Exciting Stuff, at Least Most of It Is!

This morning we were chatting about what excursion we might take today with several ideas in the mix. Because I get up when it is dark and generally don't turn on the bathroom light, it was a big shock when I went in there to brush my hair and discovered some gunk in my bathroom sink. "Honey, come take a look at this please." Hmmmm......

By now, there is no doubt that you've heard about the shortage of available tradespeople and we discovered it for ourselves when Bruce began making calls after taking the drains apart and snaking them to no avail. What is so weird is that it happened overnight. It seems as if there is a problem with the pipe coming into our place, but I guess we will find out when Emerald Plumbing comes tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, Bruce has asked our upstairs neighbors to please not use their sink above for fear ours will flood. 

All that to say that we went nowhere as it took all morning long to sort it out. As is always the case, there was a silver lining if you count cleaning as a good thing. Of course I'd been putting off cleaning the floors and other miserable tasks, but with time on my hands, I got it done! 

Onward to the exciting stuff, some of which I held off on posting because my last post was so darn long. 

Above, my dear readers, are a pair of Hooded Mergansers, ducks that we only have the pleasure of seeing once a year. Early last week I spotted a pair on our lake but since that time they have gone AWOL, so it was with great joy that I found some in a retention pond behind Publix.

Isn't it so interesting how different the males and females look? What I really love is when the male puts up his hood. They are easy to spot from afar with that bright white!

If that were not enough, last week I watched my first satellite launch from the shoreline. Normally I don't follow space stuff, but somehow I saw the launch count on my computer, setting my phone alarm to alert me when to go out back. I must say it was pretty cool.

I know, it doesn't look like much, but it should be remembered that it is 55 miles away. When the trail began it really looked neat.

As you can see, it was a perfect afternoon for a launch. 

Even more exciting was the news Bill gave us last weekend that new dedicated pickleball courts were soon to open in nearby Dover Shores! Not that they will replace what we do here, but it will be nice to play on the small courts with no running after balls. We immediately drove over to check them out after he'd done so and said that they were beautiful. He was not kidding!

Taken through the fence, it shows just how small a pickleball court is compared to a tennis court. No doubt they will soon be crowded with players daily. What we have learned since is that the neighborhood center was slated to replace their badly worn tennis courts, but shifted to pb instead because the demand is so high. Smart move. Walking around the whole property because it had been a long time since we visited the area, we came across some young men playing handball.

They travel some distance to play at these courts as public handball courts are few and far between.

Driving home we were just in time for the sun to drop below the horizon over Lake Underhill.

Winter sunsets are the best!

As promised, my new and cool pole lamp.

The rug, meant to a place holder until I found something larger, is not going anywhere because Mr. Peck loves it, no matter the size!

It must have been last Thursday that Bruce invited Clinton and son James over for more pickleball, with our neighbor John making up the foursome. 

It took no time before their prior racket skills kicked in, making for some fun, competitive matches. 

Don't you just love a crescent moon in the daytime?

I've marked the full moons for the entire year on my wall calendar in order to plan camping trips accordingly. Of course it has been awhile since last we went camping, but when we do go again, I'll know the best nights for stargazing.

For the most part we are avoiding people when we can because Omicron is raging. Two friends tested positive late last week in spite of being vaccinated. While it has been reported that the symptoms are mild, what is mild anyway? Who, amongst you, likes having a sore throat? Not me. Both David and Michelle are scheduled for surgery and they, too, are laying low in order to avoid being rescheduled. Most everyone I know is just plain sick of the whole thing as am I. Then I remind myself that it isn't WWII when people suffered for years on end.

Speaking of WWII, I finished The Girl From the Channel Islands and it was excellent. With Christmas fun out of the way, I'm diving into novels once again. The Wonder Test was another winner, this one about the lengths people in Silicon Valley will go in order for their children to succeed. And now I am nearly finished with Five Tuesdays in Winter, an excellent short story collection by Lily King. Once I finish all of my library books I'll move onto a Japanese mystery, first published in 1973 called The Honjin Murders, a Christmas gift from our Austin family. So, while I may not physically be going anywhere, when you have wonderful books to read, you can go places from the comfort of your home. 

