Picaresque

Fresh Start- Picaresque: the Sequel

2010-05-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

In the last post I complained about Blogger being on the fritz. It wasn't, I was. The maximum number of photos alloowed in a Picasa album is 1000. In 1132 blog posts, I maxxed out the Album. So, if photos are to continue, I must start anew.

The link to the continuation is here:

http://picaresquethesequel.blogspot.com/

If you wish to continue on the blog trail with me, bookmark the new site or put it in your favorites.

Tropics to the Tundra

2010-05-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

Blogger is on the fritz today. The pictures disappeared. Text clues will help you place them. There were four, now there are two.

My day of rest after storiing the RV was a rainy one-a perfect day for rest. Monday night the kids took me for a bon voyage dinner at Marcello's. From the outside Marcello's is a little bistro in a strip mall. From the inside, a classy Italian food venue with food to die for.

Tuesday after morning rush hour I took the leisurely usual route past the park then to the Florida Turnpike. It irks me to have to pay for roads just as crappy as the free ones but it does save a lot of miles. It was a hot day and our first rest stop for the dogs was at Canoe Creek rest area. Buster collapsed. I had to lift him into the van. I had planned a little sidetrip to Panama Beach but decided getting to cooler climes was in his best interest. It was downright cool at the Cracker Barrel just before Pensacola where I fed dogs, myself and took a nap. After four hours we were on the road to Biloxi/Gulfport in the dark.

A rest stop at the Mississippi Welcome Center produced the picture of the jet flying above the moon. Great concept, not so great picture.

The GPS's had a battle in Gulfport and I had to settle it in finding the highway to Hattiesburg. That four lane is usually tranquil but with the reinvestment act, it was torn up and congested. Mississippi spends little money on its roads and Jackson, the capitol was a nightmare. Signage was of no help but the GPS finally saw me through it. Keeping to my intention to spice up the trip when I could, 20 miles past Vicksburg, we turned north to go up what the map said was scenic Louisiana. To my right was at least ten miles of aging railroad cars. To the east was farm country- nice, but not spectacular. Then I came to Transylvania! The elementary school was defunct and spooky and the main scenery was in my head. For miles thereafter I concocted a novel set in Transylvania, Louisiana. There really is a very beautiful lake and resort area after you go past two correctional facilities. Then I found myself in Arkansas where I intended to pick up I-40 at Little Rock. Everybody and their dog has a church. Passed a "biker church" and other churches of original names and crappy theology Passed "Toad Suck Park" near Little Rock. (google it)

The last time I took I-40 in Oklahoma it was bumpy enough to send my head into the ceiling and windy enough to require a constant vigilance. I am not pleased to report that it is much the same. They deserve no tourists in Oklahoma. Up I-35 to Wichita was a smooth trip and a model of what you pay a toll for. I waved to ancestors's graves on I-135. The plan was to go to Oakley, Kansas and take another jog north to North Platte via McCook, Nebraska which impressed me with its cobblestone streets 10 years ago ((RV trip home Jason and Lori's wedding in Texas.) It has changed. Now it is sliding in some areas (old blighty) and is trashed up with fast food places etc. (new blighty). I saw some farms in back country Kansas that operate on a scale I have not seen before. It was all 55 mph two lane but pretty good road. So I enjoyed it.

North Platte is also benefitting from economic stimulus funds. All torn up and no motel rooms for man and dogs. So we took a good nap in Hershey, Nebraska (Western Truck Stop) starting at about 10:00 pm. Honey who passed many opportunites to relieve herself in five states decided it was time about 4:00 a.m. She woke me up and after a refreshing short walk we were on our way to Ogallalah and up highway 26 to Scottsbluff. Another four hour nap in Bridgeport, Nebraska. A walk and supplies at Walmart in Scottsbluff. Stopped at the Cenex in Torrington, WY and bought gas and gloves! It was starting to snow. My hands were freezing and painful. The winds on I-25 were so strong the van, which is pretty tight, was wailing like a woman from the wind whistling through the side doors. I was planning a stop to see Rich in Casper but it was starting to really blow and snow so I called Delores for a Riverton weather report and pressed on after a gas fill at Flying -J (restaurant defunct). Driving in the snow for 120 miles, watching snow caked vehicles coming towrd me was concerning but Riverton was not bad, I can see green grass here. The house was very cold and it is just getting warmed up. I went to bed on a heating pad last night. The dogs are glad to be home. Buster seems improved. Honey is pleased and playful. I am glad to be here too and I am told the weather will get better.

Road Trip

2010-04-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

I came home to this! My little valley is actually better but the neighbor said the pasture was underwater less than a week ago from snow, runoff and copious rain. I drove through snowstorms from Torrington, WY to Shoshone. I am both cold and sleepy so the bed is very inviting right now. We are all glad to be home. We all survived and I'll tell you more about the trip tomorrow.

Lapping Up being in the lap of Luxury

2010-04-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Deerfield where the kids invited me for a day of rest after the storing of the RV. I have 35 year old expectations in a much older carcass. The job of storing was a big one. The good news is I pitched a lot of stuff. I feel good about the job. David, from the storage yard met me. He is huge and gets fatter every year. I worried watching him gulp air.

The Boca Bash was yesterday. All kinds of boats met in the bay by the Boca Raton yacht club. I photographed many boats of all sizes, shapes and description-same with the people. I'll post them later in an album. Great fun to watch as they paraded past.

