And Then There Were Four

Seventeen Christmases ago, my sweet Bruce gave me a Christmas present, a digital camera, that would change my life. It is not very often that a gift can change a life, yet if I think about it, maybe it is not all that unusual after all? Has it happened to you? Since December 25, 2006 I have taken photographs every single day. Yup. Well there was that time I had pneumonia and skipped a week or two. Probably some other ailments kept me from "practicing" , but setting that sort of thing aside, a camera is always with me. Lots of people are in that boat these days, what with mobile phones, however when I began in earnest it was very unusual indeed.

Gosh it has been fun. 

I began this blog about six weeks after that Christmas and for all these years I have kept at it. I am behind though. 

I'm puzzling about where to start but maybe Christmas Eve will do.

Indeed that would be me in a familiar stance with a bag hanging off my shoulder and a camera in my hand. It was a glorious Christmas Eve candlelight service with beautiful music and a packed house. The youth group was raising funds by selling memorial luminaries. Bruce did one for Christian!

Should you be wondering, according to his parents, he is not only a good baby but the cutest one ever born. I just made that up, but doesn't every parent feel that way?? Well, I will say that my babies were not exactly angels but they were pretty darn cute, even if I do say so myself. :)

Although we were not there in person, we most certainly did not lack for companionship from those beautiful boys and now their loved ones, because beginning at 7:30 in the morning we visited with them either by phone or Facetime. Tom and Matt were joined by his parents, Ray and Jane, and when I saw this image on my computer screen, naturally I had to pull out my camera!

See, I was not exaggerating when I said my camera is by my side at all times! In the last post, I believe I mentioned gifts from a downtown shop were in our future thanks to Matt ordering from the only shop he could find with a website. It won't surprise you to see that all ornaments speak to our interests.

Here is where the title comes into play....Matthew and Tom gave us our fourth bird feeder as a Christmas gift and this one is unlike all of the others. Check out this link to Bird Buddy to see what it is all about. This is a terrible picture, taken through the parlor window with the screen on, but it gives you an idea what I am talking about.  It's the blue one with the camera!!There is a learning curve that we are still figuring out.

We have discussed taking down the unused trellises but then again, maybe we will put them to use this spring?  Birds, my friends, have been visiting all four of the feeders like mad to ward off the cold of which there has been plenty. The worst is yet to come. I have finally cooled off!

When we were not visiting with our sons, I was in the kitchen preparing the meal for our guests Mark and Mary Beth.

The menu was thus:

Appetizers: olives, cheese ball, and salami roll ups  (personally I don't need apps because I can only eat so much, but as they are expected, I fix them).

Dinner: Prime Rib, scalloped potatoes, spinach salad with apples/ pecans/feta, roasted asparagus and good old fashioned crescent rolls from the tube.

Dessert: The infamous sugar cookies clipped from the Orange County Register when we lived in California circa 1977. They are just so good, why mess with success?

Somehow we sat at that table for hours on end and so it was, a very excellent Christmas day. 

The ornaments from Matthew were not the only ones we received this year, Laura gave us this one.

Perhaps you recognize the building?

Our sweet friend Brittany dropped off some Christmas goodies which are pictured here along with some fantastic tea from Jonathan and Alissa. A match made in heaven.

As to the hot sauce, Nancy wisely addressed that package to Bruce. Mini, yet mighty? No thanks!

While we are on the subject of gifts, Ruth's birthday present arrived the other day and not a day too soon. The following day the wind blew like mad allowing us to experience a concert on the front porch.

Actually we could hear them indoors because of the ferocious wind. "Amazing Grace" is the name of the chimes and amazing they are indeed. 

Bruce bought me a little table for Christmas and spruced it up a bit and at the same time he fixed the front porch table that I bought before we even bought the house. That he took all apart,

using a rubber mallet.

Our house would not have nearly what it does in short order without the trusty Antique Marketplace on Peachtree Street. Reasonable too, as the little gold table was only $25.

Finally I tackled straightening out the pantry. For how long it will stay this tidy is anyone's guess, however if you guess about a month, I suspect you will be spot on.

