Today marks one year since the last chemo treatment. This day last year my hair had a chance to begin growing. Happy birthday, hair! It’s time for a haircut soon!

Keep calm and savor the day is the title in English. Our breakfast in Venice had a “keep calm and…” phrase on their sugar packages each morning.

We saw other signs such as this one.

Venice was a way to get home with less expensive airline tickets. It’s never been a place that we’ve had on our list to see. What a surprise! We loved Venice. Our apartment was a hidden jewel. Our view from our windows was the Guglie Bridge. Pronounced (Gug=hard G, long u, silent G)- (Li=Lee)- (E= yay) Gu-lee-yay. We learned by a local hearing us say it incorrectly, then correcting us.

Everything is moved throughout the St Lucia by boat. Taxis use boats and are a very expensive way to get around. A water taxi to and from the airport is $140-180 euros – one way. (We took the city bus to the stopping point for vehicles, then walked. Thank goodness we know how to walk many kilometers per day. The boat traffic is crazy.

Bridges everywhere. – large and small.

We had no idea what to do in Venice except to ride on a gondola. (Couldn’t talk them into singing to us.) Toby, our driver, was a young man who has grown up in Venice and learned to steer one of these at an early age. (He’s going to be a daddy in one month.)

We are lovers of blown glass. The island of Murano, known for Italian glass, was a boat ride away. So many masters of the art on this island. A glass shop, one after another showing their pieces.

Peggy Guggenheim, an art addict, as she called herself, lived in Venice. Her home is now an art museum showing many pieces of her collection such as several by Picasso, Chagall, Dali, Bacci, and others.

Walking through the different Campos (Plazas) and looking at all the old buildings and hearing the church bells never gets old in the European cities.

The food was classic Italian with several courses.

And, of course, we couldn’t think of a better way to end an amazing trip. More Opera – Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and others all in one night.

Assapora la giornata – savor the day, wherever you are. Are you savoring your day? What does that mean to you?

There is so much enjoyment that comes from cultivating and savoring our relationship with God, the enjoyment of the big and little things in life he gives us each day.

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy”. Psalm 126:3

We have been blessed to see so many different cultures, experience their foods, hear their stories, and we savor each of those experiences. Yes, Vicki, this hat has traveled and has so many stories if it could talk. (A gofundme might get set up to purchase a new hat, right?!)

As we inch our way back to the USA for another round of tests, we savor this time and all the Lord has done. We are thankful for the team of doctors God has provided and have helped make these times away possible. We savor the times with all our family and friends, and look forward to coming home to you all. And we savor all the prayers for us over this past year and a half.

Savoring the days. We are on the 11 hours and 30 minute flight home. Sit back and relax, they say. So, I think I’ll watch Sound of Music for a few hours while Jay looks for a Lionfish movie, James Bond, or a war movie like “Downfall”. Thanks for traveling with us. Until next time….

Blessings, Jay and Kelly

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things.

Yes, we have been in Salzburg, Austria via Munich, Germany. Home of “The Sound of Music” and Mozart’s childhood residence.

We spent one day in Munich before catching a train to Salzburg. I say a train because it wasn’t the one we had purchased a ticket for. Jay was having such a great time wondering how I was going to tell the conductor I had us get on the wrong train. Oh, a smile can go along way. And, with that we arrived 30 minutes earlier than we were supposed to. In my defense, it said Salzburg on the front of the train.

The one day in Munich was touring Daucau concentration camp. We won’t go into any detail. This is what we will say, Hitler was a very sick human being. And, as we said a few years ago regarding Normandy, everyone, particularly our young graduates, should be required to experience walking through one of these camps so this war is never forgotten. This camp was one of the first ones built where many experiments were performed and much of the pictures for propaganda were taken from this camp.

Continuing for a moment regarding this sick human being. In 1938 he built a retreat called Kehlsteinhauson (also known as the Eagles Nest) on a mountaintop at approximately 6,000 overlooking Salzburg. Although no one other than the guards ever spent the night there, many meetings with the Nazi Party for planning all his evil doings occurred there. Mussolini gifted this fireplace piece to the retreat. There was also a tearoom where Eva Braun entertained.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss, Every morning you greet me. Small and white, clean and bright, you look happy to meet me. Blossom of snow, May you bloom and grow, bloom and grow forever. Edelweiss, Edelweiss, bless my home-land forever. Amen, Lord, bless our home-land.

On our drive down the mountain we ran into another parade. German parades and celebrations are not as long as the ones in Spain.

One of my favorite things is the opera. Jay thought he left that piece to Becky, however, he was excited to attend this event. Mozart wrote many beautiful pieces. We had the privilege to attend a dinner with a five piece ensemble dressed in period pieces and playing Mozart. A soprano and an alto opera singers sang both duets and separately from three different operas, “Don Giovanni”, “The Marriage of Figaro”, and “The Magic Flute”. The service captain sat us at the front table. He said, “it will be as if they are playing just for you.”. He was right.

