Congratulations for your various achievements. I must say I was a bit distressed over the long silence. I have been following your story for some time. You're sort of a stranger, but a familiar stranger. No, that's not right. To me you're more of a character in a novel that has slowly absorbed me. So I was glad to see that you were back on your feet. I guess I've felt a certain kinship since I, too, left the U.S. a few years ago to resettle in Porto (with wife, dogs, and cats). Yes, Milo is handsome.
Congratulations on your marriage and may you and C. have many happy and fulfilling years together. It’s wonderful to hear your voice again. Your perspective and observations are always engaging and encourage my own healthy introspection about my life and my relocation to Portugal. Happy birthday a bit early. It’s nice, too, to see pictures of very handsome Milo. Parabéns pelo início das aulas de português. Feliz ano novo!
Lovely to read your escapades again- I missed your writing! Congratulations on your wedding and hope you are feeling better soon!! You have brought me hope for the ever looming BIG 6. 0. For me this year… be well and write on!!
So grateful you survived that year chock-full of yearness, and that it included happy times, too. Mawwiage! May your dweam wiffin a dweam be your best reality of trust, comfort, support, the obligatory human struggles, lifelong learning, and delight. Retirement! We're loving ours so far (financial reality has yet to set in, but we did plan ahead). Milo is a charming prince. I wish him many train rides! And may all available deities bless and keep the patron saint of fibro far away from you (owwwwwwww). <3
Oh my gosh! A million congrats! You got married! You retired! You celebrated 60 spins around the sun! No wonder we hadn’t heard from you. But so nice to have you back :-)
Congratulations on your marriage and courage, they go together. On one hard, I guess this is a post you had to write, to catch readers up with you, but ... It lacked your usual spark. To be honest, much of it sounded like an obligation you felt like you had to fill. And, to the larger degree, a laundry list of mostly complaints. I’m sorry if any of that is sounds mean-spirited; It’s not my intention. Honest criticism is both rare and frequently not wanted. So I took a risk here because I think you are a talented writer who can do better. You are free to tell me to bugger off, block me, shoot me a bird (is there an emoji for that?) or whatever. Until then I remain one of your readers. Boa Sorte. p.s - pic of Milo, that handsome beast, was the high spot.
What a year, indeed! Congrats on all the good, and good vibes to get thru the bad. ☺️
I just turned 60 the day after Xmess (not a fan of the holly-daze, can you tell?) and am still trying to wrap my head around how *that* could have happened...aren't I still like...38, or something?
Will enjoy hearing about your new adventures and experiences in the new year and beyond...always a treat to read your missives.
I caught up on all my other inconsequential emails and stuff first this morning and made sure I was good and settled in with my tanker of coffee before I sat down to read yours, because I knew no matter what, it would be a fine time.
Oh Shanna!! Many, many congratulations to you both! So that's what you've been up to?! I'm so happy for you, that's wonderful news!
I miss Spain a hell of a lot sometimes, especially this time of year. I need to go back one day and visit all the places we never managed to visit when we lived there! Yes, Milo is a handsome devil! He's gorgeous actually! Take care both, enjoy your new found circumstances, 60? I wish I could say that! You're only a baby compared to me! Take care, sending hugs xx
Happy to hear what you have been up to minus the dreaded Fibro. I know it can really take a toll on you. Congratulations on your marriage! That's awesome. And of course, Sir Milo is as adorable as ever. Wishing you lots of love, light and happiness in the coming year.
Congrats on your marriage! Since your wedding anniversary is also my date of birth, I’ll think of you every year on that date. And every once in a while it turns out to be Election Day here in the States. I hope there’s a lot to celebrate on 11/05/2024.
Aw Shanna, you making me cry. Again! Yes, Milo is adorbs, and wow, what a whirlwind of a year! Good for you! Enjoy his pricelessness.
I´ll tell you what I dubbed 2023, the year of suffering and loss. The worst ever that I can remember :( We had to put our Jiver down in July and I have had dogs all my life but this was the worst ever. (He was 16.5). Lágrimas, lágrimas, lágrimas.
I won´t go into the deets of why (all bad) but we have sold our flat in Porto and are moving to Aveiro at the end of the month. We sold most everything with the apt. and so will have a fresh start.
And welcome to old age! It is the shits getting old, getting old is the shits, to quote my great aunt Theresa. Some days I am not so sure that it is better than the alternative!
Congratulations on your marriage! Thanks for sharing of your adventures, even the ones that weren’t as pleasant. And Milo is indeed a very handsome gentleman. We have a pooch son and look forward to train travel with him in 2024. Blessings and good health to you both.
Congratulations for your various achievements. I must say I was a bit distressed over the long silence. I have been following your story for some time. You're sort of a stranger, but a familiar stranger. No, that's not right. To me you're more of a character in a novel that has slowly absorbed me. So I was glad to see that you were back on your feet. I guess I've felt a certain kinship since I, too, left the U.S. a few years ago to resettle in Porto (with wife, dogs, and cats). Yes, Milo is handsome.