I fully intended to write this post on Tuesday, however, fun got in the way of that. As many of you know, most of the time I just write whatever pops into my head  but on that day it occurred to me that it would be my last post while I was 70 years old.

So much for that....let 71 begin!

Michelle and David sent flowers.

Gosh it is nice having the cabinet! I mentioned fun and indeed it was a nice day, unlike last year when Mr. Bruce had a difficult case of Covid for the first time. I count myself as a very fortunate Mom because  our boys like to talk to me. Or so it seems because they called again on my birthday to wish me well. 

About ten in the morning our friends Keith and Patty came by for a brief visit!!  If you have been reading this blog for any length of time you already know that Bruce and Keith were quite the team in Orlando. Although they were visiting Blue Ridge with extended family, they made time for a visit.

Plus they brought birthday flowers which I have displayed in our office. If you are paying close attention you have deduced that flowers are gracing all of the rooms!

It was a real joy seeing them and to say that Patty liked the house is a bit of an understatement. I fully agree with her enthusiasm.

For the next bit I am just going to relate it as it happened. Because we had no firm plans after enjoying lunch at a local Chinese restaurant, about 3:30 in the afternoon we drove two blocks. No judgement friends....it was cold! 

We had arranged to meet Ken and Linda at Fairy Cross and so we did. While that sounds really early, we expected it be crowded, so in our quest to secure a table, 3:30 it was. Turns out it was not nearly as busy at that time as we expected. We had a glass of wine and chit-chatted. Is that how you spell it? So I cannot remember who exactly came next, but as the hours passed more and more folks we knew arrived. In the end we stayed until like 9:00, visiting with friends. Robert and Lisa, Julie and David, a new couple we welcomed into the circle and others I cannot remember. And yes I did drink some wine but not really as much as you might imagine given the time frame! Bill and Fallon's Christmas gift card came in very handy indeed. 

While we were there a front moved in bringing more cold weather. I popped outside when I saw this happening.

Looks pretty ominous doesn't it? Which reminds me, I've forgotten exactly what day it was last week but, wow, there was quite the overnight storm, with booming thunder and lightening that woke us up. Enough rain fell that river levels rose almost to the banks. It seems as if it was the biggest rainstorm since we have been here. 

If you recall all summer long there was nothing but a Carolina blue sky, but the drought has broken and the sky frequently puts on a show.

I am standing in the empty lot adjacent to our home.

Crazy birthday gift from Peggy alert.

Foot atop opened birthday gift which did feature Bruce's stellar wrapping skills.

Looking at this photo, I realize it also features his upholstering and painting skills as well. Speaking of that, here's the cute little table in place.

Way too windy and cold to play pickleball on New Year's day so instead we took down the tree and all of our decorations. It was such a special Christmas season we hated to see it end, but it is always nice beginning the new year with a clean slate. Although the high temperature was in the middle 40's yesterday, it felt far colder than that with the wind gusting up to 25mph. Aside from the tree which went in the basement, all of the other boxes are nicely stored in one of the closets upstairs which is really, really nice. For all of our years at the condo, storage has been an an off-site storage unit. College football games filled out the remainder of the day.

When we got in the car this morning to go on a badly needed grocery shopping trip, the story on the radio was about doing things to make yourself happy, like watching a bird through the window. And to be curious. Duh....you did not need the radio to tell you those things because you have been on a steady diet of Camera Crazy where you have learned all about those ideas. 

Let's keep it up friends throughout 2025 whether it be in your own yard or out and about. I'm pretty sure this Song Sparrow is giving me a look of curiosity. 

What do you think?

your friend,

Gail

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!! 

Settling In, Part Whatever

Our anniversary was on Saturday and I must say, we spent it in an unconventional way. Now that we've been here for more than two weeks, it was time for me to get serious about unpacking more boxes from our original move last summer. I didn't begin Saturday thinking I would tackle that project, but after having breakfast out at a nearby diner, Bruce began some chores to continue the porch prettying, while I did laundry and opened boxes. Before I launch into that part of our story, I wanted to show you a few nature photos taken on property. This Little Blue Heron sat on the dock watching the water as I watched it! That tongue!!!

