What the Peck???

 If ever there were an example of how unpredictable it is using the mail instead of online for bill paying, my recent experience is all the evidence one would need to make such a case.  Holy moly! It is hard to remember why I decided to write a check for my car tag renewal because it was so long ago. Dropping it in the mailbox seemed like a good idea at the time. 

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

My birthday came and went, as did the last day that my tag sticker was valid, and still nothing. Day after day I checked the mail. Finally, on the 11th of January, the sticker arrived.  Checking my canceled checks I learned that it was written on December 15. One would have thought with the tag office but two miles away things would have gone smoother, however, one would have thought wrong. Never again.

That said, there are folks who either don't have access or don't have the skill set to navigate this digital world and that makes me sad. There should be room in this new world for both kinds of folks in my humble opinion. 

Back to the action, albeit weeks ago!

To date this winter has been colder than in recent memory. The windows are often covered with moisture of humidity because it is ever-present in the state of Florida, one reason people often remark how the temperature in Florida feels colder than in some of the Northern states.

When we went to the Orlando Wetlands Park with Jonathan and Alissa, the sky was bright blue and slightly chilly.

About a week later we made the same trip with Matt and Tom and the weather conditions were just the opposite. A dense fog covered the landscape as we made our way down SR 50 towards Christmas, Florida.

The previous week:

Nearly the same location a week later: 

It's easy to see from the photos above which atmospheric conditions are favored by most. Do you agree? They are scanning the water for alligator a favorite activity when Tom comes to town. Note the vultures atop all of the palm stubs.

Our wish was granted and we saw an astonishing amount of alligators on this second visit, say 30 or so, many along the shoreline. This big group is wary, although in our experience, they leave folks alone if you leave them alone.

Particularly on the road they call Alligator Alley. See below. 

I was super delighted to spot a Green Heron,

and while disappointed not to see the huge numbers of Tree Swallows this time, we did see a huge number of Black Bellied Whistling Ducks who were doing just that, en masse.

One of these days they are going to finish that building, or so one would hope.

Here's how Bruce managed to take the Christmas tree up to the front of the property for disposal. He's a clever fellow--that he is.

Because both Matt and Tom are very busy with their jobs, relaxing was in order while they were visiting. Tom finds doing very difficult jigsaw puzzles relaxing and so I let him do all of the hard ones that people have given me. I do know my limits!

If you can imagine, and perhaps there are some who can, he completed not one, but TWO 1,000 piece puzzles during the few days they were here. The only bit of help he received was near the end of puzzle number two as he wanted to make sure it was completed before they returned to London. 

We continued our December job of shopping well in to January, going to IKEA along with REI where we went to pick up the jacket we'd ordered Matthew for Christmas. Additionally, we picked Matt's brain for a little interior decorating suggestions which were promptly implemented. What a difference changing the direction of a room rug can do for a room!! Sort of like changing the orientation of the kitchen table which, I must say, has been life changing. The wall art Bruce moved around, while not life changing, has been a welcome change. My suggestion to you, should you be in the market for a small change in your environment, is to have a friend or family member take a look around your place and perhaps they will see things that you don't. In the end, we didn't buy anything new, just rearranged what was here. 

As well, we have a new internet provider after Matthew set it all up. They came last Thursday and while it seemed to go faster, that is until Sunday morning when we woke up and there was no connection. After some online tweaks, speaking with someone was the next step. He suggested we trade in the modem that was installed only three days prior. Once Bruce unplugged it, he discovered that it was used which was confirmed by the Spectrum employee when we traded it in for a new one. 

And so we are entering a new world of internet speed. 

One day we stopped here for lunch.

While waiting on our street food orders, I popped across the road to check out some of the street art, including this one.

The large boat reads, "the good life" while the text beside the woman on the other side says, "the best is yet to come." While I do hope our good life does not crash into shore, the idea of the best is yet to come is wildly appealing. How about you? Are you down for that?

Just before the London lads left (say that a few times fast), our beautiful tree began shedding leaves at an alarming rate. I mean there was, in the words of Matthew, a leafy carpet, and while we know it has done so in the past, this time it just feels more extreme.

So, here's how full it was mid December,

Sadly, this is what it looks like now. I will report that the rate of loss has slowed, thank goodness!

We are very much hoping that it is an annual thing, much like the arrival of the Robins.

