I must be getting older, because this Christmas season I”m remembering my childhood Christmas activities with the family and find myself helping my darling bride celebrate more sentimentally. My mom was always the vibrant celebrant of the holiday season, Dad not so much:)
Daily now we light a fire, turn on the lights on the mantel, and listen to the vast array of Christmas carol programming on Youtube. (Anohter advantage of a relatively small domicile is that the sound bar pipes music throughout the house). Much to Sofia’s surprise, I seem to know the words to many of the old classics. So I explain:
One strong memeory was near-blizzard travel from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to visit my dad at the VA Hospital in Tomah, Wisconsin. The “old green ford” was an ancient Ford sedan. Mom fought the snow-covered roads, two kids in the back seat and one riding shotgun; always one of the two terrible twins “banished” to the front seat because of the need for some “behavior modification.” (Just for the record, it was always my brother Rob who needed to be reprimanded….I was always a perfect angel and never fought with him. He ALWAYS fought with me:) To quiet her nerves and some dastardly dialogue, Mom would lovingly lead singing of Christmas Carols and demanding participation. Sister Jane was less than one, and when she started crying, mom would kick into Hark the Herald Angel Sing which seemed to calm the crying. (footnote…Rob, Wendy and Jane, you mave have different memories of these holiday trips, but I’m writing this, so be quiet! 😍)
This year Sofia and I and some good friends, we’re traveling to see friends on another island this Christmas’ Sofia’s family has invited us for traditional Christmas Eve dinners, Christmas lunches dinners, and get-togethers at the many festivities on the island. Musical concerts in the town squares in Angra do Heroismo, Praia da Vitoria, and driving to see holiday lights. I am reminded of traditonal Christmas visits to Grandma’s, playing with cousins, aunts and uncles, snowball fights, and great eats. Grandma’s house was built in a circular floorplan, and I’m certain adults often tired of young kids chasing each other around the fireplace, through the kitchen and dining room. But the sounds were usually the same, a Chistmas tree, carols playing, and the old mantel clock striking the hours. See, I’m smiling right now, remembering these things. There are also some unpleasant memories with all these things, but I’m consciously trying to stay cheerful and happy… ‘Tis the Season!
On the island today the weather today is sunny, and we’repacking for a few days on another island, but first, some other tasks. Working on tightening up some parts on the beast, Sonho II. Then downloading video taken at Sabrina’s wedding this fall, and of course, mowing the grass and splitting some firewood.
So to quote a jolly old elf, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
A great road trip; more than 5,000 kilometers in four weeks, driving to daughter’s weddings, birthdays, family reunions, meeting friends, great foods, some adult beverages, fantastic weather, fabulous friends, and a lot of love, smiles, and memories! Oh, did I mention SHOPPING?
So many times in the past month I’ve thought “I am so happy, I should blog this!” Sadly, I didn’t. So I’ll just summarize some of the mooments that made the wife and I sooooo happy. I grew up loving Road Trips…my family drove to visit freinds, move to new homes and jobs, and always with the togetherness of a family with four kids, used cars, and relishing every visit with friends and relatives. Retired life on Terceira does not lend itself to road trips, where we can encircle the island in about an hour. So I was really looking forward to taking many of our island family to Sabrina and Aidan’s wedding, visiting friends and family in Michigan, Toronto, Hamilton, Brandtford, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Some personal highlights:
Sofia’s sisters and brother in law landed in Canada, spent a few days exploring and shopping, then drove to Bronners in Frankenmuth to a year-round Christmas store, then to spend a few days on Lake Michigan with my sister Janie and her hubby John. We did some camping with old longtime friends Linda and Dan and their little dog Swiffer. Every morning the last coal-burning ferry departs, crossed the lake to Wisconsin, and then returns to port in Ludington. The blasts on the ship horn are like alarms for the beginning and the end of the day. We all dash out to the channel where it floats past towering above us.
After several days, we drive south to Grand Rapids, my home town. A barbeque and picnic for families ot meet for the first time…Sabrina’s entire family of aunts and uncles, cousins, and second cousins met with Aidan’s fantastic family of grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins join for greetings, games, sports, music, beverages, and introductions. Many won’t be at the wedding that weekend, some drove from as far as Minnesota and Wisconsin to join the fun.
Sadly, virtually no time to visit dozens of family and friends in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, instead it’s a checklist of tasks from Sabrina’s well-oiled machine for a wedding. As we expected from a professional event planner with a long successful history of planning international events, Sabrina and Aidan had pre-thought and documented a zillion details and documented them. Everyone from Aidan’s extended family, everyone from Sabrina’s extended family, and the venue staff rolled in to work the rehearsal, the wedding, and the required cleanup efforts. (One of the most entertaining elements of the rehearsal was Sofia’s 2-year-old nephew Alfredo, who’s family graciously flew in from Malmo, Sweden to bring the ring bearer to help with the nuptials. Alfredo speaks some English, a lot of Portuguese, and Swedish. Too young to become enamoured with the flower girl, 6-year-old Josie (Aidan’s neice) even though they practiced the aisle duties several times. (Afterwards, Gerry played Football (soccer) in teh back yard with Alfredo, and watching them interact with their feet instead of speaking, was a riot. Alfredo enjoyed the sushi for dinner as well. (Miguel and Renata, we can’t tell you enough how thankful we are you joined us, in spite of busy travel schedules, moving into the new house, and the guts it takes to fly into Chicago O’Hare, drive to Grand Rapids, do the wedding, and drive and fly out in four days. You folks are the best!)