Our mode of transportation was going to be bicycles until we reached our first hill. In addition to walking, taxis and tour buses became plan B.

The Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies. I wouldn’t try to guess how many times I’ve seen it. One more “dream” scratched off the list – to visit the places Sound of Music was filmed in Salzburg. We even stayed on the property where the famous scene “Maria and the children falling into the lake” was filmed, Hotel Schoss Leopold. Oh my, you should have seven our room and view! Unbelievable!

All you Sound of Music buffs are going to enjoy the next few pictures. You might begin singing Do-Re-Mi. Get ready, Strommers, this is a trip for you.!

Do a deer, a female dear. Re, a block of golden sun. Mi, a name I call myself. Fa, a long long way to run….

So, a needle pulling thread, la, a note that follows so, tee, a drink with jam and bread. That will bring us back to do. Do re mi fa so la the do, so do.

Let’s move on to another part of the movie – The wedding. St Michael Bacilica, the chapel used in the movie, was located in the lake country in a town called Mondsee. The lake used in the fly-by at the beginning of the movie was on the way. We sat and watched all the paragliders.

The Abbey is still a working convent. The only time one is allowed in is for mass on Sunday.

There is so much we could show regarding The Sound of Music. I won’t bore you any more. The crowning building in Salzburg is the fortress perched high on her own mountain. We climbed it. It was so steep! The view of Salzburg is outstanding.

We know Jay’s favorite thing is spearing Lionfish.

Did you know the Lord delights in you? Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing”. Psalms 37:23 says, God, “delights in every detail of your life.”. Did you know you are the apple of His eye? It says that in a few verses in the bible. You are his favorite thing.

How about you? What are some of your favorite things?

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels.
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles. Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes.
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes.
Silver white winters that melt into springs.
These are a few of my favorite things.

How did Sound of Music end? “Climb every mountain, search high and low, follow every by way, every path you know. Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, till you find your dream. A dream that will need all the love you can give. Every day of you life, for as long as you live….Climb every mountain till you find your dream.

Keep dreaming. Next stop….

Blessings, Jay and Kelly

Today we are writing our fifty-first blog since we began this site. Not in a million dreams would I have thought we would become bloggers let alone writers of any sort. Thank you for reading, thank you for all your kind comments throughout these journeys, and thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We continue to pray for each of you as well.

A perfect day – besides the birth of children/grandchildren or your wedding day, how would you describe one of your perfect days? What would the perfect day look like to you? Would you know it if you were having one of those days? Some of us are so busy throughout the day that we don’t have time to even know how great our day is until we sit down at night and review the day.

Let me describe a particular day. But first….

I wish we had put an app on our phones to see all the zigzagging we’ve done throughout Portugal and Spain. They say we walked 290 kilometers which is 180 miles. We have walked extra places and taken a few taxis here and there, mostly to towns not on the Camino to experience them. We have met and heard the stories of people from so many places. The vulnerability with tears and laughter around the table have been extraordinary. A young mom with four boys needing some time to herself. A gentleman who just lost his wife in December to cancer. Another celebrating her 50th birthday and doesn’t know what life will be like. A camimo is an experience like no other.

We walked our last day with Peer from Northern Germany. A very interesting man. He is an economist and does tax consulting in Germany. He read a book about the camimo, decided to do it, however put it off for many years. He had a stroke due to a hole in his heart. They repaired it and now he’s not putting things off.

The Saturday before walking into Santiago de Compostela we were to walk the biggest hill of the trip, about 1,365 ft elevation climb to stay in a monestario for one night. It was a beautiful day with many pilgrims walking. I said to Jay, “Let’s not get any maps out today. Instead let’s follow the other pilgrims and yellow arrows.” I kept thinking this hill should be coming up anytime, but it didn’t. After five hours of walking we stopped at a bar and saw this note pinned to the wall.

Then I looked to see where our luggage was using the tracker attached inside. We were 11 miles away which was sitting at the monasterio. Oopsy! Missed a turn. To backtrack would have been another four and a half hours plus the big hill. Instead we finished out that stage on the central Camino and called a taxi to take us up the hill to our luggage. We missed the big hill and we are not sad at all.

The monasterio was wonderful. So peaceful. The nuns had a pilgrim blessing service that evening. They sang so beautifully, like angels all in Spanish.

What would we have missed had we walked the mountain? Here are a few things.

And, of course the note from someone from Edmond, Oklahoma.

The lavendarias are roofed rectangular pools of running water where the Gallacians would do their laundry. It was also the spot where woman would meet to speak freely without their men around. I’m guessing about their men, right? They are not normally thermal. Some still do their laundry in some of them.

