Life in USA

2025 + United States of America

January 7-8, we tackled a kitchen project. Ursula had always disliked our twin-basin sink, so we decided it was time for a change—out with the old and in with the new! It turned out to be more work than we expected, but we managed to do it all on our own, and I think it was well worth the effort. The glue still needs 24 hours to dry. As the saying goes, Happy Wife – Happy Life! 😂

On January 17th, Ursula’s brother Wally finally “tied the knot” with his longtime girlfriend, Marli. Their incredible love story began in 1975, when they briefly dated while he was in Brazil, only to reconnect 40 years later through Facebook. It’s a journey filled with emotion, resilience, and a bond that stood the test of time. You can delve into their challenges and inspiring connection in this recent Interview. At 75, Wally is preparing to sell all his belongings in Switzerland and move to Brazil to begin an exciting new chapter of life with Marli. How amazing is that! ❤️

Janaury 25 - Raise Against Hunger - This morning, I had the privilege of volunteering again at White’s Chapel Church, helping pack food for 30,000 needy families across the globe. The food will reach people in countries such as Burundi, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Each food bag contains vital nutrients: essential vitamins, dried vegetables, soy, and rice, providing a meal for six people. It’s truly fulfilling to contribute to this cause and help make a difference in the lives of those in need.

On February 2nd, we had a memorable Sunday morning at the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Fort Worth. It was special for several reasons: 1) It was our first time attending a service in Vietnamese (with translation). 2) The sermon was delivered by Senior Minister and friend The Q. Dang, who was my colleague at Rolex, Dallas. 3) The service was a vibrant celebration of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake). 4) After the service, the congregation gathered to enjoy a feast of traditional Vietnamese dishes. It felt like a large happy family. Thank you, The, for a wonderful experience!

March 1st we embarked on a relaxing 6-day beach getaway at Hotel Alisei in Las Terrenas, located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. We loved the laid-back accommodations, beautiful beach, and crystal-clear waters—pure paradise!This area is much quieter and less crowded than Punta Cana, with its large all-inclusive resorts, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful retreat. Another great thing about the beaches in Las Terrenas is the abundance of palm trees, providing natural shade throughout the day. You can relax without the sun constantly in your face—it stays behind you, making for a more comfortable beach experience! Our time in Las Terrenas was magical.

This coastal town, once an isolated fishing and farming village, has a fascinating history. A local shared with us that most of its early inhabitants were of African descent, living self-sufficiently off the land and sea. In 1945, a Jewish family purchased land here and expanded the farming operations. Over time, Italian and French immigrants began settling in the area, and a dirt road was built to connect the village to Santo Domingo.

Las Terrenas saw significant development over the years. A telephone office was established in 1991, followed by the arrival of electricity in 1994. A public water system was introduced in 1997. The town’s accessibility improved in 2012 with the completion of the paved highway to Santo Domingo, reducing the drive from SDQ airport to just two hours. From its humble beginnings, Las Terrenas has grown into a lively town of about 40,000 people, now home to a vibrant expat community, including French, Italian, German, Canadian, and British residents.

San Antonio Adventure: The Alamo & Beyond. Our geezer group embarked on a memorable Texas road trip, starting in Dallas with Mike at the wheel. Picking up fellow travelers along the way, we made a key stop in Lockhart for a Texas BBQ lunch at Kreuz Market. Energized and ready for adventure, we arrived in San Antonio and checked into the historic Menger Hotel, a site rich in history and known for its ties to President Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. We enjoyed drinks at the iconic Menger Bar before heading to The Alamo, where we immersed in the dramatic history of the legendary 1836 battle.

After the Alamo, we wandered along the lively San Antonio Riverwalk, soaking in the early evening atmosphere before indulging in a delicious Mexican feast at Mi Tierra Café. The day ended with storytelling and laughter by the hotel pool until 10 PM.

The next day began with a delightful breakfast at La Panadería, followed by a visit to the breathtaking San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Our journey concluded with a family-style BBQ lunch at Smoke Shack restaurant, joined by Andreas & Nichole before parting ways. Video This marked our 22nd “Geezer Group” event since 2014.

April 15 - Unfortunately, my prostate cancer has returned. The results from the recent biopsy aren’t great, but there are effective treatment options available even at my age of 79. Thankfully, there’s no immediate urgency — I still have time to calmly consider and decide on the next steps. It seems that Proton Radiation Therapy will be best suited.

April 17 - Ursula's brother Wally, (76) has now sold, wrapped up, and arranged everything in Switzerland, and on the April 29th, he’ll be imigrating to Brazil to start the next chapter of his life with the love of his life, Marli. We all wish Wally and Marli lots of happyness together!

May 1st – Ursula’s 76th birthday was truly one to remember. The day began with a homemade card I crafted just for her, along with a freshly clipped rose from our backyard. A thoughtful surprise followed from our neighbor Sue, who gifted her a lovely present and invited her to a ladies’ lunch in Southlake. In the late afternoon, we headed to Fort Worth for a tour of the art at the elegant Bowie House hotel. That led seamlessly into enjoying some unique cocktails in the bar area, and we wrapped up the evening with a light seafood dinner. And as if the day hadn’t already been special enough, we returned home to find another surprise waiting — a beautifully wrapped gift left at the front door by our friends David and Julie. It was a wonderful day for both of us.

Coming soon ....

Hiking Switzerland
Austria-Hungary Cruise
San Antonio
80th Birthday
Sanibel Vacation
Christmas