Saturday May 23rd~

Branson, Missouri is the leftover meatloaf

 of the tourism industry. It doesn’t matter

 what year it is, it stays fresh like 1991...

 Summertime Branson is buzzing with tourists.

Branson continues to be a major tourist hub in 2025,

 hosting millions of visitors annually—typically over 9 

million—with a high influx of travelers drawn to new 

attractions like the Truth Traveler VR experience and the 

reimagined Fire in the Hole coaster. The 2025 season

 features a strong focus on immersive entertainment,

 new dinner shows, and year-round festivals. 

There are so many activities centered around kids 

and families.  One of those is The Butterfly Palace.  I

 am not into butterflies, so have not had any desire to go 

there.  I like to see the pretty butterflies, but from far. The

 butterfly room is 80 degrees year-round!  If in Branson, 

and butterflies are your thing, then you know where to go.

The last time we were in St. Louis was last fall. 

 As always we had a great time. We stayed in a very cool

 hotel and they served the most amazing drinks.

Today Arvid and I head back home to Sniff.  

Our most favorite place.  I know Sniff is waiting

 patiently for us, and we look forward to seeing him and 

settling down back to our routines.  To all a good day. 

 We are soon homeward bound.  It is a good day.

Every traveller returns home.  Hotels 

are for leaving, home is for returning...

~Nadiya~

Friday May 22nd~

From the roaring games at Busch Stadium 

to tranquil moments by the Mississippi, 

St. Louis, you have my heart...

 Today our journey takes us to St. Louis Missouri. 

St. Louis, Missouri, known as the "Gateway to the West," 

is a major independent city situated along the Mississippi River.

 Famous for its iconic 630-foot Gateway Arch, the city boasts 

a rich industrial history, a renowned craft beer culture, 

passionate sports fans, and many free family-friendly 

attraction.  We always have a great time there, and

 one of the best things is their music scene.

Many years ago Arvid and I took the elevator 

all the way to the top. The elevator is a set of round 

capsules in which passengers are seated. As the capsules

 go up, they also adjust for the curvature of the Arch's

 legs, and right themselves in small increments

 to keep the passengers on an even level.

Riding the elevator. MUST SEE

Arvid and I always make the most of each little getaway. 

 These are some our favorite times.  Our best times are 

those at home.  Just the three of us, but like everyone

 else, we also just  like to hit the road every so often.

A good day to all.  A little business in the morning, 

hopefully a trip to Trader Joe's in St. Louis, and the an evening  

of music and entertainment.  I am grateful for this life.

Life is all about arching towards new adventures.  

~Nadiya~

Thursday May 21st~

 Nothing behind me, everything

 ahead of me, as is ever so on the road...

Once again we are on the road.  Today our road

 trip takes us to Indiana.  Arvid and I are going to check

 out the former Elwood City Hall building. I am still 

undecided if this is something we want to take on.

  What we see will decide if we would like to 

become partners in this venture. 

It's a long drive, but with the music blasting it makes

 for a good time.  I have already made a mix of music

 for Arvid and I.  Arvid always enjoys mainly the blues, 

but I like some Latin music in there.  Together with some 

Bob Marley and CCR, we are all set for the road trip. 

Sniff is going to be home alone.  I feel safer this 

way because I always worry that the door may be

 left open and he would run out.  Sniff is my life, 

and my first priority.  Knowing he is safe, makes 

me more relaxed, and able to have a good time.

Stop worrying about the potholes 

in the road and enjoy the journey....

~Nadiya~

Wednesday May 20th~

Is it just me, or is a rainy day the 

best excuse to relax and chill?

 Yesterday morning it rained quite a lot,

 accompanied by loud thunder.  Of course Sniff 

was scared.  He hid by me and just stayed quiet.  

This went on for hours, more like all day long.

The rain did not stop the birds nor the 

squirrels from making an appearance, nor did it

 stop Dave from walking Jaxson several times 

during the day, while Charley just watched.

Even though we are in Branson, I still keep

 up with my Florida news and Florida humor. 

Another interesting to do in Branson, is the Branson 

Duck Tour.  The tour gives guests the opportunity to 

explore the Ozarks in an interesting way. The first section 

of the tour includes the land sightseeing tour. Once you 

board the bus, you will be taken on a journey through

 the streets of Branson, MO. Along the way, see some 

historic landmarks and everything that makes Branson

 so special, from its theaters to its natural wonders.

Without getting up out of your seat or changing

 boats, you will witness an incredible feat! Roll onward 

to the shores of Lake Taneycomo and get ready for an 

exciting time as the vehicle heads out on water, showcasing

 its cool amphibious abilities. Travel along the sparkling

 surface of Lake Taneycomo and see the beautiful trees, 

wildlife, and sights. Lake Taneycomo is gorgeous and

 affords some great views of downtown Branson as 

well as the historic Taneycomo Bridge which was 

created in 1931. You will have ample opportunity to

 snap pics and enjoy all of the gorgeous sightseeing. 

