Sunday May 31st ~

The best way to start the

 day is with a grateful heart...

Sniff and I are always up very early. We usually

 feed the wildlife before 6am. Just to make sure they

 start showing up early.  Suddenly there are tons 

of squirrels and chipmunks searching for peanuts

 and whatever else they can find. We even have 

the Canadian geese showing up to munch on 

bird seeds and peanuts. I also give them 

some grapes every once in a while.

Arvid and I had a very good time at the Eureka 

Springs Blues Festival. We heard and have seen 

artists we knew nothing about.  One lady in particular

 was excellent.  Definitely will be following her shows

 Hopefully one day she will be in Fort Myers.  Her

 name is Carolyn Wonderland.  If you ever get the 

chance to see her perform.  Don't hesitate just go.

Once again we climbed a million stairs

 just to get around.  The city is mainly made 

up of historic building, with no elevators, and

 yes we both did the same amount of stairs.

As mentioned before, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 

is a uniquely preserved Victorian resort town in the 

Ozark Mountains known for its natural healing

 springs, distinct arts scene, and incredibly steep,

 winding streets. Often called the "Little Switzerland 

of America," the entire downtown area is listed 

on the National Register of Historic Places.

We really had a great time in Eureka Springs,

 Arkansas.  Hopefully we will do it again next year.

 

We spent a quiet evening at home watching a movie
 and snuggling up with Sniff.  Relaxing and stress free. 
 We also had our "famous" snacks and a cold Pepsi.

Today our niece Resham has a birthday.  She Torin

 and their fur baby Apollo like to hit the road. They are 

travelling to San Francisco California, also checking 

out Lassen Volcanic Park and Lake Tahoe.  They love 

road trips because they get to take Apollo with them.

Wishing everyone a good day.  May we all find 

beauty in simplicity and gratitude in the little things.

It is nice finding that place

 where you can just go and relax...

~Nadiya~

Saturday May 30th~

We need to break the habit

 of overreacting because of our 

speedy assumptions and judgments....

 My Sniff is losing weight. I know I

 should be happy about this. The vet is always

 telling me he needs to lose weight, but why do

 I feel as if he has lost more than he should? 

I started to notice it back home in Florida. He 

did have a check up a with the vet.  She said he

 looked great and everything was fine with him.

Now I think I will take him back to the vet

 as soon as we get home. He does have a vet here

 in Branson, but I know they will do blood work on

 him and in Florida the vet would want to repeat the

 same.  So yeah, I will wait until we’re back home to 

do everything.  He looks great. Runs up and down the 

stairs. Eats well. Drinks water and uses the litter box 

regularly.  I also could be overreacting.  I hope so.

Am I overreacting?  Does Sniff look skinnier?

I have to remind myself that overreacting isn't 

going to solve the problem overreacting usually 

becomes the problem, and that I don't want. 

Anything that causes you to overreact or

 underreact can control you, and often does...

~Nadiya~

Friday May 29th~

Turn up the volume, close your eyes,

 and let the music take over your soul...

 Yesterday was a quiet but good day. I did have 

quite a bit going on but it was not rushed, so you 

can say it was relaxing. Arvid and I enjoyed a few

 things together made for an even better time.

Today once again Arvid and I will be heading out to 

Eureka Springs, Arkansans.  This time for a Blues Festival. 

Unfortunately it seems like we will be having a lot of 

rain all day long.  We booked the hotel last time we

 were there, never thinking that it would be raining.

We tried to get a room at the New Orleans Hotel

 in Eureka Springs, but everything was already booked, 

but we ended up with a room at on of the sister hotels. 

Arvid and I are prepared for all contingencies. 

 It is definitely going to rain, so we bought passes 

in advance to make sure we have covered  seating.

  Sure don't want to get soaked listening to music.

Once again Sniff is home alone.  The wildlife

 will definitely keep him busy and tired.  A good

 day to all.  Relax, ease back in your seats and 

let the music take you wherever it does 🎸

Music expresses that which cannot be put into

 words and that which cannot remain silent...

~Nadiya~

Thursday May 28th~

No act of kindness, no matter

 how small, is ever wasted....

 Until it officially ceased operations and liquidated 

on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines was a major American

 ultra-low-cost carrier known for its bright yellow aircraft.

