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A new year has arrived, and tomorrow will be 2026.

Not with a trumpet blast or a grand announcement, but quietly — the way most meaningful things enter our lives. Softly. Almost unnoticed, unless we pause long enough to listen.

As the calendar turns, the world encourages us to make resolutions, set goals, and measure our worth by how much we plan to accomplish. This year, however, I find myself drawn to a different rhythm—one that values awareness over urgency, and presence over performance.

Over the years — from childhood nights beneath Virginia skies, to years of service far from home, to the slower, gentler life I now share with Elizabeth in our home in El Salvador — I’ve learned that the most essential moments rarely announce themselves. They arrive as whispers: a moment of stillness, a quiet realization, an unexpected sense of gratitude.

Recently, I was permanently removed from Facebook. No explanation was given, no specific policy cited, and no opportunity for meaningful appeal. I can only assume that expressing views outside the prevailing narrative made some uncomfortable.

I share this not out of bitterness, but clarity.

It is a reminder that platforms come and go, voices are filtered, and the spaces we rely on to communicate can disappear without warning. What matters most is not where we speak, but that we continue to speak — thoughtfully, honestly, and with respect.

The universe does not rush. Nature does not demand perfection. And truth does not require permission to exist.

This new year, rather than resolving to become someone else, I am choosing to listen more closely — to the body when it asks for rest, to the heart when it leans toward kindness, and to the quiet inner voice that knows when to move forward and when to simply be.

If there is a hope I carry into this year, it is not for certainty, but for awareness. Not for control, but for harmony. A willingness to walk gently through the days, attentive to the small miracles we too often overlook.

Because meaningful conversations still matter.
Independent thought still matters.
And connection — real connection — still matters.

If you would like to continue walking this path with me, I invite you to subscribe to this blog so you can receive future posts directly. No algorithms. No filters. Just shared reflections, delivered quietly, as they are written.

May this year invite us to slow down.
May it remind us that we are not separate from the world around us, but woven into it.
And may we learn — again and again — to trust the rhythm that carries us forward.

If you enjoy following our journey, leave us a comment, and we would be grateful if you would like and subscribe to our blog. Your support means so much to us.

Wishing you peace and Blessings in the year 2026,

Elizabeth & I wish you a very Happy New Year.

On December 28th, I marked another trip around the sun—my 76th Birthday.

There were no big plans, no grand gestures — just something far better: good food, familiar faces, and the quiet comfort of being surrounded by people who feel like family.

We spent the evening with our close friends Luz and Adia and their children. They arrived carrying laughter, stories, and a beautiful cake — the kind made not just to be admired, but to be shared. It was a gift that carried warmth far beyond its candles.

At home, Elizabeth had been preparing a beef brisket, slow-cooked and ready for the final touch. We slathered it generously with my homemade barbecue sauce, then brought it to the table alongside homemade coleslaw and potato salad—simple food, made with care — the kind that brings people together without trying to impress.

As we sat together, talking and laughing, I found myself reflecting on how much my understanding of celebration has changed over the years. Once, birthdays were about milestones, expectations, and counting accomplishments. Now, they feel more like pauses — gentle moments to notice what truly matters.

Time slows when shared this way. Gratitude rises naturally. And joy doesn’t announce itself — it settles in quietly, like a friend pulling up a chair.

I enjoyed my birthday very much. Not because it was elaborate, but because it was real. Because it was rooted in friendship, love, and the simple blessing of being present in a place that has become home.

Another year has been added. And with it, a deeper appreciation for small gatherings, shared meals, and the people who walk this path alongside us.

If you enjoy following our journey, leave us a comment, and we would be grateful if you’d subscribe to our blog. Your support means so much to us.

We have added a slideshow of pictures below.

Now that Christmas has passed and the quiet of December 27th has settled in, I’ve been thinking back on our Christmas Eve gathering with a grateful heart. Elizabeth and I were blessed to have family and friends join us here at our home in El Salvador. The house was filled with conversation, laughter, and the wonderful aroma of the traditional Salvadoran chicken sandwiches we prepare every year. It’s a simple tradition, but it brings so much joy and connection.

This Christmas also held something very special for me. After nearly a year of steady work and reflection, my book Harmony of the Cosmos was officially released on Amazon on Christmas Eve morning. Seeing it available in both e‑book and paperback was a beautiful surprise — a gift I will remember for a long time.

