You Weren't Expecting a Donkey Were You?

I was up close and personal with this donkey today while visiting Lukas Garden Center's Butterfly Encounter this morning. Man was it hot in there; I'm not much of a sweater, but good grief it was sweltering. While driving somewhere with Bruce recently we heard the director of BE on the radio enthusiastically describing the wonders of their butterflies. Although it was good I'm thinking his enthusiasm was just a touch biased. Turns out there is a butterfly festival there this weekend and they were waiting on a shipment of two hundred new butterflies; they kindly gave me a free pass for another visit. I decided to drive out to Winter Springs this morning and scout out the location of the art festival that happens in two weeks and Lukas was nearby. Located in a tiny village named Slavia it is a huge nursery with thousands of plants, pots, and even a pasture with two cows and a donkey. I approached the fence and he/she came trotting right up to me. Kinda cute huh?

Prior to getting there I stumbled upon an area called Black Hammock; familiar only because our vendor neighbors (the orchid couple) are from there. I drove down a country road heading to Lake Jessup and saw this field with horses, cow birds, and in the distance a few wild turkeys.



Before leaving the house I checked Google Maps and the mileage listed was 32; I didn't follow their advice finding a route that clocked in at 21. With the MINI gas is not that huge a consideration, but in my head I always think of the adage "waste not, want not" when making decisions that involve money. Now we'll know the shortest route when the time comes to set up.

Speaking of money here's an article from the Times: Thomas Friedman Knows What To Do With the Economy

Bruce called telling me it was chilly in Pennsylvania and he better pack a jacket next week. Living with the Florida heat it is hard to imagine how chilly it becomes in September. From there he headed into New York staying at a casino hotel in Seneca, NY last night. He's not much of a gambler, but every now and then when the opportunity arises, he'll play the slot machines. Apparently he won $100, giving back $20. He left the house with cash, but needed the new infusion after giving a soldier in the Philadelphia airport money for the bus.

Danny's kidney surgery is scheduled for tomorrow; let's hope this is the last he'll have to face and the Spak household can get back to normal. It has been an extraordinarily bad year for them.

The dress I ordered for the wedding arrived today; I'm thinking it's not going to work.