Sunday November 8th~

Every thread tells a story. Wrapped

 in culture, draped in grace...

 The Indian culture has some of the most 

beautiful traditions.  Some of the most beautiful

 celebrations and definitely some of the most 

colorful and amazing wedding ceremonies. 

I should know.  My first marriage was not

 held in a church. My first husband, Paul Riley

 and I were married in an Indian ceremony. 

Even though he was Irish took it in stride. 

 He loved everything about it. It was and always 

will  be a beautiful part of my life.  

Traditional Indian wedding celebrations 

typically last 3 to 7 days, though some traditional

 or regional formats can span up to a week or more. 

 Ours was a mini-mini version of this.  Just 

a few amazing hours that last a lifetime.

I am very fortunate to have been born into this

 culture. Though I was not technically raised as

 a Hindu, I was surrounded by the culture

 as as I got older I was able to choose.

India is a land of vibrant festivals reflecting 

its rich cultural, regional, and religious diversity.

 Major celebrations span across the year.  

This week Indians have been celebrating 

Diwali, Festival of Lights. A five-day celebration 

marking the triumph of light over darkness and

 good over evil. Families light oil lamps (diyas), create 

colorful floor art (rangoli), offer prayers to Goddess 

Lakshmi, exchange sweets, and set off fireworks. 

 It is India's most important holiday.  I will always

remember when little and growing up in Guyana,

 South America everyone's home was lit up by oh 

so many diyas.  It was and still is a beautiful site.

Yesterday while Arvid was watching soccer, and 

he had a lot of games; I went over to mom and dad's. 

 We had a good couple of hours just chatting and enjoying

 each others company.  My mom has already prepared her 

diyas to be put out on their driveway this evening.  No 

matter how few, they always do it.  It's a tradition.

On another note, Arvid and I went to a tribute to the

 Rolling Stones. It was entertaining and for a few hours 

we just relaxed, listened to the music, had a few nibbles

 and drinks.  Not a bad way to spend Saturday night.

Here at home all is good.  Sniff once again is acting

 up a bit.  Not eating his foodies, but I am trying to not 

stress about it. Not working as yet, but I know he will 

sooner or later get back to "normal."  I already went

 to feed the kitties.  The only kitty I have seen since 

coming back from Branson has been WhitePaw.  

To all a good day.  Sunday and we plan on 

going to Fort Myers Beach for our outing. We do 

enjoy our Sunday outings, hope you do the same.

Happy Sunday.  Sometimes we just need to

 pause and appreciate all the good in our lives...

~Nadiya~

Saturday November 7th~

Love the life you live. Live the life you love...

 Yesterday we were supposed to have a quiet 

day at home. It started out that way.  I made lunch, 

Arvid watched a few soccer games, I watched a movie 

on Netflix and of course Sniff slept most of the day.  It 

was going very well until we looked at each other and 

I said, "I'm guessing we are going out at 5 o'clock?"

Both Arvid and I have a tendency to get restless.

 Especially on Friday evenings. We feel like we

 need to just get out and have a fun time.

Yesterday we were going to 3 Fishermen, but 

when we got there it was closed for renovations.

 We then noticed a little Mexican restaurant across the

 street.  Arvid said, "they will have good drinks." They

 sure did.  He had his Dos Equis and I had a Mojito

 de Parcha.  Passion fruit Mojito.  Ever since Puerto

 Rico, I have developed a liking for them.

Right before closing the blinds in the bedroom 

another boat came into the marina.  It had beautiful lights.

 We are both very excited that Legacy Marina, which

 was 100% destroyed by Hurricane Ian, is finally

 making a comeback.  Even Sniff tried to get a 

better look before the blinds came down.

Wishing everyone a good day and a happy 

weekend.  The last few days we have been having

 beautiful weather.  This is what Florida is all

 about right now.  Happy to be home.

The comeback is always stronger 

than the setback. Return stronger,

 every time life pushes you aside...

~Nadiya~

Friday November 6th~

Although I understand that all days are equal

 with 24 hours each, most of us agree that Friday is the 

longest day of the week and Sunday the shortest...

 Yesterday we finally made it to one of our 

favorite restaurants for lunch.  It’s not fancy, 

not pretentious it just serves really delicious food. 

