Best wishes for a wonderful 2023! It’s been a while since we last sent an update and there’s a bit to share. Embracing change seems to be an essential life skill these days! So, with that in mind, here comes 2023. It’s going to be a big year for us, starting with the fact that it is our 50th year together! (You’re all invited to celebrate with us in September.) Ed is planning to fully retire by year end (a transition about which we both have some trepidation) and we’ve made the very difficult decision to sell our Sacramento home after a lifetime in California. Corresponding with that decision, we’re planning additional improvements to the Pennsylvania house.
And, oh yeah, we’re planning to move to Spain! Just another year . . .
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
First, let’s talk about the big September celebration. We’d love for you to join us in New Wilmington, PA the weekend of September 22 – 24 to mark the anniversary of our wedding 50 years ago. The agenda will likely start with a cocktail party on Friday evening, Amish country tours on Saturday, dinner Saturday evening at Matt & Maggie’s new restaurant (The Tavern – https://www.thetavernonthesquare.com/), and Sunday brunch. Of course, you are welcome to come earlier and stay later. We’ve arranged lodging at local inns for anyone who can join us so just get on a plane and meet us in PA. We’ll take it from there. Mark your calendars and expect to hear more details from our sons in the coming months. We’re eager to share something of our life in rural Pennsylvania with you.
NEW WILMINGTON UPGRADES
Last year, we remodeled the interior of the New Wilmington house – completely new kitchen, flooring, remodeled primary bedroom and bathroom, new furnishings, etc. This year, we are turning our attention to the exterior and garage. We’ll be planning and scheming over the first quarter of 2023 so that when we get back there in the spring, we can hit the ground running. The home sits on 2/3 of an acre that we are hoping to transform into a verdant natural environment of native plants, grasses, and trees. It is an exciting prospect for us in part because we face a steep learning curve to master gardening in an ecosystem radically different from California. Learning new things is what gets us both out of bed each day!
RETIREMENT COMING SOON
Speaking of which, by year end, getting out of bed is going to look very different for Ed. 2023 marks his 50thyear in the electrical construction industry, and, well that seems like enough. Despite a challenging economic climate, we’re going to take the plunge into a post salary lifestyle. It’s emotionally daunting to give up the security of a weekly paycheck. Five decades of doing a thing tends to make it a hard habit to break. Wish us luck!
A BIG MOVE
And just to be sure we don’t get bored; we’ve decided to turn a long-time dream of living abroad into a reality. Spain, here we come! Why Spain? Well, we love the lifestyle and culture. One of our new expat friends has described it as a gentle life. It’s marked by a communal sense of tolerance and acceptance. The shops, cafes, restaurants, public squares are the social heartbeat of a life centered on human interactions. The people we have spent time with while in Spain are baffled by the violence, inequality, and incivility that most of us in the U.S. have accepted as “normal.” As we plan for the next chapter in our lives, we are hoping for a new normal both here and abroad.
About Us
Welcome to our little corner of the world where we invite you to embark on exciting journeys with us!
We’re Ed and Bonnie, a duo passionate about exploring the world and experiencing its wonders. Our love for travel isn’t just about discovering new places; it’s about sharing those moments with cherished family and friends like you.
Our hope is that you will feel like you’re right there with us, sharing in the excitement and wonder of each destination. Better yet, let’s plan a rendezvous somewhere wonderful! Learn more
