I hear the haunting coo of the mourning doves in the trees this early misty morning and remember six years ago. May 23rd, the day my grandson, Army Ranger 2Lt Travis Alan Morgado was killed in Afghanistan as he led his platoon on a mountain patrol. Our foreign military is now there. Where Alexander the Great and his army were vanquished by Afghan patriots defending their homeland more than 2,000 years ago. As was the British army a couple of centuries ago. And the Russian army in the last century. Those who ignore the lessons of history are certain to repeat them. The army of the US of Norte America is still there after a couple of decades. People continue to be killed in the name of misguided patriotism. My grandson was a gifted civil engineer. What a terrible loss. I miss him greatly.

The view of my backyard and of the park across the street from my new home. A very nice place to live. Photos of the interior after I complete some remodeling.

There is so much happening in my life that the days whiz by. I try to enter a post every 2 or 3 weeks, but in April I failed. I’m not burned out or inundated. Every day of my life is an enjoyable learning adventure. I have learned to enjoy the moment. A week in Tegus with friends for a dental implant appt became a trip to a 16th-century silver mining town. English classes for the children at the Home are a never-ending delight. My old Chevy step-sider is running on bald tires. The interior of my new home I am redoing with the help of my lady friend. I have integrated weekly chess games with another lady friend after Sunday mass. At the Home, I have organized a choir class to sing the Julie Andrews refrain: “Doe, a deer, a female deer…” This month a gentleman from the States visited with advice about publishing my biographical memoir. And there is so much more. I have taken photos of the exterior of my new home. Pictures will be soon posted. Love life!