We prefer the automatic self-serve lavendarias. They take 45 minutes and we’re done for a few days.

To describe our perfect day after fouling up the previous – waking early one Sunday morning with the coolness coming through the window in a 11th century old monasterio. Drinking a cup of hot tea as we pack up our things for the next stage. All bundled up and quietly leaving the monasterio our journey began down the mountain. The joy of the Lord comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5

This day’s path was named Ruta de Piedra y Agua. (The route of stone and water). All alone we walked this path with a river next to us. Waterfalls and quiet pools you could swim or let the falls flow over you were with us the entire way. Birds singing, water flowing, and just the two of us for a couple hours. I wish we could have walked hand in hand the whole way.

Would we have described our perfect day like this before we walked this route? No. Jay said he would fly back to Spain just to walk this piece again. (He didn’t say anything about Lionfish spearing.) And perhaps next time we won’t miss our turn and walk the mountain.

There is a phrase written in stone in the plaza of a church in Braza. It says, “Mais Bela So No Ceu”.

Translation to English, “More beautiful only in heaven”. Even as perfect as that day was, oh, there are so many more to come that we can surely say there are beautiful surprises ahead. When I think of those who shared their hearts, I am reminded in Revelation we are told, “He will wipe away all the tears frim our eyes. there will be no more weeping, no more pain. Oh, our best days are truly ahead of us. The joy of the Lord comes in the morning.

We could write and write of other gorgeous days this past week, however we’ll just show a few additional pictures.

Cherish and recognize those perfect days. For the last time, Buen Camino.

Blessings, Jay and Kelly

Options. We certainly have had them during this trip. Since our last blog, we’ve changed courses. We took a taxi back down to Rates, a town close to Porto, and are now walking the central Camino of the Portuguese Way.

Options. The name of this week’s blog has had many option such as “As Time Goes By” or “We Are Without Left Feet”. Jay started listing them as I would say what do you think about….? Then I shared, no need to, as the right one will stick whenever it comes. Side note: who’s carrying the backpack and who isn’t?

We would like to dedicate this week’s blog to our sweet friend, Kathy Pfari, who passed away in her sleep last week. She will be missed in so many ways. She had a true servant’s heart. I will miss her sweet prayers each week on Wednesday Zoom Prayer Group. It is another reminder to make each day count. How do you do that? What are your options in making your day count?

Options. As we changed routes, for us the central route feels more like the Caminos we have walked. Our granddaughter asked which one do you like best? My answer is your first one will always have more of your heart. It’s what Camino means to you. Each one is special and unique in their own way. So the answer is all of them when you find your “why” for walking. As we have talked to other pilgrims who have previously walked, the consensus is their first.

As of today’s writing we have walked 201 actual Camino kilometers – 124 miles. This doesn’t include some of our optional routes. I stand corrected – last week I told you there are three routes from Porto. We found a fourth, and we walked that one too. Jay said, “you found a way to turn 108 kilometers into 132 kilometers, by finding optional route.” True, and even more kilometers than that.

This week we have met people from the following countries: England, Canada, more from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Brussels, Austria, Australia, even Texas. (We both said how sorry we were for each other when we told him we lived in Oklahoma for many years.) Also a Canadian wearing a Curacao hat. Of course we asked if she speared Lionfish. (Didn’t think I could get the word in this time.)

On the central route there are what we would call detours. In Portugal they might say provisional ways. In Spain, complamentario paths.

We have had options of where we have stayed. From hostel living to Paradores (Fairmont style)

Alway the best part are the stories we hear from those we meet.

Our taxi dropped us off in front of this museum. The museum was showing art work of different graineries called “Horreos” in Portugal and Spain.

Then he showed us this and said look inside.

Wow! Then we found a coffee shop off the beaten path. (Needed a stamp for our book and a bathroom.) The owner began sharing his story -three sisters in the US, however he said he lives in the best part of Portugal. (Don’t you love when someone’s heart is so joyful of where they live and what they do?) He believes the best American musician of all time is Bruce Springstein because he sings for the people and this Portuguese man loves rock and roll.

How about Fernanda. A woman with a heart so big and full for the pilgrims. She runs a hostel in her home. However that night so many needed a place to stay, she was giving rooms inside her home, which she normally does not do, and calling her neighbors to ask if they would allow pilgrims to sleep over. She had the hardest time turning the tired and weary away. That night she found space in her home for 15+ pilgrims. She told me how sad she was that there were 30 she had to turn away that night because of no room anywhere. Fernanda does this every day- feeds and provides a place to sleep for as many as she can. Crowns in heaven are stored up for this precious woman.

How about this woman doing laundry on a washboard in the nearby clear running stream.

