#275 Nomad Diary. 24-30 January 2026. Week 4 of 6 at Athens, Alabama Airbnb. Weekend 'Major' US Winter Storm. Our Travel Plan Calendar Through September. Where Are You Going Next?

 

On a Video Call with Son, Jeremy and Grandson, Quinn in Brasilia, Brazil

Saturday. 24. Woke up as usual today and looked to see if there was a major winter storm out there. Nope. There is a very light dusting of snow. It’s mostly visible on the corners of the roofs. Later in the day there was a small bit of precipitation. Darrell called his Mom. She’s 91, lives near Dallas, and is doing pretty well living with her daughter, Cyndy, and Cyndy’s daughter, Kylie. Jeremy called us just after we finished our morning exercises. I had forgotten it was Saturday. They are getting their household goods packed up on Monday. That’s 3 weeks before they leave Brazil. They had to go with an earlier pack out date because in 2 weeks it will be Carnival. No one will be working. They are fine with living out of their suitcases until they leave. For now, they will mostly eat out, which is a pleasure there! They also have a bunch of going away parties and memory book signatures for Quinn. I made a pizza for lunch today. It’s the first pizza I’ve made in probably 4 years. Well, my dough didn’t rise! It tasted delicious, but it was flat. I think the yeast was non-reactive, and had gone bad. Next time, whenever that is, that I try making pizza again, I’m going to get fresh yeast and hopefully get a bubbly crust. Delta airlines canceled all US flights for today! 

Our Dusting of Snow Looking Out at Our Backyard Near Athens, Alabama.

Sunday. 25. Our church met as usual. There were fewer people there, as some stayed in and viewed online. Eric, Erin and kids came for lunch at our house. The rain was pouring down and it’s cold in the 30’s. We pulled in tight to our garage so that they could pull in and be out of the rain. Our house has been nice and warm throughout this cold weekend. The forecast for this week is for very cold nights dipping below 10 degrees. All the local schools are closed for Monday. City services have delayed openings until 10 am. Erin will be working from home. With the rain and cold temps, it is expected to be icy on the morning roads. Today we noticed an improvement or growth in our grandkids. I told Esther ‘no’ about throwing a ball in the house, reminding her that she can roll it or push it with her foot. She didn’t burst out crying this time as has been her practice when told ‘no’. For Owen, he sat at the lunch table without complaint. He ate a pile of chicken nuggets that I had purchased special for him, after learning what he would eat. Just sitting at the table at meal time is a step forward for him, and to do it without complaint is another major step for him. During the meal, he was sitting between Darrell and I. Darrell had served him which made him happy that Grandpa was taking care of him. He dropped a small piece on the floor and immediately started to fuss and throw his familiar fit. Darrell looked at him and said, ‘no, don’t do that. It’s a piece of food on the floor.’ Owen immediately stopped his fuss and composed himself. It was fantastic to see his compliance and agreement to better behavior! Both wonderful to observe. Earlier, Eric’s car had a failed battery. So on this very cold and rainy day, Eric and Darrell left after lunch to get a new car battery. They later told us that getting in and out of Costco was easy with hardly anyone out shopping today. They had gone back to Eric’s house and installed the new battery faster and easier than they had expected. In the afternoon, the rain had stopped. Darrell and I bundled up and went out for a short walk around our neighborhood. It was brisk and enjoyable to go outside for a few minutes.

Monday. 26. This morning we lingered in bed until at least 6:20am! Lol. It was daylight by the time we got up, and we could see a little more snow had fallen. We did our morning routine exercise and had our fabulous pancake breakfast. All morning we have enjoyed drinking coffee and reading online and sharing some things of interest as we come across them. I looked up some different weather news headlines around the continent, particularly Massachusetts and Canada. They are both slammed with a foot or more of snow, and shut down air travel. I started a pot of black beans in the instapot, added items to our shopping list, and did a load of laundry. Our plan today is to stay at our house like most everyone else is doing with this cold weather. The sun came out today and we have clear blue skies. 

Tuesday. 27. Today’s plan: 10am class is canceled. Our friend, Brenda’s kidney cancer surgery went well. ½ of her kidney was saved. She’s recovering. 1pm online Bible class with English church friends. Temperatures are forecasted to get warmer from 20 to 40 degrees today. Go to Athens for a walk and shopping. Dinner: Philly cheese steak. Change my evening popcorn snack to evening yogurt. Not my best day today. Feeling a little off emotionally and physically.

Wednesday. 28. Feeling better today. My dip hasn’t lasted long, and that’s very nice to feel improvement so quickly. Night time Bible class at the church building. Hung out and visited with Rhonda while Darrell visited with her husband, Brian.

Thursday. 29. Feeling even better today. 

Friday. 30. We had lunch in Hartselle, about an hour from our airbnb, with our friends Alton and Diana Baily. Roy and Hilda, who usually come also and meet up with us, were unable to come today as Hilda has been sick for a few days. Alton told us about their upcoming week in Belize. They have gone there every year for more than a decade for Alton to preach for a full week. For this trip, their son-in-law, daughter and a 7 year old grandson are also going. At dinner time, Samuel came over and we shared a pizza that I made. This pizza was better than my last one! yay. After dinner we watched some comedians on YouTube. 

