Since Last We Met

Isn't it great to be alive and healthy? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we lived each day in celebration of that rather than dissatisfaction with things? Let's do more of the former, shall we?

That is why this blog is a celebration of the everyday, nothing too extraordinary, just living life to the fullest, or at least to the best of my ability!

Let us start this post with some nature appreciation, beginning with these amazing blooms from Pam's garden. She'll scold me, (not really) for not remembering the name of this beauty.

Seriously, aren't these something? I didn't notice the text she sent me before picking her up on Wednesday night to join Irene and one of her Toronto friends, Halya, for dinner out at the Strand. She said, don't forget your camera so you can photograph this amazing sight. Well, I did have my camera, just not the time, so I went back over the next day to see it all its' glory. Because of the warm winter this tree is blooming like never before.

Exuberant comes to mind...not sure why, but it does.

Arriving at Lynn's darling house on a small lake,

the sun was just going down, making for a lovely view. It was actually warm as can be which was just fine by Halya! Lynn's patio looks as if it should be in a magazine, doesn't it?

You might note the open door...hot as can be it was! During dinner there was lively conversation and good food for all. Halya, seated on the back right, was set to drive to Sarasota in the morning, hoping to bask in the sun while lying on the snow white shores of Siesta Key.

Around our yard the Nandina plants are sporting loads of berry bunches. Inedible, of course, but oh so pretty!

And, drum roll please...the first blooms on our Tabebuia tree...

Seriously blue sky isn't it? What a great winter for Irene to move here from Portland..nothing but blue, sunny skies this year! Wonder of wonders, also set against a crazy blue sky, I saw not one, but two eagles in "our nest," as in the one within biking distance. I spoke with the homeowner who tells me that these days they are so accustomed to seeing them, and hearing them, I might add, that he takes them for granted. I met him last year when they were just buying the house, and apparently, the renovations are ongoing. His adorable sons were featured in this space a few weeks ago.

Although I've done pretty well at staying away from Greenwood, I just had to make a quick visit the other day, and did not see our owl, however, I did see a bird, sadly from afar, that I've never photographed before. An American Kestrel is sitting on this branch, believe it or not!

Friday night we were thrilled to accept Bill and Roxanne's invitation to accompany them to the Dr. Phillips Center to see "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder." Although I'd been in there before, just to see the facility, I'd yet to actually go there for fun, nor had Bruce. Roxanne looked quite glamorous in her elderly Mother's mink that she wore in her honor. Although she is still living, she is on the wane.

There are some beautiful views to be had from the private area they are part of..remember this green space when it was completely covered in Pulse memorials?

As you can see, City Hall is still sporting the rainbow colors! It is so rare that we go out much at night anymore, both of us hate night driving, that I sometimes forget out lovely the city looks lit up.

Of course, the blue sculpture in the foreground was once the most hated piece of public art in town, however, the LED lights are giving people a new appreciation for it. We'd just left the Citrus Club, which is so nice, and what just occurred to me is how the connections between people and places are so amazing. Most of you know our son Matthew lives, loves, and works in London, but what you don't know is that journey began nearly 25 years in the same building that houses the Citrus Club, when he worked as a 16 year old for a prominent local law firm. That led to some connections over the years and now he is working for a prominent world wide law firm. (Condensed version!)

I was just relating Matt's story today while attending a "Celebration of Life" for our dearly beloved friend Betty who passed away at the ripe old age of 96 back in December. She asked for a potluck, and what Betty wanted, Betty got! Oh the desserts! Always great at church functions.

Actually, I took this early on...the table was laden with goodies about 15 minutes later. It was like old home week for me because so many of our old church friends that I hadn't seen in ages were there. Of course, some I needed help with on their names...too bad Bruce wasn't able to attend because between the two of us we would have been bound to remember everyone. I was delighted that they used the photograph shown in this 2012 blog post for the cover of the program.

Here's one way to display family photographs...too bad so many did not have the years on them.

Imagine that she lived through the Depression, WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, and everything since, and yet, she still remained such a positive person, which is how I would love to be remembered.

How about you?

yours truly,

Gail

p.s. This is a big p.s. friends....Fallon passed her nursing exam this week!! Oh happy day!

Getting the Inside Scoop

Blogging Friday morning, a text came in from Pam about her sewing machine tension...could I help? Sure, I'll ride over on my bike. After checking the machine and setting things straight, I asked her, "do you want to see a nearby eagle's nest?" How would you answer that question if you were the curious type? I thought so.

Off we went, riding down Ferncreek. It is always great fun showing someone a nearby neighborhood that they've yet to see, and this time was the no different. As we rode down Waterwitch, on our way to the cut-through to Harbour Island, and yes, that is how they spell it, I spotted an eagle in the usual spot in the tall pine tree, lakeside. That is how things started...