Sofia’s sisters and brother-in-law traveled with us, crossed several international borders, did a lot of shopping, and then took a bus from Detroit to Toronto and flew back only a couple of days after the wedding.
Sofia and I drove to visit my sister in Cincinati (we beat them home:)) and spent a cople of days eating, drinking, and reminiscing. I learned when you dine at Kara and Joe’s favorite Mexican restaurant, if you order a “simple, plain, large Margarita” you get a fireworks-adorned goblet with lights, flames, little toy animals, and the attention of everyone in the place! Wendy and Bill, Joe and Kara, always know the city’s most interesting places to eat and drink:) Sorry we didn’t have time to viist with Skyler:(
Shortest leg of the trip was Cinti to the Dayton area to visit daughter Bridget and Summer who got married this summer. Met with Summer’s mom and Dad who are just fabulous folks, even though he rides a Harley trike:) He let me take it for a spin, along with his tractor we used to dig a hole to bury a poor kitty who died in the night. For the first time in about 15 years, we celebrated Bridget’s birthday with her, Summer and family, and Nancy. Wonderful time, wonderful dinner, and wonderful ice cream!
After several days learning about the neighborhood, family and friends, and the new house, wee headed off to Niagra Falls, spent a quiet romantic evening in St. Catherine, and then up to Brandtford for a few days R & R with Lilliana and her family. Lilliana is one of our friends who resides part of the year in Canada and part of the year in Porto Martins. After a few days explorer Niagara Falls, one of the largest and most diverse farmer’s market I’ve ever seen, finding a great Polish deli, and of course, more shopping, we’re off again to Toronto.
The view from Celia’s 55th floor condo of Toronto is enchanting, lights, Lake Ontario sunsets, and … you guessed it, more shopping:) After a day or two of borrowing larger suitcases, packing, repacking, etc. we were ready for a trip to the Toronto Pearson Airport and the long flight home.
Good to get home, (spend literally days mowing the lawn) and sleep in our own bed. Unpacked, and started digest all the memories from a perfect vacation. Two wonderful daughters happily married, visits with nearly all of my family, meeting and getting to know better all of Aidan’s fabulous family, and an excellent road trip in a rented Chrysler Pacifica (great experience BTW).
Lots to digest. But truly a labor of love. Back on our quiet little island in the Atlantic, back to doctor’s appointments, my great barber, acclimatizing with my new motorcycle, and just taking it easy. We got to meet with other good friends who are departing for their vacations, family visits, cruises, and catching up. Back to Retirement on Terceira:)
I sometimes blog about some of the great elements of life on the island of Terceira, and occassionally been accused of glorifying things here.
I plead guilty.
This past month has been very frustrating, primarily attributed to cultural differences, legal differences, and business differences. Let me share a few of my frustrations, which I do not believe are unique to just my wife and I.
I decided to buy a motorcyle to replace the one I left in the states. Since I’m older, traffic laws are often “vague” here, cows and cow droppings in the streets every day in many places. My wife was strongly opposed to the idea, so I struck out on my own. I promised I wouldn’t use any savings, so I located several bikes in Germany, Italy, France, and finally found several in Portugal. Short story is that I have finally locataed one and now have invested more than a month in accomplishing the paperwork, and still will wait for one weeks to get it here on the island. I’m dying to get it:)
Another frustration, we had a small fender-bender with the car, right around the corner from where Sofia grew up. She was backing out of a parking space while another resident was backing out of an alley across from the parking spot. We collided in the middle of the intersection. Fortunately for me, I wasn’t driving, I was watching traffic right and she was checking left and using the rear view camera. The other guy was backing out. I immediately checked my wife was okay and then jumped out to check for injuries in the other car. I said “let’s call the police” and she said “we don’t do that here…we just share insurance information.” Then we drove away. He said we hit him, our insurance agent explained that if we were at fault, they would pay for his damage and we would have to pay for our damage. There was another scenario where both of our insurance companies would pay 50/50. So I’m not sure where this will end, but believe me, like many things in the island, it will take a while. Weeks of investigation by an adjuster and someone in Lisbon has to read his report and decide what to pay. Next time we’ll call the police to file a report on the spot…tradition be damned:)
So while you wait, no Waiting Room Musac, no old magazines, no sterile environment. It’s Terceira, where you run into friends, dine on various things from octopus sandwiches to cheese burgers, where the wine is great and the scenery is beyond great. And according to the wife, the ocean is the most perfect therapy for relaxing whle you are waiting.
Nearly every morning now we grab our Ham and Cheese sandwhiches (Sande Mista..each bakery uses a different, but always fresh-baked) bread, an expresso for me and a meo-da-lait (half coffee and half milk) for the boss, and then hit the beach. After laying out a towel on a nearly-deserted beach, we hit the water to the tune of Sofia’s wild sounds of enthusiasm (“this is heaven”) and then lay on the sand for an hour or so. We nap, reminesce, and plan the day’s activities.