On the 5th of January we once again became empty nesters, also an annual thing! 

While they did not complain, there is a lot in the newspaper these days about how the new international terminal has not been as well received as the powers that be had hoped. Apparently, there is far too much walking and from what I read, their response was, so what? Hmmm.....

Long after their departure I am going to be getting a lot of use out of this very fun visor, purchased while they were shopping at Track Shack. 

Speaking of pickleball...who me? 

Not only did Matt and Tom give me the visor, I received something from all of the family. Below I am sporting a new skort from David and Michelle, new shoes from Bill and Fallon, and a ball holder from Jonathan and Alissa.

The ever-changing winter weather as evidenced by my outfits! Thinking about the kids dressing me, the  cap is one that Matt knit for me some years ago, so while wearing the above getup, I always think of our wonderful family. We are  most definitely making gift giving easier on them! 

Amongst all of the gift giving, along came my birthday and everyone had to think of something else to give. While this towel is far from true, Michelle gave me something to aspire to!

Oh yeah baby....peace, love and pickleball!!

Let's go!!

your friend,

Gail

p.s. The title refers to a t-shirt that we saw on a lady at the wetlands. Tom promptly suggested it for my first blog title of the new year, but it seems more fitting now, as in what the peck have you been doing not blogging for ten days??

p.p.s. I've sad it so many times before but having a blog is wonderful in so many ways. Good memories can be relived and sometimes sad ones too. While looking for something, I came across this super important post from 2014. Not only does it detail something life-changing, there's a photo that could fit into this post nicely. Don't miss it!! 

A Storm is Threatening

It is times like these that not having our own home is a good thing. No yard to worry about cleaning up, no pool, the same, and the sense that we are all in this together in the event that Hurricane Ian actually comes our way. Here is the latest model, the inclusion of which will be interesting to look upon in a few years.  Heck it will prove to be that in a few days! We shall see, although obviously we are hoping for the best.

Pickleball continues each morning at 7AM and I've been keenly interested in how the sky changes each morning as we begin our drive on Michigan Avenue. 

The crows seemed to have vanished. Before leaving the other morning, the dawn sky was captivating, made even more so by the presence of a crescent moon. The little black spot is a flying bat, one of many.

We begin our day playing under the lights.

Before long though, the weather becomes hot and sunny, with most of us leaving with clothes soaked in sweat. If that is healthy for you, we all should be very good indeed. In keeping with including our newfound friend group in this space, here is Shirley, Paul and Marta taken one day recently.

I am super sad to report that Marta, while going up high for a ball, lost her balance and broke her wrist today. The good news is that it is non-displaced which hopefully means it will heal quickly. Let's hope so because it is so fun playing with her! Before we leave the courts, one last thing is a visit today from another pro pickleball player, Salome Devidze, from the country of Georgia, who mostly plays singles.  When I spoke to her she mentioned that we were wearing the same shoes. Indeed we were.

That tree of ours!! Heavens to Betsy it is huge! The MacGyver in this family dreamed up a new way to trim it from upstairs using the clippers inserted into some pvc pipes. He has some imagination, doesn't he?

As you can imagine, with heading to the courts most mornings, my bird love is taking a bit of a hit, however, one day last week we went to Lake Davis after playing for three hours. Not easy to keep moving, I will admit, but when the migration season is upon us, well, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. An Ibis, a Brown duck and an Egyptian Goose all in one. There were so many birds, probably about a hundred!

One early evening, Nancy met us at Hawkers where we took advantage of their inexpensive happy hour menu. This was the last thing we tried Chinese Barbecue Baos.

Nancy and I loved the Japanese fried chicken, whereas Bruce was more of a fan of the Korean. Two orders of Edamame were almost not enough, that's how much we love the way they serve them. The light was looking good, prompting me to ask my chauffeur to drop me off at Lake Eola for a photo-op.

Friday mornings the courts do not open until 9AM and of course, after four days playing, a rest is a good thing, so we oftentimes try to do something special. Because Fall is a huge migration season, not that you would know it here, but anyway, other places are now cooler prompting birds to fly South, thus, let's go to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive and see what we can see. And what, pray tell, did we see? Not enough, not enough.

