DAY 58: WEDNESDAY, FEB 24, 2021: WHAT A WHIRLWIND 24 HOURS

Twenty four hours ago, we were at Grace and Werners for a meeting of the crew, our annual enjoying each other's company safely' We all have had 2 vaccines' Some have compromised health. But, everyone needs to see people. To stop being totally abd completely isolated' Be safe, be alive.

Geri sent these beautiful photos. I sent  Grace and Werner a heartfelt thankyou' Joan texted to say whatba great time she had for the first time in a year.

THE GIRLS HAPPY FOR A CHANCE TO DRESS UP AND SEE FRIENDS 

HOLDING OUR BREATH WITH MASKS OFF FORBTHE PHOTO ( HURRY UP, LOYAL HA HA!)

THANKS, WERNER AND GRACE 

 

COLIN, THE THORN, WITH THE ROSES, PEGGY, SUSAN, AND PEGGIE

NO ,  BILL, NO! GRACE BOUGHT THIS FOR BONNIE. WE HAVE THE EARTHQUAKE, RED BLEND 🍷 WINE

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT NEEDED BY ALL.

WE ARE- ALL  TOGETHER AGAIN , WE ARE HERE. WHO, KNOWS WHEN WE WILL BE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN, WE ARE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN WE're HERE WE're HERE!

Jann, Bill, Tom, and I helped Werner and Grace carry the left overs upstairs to the kitchen, and breakdow, and clean up their huge patio..

That was as much of a memory as the event. Geri texted to say she lost her hearing aid. We found it, fortunately, and left it in  her mailbox on the way home. 

By midnight we were home. At 7:00 am, I was up and headed to the rec center to help Belle , Bill, Sandy, and Mac prepare and serve the pancake breakfast. I had the easy job, serve the plates.

Tom picked up breakfasts and brought them to the RV.

When we were done, Sandy and I headed to play pickleball. It was hot, but we had some great games. Only 5 of us so we played a lot.. 

After pickleball, we ate breakfast or brunch!

Sharon , Steph, and I shared photos of homes in Florida for sale. Sharon has bought. Steph may look one day. We will look at few on the 9th of March with Judy and Michael. Our lives are always in motion. Living every moment to the fullest in whatever we do. Water never pools at our feet, nor does grass have a chance to grow. Weeds, maybe. 

Staying sane.

We will see Shirley and Kev on the 4th. We hope to see Steph and Jacque while we are Sarasota also. 

 

1:00pm :CORN HOLE time. Mike was my partner. I played pretty well but the opposing team was a pro. We won the first round and lost the second.

Tom and I packed up the kayak stuff and began carrying it to the marina to launch it. The maintenance guy saw us, put iton his trailer, and met us at the launch site. How kind! We had no $ to tip,him. Who needs $ when one is kayaking?

Off We went.. 

OFF WE GO ON THE MAIDEN VOYAGES

CHECHING TO SEE IF THE NAVIGATOR IS PADDLING

I AM SURE HE IS RELAXING, SMOKING THE CIGAR, AND NNOOTT PADDLING

We headed out west island around to the Gulf and then pulled into East Island and traveled upnand down all the canals. We saw many people. Some snorkeling, some swimming, some hanging on their boats and docks, and others were cleaning fish (evident by the number of pelicans waiting for a handout or toss out).

We returned to East Island and went up and down those canals , steering around boats returning from a day of fishing.

We returned to East Island for our haul out at the mini park near us. A neighbor saw us and helped get the kayak out of the water. He told Tom: 

IF YOU HAD TWO,OF HER YOU WOULD NOT NEED MY HELP OR YOURS!

He sees me running every day.lol.

Time for the mundane. I needed to do a load of sweaty and salty clothes from all of today's activities.   Of course, this takes at least an hour  and forty five minutes. 

Timer went off:clothes into the dryer

More fun coming: BEDTIME STORIES WITH LEO, STELLA, BIANCA, MOM AND DAD

GOOD NIGHT, MOON 🌚 

THE KIDS ARE ADORABLE' WE MISS ALL OUR GRANDKIDS!

They are growing too fast. They enjoyed the book and we enjoyed reading it to them'

Unlike, the mail which is sooooo slow. Charlotte just received the Congratulations card I sent her with $ for straight A.s. I asked Charlotte to ask Jess and Joseph if they got theirs. So slow!

