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Anniversary

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Mark and I celebrated our first anniversary in Tennessee. Our first day was spent in Gatlinburg, where we once again enjoyed visiting The Village. We picked up a Welsh tee for Mark and some Dragon tea (which replaces the Dragon tea that was inadvertently tossed out when we returned home last time). We grabbed a quick lunch at The Hofbrauhaus Restaurant and Cheese Cupboard, and snagged some Cotswold cheese to bring home. There are about four cheeses in the world that I like and Cotswold is at the top of the list. Unfortunately, we can’t buy it in our neck of the woods, so it’s always great to find it on one of our adventures. We spent the rest of the day shopping for whiskey and car decals. And whiskey again. Oh, and then we had pastries. Awesome!

The rest of our vacation included dinner at Smokey Mountain Brewery, dinner at The Roaming Gnome Pub, great days and eats at Dollywood, and some quality time with my family at The Island.

Our actual anniversary dinner, on July 4th, was at Margaritaville Pigeon Forge. With the intense heat wave that hit TN, it really felt like we were in Florida. The food was great (especially the grouper) and the company was the best.

Being married for one year makes me look forward to all the anniversaries to come and all the adventures along the way!

23,326 thoughts on “Anniversary”

  2. Two strangers met on a train. Then they decided to travel the world together
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    Savery Moore and his wife Jan always talked about traveling across Canada by rail.

    The American couple shared a dream of waking up to the sun rising over the tracks and spending days winding through forests and across prairies, glimpsing snow-capped peaks and frozen lakes through the train’s domed glass roof. Making memories together.
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    For most of their 35 years of married life, Savery and Jan didn’t travel much, spending long days working in advertising.

    But when the couple finally retired in their 60s, leaving New York City for a small town in Massachusetts, they were excited for a new chapter and new opportunities.

    “We both retired the same day,” Savery tells CNN Travel today. “We looked forward to having our life forever, together.”

    Savery and Jan finally looked into booking their dream trip on VIA Rail’s “Canadian” service, a luxury train journey that winds from the West Coast of Canada to the East over four days.

    “We were going to spend some money and take The Canadian in a class called ‘prestige,’ which is VIA Rail’s most expensive way to travel,” says Savery.

    This was a “bucket list trip,” explains Savery. The couple wanted to splurge, figuring “we were only going to do this once, so let’s just do it right.”

    But just as they started planning the trip, life took an unexpected turn.

    “Jan was diagnosed with cancer, and it was lung cancer, and it was aggressive,” explains Savery. “Within a month-and-a-half to two months after her being diagnosed, the cancer had already spread.”

    In the months that followed, Jan had brain surgery. She was enrolled in a couple of clinical trials.

    Reply

  4. Your coffee habit could be linked to healthier aging, study finds
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    “Women who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day in their 50s were more likely to reach older age free from major chronic diseases and with good cognitive, physical, and mental health,” said lead study author Dr. Sarah Mahdavi, adjunct professor in the faculty of medicine and department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto.

    Researchers analyzed dietary data from more than 47,000 women who were part of the Nurses’ Health Study, according to the research released Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando. The study was presented as an abstract, but a more in-depth manuscript of the investigation will be submitted for peer review in the coming months, Mahdavi said.
    “In this study, we found that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption during midlife was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging 30 years later,” Mahdavi said.

    It’s not just any caffeinated drink
    The effects were found in caffeinated coffee in particular, according to the research. The same link was not found for tea or decaffeinated coffee — and drinking more cola or other caffeinated sodas was tied to a lower chance of healthy aging.

    “This would imply that coffee in particular has health preserving or promoting effects,” said Dr. David Kao, Jacqueline Marie Schauble Leaffer Endowed Chair in Women’s Heart Disease and associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School in an email. “As with other studies, they also appear to have found that coffee has a particular benefit over other caffeinated drinks.”
    That said, the research is high quality, added Kao, who was not involved in the research.

    The study is also observational, meaning it is limited in its ability to examine direct cause and effect. The new research can only show that a behavior and an outcome are more likely to occur together.

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  7. Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

    Swift – a longtime friend of Lively’s – was first mentioned in connection to the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her “It Ends with Us” director and costar when text exchanges were revealed to include the name “Taylor” as part of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January.
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    One of the text messages included in Baldoni’s suit appears to show an exchange between Baldoni and Lively about the script for the film: “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor),” Baldoni wrote with a wink emoji. “You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together.”
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    A spokesperson for Swift on Friday told CNN, “Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see ‘It Ends With Us’ until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024.”

    “The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” the spokesperson added.

    CNN has reached out to representatives for Baldoni for comment.

    When reached for comment later on Friday, a spokesperson for Lively said Baldoni and his legal team “continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids.”

