It's Been a Cold Week

I think last year at this time we had returned to Florida for Danny's memorial which meant we missed some really cold weather. This year during the middle of January it has been crazy cold although we have had no snow.  Because David and DAnna are 1000 feet higher they woke up to a white yard. So while we have had no snow, we have had are some interesting skies with all kinds of clouds;  having been out on walks many of those cold days I have seen them first hand! 

On this walk, the temperature was low, the fog was heavy, and most folks were not out walking, however I am committed to doing more, so I go in spite of the cold

Rarely do I take selfies yet when I looked down and thought, I'm sending this to my daughter-in laws because they were responsible for my hat, coat and bag. I wanted them to know that I appreciate their generosity.

Do I look cold or excited because I had just seen a Pileated Woodpecker?

Truth be told, probably a little bit of both. Scanning in every direction, I look for contrast or movement and in this case I found contrast. A little research told me the largest of these is an oyster mushroom. How cool is that? My first find of this kind.

Along the river I need to keep my eyes open hoping to find a beaver because if I had to guess, that is what was gnawing on this tree all the way around.

Friends, I have got a lot to share so bear with me will you?

Foggy sky--check. Red sky, and I do mean RED, purple, orange, blueish, at night, a rare occurrence -check.

We are having a heck of a time with our mail delivery, sometimes coming at 7:30 at night in spite of the fact that we live two blocks from the post office. I was getting my jacket to check around 6:30 and the sky from the front porch looked like this.

As you can see it kept getting more colorful. So good and a wonderful surprise. I believe that snow was predicted for overnight but I did not expect it because, as we all know, "red sky at night, sailors delight."

With that mail info in mind, I heard from Ann who told me that the Christmas card she sent was returned because she had a minor mistake with our address. I suppose without a regular carrier that can happen. I am so delighted that she persisted and sent another because it is a winner. Both she and Cynthia made their own cards and both were terrific. An interesting collage from Ann, while Cynthia's is paint and more?

I have some super talented friends!

Speaking of talent, that husband of mine has talent in spades. At a meeting in the fellowship hall, early last week, there was discussion about a table that needed to go away. A local charity was going to charge to pick it up was what we learned. While we were in Orlando we looked for a sewing table for me while we were shopping at Ikea, but nothing seemed right, so when I heard this, it caught my attention. Showing it to Bruce I asked his thoughts and his thoughts were positive. It was covered with water stains, had gum stuck to the sides, along with tape and in general did not look great, however, with difficulty we got it in the back of the Subaru, into the shop and he went to work.

Unfortunately I did not photograph the worst of it, in part because he got to it so quickly. It was meant to replace the folding table we bought as a stand-in and while it was serviceable, when sewing with any speed it shook like crazy. Note the table in this photo taken during Saturday's session to tidy up my fabrics. 

Which reminds me, did I show you the new quilt that I finally completed?

Much softer than the other one and it is keeping us plenty warm on the cold nights, some going down to 19 degrees!!

When I want to make something I dig through the baskets because if I can't make something out of what I have, well, it is just silly. I just have to get creative as I did with the pillow covers I made for the front porch using fabric from what is fondly called in the sewing community, "my stash". 

Before too much longer it will be time for spring pillows but for now I wanted something a little less cheerful.  Covering the Christmas pillows is how I made it happen.

Oh look, my Uggs, which are getting their fair share of wear this January!

So back to the table....while I was sorting and organizing, Mr. Peck was sanding and I do mean sanding for hours and hours. Then he stained it and after recruiting another fellow after church on Sunday, they managed to wrestle it up the narrow staircase and here we are. On a side note, the fellow is a local and was actually happy to come inside as he said he had seen the house countless times and wondered what was inside. 

And look who got to use it yesterday morning! (refer to photo above of quilt)

I ran the machine fast and that oak stood strong!

I think it was last Monday after we did yoga that DAnna insisted on taking me out to lunch for my birthday. Since a few of the others were going to play Mahjong and have lunch, we tagged along, neither of us having ever seen it played. Linda took this photo of me with the birthday cake. 

I have to admit, that was fun having folks sing happy birthday to me. Our food was delicious, our company great and now we have seen it set up to play. The lady sitting beside me owns this set which is 100 years old.