Our first bird though, was a TriColored Heron atop a tree. This kind of heron is not spotted nearly as much as other kinds so it was a little surprising. As we made our way through we saw others. I was just explaining to Bruce that someone mentioned seeing a flock of about a hundred which surely must be a sight to see.

Actually, typing that sentence, I remembered that while reading at the pool last Thursday, I first heard it and then saw an eagle in one of the nearby pine trees, something that has not happened in quite a while. As we were leaving the house to go to the pool I said, I forgot a camera and you just never know. Unfortunately I did not listen to myself and continued on my way, thus I missed an excellent opportunity.

Okay, so back to the drive. Although it was merely a glimpse through the foliage, I'm thinking there were other Egrets in this band.

Exiting the drive, we made the short drive to Playalinda Beach on Canaveral National Seashore. It was very disappointing, to say the least, how hazy the conditions were, making my shots of Artemis pretty terrible. Still, we saw it, so that was super cool.

The actual beach, on the other hand, was not hazy at all. In fact, it was absolutely glorious with water so perfect, we could not have special ordered it that way. Oh my, was it terrific.!

The waves and undertow were out in full force meaning these old folks had to be extra careful, which we were. I spent loads of time in the water, as did the identical twins pictured below. In fact, in our area, we were the only ones who spent any time in the water at all. (their dad is pictured in the hat)

Actually, I spoke out of turn, Bruce did go in the water with me a couple of times, and we both agreed the water temperature was absolutely perfect. Another person in the water was this guy who, while walking, I spotted getting his kite sorted out before he got in the water where he flew like the wind, or more accurately, with the wind!

For those who have never visited this beautiful beach before, the rocket launch pad is at the end, however, due to the haze, almost invisible.

The wind picked up dramatically, with Bruce folding one of the umbrellas down altogether, and dropping the other one so that it did not blow away. As you can see, not only is the beach beautiful, with not a speck of seaweed to be found, it is delightfully uncrowded as well. Perhaps it is the cost which is far higher than it used to be. Because we have a National Park pass, for us it is free. Aside from a possible threat of a hurricane, which btw, does not happen often very often, late September is a glorious time to be at the seashore.

As is our custom, Bruce pulls over at the park adjacent to the causeway so that his beloved can do some extra bird watching. This area rarely disappoints as the birds congregate alongside the river.

Finally, in an unrelated subject, and I do mean unrelated, I made some green salsa last week and it was yummy. Roast all of this stuff at a high temperature and when soft and blackened, put it in a blender or food processor, adding some chopped cilantro and a little salt. You will be glad you did, if you like this sort of thing.

Hard to know what to expect in the next few days, we were in Canada the last time a hurricane came through these parts. Here is hoping folks are safe and continue to have electricity. That's just the worst this time of year.

your friend,

Gail

Sunday in September

Yet another Sunday has come and is half past and our routine remains out of whack. Bruce is over helping Bill this afternoon and I'm delighted to report that there are very near the finish line with the floor. Actually the room is complete, as is half one closet, with the other half on the agenda today along with another smaller closet. While it took far longer to complete than Bill and Fallon were hoping, the end is in sight. While on the phone with her yesterday she said she cannot wait to hang her clothes up once again. Who could blame her? I also confirmed that she is in her last semester of book work with clinicals to begin in January! We are so proud of her hard work and determination! Before we know it, she will be a Nurse Practitioner. 

Will we ever be able to gather for church again? Of course, but right about now it feels like forever. The same goes for seeing Maureen at the nursing home, something I've not done now for six months! The good news is that she seems to be just fine, easing any worries we might harbor. 

One thing I did yesterday was begin to puzzle about the birds on the beach that I photographed two weeks ago. 

Identifying shore birds is not a skill that comes easily to me, especially when they are in a flock. I've learned that there are Terns and Royal Terns, but it was just yesterday afternoon that I learned that there are also Mustard Terns. Say what? Yes, such a thing exists, and the identifying marker is the tip of yellow at the end of their beaks! And while I thought the above would show it well when I chose the photograph, I realize it isn't that great, so here's a better look.Better? I've also just learned that there are 2,059 bird species in North America. While that is an amazing number I think there are more types of insects than birds. Oh nature, how you do cause wonder.

Something else of note, or at least to those of us who have been looking for a new swimsuit of late, turns out those too are experiencing a shortage according to this very fascinating article about the area in China with the most swimsuit factories. If the article is not of interest, I do suggest you at least look at the photographs. Very messy, some of those workrooms are. At the very least, it is interesting to know where our swimsuits come from.

