March - 2023 - Newsletter

Dear friends,

Most of you would have heard the expression the universe is trying to tell you something. The universe has been tapping me, and my husband on the shoulder these last few weeks and saying slow down, take care. But first, some background info on our trip to Antarctica and our main fears. We booked Antarctica over a year ago, and now our trip is suddenly just around the corner. It has consumed us for many reasons. 1. Outlying a considerable sum of money twelve months in advance. 2. The cruise company going into liquidation. (It’s happened to us twice in the last five years. Insurance doesn’t cover a travel company going into liquidation). 3. Arriving in Chile, coming down with Covid and not being allowed to board the ship. 4. Being in Covid lockdown in a foreign country. 5. Crossing the Drake Passage between Chile and Antarctica, considered one of the most treacherous sea voyages with waves up to 12m (40 ft), we are hoping for a calm crossing 😊

With those issues foremost on our minds, we didn’t consider things going wrong closer to home, such as: prolonged dental work and the ramifications on the body. An accidental dog bite not being treated quickly enough, causing blood poisoning and ongoing treatment. A huge branch fell and nearly killed my husband last week. Hard to find anything more worrying.
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When we write a story, we pit characters against characters. Create obstacles. Have them fighting for their lives and loves. We want them to learn something from their journey, whether it be trust, respect, or humility. We create conflict, incorporate tension, and set challenges. It’s what drives readers to finish a book. They need to see how these characters, with whom they’ve invested time, resolve their problems and come out of the journey intact.

Life, as they say, was never meant to be easy, and as we age, obstacles become larger. We’ve had our fair share thrown at us these last weeks, but we’ll slow down, take stock, and look after our health, and with luck, we’ll get on the plane and go to Antarctica and see whales, penguins, seals and the like—the universe has spoken.
My next edition will come to you from Antarctica. Enjoy the images of a previous adventure north of the Arctic Circle in Norway.

Until then, stay safe.
​Suzie