Thursday June 25th~

Cats mastered the art of knowing how to

 obtain food without labour, shelter without 

confinement, and love without penalties...

 I love watching Charly.  She lives life on her

 own terms and no matter what Dave, her human daddy

 says Charly does what she wants when she wants.  Dave

  has a door camera set up especially for Charly.  After

 she's done roaming she goes to the door and patiently

 waits to be let in.  She does not have a long wait.

Arvid and I took another trip to Andy's.  Like I 

have said before, there will never be a time I say no

 to Andy's.  The best frozen custard we have ever had. 

 Wish we had one close to us in Fort Myers.

Yesterday I had a good time with many of the posts 

on social media.  Everyone is talking about FIFA World 

Cup and how it has changed the way Europeans, Asians and 

so many foreigners view America.  Everyone just loves our

 country.  It makes you even prouder to be an American.

  What we take for granted here in America is just something 

others have not fully experienced.  I'm proud to be 

an American, where at least I know I'm free.

Late yesterday afternoon I saw Charley,

 or more like she saw me. I opened the sliding 

door, called her and she came running.  I was so

 hoping to see her and now I am happy.  Fed her 

and after eating she took off roaming again.

I will never be tired of waking up to the 🐦  I love 

my Fatboy, Daisy, Sparrows, Pigeon, Squirrel.  You name 

them I love them.  They make Sniff and I  very happy.

Morning is here and I am loving my quiet time.

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of 

times if one remembers to turn on the light...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday June 24th~

The best and most beautiful things 

in this world cannot be seen or even

 heard, but must be felt with the heart...

 Recently Pigeon has been coming to the deck 

and just sitting on the railing.  Usually she would eat 

on the grass below, but she's gotten brave and comes 

directly to the food source.  Most of the time Squirrel

 is in the food platter, but somehow they have worked

 out a system where each one takes turns to eat.  They 

make Sniff and I happy.  Already missing them.

We had a beautiful day yesterday.  Blue skies and

 sunshine. Today has already begun with a beautiful 

sunrise accompanied by a little mist.  Makes it look 

even prettier from where I stand.  I love mornings.

We did not do much yesterday.  With all these soccer

 games we, well mainly Arvid has to really plan on how 

and when to do things.  Lunch is either one of the breaks 

of after one game is over.  The window to the next game 

is sometimes very short, but Arvid keeps himself busy.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Let us 

remember that starting the morning on the

 right foot sets the tone for a great day.  

If you're looking for a great dining experience

 look no further.  The Keeter Center is a massive 95,000

square-foot log-and-stone lodge located at the entrance 

of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. 

Built by students and opened in 2004, it serves

 as an educational workstation and a tribute to the

 campus's history. The massive multi-function

 facility was built over four-and-a-half years

 by a team of roughly 250 students and the 

college's construction crew. Keeter Center

Rise gently, shine boldly, and embrace the day 

ahead.  Every morning is a beautiful morning...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday June 23rd~

A grateful heart recognizes 

the beauty in everyday moments...

Norway won last night, needless to say, Arvid 

is a happy man.  All his screaming and cussing

 while the game was going on sure paid off.

 Home is calling and we are all looking 

forward to going home, knowing that we will be

 back in Branson in the fall.  It feels nice to break 

up the stay.  Looking forward to seeing my furry 

friend in Fort Myers.  Legacy and Newbie.

Though it rained quite a bit yesterday, that

 sure did not stop the birds and the squirrels from

 showing up.  In fact if anything, they love the rain. 

Squirrel is not afraid of Sniff. For a few hours it

 looked like fall had already arrived to Branson.

Yesterday's drive took us to Chateau on the Lake 

an iconic lakeside resort featuring a full-service 

luxury spa, an award-winning restaurant,

and a state-of-the-art convention center.

We have never not had a good time there, 

best of all are those sunsets on the lake.  

To all a very good day.  What if today, 

we were just grateful for everything?

Gratitude makes life's journey sweeter...

~Nadiya~

Monday June 22nd~

Start where you are. Use what

 you have. Do what you can...

 Summer so far in Branson has been very good.

