I’ve written that I am making mistakes. Apparently that is continuing from not thinking as clearly as I normally would.

Strong payrolls should be good news, but not this cycle. The economy added 162,000 jobs in August, exceeding expectations of nearly 53,000, and the unemployment rate held at 4.1%.

Many of you have been asking about my cooking skills and how I became a chef. It’s a two-hour lunch story, but the short answer is...

Dolly Parton made it a year and a half after her husband died, which got me thinking about my own future.

As many of you know, Akaisha and I first came to Chapala, Mexico in 1993. Not many of the people we met back then are still here. In the tropics, people come and they go.

I guess some guys and gals would relish my position — financially independent and single — but so far I don’t. The grass isn’t always greener, and I miss my partner dearly.

It just doesn’t feel right for me.

Regaining Control
Billy Kaderli

For a man used to being in control, I found myself lost and lacking confidence.

I don’t know if this is part of my grieving process, but I do know that part of grieving is being exhausted. And I am. Therefore ...

Akaisha was my personal secretary for decades. We always shared the duties and used to say it takes two of us to live one life. That pretty much sums it up.

by Jim and Kathy McCloud

Our good friends Jim and Kathy produced this touching tribute to Akaisha. Thanks so much my friends.

I mentioned earlier that I would give you an update on the account transfers and related matters.

This is a huge adjustment for me, being here alone at our Arizona shack without Akaisha.

The recent passing of Akaisha just illustrated our point on taking Social Security at 62.

Then I discovered she had several recurring charges that I now have to either transfer to my name and credit cards or cancel. All of a sudden I felt stuck in a sticky wicket.

You know, you would think something as easy as going for Happy Hour on a Caribbean Island would be very simple. Beer. Beach. Sunset. But we're here to tell you, yes, there is a learning curve.

Returned from the beach, I sat quietly with a pour of G4 reposado premium tequila — one of our favorites — reflecting on everything.