Mike and Polina sent a thank you for their Valentine's Day card which they got today and i mailed Jan 28th ahhhhh. No excuses. 

Day isn't done. Line dancing class is tonight on the basketball court. Always fun! The day may be nearly done after that. I need to get up at 3:30 am to fly to RI. 

🌞 

Timer went off. Clothes are dry. Time to fold them.

On the way to the dryer, my phone flashed with a type of fireworks saying: 9 HOURS ACTIVE! 

I think I knew that!

LEO AT HOLIDAY VALLEY 

LOOK AT THEM GO

MOM AND BIANCA EVA RESTING

STELLA HELPED DADDY WASH THE CAR TODAY. THE JUST MIGHT NEED A BIGGER CAR FOR  3 CAR SEATS :-)

STELLA. AFTER WE READ THE BOOK

PHOTO OF A MEMORY ABOARD CONIGULA WITH GALE AND JACK' 

FUNNY I STILL HAE THATHAT AND WORE IT TODAY. 😝 

DAY 57: GRACE AND WERNER'S SPECIAL NIGHT PREPARED FOR A FEW FRIENDS

Up for a 6 am class with the girls and Angie' It took a while for Zoom to connect, but  they managed to figure it out'  

Next was a walk with Father Zinno on line' Great way to begin the day. Dawn did a 9 :00 class which I was able to do but because it started late,  I left to go to Pickleba.

THIS WAS THE WAY THE COURT LOOKED AT 7:15 am so I was happy when Chuck was able to, after the rain, squeegy the court. I was able to play 2 games when the rain began again. Wishful thinking that we could play and the rain would stop'. No such luck. I returned to the RV to make breakfast.

PHOTOS FROM MY MORNING WALK

THE KIDDIE POOL

THE LARGE POOL 


THE ISLAND MAP

A NEIGHBOR'S THIN BLUE LINE FLAG

Emily texted with a phot from school!

STELLA WAS HAVING A SNOW BLAST

Photos appeared on my phone from special times remembered. I was Jan and Bob's Maid of Honor 48 years ago? How can that be? I am so happy for them having left Ct. and moving to NM. I remember being so upset'. The wedding was in Ct. There was a huge snowstorm on our way. I called  Nan and Richard in Groton'. We spent the night there, then early in the morning we left for Darien. Luckily the snow had stood and we made it. The Maid of Honor missed the rehersal! Janet and I met in Laconia on family trips. I was12, she was 11. Friends ever since. Our families quickly became friends and visited each other. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, JAN AND BOB.

Another more recent memory was Ray. Barb, David and visiting us in Marathon,

We had a great night with friends at Werner and Grace's. Many of these people have been isolated since last March. Everyone had masks.

We made it work outside on the huge patio. What a beautiful night.

DAY 56: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MMARG AND CLIF. HAVE A GREAT DAY

A run at 6:30 was great. Zumba was at 9.

Then I came back to get things ready for a great lunch with the Mellmans. Outside was perfect. The wind was light and allowed us to keep the awning out. 

Menu was grilled chicken, sausage, and veggies on skewers. Add potato salad , a fruit platter with cheeses, and croissants, we had a good lunch. 

Jann wanted to walk. She likes to walk as much as I do. We walked he entire park-east and west islands. She took a photo of a few sites with phone numbers in case she is fortunate enough to find one here for next year.

Ugh, I forgot to take photos. THESE ARE OLD! Times remembered.

BILL, TOM AND WILL

 CAIRN AND JANN

ME CAIRN JANN IN KEY WEST


DINNER IN CAPE MAY: LANCE WAS WITH US THEN. MAY HE REST IN PEACE

WE HAD GREAT TIMES TOGETHER .HE IS MISSED BY ALL 🙏🏻 

Michael sent this joke about yoga. He and Tom can relate from Jane V's 🧘 yoga class. Too funny but not.

REMINDER OF DAYTONA.

After The Mellmans left, Tom went to the post office, and I cleaned up. At 6/, Inwalked tonthevrec hall for Bingo where I sat with Ellen. We both kept winning, small amounts, but we kept winning. It was funny.

Alan and Glyn texted and asked that I stop 🛑 by. She had blouses she wanted to give me- closet cleaning- lol.

We hope they will visit when they visit RI. 