Sorry. I can’t be completely skeptical or completely zealous. Retired life here is a two-edged sword, I suppose like everywhere. We have worked hard to get this choice, we made it, and we live with the consequences, good and bad. I expect most retirees do the same.
So retired life on Terceira is probablly justlike everwhere else….Life!
On the right is Praia da Vitoria Bay, where Sofia was raised going to the beach you can see under the mountain, Praia Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Half the reason we retired here was to be able to hit the beaches each morning. In Sofia’s family, everyone knows about Sofia’s beach curse; sunshine disapears. I got up at 6 a.m. local time, the sun was pouring through the kitchen window. Last night Sofia decreed that she wanted to go swimming tomorrow morning, and I swear when she got up at 7:30 this morning, the clouds rolled in within minutes. She groaned at the window and I asked what was the problem? She grumbled about the beach curse; I had been reading my NY Times, and didn’t realize how the clouds had descended down the mountain behind us. Sure enough, clouds, sprinkles, and no beach time today:(
On the far left is the Lajes Airfield, Portuguese Air Force Area Base 4, home of the American 65th Air Base Squadron, where I was assigned after the Persian Gulf deployment as the Public Affairs Officer. Met Sofia, married in a few months, moved to the states, and returned for family visits nearly every year for 30 years. On July 4th, a Delta Airline aircraft declared an In Flight Emergency (IFE) with one engine out and made an emergency landing at Lajes. National News (Both European and American) highlighted the successful safe landing, housing the passengers and bringing in a new aircraft after the emergency landing on an “island paradise!” Many of the still photos showed our house on the far horizon over the bay:)
So the good news is that passengers and crew are home now safely, and Sofia can’t go swimming but has plucked a zuchini and made fresh bread:)
So is there some accuracy in the adage “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining?” I’m thiking so!
Just a quick idea of one of the things which makes us feel at home here on Terceira.
Sofia’s sister called and was feeling very badly. Sofia and “the gang” were in our kitchen playing Mexican Train, Lucia called and asked for some soup.
Sofia et al immediately jumped into action. She pulled fresh vegetables out of the refrigerator, Maria set to peeling carrots, Adelina set to peeling potatoes, I prepped the Bimby (Thermomix) and in less than five minutes the soup was cooking. (Rui, Cesar, and I were smart enough to get out of the way of the professionals, it’s a big kitchen, but not that big:)) and in fifteen minutes, the kitchen was cleaned up, the soup was done and on it’s way to Lucia, and the game restarted.
No one asked if she needed help, everyone asked how they could help. They did, she did, and Lucia is recovering well now. Just a tiny hiccup to the game (Adelina won two in a row) and everyone left wishing Lucia a quick recovery.
One question …. what is our world coming to … or what is my world coming to.
Many people have watched the current administrations in the US and remarked “guess you got out of America at the right time!” which seems largely true. Sadly, my vote in the past presidential election seems to have proven a minority vote, much to the chagrin of many of my friends and family. But as you check the date, listen to friends and family in Europe, and see some of the principles of the American system being eroded or negated, I must wonder where we went wrong?
I spent 1.5 decades in the USAF and working closely with State Department and other federal entities in regions around the globe; several times in harm’s way. Like so many of my brothers and sisters in government service, I had two redeeming attributes…I was confident in my abilities to adapt and prevail to any situation, and I was an American: the most powerful and just government on the face of the Earth! And I did prevail, with the help of many dedicated, professional, and loving friends I could rely on, as they could rely on me.
I retired…richly deserved, I might add. I earned a peaceful existence with my wife, watching my daughters grow, face and overcome personal and professional obstacles. My primary existence was to take care of my wonderful wife, who after decades supporting me in the United States, moved to our wonderful existence with her family here in Terceira. I, as you have witnessed, have been critical of both the U.S. and the Portuguese systems of governmental bureaucracy, traditions, and lifestle adaptations required. But always, in spite of all required adjustments, relied on that level of confidence that carried me through decades of worldwide professional and personal challenges…I am an American, a member of the most powerful and just government in the world.
But to quote a favorite line from an Inspector Clouseau movie … not anymore!
Depending on the date and time of which newscast or late evening talk show, the current administration is accepting foreign government influences, waffling in self-denial, or adding to the instability which my military and politcal brethern and sisters struggled and sacrificed to stabilize.
Am I still a proud American? You damn betcha. Do I wish things were different? You damn bethcha. Do I wish I personally could do something to stabilize a world where the USA is a valued member? You damn betcha. Do I coulnt the days until some semblance of our past triumphs and problems could return to where mankind is helping mankind … you damn betcha. Will I live to see it…not too sure:(
My wives and I (both my first wife and my current wife) worked to raise daughters who would thrive as members of American and global society. We raised them to appreciate that the USA is one element of a global species and could be contributing to the welfare of mankind…regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation!
I sit in my quiet (sunny…for the moment!) breakfast nook hoping that the world my daughters will live in will materialize into what we raised them to value and hope for. But in their immediate absence, and as more news of US American “challenges” to the constitution I was willing to sacrfice to defend, I battle depression. I actually visited our nearby church yesterday, Matriz da Praia, to register my thoughts with God….please help us perservere! (No cmoore, there were no sparks or lightening:))
God Bless the USA!!!
