Great — Putin is considering invading Ukraine on the eve of our planned trip to Russia. Of course we have paid for our tickets! Of course I bought loads of Indian jewelry to take as presents! Of course our teaching pay is in rubles, which has tanked against the dollar! I see dollar signs passing before my eyes and vanishing into the vague, unknown future! On the plus side, I could buy a whole lot more presents for the same amount of money; but on the minus side, they wouldn’t fit in my suitcase. What’s a person to do? And meanwhile, I’ll still have to prepare TWO public lectures on the as-now continuing assumption that we’re going — and they have to each be 90 minutes long. Laird, of course, already has his done and keeps adding and adding to them every day. By now, he has a two-year course of study prepared — and I still haven’t decided on my topics! But my sweetie bought me a laptop, so at least I’ll have something to frantically work upon on the plane ride over.
Everybody please put peaceful thoughts out into the universe for the stand-off to resolve itself into the big “Never mind!”
lairdandjonelle 
Next time maybe go to South Africa FIRST…..just in case…..!
As the sergeant on Hill Street Blues used to say, “Be careful out there!”
Oh no! Keep the faith!
Blessings on this utterly FABULOUS adventure, Jonelle and Laird! Yowza!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear all about everything you guys are up to! This is just sooooo cool! Jonelle, you KNOW are going to give a dynamite talk..because, you, my friend, are a DYNAMITE woman! And I bet all of your followers would love to read the transcripts of both of your talks, ok?!
Y’all just have the BEST time…and tell, tell….!
Meanwhile, making prayers for Peace, and lighting my altar in your honor, for fun, joy, easy delightful travel and wondrous times together…. & sending you so much LOVE! xxxxxxxJudyth
ps~ CONGRATULATIONS for the wisdom to go have such amazing adventures in this world, this life! BRAVA!