Renewed My SD Driver’s License

Aloha Everyone,

How quickly our first 5-years as South Dakotans has gone by. One of the must thing to accomplish on this trip was to renew my driver’s license.  

Documentations requirements obtained online and also from our mail forwarding service company was rather lengthy.

1.  Completed application form

2.  My current driver’s license

3.  Accommodation receipt proving that I have been in SD within the last 180 days.

4.  Letter from our mail forwarding service in SD that J.J. and I are their client. 

5.  Two documents to prove our SD residential address.

6. Social Security card.

The wait was about an hour since I did not make a prior appointment.  

Once I was called, the clerk accepted the first 4 of my documents and said I was all set. No written test necessary. After a quick eye exam, I stood in front of a curtain for my photo.

I am happy. My new license is good until 2024!

Aloha -- Cathi

Blinklist/Emotional Blackmail, 1997, by Susan Forward, PhD

 Aloha Everyone,

I stumbled onto the Blinklist app a couple of days ago. I was trying to research summaries of several books I was contemplating in purchasing. 

Blinkist is free and as long as you are using their basic service, there are no additional charges. Blinklist is at present the #1 book summary app. Blinklist library includes nearly every book you want to read or curious about its content.  

15 minutes is all you need to check out Blinklist to read a book summary.

Emotional Blackmail, 1997, by Susan Forward, PhD is not just an attention grabbing title but the content is insightful and her message has substance with “ah ha” moments. Emotional Blackmail helps reader to understand, identify, approach and rectify harmful, unhealthy relationship which often involves close family members, friends and business associates. 

Aloha -- Cathi

Traversing Wyoming

Aloha Everyone,

Last night Honu’s accommodation was KOA Lyman, Wyoming. The park is verdant and our site was surrounded by well-trimmed green grassy areas. I recall the Uinta Mountain Range from our previous stay. Situated mostly in northwestern Utah, the Uinta Mountains are unusual for being the highest range in the contiguous USA. The peaks are from 11,000–13,528 feet and they were visible this morning when I braved the morning chill of 43-49 degrees to do my 3 miles walk.

I wasn’t able to take photos during my 2 1/2 hours of driving. Going through a long section of construction area, I had to concentrate for Honu to not get off the temporarily cordoned off section of the two-way highway. Glad that I was able to take us safely to Rowlins and J.J. was happy to take over.

Located in the mountain region, Wyoming, based on 2018 census estimate, has a population of 577,737. This makes Wyoming, the 10th largest by area, and the least populous in the USA. Except for the construction area where roads became congested, most of today’s drive was through wide open countryside with few cars and trucks.

Tonight we are staying at Casper KOA in Casper, Wyoming. The outside temperature is 86 degrees and no breeze. Will wait for awhile before I finish my daily walk.

Aloha -- Cathi

Traversing Utah

Aloha Everyone,

Utahns are family oriented. We have seen families with 3-4 children riding in large shopping carts in supermarkets and at Walmart. 51% of Utahns over the age of 18 had religious affiliations with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Information based on a report produced by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life circa 2008).

One of the direct results of the church's doctrine is high birth rates among Mormon families. It is 25% higher than the national average. In fact, Utah leads the birthdate in the USA. Real estate developers offer large homes with 1,327 to 2,062 sq ft priced between $259,900 to $299,900.

Based on 2013 US Census, Utah has the second fastest growing population in the USA. Utah also has the 14th highest median average income.

It is a scenic state with tall mountain ranges. It is already July and we can still see snow on their peaks. Cities and towns we’ve visited are very clean. Highways are well maintained and free of litter.

We really like this state and try to spend as much time as possible. The two of us are grateful of our ability to crisscross Utah so many times and always discover new charms.

Aloha -- Cathi

Reflection on our Family Time

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I were glad that we were able to spend 12-days at my Mother’s. That was followed by a fabulous week in Hawaii seeing our son Jeff and his wife, Jenny. We continued with our family visits by spending an incredible week in La Jolla with our older son, his wife and our granddaughter. Among so many varied interesting and memorable activities, the highlight was celebrating our granddaughter’s 12th birthday.

Our granddaughter now clearly towers over me. She still has a little girl’s figure, but her hands and shoe size promises more growth spurts. Her daily activities during our stay were far from ordinary. It included flute practice; Tang So Do; table tennis; swimming; boogie boarding at the beach; and roller blading, plus an evening musical ensemble at home. She tackled them all with poise, confidence and self assurance. I wonder if I had her aplomb when I was her age.

Always an avid and voracious reader, our granddaughter has her nose in one book or another. I relish the times when the two of us just “hanged-out” and drew pictures together or laid on a bed with each of us reading a book. A funny instance was when our granddaughter chose a  book for me to read but found that mine was more interesting so she came next to me and we read from the same book together.

Our family’s love gives us positive energy and spiritual high. Hugs we give and receive from one another are a powerful healing and protective tool.

With gratitude for these visits and promises of future get together, J.J. and I are starting our new RV adventure.

Aloha -- Cathi