The heavens opened today for a huge deluge and tornadoes from Mississippi to Largo in the keys. I am glad to be here. Miss Lori just brought lunch. I've been mapping routes-like I always do- hoping to see some new country and sights along the way but also keeping the possibility of a mad dash home in mind too. Some dodgy weather along the way.

Plugging Away

2010-04-24T05:18:00.001-07:00

The doggies are in Deerfield while the final push is on. I miss them but this much more efficient and easier on them.

We Are Climbing Jason's Ladder

2010-04-22T04:12:00.000-07:00

The solar fan installation went well. From observation, it needs pretty direct sunlight but it is efficient when it has that. It should help. Moving to the front of the RV, liquid gasket was applied around the roof amber running lights. There was drip up there when the rains were heavy. Next, the TV anntenna will get some silicon lube. If time permits, a bead of caulking will reinforce the seam where the awning attaches to the RV.

An upsetting email from Therese: Rene's tumor is malignant and inoperable. Radiation and chemo commence on Friday. I try to maintain a glimmer of hope but it does not look good. Skype video calls with Andre and Nicole from their Montreal home. L-o-n-g Skype SMS chats with Jeanne. (about her reactions to the news). It makes me sad to hear this. Saying 74 years is a pretty good run is not as consoling when you are 67. It is our common fate, however, to depart this mortal coil (whatever in the Hell, that means-I am going to look it up.)

Missed Deadline

2010-04-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

I bought a few more days in the park. We have had daily rain slowing the progress-stuff has to be dry to store down here. I bought a solar fan to mitigate the heat and moisture that is taking a toll on the RV while stored. I cast about for someone a trifle skinnier to get on the roof of the rig. I called Greg. He returned the call from Georgia, then called with an update from Pennsylvania. That prospect was eliminated. They will be in NY and home today. When I went to Deerfield for a dinner yesterday I brought back an ingenious, sturdy folding ladder and I can reach what needs to be reached. Jason is in Orlando or a few days for a company meeting. He will be back before departure day so that is a bonus too.

Miss Honey has been a brat. I was loading the dogs in the Van yesterday and she took off. She had some poor kid on a park bench surrounded. I don't know what gets into her. She was hard to catch. She absconded down in Deerfield too. I think it could be spring and she will surely welcome being at home in Wyoming to run. Meanwhile she is constantly leashed.

I caught Therese and Rene on Skype and so talked to and saw them. They looked good. Still awaiting test results.

Drudgery

2010-04-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Setting up camp is loads more fun than breaking camp. Good news-quite a bit of stuff is hitting the dumpster. Blogging may be meagre over the next couple days. I am perking along, though.

Hurrah for Pep Boys and Brazil

2010-04-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

The kids invited me down for Thursday afternoon. Lori is doing some remodeling-mind changing. The house was in disarray but the painters are Brazilians- good-looking, good workers. They suggested two authentic Brazilian restaurants. We chose Minieros, the more casual one. The thing in the middle of the table is a signal. Red top up means "leave us alone." Green top up means "bring us more meat!"

Since I no speakee Portuguesee, I couldn't wrap my tongue around this traditional rum drink's name. It tasted a lot like a daiquiri, though. There was a plentiful buffet with many dishes. You fill your plate with those. Then Luis or someone like him comes to your table and slices off delectable char-broiled meats of several kinds. Luis, is in charge of selecting, cooking and serving the meat. You have tongs in your cutlery to catch the meat with.

His knife is very sharp and if you complain he can swiftly cut your testicles off. (just kidding-who is going to say anything bad to a guy with a sharp knife, though). The Brazilian desserts were ho-hum but since I inquired about them, Luis quickly fixed a pineapple, put a generous coating of cinnamon on it and char-broiled it. Sliced thinly, it was delectable. We were waiting for the karaoke but it must have started on Indian time because we left a half hour after start time and no action. It was a very good meal, and a very nice time. Lori's treat. This restaurant definitely goes on the do-over list.

I got the Van into Pep Boy's before noon yesterday. They performed the services I asked for, reported no mechanical problems and I walked out for $87.00. The slight shimmy I had detected was from a thrown balancing weight-just as I supected- I even knew when it flew off. The oil is changed and we are ready to roll when the time comes.

Jeanne called during the meal. She translated Therese's email. Rene is doing well at home, gets exhausted, speech is very hard for him, it is hard waiting for the biopsy results. He has no problem understanding spoken language but mentioning his illness causes him surprise and distress.

A Hutch but no Rabbits

2010-04-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Lew and Greg traded up to a great place! Their Florida home is a modular-two bedroom (at least) two bath, with Florida Room and very well kept. For them the economics work out better than their RV and they have good space. Greg is itching to get his tools (toys) down from NY and Lew is facilitating his folks move to assisted living. Big downsize, there. Hence "the hutch" which holds many of his mother's treasured pieces. They went to a consignment shop and pretty much furnished the place for $2000.00. It is very comfortable.

J.J. picked her corner and wanted to show me her toy. I love those dogs. They are my buds. I wish they got along with my dogs. Honey and Pupper play well but the other two get alarmed.

