases carried by humans. Without a doubt, we’ll be wearing face masks.

A kudu mom and youngster, of course, are looking for pellets.

Back at the house, we sat indoors to have a nice dinner I’d prepared in the morning, and before we knew it, it was time to wander off to bed, to stream one episode of a series, and eventually nod off for a good night’s sleep, which we both accomplished.

At 4:00 pm today, we’ll head to Jabula but stop at the Marloth Park Info Centre to see Louise and Danie for a few minutes. We won’t be going to Jabula on Saturday night since we’re invited to a braai at Daphne and Neville’s home, our teammates on Tuesday’s Quiz Nights. It will be another fun weekend.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 22, 2015:

As we approached Rusty’s Market in Cairns, Australia, we knew we were in for a treat. The counter at Fetish for Food is one of many international markets within the vast farmers’ market. For more photos, please click here.

Now, Nathan is injured…Winter is ending…The heat is on!…Insects and snakes returning!…

When Norman’s family stopped by yesterday afternoon, we noticed that Norman and Nina’s son, Nathan, had a horn injury. We took today’s photos and sent them to Deidre at Wild & Free Rehabilitation Centre to check him.

It was sad to see that now Nathan, Norman’s son, also has a serious injury. Here’s what happens when this type of injury occurs:

Of course, the outcome depends a bit on the species of antelope and the extent of the injury.

  • Horn anatomy: Antelope horns (unlike deer antlers) are permanent structures. They are made of a bony core that is an outgrowth of the skull, covered by a keratin sheath (similar to our fingernails).

  • If the horn sheath breaks off: Sometimes, the keratin sheath can be knocked loose or cracked. This can be painful, but if the bony core remains intact, the sheath may regrow or heal over time.

    It surely must be painful.

  If the horn separates from the skull (the bony core breaks): This is far more serious. Since the bony core is part of the skull, damage usually exposes living bone and blood vessels. The animal can suffer from:

    • Heavy bleeding (the base of the horn is well supplied with blood).

    • Risk of infection (flies and bacteria can quickly invade exposed bone tissue).

    • Chronic pain or weakness in the horn structure.

    • In severe cases, the animal might not survive if infection or blood loss is extensive.

      There’s no way to determine how this happened to Nathan. It’s so sad to see him this way.

  • Wild antelopes: In nature, such injuries often become fatal if severe, since the animal is weakened and vulnerable to predators. However, minor cracks or partial separations might heal on their own, though the horn could grow misshapen.

  • In managed reserves or farms, A veterinarian may trim away damaged horn, clean the wound, and apply antibiotics. Some horns can continue to grow normally after partial loss if the growth tissue at the base isn’t destroyed.

We can only wait and see what the vets decide to do, if anything. We have seen these types of injuries on other wild animals, and they’ve fully recovered in time. We will report here when we have an update.

On another note, it appears that winter is over in South Africa, although it doesn’t officially end until September 21. I’ve started wearing insect repellent again now that it’s warming up, after noticing a few mosquitoes. Also, soon, we’ll be on the lookout for snakes, which are plentiful in Marloth Park.

For the first time in several months, when we left Jabula on Friday night, we heard the loud sounds from tree frogs in the pond on our walk to the parking lot, reminding us of summers in the bush.

At first glance, we thought he had dirt and mud on his face. Upon closer inspection and through the photos, we could see he definitely was injured. His right horn looks as if it is partially detached from the base.

This coming Saturday, the weather forecast predicts highs of 102°F, 39°C. With the humidity here, it will be uncomfortable, but we’re used to it, as we are used to the vast array of insects and the prospect of slithering snakes. We’ve spent more time in Marloth Park in hot weather than we have in the short, cool winters.

The timing has worked well for us to depart in mid-September. In future visits, we’ll strive to be here in the cool winter months. With the flexibility we enjoy as home-free world travelers, this is easy for us to arrange.

Tonight is Quiz Night, and our friends Carol and Colin, whom we visited last evening for sundowners at their lovely home overlooking the Crocodile River, are joining our group of four. It will be a lot easier for us when we have the help of four others to achieve a higher score than we’ve had the past two weeks, when it was only the two of us. Six brains are certainly better than two!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 19, 2015:

The most venomous Australian snake: the Inland Taipan or Fierce Snake
(Not our photo). The Inland Taipan or Fierce Snake is reported as the most venomous snake in Australia. For more photos, please click here.