Aguardiente…local moonshine and one of the greatest inventions of Portugal for facing depressive world events
Here’s my experience on diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and recovery in Terciera’s medical care system. It was a great experience (not perfect) and has many similarities and many differences from my personal experiences in the United States and several other nations around the world.
Back in November, 2024, we went to the Emergency Room because of splitting headaches in my left sinus regions; an unusual occurence for me. A CAT Scan revealed what the physician referred to as “a lot of junk” inside, here’s an antibiotic, check in a few weeks. Another month down the road, went back and tried a different antibiotic. After several more, our assigned family doctor (here called the community doctor) indicated he didn’t feel right about ordering another CAT Scan, so referred us to a private ENT doctor in Angra. Total cost to date….nada. Nothing.
He referred us to a “private” Otarlyrnengiolist who is also part of the “community” medical system. His consultation fee was about $75. Since he also worked with the Hospital Angra, he shifted our case to the public hospital and that was the end of the charges…period. Several nights in the hospital (great view, nasty food) resulted in a great(?) surgery, no recovery problems, and a sooner-than-expected trip home. Return visits to the hospital removed that tradiional packing of the nasal cavity, follow-up inspections, and so far, improvements in fewer headaches, better smell (not great when you live downwind from a pig farm … sorry Linda) and overall success; all for less than $75 bucks!
Doctors, nurses, anesticians, and admin folks were awsome. (Sofia made some banana bread to thank them for taking care of me, they worked through language differences admirably, which increases their time and workload) and Doctor Joao Martins continues to explain things, take appropirate precautions, and follow my progress; in spite of one serious kitchen fall (big ol’ puddle of blood) and another fall into the rocks while mowing the lawn…poor nose is taking a lot of hits lately! (No more jokes, ladies!)
Overall, I feel like a resident; they took great care of me, prioritized my difficulties and assisted within the system, and reduced my headaches significantly. And that, folks, is the best I can ask for, both in the US and Terceira. So my word of thanks to the medical staff (and my darling wife)…obrigado!!!
In my former military self, when I was “invited” to an assault, we drew weapons and ammunition and prepared for some activity, shooting, and discomfort.
In my retired Azorean self, we were invited to “an assalto” yesterday. I learned that means if you have a lonely neighbor, you call friends and family, put on Carnival costumes, prepare some food and wine (this is Portugal, you know!) and converge on the neighbor. This Assalto is pretty much a BYOP, Bring Your Own Party!
One of the best Carnival tradititons and I had never heard of it until last Friday, when we bumped into an old friend’s daughter who we had not seen since her father’s funeral a month ago. Asking how her mother (Rui’s window) was doing, we learned that she wasn’t getting out very much and needed some joy in her life; thus an “Assalto” was planned. Daughters, grandchildren, extended family, cousins, and of course, neighbors, all met in front of her house, rang the bell, and invaded. Grilled chicken, salads, deserts, wine, and several games were set up on a big table, and we all helped set the table, eat the food, and drink the wine. Then some of us retired to the living room to watch TV, read, snore, and laugh, while others played traditional Portuguese board and card games. We also “raided” the awesome garden for fresh Brazilian tomatoes, fresh avacados, and all kinds of other pretty fruits.
The best part of the afternoon was the warmth. Cold winds blowing outside and occasional rain showers didn’t dampen spirits inside. Warm smiles on the faces of family we had last seen at Rui’s funeral, and most importantly, the smile on the face of the wonderful woman widow.
What do we do on Terceira in wintertime….we take care of our friends; and that is just about one of the most wonderful feelings any retiree could have!
Rob and I preparing for school “Back in the Day.” Rob was always the better student:)
Perhaps one the most significant facets of retiring to the middle of the Atlantic (all right, not exactly the middle, actually two-thirds of the way across from Lisbon and Washington DC) is not being able to see your brother, who I literally grew up with — well, grew older with; only one of us is grown up!
For nearly 7 decades, I have traded quips, insults, fisticuffs, girl friends, record albums, and drinks with my brother Rob, who turns 69 today. Nearly anyone who knows us has been subjected to years of barbs and playful, loving tales of “Mom always loved you more than me.” (BTW, it’s true, mom always loved one of us more than the other!)) At a sister’s recent surprise birthday party, when Rob and I hadn’t seen each other in more than six years, we fell into step recalling historical episodes of high school, college, Air Force and professional life. Often these memories seem ‘distorted’ with time and are not always ‘flattering’ memories!
But as we age (Rob more than I!) we have gotten more focused on each other’s great points. Rob has a heart as big as anyone I ever met. He is a force in both IT and the efficient management of IT. While earning his MBA in California he supported his wife and three children and worked full time. He is a grandfather to 11 children. Last year he moved with his wife Debbie to Oregon to take care of Debbie’s mother as she ages. He’s actively involved in helping his church support the community. Overall, he is just the kind of brother I look up to. He’s a great all-around guy.
We’re all aging; from the day we’re born we start aging. Rob is getting older. He’s getting more mellow. He has never had too many vices, but he’s getting fewer and fewer. (I’m picking up the slack on that by adding more and more vices:)) We anticipate seeing each other again this fall in Michigan, as his goddaughter gets married. I look forward to again saying hi, trading barbs with him, jumping in as a team to help with wedding tasks, family fun, and soemtimes the misery of saying goodbye yet again. Heck, I might even say something nice to him…maybe:)
So all I have to say this Groundhog day is Happy Birthday Bro. You the best!