Pam was freaking out at how cool it is in Harbour Island, with all of the old trees shading much of the road and beautiful homes, saying she could not wait to show the area to Glenn. I can't say as I blame her because it is a very special place, right off Orange Avenue, that is like being in another world altogether. Before we got to the eagle house I saw a girl a little ways away taking a photograph with her mobile, and I knew that something neat was going on. Indeed it was...this hawk sat and stared at us until I started moving closer, and off it flew.

If you are keeping count, that is two raptors so far. We rode down to the house and were disappointed that there was not an eagle in sight. Boo hoo! After a bit, I said let's ride down this way and I'll show you around a little more. We came across these beautiful bushes filled with blooms that Pam could not immediately identify, although she did guess that perhaps it was a mango.

Anyone who knows Pam's garden prowess knows that her guess is generally an educated one, and indeed she was right. Fragrant as well.

Not quite ready to give up, we rode back to the nest, hoping in the interim something would have changed. We ran into John Mears, (of Mears Transportation for my Orlando readers) while he was walking his two Boxers. We chatted. He'd not noticed the nest until he saw me looking at it, but now his eyes were glued to the tree. Lo and behold, he said I think I see something moving. Sure enough....

Not great, but still exciting. Following the sighting we went on our way, with Pam and I splitting up at the entrance to her neighborhood, but not before we saw yet another hawk fly into the tree canopy over Pershing Avenue!!

Set against the new Spring green leaves it was so pretty, eventually putting on a bit of a show for me. Remember, I am not a nature photographer, only a nature lover!

Wouldn't that have been an awesome photograph without my movement due to my excitement?? Not long after he/she took off toward my side of the street!

And now you know why it is called a Red Shouldered Hawk! Pretty neat, huh? You would think this hawk was accustomed to people as I got yet another photo when it flew onto a hedge.

No eagle, but wow...two hawks in one morning and that is not counting the one we saw way high on top of an Australian Pine out Pam's back door. Amazing, really.

Friday evening we went to a charity event with David and Michelle, sponsored by the Junior League, of which Michelle is a member. It is not often I get a photo of Bruce and one of his sons.

I only wish the elder Peck would have been looking more at me! Held at the former Peabody Hotel, it was a night of fun and bidding on silent auctions. More another time on that topic!

Saturday morning, while Bruce was at the job site, I rode over, once again to the nest. I told you I was in real danger of becoming obsessed! I was so excited when, yes, Mr. Eagle was on the lookout.

Let me put this into perspective for you...

Way the heck up there for sure!

While I was milling about, the gentleman, whose back yard contains this tree, was out working in his front yard, and you won't be surprised to learn that I struck up a conversation. Mr. Joe Stine could not have any nicer had he tried. Oh my goodness, we had such a nice visit, with him filling me in on the eagles, who apparently have been using this nest since 2006!!

Don't you just bet he's been wearing his hair like this for decades? I do. Well, anyone, again Orlando folks will find this crazy interesting, Mr. Stine used to run Harry P. Leu Inc., the business founded by Mr. Leu whose story you will find HERE. If you've ever been to Leu Gardens in Orlando you won't want to miss it. Joe took over the business from his own father, who has a neat mention in this article from the Orlando Sentinel. You may not know it, but mostly I write this blog for myself, learning as I go. I'm fairly confidant most of you never go to the links I add, but I keep adding them nonetheless. How else was I to know that Joe's dad was originally from Charleston, SC? Must be where he got his Southern gentleman manner. He and his wife Joan have lived in this house since the island was developed in 1974.

He pointed out a number of camellias in his yard that came directly from Mr. Leu before he turned the property over to the city! He recounted tales of playing on the grounds of what we now call Leu Gardens. You can imagine I was giddy with excitement! He also told me that generally the eagles only have one eaglet; should there be two they would fight like mad for food. While we were chatting up popped Mama and baby.

As you can see, the sky became overcast during our conversation, making photographs more difficult, however, we did see both parents fly to and fro before papa took up guard once again.

Should you be curious about the dark heads, I've learned, and perhaps you already knew that the eagles generally get their white heads around age five.

Apparently, in 2005, the year of three major hurricanes, the island lost one third of the old trees including a previous nest. We are seeing the latest model. :)

Now you too, have the inside scoop!

Speaking of perspectives, last week when I went to the cemetery, while chatting with some folks, one of the women picked up a pine cone, marveling at the size. My friend Sue loves giant pinecones, so I asked if I might have it for her. Absolutely, she replied. Putting it alongside one of my hibiscus blooms gives you an idea of just how gigantic it is.

Isn't that something?

Are you tired of birds yet? I hope not because this little guy visited recently and I could not get over how RED he is. Come August he won't look anything like this beautiful!

Had enough for today? Watch this space for the next installment which may or may not include some birds.

In bird heaven,

Gail

Big Birds Day

I don't know about you, but adjusting to daylight savings time has taken longer than usual for me this year. It just feels so weird for it to be broad daylight at 6, and later. Then too, I don't like dark mornings either. I mentioned in my last post how lovely the weather has been, and while that is mostly true, it has been unseasonably hot with little to no rain. According to the newspaper we are a fraction above normal rainfall for this time of year, due for the most part because of our crazy rainy January, if this keeps up for much longer that tiny surplus will be no more.

