Monday November 30th~

 Keep your eyes open and try to catch people

 in your company doing something right,

 then praise them for it...

This is how Sniff feels right now.  He was awake too
 early this morning and now he feels as if the rest of

 the week will be  something of a challenge.

But then the morning progressed and Sniff realized that 

it's a beautiful day, and there is so much to be grateful and

 happy about.  Yay!  happy times for Sniff again.  He is now

 ready to settle down for another "much needed" nap.

Woke up to an amazing sunrise.  How fortunate we are.

  The sun rises right in front of our balcony, and

 it's amazing.  Never ever will get tired of it.

Sunrise this morning at 6:00 AM from our balcony, and 

then as I was walking around 6:30 AM.  Above picture.

Here below was last night.  The moon is Puerto Rico is

 stunning.  Seen from our balcony every last week of the  month.

I had a good walk this morning.  The kitties were

 waiting for me.  Hungry because I didn't see them yesterday.

  Happy Monday everyone.  Make this an amazing new week. 

Last day of November 2020.  Sniff is already basking in

 the sun.  His favorite, well one of his favorite things to do. 

 His most favorite is sitting with his dada watching TV.

Monday.  Let's do this.

What you tell yourself everyday will either lift you up 

or tear you down.  Strive for progress not perfection...

~Nadiya~

Sunday ~

 In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive
 a great deal more than we give, and that it is 

only with gratitude that life becomes rich...

Quiet day here.  Extra caution because Covid is

 rampant everywhere.  Soccer today, just like 

yesterday.  Yes, all is good here at home.

I saw the kitties on my walk yesterday.

  Won't see them today so of course I am already 

worried about them not having food.  I tell myself I 

have to let them hunt.  So I will see how long I last

 without going out and taking food to them.

I have already prepared their treats for next

 week.  They will continue to have turkey 

until the store stops selling it.  

Taking it easy today.  Just like yesterday 😜  Just look at Sniff.

Happy day to all.  Stay safe and healthy.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may

 look back and realize they were the big things...

~Nadiya~

🖤 Saturday November 28th ~

I thought I could describe a state; make

 a map of sorrow. Sorrow, however, turns 

out to be not a state but a process...

Covid is all around us. We know it, but unless it touches you,

 you really don't "feel" it.  Yesterday my sister texted us early in

 the morning.  She said her very good friend's son was in the 

hospital.  He had Covid, and was put on a ventilator.

He was admitted into the hospital 3 days prior.  

Yesterday afternoon my sister texted again.  Her friend's 

son had died.  I didn't know the son.  I didn't know his

 mother, but every time we visited my sister in Tampa I 

saw the mother doing yard work, and since my sister 

and her are good friends, we always heard about her.

So why when I heard that the son died was I so devastated?  

It somehow felt as if I knew him through my sister. 

 My sister got a text from the boys mother.  

All it said was, "my son just died."  I felt my 

entire world crashing down on me.  

I cried and cried for a child I did not even know,

 but in my mind I pictured the parents, their grief, and

 because I have dealt with the loss of loved ones, I knew.

  I just knew their world was shattered.  Today I grieve

 once again for their loss and the losses I have also

 experienced.  Don't ask me why.  It is what it is.

Today more than ever I detest everything Covid. 

 I know it exists all around us.  I knw people have died, 

but 32 years old with your entire life ahead of you.  

No known pre-existing condition, all because your 

significant other is a first responder who contracted a

mild case of Covid.  She is OK, but he didn't make it.

It's a beautiful Saturday here in Puerto Rico,

 but back home in Florida a mom and dad are 

mourning the death of their child, and yes all over 

the world people are mourning the death of loved

 ones, but this death hits close to home ❤. 

Grief is a most peculiar thing; we're so helpless in

 the face of it. It's like a window that will simply open

 of its own accord. The room grows cold, and we can do 

nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time, and a

 little less, and one day we wonder what has become of it..

~Nadiya~

Thanksgiving 2020 ~

We should certainly count our blessings, but 

we should also make our blessings count... 

Pandemic or no pandemic we have had so much to

 be grateful for.  We spent Thanksgiving day with my sister

 Nirvana J, Kimsy and a visit from Juan, my brother-in-law.