Greg in the Florida room. There is a daybed in the corner. This great place costs them only $800.00 a month-lease purchase. Since the lot rent in this secure, gated community is $720, they are getting the house for $80.00. Pretty damn good deal. If I come back to John Prince next year the lot rent is $812.00 and I have to bring my own house. When I first started coming to JPP it was $480.00. The county hasn't heard there is a recession and other accommodations are cheap.

I left them to go to Midas to get my tires balanced and rotated. It was a screw job from the get-go. First they told me it had a tie rod problem. $1000.00 part. I said "no way." Then they told me they misdiagnosed it and it needed upper and lower ball joints- $1200.000. Then they told me it was wheel bearings and shocks and I could get by for $720.00 Then I told them to give me my Van back I was going to get a second opinion. Jim, one of the maintenance men here, says Pep Boys is a good place to go. We shall see. Bad, bad taste in my mouth over Midas.

I am terrible about my mail. Almost all my business is via internet these days. I opened several months of forwarded mail, disposed of about thirty pounds of junk mail and catalogs. If there is a website, I don't need the catalogs. There is about two pounds of real mail and some magazines. I'm looking forward to reading my Christmas cards. I have those pretty much winnowed down, though. When I am in the tropics Christmas isn't real. I haven't been sending any for several years.

Wild Start, Tame Finish

2010-04-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

From the Palm Beach Post pictures section I present Heidi Montag. Heidi may be the most cosmetically altered woman on the planet. She can no longer run or smile. The picture pretty much portrays what she can do. I am sure she is a brilliant conversationalist-everything from "A to B."

You would think that a man who had a two mile bike ride and had given his dog a bath by 9:00 a.m. would have a sense of accomplishment. Instead I was livid. Miss Honey had been given bad ideas by her owner. Two nights ago I let her go after a coon. That turned out O.K. A few cockleburs to remove but no harm done to dog or coons. Last night, Buster, who had only had one tinkle all day was overdue. Honey had been watching for her chance and in the midst of a rain storm, was off like a shot chasing a possum. I thought she would be right back. Then I heard her barking outside the campground manager's house (11:00-ish) and thought we were in deep doo-doo. I retrieved her but not before I watched her magnificent predator skills being employed. She would grab the possum by its yucky tail and drag it out of a bush, fighting and squealing. I think we made it out of there without being I.D.'d. This morning she was at the ready and as soon as I opened the door she was gone. She led me on a merry chase. She was into the marshes and out again chasing whatever she could. I was chasing her on the bike. Finally I turned back and that was a game changer. As long as I am pursuing she thinks it is a great game. I headed home, she followed. I snagged her and led her home. She was filthy with swamp muck. So the baby shampoo came out and the hose and a towel. She was less than cooperative. There is enough shampoo left on her that she will make suds if she gets wet again. She is looking better tonight but she was a sight all day and I am not sure her tail will ever be white again. Haven't seen a possum all day though.

Puttery day other than that. Sorting for storage and making progress. Will go to see Greg and Lew's new digs tomorrow.

Went for lunch, stayed for Supper

2010-04-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday was laundry day and and another great day at Deerfield. Jason cooked great burgers on the grill. We visited and visited. We watched Phabulous Phil win the Masters. Those big screen TV's are amazing-you can see the tension on their faces in HDTV. Matt called and we played pass the phone. Lori went househunting on the Internet for me. I don't think I am quite ready but the park keeps jacking up their rates, it became obvious that that there is a whole age cohort of us who are looking at our hole card and watching the grim reaper have his way with whoever. The kids are looking at becoming 10 month residents too- Lori is looking for a bolt hole near her family in Texas. They like visiting but feel the need for their own space after about a week. It all may come to nothing but the window shopping is fun. I took some pictures of birds and flowers. Conner and Bebo and a friendly pigeon were the avians.

But for their propensity to crap on everything, pigeons are beautiful birds.

I popped for dinner-take-out from Park Avenue Barbecue which is amazing. The deluxe sampler includes ribs, chicken, beef and pork. So everybody was happy. I moseyed home about 9:30. We were settled in when the rain started. It was quite a storm -flooding in Miami below us and in Wellington above us. The wind made it horizontal and I got a face full through my bedroom window.

Latours left Sunday morning. "The group" is adjourned. All that are left are casual acquaintances and that is a good thing. I have plenty to do.

Funny Florida story: Royal Palm is very ritzy enclave- some of the mansions and yachts I have taken pictures of are in Royal Palm. Included residents are two families in which the husbands are lifelong very different friends. The accountant lives in a $14.5 million house and his wife threw a birthday party for him. He is very short. His lifelong friend , who used to have to lift him into the schoolbus is tall, thin, has a pony tail, and has gained his considerable fortune by having a stable of sixteen strip clubs. As is very often the custom down here the guest list was "semi-open." So the strip club guy invited several bouncers and managers and their" flavor of the week" girlfriends. A boatload of young men, stereo blasting, caught sight of the festivities and the eye candy and decided to put into port. The bouncers explained that the party was private. The "booty pirates" decided to shock the old fogies and commenced to mooning and "full montying" not having an inkling who they were dealing with. The shore dwellers dropped trousers and sent a volley of their own! The hostess was beside herself but the men thought it was hilarious. Best-birthday-EVER.

Asphalt Angels

2010-04-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

It was mostly a quiet but productive day here. Guy's wife came by to tell me that Guy left me some spaghetti in my outdoor fridge last night. It tasted like my own. That was the second treat they had left and as Jeanne and Marc are leaving tomorrow also, I whipped over to Hoffman's Chocolate for some parting gifts. They had some of their famous chocolate covered strawberries on the counter for the taking and the lady gave me two of them- a very nice surprise.