Do you dread Monday mornings?…Does retirement alleviate this familiar dread?…Norman is on the mend!…

Norman is improving and is now able to lie down to rest his broken leg. He’s able to put a little weight on it. We feed him a voracious amount of healthy fruit and vegetables to help him recover. He often spends several hours a day with us.

There’s something almost universal about the dread of Monday mornings. No matter what corner of the world we live in, no matter what stage of life we’ve reached, Monday seems to carry with it a shadow that hangs over Sunday evenings like a looming cloud. It doesn’t matter if one works in an office, teaches in a school, or even enjoys the so-called freedom of retirement and even a joyful life of world travel; Mondays have a reputation, and not a good one. They are the gatekeepers of responsibility, the unwelcome reminder that another week must be faced, whether we feel ready for it or not.

For so many people, Monday mornings are synonymous with alarm clocks ringing too soon. That piercing sound is rarely kind, interrupting dreams that seemed sweeter than the reality of another commute, another round of meetings, another set of deadlines. The weekend, with its promise of leisure and choice, is cut short by the inescapable reality that we must show up. Monday never negotiates—it demands, it insists. We can bargain with ourselves, press the snooze button once or twice, but in the end, Monday wins.

Part of the dread comes from contrast. Saturdays and Sundays often carry a lighter rhythm, even if they are filled with errands and chores. There’s a psychological difference in knowing those days belong to us, however briefly. We can choose when to wake up, what to do with our time, and how to order our day. But Monday steals that choice away. Suddenly, the hours are structured around commitments we did not freely design. There is a rigidity to the schedule, a narrowing of freedom. Monday reminds us that our lives are, in many ways, not entirely our own.

Norman loves carrots, apples, pears, and cabbage. His left broken leg’s swelling has gone down about 50% in the past week.

The dread is also tied to anticipation. Human beings have an uncanny ability to live inside their thoughts, and Mondays often trigger the mental checklist of everything waiting for us. Emails left unanswered on Friday afternoon suddenly stare back from our inboxes. Projects that seemed distant last week are suddenly due. Even before our feet hit the floor, our minds are already racing through tasks, obligations, and responsibilities. It’s not just the weight of Monday we carry, but the whole week stretching ahead like a steep climb.

There is also something about Monday that magnifies fatigue. No matter how much rest we get, it rarely feels like enough to reset from the demands of modern life. Many people spend the weekend trying to cram in recovery—sleeping late, socializing, catching up on housework—only to find themselves more tired when Monday arrives. It feels as though we are starting a marathon with legs that haven’t quite healed from the last one. No wonder Monday feels heavier than it should.

But not all of the dread is physical or practical. There’s a psychological layer as well. Mondays remind us of routine, of sameness. The novelty of a new week rarely sparks excitement—it signals repetition. For those in jobs that lack fulfillment or joy, Monday can feel like stepping back onto a treadmill that leads nowhere. Even for those who enjoy their work, Mondays still carry the pressure of performance, of having to prove ourselves again, week after week. That pressure can be exhausting in its own right.

What makes this dread so peculiar is that it affects people who technically have no reason to fear Mondays. Retirees often confess they still feel that twinge of anxiety when Sunday evening rolls around. Old habits linger in the body. After years of waking up early, dressing for work, and showing up on time, the mind can’t fully shake the association. Monday is etched into our cultural rhythm as the day of seriousness, of responsibility, of effort. Even without a boss waiting or a desk piled high, the feeling lingers. It is as though Monday has imprinted itself on our collective psyche.

Yet, when we strip away the reputation Monday carries, it is still just another day. The sun rises the same way. Birds still sing. The world does not change its rhythm because the calendar has turned. What changes is us—our anticipation, our dread, our expectations. We project onto Monday the weight of obligation, and in doing so, we give it power. Perhaps that’s why Fridays are celebrated and Mondays are mourned. We’ve collectively decided to honor one and curse the other.

Of course, not everyone feels this way. There are people who look forward to Monday as a fresh start, a clean slate. They welcome the routine, the structure, the chance to begin again. But they are often the exception. For most, Monday signifies the loss of freedom, the beginning of effort, and the burden of another cycle. The dread, then, is less about the day itself and more about what it represents in the story of our lives.