  It is soon coming to an end, but we will be back in

 the fall.  Looking forward to going home to Florida,

 and having some time to be on my own.  I am very

 grateful for the life we have, and the people in it.

Yesterday was also a day filled with soccer.  Arvid 

and I ended up going to Lake Vibez in the afternoon; 

formerly known as Area 71.  You think you’re going

 into a gas station, but once you get in you realize

 just how wrong you are. In a very good way.

Known as The Destination Gas Station, where 

you stop for gas and stay for the vibez.  It has a 

huge lounge at the bottom of the building where 

concerts and bigger events are held.  Arvid saw

 the Reggae concert there not so long ago.

Lake Vibez Branson (former Area 71)

We have a fairly busy week ahead of us. I’m 

looking forward to going home soon. I need 

to take Sniff to the vet and figure out if there 

is anything wrong with him. Hopefully not.

He looks great now super active, but he is 

getting skinnier with each passing day.  Arvid

 says he looks good. He does, but I just want to

Make sure there is nothing wrong with him.

The last 6 hours it has been raining and 

thundering non-stop.  Thunder so loud the entire 

apartment complex shook.  Lightning is also going

 off like crazy.  Sniff spent most of the time under 

the bed, but then came to me for comfort.

It is still thundering, raining and lightning continues. 

Seems like most of the week is looking stormy, but with

 the weather in Branson that can change in the blink

 of an eye.  Good morning and a good day to all.

It's a new week.  Breathe in peace.

 Expect something good.  Say yes to 

growth.  Let this week surprise you...

~Nadiya~

Sunday June 21st~

First we eat, then we do everything else. 

Food isn't just fuel; it's a universal 

language, a form of art, and one 

of life's greatest pleasures...

 Yesterday Arvid and I went to Capone's 

Speakeasy Grill once again for dinner.  Voted the

 best steak in Branson, and as far as I am concerned 

the best steak I have ever had. I want to say even

 better or the same as Smith and Wollensky.

Yesterday while Arvid was watching soccer

 games I took some time and went to the outlets.

  The traffic right now is horrible. Seems like everyone

 is in Branson. It took me 15 mins to find a parking 

spot and over 20 minutes over to State Road 76, 

Branson, Missouri’s famous vibrant main strip.

Explore The Branson Strip

Today will be "mostly" a quiet day at home.  

Sniff is already in relaxed mode.  Arvid is getting

 ready to watch soccer, and I just want to read a little

 and not be bothered with much more, other than

 watch Sniff watch the birds and the squirrels.  

A very good day to all.  Remember 

whether you're resting your mind or prepping your 

planner, a calm Sunday builds a strong Monday.

My favorite playlist? Birds, coffee, and Sunday

 silence. Let Sunday be your soft restart button...

~Nadiya~

Saturday June 20th-

 Memories made and moments captured...

Once again yesterday was filled with soccer. USA

 was playing so of course I watched the game together 

with Arvid and Sniff.  Win or lose, they are my 

team.  Fortunately, they won again yesterday. 

 Definitely called for another celebration.

We went to our favorite place,  The Landing. 

Weather was gorgeous so we sat out by the water 

watching boats pass by.  Branson Landing

Anyone coming to Branson and not going to 

The Landing is missing out. There is something 

for everyone no matter your age.  Definitely

 have to see The Fountain show.  A must.

We had a couple of hours there, then it 

was time to come home and meet up with the 

guys at Star Bar. It helped also that Star Bar was

 showing the game. Star bar always has delicious 

and pretty looking drinks.  At least mine are.

Sniff enjoyed  day doing what he loves best. 

Sleeping and stalking. Another good day for us. 

 Soon we are homeward bound. I am already

 missing my birdies🤨and wildlife friends.

More soccer today, and another beautiful

 sunrise greeted us this morning. We sure like 

Branson very much. To all a very good day.  Enjoy

 the weekend, and keep making lasting memories.

I think the only answer is to live life to the fullest 

while you can and collect memories... Because in 

the end, that's all you have—happy memories...

~Nadiya~

Friday June 19th~

There’s just something about the magnificent 

stubbornness of a morning and its insistence on rising up 

over this beautiful and baffling world, every single day...