After church yesterday I made my first olive oil cake, adding poppy seeds because I like them. It could use some glaze, but otherwise it is pretty good. I tasted one for the first time during a visit to Prato and have been imagining it ever since. 

A first time for me using a recipe from a website called, Bake From Scratch. I'm thinking it won't be my last use of their collection. 

Sunday's blessing came in the form of the gorgeous Tabebuia tree blooming in the courtyard. 

Such a shocking pink color that begs to be admired. 

Earlier today, before I found the drain problem, I'd been rummaging around in my blog for posts about St. Augustine. I love going back in time and perhaps you might like it as well? I'm thinking two things---I intend to blog more often allowing the posts to be shorter and two, I'm going to begin posting an old post from the same date years in the past. Sound good? 

A post from January 7, 2009. We were most definitely living an entirely different life back then. 

your friend,

Gail

 

A Birthday Birding Trip and Celebration Too

When last we met, I mentioned that Michelle, who loves all things birthday, was doing her best to get me to celebrate mine. It worked. She, as is always the case, went all out bringing roses, a wrapped package,  other gifts and ordering enough pizza for a week. Lest I forget the cake...

Lemon, it was. Not only did it look wonderful, the taste was super yummy too. 

The reason I was so specific about a wrapped package is it is kind of a running joke around these parts because Mr. Peck is such a powerhouse when it comes to wrapping. Not a one of us can compete with his mad skills. Although I thought I'd photographed what is in the box I have not, so until I do, it will remain a mystery.

Actually, I made it easy on the family with gift suggestions. Bill and Fallon got me some new shoes for pickleball. I'd still not had the nerve to wear the new ones I'd fallen in, so as it was way past time to replace my old pair, I asked for these. Now that I've worn them a few times, eventually I imagine when these wear out I'll be long past my fear of the KSwiss I'd purchased only weeks before my original fall.

Before we could do any celebrating, the tree had to come down and I was very happy that Bruce did most of it.

He's still in his pickleball outfit because, you guessed it, that's what we did on the morning of December 31. Turns out we did the same as last year according to this post.  There are some interesting thoughts as to where we were in the pandemic in that post. My predictions were wildly incorrect to say the least!

The purpose of the photo above is not to brag about the open door and sunny day to those in colder climates, but to show off above the door. When Bruce was in the storage unit he found two remaining canvases of mine and darn if it didn't make me happy to re-live the joy of the moment when I saw this heart-shaped cloud. So happy, in fact, that I've put it right up there to enjoy every day.

Before Jonathan and Alissa left, they gave me a wonderful cup/mug from Seattle and some of the best tea made. Seriously, Harney & Sons for the win!

We had pizza, pizza and more pizza along with some premium adult beverages. I neglected to try the champagne, but the rotating door of the box was enough to convince me that I really missed something.

Of course the college football playoffs were on and to be honest, the games turned out to be pretty predictable. The Saturday slate was far more exciting. I wish I could report that we stayed up until midnight but we did not. I'm just not a late night gal. Wait, what should I be calling myself? Late night gal just sounds better than late night lady, or so I think, anyway.

The roses continue to evolve;  gosh they are pretty.

I may have been a little hasty in my concern over the tree because while it has dropped plenty of fronds, new ones are sprouting everywhere. Whew!

A birding trip is what I ask for as a birthday gift and while I thought we would go on my actual birthday, pickleball took precedence. Saturday the same, Sunday church, Monday we taught some friends from church how to play pickleball.

Finally, on Tuesday, we went birding. 

Bruce is such a great companion because he is so patient with me and although he is not as wildly enthusiastic about birds, he does love all things related to nature. Seriously, what's not to like, right? Anyway, he drove us over to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, and it was a glorious day. 

Younger birders try to get to their destination before sunrise, however, we are no longer young and Bruce drives in the dark only if he has to!

The hot weather has abated for now, so with temperatures in the low 70's, it was super pleasant having the windows down as we drove slowly in order not to miss a thing. Before long before beauty found us.

While we are mostly there for the birds, it is hard not to be taken in by the beauty of the winter grasses. Creeping along we saw a car pulled over and I got out to see what he was seeing. With his scope he identified a group of Ring Necked ducks which he kindly pointed out to me.