The Asphalt Angels are a restored/custom car club that lends their cars as a draw for good works. Today it was a blood draw and Animal Shelter. I looky-looed right over there. It was more pleasant than I anticipated because they had a DJ with songs of the eras associated with the cars. Cars are so American and so associated with our life and times it was a trip down memory lane. Whether it was seeing them in magazines or actually knowing someone who had one...it was fun to look, admire, and remember.

Asphalt Angels Car Show

Click the link above for the car show.

Greg called. They have upgraded their home in the same park-for the same money but lots more space and newer. They are going to become 10 month residents of Florida and use their place on the St. Lawrence seaway for a summer camp. He follows the blog and entirely coincidentally had started sleeping on a pillow, on his stomach, a couple of weeks ago. He, however, is rail thin. The quality of his dreams has changed too. Maybe he has a different relationship with his pillow than I do with mine?

Hopeful news from Montreal: Rene has a growth but it is close to the top of the brain-about 1/4 inch from the surface. He will undergo a biopsy but at this point they do not feel that it is malignant. More will be known later this week-Biopsy is Tuesday. He is talking more with the aid of some meds. He will get to come home for 10 days on Thursday depending on the biopsy. Maybe I am just a suspicious person but the actions and the pre-diagnosis don't seem entirely consistent to me. Surely they would not be sadistic enough to get hopes up to dash them. We have hope in our hearts.

Buster had a better day today. Ate, peed, pooped, and took a little interest in things. Honey was mellow after her big day at the seashore.

Juno Beach with Juneau and Honey

2010-04-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

The kids called and wanted to go to the dog beach in Juno Beach. Forty miles for them, but about twenty for me and they beat me because I went via A-1-A and got lost in West Palm to boot. The doggies are truly friends. They were glad to see each other and Juneau was a good teacher for the newbie girl. They had a blast, met some new friends got wet and tired.

Honey took a little rest and hydrated with dad. Her coat gets heavy temporarily and while she didn't actually swim, she got soaked. It was a perfect day, warm but cloudy and we got a rain-more like a mist.

We were going to find a dog-friendly sidewalk cafe but Juneau barfed in the Mercedes just about as quickly as they started the car. Too much saltwater because he did not seem the worse for it. The kids lost their appetites and passed on lunch but I got a sandwich at Toojay's and wandered down the coast at a leisurely pace. Honey was passed out tired in the back seat. We went through John D. MacArthur park and parts of Singer island and eventually home to where Buster was. He was without much pep this morning and it would have been too much for him. He was comfortably refrigerated in the coach. I took him for a ride this evening. He was happy to go. He got a treat. (they both did)

Nicole called last night with the Rene report. Not good news. Therese says he is down to "yes" and "no." Their children are gathering for support and Rene walked them all to the elevator. Then Therese realized he was lost so she took him back to his room. Not all the diagnostics are finished. Nicole will call again Saturday night or Sunday morning. Jeanne and Marc will leave Sunday. So I will call them. It sounds bad to me but I keep hoping. Times like these set you thinking. I want all of my friends to live forever but if that is not in the cards, passing quickly with little pain and a modicum of dignity is my second wish for them.

More dog beach pictures than you could possibly hope for are at the link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sroberts.wyoming/JunoBeachWithJuneauAndHoney#slideshow/5458271795684229282

To sleep: perchance to dream

2010-04-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Fine weather: cool nights, warm days, little wind. These are the days I was looking for last November. The population in the park is dwindling. Lots of space and I am loving it. I have been doing projects, whether they are getting ready to go or to return is debatable. I re-camped after going crazy with a grommet kit. I put grommets on the awning sides and the shower curtains I use for shade and privacy. Gradually things are getting into places they can be stowed.

My gut drives me crazy. Clearly there is fat there but it often feels like a drum head. So I started putting a pillow under it and am sleeping on my stomach. Seems to promote tooting and morning regularity as well as a less pregnant profile. That is to the good. An unanticipated consequence is crazy dreams. These are real adventures with problems to solve-sometimes zany. They are lighter fare than usual and usually enjoyable.

Therese called yesterday. She had arrived in Montreal and went directly to an Emergency Room. Rene seemed to her to becoming more lost on the way home. She drove it all. She slept at the hospital the first night and spent last night at home. He had several tests and more were scheduled for this morning. She expects to know something by tomorrow. They found something in his brain-whether it is a lesion or cyst or cancer will be determined by MRI. I am relieved they are safely home and Rene is under care. I can do nothing at this remove. I'm very fond of our little band of gypsies. (Aside: I googled the hospital. Family and friends are allowed (Only one at a time) to stay on a cot in the hospital room with the patient. This seems so humane and natural. A good custom.)

I called Nicole to tell her Therese was home because Tuesday was her birthday and she wanted to call her. Nicole called back and gave me a similar recap on Rene. She also said, though the foliage was extraordinary on the west coast near Naples and Sarasota, the mosquitoes were eating them alive. After dusk they must be inside. Pictures will be sent.

Buster seems to be fading. He was complaining last night and inert so I got on the floor to comfort him. Honey jumped past us to chase a coon and Buster had a resurrection. He is doing a little better today. I have been picking cockleburs off of the girl all day long. Cooked them liver tonight. Bless my loyal companions.