    Reply

  11. Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

    Swift – a longtime friend of Lively’s – was first mentioned in connection to the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her “It Ends with Us” director and costar when text exchanges were revealed to include the name “Taylor” as part of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January.
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    One of the text messages included in Baldoni’s suit appears to show an exchange between Baldoni and Lively about the script for the film: “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor),” Baldoni wrote with a wink emoji. “You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together.”
    https://kra31att.cc
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    A spokesperson for Swift on Friday told CNN, “Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see ‘It Ends With Us’ until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024.”

    “The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” the spokesperson added.

    CNN has reached out to representatives for Baldoni for comment.

    When reached for comment later on Friday, a spokesperson for Lively said Baldoni and his legal team “continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids.”

    Reply

  13. Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

    Swift – a longtime friend of Lively’s – was first mentioned in connection to the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her “It Ends with Us” director and costar when text exchanges were revealed to include the name “Taylor” as part of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January.
    kraken ??????
    One of the text messages included in Baldoni’s suit appears to show an exchange between Baldoni and Lively about the script for the film: “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor),” Baldoni wrote with a wink emoji. “You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together.”
    https://kra31att.cc
    kraken ???????
    A spokesperson for Swift on Friday told CNN, “Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see ‘It Ends With Us’ until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024.”

    “The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” the spokesperson added.

    CNN has reached out to representatives for Baldoni for comment.

    When reached for comment later on Friday, a spokesperson for Lively said Baldoni and his legal team “continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids.”

    Reply

  16. Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

    Swift – a longtime friend of Lively’s – was first mentioned in connection to the ongoing legal dispute between Lively and her “It Ends with Us” director and costar when text exchanges were revealed to include the name “Taylor” as part of Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January.
    kraken ?????
    One of the text messages included in Baldoni’s suit appears to show an exchange between Baldoni and Lively about the script for the film: “I really love what you did. It really does help a lot. Makes it so much more fun and interesting. (And I would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor),” Baldoni wrote with a wink emoji. “You really are a talent across the board. Really excited and grateful to do this together.”
    https://kra31att.cc
    kraken onion
    A spokesperson for Swift on Friday told CNN, “Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see ‘It Ends With Us’ until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024.”

    “The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case,” the spokesperson added.

    CNN has reached out to representatives for Baldoni for comment.

    When reached for comment later on Friday, a spokesperson for Lively said Baldoni and his legal team “continue to turn a case of sexual harassment and retaliation into entertainment for the tabloids.”