This gentleman has a small shop to provide for those getting ready to tackle their most difficult day on this route. Thank you, Jesus for him. Jay forgot his walking sticks at home. He had sticks for Jay.

Prior to coming across this gentleman, we saw this statue. The resemblance to the gentleman is amazing, right!?

We have had options to rest in other towns not on the Camino but are ones not to miss while in the area if your time allows. One of them was beautiful Braga. Braga is the third largest city in Portugal. Home of two beautiful cathedrals. One of them is where Pope John Paul delivered a mass, then blessed the city from an outstanding view of the city standing between statues of Joseph and Mary.

Our tour guide, Hugo, pronounced “Ugo” was not only kind, but full of information regarding Portugal and Braga. He shared about ground breaking research with nano technology that will soon be tested on humans with cancer. (He was not aware of my diagnosis when he was sharing this.) When we told him about my diagnosis, he continued sharing about a clinic in Lisbon that are doing cutting edge cancer research. His wife is a physician. Is the Lord getting us prepared to move to Portugal? Hmmm……

Our rest day in Braga was graduation Day for the students of the University of Minho. Each year they have a parade with all the students. (The construction science department were the rowdiest) The graduates are on the flatbed trucks while the under grads are walking behind paying homage. It is a party until wee hours of the night. The graduate robes look like those in Harry Potter. We heard this is where the writer got her idea for the attire.

My favorite was a graduate of the architectural department saw his Grandma sitting next to us. He ran over bringing his classmates and they sang her a song while he sat with her. The bar has been officially raised for my grandchildren.

These younger boys are saving for their education and have set up a snack station on the weekends for pilgrims. One is working on his degree in mechanical engineering, the other still in high school deciding what will be next for him. As a grandmother with granddaughters – could be good options.

Options. There is so much to share. Here are a few pictures of the scenery we have walked by.

Options. In everyday living we are blessed to have the options in front of us. The freedom to choose – freewill. Just as the movie “Bruce Almighty” said. You can’t mess with freewill. We do have the option to pray for one another. Just like our sweet friend, Kathy, did every week, pray for our leaders. Pray for your loved ones to make the decisions that are in the right direction. And when they don’t, we have the option to be there to pick them up, just like the prodical son story. Have you ever been the prodical? Who helped you back up? Thank them. Remember, they had the option to not. I have several in my life I am thankful they chose the option to help.

Blessings, Jay and Kelly

Maybe just one….not learning a second language at an earlier age.

“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech….they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves….” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”. Gen 11:1-9

People! Come on! Why! Isn’t it nice to have our book of history named the bible to know how some of these things occurred? It would have been so much easier with the one language. Sometimes there can be two different languages even in one house such as man language and woman language, right?

We arrived in Porto, Portugal to begin our time in Europe. Fortunately, these days we have translators on our phones. Also, many locals do speak more than their native language. We have found if you learn a few phrases such as, Bon dia/Ola = Good morning/hello, Obrigato/ Obrigata = thank you, por favor = please, adeus = good-bye, the locals love that you are trying and will help as much as possible.

Our driver from the airport shared the top items to see while in Porto. They include the six bridges over the Douro River. One is shown in the top picture. Here is another.

Another site to see is the most beautiful bookstore. The staircase is a work of art, and there are books in so many languages. In order to go into the store you must schedule a time.

Another must see, according to the driver is…

McDonald’s is McDonald’s in every language.

Porto is the home of ports. Not shipping ports, but sipping ports. Every port distillery you can think of store their ports here. Our favorite has been Sandeman for several years. The “Don” did not disappoint at his home.

Since Jay likes the “value added” (aka cheap) ports, because I like my 20 year old Tawny, we are able to stay in budget.

The flat bottomed rabelo boats, which have a very shallow draft, were used to bring the port barrels from the Douro Valley to Porto prior to 1968 when the locks and dams were built up the river. Now they are used to show off the bridges.

After a few days to adjust to the time change and enjoy Porto, we began the real reason to be here, The Camino de Santiago, the Portuguese Way.

We weren’t expecting how emotional I would become seeing the cathedral and the first way marker. Tears of joy. I gathered my emotions for the picture. Amazing we are getting to do another Camino. God is so good.

As several of you who read this blog know, when we were in Curacao for Jay to spear Lionfish (got it in there), I was awakened by what I believe was the Holy Spirit telling me we would do this in May. There is a longer version of this story however the shorter one is, here we are just as the dream said we would be.

Frank Sinatra might have said in his regret song, “I did it my way”, however we are doing it the Portuguese Way. There are different routes in Portugal as well as in Spain. We are on the coastal route. As of this moment we have completed approximately 70 kilometers, plus the 21 kilometers we did for practice the day before, which is a portion of the Portuguese Camimo. 56 miles total, averaging 35,000 steps a day.