In this year of doing new things, maybe I will try it? Third time at yoga yesterday and oh my word....tough sledding for me! On the other hand, I do know how to walk and I am getting better at the terrain although, trudging up this hill was still hard. I was standing at the bottom contemplating and a couple asked me if I needed a ride which I declined. Here's a fun fact I learned about this hill today and that is the locals call it "laundry hill" because it leads to what is now a decrepit laundry. It is so good having local friends who know the lore!

I'm including this because lemon poppy seed muffins and oranges just look nice together and taste even better.

Here is some food that looked strange, but was super yummy.

What are those rolls you ask? Not a cut of chicken I have ever seen before but after cutting one in four pieces I arranged it on the bun and it was surprisingly good! Bruce enjoyed the other one. We were eating here because I needed to use the restroom and the only way to do that was to eat here.

Bruce had french toast and he raved and raved. Decorated with old records and covers, I got a kick out of seeing the old Herb Alpert cover which my parents owned. That cover must have been seriously scandalous at the time. 

We were in Andrews to play pickleball indoors because it was only about 20 degrees. The drive there never fails to delight me with frost on the ground, fog in the mountains, bare trees, and weak winter light. 

That said, when we came out of the gym the sky was gorgeous and remember what I said about clouds earlier? Following our impromptu lunch, I had to check this place out. Look at that cloud? A flying saucer of a cloud!

So cute and to add to the excitement I was feeling, across the street were horses!

And weird goats with wild horns!

If you were this horse, do you think you would wonder if others were better looking? 

Just a silly thought!

I took a lot of photos last week of birds, people, landscapes and food and you are seeing only a fraction of them because you will hate me if I go on for much longer! That said, you just have to see this crazy plant!

Beale's barberry is what AI is telling me, although quite often it is wrong and how do I know this? Because I can identify a number of birds and oftentimes I get the wrong identification. But you take what you can get. I tell you what the closest I am getting to this plant is with a camera in hand!

Final thoughts:

• What a game last night! Rarely do we stay up and finish watching a football game, but that one was so compelling for lots of reasons. Congratulations Indiana!
• Days are getting longer!! 5:00 pm comes and goes and there is still light in the sky.
• Detecting some tiny, and I do mean tiny buds on some of our plants is a joy.
• A dear church friend's sister was killed in an automobile accident Friday. Obviously we are sick about it as she was very healthy. 
• Bruce is doing well concerning Cris. Staying busy and focused helps.

So there you are, but before I completely say goodbye, another sky photo! 

And to think that all those bare branches will be drenched in leaves in just a few short months! In spite of times of sorrow, there are still the joys of everyday living.  May you have many such joyful days!

your friend,

Gail

Some Sad Family News

Life is full of opposites isn't it? One minute you can be as happy as a lark, which btw, how happy are larks anyway? But I digress....

Perhaps you noticed in my last post that Cris, Bruce's older brother looked frail, yet totally with it. His eyes are wide open with what looks like curiosity to me. I am so happy our families gathered after several years of not seeing one another because Saturday morning we got a call from Bruce's sister that Cris had died. So while we were shocked having just seen him, we were not surprised as he had been declining for the last few years after nearly succumbing to Covid. 

I have two photo libraries on my computer, both of them voluminous as you can well imagine; it takes some effort to access the oldest one, but I was up for the task yesterday following a little help from our eldest. I found this picture of Cris in much happier times. (he looks so much like his Dad!)

He loved being behind the wheel of a boat, so happy to be on the water. When our boys were young, heading to Aunt Judy and Uncle Cris's for a Saturday of fun on the lake was a huge treat. He never tired of pulling them behind the boat on a big inner tube, seeing how fast he could go before they would fall off. That said, never so much to be dangerous. Cris was an Eagle Scout and the tenants he learned from earning that rank were words to live by. He was a great dad to his two daughters, attending more gymnastic meets than he could count for Jessie, while Katie ended up working with her Dad in the construction industry. Chatting with Judy on the phone Sunday night she said she was just so sad even though she knew it was imminent. What else is there to say? 

I know how hard it is to lose a sibling because I have lost two. Lost, that is a silly word for death, but there it is. 

While searching for a happy picture of Cris I came across this old one from Lisa's 50th birthday. I loved seeing this because it says so much about each one of us. 

I wish I could remember who took it, but they did good. I am flanked by Carol and Maureen, both of whom have died and who I referenced in my last post. I've always preferred wearing dresses and I am happy to report that when we were in Orlando I found a stash of tights, so now I am good-to-go which is a good thing because baby, it's been cold outside. At least overnight, although I think there are predictions for colder daytime temperatures in our immediate future. I will let you know.