Sunset on the lovely island of Pico, home of the tallest mountain in Portugal
Placemat from Magdelena Pico Cafe with newspaper ads including typewriters from Grand Rapids Mich – My Hometown
My hometown (also known as “Home of Record” to the military) is Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born in Butterworth Hospital, it has grown to a major metropolis in the United States, and home for the happy growth of the Reibeling family.
As I have traveled around the globe, Grand Rapids and my alma mater, Michigan State University, ease into my life and bring back fond memories. (Memories are usually fond, I tend to blank out the bad ones:)). For instance, after a two-day motorcycle ride to Moron Spain from Germany, I sat down in the lobby waiting for a room and picked up a copy of Spartan News. I’ll never forget the warm fuzzy in that totally new environment! There have been similar instances in Africa, Central America, Australia, and Japan:)
The latest episode was this summer’s trip to nearby Pico Island, a place where you can drive for about an hour to see most of it, all centered around the highest volcano and mountain in Portugal. Fishing villages, warm and friendly people, great fish, history, and seascapes, a fantastic outdoor equipment shop called “The Sniper,” and untold festivals. One of our friends was born on the island and they were ecstatic to take us to a bayside cafe for lunch. We waited a short time for them to open (yes, dear, go shop for some clothes until the cafe opens!) and we were seated across the channel from whale watching tour boats prepping for afternoon visitors. For centuries, Pico was a major whaling port.
We ordered Vinho Tinto (c’mon, we’re in Portugal with the best red wine in Europe!) and the waiter sets the table. I look down at the placemat, an eclectic brown paper reprint of newspaper ads, and the first thing I see is an ad for Fox Typewriters on Front Street in Grand Rapids Michigan. Front Street is just a few miles from where my grandmother lived and I grew up. Home!
So I get homesick. Again. I miss the major snowstorms, the blueberry picking, the swimming in Lake Michigan. I miss Mr. Fables on Lake Michigan Drive and their Oliveburger (thanks for remembering Wendy:), A & W Root Beer floats, the public museum with the blue whale skeleton, and the woods of Blandford Nature Center and C.A. Frost Elementary School. (A good friend’s children now go there, but the palyground where I had my first romantic kiss has changed somewhat since second grade 🙂
All these thoughts and emtions flood back as I’m sitting in Madelena, Pico enjoying fresh fish and great wine with great friends. I can smile at them, recall one or two significant memories, and know that they won’t have the same feelings I am experiencing, just as I don’t truly appreciate tales of their youth on the island. (I did get to meet several relatives, warm wonderful people who shared their lives, sotries, and their aguar dente!)
Expereinces like these are small world stories…they help me cherish the tales of old and cherish the life I’ve retired to!
Holiday family dinners on the island are gigantic! Sister Lucia is in Porto with Vitor and Irene et al, Niece from Sweden is hotising Christmas Eve with Miguel and Alfredo, and Sister Phoebe and J’Luis, niece Raquel and Nuno, plus Darling Nadia and Alfredo will come for Christmas lunch. A full house to fill the home built to host all:) Sadly Bridget (Dayton Ohio) and Sabrina (Alexandria, Virginia) will enjoy the family holidays with their families, not ours. But through the magic of technology, we’ll all see each other.
More Christmas Spirit: (random memories)
Christmas Carols on YouTube — my wonderful mother loved Christmas carols, singing, cooking, and joining Aunt Polly and Grandma Crall in Michigan. Wonderful times. Mom loved Christmas … Dad, not so much. But family was always together. Since the world has changed, I haven’t seen a holiday with family since Wendy’s 70th birthday party this summer, great seeing Wendy and Bill, Rob and Debbie, Jane and John, and many children, grand children, etc. All came to Ludington see Wendy get older….not like the rest of us:)
Sofia is cooking. Did I mention that? Sofia’s often cooking, she does it very well. As does all of her family. But she boasts something none of the sisters boast…slave labor. She’s good about not letting anyone in the neighborhood hear any whips or screams, but she’s good at directing the slave (me) to wash dishes, peel carrots, chop onions and garlic, etc. But she does allow me a little wine:) And we’re joking, having fun, and she allows me my memories and shares hers.
The time zones often get us here. There are so many we want to wish a Merry Christmas to, Norm and Val, Linda and Dan, Jolie and Gino, Gig and Sally Ann, Wendy, Rob, and Janie and their wonderful families, but by the time they are all awake, Sofia is knee-deep in cooking in both ovens and Rick is beaten into submission and the second bottle of red wine. Consequently, things on the island are OBE. (Oversome By Events)! For example, the neighbor is out on his tractor on Christmas Eve spraying manure-scented fertilizer on the fields while we are listening to Johhny Mathis, Nat King Cole, and Mariah Carey. Interesting juxtapostion, to say the least. But again, I have a cold and a bottle of wine, and my instructions include work; we have a lot to do.
Christmas carols, Bob Hope Special reruns, and Facebook posts remind me of many past Chritmases, great friends and joyous times with folks who are not with us, friends alone this year, and spirits of lonliness, illness, and those who must work through difficult times and emotions. Please remember I am thinking of you, Chris, Molly, and many others. I wish I could help, but I know you have memories, painful and pleasant, and you are forced to adjust to a world different from what you expected. I, too, have had to, and I can only hope and pray for your strength.