So far we have met people from the Czech Republic, South Africa, Argentina, Italy, and Canada.

There are so many sights to share it’s hard to choose. Here are a few along the way.

There are opportunities along the paths to do other exercises other than walking.

Some languages are spelled with more syllables than the English language and yet sound so beautiful when spoken well. Some sound harsher, some more gentle.

Others like McDonald’s are the same.

A smile can show the love we have for one another. That’s universal without any language barrier. Sandy Patti sang a song saying, “Love in any language pulls us all together, never apart….maybe when we realize how much there is to share, we’ll find too much in common to pretend it isn’t there.” I think that can be in a simple smile.

We have a God, the one who created all these languages and scattered us among the lands, who loves us so much that He gave His one and only son, Jesus, to bear all our sins and regrets on the cross for each of us. Did you hear that? All our regrets. What regrets are you carrying? Give them to Him. We just have to confess them. That’s universal.

Bom Caminha, Nos the amamos! (Good Camino, we love you!).

Bencao, Jay and Kelly

While spearing Lionfish in Curacao (yes, going to get the word Lionfish in right off the bat) we alluded there could be another adventure in the works. Here we go…..

A little back story…..In April of 2022 it was suggested we should make a “bucket list” of things we would like to do. We’re not one that really likes the phrase “bucket list”, so “dream things” felt better.

Dreams…I feel safe to say most everyone likes to dream. What do you dream about? Are you dreaming? Dreams are found all throughout the bible. Probably the most well-known is Joseph’s dream that ended up saving his family from the drought by moving to Egypt. The first one I think about is with Abram, before he was renamed Abraham by God. “As the sun was setting a deep sleep came upon Abram…” In the New Testament, Acts 2:17 says, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

Among our list came one dream from way back in the 1980’s. I heard a country and western singer, named Gary Morris, sing an aria from an opera. (Anyone remember Gary Morris? I have a cassette of his greatest hits if you want to hear him. Or, YouTube is great) I fell in love with the opera right away and dreamed of going to see it one day. Hold that thought for a moment.

One year later….Dreams really do come true.

We began getting ready for this next adventure as soon as we came home from Curacao. Backpacks on.

Just checking to see if my backpack would fit on Jay’s back. Since the answer is no, I made a pillow to protect my port from the backpack clips.

We also incorporated a training buddy.

Trained up…as much as we could, feeling amazing-Praise the Lord, and the okay from the doctors. First stop, New York City. Jay gave the honors to our niece, Becky, for the first few days in the Big Apple.

When you see the movie, you will understand the picture. Becky and I spent three wonderful days seeing plays, one of the best ones we’ve ever seen and the worst one we’ve ever seen. Funny Girl starring Lea Michele – Hello Gorgeous! That young lady’s voice is gorgeous. (P.S. There was no profanity or other obscenities that seem to be so common on Broadway these days.) The worst play, “Bad Cinderella”. I won’t go into detail, however for many reasons, don’t waste your money.

The artistry and delicious foods from places such as Laduree, Sara Beth’s, Tony’s, Brooklyn Diner and…..Thomas Keller’s Per Se kitchen… A dream come true. Thank you, chefs.

So many places to walk. We clocked between 15,000 – 23,000 steps each day. I call that training too.

Then there was some shopping. Important training.

Tiffany’s flagship has been closed for a remodel since 2019. It opened as “The Landmark” on our last day together. I know they heard we were coming, and rushed the project just for us. So we had to see the doors opening for the first time in several years. True Story – while in line, I was interviewed by the Vogue writer covering the opening. She took my name, asked me several questions, recorded it, so I could be in Vogue next month. Crazy, right!? The artwork in this place is stunning. Pieces from the Met as well as their own vault. The staircase is unbelievable. In the Bluebox Cafe, tiny blueboxes, which I believe every woman should have one, are hanging from the ceiling.

Back to Gary Morris. The Opera he sang from in 1980 is called La Boheme’. Not only did I see it on this trip, I saw it at the Metropolitan Opera House. Dreams really do come true.

Jay said the Opera was too expensive of a nap for him. Becky is the perfect travel partner for these kinds of things. Thank you, Becky for dreaming with me. Love you a bunch.

Becky left, Jay arrived – they were like two planes passing in the sky. The view through our rainy window. Then the sunshine the next day.

Jay had to see the Tiffany museum, no blue boxes or bag left the store in my hand that day. We had Audrey Hepburn looking over our shoulders.

A great play and a beautiful walk through Central Park to end our time in NYC.

Dreams really do come true. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4. While there is no promise of good fortune in these verses, we have a God that loves us so much – more than we can imagine. We prosper in God’s will when we trust Him and seek Him. That is much more important than any of these crazy little dreams. He loves all our crazy dreams, big and small. Even more He wants to be a part of each dream. Are you seeking Him in your dreams?