Cheryl, my Oregon daughter-in-law, lost her job today along with about 80 others at Harry and David's. That is a blow-it was a good job with benefits.

Just about all you need to know...

2010-04-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

This picture is about all you need to know about my just departed neighbor in order to fill in the blanks. Sue was an interesting and lovely, in her way, person. They own two dachshunds. Her husband thinks they are gay. They just don't live up to their previous dachshund. They were enjoyable neighbors and now I have spaces on both sides of my site. I am loving it. The sourpusses to my right left yesterday.

Nicole and Andre called last night. They are settled on the other coast in a park that secludes each campsite in foliage. It sounds delightful... unless you might have concerns about what might be IN the foliage. Speaking of which, I am about to give Honey her head with the coons. I am getting tired of the 4 ayem tumult when she detects them scavenging outside the door.

Guy and his wife came over and I made a reservation for them at Blue Spring. The state campgrounds are still pretty packed. I had to laugh. Their computer had tied his name to my phone number because I did the same thing for them last year.

Janet told me to check the webcams at home this morning:

My twinges of homesickness are cured for the time being.

Easter Sunday

2010-04-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday was spent with the kids and it was "just the right size." Just us chickens-three doggies, three hooman bings. Jason cooked traditional ham, mashed garlic spuds, carrots and the Fresh Market provided a peach praline pie. Lori did cocktail snacks. Jason had made a lot of deviled eggs for Easter. As much as I enjoy the older folks at the Park, the conversation tends toward personal history. It was so refreshing to converse with the kids about ideas-what they are reading, watching, and doing. It was a tonic. Post dining, everybody had a nap. Jason to chase away a headache, Lori because she likes to, and me because because my "off switch" is in my butt. The dogs are prone to this behavior and they played hard before and after nap time.

Juneau has been spoken to a lot and consequently his receptive vocabulary is remarkable. Not only does he know what a toy is, he knows which ones are which. And he understands a lot of commands. Not that he always does them- but he knows them.

I took a fair number of photos. It is spring and things are blooming and growing. It was a lovely day. They packed me up a lot of leftovers and a chocolate bunny. I jumped on the A-1-A coastal highway at Boynton and came home with a colorful sunset on my left, the Atlantic ocean on my right. I stopped at Lake Worth Beach to try to snap the fading sunset and a heavyset lesbian, one of a pair, offered to take my picture with my camera with the sunset as a backdrop. I declined saying that would make an ugly picture. She countered by saying "We are all beautiful." I said my soul doesn't show in photographs. It was an uplifting exchange. Nice day.

Therese called yesterday morning. She expects to be in Montreal this morning (Monday). The woman is making tracks. We couldn't talk long. She was calling while Rene was in the restroom. Mme. Latour was Skype messaging me last night trying to work herself into a lather about Rene and Therese. I told her Therese was strong and very smart. I was not worried (though I am a bit). Spare me the drama. Drama is so often a way to make what is not about you, about you. Guess who came to dinner via Verizon Wireless? Tony! Dang, the guy is like a booger that you can't get rid of.

Easter Sunday 2010

Bummer!

2010-04-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we put Rene and Therese on the way back to Quebec. He had seemed a little abstracted-and was going to the bathhouse frequently. We were all scratching our heads. I bought him some Saw Palmetto for prostate issues, questioned him, asked him if he was feeling melancholy. He finally spilled the beans to Therese. Words were escaping him, he was feeling confused in conversation, he was making a mess of his crossword puzzles, he was going to the restroom to collect himself. He got lost a couple of times. Clearly he has aphasia and that stems from brain troubles-stroke, hit on the head, seizures or brain tumor. So ten days before their scheduled departure, they began a leisurely odyssey up the A-1-A seeing sights they may never see again. I bought them a prepaid cellphone, Jeanne gave them low dose aspirin and we all gave them hugs and spilled some tears. We are hoping for a positive outcome-at 74 he is more fit and healthy than most 30 year olds-then this...life is such a crapshoot.

Tony also left Friday morning. No Tears!

Nicole and Andre were gone yesterday so I stopped by to tell them the news about Rene-we started drinking and ended up going out to dinner at my favorite, Enigma. They loved it and were planning to buy but I wanted them to have the full Enigma experience and didn't feel right about their paying full freight. So I bought and we are going to Thaikyo-their choice, tonight- they can pay. It may seem callous to be enjoying in the face of Rene's predicament but it only makes the desire to "make hay while the sun shines" stronger. We will all be departing and who knows what the fall will be like or who will still be standing. It is nice to be together while we can.

We were talking at supper last evening about being lucky to have summer and winter places. Nicole asked if I would like to be here all year and it was my quick-"No way." that caused her to confide that their quiet solitary life on a sailboat in Lake Champlain is as necessary to their well-being as my hermitage in Wyoming is to my well-being. This is all very nice but not for a steady diet. I am looking forward to some alone time here.