So if I don’t get around to calling, sending, or wishing a Merry Christmas to all, please understand and have a wonderufl Holiday season. No matter what the new year brings, it will always bring thoughts of all our friends and families who we love and cherish, even though we’re not there to hug you all!
Santa’s helper on his BMW K1200 LT … just one of many many Santa memories before retiring to the island in 2016. Helping Santa has included photos with advertisers, creeping into a co-workers house just before Christmas morning, eating too many sugar cookies while daughters slept, and of course, drinking Christmas Cheer while helping assemble toys.
Since my infancy, Santa has relied on my family to help. Christmas photos from late 1950s show my siblings and I on Santa’s lap (his helper looked a lot like my dad) and over the years my early memories include making frosted cookies to leave for Santa; even visits to see Santa at the local National Guard Armory. Santa and I were tight.
Many years later, a more rotund version of me visited many Kalamazoo businesses to help advertise goods and services available in Southwestern Michigan. (Due to numerous production commitments, Santa had to suit up in August (yes, the hottest days of the year) and drive from business to business with Santa’s Helper Elf, Joe, shooting photos and running the air conditioner at max for days on end. As Santa’s helper, I have visited banks, pet stores, beauty salons, liquor stores, theaters, and more gift shops than anyone can count.
But without doubt, the best Santa memories are with young children down on their luck, down on their health, and down on life after storms, fires, and disasters. Santa’s helper has done it all, holding crying kids, coaxing kids of all ages to comfort their distraught parents remember the real reason for Christmas, encouraging parents and grandparents to appreciate the hugs from their children in shelters, and soliciting pledges from young hospital patients to spread Christmas joy to nurses’ kindness and honor their sacrifice so they will enjoy Christmas too.
One of the greatest traditions I have learned of here on our island is the Christmas tradition of a Cabaze (pronounced Cab-aash) of gathering food and clothing for many of the families in need here. This year, my saintly wife (she pays me to say that:)) gathered suport from many friends and relatives here and in North America to arrange a department store gift certificate for a young man who works hard while wife handles their two children with special needs. He was virtually speechless when we had coffee and presented him with the Cabaze.
Santa don’t need no BMW (wouldn’t hurt, I’ve been a good boy!) but no matter where I have been in the world during this season, I honor my family’s tradtion of helping Santa, Pere Noel, Saint Nicholas, etc.
Merry Christmas and Feliz Natal from Terceira, our little island in the Atlantic.
November 11 is Veteran’s Day in the US (and for the hundreds of military vets here on the island) and it’s also Dia do St. Marten, each town and village has parties to celebrate the end of summer, harvest, and another reason to sing, dance and enjoy a simple life.
Veteran’s Day for me is an interesting time, a time mixed with great memories, miserable memories of comrades I used to celebrate with, and no longer can, celebratory drinks with Gin, Tequila, Win, Cognac, Bloody Marys, and bier from days long past. Fortunately, with time changes, calls to the states are later in the morning, (many drinks and memories). Calls, emails, texts, and chats help keep up with old friends and family. (For some reason, “family” seems to be aging more than “old friends?” Go figure, huh:)
Veteran’s Day for me is a time to remember new and exciting experiences around the world that made me what I am today (for good and bad) and the friends who helped me become who I am. We celebrate our successes, and re-analyze our failures!
Lunch on St. Marten’s Day is often a crowded affair, since many businesses close and many families take to the adegas, tabernas, and village and town squares. Speaker systems go up, local “Philharmonics” dressed in band uniforms and marching around the square, and kiosks or Tascas pop up in most open places. Parking becomes challenging, but nearly every enjoys walking, drinking, eating, dancing, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and reminiscing about old harvests, experiences, and friends. In the Praca Velha (Old Square) in Angra do Heroismo (Terceira’s UNESCO Site – so everything looks as it did in the 1600’s) young and old dance to songs and music that may be hundreds of years old as well. Old couples who have probably been attending St. Marten observances since they were children, often dancing on the same tile-decorated cobblestone surfaces, are smiling to each other, smiling in memories of partners and friends long-passed, and dancing alone or with others with amazing agility. Young children, family pets, and beautiful young relatives grace the square, dancing patiently with older relatives who still mouth the words while younger ones are counting steps:)
I realize new times for each of these social events are here also. Two F-35s roar off the Base 4 runway nearby. Parking is a scramble of bicycles, Teslas, tractors, and scooters, Harleys and Hondas. Other conversations around tables and on park benches surrounding the square speculate on our changing world, environment, political structure economies, and religion. I sit and take it all in (I did mention they also have wine, didn’t I?) and realize many of these people born and raised on Terceira have lived through one or two world wars; I admire them and sometimes wonder how I would fare in the trials and tribulations they survived through and still dance and sing?
Like my veteran amigos, I know I survived some trials and tribulations myself, albeit these are relative. But will I be singing and dancing a generation from now? We’ll see.
Finally, after many years of talk shows, speeches, ads, debates, etc., November 4th, 2024 dawns on our little place, apparently a microcosm of our United States … a pronounced line across our green, very wet fields in the distance. Sun, clouds, and eventually rain and strong winds are in the forecast.