Looking forward to a better day today, meaning

 no rain.  Sniff was restless all day yesterday. 

 Hopefully today he finds some peace.  He's already 

enjoying bird-squirrel watching.  A good day to 

all.  So far a beautiful rainless morning here.

Let it pour all day. I've got

 everything I need right here...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday May 19th~

If you think adventure is 

dangerous, try routine; it is lethal...

 Morning finds Sniff and I wrestling a bit.  Mainly

 I give Sniff my arm and he goes nuts trying to wrestle

 it.  Yeah, I do end up with a few scratches, but eventually

 they fade. I do love to see his little body all tangled up 

around my arm.  make for a good start of our day.

Yesterday was a stay at home day.  Aside from taking

 the garbage out we did not venture out at all. Most of

 Sniff's day was spent bird-squirrel watching, by early

 evening he was exhausted and could not help but 

collapse into a very deep sleep as we watched TV.

Another popular Branson trip is the Scenic Railroad tour.

Branson Train  This one-hour and 45-minute excursion

 takes passengers through tunnels, over trestles, and through 

wilderness that is still home to wildlife and to the ruins of

 long-ago communities now named only on railroad maps. If 

you're in town, take the kids and enjoy a beautiful scenic day.

We have a few things going on today, so the

 morning is a bit on the busy side.  Always a good

 thing to stay busy.  Wishing everyone a great day.

When you wake up asking ‘What’s wrong?’ 

you’ll find plenty that’s wrong. But, when you 

wake up asking ‘What’s possible?’ you’ll discover

 opportunities you never noticed before...

~Nadiya~

Monday May 18th~

Jumpstart your new week with to set a 

positive tone and refresh your mindset...

 My second week in Branson and so far

 everything is going really good.  We have enjoyed

 beautiful weather, the birdies and squirrels are 

already coming for foodies on the deck, and we 

have been busy doing things we enjoy.

This week finds us with a few plans in the works.  

Always exciting to have something to do and to look 

forward to.  The other day as Arvid and I were talking

 we both agreed that here in Branson we have so much 

more to do here than if we lived in Puerto Rico.

  Don't get me wrong, we love Puerto Rico and 

will always want to go back, but for many reasons,

 Branson is were we will be.  For one the flights are

 direct unlike going to Puerto Rico from Fort Myers.

Yesterday while Arvid watched the soccer game, I 

went to the outlet mall.  It gave me a chance to make 

a few calls while driving. Win-win.  I walked around a 

bit.  Tried on a few things and came back home with a 

new top. Made my day.  After our outing Arvid decided

 he needed to find some shorts also, so we went back.

We had a very good outing yesterday. As always 

the food was good and the ambiance even better. 

Sitting by the water is always relaxing.  

Yesterday I tried what's called the Trash-Can 

nachos at Guy Fieri's restaurant.  It was good way 

too big for one person, but good.  I would definitely

 recommend it, it you are going to be sharing it with

 friends.  Arvid of course refused to even not try it.

Mornings are busy times for bird and squirrel 

watching.  Sniff is kept very busy, but even so he sure 

runs up and down the stairs quite often.  My Sniff is 

slimming down. Why is this a concern to me?

A good day to all.  When I wake up, I expect 

things to be good. If they’re not, then I try to set about 

trying to make them as good as I can ’cause I know I’m 

gonna have to live that day anyway. So why not try to make

 the most of it if you can? Some days, they pan out a little

 better than others, but you still gotta always just try.

No matter how good or bad your

 life is, wake up each morning and 

be thankful you still have one...

~Nadiya~

Sunday May 17th~

 In quietness the soul expands.  Memory
 is the personal journalism of the soul...

May 17 is Norway's Constitution Day.  The equivalent 

to our July 4th here in the USA.  Because of it being

 a special day we decided to give Brutus and Shadow this 

day as their official birthdays. Both Brutus and Shadow

 are dead, but there is not a day I don't think of them. 

Unless you have a pet, you will never understand what it's

 like to lose one. They take a piece of you that is forever

 gone. Our Brutus will forever remain one of the most 

beautiful times of our lives.  We only had Shadow for 

four months, but in those four months he was loved.

In Norway there is a big celebration today. For 

Norway's Constitution Day on May 17, the traditional

 dress code is the bunad, a traditional folk costume

 representing specific regions, worn by roughly 70% 

of women and 20% of men. Just see how beautiful 

our granddaughters, Michelle and Emil look.

As for Arvid, Sniff and I we had a quiet 

day yesterday. Arvid watched a soccer

 game and I did some grocery shopping.

 Yesterday my friend Anna had to say goodbye

 to her baby boy BB.  Bowe Bowe was rescued by

 Anna on the night of 7-3-2014, just like all her fur babies. 