  Yes, he is still my brother-in-law and always will be.

I cannot remember the last time spending a 

Thanksgiving Day with Nirvana.  My memory only

 recalls days long gone by.  When we were just kids all 

growing up in Puerto Rico.  As adult women, we 

have always been apart on most holidays.

I do not believe I have ever spent a Thanksgiving

 either with Kimsy nor J.  That's why this has 

been one of the best Thanksgivings ever.  

Both Nirvan and I made food, and we also ordered

 food.  She some and Arvid and I some. Let's just say,

 the pandemic has absolutely changed everything.  Nirvana

 waited on a line for 2 hours to pick up her food 😲😳.  

With the pandemic only so many are allowed in 

at a time.  She was number 197 on the line.  

Considering that, two hours was not so bad.

Arvid and I picked up at a different restaurant. 

 We only had about 12 people aged of us, even 

so it took a long time before it was my turn.  

It was absolutely worth the wait.  The turkey was 

delicious, as was the chicken and all the side dishes. 

 Arvid is now Puerto Rican I think.  He really enjoys

 the Puerto Rican desserts.  Flan de coco and tres leches 

are his favorite.  We had both and some other stuff.

Nirvana had ordered a lot of homemade sangria

 de parcha.  Passion fruit sangria.  We had 4 bottles 

before dinner was over.  Arvid stuck to beer.  So far 

he has not tried any of the passion fruit drink delights.  

Says it's not sweet enough.  He sure is missing out.

We brought home some leftovers.  Having some of

it today.  I'm happy, happy because we got to spend a 

beautiful day with family even during these pandemic

 times.  I know many have not been so fortunate. 

 For this I will forever be thankful and grateful.

This a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before.

Things turn out best for people who 

make the best of the way things turn out...

~Nadiya~

Black Friday ~2020

 Whoever said money can't buy happiness
 simply didn't know where to go shopping...

Black Friday is not actually a holiday, but most non-retail

 employers give their employees the day off, increasing the 

number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest

 shopping day of the year since 2005, although news reports, which 

at that time were inaccurate, have described it as the busiest 

shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time.

Pandemic or no pandemic, Black Friday is on. 

 Do we plan to to make the most of it?  Absolutely NOT!  

Why?  We really don't care about making lines from the

 wee hours of the morning in order to buy a TV. 

 Actually on Cyber Monday you might have an even

 better deal, and who the heck wants to get stampeded in

 a store just to buy a TV.  We sure don't.  That being said, 

GET SET!  READY! GO!!!!  Black Friday bargains 

are calling,  and you don't want to miss a good deal.  

Who cares if you don't need that extra television? 

 The deal is so good you HAVE to buy it.  Good luck all,

 and I hope to not read in the newspaper tomorrow that

 you were trampled to death.  Happy shopping amigos!

Shopping is a woman thing.  It's a contact sport like football.  Women 
enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being
 trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase....

~Nadiya~

Thursday November 26th Thanksgiving 2020 ~

 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," 

that would suffice...Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace,

 the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival 

that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty 

of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and 

the deep,  deep connection of all these things with God..

Nothing is "the usual" this year.  2020 is the year of 

COVID where you don't know what to expect.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if 

you’re like most Americans, you may be wondering

 how on earth you’re going to celebrate this year.

Thanksgiving is a time where families and friend get

 together for a big celebratory meal.  Time for family and to 

enjoy each other's company while enjoying a feast.

However, this year many traditions will be put

 on hold. Many people will be spending the holiday

 away from family and friends due to COVID-19

related travel restrictions or safety concerns. 

Many will do the virtual family gathering.  Neither

 Arvid nor I are much for that, but fortunately this year 

we will get the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving

 with family.  Nirvana, J and Kimsy. Happy!

For us it's has already been a good Thanksgiving. 

Though it would have been the best to be with the 

entire family, I will take what has been given as

 a special gift and for that I am grateful. 

Somedays I wish I could go back in life.  Not to

 change anything, but to feel a few things twice...

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.