We voted absentee by mail, and we have plans to join good friends at lunch tomorrow to discuss whatever results are in, just to help everyone here adjust to this day of reckoning which has encompassed American, Portuguese, German, Norwegian, and Mexican residents here for more than a year. To the best of our knowledge, everyone of has opinions, desired results, and mostly a firm commitment to compromise for our beloved nation.
So as the trees are now starting to whip outside the windows, rain moves across the hills and fields, and the white-capped waves in the bay, we open a bottle of Vinho Tinto and enjoy Sofia’s fantastic fresh Chicken Noodle Soup!
This has nothing to do with living abroad, just a great memory of good times and long hours earning the funds to retire and live abroad. Believe it or not, after plowing for several record-snowfall years, we love the Azores but do miss the snowfall….and the long hours:)
Living abroad. Ex-patriot. Resident alien. Foreigner. All terms which lead to a form of “identity Crisis.” But these are all names that my friends and family call me. (They do call me other things as well…but let’s stay on message!). As with most things I’m called (never “Late for Dinner”) I heed them very little. Except that they all add to the realization that I’m distant from my family and friends where I grew up… or as most of my family and friends readily acknowledge, where I got older; I’m still working on growing up:)
Case in point. On my periodic “welfare check” phone call to my sister, all calls went to voicemail. Naturally, the first couple of times I assumed she lost her phone again, so no big deal. After several tries, I called her husband’s cell phone to hear she was laying the in hospital. Disturbing. I talked to her. “Maybe a stroke, we’re not sure yet. I’ll call you back.”
She is definitely getting up in the years, unlike me. (See above, not grown up yet). So I worry. But then I also recollect lately a lot about when we were young. To this very day, I remember driving to visit Grandma Crall et al, my most secure place was napping with my head on my big sister’s lap. No matter where I have been in the world, with guns and bombs going off around me, laying in a hospital after being slashed by a knife, injured when roping from a helicopter, no matter….safest place was in that old Oldsmobile with my head in her lap. And now she’s having strokes? What up with that. She’s getting older!
So as an “ex-pat” i check my communication options. Am I too hard to get a hold of? (Yes, Vince, I know it’s not good grammar:)) For both business and convenience, I maintain a US telephone number (I recommend Ring Central, not cheap, but very very effective!) so everyone can dial me like I was in the states. I maintain it on a VPN (expressVPN) to keep things direct, secure, and give me control of when and where I can communicate for business and pleasure. So, In My Humble Opinion, it’s not an obstacle about global communication.
Lack of notification for an illness (serious or not) may be just a function of the old adage “Out of Sight, Out of Mind.” Admittedly, whenever I’ve been involved in some injury or illness emergency, notification was for immediate proximity, then later worry about distant family notifications and such. So I understand
Windmills, whaling museums, amazing scenery, new family and more freinds…a long weekend visit to Pico and Horta Islands was amazing. Great times, amazing scenery, Portugal’s tallest mountain (and inactive volcano) and some fantastic aguardente…and Obrigado for driving, Rui:)Family from Virginia, Michigan, and Terceira all gathered for a wonderful luncheon, just one of many this summer. A good time was had by all, and , of course, too much food was had by all:)
Long time sice I wrote here, mostly because: a) a computer crash during a massive electrical storm fried my MAC computers, and b) No time and too many things happening…I always heard retirement was supposed to be relaxing. Not this summer. From a visit to Michigan and Virginia, several visits to hosptals and doctors (all better now) and great times with old friends. Then some time showing folks from Florida, Texas, and California around here. (Sorry Jane and John, wish the weather would have cooperated better, but you did miss last night’s 55-knot wind storm).
Rough summer for tecnhology here also. Electric storms crashed the UPS I had all my MAC computers plugged into. My Favorite Cannon DSLR lost some controls, my printer died, and it took nearly three months to get a new MAC Studio in, and I’m still trying to get it integrated into the network. Even Alexa seems to be “Having a little trouble.” But life goes on.
Interspersed with visitors, beach time, and bullfights, we spent hours with friends swimming, watching movies, playing games, and of course, eating lots and drinking more…it was a great summer.
Now we’re getting braced for another winter here, marked by high winds, rain storms, massive ocean waves, and of course, chilly (read 45 degrees Farhenheit) on a cool night. Laying in firewood, cleaning the wood stove, and noting the neighborhood cats’ fur growing longer. Since weather patterns around the world are so unpredictable, we’re not sure what to expect, but then again, who cares. We’re buttoned up in a wonderful place with great family and friends, games, great wine, and a fire in the stove.
Fabien Cousteau, a famous aquanaut and ocean conservatonist, came to Terceira for this years Global Exploration Summit to discuss his role in conceptualizing, designing, and funding a major underwater research facility similar to the International Space Station, only under our seas to learn more about the environment which encompasses seven-tenths of our planet’s surface.
June was a busy month for some of us Terseira retirees. Also extremely enlightening!