 Every morning as we’re having breakfast, Dave 

returns home from his evening job.  As he opens the door

 to his apartment, Charly scoots out.  Acts as if she were

 a prisoner or something.  Whereas Jackson (doggie) 

waits patiently for Dave to take him out for a walk.  

Of course I want to call Charly for foodies,

 but now I wait until Dave has walked Jackson and 

Charly, and goes back in.  Only then will I feed her.

 If she’s around I call her and she comes running. 

 Most mornings Charly just explores them waits 

to be let in.  She rules and she knows it.

All day yesterday it seemed like it was going

 to pour. Never did, but the skies remained gloomy

 most of the day.  By late afternoon early evening a 

beautiful rainbow showed up after a little drizzle.

There are four soccer matches everyday,

 I don’t watch them all but Arvid does. TV puts me 

to sleep really fast better than anything I know.

We didn’t do much. Just watched a lot of TV, 

well Arvid did. I made lunch at home.

 Sniff slept a lot. Overall a pretty relaxing day. 

I thought it was going to be a stay at home day, 

but when the game over Arvid once again asked

 me if I wanted to go for a drive.  Sure did.

Once again we went to Big Cedar Lodge  it
Covers approximately 4,600 acres.  It’s a huge nature 

wilderness where you see all kinds of wildlife. It is 

in full USA mode, celebrating America's 250 years.

Both Arvid and I really love going to Big Cedar Lodge  

We see all kinds of wildlife.  I don't get pictures of it all, 

not because I don't want to, but because the wildlife

 is faster than me.  They run off.  We did see a lot of 

deers among other things.  We even saw turtles 

nesting.  No I did not approach too closely.

Arvid was not in the mood for frozen custard.  

We were walking around and he cannot eat if not

 sitting.  I have no such problem, but instead of custard

 I had a frozen delight.  We had a really good outing.

It’s Friday already. Soon it’s time to go home

 but for now we will enjoy our time here. Sniff and

 I were up early as usual.  Lucky us again.  What 

a way to start the day.  With a stunning sunrise.

The sun is a daily reminder that we 

too can rise again from the darkness, that

 we too can shine our own light...

~Nadiya~

Thursday June 18th~

Enjoy the small moments, the 

beautiful spaces in between the silence,

 the ones that take your breath away...

 Yesterday started out very relaxing, then Arvid

 checked his soccer schedule and all of a sudden 

the tone of the day changed, not in a bad way. 

Arvid asked if I would like to do lunch out yesterday

 instead of today. I was game, but then he looked at 

his schedule again and asked me if I wouldn’t mind 

us doing take out.  Sometimes that’s even better.  

Take out for me is always Indian food. There is

 another Indian restaurant that opened up that I have 

not tried. I choose to get takeout from there.  I decided 

to do samosas (again) garlic naan and chili chicken. 

It was delicious and I am happy to have two 

Indian places to choose from. Arvid of course opted

 for pizza. He loves pizza and pretty soon he will

 be eating a lot of pizza in Norway as well. 

After lunch there were more soccer games. This

 time I didn't watch with him. Instead I watched 

a movie on Netflix.  When the games were over 

Arvid asks me if I would like to go for a drive

 and do something. Of course I said yes. 

 I told him it was such a beautiful day we should

 go and have a little drink somewhere in the fresh air. 

We decided to go to The Lake House. But once we 

got there it was too hot to sit outside. Their outdoor

 seating was in the sun.  We left and decided to 

go to Rocklane Resort  Never disappoints.

 It’s beautiful here directly on the lake and an 

amazing infinity pool.  People go there just to use 

the pool.  As always  it was interesting to people 

watch. Very entertaining. I get lost in what I see.

 We enjoyed yummy drinks and my favorite, 

a side of fries.  Sitting by the lake/water is always a 

perfect outing.  We had the breeze coming our way. 

 Just a good unplanned outing.  Always the best.

It was a gorgeous day for the pool.  People of all

 ages were having a great time. Always good to see that. 

 One of my favorite pass times is people watching.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Soon we are 

heading home to Florida, afterwards Norway.

Life isn't measured by the time that passes, 

but by the meaningful moments we collect...

~Nadiya~