As you can imagine we've been busy here including on day two of our arrival. Gerrie got in touch asking if we wanted to join them on a New Year's hike and while I was hesitant, this is a year for doing more things, including the yoga class which I attended yesterday and did not make a fool of myself so that''s progress! 

Gerrie could not resist taking this photo as I am so darn awkward, but I do look pretty good in the alpaca hat David and Michelle got me! There are those in our group who love getting out on the rocks and that would not be me!

 The weather was overcast, but only slightly cold; a good way to begin a new year together.

Along with others, we joined Cobby and Diane to celebrate his 74th birthday.

As well I have been getting out on the riverwalk in order to get stronger. Rarely do I walk in this direction andI have taken countless photos of the railroad bridge before but never this angle. I don't know the exact year that the trains stopped coming to Murphy and Andrews, but I imagine it was a hard pill to swallow for those in the region that relied on it. 

I never thought I would say something of this ilk, but I do love the bare trees of winter; seeing their architecture and imagining that in a few short months, buds will appear and before long birds will disappear in the lush greenery.

With several days of steady rain, nothing like Florida's torrential downpours, more like a drip, drip, drip, the river is much higher than it has been of late. Even though it was crazy windy and cold, I went for a Sunday afternoon walk and was I ever glad that I did because look at this cute little Downey Woodpecker I watched. Isn't it cute? 

I can't remember if I mentioned this before ,but I was made aware of a birding film on Youtube that I have now seen twice called Listers that has an accompanying book, should you be such a person who wants to know more. Jonathan knew I am one such type of person and I love it so I now have a copy of this. It was lucky I was having a birthday which, as you know we spent on the road.

Once we reached Valdosta on our trip back from Florida, we stopped at our favorite hotel and because it is only 200 miles from Orlando we had plenty of time to head downtown. It was mostly empty on that cold day but we did see their Christmas decorations which were very nice. I will say those empty spaces on the Santa and elf look weird with no one in them. Or so it seems to me.

Although we stopped at Buc-ee's for Bruce to get a drink we were hungry from having skipped lunch. We went into a Mexican restaurant, the name is forgotten, but those chandeliers were really something.

Pretty wild right?

One difference between photographing birds here as opposed to Florida is that the ones here tend to move a lot and quickly whereas in Florida,  oftentimes they will pose for you like this Osprey in a tree over the courts in Orlando.

It stayed there for so long that Bruce was able to drive to the condo and bring my camera back to me and still it stayed perched! 

What will follow are birdie photographs that are a few of those taken while we were in Orlando, mostly on our little lake behind our place.

Ta da...

A Green Heron, a bird that I rarely see. Amazing how it stands on the lily pads. As well, that head plume!! What great colors this bird has. 

White Ibis are common and numerous at times. This was one of those times.

A pretty little Palm Warbler in full song mode.

Northern Cardinal that I heard first as it was in a pine tree more than forty feet high.

With my head leaning way back to look so high above, a few Blue Jays came around although they are not nearly as easy to photograph as a Northern Cardinal because they move like crazy.

Interestingly enough, I have never seen a flock of Blue Jays in Florida, but just the other morning, in the early morning and still with dim light, I saw a flock of them in one of the neighbor's trees here.

Another beauty was taken at Lake Davis and I will let you decide if it is one of your favorite big birds. 

Another heron, this one is called a Tri-Colored Heron and isn't it so delicate? All of the shorebirds will soon be sporting their breeding colors, generally visible around the beak. It is so fascinating to see. Reading Genesis this morning when I read that God created birds on the fifth day, I wondered why He took so long? Imagine there are approximately 11,000 species of birds!!! Even more mind boggling is to think that there is but one species of humans and we are all different! 

Cris was most certainly one of a kind. A Florida Gator fan in spite of the fact that both of their girls graduated from FSU and by all reason, he should have rooted for FSU, yet he was a man who marched to the beat of another drummer. He will be sorely missed.

Until we meet again, I remain, 

your friend,

Gail

Post #2018 and Counting

Indeed, should you have noticed the title this is post #2018 and I am using that title because I could think of no other; not a good sign for the first post of 2026, but there you have it. 

Since last we met in this space, a whole heck of a lot has happened, including being in two states, having two Christmas trees, one of which remains in the upright position, seeing family and more family, as well as seeing a host of birds. Yup, birds and there were plenty. Of course we miss our family but big birds are right up there on things I miss from Florida. One chilly morning, one of only a few during our visit, we went to the lake for Bruce to have a few casts. This beauty was hanging out with us.

