You can read Patsy's story Checking Out Czechoslovakia – 1990 by clicking here.
Shortly after moving to St. Croix, Patsy met her future husband, Jack Hirst. They both retired in 2005, declared themselves the ‘Gypsy Hirsts’, and began a delightful 14 years of housesitting. They spent six months or so sitting in Europe or Canada, returning to St. Croix for the winters. After 11 countries, 37 different locations, 61 cats, 24 dogs, 18 chickens, 10 cows, 5 tortoises, 2 horses, and assorted birds and fish, not to mention zero remaining funds and no chance of any inheritance for the girls, they had to call it quits. Covid made the decision easier and final, though Patsy still drools reading the housesit listings. She is, however, quite happy in her role as Beachbum Grandmum.