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Agree with Ann, that is the best photo! All in on joy!

Yes Ann, the aunt connected to Creighton is my "Auntie Mame". She will not tell you what a big deal she is, but one time I was helping her clean files what to keep, what to toss. I find one where she collaborated with Desmond Tutu at a conference in South Africa. I argued she should keep that one. :)

The Minnesota Orchestra's marketing plan worked. After hearing a sampler concert, we are signing up for a 4 performance package. I think we will have plenty to do in retirement.

Bonus before the show, I heard a family speaking Portuguese, so we chatted with them about our mutual love of Brazil. It was fun to talk about our plans to spend January there next year and not get the semi panicked look many give us: what are you thinking?!! Instead, they were all in on the idea, and wished us a good time.

On the other hand, I'm no longer sure I want to try Egypt this fall. Maybe. I feel like the international scene in that part of the world might be getting too hot right now. I mean, when is it ever not in conflict, and Egypt is not Gaza, but it's awfully close. We've pegged May as the month we decide, yes or no.

And I'm not going to lie, going through customs back into my own country feels a bit daunting right now too. I've always known you're in a no mans land in terms of due process, but it seems to also be heating up. My Aussie sister was detained and deported once despite entering and leaving the U.S. within all legal parameters a number of times, using a tourist visa, and being married to an American. Her application for a green card was underway, but she was deported because an agent decided she was a risk to overstay. (Again, despite entering and leaving as required by the visa numerous times previously) They strip searched her, and put her in a jail cell, took all her papers, and wouldn't allow her to call her husband. (Who, by now, was frantic because she didn't get off the plane in Utah, and didn't know where she was). Finally they released her, put her on a plane back to Australia. No one knows exactly what her "crime" was. Clearly not serious, because she now has a green card, and will be a naturalized citizen in a few months.

Much easier to navigate: a non stop flight to Memphis. We leave one week from today. Packing will be easier, because I left clean clothes from the Florida trip in my suitcase. So far the weather forecast in encouraging: mid to high 70s. Sounds like sandal weather to me!

I assume this is your "Auntie Mame."

We made it to St Thomas yesterday. One couple flew home yesterday and the remaining 4 of us made our way here. We are renting a one-bedroom condo with a nice balcony overlooking the beach. They are individually owned but rented like a hotel. We arrived here in time to have lunch and swim in the pool for a couple of hours. Dinner at a beautiful Italian restaurant overlooking the water and other islands. Our friends are very familiar with the area as the wife's mother and stepfather lived here for 10 years.

Right now we are listening to a very loud large rooster announcing the morning. Good thing the bedroom is on the other side of the condo.

Today we chartered a small powerboat to poke around St John which is right across from here. Apparently it is very different than this island, and neither DH nor I have ever been there.

Home tomorrow and I have to admit I am looking forward to picking Justice up on Tuesday morning. He seems to have settled in there well though.

DD is still in the hospital but they may have her discharged later in the day to be called tomorrow with the schedule for the D&C. She is awaiting the doctor to find out the plan today. Her hemoglobin is still low but not as much so they may or may not give her another transfusion.

Have a superlative Sunday!

From yesterday's water taxi:

A news blackout once a week could be a very good idea these days.

Yes, Elise died shortly after my birthday. In fact she had a crisis in the middle of the night on my birthday and had to go on IV morphine. We thought we would lose her that day. A friend brought a birthday dinner to me at Elise's home that night. But 14 years prior to that DS arrived 2 days before my birthday. Five years later my mother died the day before my birthday. And 3 years ago DH and I got married on my birthday. Lots of March ups and downs.

Creighton in Radiology