He had the best life for 12 years.  No matter how many

 years you have with them it is never enough. On one 

of my trips to California I was fortunate to meet BB I 

think he liked me a bit.  I still remember the day Brutus 

and Shadow died. The quietness almost killed me.

Arvid and I also went for a little

outing to Big Cedar Lodge.  Another place

 we always enjoy the frozen custard and 

wildlife galore. Big Cedar

Sniff continues to be entertained by the birdies. 

To all a very good day.  Remember the things we 

take for granted someone else is praying for.

The minds replays what the heart cannot delete...

~Nadiya~

Saturday May 16th~

 We live in a wonderful world that is full 

of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no 

end to the adventures we can have if only 

we seek them with our eyes open...

Arvid and I enjoyed a very nice outing

 yesterday in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  It’s 

a quaint but very charming little town. 

The "Stairstep Town": Downtown Eureka Springs 

is built entirely into the mountainside. You won’t

 find any stoplights here; instead, the entire downtown 

area is listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places as the Eureka Springs Historic District.

Seems like there are no elevators around.  It is 

after all a very quaint town.  Arvid and I climbed 

stairs just to everywhere we went. Even the elderly had to 

climb stairs if the wanted to get to a particular restaurant. 

 Not just one set of stairs but minimum of three sets.

We enjoyed lunch accompanied with music.  

Afterwards we walked around a bit. Checked out a few

 pubs and realized there is a lot more we would like to see 

here in Eureka Springs.  The people were friendly and 

very down to earth.  We also met a few nice people.  

We checked out a few places, some very cool

 looking pubs as well.  Very small, but they reminded us

 of some of the blues bars/venues in Chicago.  Definitely

 a place we will have to check out some more.

We liked Chelsea pub and grub quite a bit.  There

 were many cool posters on the wall.  One in particular 

caught our attention.  Arvid of course made an offer 

to the owner to buy it.  No luck with that.  Knowing 

Arvid, he will try again.  Next time we go there.

The outing left us wanting for more.  Maybe another 

trip is in our future.  Just have to wait and see.

Morning is here.  Sniff is very 

occupied with his wildlife friends.

It’s not what you look at 

that matters. It’s what you see...

~Nadiya~

Friday May 15th~

I have a feeling today is going to be a great day.

Today Arvid and I will have a little road trip.  We will 

go exploring a little of Eureka Springs, Arkansans.  We

 have been there a long time ago, but today hopefully

 we will discover more of what it has to offer. 

It's just a day trip so Sniff will be home with the

 birds and other wildlife.  He will definitely not be bored.

 We are really enjoying our days here in Branson.  The

 weather has been beautiful.  Cooler on the morning

 side, then it warms up without getting hot and humid 

like it is right now back home in Florida. Perfect.

To everyone a good day. Arvid and

 I are soon off on a little road trip.

The "Little Golden Gate Bridge," is the last remaining

 bridge of its type in the state, offering a scenic, rustic, wooden

plank driving experience with a 20,000-lb weight limit. One

lane only; drivers must wait for opposing traffic to clear before 

crossing. The wooden deck often rattles, and the bridge can

 sway, providing a unique, historic travel experience. 

 Ready for an adventure?  Just drive over the bridge.

The road is calling, and we must go.

No road is long while in great company...

~Nadiya~

Thursday May 14th~

Remember to aim for progress, 

not perfection. Have a great day...

 Last night we "lost" the remote to turn off

 the TV.  Arvid would say that I did something

 to it. We spent, well mostly him and Sniff

 about fifteen minutes looking for it.  

They crawled under all the furniture, moved

 everything, but the remote still remained hidden. 

 Was a mystery to me, but when it comes to a man and

 the remote, it's no game here.  This was serious.  Another

 ten minutes, lost of cussing in Norwegian, and just like that

 Arvid found the remote.  It appears that I may have let 

it slip under the recliner.  At least that's Arvid's story. 

This whole incident was funny.  You had to be there to 

hear Arvid.  Of course I could not laugh openly because

 that made things worse.  He was breathing hard by the

 time the remote was "found" and he was mad as hell.

Yesterday the birdies started to show up.

 Slowly but surely they will be coming back. 

Sniff and I were super excited and happy. Right

 now Sniff is being entertained by them also.

The other day when I went to Almost Home, 

I chatted of course with many there, but there is

 one tenant in particular that just keeps me laughing.

 He actually makes both Arvid and I laugh with just about

 everything he says. We enjoy his company and I promised 

that he, Arvid and I will go out for cocktails one day

 soon.  We didn’t before and we had a great time,

Yesterday we walked. This time my knee

 was not as good. We walked by the marina again.

  Arvid needed to know how quiet and peaceful it felt

 there.  Again.  Also saw lots of birds and wildlife.

To all a very good day.  Remember life is full

 of surprises, so embrace them with open arms.

It’s not about when you wake up.

 It’s about who you wake up to be...

~Nadiya~