Wisconsin, my return... Again

Welcome back! It has been nine long years since I last hit "publish," and to be completely honest, I wasn't entirely sure I’d ever find myself sitting in front of this dashboard again.

For many of you, my latest life update might not come as a massive shock. But for me? I’m still pinching myself.

After 44 years of paying into Social Security and grinding through the daily hustle, I have officially decided to close that book and open the final, most rewarding chapter: retirement. And in a twist I didn't see coming a few years ago, this milestone has brought me right back to my roots. I have officially returned to the very place where I was born and raised in rural Wisconsin—specifically, the Driftless Region.

There is something incredibly special about this landscape. If you know the Driftless Area, you know it's a place defined by its winding roads, deep valleys, and unglaciated, wandering ridges. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the translation of my blog’s name is Vagabond to the World. After a lifetime of moving around, the similarities between my own winding path and the rugged, rolling terrain of my hometown are hitting a little too close to home. The irony isn't lost on me: the vagabond has finally wandered right back to where it all started.

Starting fresh in a familiar place feels both surreal and deeply grounding. As I settle into this new rhythm, I’ve realized my voice isn't done yet—which is exactly why I’m reviving this blog.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know exactly where this digital journey will take us. Retirement is uncharted territory for me, and I'm still trying to figure it out day by day. But I do know exactly how I want to run this space.

My goal is to keep things firmly middle-of-the-road—which is exactly how I have always tried to live my life. The world out there is loud, chaotic, and unfortunately increasingly divided. You won't find that here. Consider this corner of the internet a genuine safe space. No politics, no sexism, and absolutely zero room for hate. Just real, honest reflections on life, coming home, and navigating what comes next.

So, whether you’ve been following me from the very beginning or you're just dropping by for the first time, thank you for being here. Grab a another cup of coffee, stay a while, and let's see where this road takes us.

Mahalo ke Akua