Michelle was so sweet, dropping off a little goodie bag while returning the Tupperware container I'd brought over. Filled with macaroni salad, a dish I've not made in ages. but know that she likes. That container belonged to Bruce's Mom and it looks about as good as the day she bought it, but that's Tupperware for you, it never fails. Did you know that I sold it for a short while during our stint in California 40+years ago? It was a good thing that it mostly sold itself in those days!

Ah yes, pumpkin. It's that time of the year isn't it? More so in other places, but in an attempt to imagine it was Autumn and cooler than it is, I made a Pumpkin Bundt Cake. Looking everywhere, I finally found the recipe I'd been given by my mother in law many years ago. It is both typed and stained. Nearly torn in two, I was just happy to have found it because although there are plenty of recipes online, I know this one is tried and true.

Before I located said recipe, I had looked online and in one recipe it called for toasted pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, to be sprinkled on top. Another one spiced them which sounded appealing. Well, never imagine that all things go as planned in the kitchen because it doesn't. This fail was a first though. What went wrong? You tell me.

Would that be poultry seasoning Gail? Why yes, you are correct. It pays to read the label!!

Is there anything worse than a crummy peach? Of course there is! I was suspicious when the sign said they were from maybe Idaho, I can't recall. My fears were confirmed, and it quickly went into the trash along with the poultry seasoned pepitas.

That's the thing about fruit, you just never really know what you are getting, especially while wearing a mask and cannot smell it for ripeness. Now that seriously complicates matters.

It's been raining cats and dogs here, but you wouldn't know it from the "official count" as reported in our newspaper. Imagine our surprise, having checked our rain gauge the evening before, to see this.

A trace? A veritable monsoon, we collected 4.5 inches! According to the above, 15.87n inches fell in 1945 during the month of September. By our count we are nearing that already as most days we are receiving upwards of 2". I'll be curious what is reported at the end of the month. Before you go and tell me that rainfall is collected at the airport, we are between the two airports, and while it has been known to rain on one side of the street, I'm still not buying these totals.

This is our friend Patti who rocks the pickleball court. Oh my she is good and when I grow up I want to be Pickleball Patti, my nickname for her.

Just like us, she is always up for heading to the court to either practice or play. Nancy sent me a darling Lily tennis dress the other day that came in the mail. I brought my camera and asked Patti to take our photo. Mr. Peck is both rocking his sweatband and his ankle brace. It may be fun but it is not without challenges where our bodies are concerned.

Shopping has not been one of my pandemic past times, thank goodness for Nancy.

I'm not complaining one bit about playing every morning because I do love it for the fun and exercise, but every now and again, I need a photography fix, so I went over to Lake Davis to see what I could see. Turns out I saw a Muscovy family on the move, probably assuming I had food.

Another thing I saw was the very interesting Egyptian Goose. Maybe a month ago we saw a pair along with a few ducklings, a rare sighting at Lake Davis. I don't know where the others went, however this one seems content hanging around.

Perhaps you recall our horror at seeing the lake so low for months on end? Not so these days as evidenced by the mark on the water level sign. Not as full as some years, but pretty darn full.

Showing it to Bruce, he thinks the lake has risen about 2 feet. Guess what? It's raining for the second time today. Gray and gloomy to go along with. 

All the rain has caused explosive growth on our new tree, something I've been mentioning far too often for some folks tastes. Looking through some earlier photographs, I came across those taken when we planted our tree. Here's what it looked like in March 2019.

At the time Pam said it was going to be too big for the space, something that seemed unimaginable at the time. The moral of the story? Pam knows best because, as our friend Gayle said, it is like Jack and the Beanstalk! I had to stand inside our door to get most of it in the photo.

Now you can see for yourself that I'm not exaggerating! I sure wish some of our rain would head over to the Pacific Northwest and quench the raging wildfires. Jackie texted yesterday saying that even in British Columbia the smoke was so thick it was blocking the sun with extremely poor air quality as a result. We get hurricanes, they get wildfires, neither of which are good. Heartbreaking. 

One final sad thing, or at least it is if you are an FSU football fan. New coach, same results. Another heartbreaking loss is in the books. Always another game, right?

your friend,

Gail