Memoir Monday - The Next Ten Years

#MemoirMonday has taken off like wildfire as more and more Hiveans discover the value of storing memories here for future generations! @ericvancewalton's question this week is:
How do you plan to spend the next decade of your life?

This is quite a challenging, but also exciting question for me. Will I still be around for the next ten years? I am 7-T-1 after all!
I still have a long bucket list to fill before I kick the bucket ;)

That little girl in the photo below did not know what life had in store for her!

I've had a wonderful, fulfilling life, but also took some hard knocks. I lost all the important men in my life unexpectedly and two under tragic circumstances.
Finding myself being a solo traveler has been a difficult journey, but I've had to dust myself off and get up. Life will never ever be the same again, that big hole will remain till the day I die, but I still get much joy from life. I'm just very sad that hubby still had so many unfulfilled dreams.

Our Lily's Cottage is still alive and well, and has been a lifesaver. I will not leave her in the lurch, she makes me feel alive and still a part of the world. I've made small changes to make it possible for me to run it on my own, with the help of my excellent staff, of course! Bonginkosi and I have taken on small improvements, and done quite a bit of sprucing up. It will be an ongoing job as always with a big property. It's been exciting when the job is done, like this pathway on the side of the house.

Curiosity kills the cat

I'm not sure how that phrase came about, but it certainly is an apt description of Poe! He follows me like a little puppy dog wherever I go!
He never was part of my plan. I'm a bird lover, but when our son emigrated, we inherited Poe, who also loves birds, but with wilful intent, so I had to stop feeding my garden birds!
He for sure is a handsome dude, and eventually won my heart!

Sometimes things don't go to plan, but there always is a reason, something we only see afterward. Poe has been there when I feel down and alone.

My plans aren't great, and I hope I do see the next ten years, so while I am able, I will continue running the BnB, and travel every so often, with friends or family, especially the ones below.

As you've gathered by now, I love exploring the world around me, and further afield. Travel enriches one in so many ways. I've discovered the most amazing wonders of nature, met wonderful people, had loads of fun, learnt about various cultures, and history, and made fabulous memories.

It's mostly been here in South Africa, but my solo trip to the Netherlands last year, made me want to see more of the world. I will return next year, and if all pans out, I will visit other European countries with my son and his girlfriend.

Victoria Falls, 'the Smoke that Thunders' is a destination that's been on my bucket list for a long while, and I hope to get there while I'm still relatively fit. I want to get wet and feel the intense spray and hear that thundering noise of the rushing water!

My school friend Melanie and I reconnected, and we're planning a blissful retreat, joining group walks at some great venues, and exploring local hidden gems.

Meeting guests from all parts of SA and the world in our BnB, gives me a glimpse into their worlds and a taste of various cultures. It is the most satisfying and fascinating job ever!

I hope to be Hiving till the day I close my eyes, as this has been my place of refuge through stormy weather, especially this past year!

Did I ever think that blogging would become a kind of therapy and part of grief recovery?

I never imagined that I could earn from writing, meet wonderful people, and discover kindred spirits from near and far!

That has been the biggest surprise of them all.

Thank you Hive!

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