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Pslam 20:4. Never say never, and dream bigger dreams. Life can be as small as we are as humans, or it can be big as the God we serve. God has big things in store for each of us when we seek Him. What is your La Boheme?

More dreams to come.

Blessings, Jay and Kelly

…..and smells if that would be possible in a blog. Once again there is so much to share. Let’s begin with the shindig, synonymous for celebrations. I needed an “S” word for the title.

This week Jay and I celebrated our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. We vowed for richer or poorer, in sickness and health from that day forward. Yes! We can say – we are so rich with those we’ve known from the beginning of our relationship to the ones we’ve met just this week. We are richer for all the experiences we’ve been brave enough to try – most of them successful with a few bumps (drumpels, in Dutch) along the way. I wish there were a bigger sentence I could think of, however all I can continue saying is we are abundantly blessed. One of my favorite verses, “Out of His fullness (abundance), we all receive grace upon grace (blessing after blessing)” The Message says it this way, “We all live off His generous bounty, gift after gift after gift”. By the way, I didn’t say I would obey when we repeated our vows. Shocking, I know. However, when Jay does speak up on something, I do listen.

What a difference from last year. The title of our place was “The Hairless Harris Household”. There wasn’t any shedding to vacuum, which was pretty amazing.

Although being a Hairless Harris was pretty free and easy, we are thankful to be out of that stage. There’s a few inches of hair to figure out what to do with when we get home, and we get to enjoy one of our favorite places on the island – Fort Nassau.

It was a great day. It began with a dive for Jay and snorkeling for me as well as collecting sea glass. Our day ended with a wonderful gift….the Williams arriving to spend the week with us.

This is karnival time on the island – the setting up and the different parades throughout the week. Instead of getting into those crowds, after church on Sunday, we took a drive to the north side of the island. This is where I say the strong winds and shark live. Even my hair is standing up!

Mark and Vicki are here to dive which is so wonderful for Jay to have some buddies in the water. Toni, the pony, is on holiday this week. Vicki has now taken over as lionfish spotter and photographer. Jay has rigged up a tank banger for her in order to get their attention.

I am standing guard over the stuff left above water with an occasional snorkel time. I caught a pelican watching over the crazy divers too.

One sound of Curacao that has been difficult for me to time is the clock in Punda. Finally!

The Carillon at Gomezplien is a 23 bell clock with dolls that move along the bottom. It chimes every 30 minutes, however at noon and at 6:00 pm it plays a typical Curacao song or a children’s song.

Other sounds are fun on Thursday at Punda Vibes.

Here are a few great sightings in and out of the water this week.

A couple unusual discoveries this week.

And the smells of Curacao. Awwh, sweet aromas. We wish you could enjoy it too.

Sights, sounds, shindigs, and smells – the many ways we enjoy our days. One sound you’ll have to Google is a song we have been singing each day. It’s called, “It’s a beautiful day” by the kiffness x rushawn. The main verse is, “Lord, I thank you for sunshine, I thank you for rain, I thank you for joy, I thank you for pain, It’s a beautiful day ay ay ay, it’s a beautiful day. Sometimes life is good, but then trouble comes my way. Whatever happens Lord, I thank you for this day, I lift my hands and pray, your will be done, it’s a beautiful day”.

We are so thankful for all the people we get to meet along our journey. The old saying, “Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the other gold”. I believe that. Having the Williams here has been golden.

New ones like Alex are gifts. Alex is studying and doing research at Carmabi. He likes to make fish soup for everyone. He uses the lionfish heads for flavoring his broth.

And our precious church family. So many to share.

As we end this trip, there could be something in the works for the near future that might include a backpack and words such as “Bon Camino”. We are abundantly gifted with the day to day and the new whatever comes our way. It’s a beautiful day.

Until our next travels, Blessings (Bendishon), Jay and Kelly

Yes, the King of the Netherlands and his family has been here this past week.

There seemed to be quite a bit of excitement and preparation for the family. A stage in Otrobanda for the festivities was set up with all the dignitaries’ places reserved for the viewing. Jay and I decided not to get in the midst of the huge crowds that evening.

We find it very interesting to know a little about the government of each country we visit. The king of the Netherlands has very little power. The prime minister and the other ministers are responsible for the day to day affairs. Side bar – Isn’t it interesting other countries call the heads of governmental departments “ministers of…” The US calls them,”secretary of….”

The King’s duties are weekly meetings with his parliament as well as signing and ratifying royal decrees. Mostly his duties are ceremonial such as meeting and greeting other heads of state, and making state visits. His personal salary is 1 million per year, and an additional 5 million for travel expenses and staff. Hmmm……moving on for a bit…

Our dear friend Lisette met with the King. He actually tried to fit a lionfish spearing dive in with her, but the part of their government equal to our Secret Service decided it couldn’t happen this time.