After our trip back to the states to visit family, friends, medical checkups, and, of course, the zillions of obligatory shopping adventures, we came back to Terciera. We flew through JFK instead of our usual Boston-Terceira flight (probably not our brightest adventure, appreciably more challenges going through New York instead of Boston:)) we flew in on the same plane with Lisa, a colleague I was stationed with in San Antonio and hadn’t seen in nearly 35 years. Lisa stayed with us a few days, visited Sao Miguel, and returned for some great times. I always try to maintain perspective while sitting in airports awaiting flights to Terceira; more courageous generatons spent months aboard sailing ships with great uncertainty while crossing the same ocean we’re concerned about after a one-hour plane delay:)
Just days after our return to the island with Lisa, we joined friends Molly and Jerry attending GLEX, the Explorers Club summit at Angra do Heroismo’s world-class Cutural Center for several days of presentations and networking about humanity’s future on planet Earth. Fabien Cousteau, Beatriz Flamini, and NASA Astronauts Nicole Mann and Mike Massimino, just to name a few of the dozens of contemporary leaders pushing boundaries in everything from fashion to sports to insect research.
One has to marvel at how our lives have changed, are changing, and undoubtedly will continue to change. Confusing, challenging, and downright scary sometimes, but I have often maintained that we each adapt and overcome through the strengths of our friends and family. Seeing family and friends, then being exposed to the GLEX subjects, I must be right!
Back home with our Azorean family, Mena invited us to join her XX aniversario dinner at the new Quinto do Azores restaraunt at Angra’s bay. Near perfect summer, surprise party and family fun with my sister in Michigan and then a birthday dinner for Sofia’s sister when we got home to the island:)
Tradtionally, most of our freinds on the island who were not born here take some time every summer or every other summer to return to their birth country to have fun with family and friends of days past. So this summer we took a break from beach time, bullfights, and festivals, to visit friends and family in Michigan, Virginia, DC, and Maryland. A tight, well-planned schedule led to some stressful, but totally enjoyable celebrations.
Especially since we moved back to the island, we have compartmentalized “family” with different periods in our history. Thirty-two years of marriage very happy marriage have given us a very generous history of different families: Our siblings and their extended families, our daughters and their wonderful families (Aidan, Summer, Gerry and Darcy, etc.), our Gazette family (Linda and Dan, Norm and Val, Rene and Mary), our BSEE family (Vince and Heide, Gino, Jolie and Veronica), old neighbors (Brett and Christine, Jim and Claudette, Rosa and Craig, etc.), our Falls Church family (Deb and Tessa) and many more too numerous to mention. I won’t even name the doctors and nurses, lab and radiology techs, etc.
Personally I’m convinced as we get along in the years, memories and mistakes in our history “change,” erode, become more brilliant, etc. But these trips back and forth to the island amplify the great friends and family we have made throughout our history. These trips home, I appreciate, are hectic, expensive, and sometimes challenging. But these visits, whether an hour, a day, or a week, makes us appreciate the people who make us what we are today.
And very few things compare to that feeling of getting home to your own bed, back to the beaches and bullfights, and our family and freinds on Terceira!
Visiting family and friends back in Michigan for the first time in six years, we had a wonderful visit; my older sister’s 70th birthday surprise party. She was surprised, and we had a great time in Ludington on Lake Michigan. The beach was beautiful sand, the SS Badger ferry appeared from a fog bank, and Lake Michigan was not as cold as the Atlantic by our house in Terceira:)
We stopped by many old friends, had some great dinners and drinks, and regretfully, didn’t have time to visit many old friends. We did see whitetail deer, sand dunes, go for a couple of boat rides on “the big lake” and saw all my brothers and sisters, which was great. (Yes, I did notice they are aging…but not me!!!:) They are still wonderful, somewhat quirky, and we love all of them!
This trip was highlighted by meeting new family as well, future inlaws, wedding dress shopping, and… oh yes, drinking Michigan Cherry-flavored coffee and testing pies and cookies. I had my first experience with American Spoon Bloody Marys made with horseradish vodka. Yum!
As always, we miss home life on the island, regret not having enough time to visit so many great friends and family, and spending more time with others. But that is one price we pay for our life as ex-pats on Terceira. Make the best of whatever you’re living, and enjoy it all.
Denis (left) and Lenka joined us for dinner amidst seasonal downpours and wind storms. Filet do Abrotea and many other “nummies” capped of an evening of fun and learning for all of us before Denis and Lenka return to Prague for more oral exams at medical school — we know they will do great! (photo by Denis)
This summer we added another wonderful couple to our list of fantastic friends, and when they returned for another study internship at the hospital in Angra do Heroismo, they made time for a nice dinner at Casa da Sonho.
Lenka Duranikova and her finace, Denis Dinga, have attended several medical school study opportunities from their program in Prague. Friendly, naturally curious, warm residents of the Czech Republic, they enjoy visiting the island, where we are honored to rank among their many friends here. Teresa Hill introduced us one day at a festival in Biscoitos, while my cousin Mike and Cindy were visiting. We’ve had fun ever since:)
The Azores is referred to by many as the “Gateway to Europe” and because it is also a growing tourist destination, every festival, bullfight, concert, and day at the beach offers us opportunities to meet folks from many other locations. Without doubt, this is one of the things we love and cherish most…meeting new folks and getting to know them and their culture.
A wonderful dinner last night also reinforced my mantra, “Even challenging weather brings something to enjoy.” Our future doctors may not get back to the island soon, but we may get the chance to visit tehm, and we’ll stay in touch!