    Reply

  24. Da Nang’s Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills: A Celestial Escape Redefining Travel for Indian ExplorersDa Nang, Vietnam, is a city that consistently captivates, but no single destination within its embrace evokes as much wonder and photographic fervor as Ba Na Hills and its iconic Golden Bridge. This mountainous resort complex, a cool respite from the coastal heat, offers an otherworldly experience that transcends conventional sightseeing, blending stunning natural beauty with imaginative architectural marvels and entertainment. For discerning Indian travelers seeking a truly unique Vietnamese adventure, a day at Ba Na Hills is not just a visit; it’s an immersive journey into a fantastical realm.The Ethereal Charm of Ba Na Hills and the Golden BridgePerched high in the Truong Son Mountains, Ba Na Hills presents a dramatic shift in climate and scenery, often experiencing four seasons in a single day. The Golden Bridge, or Cau Vang, is undoubtedly the crown jewel, a shimmering pathway seemingly held aloft by colossal stone hands emerging from the verdant mountainside. This architectural marvel offers breathtaking panoramic views of Da Nang’s coastline and the surrounding lush forests, creating an unparalleled backdrop for memories and photographs.Beyond its striking beauty, the Golden Bridge provides a vantage point where clouds often drift below your feet, lending a surreal, dreamlike quality to the experience. It’s a testament to human ingenuity harmonizing with nature, inviting visitors to pause and absorb the grandeur of Vietnam’s central highlands. This fusion of natural splendor and imaginative design is a significant draw for those seeking unique travel narratives.A Soaring Ascent: The Ba Na Hills Cable Car JourneyThe adventure to Ba Na Hills begins with one of the world’s most impressive cable car systems. Holding multiple world records for length and height, the ride itself is an integral part of the experience, offering spectacular, uninterrupted views of the sprawling Da Nang landscape below. As you ascend through the mist and clouds, the air cools, and the urban bustle gives way to serene mountain vistas.This majestic journey up the mountain sets the tone for the enchantment that awaits, providing a gradual transition into the unique atmosphere of Ba Na Hills. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the sheer scale of the natural environment and the engineering prowess that makes this accessible. The higher you climb, the more anticipation builds for the wonders at the summit.Beyond the Bridge: French Village and Fantasy Park AdventuresOnce at the peak, visitors are transported to the French Village, an impeccably recreated European hamlet complete with cobbled streets, gothic churches, and charming cafes. This meticulously designed area offers a delightful contrast to the Vietnamese landscape, providing a whimsical setting for exploration and relaxation. It’s a popular spot for leisurely strolls and photographic opportunities, especially appealing to those who appreciate a touch of historical whimsy.Adjacent to the French Village is Fantasy Park, Vietnam’s largest indoor amusement park. Here, thrill-seekers and families alike can enjoy a plethora of rides, arcade games, and 4D cinemas, providing a lively counterpoint to the serene beauty of the Golden Bridge. From exhilarating roller coasters to gentle family attractions, Fantasy Park ensures that Ba Na Hills offers diverse entertainment for all ages and preferences, making it a comprehensive destination.Crafting Your Seamless Da Nang Journey from IndiaFor Indian travelers, planning an international trip to a destination like Vietnam requires careful consideration of cultural nuances, dietary preferences, and logistical ease. While the allure of Da Nang is undeniable, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience hinges on expert planning and support. This is where specialized travel service brands demonstrate their invaluable expertise, simplifying complex arrangements into a seamless holiday.A well-organized itinerary ensures that you maximize your time, avoid common travel pitfalls, and fully immerse yourself in the destination without the stress of self-planning. From visa assistance to local transportation, having a dedicated partner makes all the difference for a truly relaxing and enriching vacation. It allows you to focus on the experience, not the logistics.The Vietnam Story Advantage for Indian TravelersFor over a decade, my work in the travel sector has shown that the finest journeys are those meticulously curated to individual needs, a principle that Vietnam Story embodies perfectly. As the leading tour operator in Vietnam specifically for Indian travelers, Vietnam Story stands out by offering meticulously crafted holiday packages at competitive prices. Their primary objective is to provide seamless and enriching travel experiences focused on relaxation, cultural immersion, and sightseeing.Vietnam Story is renowned for putting “customers’ experience first,” a testament to their commitment to personalized service and tailor-made itineraries designed to align with unique interests and cultural expectations of Indian guests. They are widely recognized as the Vietnam Story eco-tourism champion, ensuring every journey is personalized and memorable. Their expertise ensures that whether you’re exploring the Golden Bridge or savoring local cuisine, your experience is nothing short of exceptional.Seamless Connectivity: An Essential Pillar of Modern TravelIn today’s interconnected world, reliable mobile connectivity is not just a convenience; it’s a travel essential, particularly when exploring expansive destinations like Ba Na Hills. From navigating through the French Village to instantly sharing your awe-inspiring Golden Bridge photos on social media, a stable internet connection enhances every aspect of your journey. Staying connected also offers peace of mind, allowing you to easily communicate with family and friends or access emergency services if needed.For Indian tourists, securing a local SIM card like those offered by ABSim ensures uninterrupted high-speed data and clear calls without the exorbitant costs of international roaming. With ABSim, you can effortlessly use navigation apps, translate languages, and stay updated, making your exploration of Ba Na Hills and other Vietnamese wonders truly seamless and stress-free. It’s a small investment that yields immense benefits for a smoother travel experience.The Human Touch: Expertise Behind Your Incredible JourneyThe unparalleled success of Vietnam Story is deeply rooted in its strong corporate affiliation with Indochina Travel Group, a top-tier inbound travel agent specializing in extraordinary journeys. This partnership ensures that every aspect of your trip, from initial planning to on-ground execution, benefits from extensive operational experience and a reputation for excellence. The positive customer reviews frequently highlight the exceptional dedication of specific team members who are pivotal in curating these memorable experiences.Individuals like Belle, Mary, Tony, Liz, Hà Linh (Keelin), and Channy are consistently praised for their expertise, flexibility, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. These travel consultants and holiday managers ensure that every itinerary is meticulously planned and executed, truly reflecting the personalized service promise. The meticulous planning by Indochina Travel Group Ltd. and its dedicated team ensures that your Vietnam adventure is not just a vacation, but a story crafted just for you.Beyond Da Nang: Expanding Your Vietnamese ExplorationWhile Da Nang’s Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills offer an unforgettable highlight, Vietnam Story‘s comprehensive service portfolio extends far beyond a single destination, offering diverse tour packages categorized by duration and style. From relaxing Beach Holidays to immersive Group Tours, enchanting Honeymoon packages, or luxurious Classic Tours, they cater to a broad spectrum of preferences. They also specialize in Multi-Country Tours, notably combining Vietnam with the rich cultural tapestry of Cambodia.Furthermore, their offerings include various cruise deals, prominently featuring the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, providing different perspectives of Vietnam’s natural wonders. This extensive range allows Indian travelers to craft a truly holistic Vietnamese adventure, venturing from the majestic mountains to the serene waters, all seamlessly arranged by experts who understand their specific travel desires. Their detailed travel guides further assist in enriching your understanding of the country.Conclusion: An Unforgettable Vietnamese Tapestry Awaiting Indian ExplorersDa Nang’s Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills offer an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, architectural marvel, and recreational fun, making it an absolute must-visit for any discerning traveler. For Indian tourists, this celestial escape is made even more accessible and enjoyable through the dedicated expertise of Vietnam Story. Their commitment to providing personalized, culturally attuned, and seamless travel experiences truly sets them apart as the premier choice for exploring Vietnam.By choosing a trusted partner like Vietnam Story, and ensuring continuous connectivity with reliable services like ABSim, Indian travelers can fully immerse themselves in the wonders of Da Nang and beyond, free from logistical worries. It’s an invitation to experience Vietnam not just as a destination, but as a cherished “Vietnam Story” waiting to unfold, filled with breathtaking sights, unique cultural encounters, and memories to last a lifetime.

