Saturday, April 27, 2024

The air is heady with fragrance of Jasmine in our area of Central Florida. Our afternoon golf cart ride was admiring flowering trees and bushes. Purple flowers on the Jacaranda trees are so full this year. We saw Nancy in her garage and pulled in to visit. Robbie and Belize were so excited to see her … barking like crazy. Of course she went back in the house and brought them out a treat. 😂

Today would have been Mom’s birthday … still missed and thought of daily. 

After lunch we took the kids for a boat ride to Ferris Park, Eustis and watched the drag boat races. It was exciting to see so many boaters out despite the strong winds.  Dozens of sailboats were on the lake too, enjoying a regatta. 

Sue and Wayne are home from a visit to South Florida.  They saw friends Carol and Jack at Bella Roma for Italian food. (It was a favorite of ours too!)

Fantastic action picture! ⭐️

The garden looks great at Sue & Wayne’s!

Gardenias and red roses are blooming! Beautiful. (Hope you’re enjoying spring weather too!)

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Good evening y’all.  It’s been a beautiful day here in Central Florida. We began with 63F and climbed to 88 … no humidity so it felt great! 

Yesterday we bowled with friends … scored well but both of us missed money shotsz 🙄 $30 for Mark and $20 for me. Ha. Otherwise, we won about nine dollars in quarters. 

Also yesterday, our friend Lynn‘s sister Jeanette, passed away after a very long battle with cancer. She has had some form or another for nine years and brain cancer for the last year. Finally, it was into her esophagus, and there was nothing more to be done. She was a bit of a celebrity in these parts, and often appeared at the comedy clubs. I remember her smile when Lynn was married last year. She was so happy to be able to be her matron of honor. Cancer sucks. 

Toni and Aurelia arrived home to Winnipeg last evening. I hope they had a good trip back, and that spring has sprung in the north.

Last Wednesday was our friends night out at Jeremiah‘s in Mount Dora. The food was good, and the service excellent. We always have such a fun time.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Yesterday, we lost a fine friend in Rick Moir. His last 10 months fighting brain cancer were courageous from diagnosis onward. Everyone who knew Rick hoped for a cure or at least a long remission. It wasn’t to be.

I met Rick in the ‘70’s at Buchanan Marina on the Red River. He was working on the Shasta, an old wooden boat that had seen better days. When Rick put his mind  to something … well, it was launched and floated. We became friends and continued weaving in and out of each other’s lives for 50 years. 

Rick married Ruth and welcomed two daughters. His career in piano tuning and sales made a good lifestyle for his family. Eventually Rick bought a larger boat, the Jade A (Jadia owned by Saul Simkin) and was a frequent contributor to the RMYC clubhouse. They were fun years. 

Eventually Rick moved the big steel boat to Lake of the Woods. Then a cottage was renovated. In 1990 we met up and partied at the White Birch Lodge near Sioux Narrows. (Lives weaving in and out.)

After I left The Peg for Florida, Rick & Ruth picked up stakes and relocated to Kelowna, B.C. There they built a gorgeous home on the mountain side. In 2013 Mark and I spent time nearby at a farm/RV park. It was a grand time! (Some friendships just are.) It was Rick who started me Blogging for the 2013 trip!

Over the years, their visits to Florida … Thanksgiving together at Diane & Kris’s … and a Christmas complete with gifts at our house; so much fun.

Now, Rick is gone, free of pain and despair. You’re missed already. Thanks for the memories dear friend. 

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Good morning. Mark and I were awakened with the sound of a barfing 🤮 dog at 6:50. Nothing gets you out of bed quicker. Poor Miss B … Today is her 11th birthday and she started Primbendan last Saturday for a cardiac problem. It seems that stomach distress can be one of the side effects. So, we are going to give the pill to her with meals! Hopefully, this will help. 

Anyway, we have a Sue, Wayne, Randy and auntie Nancy coming for lunch. (Diane is away in Ohio, and Kris stayed home.) 

Mark was up early preparing stuffed chicken breast, tomatoes, and mozzarella, and bread with a dipping sauce. I think he is doing mashed potatoes as well. Anyway, it’s going to be a feast for lunch to celebrate Ms BeeZee’s 11th birthday! What is she going to have? Some chicken, and a special pup-pie birthday cake.  Of course, Robbie is going to be helping out. 

Well, safe to say we had a blast! Dawn was working and not able to come. We knew her influence was there with the plaid bag for the Scottie birthday girl. 🥰  Of course Mark had to wear it on his head. 😂

Carvel ice cream cake was a hit with the people! BeeZ and Robbie liked their Pup-Cake! 

Uncle Randy with his favorite 🤩 

That’s their Pup-Cake … all wholesome ingredients with fruit sprinkles! 

Just when we thought the fun day was over, we opened the door and there was the monthly bark box!!  OMG … They had enough energy to rip up that cardboard box and get out the new toys and treats. 😂

Tuesday, Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Good morning. It is a beautiful April day with a light breeze and birds singing. Robbie, Belize and I have just had a nice walk and are now sitting on the front porch while I have my 2nd cup of coffee.  Mark and his friend Wayne are off in the woods hiking around. They sent a picture of a magnificent cow.

I’m guessing the only name she has is 232. Sad, isn’t it. 

I was hoping that Aurelia would send the pictures taken last Wednesday when we met them for dinner at Oakwood in Lady Lake. But, no such luck as yet, so we have a picture of a cow. 😂

Yesterday was the last day of our bowling, well until the next league starts in two weeks. Our slump continues and we cannot wait to get our new shirts and new name for the summer league. I’ll post a picture when we were all together in the shirts. Next Monday is the awards banquet and lunch. Last year, we were first place, this year we are 14th. That was quite the roller coaster ride downhill. 🙄 

Tony and Aurelia are on their way north, meandering along the highways on a two week trip. Happy trails! It was good to see you both.

Our friends, Denine and Jeff just picked up the table for our neighborhood barbecue next Saturday. The weather should be perfect. It’s being held at Nancy‘s home, on the lake.