 It is good to be back home. Our waitress is always 

smiling, and she remembers what everyone likes.

  Aside from a delicious time; it is also a pleasant

 time chatting with her. I once told her about

 my peanut allergy, and she always asks

 before adding peanuts to my meal.

As the internet says, Florida is sinking and the gators 

are all out making it their playground.  It’s not funny, 

but somehow Floridians make it look like fun and 

as they say, it’s just another day in Florida 🐊 

When I am relaxing I look at videos and you

 can’t help but come across videos of Florida flooding.

 Like I said, not funny, but some of these videos just

 make you laugh.  Sometimes humor is definitely the 

best medicine.  It does not solve the problem, but what's 

so terribly wrong to see the lighter side of things good 

instead of just the bad, even if for a few minutes.

Yesterday I did go feed kitties.  Only saw WhitePaw. I

 am starting to wonder if Abe is telling me the truth that he's 

actually seeing the "other" kitties.  I have no reason to doubt

 him, but I would feel better if I saw some of them as well.

Friday already here, which means weekend. As of 

right now no plans for today.  Just taking it easy, but

 who knows what can happen as it nears 5 o'clock?

You know what I want to do? 

Wake up one weekend and not have

 to go anywhere and do nothing...

~Nadiya~

Thursday November 5th ~

Reflect upon your present blessings - of 

which every man has many - not on your past

 misfortunes, of which all men have some...

 Yesterday I had a good day.  Mom and dad 

came over for lunch.  Arvid went to a meeting in

 Fort Lauderdale.  I did not feel like going with 

him.  Instead I chose to stay home and prepare

several different dishes for mom and dad. 

Usually mom would send us home with

 a ton of food. She still does whenever we 

go over, but yesterday it was my turn to send 

them home with enough food for a week.  I made

 many different types of food.  Happy my mom 

will not have to cook for the next  few days.

We enjoyed a few hours of good food, good 

company and shared laughter. I will always and 

forever be thankful to have mom and dad living

 once again in Florida, and so close to us.

It's Thursday already.  This week has flown by.  

Aside from not having to coo today, nothing new 

going on.  Sniff and I are up early.  He has eaten,

 and is already back to having one of his many 

naps for the day.  Life is good and I am grateful.

It's a funny thing about life, once you begin 

to take note of the things you are grateful for, you

 begin to lose sight of the things that you lack...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday November 4th~

There's no point in fighting the tide. It ebbs. 

It flows. You ride it.  Only when the tide goes out do 

you discover who's been swimming naked...

 We continue to have rain and so many parts

 of Florida is flooded. For sure the drought is

 finished, but at what cost to everyone?  Florida

 is experiencing its very worst King Tide ever.

A king tide is an exceptionally high, naturally occurring

 seasonal tide caused by the gravitational alignment of

 the sun and moon, combined with local factors like

 warm water, onshore winds, and sea-level rise.

 In Fort Lauderdale, king tides routinely 

submerge low-lying neighborhoods, canal banks,

 and coastal roads, frequently leading to sunnyday tidal

 flooding even without rainfall.  This year has been

 really bad, and there is still more to come.  Below

 are pictures of where Arvid and would go for walks

 when we lived in Fort Lauderdale. Las Olas

 and The Riverwalk were our backyard.

On Tuesday the Las Olas Bridge in Fort Lauderdale was 

locked in the open position and closed to traffic due to

 severe flooding caused by record-breaking king tides.

  Yesterday I went to see my doctor just routine 

check up.  Came out from there with a bunch of things 

I need to do.  All related to the pain I am having.  Life lately

 has not been fun not has been and is very painful right

 now.  I just need to learn to deal better with it.

As alway I go and feed the kitties in the mornings.

 Yesterday none of them were there.  Legacy is no

 longer around.  She was missing for months now and 

I’m heartbroken because I know she is dead.  I loved 

that little kitty.  I have an attachment problem and 

because of it I am constantly grieving the loss

 of one of the wildlife I became attached to.

There are two means of refuge from 

the miseries of life: music and cats...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday November 3rd~

If television's a babysitter, the Internet 

is a drunk librarian who won't shut up...

 Yesterday we had an upgrade to our Internet system.  

