You can feel it in the air; more people are out and about with more energy and enthusiasm. Or, that is how it seems to me. For us as Floridians, the seasons are reversed; won't be long now that it will be getting hot in Orlando, staying that way until at least November. Other folks we know have made a trip to Florida this winter and raved about the weather as well they should. It was a darn shame we hit the worst weather of the winter in Orlando!!
That said, Bruce and I have stayed pretty darn peppy, in spite of the weather with more things to do than we have time for. My last post was a rushed one, although no one seemed to mind because who says no to colorful flowers? But I skipped several things that had meaning for us, so let us backtrack a week or so and go on what D'Anna called a Lenten walk. About seven of us met at the River Walk bridge.
From left to right, Mary, Gerri, D'Anna, and Esther. As you might note from the clothing it was a blustery morning.
We stopped every now and again and had some devotional time, but otherwise, like all groups of women, we gabbed and it was then that I discovered that Esther's husband was responsible for the River Walk!!
The first time I met Esther I asked her how she had spent her life and her response was something akin to "nothing much." Nothing could be further from the truth! Both she and her husband were very influential in this corner of the world, including the fact that she was the director of the
Folk School for seven years. But back to the river walk, she told me that she and her husband spent a month in a California city, the name of which I've sadly forgotten, but anyway, during that time they used a river walk and thought why not in Murphy and the rest is history! I had seen the marker countless times before, but never put two and two together. She is both beautiful on the inside and out.
Both Bruce and I love her!
A day or so later, or so I recall, the ladies group at church held a fund raising auction on things that the group brought in, including this handmade beauty.
Proceeds will go to making Easter baskets for shut-ins with home delivery service. I bought this super cool William Morris candle donated by Robin.
Yet another outing was to a jewelry making session with the pickleball ladies.
Saturday morning a pickleball tournament was held during more blustery conditions, with flower petals cascading down on the courts.
Mr. Peck played with his Senior Games partner, Cobby.
The group!
Then on Sunday, there was yet another fund raiser, this time for the preschool scholarship program. Miss Briget, the preschool director, led the children in movements and song,
and streamers.
After the service a salad and baked potato bar luncheon was held at the old railroad depot and my goodness did that turn out to be fun. The folk school house band played and TClaw (married to Miss Bridget), called the square dancing.
Instead of dancing I took photos, but it sure did look fun for adults,
and children alike. What was super fascinating to me were the Danish exchange students who joined right in, pictured clapping in the photo above. A group of twenty were here for a week, spending time with various families.
Our friends David and Sarah June getting serious!
So enough on the activity front, one day, Bruce and Dr. Dan did some painting on the church,
while I finally finished the quilt! Woo hoo! Just in time for the warm weather!
Trees are exploding with flowers!
Such beauty!
It won't be long before the magnolias and forsythias are green.
Remember the teaser on the Lilac? It is going gang busters!!
Not only are they pretty, but fragrant too!
Here is a shot of one of the small rhododendron plants taken on the 27th,
and here is what it looks like today!
Here is our Japanese Maple coming back.
A shot taken down the driveway, with with all manner of growth going on. Note the violets on top of the lawn, such as it is. Mostly it is weeds, that also grow like "weeds". Robin told me they are called Bird Foot Violets, so while looking that up I came across another name and that is Mountain pansy.
There are so many things popping out of the ground I can hardly imagine what comes next!! Tulips, hostas and who knows what else. With great difficulty we did manage to plant two beds filled with pansies.
I just cannot get on my knees very easily, so it is either bending over, or using a stool. I used both methods on my side which is pictured. Bruce still can get on his knees and he did a similar bed. The good news is we had a big storm that same night, so they definitely got plenty of water.
What has proved so interesting is how fast things have changed. It is like once a bud appears, things begin to happen lightening fast, that and the fact that, for instance, bulbs are one and done. Daffodils for instance. Most of them are spent, but I did come across these beauties.
I did purchase a few pots of mini daffodils that I hope will keep on coming!
Speaking of color...how red are these feathers??
While we fully intended to get back to Florida, things keep filling our days. Yesterday Bruce spent all day and some of today, helping Hank put together a Murphy Bed so he can have guests.
Hank is quite the inspiration working so hard at 83 years old, we feel like youngsters! That said, it is a good thing Bruce was there to help because it was totally a two person job. His company arrives tomorrow and will now have a nice place to sleep. The shelves on either side went in today in case you are wondering.
Today is Bill and David's 46th birthday! No way in this world, when we learned that we were having twins, did I imagine things would have worked out so beautifully. Hallelujah! Speaking of the twins, here is an updated photo of the latest male in our family.
Those chubby cheeks!!
Pep in our step indeed.
your friend,
Gail