Lisette has a children’s book written about her and lionfish. It is helping the next generation learn how to take care of our reef system. Such a cute book with wonderful drawings. Spoiler alert…James, we have another book for your aunties to read to you when we get back.

In the meantime here’s what’s going on with the commoners. There’s a beautiful full moon this week.

I lost my drivers license. The good news – I am logging many miles walking. I have walked my path so many times without a trace of it. So if any divers find it in the middle of the ocean, please just cut it up, I have already ordered a replacement. Jay twisted/sprained his ankle as well as a lionfish spine in the knee. A bad week for Jay’s left leg. However with heat on the knee for a few hours, and ice on the ankle for a couple days, our mighty hunter is back in the water bringing dinner home.

I still carry the dive bouy to let boats know we are in the waters. Here are a few pictures from my snorkeling time. I have some great video but I can’t seem to get it to download. Technologically challenged this week. (Really most of the time.)😁

The Jewel Damsel have become my favorite fish as a snorkeler. My sweet little juvenile spotted drum, which are my most favorite, stay deeper for only divers to enjoy. So I had to choose a new favorite.

“There are no snakes in the Caribbean waters!!!”, According to the woman at the Dive Store. This is not a snake. It is called a snake eel. Very fun to watch as they scavenge in the sand.

However, that is a scorpion! I don’t know where we picked him up at. He was in my blue snorkeling vest as I almost put it on with him attached!!! Thank the good Lord I saw his tail flipped up when I was about to put an arm into the vest.

Jay found an island dog that needed some petting. We decided if we can ever decide on what type of dog to get, we’ll name it “Island Dog”. No worries Bill and Pat, we can’t agree on one type of dog.

While sitting with some of the research students at Carmabi, we were watching the chickens with their chicks. This particular chick could not get close enough to her mama. Finally the patient mama sat down to let the baby jumped on her back. All was right with the world.

Isn’t that just like us – sometimes we need to jump on the back of another in our trials or just need a little rest. We need that time of comfort and help. I know how blessed Jay and I are to have each of you. We also have a King that has our back always. He loves us more than one could ever know. “He is everywhere and not in only one place. No one can hide where He cannot see them.” In fact I read yesterday, “Those who draw near to God through him, He lives to make intercession for us.” Sometimes we don’t know what to ask for or how to get out of a situation, but we have a King that we can go to for help. He doesn’t need the Secret Service or FBI to tell him if it is okay. He doesn’t require us to pay taxes. He is higher than any head of state in any country. Do you know this King? I hope so. If you don’t and would like to, let Jay or me know and we would love to introduce you to the King of kings.

Bendishon (Blessings), Jay and Kelly

This has been such a fun week. I think I have enough pictures to blog three or four times. Before we left home I thought, no blogs. I’ve written everything there is about Curacao. I guess not, however I won’t bore you with everything.

Twenty-eight years ago, this month, Jay asked me if I would like to learn how to dive.

Many years prior to that, my friend Susan asked me to learn how to dive so we could meet somewhere in the world and dive together. I told her, “no way! One of those little fishes or big ones down there would want to touch me and that’s a definite no!”

Oh what new love will do, right!? When Jay asked, I said, “Sure! Let’s do it!” We have enjoyed one diving adventure after another since then. I am so blessed to have found the courage.

This week I’ve returned to snorkeling. During my treatments last year I developed blood clots and that’s a no-no for diving. Can you say, “pulmonary embolism”? So snorkeling it is with my new vest.

Bill Cummins, if you are reading this, you were correct in your sermon the first week of January, “Once you dive, snorkeling is……” shall we say, a different view of the underwater beauty – a view from above.

After church last sunday, we met up with 45 other divers. Yes, 45. It was crazy! However, I was the only snorkeler and was able to try out our new camera. Here are a few pictures taken from the top of the water looking down. Hopefully the videos included download well.

Side bar because what’s a Curacao blog without the word lionfish in it. I’ve been replaced as Jay’s dive buddy. The yellow item Jay is snuggling is his new love, Toni the pony. He has to take her each time he dives alone. She is a little extra air in case he needs some to come up out of the depths. She might give him air to breathe, but Toni does not point out the lionfish for him. However….I can still do it from above.

Lionfish mentioned….check. Moving on.

As my view has changed to viewing the divers descending and a top view of the coral and fish, I couldn’t help think about God’s view of us from above. What is He observing? Oh my! This could be one long blog on just that question, right? What’s your first thoughts about that?