And tomorrow, on December 28th, I’ll be celebrating my 76th birthday. Reaching this milestone right after the release of my book feels like a blessing layered on top of an already meaningful season. I’m grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the people who have walked alongside me.

As we move through these last days of the year, I’m carrying a deep sense of gratitude for family, for creativity, and for the small blessings that show up when we least expect them.

Elizabeth and I hope your Christmas was filled with peace and warmth. If you enjoy following our journey, we would be grateful if you would like and subscribe to our blog. Your support means so much to us.

Wishing you continued blessings as we approach the New Year.

Elizabeth and I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. This season always brings a special kind of warmth, and we’re grateful to share a little of that with all of you.

Tonight, we’re preparing a Christmas Eve meal with the traditional Salvadoran chicken sandwiches—a family favorite— and welcoming friends and loved ones into our home. It’s one of those simple traditions that fills the house with joy, good food, and good company.

I also want to share some personal news that has made this Christmas especially meaningful for me. After almost a year of work, my book Harmony of the Cosmos went on sale on Amazon this morning. It’s available in both e‑book and paperback, and seeing it published today has been a wonderful Christmas surprise.

Thank you for being part of our little corner of the world. If you enjoy our posts, we’d be grateful if you could like and subscribe to the blog—it helps us stay connected and continue sharing our journey with you.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and blessings this Christmas.

On sale on Amazon in Paperback or ebook.

Thanksgiving this year was quiet and tender, a day of gratitude under the warm El Salvador sun. I rose early, walked two miles, jogged another half, and then settled beneath the big tree in our upper yard. The clear blue sky stretched above me, flowers bloomed around, and the chatter of birds and squirrels filled the air. In that stillness, I meditated on the blessings that shape my life.

I am thankful for Elizabeth, my companion in all things. For our health, which is good at this time. For our beautiful home in this beautiful country. For our children, who visit often and bring joy into our days. And for the retirement income that allows us to live comfortably. These are the highlights, though there is so much more. Above all, I am grateful to our Creator for the life we have been given.

This year, we chose ham instead of turkey for dinner, saving the tradition of turkey for Christmas. Our meal—ham, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, with pumpkin pie for dessert, it was simple, hearty, and shared in peace. It was a nice, quiet, enjoyable time, a reminder that gratitude is not found in feasts or gatherings alone, but in the daily gifts of health, love, and the simple joy of being.

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving this year? What blessings are you most grateful for? We would love to hear from you. Please let us know in the comments below.

We have added some pictures in a slideshow below.

If you enjoy our content, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!

Yesterday, Elizabeth and I celebrated 22 years together. It was a beautiful day of memories, from the workplace at Titan America, in Northern Virginia where we met, to El Salvador, where we are retired and are living a joyful life.
Elizabeth, her sister Anna, and I went to Sonsonate and had a lovely meal at La Pampa restaurant. We had fried shrimp for an appetizer, steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables for the main course. The meal was very enjoyable.
We went to Ban Ban to pick up our special-order cake, which we took home and enjoyed with some wine—a very nice ending to a wonderful day.
I have added pictures below in a slideshow. We hope you enjoy.

If you enjoy our content, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!

Between laughter, goodbyes,

Last week, our daughter Marisol and our young grandson Danny came for a short but memorable visit. Elizabeth and I were delighted to have them with us, and though the time was brief, it was filled with joy.

We spent a few days together at a cozy Airbnb by the ocean. The place was perfect — complete with a pool and everything we needed, so we only had to bring our food. The weather was a little windy at times, but the days were warm and sunny, and the nights cool and refreshing. Each day unfolded with simple pleasures: long walks along the beach, refreshing swims, and evenings watching the sun sink into the horizon.

It was a visit rich in laughter, relaxation, and togetherness — the kind of family time that lingers in the heart long after the days have passed. The week seemed to slip away in no time, and before we knew it, Marisol and Danny were heading home. Watching them leave for the airport left Elizabeth and me with heavy hearts. The house feels quieter now, and we already find ourselves missing their presence.

We are holding onto the hope and joy of June, when the whole family plans to visit. Alex will be able to take time off from work, and Kristian and Jacob will be on school break. The thought of having everyone together fills us with anticipation and gratitude for the family moments yet to come.

Daily rhythms resumed and the work of everyday life:

In the meantime, Elizabeth and I are easing back into our daily routine here. Much of our time is spent tending the yard — cutting grass, caring for the chickens, taking daily walks, and keeping things in order. These simple tasks ground us, reminding us of life’s steady rhythm. I’ve also been working steadily on my book, shaping chapters and reflecting on the journey it represents. Though I haven’t written much on the blog lately, sharing these small updates helps keep the thread alive between the larger stories and the everyday moments that sustain them.