Without further ado, let's get to our main topic for the day....

This time last year I was in the midst of my owl obsession, which, we all thought would be easily repeated this year. Remember how cute they were?

I'll bet you also remember that you were getting sick of seeing them! Well, I heard from someone in that neighborhood that although they had not seen any owls this year, they heard them. That was enough for me to go on a hunt, riding my bike first to their former home, and coming across two of my favorite things...an old VW bug with fallen tabebuia blooms.

Riding every street, I looked for ground evidence, finding none. Discouraged, once I got home I decided to make a trip over to Greenwood Cemetery where I'd heard from folks that there is a huge eagle's nest. There are both a huge number of trees and the place is big, so when I was told it was in a giant pine tree I had at least that to go on. Mostly there are oak trees, so that helped a lot. Driving slowly, I scanned my surroundings. I'm always amazed at the decorations people come up with, especially in the area they call "baby land," a very sad place indeed.

The pine trees came into view and indeed there is a gigantic nest,

with no eagles in sight. I walked around looking at it from every direction, finding no sign of life. Because it is not far from our parent's graves, I drove by their marker that is in serious need of cleaning. Why didn't I think of that before I went?

Along the way I saw this marker which holds some meaning for us. Not because we knew Joe Tinker, but Tinker Field was the home to a minor league baseball team called the SunRays when the children were young. Or youngish anyway. You've probably heard the story of how Bruce worked the concession stand there in order to garner free tickets for the boys to be able to go to the games. Then too, I once took Jonathan to see a Spring Training game there, and he got to see Tommy Lasorda when he was the manager of the Dodgers, his favorite team. Those were some fun days.

As with most things that have any meaning in Orlando, Tinker Field has been torn down. :(

Bruce's boss, Steve is a mighty nice guy. He looks it, doesn't he?

One of the things I really like about Steve, as you can imagine coming from a wife, is that he has great respect for Bruce and his abilities. He came to have a look at the job and was shocked at how difficult it really is. Tearing apart part of the mall, and rebuilding it into something beautiful is no easy feat, and the way the job has been going, shows just that. Steve has every confidence that Bruce can make it happen and he is not shy about saying so. We met for dinner at Ocean Prime, a lovely restaurant we'd never been too before. Excellent in every way, including this carrot cake we shared.

Yesterday morning, oh yes, we are finally getting to the title shout out, after the previous days disappointment, I decided to ride over to see if our neighborhood eagle was to be found. Riding down Ferncreek in that direction, I noticed a side street with multiple blooming tabebuia trees. Mexican flame vine as a bonus!

Then I noticed some beautiful orangish daisies in a yard where the folks were out working. I asked if I could photograph them, and was given the go-ahead.

Aren't they sweet? Even more wonderful is the story of these daisies. I'm pretty sure her name was Linda, but don't quote me on that, went on to explain that they came from her Mother who is turning 104 years old today!! Linda's mother got them from another friend, and Linda has had them in her yard for over 30 years. I had just the most wonderful visit with them...so many Orlando connections! I would write more, but I'll never finish this post at this rate.

What I will tell you is that during our conversation the man asked me if I knew about an eagle's nest in Harbour Island??? No way!! Thanks, and thanks some more. An eagle's nest within biking distance is more than I could have ever hoped for, but here it is my friends.

The nest is gigantic! Way high in the air it is hard to gauge, but according to this, which has some amazing eagle shots should you care, generally the nests are between 5 and 6 feet across and 3 feet deep!! Honestly, seeing nature in action is just the best. As you can imagine, I very well might have a new obsession....

I've seen people do some really stupid stuff with a mobile phone in their hand, but this guy I saw as I turned into our neighborhood has either really, really good balance, or is really not thinking right.

After lunch while returning from some errands, lo and behold, the white pelicans were back in Lake Pineloch within my camera's range!! Parking the car, I ran across the street to watch, and what a sight they are.

This is a really neat blog with information about white pelicans, including how they run in packs and fluff the water looking for prey. I learned from another sight that they can weigh up to 30 pounds and have a nine foot wingspan. They kept getting closer to the shoreline along Summerlin where I was spotted by our friend Pat while I was staying close to the road barrier with camera in hand.

It is hard to describe what a cool sight it is in person. Then too, a few would fly in; do you suppose this is where the idea of water skiing came from?

It seems as if other birds want to be nearby, perhaps to steal a fish? Don't know, but I did see several blue herons keeping close watch on the activity.

I wish they showed up better...these are the days when I so wish my zoom was longer!!

So, there you go...from eagles to white pelicans, it is so good to be back out and about.

Having stopped writing, and gone on my bike ride, my next post will be birdy once again. Oh my, what a morning!

Always ready with my camera,

Gail