Well...Out and About

How is that for a title? Double dipping, some might say.

We have, indeed been here and there in the last few days. Today I took Maureen to the orthopedic doctor and he said she is on the mend. What does that mean, you ask? Tincture of time baby....walk, walk, and more walking is the best medicine at this point.

While Bruce was having his hair cut by the lovely Monica last week, she told him that as to their spot at East End market, she wanted to make some changes in the layout. Knowing he knows his kitchen equipment, she was hoping for a little consultation during their lengthened Friday night hours. And so he agreed. Stopping for a light, this photo spoke to me as I was flooded with memories of Bruce's brother Cris, working on the road as an ironworker eons ago. Lots of blood, sweat and tears go into any construction project, large, or small. Road building presents it's own challenges. Remembering when the expressway was built, no one used it, or so it seemed as I travelled it to Mercy Hospital as a newlywed. Ten cent tolls that were to cease when the road was paid for. Well, that did not happen! Tolls are everywhere in Orlando! Tourists are generally shocked, or so I've heard from more than one visitor to our area. Locals are shocked as well.

Although they changed the name years ago, I still refer to it as the East-West Expressway. :)

East End is cute as a button. Monica and David are doing so well, they are nearly outgrowing their space.

Bruce and David did some commiserating on how better to use the area. Our food was yummy too.

Driving down North Orange Avenue, I was so excited we were passing this on our way home, after seeing it in the morning newspaper. Yes, we still get home delivery!

Should you want to more about this cool project, you can read about it here.

Saturday we went to the gathering honoring Tracy at Mark and Michelle's lovely home on Lake Hart, near Moss Park. Lovely, and very big, I might add. Nothing official happened, aside from a slide show, condolences to both his wife and two sons, both of whom are graduating from University of Florida in May, and visiting. Lots of former Darden folks, as well as a few that are still working there, including Bruce's old boss whom I'd not seen since he let B go. Hmmm....I smiled, and smiled.

The boy on the left in the above photo is one of Tracy's son, along with his fiancee. Kendall graduates with a degree in Engineering, while Dylan graduates from Law school. Smart kids.

So, a bunch of the young folks congregated at the end of the long dock. Of course, I wanted to get some lakeside photographs...

They were kind enough to point this out!!! Sand Hill Crane!!!

Oh my goodness!!! Speaking of birds on the nest, a Great Blue Heron flew over my car as I was driving down my street. What could this mean, I wondered? Another nest so soon? Indeed that is apparently what it means.

Although I saw no activity on the nest on the right, I did manage to see a tiny bit of what is happening on the older nest.

Seriously, these trees are so tall, it is a wonder I can even get this. You can imagine I'll be checking in on them a bunch in the next few weeks. I am still so sad my owls are nowhere to be found. :(

Walking home from the heron house, here's ours through the trees, looking dark against the astonishingly pink Tabebuia tree blooming in a neighbor's yard on the next street.

Now you understand how we go crazy for these blooming trees that sadly hold onto their blossoms for way to short a time. Of course, then you have a pink carpeted lawn...

which has a charm of its' own. I took this over in Southern Oaks the other morning after checking out Lake Pineloch. David spotted some white Pelicans which are pretty uncommon in these parts. They were there, with Dave and Michelle's complex behind them, but too far away for a good photo. Perhaps I will see them today if I'm lucky.

Quite a flock of them, right?

Sunday arrived with our usual activities, beginning with church. People ask me if I miss the market at all--in a word, no. For a few months now they have been talking about a new cupola for the church. Apparently the old one was either badly damaged, or maybe destroyed, years ago in the year of multiple hurricanes. A very, very rare occurrence I hasten to add. Anyway, I decided to take a shot of the church before the big installation day which is late next week.

The wood around the top is in preparation. We still don't know anyone to speak of, however, that is not stopping us. I only wish they would speed up the music.

Bright yellow in both manufacturing, and nature.

Yup, more bright yellow trees are showing their sunny disposition all over town, not just in my yard.

Yellow, orange, purples, pinks, red, whites....the color of spring are enough to, well, put a spring in your step, don't you agree?

There are a few folks that find their way to this little spot on the World Wide Web who are not having quite the beautiful weather conditions we've been experiencing.....let us pray it will catch up with you soon.