Visits like these remind us how precious the simple rhythms of family are — brief in time, yet lasting in the heart, woven into the larger journey we share.

If you enjoy our content, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!

I haven’t posted here in a while, and I’ve missed it. This blog has always been a kind of open window — a way to share what we’re seeing, feeling, and learning. And while I haven’t been out exploring new towns or sites lately, I’ve been walking a different kind of path. One that winds through memory and meaning, through silence and vision.

It’s been a quiet stretch here in El Salvador. Not the kind of quiet that comes from absence, but the kind that settles in when something more profound is unfolding. I haven’t been out to the towns or sites lately — not because the beauty has faded, but because my attention has turned inward.

For the past many months, I’ve been writing a book. It’s a memoir, but more than that: it starts with my young life growing up in rural Virginia, Spotsylvania County, and goes through my travels around the world, the many spiritual encounters I have had and am still having, and the visions I have been given for the future. — It’s a weaving of memory, spirit, and the vision Elizabeth and I share for a life tuned to something greater.

I thought I’d share a bit of that journey with you. Not the polished version, but the lived one. The kind that unfolds slowly.  

Writing a book here has been less about discipline and more about listening. Listening to the wind in the trees, to the rhythm of our days, to the memories that rise when the world is still. Some mornings, we sit under one of the large trees in our backyard after a morning walk, watching the birds and squirrels in the trees and the beautiful blue sky. It feels like the land itself is whispering stories — not just mine, but something older, more profound.

Elizabeth and I have always said that this place holds us. It’s not just where we live — it’s part of the story. The way time stretches and softens. All of that has found its way into the pages I’ve been writing.

I’ll be sharing more soon — about the book, about what it’s taught me, and about what’s next. For now, I just wanted to say hello. We’re still here. Our life is still beautiful. And the story is still unfolding. I am adding a link to Chapter One of my book. All I ask is that you please Like and Subscribe to my blog. Please comment and let me know what you think, or email us at ourlivesinelsalvador@gmail.com

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19skO424D-9ywWYequVawg0IbuOPeCBOZ/view?usp=sharing

In yesterday’s post, Where Peace Lives: Our Home in El Salvador, I shared the story of our home’s renewal—the colors, the quiet, and the spirit of restoration. But I left out someone essential to that journey.

Our friend Adal Granados worked tirelessly alongside us, bringing his many skills to every corner of the project. From painting and tile work to repairs and refinishing, Adal’s craftsmanship and dedication were woven into every brushstroke and detail.

He’s not only skilled—he’s reliable, trustworthy, and deeply generous with his time and talent. Adal helped bring our vision to life, and we’re grateful beyond words.

This home now reflects peace, hope, and renewal—and Adal’s hands helped build that. Thank you, my friend.

I added a slideshow showing some of Adal’s fine work. Anyone in the area who needs help of this type, we highly recommend Adal.

If you enjoy our content, please subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!

Over the past couple of months, Elizabeth and I have been working on our home. We painted the entire inside of the house with different colors, and we also painted the outside trim—our house is brick, so the trim really stands out now.

In the kitchen, we replaced a broken granite countertop with white quartz, which brightens the space. We also refurbished and painted the cabinets, giving everything a fresh, clean look.

It’s been a lot of work, but the house feels renewed. I’ll let the pictures show the colors and changes better than words can. For us, this wasn’t just about fixing things—it was about restoring the energy of the space we live in. I decorated my home office in bright yellow, which gives us a feeling of hope and renewal.

Elizabeth and I love our home here in El Salvador; we feel the closeness of nature, the beautiful plants, trees, and flowers that surround us. We are close to the ocean, which we visit often, and this proximity gives us a feeling of renewal, hope, and peace, enhanced by the stunning sunrises and sunsets. Looking out over our yard at night, enjoying the beauty of fireflies lighting up the night, and the beautiful moon and stars connecting with us. I do not understand how anyone could see this beauty and not believe in our creator. I feel incredibly blessed to be here, away from the hate and division that plague the world.

We have added a slideshow with pictures.

If you enjoy our content, please subscribe, like, and share our posts—it helps increase our visibility and reach. Additionally, your comments mean the world to us and help us continue to improve our services. Thank you for being part of our community!