Thank You party

2010-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

The usual suspects wanted to thank Lori and Jason for the use of their house while they were cruising. So a party was planned on a beautiful spring day. Juneau came and he and Honey were perfect guests, playing a little and snacking a little. Juneau distinguished himself by being a terrific Mayfly catcher. Canapes, cocktails, pork loin on the grill, a vegetable melange, pommes et fromage for dessert, good red wine. Andre was in fine fettle-he can be a manic hoot and a flirt besides-he was hugging on Lori quite a little bit. It really was a pleasant interlude. After the kids escaped we were treated to Jeanne's tale of herself-the l-o-n-g version: Virgin, well-chaperoned high school courtship, discovery of a tilted uterus, entering a convent, being told by a wise priest she could serve the church as well by making a mortal boy, Marc, happy. (did she fail the vow of silence?). A marriage under the impression they would be childless, and a surprise pregnancy and two children. It made me tired so I escaped. For every talker there have to be listeners but I don't have to be one. I love conversation but monologues better be funny!

As we ate about 2:30, I ended up hungry about 11:00. So I ate leftovers and trekked to WalMart. With all the snowbirds clearing out, traffic and shopping are a breeze. The downside of that is my friends are also clearing out. Bob and Ruth stopped by to say good-bye-on their way to New Jersey early tomorrow. Email from Moe says they are having mechanical dificulties in Georgia. Nicole and Andre will leave Sunday. New neighbors are here for the Barrett-Jackson Auction-classic cars. When they pulled in I said to Tony, "Let's go have some fun with the new neighbors." So I introduced us as "Stephen, and this is my partner Tony." He just about crapped pointing out that he lived on the other side of them and no way were we partners. The newbies are from Washington state and got the joke. I suspect she is a Native American. She has an Angela Davis afro. Think Yvonne De Carlo in "The Munsters." Platform sandals and black spandex. She really is a visual treat. She was walking their dachshunds in a bright red velour robe with fuzzy slippers to match this morning. Don, the retired cop is back home from the Cleveland Clinic. His wife spent such long hours down there Tony was sure he must have passed away. Don is sore but mending. They stopped his heart and restarted it several times to restore the proper rhythm.

And that is the news from Lake Osborne where all the men are wrinkled, the women are saggy, and the kids are waiting to inherit.

A Day at the Zoo with the kids - Stephen - Picasa Web Albums

2010-03-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

A Day at the Zoo with the kids - Stephen - Picasa Web Albums

Click the link and then start the slideshow.

Zooey!

2010-03-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Six of we seven had never been to the Palm Beach Zoo. They had the sad old picture of rows of cages and pacing animals in their head. The seventh person pushed them into it and they had a ball. We had discounts of one sort or another and we had camera batteries expiring right and left. We had a pretty decent day for it and spent the day.

This after a pretty full Saturday on which I delivered the dogs to the kids and met Latours at Butterfly World for a concert of the Acappella singers. I am a "groupie" for the basso-profundo who unfortunately was not there-gall bladder surgery. That was somewhat disappointing but the concert was great. The Korean coloratura soprano brought tears to my eyes-for the right reasons. We repaired to the Butterfly House for awhile afterwards and, since it is spring, we were rewarded with the greatest profusion of butterflies to date. I got a good shot of the Giant Hummingbird and some other good pictures. Home by 4:00.

Butterfly World Concert Florida life

Frenzy

2010-03-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

With decent weather and stays coming to an end there is a veritable frenzy to socialize outdoors. I went to the store this evening and got hailed for a screwdriver with the usual suspects. Rene tried to hurt me with the vodka and almost succeeded. Then it was home to a cocktail party at Moe and Robert's. Joyce, Gary, Mervi and Ken, and Moe and Robert and moi. Moe said last night that it was just going to be a cracker, a piece of cheese and a piece of sausage. I was surprised to see shrimp, several dips, egg salad sandwiches, salad, etc. We had a fire in their nifty fire pit and just enough alcohol to release the hilarity. Very nice. We had a great sunset. I introduced Moe and Joyce and a warm friendship has ensued.

I managed to keep the Tony therapy to a hour but it put me behind schedule. When I went to the store my pouch was running on empty and I saw a small ham at a good price. The doggies were very impressed. We'll eat on it for a day or two before it hits the soup pot. Big weekend planned which you will find out about in due course.

Finally ! Floridays

2010-03-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

Two great days in a row. The park has been very quiet -the beaches have been busy. So have I. Greg and Lew came by yesterday and it was very good to see them. Greg has been fighting a bug and looked pasty-he was just up yesterday from his sickbed. They have been helping Lew's folks downsize for assisted living. Ninety some years of stuff-good stuff. They enjoy their mobile home but were afflicted by the same crap weather. We visited here, then I took them to lunch at their favorite-a Denny's Classic Diner -all chrome and retro movie posters. Greg looked better for a little food. He doesn't eat much but a little food brought some color back. I had a late lunch with them. Then I remembered I had a dinner invitation at Andre and Nicole's- Bob and Ruth were joining us. We had a lengthy happy hour which was fortunate because I had just eaten. Eventually, grilled salmon, rice pilaf, and mixed vegetables found the table. It was excellent. I should be writing the names of the good wines down but I haven't. Lots of laughing. Ruth is funny if you can get a little wine in her. Bob is funny with or without and he was without. He has had a bout of diverticulitis. I got home about 9:00 and my life force was on a serious ebb. I did not hurt but I had doubts about waking up today. I took the range: minerals and all meds and fell into bed. I did wake up and felt pretty good.