Maybe the challenge lies in reframing Monday, not as a punishment, but as an opportunity. Easier said than done, of course. But when we see Monday as inevitable suffering, it becomes just that. When we see it as a chance to begin anew, to reset intentions, to step into possibility, it can take on a softer tone. The day itself doesn’t change, but our relationship to it can.

Still, the cultural weight of Monday is hard to shake. For many, the dread will always creep in on Sunday night, a familiar visitor knocking at the door. And maybe that’s not entirely bad. Perhaps it’s a reminder that we crave balance, that we long for more freedom, more rest, more joy in our everyday lives. If nothing else, Monday makes us aware of what we’re missing, and perhaps that awareness can push us to shape our lives in ways that feel lighter, not just on weekends, but every day of the week.

Sure, we’ve lightened the load of dreading Monday morning, considering our fulfilling lives of non-stop world travel, but, even so, on Monday mornings, for a few minutes, that feeling washes over me, after which I shake myself loose and remind myself of this extraordinary life we lead. Grateful. Very grateful.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today,  August 18, 2015:

The drive to Smithfield Regional Park in Carins, Australia, was pleasant. The day started sunny, quickly changing to clouds and sprinkles. For more photos, please click here.

New CDC health warnings…

Poliomyelitis virus vaccine.

From Travel & Leisure online magazine here:

“CDC Warns Travelers About Rising Global Risk in New Health Advisory—What to Know

The agency urges updated vaccinations and enhanced precautions for trips to Europe, Africa, and beyond. By Michael Cappetta, published on August 7, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its global travel alert for polio, warning Americans against the spread of the disease.

The advisory, which was last updated this week, classifies the polio virus as “Level 2,” encouraging Americans to “practice enhanced precautions” when traveling internationally. Countries with circulating poliovirus include popular destinations like Finland, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Kenya.

“Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines,” the CDC wrote in its advisory. “Before traveling to any destination listed below, adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series may receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.”

Most people who contract polio don’t feel sick and experience minor symptoms like fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, nasal congestion, a sore throat, a cough, stiffness in their neck and back, and pain in their arms and legs. However, polio could cause more serious symptoms in rare cases, including permanent loss of muscle function, which the CDC said could be “fatal if the muscles used for breathing are paralyzed or if there is an infection of the brain.”

Beyond just getting vaccinated, the CDC recommends travelers practice good hand washing and take precautions to drink non-contaminated water.

In addition to polio, the CDC issued a warning for the chikungunya virus in both China’s Guangdong Province (which was updated last week) and in Bolivia. Mosquitoes spread the virus, and while the most common symptoms are fever and joint pain, the CDC said travelers are “at risk for more severe disease, including newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older), and people with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.” The agency recommended pregnant people avoid traveling to affected areas, especially if they are close to delivering, since the virus can be passed to the baby if the parent becomes infected.

The CDC said travelers heading to these areas should get vaccinated, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or with screens on the windows and doors.

The CDC also monitors other global diseases like dengue fever, which is currently classified as “Level 1” concern, along with measlesyellow fever, and more. Currently, the CDC has not issued any “Level 3” or “Level 4″ advisories, which recommend travelers reconsider nonessential travel or avoid all travel to the destination, respectively.”

When we see Doc Theo for prescriptions before we leave South Africa in September, we each will get polio vaccine boosters, which we haven’t had since before we left for our world travels in October 2012.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 17, 2015:

The side yard off the kitchen in Trinity Beach, Australia. Many of the huge plants in Australia are used as small houseplants in the US and other countries. For more photos, please click here.

Important visa news for 29 countries..How does this impact us, or does it?…

From Travel & Leisure online magazine here.

“Passport Stamps Are Disappearing Across 29 Countries This Fall—Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

What was once a built-in souvenir is becoming obsolete as new technology takes over. By Opheli Garcia Lawler

Why are lightning rods necessary in Marloth Park?…We’re leaving one month from today…

Some tree branches had to be trimmed to accommodate the longer pole. Chris’s helper was busy cutting the top branches. Shortly after they left, animals came to eat the leaves they hadn’t been able to reach. When Louise let us know that Chris, the lightning rod guy, was going to spend the better part of a day in our garden extending the existing too-short lightning rod on the property, we were curious as to what this was all about. While he and his helper were working outdoors, I talked to him, asking many questions as to why the extension was necessary.