 Following multiple bankruptcies and disrupted restructuring 

efforts, mounting jet fuel costs ultimately forced the airline to 

shut down. Roughly 17,000 employees lost their jobs when Spirit 

Airlines abruptly ceased operations and shut down globally.

  When we lived in Chicago Spirit was our to go airline. 

 One of the only ones at that time with a direct flight.

JetBlue stepped in and hopefully many of

 the Spirit employees will find a home there.

Arvid went for a walk and I was not able to go

 with him.  My knee is hurting really bad. I’m not

 sure if it’s because of the weather but it’s really

 painful. We’ve had damp/wet weather for the 

last week on and off.  Sniff and I are always

 entertained with our wildlife friends.

The evening was quiet. We watched some TV and

 enjoyed time together. It's Thursday and you know 

what that means, someone is not cooking today.

A good day to all.  It is another wet day here. 

Meanwhile back in Florida, the heat is picking up.

Rainy days are the perfect excuse for a lazy day...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday May 27th~

Find magic in the little things, and the big 

things you always expected will start to show up...

 Yesterday as we were having breakfast Charley

 was roaming around.  I went to the deck, called

 her and she ran towards me.  Of course I had to stop

 eating, find her some foodies and off I went.  Arvid

 of course is always saying, "you have to stop this 

nonsense."  I of course ignore him.  Happy life.

Yesterday we also facetimed with our granddaughters

 and Michelle in Norway.  As always it was a very good

 time.  Did not get to see the two big girls, but Amelia

 always makes up for it with her smiles and laughter.

  I will never cease to get emotional when I hear 

them call me grandma.  I makes my heart full.

Yesterday it rained on and off.  Seems as if the

 birds love the rain because it didn’t stop them from 

showing up.  I love seeing them. All day long. There is

 also a baby squirrel that comes to eat just about all day

 long as well. I give him extra peanuts he's very tiny.

I treated myself to a mani-pedi yesterday. I had 

a good time getting pampered.  We both did.

Sniff and I are awake very early.  Soon the

 birdies will show up and our morning will just

 get better.  Arvid still has a few hours of sleep

 to catch up with. To all a very good day.  As

 they say, "joy comes in sips, not gulps."

It's the little things in life that matter most,

 and the memories they create are the best part...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday May 26~

In life, all good things come hard, but

 wisdom is the hardest to come by...

Both Arvid and I were very tired yesterday.

 I guess we’re not used to bar hopping like we

 did before. Getting older is kicking our butts, 

but today we are back on track.  I feel rested and

 ready for whatever the day throws at us.the day.

As I mentioned before that we had a very good

 time in St Louis.  That evening we went to see 

Marquise Knox.  A very good blues musician. 

 Arvid and I have seen him a few times before. 

The first time was also in St Louis at BB Kings 

club. Marquise was not of legal age to drink at 

the time. He was barely 19, but still good.

  We chatted with him and he tried to get

 Arvid to buy him alcohol.  It was an interesting 

evening.  We also saw him at a Blues festival in 

New York many years ago.  He mainly plays

 in St.Louis when not touring Europe. 

 He had just finished a European tour.

The venue in St. Louis is called The Oyster Bar. 

A little hole in the wall as many would describe it.  

It packed and from what everyone told us it is

 the place for music.  They did not lie. Like us, 

people of all ages were enjoying the music.

 We had a great time. I even enjoyed crawfish.

 Seems like it was crawfish season. We were seated 

next to two girls. One of them was as entertaining

 as Marquise Knox  I laughed so much that night. 

I do hope we go back to St Louis one more time

 before our summer in Branson is over. 

Back home in Florida farmers really need your support; 

as I'm sure so does many in other states.  Due to all the 

freezing weather we have had in Florida the agricultural 

sector has faced a terribly devastating financial crisis.

Here at home all is good.  Feels so good to be home. 

 Snidd is watching the birds and squirrels.  Arvid still

 sleeping.  It's a beautiful morning here in Branson, MO

Never let success go to your head, 

never let failure get to your heart...

~Nadiya~

Monday May 25th~

In the End, we will remember not the words

 of our enemies, but the silence of our friends...