Other than that quiet night. I am hoping we can read to Leo and Stella on Wednesday. 

DAY 55: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021: A PEACEFUL LOW KEY MORNING IN THE KEYS

I noticed some errors! No judge. This website is frustrating!

I had  a lot of good things on this Blog and, as usuai, the LTE went biserk, and all I had tried to save was LOST. I hate this website for the number of times I had to do things multiple times. I really don't know why I bother except that I am a sucker for punishment and, I am trying to have memories preserved. Now, I will try again. 

At 6:30 I was up and by 7:15 I was out the door. The wind was incredible, 25+ kts. Walking was not easy, but it wasn't cold. The wind was awful.  Easier to walk and listen than run into a headwind. 

I decided to listen to Father Zinno  as I walked and the 7:30 am mass at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church in Bristol, RI. This whole concept still amazes me. The homily was about Noah and the Arc and how he was ridiculed for building an arc in the desert. Think about it, why would o e need a boat in the desert. 

By the end Father Zinno said," It is the beginning Lent, get on the Boat." Pretty good analogy.

The view was beautiful! 

THE ATAR GARDEN NEAR THE MARINA

A VIEW OF THE CANAL

This canal looks very similar to the fishing villages we visited in the Bahamas with Geri and Bill on MERMAID.

VIEW FROM WEST ISLAND MARINA ENTRANCE

CANAL ON WEST ISLAND

I texted with Joan and Geri. We had a stroll down memory lane through pictures. We shared photos of these special times. 

THE SIXTET HAVING FUN EVERYWHERE 

BIANCA EVA IS AWAKE

LOOKS LIKE BIANCA IS SMILING

FLOWER MOUND GRANDKIDS HAVING FUN

Chan said they are desperate! 😆! As long as they are having fun, life is good!

A CLANCY COLLAGE. THE BOSS IS ON TOP

At 10:30 I went up to the rooftop to do Zumba with Sylvia. What a cool view. Photo, ha! I forgot. One can see the Gulf to the north and  the ocean to the south!

MARINA VIEW

After Zumba, it was time to connect with some friends. I made myself a blueberry smoothy. Then I called Carol and we talked a long while, catching up on things from the past month! Great to catch up. Breat to hear her voice. Her daughter had been in Colorado, The didn't get to ski so much because of the threat of avalanches and 4 feet of fresh powder. 

At least they were all safe. Whew. I was supposed to go to Co. with Claudia. I wonder if she went?

I texted with Leslie about NH. I was hoping she could visit. Time is running out! How can 5 months go by like 5 days , or a few more.

I texted with Linda. Hopefully she will feel  better soon and get out of the house. Spring and warm weather can't come soon enough up North.

At 1:00, I went to play Pickleball. The wind had more control of the ball than we did.. We did have fun though, chading the ball, hitting itbone way, and watching the ball be hurled by the wind.

I love the flowers around here! So beautiful!

THE DRIVE IN MOVIE WE HAD TONIGHT,

Oh well, went the movie but it had to be canceled. The screen would have been flowing with the strong Easterly wind we are having. Ok back to the RV to read. Good night , All!

DAY 54: SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 20, 2021: HOPEFULLY I CAN GET TO MASS TODAY

At 6:30 I was up to run. The wind was insane. Northeast winds around here mean everything is flapping and whipping around. I went outside to find our  American flag still on the post but dangling. The trash barrel had been blown over as was tge paddleboard and kayak. The goodness Tom had  bungee cord ard tge trash. Nothing fell out. Now that we have the kayak, i would like tomuse it. No way we can today. It is brutal in the gulf. White caps are close together. There were no fishing boats out there all day. That says something. 

After the run, Tom and I watched an old movie: Ferras Buellers Day Off. I don't think Ingad ever seen the whole thing. It was just a mindless thing to do while we had coffee and more coffee. 

At 10, I played pickleball and finished at noon. We went to the clubhouse to pick up grilled Chicken sandwiches then sat at a picnic table by the boat ramp to eat them. I didn't have to make anything.. I have to ask Belle what brand of chicken they use because it is so good. 

I really can't tell much about what happened after that. Time just flew.

I chatted with Joan and Geri. I connected with Michael regarding my flight home. I wrote out birthday cards, showered and went to 4:00 mass at San Pablos. It was quiet on the first Sunday of Lent. 