Lest you be shocked at this lead picture, one thing I have learned over my 18 and soon to be 19 years of blogging is that the lead photo must be strong to catch folks attention. Because blue is most people's favorite color I chose this Great Egret against the bright blue of the lake.

In reality it is hard to know what to leave in and what to leave out. It would probably be hard to go wrong with a photo of "little bit" my nickname for Christian. I will say he has already outgrown that name because he is now pretty darn sturdy, but I think I will still use that silly name for who knows how long?

Holy cow...it's a twofer what with two of my favorites in one shot! As many of you know, heretofore, Christian has been pretty much a stay-at-home baby so it was somewhat surprising how well he handled the crowd of us on Christmas day, and then again a few days later when Bruce's brother's family came to visit. He was a little trooper, particularly when Matt, Tom and Jonathan got down on the floor and played with him.

Alissa took the photo below, and Bill was in the garage having a refrigerator delivered, but the rest of us were available to smile for the camera. Apologies from me to Tom for not bending my knees a little bit.

It has been forever since we've seen Cris, Judy and Jessica which made this visit at Bill and Fallon's house so special. 

Bill and Fallon hosted both gatherings; for sure our place is not baby-proofed, now very much a neccesity  as Christian is an inquisitive toddler. Already! Can you believe it?

He also has a small swing set thanks to David and Michelle. I've never seen a baby swing set before but now I have. 

Matt and Tom, along with Jonathan and Alissa, were having their first experiences having a baby in the family and for one, Matt could not get enough of his new role as an uncle.

So I am making a presumption that whomever is reading this knows all the ins and outs of our family, and you know what they say about presumptions, so let me introduce you to the Peck men.

From left to right: Bill and Christian, Mr. Bruce Peck, Matthew, Jonathan, and David with apologies to David for not doing a very good job getting him in the frame! This might be a good time to remind folks that I grew up with four sisters and a brother so living in a house with all men was definitely out of my regular comfort zone. 

No longer are there the five Price sisters following Carol and Maureen's deaths. That is the thing about having a blog for so long, life has unfolded in this space. Just a warning, should you choose to click on those links, get a Kleenex beforehand. Being with family is such a blessing because you never know when it can be taken away from you. 

No more sad stuff, let's carry on with sister Nancy and Christian. 

From left to right, Tom, Nancy, Gail, Pat, Bruce, Matthew and Ruth.

It has been quite a while since I had a photo of Pat and Ruth and now I do thanks to our server at one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando, "Hawkers" which I know you have already heard many times before.

Before you roll your eyes at this first time grandmother (!), just a few more photos of our latest family member. Fallon has done an amazing job for a first time mother!

As has Bill for a first time dad, in other ways of course, but he deserves kudos as well.

Enough already Gail!!!

So many photos of folks in this post aren't there? That will happen when one is in one's home town. As many of you know, we learned to play pickleball at the courts in our community, now six years ago!! Just before Covid hit big time. There are still plenty of folks playing and I had the priveledge of photgraphing the group.

And a special photo of our "pickleball parents" as I like to call them because They not only paid for the lines to be painted on the tennis courts, but patiently taught everyone to play. Ta da! Greg and Leslie.

In spite of me playing for all these years I am still  only a very mediocre albeit enthusiastic player! 

Get this: I went to my very first yoga class Monday. I'm undecided about the next step on that.

I don't want to skip the bit where Tom had his folks in England on FaceTime.

It has been ages since we have seen Ray and Jane in person but most Christmases we do get in touch.

Visits with neighbors, meals out, bird watching at Lake Davis with Jonathan and Alissa, shopping, plenty of shopping, and more. It was a good and busy 15 days away from Campbell Street and now that we are home, we have hit the ground running, in part because the weather has not been very cold. On our way to the airport to drop Jonathan and Alissa off at the airport, we stopped at Lake Davis to look at birds. 

Much to our delight, they had just treated the lake, turning the water that gorgeous shade of turquoise! I spent countless hours circling this lake with camera in hand. I also fell and broke my wrist there but that's the only unhappy memory. So many, many birds.

We left Orlando on December 31 and it was an interesting way to spend one's birthday. 

We do have a nice place in Orlando but we have traded our view of the lake outside our door,

for a mountain view outside our windows. Both are great. 

And oh yeah, I turned 72 years old. My, oh my.

your friend,

Gail