Here's a closer look.

Aren't they cool? There is a little ring on their bill.

Mangroves line and dot the large, shallow ponds of water. With the gorgeous blue sky reflecting in the water...oh my!

Many of the bodies of water have no waterfowl but when you see this kind of thing, get ready to stop.

Oh my goodness, we hit the mother-load! 

Not only were there White Pelicans, but loads of other birds I rarely see. On every trip I am hoping we will see Roseate Spoonbills and I got my birthday wish!

Their color is so striking they stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. I'm hoping this means the pelicans will be arriving on our lake before long.

In the foreground there is an American Avecot, and a Reddish Egret. 

Only one more ok?

I lied!

Can you blame me for getting carried away? 

Reluctantly we carried on, coming to a spot where you can take a little walk to a tower for looking further afield. Because I always do on my birthday birding trips, I had Bruce take a photo of me. 

Yup, it was pretty windy. He did get one without the wind, but where's the story in that kind of photograph?

Exiting the drive after seeing very little, aside from a few gators, we next stopped at the park alongside the causeway where I was hoping to see more birds. Indeed.

Black Skimmers galore lined the shore and then....

Needless to say, it was thrilling.

Before leaving we had lunch at Dixie Crossroads, a Titusville mainstay, having been in business since 1983. It is a huge restaurant seating over 400 with a fairly dated decor, but excellent food. 

Canaveral Browns was what the server called the shrimp, fresh caught not far from where we were seated. The ladies restroom, well, about that dated decor.

At any rate, it is the food people come for not the decor! Black toilets anyone? 

Once home our friend Patti came over with my birthday present and while the present is fantastic, it was really the card she thought was perfect for me. 

She knows me pretty well, don't you think? :)

All in all, a very good birthday and birding!

your friend,

Gail

 

Christmas Past

As you would expect, I've got a lot of ground to cover in this post, the last one of the year of our Lord, 2021. What a year, eh? Some positives for sure, but overall I wouldn't say it has been the best year globally, what with a slew of natural disasters and the Covid-19 virus ebbing and flowing. Yesterday's news claimed that there were more daily cases in the US than at any time since this blasted pandemic began. Just when we began to think it was abating, right? Although this strain seems to be milder, people are still dying preventable deaths, mostly because they refuse to be vaccinated. Tears for Fears had it right when they sang "It's a Mad World" back in 1982, although I suspect they had no idea how much madder it would become!

The blog.

You might be thinking, why does she keep it up? In some small way, it seems to matter to some readers. something that was brought to home in a text I received from the husband of my reader in Portland. I'd sent a condolence card saying that  I knew he didn't know me but I wanted to express my gratitude to his wife for being such a faithful partaker of the blog. He responded that indeed he felt he knew me because apparently she would read it aloud to him. It was a sweet thing to hear, thus I feel as if my efforts are not in vain.

And now my friends, let's move on to Christmas activities, or lack thereof. Matt and Tom sent this gorgeous arrangement which if you can imagine, 8 days later, still looks great aside from the tulips.

Last Wednesday morning Jonathan and Alissa arrived from Austin, safe and sound. Pretty much right away, I enlisted Alissa's help in cookie making. Using Bruce's Mom's recipe for gingerbread, I'd made the dough Tuesday afternoon, chilling it until she arrived. For a first timer in rolled cookie cutting and decorating she was a stellar student! Plus, she has way more patience than I do when it comes to the decorating aspect. We began with just using sprinkly stuff,

and because the yield is so high, on later batches we tried using frosting which while it tasted good, it was thicker than it should be and the spreading aspect left a little bit to be desired! 

Of course I insisted they see the incredible light display on Clemwood. No matter how many times I see it, the joy of the creators in this display shines through. ( no pun intended)

Pickleball Christmas Eve Invitational is what Keith dubbed this photo. Missing is Alissa who joined a little later.

Jonathan is on Bruce's right for those who do not know him. He took to it right away, although I can't say as we've convinced him to play at every opportunity, unlike Bill who is over here playing as much as time allows. 