The entire building decided to change from one provider

 to another.  What we had worked great, this new one

 is supposed to be even better.  Let's hope so.

Since coming back we have been having some

 rain. When rain is predicted there was none, now that

 the rainy season is officially over, we have rain.  The 

rainy season in Southwest Florida officially runs 

from May 15 through October 15 each year.

As always go to feed the kitties early in the

mornings. It’s has been a little painful because of

 my knees, but it makes me happy. I saw Abe yesterday 

and he updated me with the latest. Seems like 

WhitePaw is female and she had babies. So 

far she’s the only one showing up. 

 Abe said he feeds them in the back where

 there is cover from the rain.  Don’t want to interfere 

with their routines, but if I can make it I will go and

 as always give Abe the dry and soft food for them. 

 Whitepaw I was told had a litter, I have not seen the

 babies, but Abe says they show up early for food.

My body hurts more than normal. Everything 

wears me out and after cleaning, cooking and

 doing some grocery shopping I was exhausted.  

Getting old is no fun 🙈I'm already tired and

 it's only 6am.  It's going to be a long day.

To all a very good day.  Sniff and I have 

been up already for a couple of hours. I organized

 a little around my desk area, brushed Sniff and 

now he's back to napping after just eating.  Ahhh... 

to not have any worries.  Sure sounds really 

good right now.  Good day to all and remember,

 there is always something good in each day.

Be grateful for the many things you have, instead

 of focusing on the one thing you don't have...

~Nadiya~

Monday November 2nd~

 When you focus on the good, the good gets better... 

 November started out on a good note. We are back 

home in Florida, and yesterday I went to feed kitties.  I 

only saw Whitepaw.  Hopefully will see a few more as the 

week progresses on.  Sniff is doing really well, and has 

already slept in all of his favorite spots.  He has many

 favorite spots.  Depending on the time of the day.

We have a fairly busy week ahead of us.  I also 

have a few doctors appointments.  As always

 Arvid stays busy no matter where we are.

We had a very good outing yesterday even

 though it rained a bit. As always the food was

very good.  It sure feels good to be home.

We did it last week. We can do 

it again this week, even better...

~Nadiya~

Sunday November 1st~

Autumn is the season to find contentment at 

home by paying attention to what we already have

The year is soon over.  November is already here

 and before you know it, it will be Christmas.  We

 are happy to be back home in Florida. Was missing 

my mom and dad, and glad I will be able to help them

 out a little more now that we are back.  That being 

said, we look forward to seeing them today. 

Yesterday Ardid and I took a trip downtown to

 check out the Halloween festivities. We had

 a great time watching people parading in different 

costumes.  Many I had no clue who or what

 they represented, but it sure was fun.

It was a beautiful evening, and being home felt great.  

Felt good to go back to our favorite hangout spot.

Of all the Halloween costumes my most 

favorite is the one of my sister and of "the father"

 with his Holy Water in the flask.  He kept telling

 me that it was his emergency backup 👻

To all a very good day, and November, please 

be good to us all. Remember there is always, always 

something to be thankful for.  Happy November all.

Another month, another opportunity 

to grow, achieve and become better...

~Nadiya~

October 31st~

The magic thing about home 

is that it feels good to leave, and it 

feels even better to come back...

Today Halloween is celebrated, but

 for us what makes this day more special is

 that our youngest granddaughter, Amelia, 

was born on this day some 5 years ago.

We are back home and it feels good. Sniff is

 already back in sync.  It does not take him 

long to adapt.  Sniff is such a good boy.

Quite a few things to do today.  Same always 

when we leave and when we return.  Restock on 

groceries, some cleaning mainly Sniff's linens.

Arvid, Sniff and I got back home to Florida yesterday.

  It was so good to sleep on a good bed. In Branson for 

the last week we were sleeping on a mattress on the 

floor.  Was not the best.  Last night felt like luxury.

Sniff  as always adapts right away.  He did good 

in the plane.  As soon as we got home he ate, used

 the litter pan, checked out the place again then 

went to sleep.  In the evening, he sat with us 

to watch TV.  All is good here at home.

When witches go riding, and black

 cats are seen, the moon laughs and 

whispers, ‘tis near Halloween....

~Nadiya~