Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
– Dr. Seuss

I’m heading back to Brazil for work the week after next and will be there for about two weeks. I hadn’t planned on that lengthy of a trip — and in fact, had sworn after my last one in March that I wouldn’t go for two weeks again — but full flights and the necessity of being there during a specific time dictated otherwise.

I’m not sure whether I will have time to visit any more of my old mission cities, but will play it by ear if time/resources allow. Last time I visited Blumenau, Santa Catarina, the first city I lived in when I moved to Brazil in 1978. A lot had changed and I stated afterwards that, “I don’t think I’ll ever go there again”, but am now considering the idea again.

It’s awkward no longer being a member of the church, because those are the people and places that I normally would gravitate towards. I feel somewhat ambivalent with those as my sole drivers and in some ways, would like to see and experience something new in this country that I love.

My honey left last night to spend the weekend with his family in Fairview, Utah and I decided to stay home and continue nursing the case of shingles I’ve had for 3+ weeks.

It’s a beautiful morning and I’m on the back deck with a cup of coffee, having just finished the newspaper.

The short-lived ‘euphoria’ that comes after taking another Lortab has kicked in and I am pain-free for a few more hours.

Who knew that shingles could so effectively kick my ass?

We think that my honey is leaving for Brisbane, Australia tomorrow. There has been some fluidity in his travel plans for the last week or two — through no fault of his own.

It’s nice that he’s in demand, but somewhat disconcerting that the requesting company doesn’t seem to be too organized or to have a concrete agenda for when he gets there.

It’s funny how an organization can be as insecure and require as much handholding as some people do.

I think he’s there for the week only and back next Saturday.

Meanwhile, it’s Pride weekend in Utah. Not sure if I’ll attend any festivities or not. May be if the gang do, I will. It’s not the same without my honey.