After walking the dog and waving goodbye to the beachgoers, I fed the pups and ditched them for a couple of hours. I went to the beach to take pictures. I bought an egg salad sandwich with tomato and a few Greek olives at Toojay's Deli. I had a little lunch at the beach and saw these two Amish beach ladies. (joke). After I got home Tony came over to bend my ear. He accused me of being anti-semitic because when he was railing all bigoty about the Haitians, I used his own history to refute the bigotry. I know more about Tony and his history-as told by Tony, than I ever wanted to know. Tony has Haitian tenants who have bounced some rent checks- about $1600.00 which eventually make it through the bank. This sends him into rants about what terrible people Haitians are. His most recent client, a Jew, has stiffed him for $10,000.00. Another Jew stung him for $40,000.00. So I asked him where the diatribes against the Jews were. Mentioned a few names like Madoff, Helmsley, etc. Now I am anti-semitic. I was saved by (the other ) Nicole who stopped by on her bike to ask me to dinner with Guy, his wife, for fish nd chips cooked and caught by (the other) Andre. Good food-French Canadians like their french fries with a little vinegar. This is very nice. They are genuine foodies. They like every part of gastronomy. The conversation with the group is a little tough but Andre is very good in English. I like their sensibility. Guy's wife, who went through rehab for alcohol and looks tons better, waited until the French -Canadians left the tent and took a good slug of Guy's wine. I was a little uncomfortable.

Clix on de pix. I like the flock of seagulls in this one. Trivia: the "th" sound is very difficult for the native French-Canadian speaker. They have "brudders," go to "de store," and "three-thirty-three" is an impossibility.

Life in the Slow Lane is OK with me.

2010-03-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Monday started rainy and blustery. I was content to hole up in the RV and read, surf the Internet, etc. Came a knock on the door. Tony! I told him I was busy-through the door. The rain let up and I ditched the dogs and went to Walmart for dog food and a few other items. Lori called while I was there. I called her back when I got to the car. We had a long chat while I sat in the parking lot. Enjoyable.

Tony must have been watching for me because I had no more than put away the groceries and here he comes. It wasn't too bad but I really feel stalked. Many of the people I like are packing up and heading toward home-many in no hurry, but Tony stays. Sheryl and Doug and Abbie, the dog, are bidding on a short sale condominium and putting their 5th wheel up for sale. I will miss them next year. Bonnie and Dave are in South Carolina at a beach island. Joyce and Gary and Moe and Robert will join them on their meander north. Yves and Andee have found a spot on Nettles Island for a month and for next season. (I think the romance with the Rosenbergs has lost its bloom). Patsy and Joe are back from Canada for a few days. Then they will head north. Ken stopped by today to discuss the activities agenda for next year ("If we are both here.") Ted Fish came down, and packed up to go to Atlanta where Kitty is sounding better, to hear her tell it, but Ted thinks she is done. I spent time entering email addresses for several friends in my databases. (I love my Droid phone-enter the data in Gmail and it appears magically on the phone.) Even with the communications miracles of today it is a little sad-making, all these farewells.

Today, I slept until 9:30 a.m. and felt wonderful when I awoke. It was a Tony-free day. Jean and Marc were restless and going out for a drive. I headed them toward Mount's Botanical Gardens which they enjoyed. We have a date to go to the zoo this weekend. I haven't been this year and they haven't been at all. I made a run to Harbor Freight. I want to make some improvements for next year's camp. I am told the rates are going up next year. I think they are dumb because at least 7 couples have opted for condo land because the prices are somewhat competitive and there is no anxiety about getting in to something you own. As much as I enjoy this park, I have been exploring.

03202010 FL Butterfly World - Stephen - Picasa Web Albums

2010-03-22T03:18:00.000-07:00

03202010 FL Butterfly World - Stephen - Picasa Web Albums

Click the link for a Butterfly World Album

Butterfly World

2010-03-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

The kids got back from their cruise Saturday about 11:00 a.m. which was just perfect for my meeting friends at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek. Rene and Terese had never been and their friends, Pierre and Marthe joined us. Marc and Jeanne were their tour guides. It was a great day with enthusiastic people and cameras that produced the good, the bad and the unrecognizable. The bugs and birds are busy pursuing their own agenda with no consideration for having their pictures taken.

It is always interesting to go with "newbies" because they don't really expect the great experience that it is. It is highly interactive. The music is wonderful, the tropical setting enjoyable, and the critters are exotic and up close. The people watching is pretty good too. The place attracts a wide cross section of society who are really into what they are seeing.

Rene feeds some Lorikeets. Below, Terese is being mugged by a Lorikeet that must have smelled the almonds she had in her purse. These birds are quite chummy with humans and one lady exited with one on her back-much to her surprise. My season pass expires the 28th and there are singers there next weekend so I may go one last time. I have gotten my money's worth out of the season pass.

I went back to Deerfield to visit with the kids and Chad and Joyce, gather my laundry and stuff, pick up my doggies and head for the park. When I arrived our same group was putting together an impromptu dinner: Costco Chicken, a green salad, chips, good Chilean Wine, and a couple of the little rum cakes the kids brought me from their trip. We do laugh. Pierre and Marthe are fun too.

Today, Sunday, I set about putting my campsite to right, paying for my last month, cleaning the icemaker. Tony came. Blah, blah, blah. Then Bob came and rescued me. He is funny, animated, and has some good tales. He left, and Tony came back for two hours. He tends to go bigoted and I nailed him on it. But he still stayed. Tired me out. Got nothing else done. Some folks bring you up, some folks bring you down.

