One time, a few years ago, I was driving fast through the dust partly because I was upset at a situation. I had just passed a big truck when one of these bridges suddenly appeared. I slammed on the brakes, and the car locked up and drifted sideways right up to the bridge. Oops. I still get that cold feeling in my stomach when I think about it, and I’m grateful to God, and I’m more cautious. It’s one of the benefits/challenges of getting older.

The giant trees are Brazil nut trees, protected by law. The wild jungle version only starts bearing nuts after 50 years. Modified orchard versions begin bearing fruit after ten years.

Part of our weekly sabbath tradition is cooking food by a fire. Life doesn’t get any better than this, and gratitude overwhelms me. This is a thin-crust pizza we learned about in Turkey, cooked in our clay oven. If you come to visit, we’ll make you one.