As we get older it becomes more difficult to talk and meet with friends and family because of time zones, religion, and diet. We have friends and family we still talk with from Australia to Turkey. Trying to figure out birthday calls is confusing. We have relatives in Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time zones so casual calls in the morning or evening requires a pause to calculate.

Our friends meet on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so we must remember whether it is their attendance day or a special service. Considering whether they are sure to attend is a part of getting together on a possible religious observance times.

Add that into trying to find places to eat and when. Diets are a consideration. Somebody in the group is always on a diet or a vegetarian. Luckily none of our close friends and family observes Ramadan or is vegan. However finding restaurants for vegetarians in many areas is a challenge. One waitress actually had to get the cook to come to the table to discuss whether they could serve our vegetarian friends. They loved Murphysboro’s 17th Street BBQ where he fixed them a great meal a few months later.

When planning a trip, I must also consider pets, age, infirmities, types of entertainment, and kids. Add in some cultural and economic factors and whether we meet or who is driving which vehicle makes planning complicated fun.