Lightning rods are important in Marloth Park, South Africa, because the area is prone to intense summer thunderstorms, often accompanied by frequent lightning strikes. Here’s why they’re particularly necessary there:

1. High frequency of lightning in the Lowveld
Marloth Park sits in the Mpumalanga Lowveld, which is one of South Africa’s high-risk lightning zones. Warm, humid summer air colliding with cooler fronts creates powerful thunderstorms, especially between November and March. The combination of open savannah and scattered tall structures (like roofs, trees, and water towers) makes buildings vulnerable to direct strikes.

The lightning rod was lying in the garden while Chris and his worker extended it.

2. Thatched roofs are standard – and flammable
Many homes in Marloth Park have thatched roofs, which, while beautiful and fitting for the bush aesthetic, are highly flammable. A single lightning strike can ignite a thatch roof almost instantly, and because Marloth Park has no municipal fire brigade in town, response times can be slow, increasing the risk of losing the entire structure.

3. Isolated buildings and tall trees attract strikes
Houses in Marloth Park are often surrounded by open bushveld with few other tall structures nearby. This makes them natural lightning targets, especially if they have tall thatch peaks, metal chimney caps, or nearby large trees.

4. Wildlife and human safety
Lightning can also pose a risk to people and even large animals. A strike on a building or fence could cause injury or death to anyone nearby, including residents, visitors, or animals seeking shelter under a roof or tree during a storm.

5. Insurance requirements
Many South African insurers require lightning protection on thatched-roof properties in high-risk areas like Marloth Park. Without it, claims for fire damage caused by lightning might be denied.

In short, Lightning rods in Marloth Park aren’t just a precaution — they’re a necessity because of the high lightning strike rate, flammable roofing materials, isolated structures, and limited firefighting resources. They act as a safe path for lightning to travel into the ground, protecting both property and lives.

We’d never given lightning rods a thought while here in Marloth Park. However, after a discussion with Chris, he clarified why they are necessary in Marloth Park, as well as in many locations throughout South Africa and other countries.

We’ve decided to dine in tonight after many evenings spent out with friends and activities. It’s a beautiful day to cook on the braai and dine outdoors while our wildlife friends stop by.

As always, the time here has flown by, and one month from today, we head for Spain.

Be well.

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

Nothing is more exciting for us than spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, as was the case here when we spotted this pelican. For more photos, please click here.

It wasn’t a bad experience at all…

(This is the wrong address for us but no need to change it since we don’t get a bill sent to us.) The total bill for yesterday’s tooth repair, x-rays, and cleaning came to ZAR 1557.30, US $88.79.

Tom just threw a ripe banana to the male bushbuck, Chewy, and the mongoose came running and grabbed it. As carnivores, we didn’t expect them to eat it, but the lucky thief is devouring it. The bush is dry, and even the carnivores are varying from their usual diets.

Moving right along, my anxiety about visiting the dentist has been completely obliterated. Sadly, the dentist I expected to see wasn’t there. She has cancer and is off for many months for treatment. We wish her well.

Instead, the lovely dentist, Dr. Jones, from a village near Johannesburg, has been working in her place while she’s away, and I love her. She gave me the best cleaning I’ve ever had and repaired one of my two broken teeth. Next Wednesday, I have an appointment for her to do the crown prep on the bigger broken tooth.

After that, I will return with Tom in early September to have the crown “seated,” when he gets his teeth cleaned. Most likely, we won’t see a dentist again until next March, six months later, while we’re still in Tasmania.

Today, I’ve attached a copy of the bill for yesterday’s 90-minute appointment, including the cleaning, X-rays, and the repair of the one broken tooth. This appointment could easily have cost eight to ten times more in the US. The upcoming cost of the crown will be under ZAR 4000, US $228, again, eight to ten less than in the US.

These dental prices in South Africa are even less than those in Mexico, where many seniors travel for dental care, especially those living in bordering states. That wouldn’t ever be convenient or likely for us to do when visiting the US.

Back at the house by 1:00 pm, Tom took his daily short nap while I relaxed and did a little reading. By 4:30, we were out the door and on our way to Giraffe Pub and Grill for dinner and Quiz Night.

With our teammate Daphne as Quiz Master, and her husband Neville having to work as manager of Giraffe, and Marlize still in Durban, once again, there were only the two of us. We tried our best, but struggled when we lacked a South African to answer questions that only South Africans would know.