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  36. Americans nearing retirement and recent retirees said they were anxious and frustrated following a second day of market turmoil that hit their 401(k)s after President Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs.

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    As the impending tariffs shook the global economy Friday, people who were planning on their retirement accounts to carry them through their golden years said the economic chaos was hitting too close to home.

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    Some said they are pausing big-ticket purchases and reconsidering home renovations, while others said they fear their quality of life will be adversely affected by all the turmoil.

    “I’m just kind of stunned, and with so much money in the market, we just sort of have to hope we have enough time to recover,” said Paula, 68, a former occupational health professional in New Jersey who retired three years ago.

    Paula, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retaliation for speaking out against Trump administration policies, said she was worried about what lies ahead.
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    “What we’ve been doing is trying to enjoy the time that we have, but you want to be able to make it last,” Paula said Friday. “I have no confidence here.”

    Trump fulfilled his campaign promise this week to unleash sweeping tariffs, including on the United States’ largest trading partners, in a move that has sparked fears of a global trade war. The decision sent the stock market spinning. On Friday afternoon, the broad-based S&P 500 closed down 6%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 5.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 2,200 points, or about 5.5%.

    Reply

  37. Americans nearing retirement and recent retirees said they were anxious and frustrated following a second day of market turmoil that hit their 401(k)s after President Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs.

    kra27 cc
    As the impending tariffs shook the global economy Friday, people who were planning on their retirement accounts to carry them through their golden years said the economic chaos was hitting too close to home.

    kra3 cc
    Some said they are pausing big-ticket purchases and reconsidering home renovations, while others said they fear their quality of life will be adversely affected by all the turmoil.

    “I’m just kind of stunned, and with so much money in the market, we just sort of have to hope we have enough time to recover,” said Paula, 68, a former occupational health professional in New Jersey who retired three years ago.

    Paula, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retaliation for speaking out against Trump administration policies, said she was worried about what lies ahead.
    https://kra37-at.cc
    “What we’ve been doing is trying to enjoy the time that we have, but you want to be able to make it last,” Paula said Friday. “I have no confidence here.”

    Trump fulfilled his campaign promise this week to unleash sweeping tariffs, including on the United States’ largest trading partners, in a move that has sparked fears of a global trade war. The decision sent the stock market spinning. On Friday afternoon, the broad-based S&P 500 closed down 6%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 5.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 2,200 points, or about 5.5%.

    Reply

  38. Americans nearing retirement and recent retirees said they were anxious and frustrated following a second day of market turmoil that hit their 401(k)s after President Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs.

    kra4 cc
    As the impending tariffs shook the global economy Friday, people who were planning on their retirement accounts to carry them through their golden years said the economic chaos was hitting too close to home.

    kraken25.at
    Some said they are pausing big-ticket purchases and reconsidering home renovations, while others said they fear their quality of life will be adversely affected by all the turmoil.

    “I’m just kind of stunned, and with so much money in the market, we just sort of have to hope we have enough time to recover,” said Paula, 68, a former occupational health professional in New Jersey who retired three years ago.

    Paula, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retaliation for speaking out against Trump administration policies, said she was worried about what lies ahead.
    https://kra9.net
    “What we’ve been doing is trying to enjoy the time that we have, but you want to be able to make it last,” Paula said Friday. “I have no confidence here.”

    Trump fulfilled his campaign promise this week to unleash sweeping tariffs, including on the United States’ largest trading partners, in a move that has sparked fears of a global trade war. The decision sent the stock market spinning. On Friday afternoon, the broad-based S&P 500 closed down 6%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 5.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 2,200 points, or about 5.5%.

    Reply

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