Days Until...

The container will be ready for shipment soon for an early September arrival in Bonaire.

Did you know there is actually a smartphone application available that will tell you, to the minute, how much time is remaining before something you are breathlessly anticipating will happen? I suspect this app was intended for impatient children and tweens, but Ben downloaded it a number of years ago so he could let the phone -- instead of his brain -- do the countdowns to when he would get Back to Bonaire. As of this moment, he informs me, there are 67 days, 5 hours and anywhere from 8 to 35 minutes (depending on the United Airlines on-time schedule) until we are back on our favorite island.

It will be just the two of us, as is our September habit (and good fortune), for two weeks. Arriving around the same time, but to Rocargo's shipping dock and not Flamingo Airport, will be a container filled with all the stuff we think we need to make Villa Salentein more comfortable for us and our guests. Included in this shipment will be:

• New furniture, rugs and bedding to replace items in the house that have become worn.
• Art, outdoor planters and decorations to warm up the villa: inside and out.
• All items necessary to turn the in-name-only "exercise" room (We are pretty much convinced that no actual human has stepped foot, much less exercised in, that room since before we even owned the villa) into a pleasant media room, complete with large-screen TV and comfortable furnishings for end-of-day vegging out.
• Lighting improvements, sound system updates and -- my personal favorite -- hooks (hallelujah) for bathrooms and out-of-sight pool areas, to hang wet bathing suits and towels so everything (especially if you are one of our kids) does not end up in unsanctioned areas like...the floor (NOTE to kids: no more excuses!).

And here is a note to Villa Salentein guests: October, currently the only month that is completely open, would be the perfect month to schedule your visit. You would be among the first to enjoy the VS inside updates; the island is quiet and restaurants/stores will welcome your business; the water is calm (perfect for "wild" side diving) and warm (28C/83F). If that hasn't convinced you, there is always this:

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