For dinner I grilled pork chops with onions and pepper. Add a large salad and we had dinner. I did try one of the Long Board beers from California. It was good. The weather has been so hot I have had lots of water and sparkling water and needed something different.

SO FAR BIANCA HAS BLUISH EYES AND BLOND HAIR

CHRIS' CAR WITH WHICH HE WON THE LAND SPEED RECORD IN THE SALT FLATS.


7 YEARS AGO LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS FROM MARATHON MARINA AND BOATYARD AT MM 88.

We did lots of shopping that day too. We were out all day.

On the way to church, Shirley and I connected and planned to have dinner together in March in Sarasota when Judy and Michael arrive. Carol was on her way out and will call tomorrow. Sharon and I talked for a long time about her new house and the furniture she is looking out! There are many good things going on in spite of the craziness.

Linda and Carl  are buying one of the condos we went  to look at for them. They are moving from Colorado to the Keys. Dry cold to humid warm! Happy for them.

I called Linda to talk and we texted instead. Her grandson is adorable 🥰 

Some photos, memories, popped up on my phone. Yet, I can't send photos from my phone to ipad with any ease. LOUSY INTERNET PHONE SERVICE...AHHHH.

The ones I want to put in the blog will show up on my email tomorrow..... so frustrating!

MEMORY FROM EVERGLADE CITY

BYC PIRATE DAY

STELLA AS A BABY WITH JOSEPH, CHARLOTTE, JESSIE, AND MADDY

MORE CUTIES

MORGAN MUST BE IN THE POOL WITH LEO ♌️ 

LONG DAY TIME :TO SLEEP

DAY 53: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021: MEETING JANN AND BILL AT BURDINES

I needed to run and did. Whew! Boy was it hot at 6:30 this morning. I was sweating 😓 before I was half done.   I did stop a few times. People wanted to talk this morning. Alan and Glyn are leaving soon. They left us a case of Pellegrino Sparkling water that they don't want to  carry back to Colorado. Cheryl wanted info about running shoes. It wasn't even 7:30 yet!,, Ha! 

At 9I went to Zumba. Great music, fun new dances. 

At 11, we went to Marathon and met the Mellmans at Burdines. It was a great lunch as usual. Blackened fish over a tossed salad with a shared basket of dusted fries, the best on the Earth. I was glad we were sharing the fries so I wouldn't eat as many. 

We made plans to have them to lunch on Monday. Perfect. We get to see them again. Also we will see them on Tuesday at the Lohman's. Perfect again. 

I texted with Debbie. Knowing that she is not that far  from Sarasota, I hope we csn get together. 2 hours away, we can make this work.

Sharon, Steph and I had many laughs through texts. Houses, boats, and RV's , our connections are hysterical.  They are impossible to explain. It is one of those: YOU HAD TO BE THERE.

I texted  and spoke to Geri and Joan. We discussed our going to Grace and Werners on Tuesday night for an outdoor cocktail party. I made these favors for everyone.

THESE ARE NOT FINISHED. GOLD TRIM AND BOTTOMS NEED TO BE DONE. 

I ALSO OFFERED MY BREAD BASKET. 

After grocery shopping, Tom finished putting the kayak together. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow.

THREE CUTIES. SO SWEET TO SEE THEM ALL TOGETHER. ALL GOOD SO FAR, NO ONE IS GIVING HER IN APPROPRIATE TOYS LIKE LEGOS.

Their faces truly tell a story. Such happy smiles. They waited a long time for her to come. I remember the day Stell shouted into the phone: I'M GOING TO BE A NIG SISTER.

At 4, we went to bappy hour where they had line dancing. People sat at tables of 4 and 6. Each person brought their own drink and snacks. It was a good time. I really stink at trivia. The questions were awful. 

After the event, I returned to the RV. Tom asked Bill to come by for a  cigar. I called Susan and asked her if I could join her on her walk. I had 28,000 steps today on my Fitbit! Lol.

We sat with the boys when we returned. The wind began to blow strongly. The trees were bending, the leaves were flapping, stuff was blowing around everywhere. 

Sue snd Bill left. It was a great day. 

WEBB'S WALL MADE FROM PALLETS. SO COOL.



THE LIGHT HE MADE WITH DRIFT WOOD.