I just received a news flash on Facebook that dragged me away from packing for my upcoming move:

The entire Feenstra clan — Arend, Anneesa, and the eight youngsters — are on a vacation trip to Crimea.

Yes, you read that correctly. Having just recently returned from several months in Canada and the U.S. in time for spring planting season, calving season, lambing-and-shearing season, and their myriad of endless farm chores, they have once again packed their bags and left Nizhny Novgorod . . . this time to spend two hours on the train, six days in Crimea, and another two days on the return ride.

Wait . . . did he say CRIMEA??!!!

Yes, that Crimea — the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula that is currently a war zone; where divers are retrieving pieces of exploded drones from the Black Sea waters; where gas is so scarce that drivers are restricted to purchasing 20 liters (just over 5 gallons) of gas at a time; and where the beautiful resorts exist side-by-side with bomb shelters.

And at the busiest time of year on the farm.

Oh . . . and Arend also mentioned something about being accompanied by “some friends,” as yet unidentified.

I am gobsmacked by this whole thing. It makes absolutely no sense. Is it another mandatory propaganda program? Is the war getting too close to Nizhny Novgorod? Where is the money coming from?

What the hell?

I guess we can only stay tuned for updates, and hope for the best. Meanwhile, it’s back to packing for me. I just had to take time to share this bombshell with you.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
6/13/26