22 December 2025

I arrived in Denver on Tuesday, December 9. It’s been great to see friends and loved ones.

I started my visit with a lovely dinner with my friend MK. We’ll spend a lot of time together over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I’m so grateful to my friends Kelly and Ray for their hospitality. I feel so at home there.

And doing something American like a Costco-run, is a touch point that I don’t get in Valencia.

On Sunday, I went to church with Kelly where she was singing with the choir in the Christmas cantata. Then, we went to the Colorado Symphony “Colorado Christmas” concert with her dad, Jim.

On Monday, I had rented a van to pick up about thirty boxes from my brother’s basement in Larned, Kansas. My friend Mike was kind enough to go with me to help drive and move it all. When we got there, we learned that they didn’t have a van. So they rented us a large panel truck to move a few boxes, at the same rate. It wasn’t ideal. But I was really glad for Mike’s help!

Fortunately, we had beautiful weather for driving across the plains of Colorado and Kansas.

It was good to see my mom and brother Joel. I’m grateful for his keeping everything safe over these last two years.

We got it all back to Mike’s, got in inventoried and ready for shipping to Spain, once I get the visa issues resolved.

The update on the visa isn’t great. I continue to look for an appointment online everyday, multiple times a day. I always get the same message, “no appointments are currently available. Please try again later.” I have called and they tell me the same thing.

I met with my attorney that Monday morning, via video chat, before we left. He suggested that if I can’t get an appointment before I return to Spain, that I can return as a tourist, extend my student visa for another year, under “the grace period,” (my current student visa expires 2 January), and then begin to apply for the non-lucrative (aka retiree) visa. Of course, I’m still trying to get that appointment.

Several folks have asked if I can just go to LA and wait in the lobby. My attorney assured me that would be a waste of time and money. So, I’m at the mercy of the over-burdened Spain Immigration office.

While in Denver, I’ve been catching up with friends, including Paul, Gordon and Bill, Sarah, and Scott and Luke. Each one inspires me with their friendship, insight, kindness and care.

I left Friday morning for Boise.

Flying out of Denver was beautiful. And with the adjacent Rocky Mountains, flying into and out of Denver is always a bit bumpy. But this was by far the bumpiest, roughest flight I can remember. I was sitting near the back and the flight attendant told us back there, that we got the best seats for a wild ride. And it was.

In Boise, it was great to spend time with Glen and Caile. They’re always such wonderful hosts.

I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Nancy and her husband Tony. She and I worked together many years ago to create a radio feature called the Idaho Business Minute. As I get older, my wealth is counted in friendships. I’m grateful beyond words.

And of course, I loved catching up with Tom and Alice, who have been like adopted parents for me for many years.

Just before leaving Boise, I caught up with Eric and Dan. We had a lovely brunch with their grandson, before catching my plane back to Denver.

As I write this, I’m waiting to board my flight back to Denver. I’ll be there through Christmas and the New Year.

I’m excited that Vicente will join me there from 27 December to 4 January.

I’ll update more in a couple weeks.

Until then, May you have a blessed Christmas and may your 2026 be filled with peace, hope and joy!