~Happy Thanksgiving 2020~

~Nadiya~

Making Beautiful Memories In Puerto Rico ~

 Little moments, big memories...

Yesterday the hammock was finally set up.  It required

a lot of heavy drilling into a cement wall, but we got the

 right man for the job and just like that it was done.

Of course Arvid had to help to drill the hole in the wall. 

 The buildings are made like bunkers.  Strong as hell, 

and that's really good except when you need to drill 

a hole in the wall.  Then you have a problem.

My little feral kitties are having turkey all week. 

 I bought  some turkey breasts, and every night I prepare 

a little bit for them.  Started with it yesterday and it continues

 until I run out of turkey.  This was their treat for today.  

Together with their canned food and dry food.

The look on baby's face said it all.  This was yesterday

 after having his turkey.  I already love them all.

Sniff is his usual relaxed self.  Everyone loves him 

and he seems to love everyone.  I call him a little traitor

at times, because he's so friendly with everyone.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  Take a minute

 to be kind to those less fortunate.  It costs noting,

but can sure make a difference to someone

Many will not be having that Thanksgiving meal, 

so if you find it in your heart to share what you have, 

if only for one day, someone will be grateful and happy. 

 You would have made a difference in someone's 

life.  It's the little things that make the most impact.

The best things in life are not things, they are moments.

Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday November 24th ~

Die with memories.  Not dreams...

 
It has rained on and off already a few times.  Nothing

 drastic, but when it rains it's a downpour.  It lasts just a few 

minutes and then it's all cleared up again.  Happy for

 that, and it is warm rain, so not that bad either.

Tuesday, nothing extraordinary planned.  I am getting

 feedback from friends from all over the country on the 

shortage once again of toilet paper.  The world is going 

to hell fast.  Hopefully the journey will end soon.

My morning walks keep me happy and I have

 motivation.  To make sure the little kitties are fed. 

 Some mornings even when it's raining I feel like I have

 to get out just to make sure they little ones have their

 foodies.  Yesterday, I got wet, but the kitties ate.

The kitties get three cans of foodies a day plus dry

 food, every morning that I am out walking.  Yesterday

 two of the babies, one pictured above were crying their eyes 

out because I did not walk the day before.  They were 

starving.  Now I am always guilty when I do not walk.

Happy Tuesday all.  Today I have Brutus and Shadow

 in my thoughts.  So many memories.  I would really

 love right now to hold our Brutus for a little while.

Life brings tears, smiles, and memories.

 The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories 

last forever.  Some memories never fade...

~Nadiya~

Monday ~ A New Week Begins Again

 A new week rolls in.  A week full of promise, potential, and 
endless possibilities.  A week for you to pursue your dreams...

The year is soon over.  Seems like not fast enough right 

now.  2020 so far has been one of the most terrible times the 

world has and is still living.  COVID has spared no one.

COVID sure has changed the way life was, 

and most likely for many it has changed the way 

life will be in the future.  So much we take for granted, 

hopefully when this is "over" we will not forget

 what and who is really important in life.

By Emilita Cornain

One thing that is certain, we know that adjusting to

change can be challenging. Be it planned or unplanned,

gradual or sudden, change is inevitable and

very much part of being human.

Over the past few months, we’ve experienced an

unprecedented shift in our way of life due to COVID-19.

Pre-pandemic, who would’ve thought that toilet paper could

become as precious as gold! And now, a trip to do a weekly

grocery shop seems like an adventure of its own! Before we

know it, we’ve (reluctantly) let go of our old normal and

now settling into what seems to be our new normal.

Once again toilet paper is difficult to find in the stores.

SOLD OUT!! Not panicking, but it won't hurt to go and

get a few extra rolls of toilet paper. Just incase.

Let all hope this week brings us closer to the COVID

vaccine, and that this terrible pandemic will soon near its end.

One can hope and being positive never killed anyone.

Hello Monday. Let's get this week rolling.

Give yourself the space and time to grieve, to celebrate,

and to feel every emotion in between, during this challenging

time. We are living in a situation that never happened before

(at least in our lifetime), and it is impacting each and every one of

us in a unique way. How we deal with it could be our saving grace.

We are in this together-and we will get through this together...

~Nadiya~