There are so many displays of His glory in the sights, sounds, smells, touches (or not touching, like fish touching me), and tastes in our everyday lives. Things like beautiful blue waves in front of a sunset, or birds singing, flying into the apartment, and sitting on our faucet as we eat our breakfast. A Venzuelan Troupial.

Or a chicken with her babies.. P.S. Eggs are sparse and being rationed here too. You can only purchase one carton of eggs per grocery store visit. The cost is 6.36 FL which equals approximately $3.50.

How about meals that are nourishing and beautifully prepared.

How the sunset falls the same on the western horizon and yet, has a different look each evening.

One thing I know, all these multisensory creations never satisfy completely. We are always looking for the next way our sensories can be satisfied. If we really think about it, they are all fingers pointing to the one who created all things.

Looking from above, I think God is always saying, “Look to me.”. In the bible, Colossians 3:2, it says, “Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth.” I think this could mean we are not to make idols of all the created things on earth. Instead, express the priorities of His Kingdom in the midst of our everyday earthly activities. What does that look like in your everyday activities? For me it reminds me “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about those things”–they are from above.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.”

Bendishon (Blessings), Jay and Kelly

It’s been quite awhile since our last blog with a few bumps to get here.

What’s been going on, you ask? As many of you already know, in December of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. A somewhat rare one that does not respond to platinum base chemo treatments nor any type of radiation. This particular type has only been found in 10% of ovarian cancer patients. To add to the rarity, of the 10%, 2% of these people have the mestatisim appear in the upper extremity. Special, right!?

In January, 2022 I began 18 weeks of chemo treatments; then August double surgery. Needless to say, there wasn’t any time or much energy for extensive travel.

Stardate: January, 2023 – we are cleared for short (for us) traveling. My shock collar has been removed and a somewhat short leash has taken its place.

Our travels began with a short stop in Florida to visit family and friends. I forgot to take any pictures of our time with the Tom Harris clan. Oopsy! I wasn’t thinking blog at that moment. I did get a picture of their wildlife while we were walking in their neighborhood

However, we did get a picture with our dear friends Susan and Mustifa. Last you saw them in the blog we were all in France. You never know when or where the four of us find each other. This world is big, but not too big to find dear friends.

We arrived to our beloved island this past weekend. We are getting to stay one month.

Last time we were here it was Covid season. The island was on lock down and we were finding creative ways to dive. So creative we were getting up at 5:30 a.m. to be in and out of the water before anyone else was awake on the island.

The world is definately traveling again and we certainly see it here. It is busier than we have ever seen it. The beaches are full and our beloved island has been discovered. There is building going on everywhere. Some right out our front door.

We are thrilled to hear about the success our friends are having during this boom. They struggled so much to keep things afloat during the pandemic and shut downs.

Other than the little construction, we have a wonderful view. Our apartment is very clean and new. I really think, other than family members of the owner, we might be their first official guests to rent it.

During our last stay, some might remember we were famous on the island for getting caught diving by the coast guard. We feel like they did a fly-by on our first day here to say hi and remind us they are still watching out. I hear them hovering as I’m writing.

We still are watching the ships go by each day. There are so many more ships too.

And golfers! Nice swing! Our view is the 16th hole of the Bluebay Golf course.

We also have found our island pet for this trip, or should I say, she has found us. We haven’t named her yet.

I know you all are asking, “What about the lionfish?” This piece has changed as well. We’ve had a slow start to the important part of this trip. After a few days we are getting our sea legs again and learning how to maneuver the new.

What’s new? Jay has lost his dive buddy and lionfish spotter. During treatment last year, I developed blood clots. This automatically takes me out of the sport of diving due to pulmonary embolism risks. So, Jay has his “self-reliant certification” and is allowed to officially dive by himself. I’m so proud of how he has organized his equipment. My heart is full.

Self-reliant….I’ve contemplated this term quite a bit this week. Our world loves to think we are and should be self-reliant. We are told in so many ways to be independent, rely on no one. You create your own success. Do we really? I can think of so many verses regarding dependence on God. Right off the top of my head, Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and He will make your path straight.”

Lean not on your own understanding….Hmmm…we have learned that this past year. We can certainly tell you we are not self-reliant. And, boy, are we so glad! How about you? Do you lean on your own understanding? How much do we really understand? We can use the wisdom the Lord gives us and make decisions with the information we have at hand, but God, knows the complete picture. He has all the information. That’s one of the many reasons we lean on Him.

He did find a small group going out for an evening dive. I sat on the beach taking pictures.

And….waiting for the catch to arrive. Papa is bringing home the bacon….lionfish. Ceviche, salad, and a gorgeous sunset. That’s how you live in Curacao.

A crown to remind us who the King of kings and Lord of Lords is. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”. Who needs to be self-reliant? Not us.

Bendishon (Blessings), Jay and Kelly