Nomad Notes. I am very cognizant of feeling more energetic and optimistic in the morning. I’m rested and enjoying my mornings. Around 2pm each day I begin to feel more lethargic and I think about napping. On Sunday afternoon, the weather was grey and overcast. I took a short nap on the couch. Most days I try to avoid napping. To avoid napping, I do some floor exercises. When I do about 15 minutes of exercise, I wake up. I figure it is positively affecting my blood sugar. I also get other benefits. Currently I have three teachers that I look to for techniques and exercise sequences. 1. Kim Vopni: out of Canada. “The vagina coach” Over a year ago I purchased her basic instruction which came with 2 workouts that I have downloaded and use often. When I first purchased her information, I was looking to sleep through the night and not need to get up to use the bathroom every night. Her information and workouts helped me to succeed at this outcome! 2. Eddie Moves for more flexibility and movement. A couple months ago, I began watching and doing some of Eddie’s moves, following along on YouTube. I was also marketed by facebook, as Eddie is doing a marketing campaign. I decided to follow his youtube channel and on facebook without purchasing his membership. I am benefitting from his instruction and about 6 basic exercises that he demonstrates and talks through in detail. 3. Block Therapy is out of Canada. I learned about it last spring when I went to a practitioner in British Columbia. I was able to sign up for a free self-instruction class with a lot of modules, maybe 9 modules of instruction. I have done this on and off and continue to return to it sometimes.

Our 2026 first 4 months. Between now and May 6th, here’s what we have on our calendar: Jan 6- Feb 19: Athens, Alabama airbnb house. Visit our 3 sons. Eric’s family with wife, Erin and our grandkids Owen and Esther. Feb 19-28: Kingsport, Tennessee. Visit with Darrell’s brother, Glenn and wife, Phoebe. On our way to Maryland. Feb 28- Mar 7: Gaithersburg, Maryland airbnb walk-out basement apartment. Here to visit our son, Jeremy’s family between state department assignments: Brazil to Moscow. Mar 7-9: Kingsport, Tenn. Back to Glenn’s house as we drive back to Huntsville, Al. Mar 9-13: Greenbrier, Alabama, just west of Huntsville, off hwy 565. Staying at a one bedroom apartment. Darrell’s eye treatment in Huntsville. Get a visit in with Owen and Esther. Mar 13-24: Hot Springs, Arkansas downtown airbnb townhome. Two Sundays with the church here that we are getting to know. A walkable lovely tourist town. Lots of hiking opportunities. Mar 24-31: Corinth, Texas airbnb in neighborhood next to Darrell’s Mom and sister. Time visiting. Mar 31- Apr 14: Flower Mound, Texas housesit with one cat and a beautiful property. 30 minutes from Mom and Cyndy. More family time and visiting with the church here who we know and love. Apr 14-21: Galveston, Texas airbnb 4 blocks from the beach. Apr 21-25: Long Beach, Mississippi airbnb 1 block from the Gulf Coast beach. Apr 25- May 6: Madison, Alabama one bedroom apartment near hwy 565 just west of Huntsville, Al. An eye treatment and regular doctor appointment. Visit family and church. Prepare for travel and summer in Alaska. “Where are you going next? How long are you here for? What’s your next big trip?” These questions are asked frequently. I’m glad that people show interest and are trying to build a bridge with me, with us. Our calendar is sort of complicated. I am looking forward to our plan, but it is one day at a time. It is subject to life circumstances, and our freedom and opportunities to take our next step, to make our next move. With that said, we have some very nice days planned ahead. Our big trip is spending the summer in Alaska. We have two cruises booked to get us to and from Alaska. You are welcome to join us and meet up with us for dinner, activities, Sunday church, or excursions at any part of our travels. May 6th: This adventure is set to begin with a flight from Huntsville, Alabama to Vancouver, BC. We’re to store our truck in a barn at our friend, Jackie’s place. May 8th: Board Celebrity Summit ship. One week from Vancouver, BC to Anchorage, Alaska. A month-long airbnb is booked in Anchorage. Then a week in Talkeetna, a week in Denali, and next 5 weeks in Fairbanks. We conclude our Fairbanks stay on August 3rd. Aug 3-Sept 2nd: Not yet booked. We want to have some flexibility to go to places that we haven’t yet explored, then ending in Anchorage. Sept 2nd: Board Coral Princess ship for a week to Vancouver, BC. Sept 10th: Back to Huntsville, Alabama. I got to thinking about my next years. My next 5-10-20-30-40 and my possibilities. To live 30 more years, I’ll reach 91. This is Darrell’s Mom’s current age. To live 40 years more puts me at 101. Every day becomes a unique treasure. I always try to place my attention and focus on my spiritual, eternal survival looking to Jesus as the giver of life. I attempt to always be thankful, have gratitude, contentment in every situation, and joy in my current life. Daily Important Activities for me today and everyday: Read the Bible. Pray. Keep an ongoing prayer request list. Walk, move, exercise for flexibility and strength. Eat consciously,and relax. Choose clean and delicious foods for my current and future self. Be an amazing companion for Darrell. Be a constant learner. My current learning: Portuguese, Bible, Technology, watercolor painting and sketching, my changing needs, others lives, interacting with travel/living locations, my responses to my situations, and more. Keep challenging myself. Include Beauty and Awe. in my learning, my observing, my conscious awareness. Enjoy my day, my friends, my family, my ongoing eternal pathway. Scriptures: Mt 4:4 Jesus answered, “ 'It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” Mt 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 2 Peter 1:19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. John 17:20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 2 Timothy 2: God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.