Congratulations on your marriage and may you and C. have many happy and fulfilling years together. It’s wonderful to hear your voice again. Your perspective and observations are always engaging and encourage my own healthy introspection about my life and my relocation to Portugal. Happy birthday a bit early. It’s nice, too, to see pictures of very handsome Milo. Parabéns pelo início das aulas de português. Feliz ano novo!
Lovely to read your escapades again- I missed your writing! Congratulations on your wedding and hope you are feeling better soon!! You have brought me hope for the ever looming BIG 6. 0. For me this year… be well and write on!!
So grateful you survived that year chock-full of yearness, and that it included happy times, too. Mawwiage! May your dweam wiffin a dweam be your best reality of trust, comfort, support, the obligatory human struggles, lifelong learning, and delight. Retirement! We're loving ours so far (financial reality has yet to set in, but we did plan ahead). Milo is a charming prince. I wish him many train rides! And may all available deities bless and keep the patron saint of fibro far away from you (owwwwwwww). <3
Oh my gosh! A million congrats! You got married! You retired! You celebrated 60 spins around the sun! No wonder we hadn’t heard from you. But so nice to have you back :-)
Congratulations on your marriage and courage, they go together. On one hard, I guess this is a post you had to write, to catch readers up with you, but ... It lacked your usual spark. To be honest, much of it sounded like an obligation you felt like you had to fill. And, to the larger degree, a laundry list of mostly complaints. I’m sorry if any of that is sounds mean-spirited; It’s not my intention. Honest criticism is both rare and frequently not wanted. So I took a risk here because I think you are a talented writer who can do better. You are free to tell me to bugger off, block me, shoot me a bird (is there an emoji for that?) or whatever. Until then I remain one of your readers. Boa Sorte. p.s - pic of Milo, that handsome beast, was the high spot.
Congrats on the wedding, and thanks for this post in general -- what a year! Wishing y'all a happy and healthy new year. Keep us posted :)
congrats and have a healthy happy new year!
What a year, indeed! Congrats on all the good, and good vibes to get thru the bad. ☺️
I just turned 60 the day after Xmess (not a fan of the holly-daze, can you tell?) and am still trying to wrap my head around how *that* could have happened...aren't I still like...38, or something?
Will enjoy hearing about your new adventures and experiences in the new year and beyond...always a treat to read your missives.
I caught up on all my other inconsequential emails and stuff first this morning and made sure I was good and settled in with my tanker of coffee before I sat down to read yours, because I knew no matter what, it would be a fine time.
Cheers!
Oh Shanna!! Many, many congratulations to you both! So that's what you've been up to?! I'm so happy for you, that's wonderful news!
I miss Spain a hell of a lot sometimes, especially this time of year. I need to go back one day and visit all the places we never managed to visit when we lived there! Yes, Milo is a handsome devil! He's gorgeous actually! Take care both, enjoy your new found circumstances, 60? I wish I could say that! You're only a baby compared to me! Take care, sending hugs xx
Shanna
Happy to hear what you have been up to minus the dreaded Fibro. I know it can really take a toll on you. Congratulations on your marriage! That's awesome. And of course, Sir Milo is as adorable as ever. Wishing you lots of love, light and happiness in the coming year.
Jean
Congrats on your marriage! Since your wedding anniversary is also my date of birth, I’ll think of you every year on that date. And every once in a while it turns out to be Election Day here in the States. I hope there’s a lot to celebrate on 11/05/2024.
All the best to you and C.
Aw Shanna, you making me cry. Again! Yes, Milo is adorbs, and wow, what a whirlwind of a year! Good for you! Enjoy his pricelessness.
I´ll tell you what I dubbed 2023, the year of suffering and loss. The worst ever that I can remember :( We had to put our Jiver down in July and I have had dogs all my life but this was the worst ever. (He was 16.5). Lágrimas, lágrimas, lágrimas.
I won´t go into the deets of why (all bad) but we have sold our flat in Porto and are moving to Aveiro at the end of the month. We sold most everything with the apt. and so will have a fresh start.
And welcome to old age! It is the shits getting old, getting old is the shits, to quote my great aunt Theresa. Some days I am not so sure that it is better than the alternative!
Parabéns por tudo e tudo de bom com o ano novo!
Congratulations on your marriage! Thanks for sharing of your adventures, even the ones that weren’t as pleasant. And Milo is indeed a very handsome gentleman. We have a pooch son and look forward to train travel with him in 2024. Blessings and good health to you both.
Wowser!! Congratulations and I hope you're all healthy and happy for another adventurous year ❤
Congratulations!!! And WHEW!!! 😁