Because of the pandemic, things were a little more low key than normal, but not nearly what it was in 2020 when we had what I called a "Porch and Screen Christmas".  Unlike last year, it has been warm as can be. Of course the coldest Christmas that we have ever experienced was this one which if you want to see snow, be sure and check it out! I've heard from Jackie and it has been extremely cold and far snowier than we experienced during our glorious year in Vancouver. 

We left the lights on for Santa on Christmas Eve and it was lovely seeing them from inside the next morning.

Our visit on Facetime with Matt and Tom was really good. We laughed, opened our gifts, and had the rare treat of seeing their resident garden fox. By then Jonathan and Alissa had joined us around the computer.

When the repacked package arrived from London, Bruce wondered if everything was intact and I'm happy to report that that was the case. Somehow my included birthday gift remained wrapped and it is pictured just below Bruce's hand on the right, decked out in adorable owl paper. Tomorrow I will open it and see what surprise awaits me.

Both Bruce and I received a bevy of thoughtful and generous gifts from our wonderful family. Two gifts are pictured below.

Matt and Tom are interested in my birding education which will definitely be expanded because it is a British book with new and exciting birds to see. Adjacent to that is a new quilting rule from Bill and Fallon which will replace the one below it that has seen loads of use over the years. It too, was a Christmas gift from Bruce, probably circa 1990. Since that time rulers have become way more sophisticated, so much more, in fact, it will take some  getting used to. 

Jonathan and Alissa took one trip  to visit friends during 2021 where they bought these pretty gifts.

Following that gift exchange, Bill, Fallon, David, and Michelle arrived for the day. We toasted the day with Mimosas and spiked egg nog along with some munchies.

With no one in the mood for photos you will just have to take my word for it, fun was had by all. Again the gifts were thoughtful and very generous, especially a weekend away voucher to St. Augustine. Closer to home, soon we will be indulging ourselves at Hillstones, a big favorite of ours. Michelle totally surprised me with this gift.

I needn't remind you that I love most things mid-century. I'd totally forgotten that she found this on Etsy when we were discussing the bowl I already have in this pattern. Here's something that I just learned about this style. Made by Universal Potteries out of Ohio, it was primarily sold in Sears stores beginning in the 40's. It is called a refrigerator jug. So fun!

For years and years we've eaten Christmas dinner with Lisa and her family, however Covid has put a stop to that because Danny has compromised health. So, yours truly, put together a meal that if I do say so myself, was pretty darn good.

December 26th I found myself looking out this window at 8:30 in the morning.

Maureen had a small set-back with a very low hemoglobin count so she was admitted to the hospital following a blood transfusion. After a year when I've had some disheartening experiences with healthcare workers, Zumelia, pictured with her back to me at her request, was a breath of fresh air!

She was so incredibly kind and gentle with Maureen; if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes I would find it hard to believe. Coming to Florida from Venezuela she was once a professional, but her options here were limited. That said, she kept saying how much she loved her job as a CNA and who am I to disagree? Maureen is back at Westminster, no longer anemic. :)

As I mentioned, we did very little however one day we went to Orlando Wetlands Park which they seemed to enjoy. I am always up for a birding excursion, so you know that I was happy. 

It's a bit of a strange place but there are gems to be seen if you keep a keen eye out which is what Jonathan is doing here.

Alissa and I had walked ahead, something that I regretted as soon as I learned that Jonathan saw some otters crossing the road!! I am happy to be able to show you a Purple Gallinule up close, unlike the ones I posted before when they were further away.

The days passed far too quickly but we are so grateful they were able to make the trip. Our last night together we tried going to Hawkers but none of us were up for a 45 minute wait, so instead we went to Mamak which did not disappoint. 

Then it was an early rising again for the Austin family, driven to the airport by the patriarch of our family, leaving the matriarch sound asleep. That said, I must have sensed their absence because I woke up at 5:30 to find them gone. Laundry ensued. 

While the decorations are still up, it won't be long before they too will be put away for another year. 

It was a good Christmas and really, the only thing that would have made it better was having Matt and Tom here with us. Extended family would have been good too. I've said it before and I suppose I will continue to do so, but gosh, having Facetime really is a blessing. 

Michelle is doing her best to make tomorrow's birthday into something in spite of my protestations. Do we really have to go out? Hurray...pizza will be in the house. Along with some good college football games!

your friend,

Gail