 Memorial day weekend continues.  Hope everyone 

so far is having a safe one and a good one.  While we 

enjoy time with family, BBQ's and friends, may we 

not forget the men and women who made this possible. 

They who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom

 This nation will remain the land of the free only 

so long as it is the home of the brave.

The week begins with all my little friends

 showing up.  Was so happy to be able to feed

 Charly.  Yes she has a home, but still.  I see Daisy

 and Fatboy everyday, the male and female cardinals,

 but they are super alert and disappear before I can 

get a picture.  Just happy everyone is coming around. 

 They keep Sniff, Arvid and I very entertained.

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day.  We

 had our usual outing and since we had good weather

 we chose to go to The Landing.  Outdoor dining 

with a view. The best. Food was also very good.

After that we we came home for a little 

then decided to go and listen to some music. 

 I found a venue that was playing Reggae.  

Of course it was where we headed.  The place 

is called Lake Vibez, originally known as Area 71. 

 It is your destination gas station for good food, 

good drinks, and great Branson entertainment.

The evening was still young so we came home.  

Parked the car and walked over to Star Bar.  We sure

made the right decision. They also had live music, but 

when we got there is was almost done.  That was 

all right because it was a bit on the quieter side 

which allowed us to chat with everyone.

  A few of our friends were there.  The owners

 were also there.  Jeff, the owner kept piling us

 with snacks and food.  It was all delicious but it 

was also almost midnight so eating at that hour

 was not the best.  It did not stop us.  Arvid loved the

 pork rinds.  They were freshly made.  We also had 

way too many chicken wings. They were delicious.

Did I forget to mention that the drinks are 

always amazing.  Matt the bartender made

 me what's called a flaming Mai Tai.  Boy was

 it delicious.  I have to admit, they all were.

While we were there many more showed up. 

 Four young men came in at once and since there was 

so many wings left, it was offered to them.  As Arvid said,

 "when you're young you can eat."  They ate and enjoyed 

the wings and drinks.  Was a very good evening.

The new week begins quietly, but there are 

a few things in the works.  I know it will soon 

get busy.  Wishing everyone a good day.  Many

 have the day off.  Be safe and let us not forget 

the men and women who gave their lives for us.

Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give

 a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's

 why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war;

 for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American...

~Nadiya~

Sunday May 24th~

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week...

 Arvid and I made it back home safely to Sniff. 

We were both tired but as always very happy 

to be home.  As I opened the door, Sniff was 

there waiting for us; meowing non-stop.  I 

sure missed him.  He is after all my baby.

We had a very good road trip.  Our first night

 we arrived at a place called Anderson in Indiana. 

We’ve never been there before and hopefully never 

going back. Driving that first day was eight hours. 

We took turns driving. I usually start the drive.

By the time we got to Anderson we were

 tired.  A shower. Something to eat and  a little TV, 

and a good night sleep to get ready for day two.

The next morning after a good breakfast we

 started off pretty early to Elwood, Indiana. After all

 we did come to check out a building. The building itself

 was impressive looking, but it’s not something we

 want to get involved with. Too much work here. 

We took over a hundred pictures, did our due 

diligence and then headed out of town. We were

On our way to St. Louis. I really like St Louis.

St. Louis such a great vibe and the music 

scene it is everything you can ask for. The places 

are not glamorous, but maybe that’s what made

 the outings so much fun and so interesting.

Our first stop in St Louis was to Trader Joe’s. 

Stocking up on bread for Arvid. After that we went to 

The Cheesecake Factory for lunch. The food was good. 

Arvid always has the orange chicken, and I love

 their Thai chicken salad. Both of us happy 

and content. We had a ton of leftovers.

Back at the hotel we had to go and check out the

hotel bar.  After all, we were staying right across from 

Ballpark Village. Buzzing, sports-themed district by

 Busch Stadium with restaurants, bars and nightlife venues

It's a very good location.  The Arch was at our doorstep.

For today this is is.  More on our evening in St. Louis 

another day.  Today I’m a bit tired.  Just looking forward

 right now to enjoying time with Sniff the birdies and 

keeping an eye out for Charley.  I have been lucky 

that she remembers me and keeps looking for me.

To all a good day  not sure what we will do today,

 but it’s Sunday so the day is still up in the air.

The happiness of your life depends 

upon the quality of your thoughts...

~Nadiya~