Also, since both Tom and I had children at young ages, 17 and 19, respectively, we missed out on a lot of experience with pop culture, including that from music and movies. Speaking of our old lives, today, if still married to my first husband, the father of my two sons, I’d have been married for 60 years.

Also, on today’s date, August 13, it was 55 years ago that Tom began working on the railroad. Every year on August 13, we wish each other, “Happy Anniversary,” (tongue in cheek). Gosh, we’re grateful for this life, and no, we still don’t pay attention to current movies, music, and pop culture. We’re more wrapped up in the world around us.

Time to wrap this up. We’re heading to Komatipoort tomorrow for another appointment and will share details in tomorrow’s post.

Be well.

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

As we made our way through a portion of the triple canopy rainforest, we encountered two lakes, a creek, and a river in Cairns, Australia. This is the saltwater lake. Tomorrow, we’ll be posting photos of the freshwater lake, the river, and the creek, which includes a wildlife surprise. For more photos, please click here.

Had to change dentists due to scheduling issues…

Mongooses never fail to stop by at least once a day, often twice.

Two weeks ago, during dinner at Giraffe on Quiz Night, half of a tooth (a molar) fell out of my mouth while eating a grilled chicken salad. I had no idea this tooth had a problem.

Last week, while shopping at the Bush Centre in Marloth Park, a chip fell off another tooth on the opposite side. Good grief! I’ve had nightmares of my teeth falling out. Is this a sign of things to come, or am I just being paranoid? I thought my teeth were in good condition.

The next day, after the first tooth broke, I called Dr. Singh’s office in Malalane to schedule an appointment. However, they had no openings until the end of August, and if it took a few weeks to have a crown made, it would be too close to our departure time on September 14.

I had no choice but to book an appointment with another dentist in Malalane, as there were no dentists left in Komatipoort after Luzanne left a few years ago when her husband got a job in Chicago, Illinois.

Our resident wildebeest, Hal, is walking away after eating some treats.

Thus, I booked an appointment with Dr. Nel (recommended by our friends Roz and Les), with whom I have an appointment at 10:30 this morning, and we’re leaving here in less than an hour. Today’s post will be rushed to get it done before we leave.

Of course, with a bit of dental phobia, I am a little anxious about having any dental work done. Who enjoys going to a dentist, regardless of the reason? Certainly, no one I know.

Dental phobia is an intense, often overwhelming fear of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures. It goes beyond mild anxiety—people with dental phobia may experience panic attacks, severe distress, or even physical symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, or feeling faint at just the thought of a dental appointment.

Giraffes stop by almost every day.

It can stem from various causes, such as:

  • Past negative experiences — painful treatments or insensitive care in childhood or adulthood.

  • Fear of pain — often heightened if someone has a low pain threshold or outdated beliefs about dental procedures.

  • Loss of control — lying back in the chair, unable to talk, and relying on someone else’s hands in your mouth can feel very vulnerable.

  • Embarrassment — concerns about the appearance or smell of one’s teeth, or about being judged.

  • Sensory triggers — the sound of the drill, the smell of antiseptic, or the bright lights can all provoke fear.

For many, this phobia can lead to avoiding the dentist altogether, sometimes for years, which can worsen oral health and, ironically, increase the likelihood of needing more complex treatment later.

Treatment approaches include gentle, empathetic dentists who specialize in anxious patients, gradual exposure therapy, sedation dentistry, relaxation techniques, and sometimes psychological counseling to address the root fears.

I suppose my fear stems from “Past negative experiences,” of which I’ve had many over the years, although throughout my life, I have been diligent about treating any issues and getting frequent cleanings.

Oh well, here it goes again. I will report back tomorrow with details.

Have a great day!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 12, 2015

Note the wide beak on this beautiful duck. For more photos, please click here.

An exciting astronomical event this week!…Video of Norman limping across the garden…

From Travel & Leisure’s online magazine here:

“One of the Most Celebrated Astronomical Events of 2025 Is Peaking This Week With Fiery Streaks and Bright Fireballs—What to Know

Stargazers can expect dozens of meteors per hour—plus the chance to spot Mercury and more in August skies. By Katie Nadworny

Published on August 10, 2025

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

It seems we wake up every morning at 5 am. Tom gets up and I read in bed until I fall back asleep, usually until 7 am. Up so early, he has an opportunity to capture these amazing sunrises. For more photos, please click here.