Two weeks later and the bloom on the Bird of Paradise out back is still just as vibrant. I wonder how long they last?

Before leaving Vancouver, Dale promised that he would write and write he did; his letter arrived in Friday's post. BTW--there is no mail delivery in Canada on Saturday, something I found interesting. Anyway, I'd told Dale that once home I would have some prints made of our walk through Stanley Park, something I'd planned to do at Costco. Not so fast Gail. Costco no longer has an in-store photo lab which bummed me out. Walgreens to the rescue, and because they had a deal on multiple prints, I went ahead and had others made. Returning home with them, Bruce remarked that it had been quite a while since we'd seen printed photos, and both of us thought how great they are.

Probably it was sitting at my table that finally forced my hand. Turns out one huge box under said table was filled with a second box, both empty. And then there was two boxes of fabric. I threw away more than I kept. And I found a few things I'd been wondering about too.

After having lived a year without our things, it is far easier to give stuff away than it was when we originally moved. Not that we didn't give a bunch away before, but I found more things on this day. So, under my table is but one clear box of fabric, some of which I brought home with me from Vancouver.

Plus, I moved the computer to its rightful location. Because the table wasn't ready, I'd had it on the kitchen table, and while convenient, it was a little big. Plus, I found the quilt I'd made for our bed and changed that out too. The bedroom was looking too dull for my liking with an off white coverlet that added no pizazz whatsoever.

Actually, I used the back side because for the cheerful color, however, Bruce was not as impressed, saying, "you know how I like the patchwork look best". Thus, I turned it back over the next day.

We need some kind of new artwork for over the bed as that small print is just not working. So many things to think of, and it is just so darn hot that thinking does not come easily.

While I was indoors, Bruce was out in the extreme heat, changing the porch light,

after having painted both the metal door, beautifully I might add, and the shelving unit which he did out back.

The metalwork screen door is not necessarily our style, but it fits the condo and looks tremendously better after painting. Now our little shelving unit looks cute.

Sadly, no birds have found the feeders yet, but they will! I think I mentioned Bill had given us an Amazon gift card for Christmas, and we finally put it to very good use. Now the porch looks very inviting, or at least we think so.

Around 4 in the afternoon, exactly the time we married 45 years ago, we went down to the pool to cool off.

Judy asked recently how we liked sharing a pool and our answer is, great. After being a pool owner for so many years, having someone else maintain it is a real treat.

We did not go out to eat, instead we had hamburgers at home. While eating, it occurred to me that we should begin a new tradition of having hamburgers on every anniversary, after all, we ate at McDonalds on our wedding night, and it didn't hurt us a bit. St. Augustine, in those days, was a pretty sleepy town with all of the restaurants closed up by 9PM, thus McDonalds was our only option. Sounds pretty funny now doesn't it?

After church we used yet another Christmas gift, this time from David and Michelle. Sitting in our comfy little booth at Hillstone, I noticed the neon sign reading Houston's which reminded me of how they changed their name. And do you know why they did that? Do you care? I'm chuckling because I'm going to tell you whether you care or not. In order to not have to post the calorie count of their food, something chains have to do if they have a certain number of restaurants, they up and changed the name of about half of the restaurants. Most folks still call it Houston's nonetheless.

Nary a soul was out on the lawn or dock, and who could blame them as it was brutally hot?

Turns out that after nearly a week of little to no rain, the above clouds turned into rain clouds which in turn became a massive storm that hit while we were at the Hills.

A new guest was there last evening, a woman who just moved to Orlando two weeks ago. She remained calm throughout, however, that was quite the introduction to our massive, thunder, and lightening summer storms! It went on for so long that most of us ran to our cars, or homes, in the driving rain. At least it was cooler, I'll say that much.

I'm not sure how to read this morning's sunrise, whether the storms will return again this afternoon or not. Sort of a "red sky in the morning" thing.

Let's hope not as they are continuing to re-pave all of the roads in our little village and today it is happening in front of our place. We shall see.

The settling in continues....

your friend,

Gail