The boss comes to town tomorrow and lo and behold, he's invited me to join them for dinner. Nice.

With a spring in my step,

Gail

Ryan to the Rescue!

For the last twenty one years, Mr. Bruce has used a Darden laptop. Well, you and I both know that is soon coming to an end, so a trip to Costco last week was made by yours truly and her spouse to purchase a new one. You've heard it from me before, a saying I learned from my sister--young people are native users, whereas, folks our age are "digital immigrants." That said, setting up a new computer can be a daunting task for an immigrant. That is where Jon's best friend Ryan comes into the picture. The sweet young man, well that is if you think 30 years old is young, came over on Friday night to rescue Bruce.

Hurray for native users! This is not the first time Ryan has come to the rescue--if not for him, I swear Jonathan would never have graduated high school. Not to be confused with the responsible Jonathan of today, back then, he was a super procrastinator, and that included getting ready for school. At the time I was working, having left for work at 6:30 AM, so not around to supervise, or more like, cajole Jon. To say that driving Jonathan took the patience of Job is putting it mildly! Thank you Ryan!

Before we go any further, there are a few buildings I wanted to show you from Miami Beach that I think you might like. Remember when the GAP was cool? Before they lost their way? At least the store off Lincoln Road is cool.

Actually they are building a new store nearby where Bruce tells me that a man died on the job!! He fell to his death through open flooring, not too unlike what you've been seeing at Bill's house. No longer though--I've not seen it with my own two eyes, but by Sunday afternoon, the sub-floor is in!!

Walking in the alleyway, I thought this combination was a little comical.

That truck was jam packed with cardboard--the sign on the side of the truck said something about a recycler, although when I saw the fellow coming towards the truck from the dumpster,  I couldn't help but think of what once was called, a trash picker.

I don't know what it is about me, but every time I eat at a fast food restaurant, this is most definitely the case! Napkins are balled up all around my space by the time I am done.

I did not eat there, however, with my history, I'm thinking it might be more than five!

So, who goes to a private home with 49 windows? Of course you know the answer to that, we did! One of the other project managers lives a little grander than we do, and if he said it once, he said it ten times, how he washed all 49 windows before the party Saturday night. Did I mention there are 49 windows? The party was for Barb and Steve who are marrying in April.

Steve is coming up against one of his friend Bruce's famous bows, and by golly, he beats it! The family knows of what I speak.

In addition to 49 windows, their home sits on a big lake with a wonderfully long dock jutting out into the water. Without their help, I may have completely overlooked this Sandhill crane sitting atop her nest.

After watching the nest building, they've been anxiously awaiting the new arrivals!  Now that is something I'd love to see--baby cranes!

While we're chatting birds, in the last two weeks our feeders have been overrun by these tiny birds,

whose identification escapes me. You would think they are in the finch family, but I've yet to discover which one.

So, we are on our way to Bill's last week when out of the corner of my eye I see something brand new to me. Big deal, right? Well, to me it was. I wish a photograph could really capture the BEAUTY of this flowering trees, which I think very well might be, not one but two white tabebuia trees.

Or, maybe not. Currently the city is filled with gorgeous yellow and pink trees in bloom, but the white is something entirely new to me. Looking around the web, I'm not convinced this is a tabebuia tree, but I don't know what else it could be. Any ideas?

Gorgeous, right? I visited SunDance yesterday to sign a licensing agreement, it seems like perhaps there is a market for my images on products. We shall see. I did learn, however, that Kirkland's placed a third order for the one they are selling, and as a matter of fact, it is of a tabebuia tree! Very encouraging to know these things.

Because of the party Saturday evening, we had to tear ourselves away early from our day job at Bill's house which is beginning to look more like a home every day.

He and I took a productive trip to Southeast Steel for some appliance shopping--it won't be too much longer before he'll need them.

Speaking of not too much longer, our trip to London for the big day is fast approaching! I'm mildly stressing about the weather, however, during our trip in October, I discovered that most of my fears were unfounded. Let us hope that is the case while visiting the UK in the spring!

Am I the only one out of sync due to the time change? Being the "early to bed, early to rise" gal that I am, I was enjoying the early morning light, when the calendar pulled the rug out from under me. :(