REMEMBER THE OLD SESAME STREET SONG, "These are the people in my family"?
I'll bet this looks like a
lot of family Christmas
dinners. My youngest
daughter on the right,
my sister on the left,
with their partners.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Here I am in Yellowstone Park, at Mammoth Hot Springs, and this particular travertine structure is titled Liberty Cap. I wish all my blog readers a blessed Christmas. I am so happy to be spending Christmas Day with two sisters, youngest daughter, my two grandsons, and a few other relatives. The next day I fly to Chicago to spend a week with another daughter's family. Life IS good!

BEST AND WORSE. My niece asked me last night what were the best and worst things about being home. Other than being with family and friends, the best is being warm inside buildings, driving my own vehicle, showers, toilets. The worse is seeing how much time and money we spend on things that are not important. I imagine in that respect I will ever be changed. And that's not all bad...

LUCKY ME!
To have visitors already from Morocco. Joe and Carol work in Rabat for U. S. governent agencies, and were in the U. S. on vacation, including a swing through
Montana.I was able to connect with them and we had a great visit two evenings. Maybe I will be lucky enough that they will retire in Montana,although the lure to return to Wisconsin is likely too strong for Joe. They are great folk and so fun to be with.

WINTER WONDERLAND! A brief trip to Yellowstone Park allowed some great views of lots of bison (not buffalo, as they are commonly called), elk, deer, a few coyotes, a bald eagle. Not many tourists as the temps were frigid, but it we had beautiful, clear days.
Not quite like my little jaunts around Morocco! It was good to take a few days away from the hustle and bustle of Billings and relax with good company and, of course, good food! Look forward to when I can return with grandkids so they can experience this.

CULTURE SHOCK IN REVERSE! Whew, what a overwhelming last ten days! I think I been more active since I got home than I was for a month in Morocco! I am feeling very unsettled...the fast pace, the connecting with many people, looking at condos/houses, trying to find my stuff in the storage garage, continuing sleep adjustment problems, various activities, and...the waste (no trash/litter everywhere like in Morocco, but good grief, the consumption and waste here is something else. And of course, finally facing my financial situation, which means starting to scout out potential income sources.

But, it IS good to be home! I think I empty June's hot water heater (am staying with one of my sisters in Billings) every time I shower! So guess I am guilty of waste, as well, but think that will level out after a time. It's also good to be in a church of my own faith during Christmas season, and to get back to my recovery program meetings.

I will be doing presentations to various organizations after the first of the year, sharing my experiences with Americans, and look forward to doing that.

GIVING THANKS! I made it home abut 4:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, and was greeted at the airport by my youngest daughter (to whom I was able to wish a happy birthday!) as well as her boys and fiance. I arrived; my bags did not until the next day.

I am having a difficult time adjusting to the time difference and have had one night's good sleep since last Tuesday night, but imagine I'll adjust pretty soon.

My initial purchases were a cell phone and car, in that order. Is nice to be able to drive myself around once again! No more waiting for undetermined periods of time for crowded taxis. That is good.

Yes, I am experiencing some culture shock. My thoughts and feelings and pretty jumbled right now, so am trying to just take it a day at a time and enjoy the amenities I lived without for over two years, and stay out of stores as much as possible!

May your Christmas season be one of great joy. I know mine will!