A walk along the Saskat River - Edmonton in winter

I can smell the freshness. U Digg. D. Choice

Sorry if I confused you. Hopefully this will help.

I am an American, who was in the U.S. Navy, transferred to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Rota, Spain in 1970 and left in 1976. My ex-wife is also American but our daughter was Spanish/American, born in Spain in 1976. At age 18 she had the choice to become an American or a Spaniard because she was born in the American hospital on the American military base. She chose to be an American. I have her beautiful colorful Spanish birth certificate frame and hanging on my wall.

@GeorgiaKayaker

So, were you in Spain until 1970 (or thereabouts) because you are a Spaniard,
or are you an American who was posted to Spain?
You've confused me!

B.

@MarinaNephele
Your presence is required here!
See Georgia's story below. :-D Beb.

Sorry if I pushed you off the leaderboard because I don't like races. Once I was in a 9 mile kayak race and won the race but personally lost because I missed the beauty of the river. I used an orbital ball mouse on my laptop to do puzzles and just putz along.
I thought I tagged Marina so she could read the story. Her puzzles brought back so many wonderful memories of Greece that I was stunned and got lost on memory lane.
I'm 73 and was on R&R in Australia in 1968 & 1969 and will never forget the blue eyed blonds of Australia. From VietNam to Australia, I thought I was in heaven... on second thought, I was.
No I was not in uniform. I was in a special Navy unit that allowed us to blend in with locals. Obviously my American clothes gave me away.
Thanks for the response.

@GeorgiaKayaker

PS: I notice you also pushed me off the leaderboard!

Aaah, so you ARE a kayaker! I wondered as much.
Fascinating story! Should we send Marina a tag, to make sure she gets to read this?
You must have been a stunner in 1970. Were you in uniform during this adventure?
I hope you at least gave him an appreciative hug before leaving the taxi?
Trying to get inside his head, he is a bit reminiscent of Zorba.

Over the years I too have had memorable experiences with people whom I didn't have the foresight at the time to get enough information from to stay in contact with. (Sorry about the garbled structure of that previous sentence. Hopefully you got it anyway.)
Over the years I have wondered if anyone has had reciprocal thoughts like that about me. Or if the people about whom I have such thoughts (and regrets) are even aware of the impact they had on me.

Thanks for reaching out,

Beb.

I did this puzzle so I could tell you about Greece and my unforgivable thoughts. In 1970 I was in Thessaloniki, Greece looking in a shop window when a man ask me if I was from the Navy ship anchored in the harbor. After a brief but very friendly conversation he ask me if I would join him in a drink. The sun was setting. A red flag popped up when we got in a cab. During the 30 - 40k drive thoughts got uglier. The cab finally stopped in front of a bar. Upon entering everyone knew this man so I figured they would help dispose of my body. Then we drank, he translated for everyone. They found out I could dance so everyone took turns taking me to the dance floor. We talked, ate, drank and danced for many hours. Finally it was time to leave, about 4:00am. Again my ugly thoughts returned and I was wondering how this would end. Another cab ride that surprisingly took me back to the starting point where and when I realized my wrongful thinking. The man would not let me pay for the cab ride on any of his expenses. We shook hands. I sincerely and shamefully Thanked HIM for a wonderful evening. He left with the cab and to this day I have never forgiven myself for the thoughts I had. It is OK to be cautious but don't go overboard. Of the many nights (over 60) I've spent in Greece this was the most unforgettable. The next day I returned to that shop and bought the 1870 Greek 10 Lepta coin found in jigidi's Miscellaneous puzzles. Unfortunately I do not remember the man's name and never saw him again however he kindness lives in me everyday.
Hopefully MarinaNephele will find this and read another of the wonderful memories I have of her country.

Yes, that's true. :-D B.

Un peu de fraicheur est la bienvenue avec la chaleur extérieure qui sévit actuellement

Et 60 ou 70 pièces cela ne fait pas trop de différence ...
Merci