Off to next and last stop, Melbourne

Good morning!

Flights and miles later --- my mind is swollen with the amazing beauty and complexities of our earth AND the natural tragedies that bulldoze humans to incredible lengths of endurance (Christchurch) and the man-induced massacres (Gallipoli) that rip apart souls and families.

The ultimate gift:  my fellow travelers and those met along the many paths.

Amen.

New Zealand spectacle 

Tasmanian wonderland

With our thoughts we create the world -- Buddha

Christchurch

Universal message -- pertinent, certainly, to this city

Antiquated box cars serve both as stand-alone buildings and additions to existing building while rehab continues...both inspiring and horrifying 

With our thoughts we create the world -- Buddha

Doubtful Sound

An hour ride on a cat to catch a bus in nowhere to take catch another boat to the Sound.

Waterbaby is in heaven 🙀!

Volcano Land

NZ is beautiful...we are mid-way down the island where volcano/hot springs/geyser are ubiquitous and the smell of sulphuric whiffs occasionally fill the air.

Visiting Precious Kimi

Greetings from Portland,

Kimi (one of Bruce's granddaughters and responsible for the birth of "Oma") has been in hospital for quite some time starting with the repair of gall bladder and resulting in other damage internally. It is four months and two surgeries later, including the birth of a healthy baby boy, and she is still in the hospital.

Because I would soon be off on Griswold's Travels, I made a quick decision to fly to Portland 'ere I departed again. Within about 36-hours I had obtained a plane ride on Good.to.Go.com, with the help of the Uber driver who located hospital housing, checked in and was knocking on her hospital door.

Ifeel so fortunate to be here -- it is a joy to be close. Kimi has been in abdominal pain that comes and goes and suffered from an inability to eat now for 16 days. She goes from drowsy to her quick-witted self in a nano-second, however. Then her color slowly fades and again she 💤💤💤💤💤's.

It has been a long, difficult four-month drama. Kimi does NOT whine at all. One of her most painful experiences continues to be her separation from her two-month boy child. It will be happy, happy day when she hears "you can go home!"

Thoughts of light and love are encouraged for this precious lady,

Her adoring Oma, Laura

Visiting Precious Kimi

Greetings from Portland,

Kimi (one of Bruce's granddaughters and responsible for the birth of "Oma") has been in hospital for quite some time starting with the repair of gall bladder and resulting in other damage internally. It is four months and two surgeries later, including the birth of a healthy baby boy, and she is still in the hospital.

Because I would soon be off on Griswold's Travels, I made a quick decision to fly to Portland 'ere I departed again. Within about 36-hours I had obtained a plane ride on Good.to.Go.com, with the help of the Uber driver who located hospital housing, checked in and was knocking on her hospital door.

It is a joy to be here. Kimi has been in pain that comes and goes and suffered from an inability to eat now for 16 days. She goes from dr

Short quote from 1920!

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents more and more closely the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and a complete narcissistic moron."
  --HL Mencken
      Baltimore Evening Sun, 1920