We are having a pretty impressive thunderstorm tonight. Supposed to be better tomorrow.

Party time

2010-03-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Andre helped give Juneau his workout Tuesday. The day was a little cooler than forecasted but still pretty nice and way better than cloudy/rainy yesterday. The temperature at home-60 degrees was the same as here. Jeanne says folks had a ball. That is a credible assessment because the laughter is frequent among this bunch. They enjoyed the resort atmosphere. They brought finger-food for the afternoon and I cooked dinner for 7 at 7:oo.

Someone- probably Jeanne, brought silk leis and drink umbrellas. We were moderate but steady in our beverage consumption and I count the meal a success because there were few leftovers.

I didn't realize until just now that Honey was taking a leak in the background of this fine piece of photography. The friends wanted to stay and help me clean up but it was nigh on to 10:00 when we broke up the party. I had plenty of time to clean things up yesterday and read a book. The pool cleaner and the cleaning lady both come on Thursday. I sat by the pool and tended dogs-just like in my job description. I also started Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. I learned of the title in his recent obituary. It is eye-opening, well sourced, if clearly an intended antidote to the account found in"The Promise of America" textbook we all had lo those many years ago. It is also eminently readable. The Kindle pages keep flipping even though I know how the story turns out.

I haven't posted because the cable to my Sony camera was 20 miles away. I ran down Hillsborough to CompUSA and bought a cheap 72 in 1 card reader so I am back in business.

I am coasting on leftover finger food. I am not dirtying the kitchen after Mita put everything in order. I want a cleaning lady-in fact I want Mita. She is a beautiful Hispanic lady with a smile that knocks you out. She and her assistant pulled up in a pretty darn nice black sedan, got their equipment out of the trunk and two hours later I handed her the envelope with the check.

I fell down this evening. I am not sure what happened other than I lost my balance. Juneau was the first one there. Buster wisely ran from the disaster and Honey thought I wanted to play. A couple of skinned places but no other discernible boo-boos. At least when I get up from falling down I am no more dishevelled looking then when I fell down. Not everybody can say that.

Juneau's Birthday Party

2010-03-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Juneau opened presents-he loves to open them. He got some pool toys and a "Fluffy" rabbit. The other dogs got little fluffy's.

Lori made "Tuna-peanut butter surprises encrusted with kibble" and stuck a candle in them.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and Juneau blew out his candles. I kid you not. He barked at them and they went out. Honey and Juneau roughhoused outside, inside, and Juneau took a couple of dips in the pool. They wore themselves out. Buster enjoyed the treats and tried to hump Juneau. Of course we shared the "grown up" dinner with them: Pistachio Grouper masterfully done by chef Jason, Sugar-snap peas, warm bread and strawberries for dessert. As we had coffee by the pool we heard the cannons going off for the 1812 Overture and decided we might be a little late to go to Mizner Park. But it was a great evening. We walked the dogs on Juneau's route so I am completely checked out taking care of the little pride and joy. I was right. Lori is already missing him.

Today Tony and I had been talking for quite awhile. Honey started to whimper like she does when she needs to go out. I asked "Do you need to poop?" Tony said, "Are you clairvoyant? I sure do." Then he realized. I nearly wet myself.

I am off to Deerfield tomorrow morning.

Morton's

2010-03-12T18:33:00.000-08:00

Morton's is a fancy-schmancy Steakhouse in West Palm Beach. The kids had attended a charity event about a year ago and a $100.00 gift certificate came in a gift basket. It was about to expire so they kindly offered it to me. I was warned that there would be some "out of pocket" expense even with $100.00 off. I went on the website and downloaded an "off-menu" offer of a dinner for two for $99.00. Then I cast about for a dinner companion who might appreciate the experience and chose Tony. I picked right. It was a "shades of former glory" experience for him. He is still glowing, downloaded the salad recipe from the web, and telling his friends about "Dining at Morton's." We did not see any celebrities but we were treated like them. Tony developed a crush on a Nicaraguan server (not ours) and I told her. She couldn't have been nicer, nor our server.

The food was extraordinarily good: Beefsteak tomatoes on arugula, with red onions and bleu cheese, Asparagus drizzled in a balsamic vinegar reduction, garlic mashed potatoes, Jumbo shrimp Florentine, hot fresh onion bread and a creme brulee' with raspberries for dessert. The portions were gargantuan. I took fully half of mine home. We upgraded on a couple of things- a $30.00 bottle of wine (bottom of the line there) and double cuts on the beef. It still cost us $88.00 which we split but we lived like Palm Beach glitzes for a few hours. I'm glad to have had the experience.

Creme Brulee is blanc mange with a blowtorched cover of sugar. It came with a sprig of spearmint and three perfect raspberries. I hated to leave any but I did.

We left John Prince Park in a rainstorm and came home in a deluge. And it deluged until late Friday afternoon. At least 7 inches that soaked everything. I was not amused. I had gotten my hopes up that the weather would be nice for a few weeks. That is not to be.

Jason called. We will do the doggy birthday party tomorrow, then go see the Russian National Orchestra in Mizner Park. Jason remembered my playing The 1812 Overture on my reel-to-reel tape machine when he was a pup. We'll see how the Russians do it. It is a fun piece of music with the English themes and the French themes ("The Bear Went Over the Mountain." ) and cannon fire-real, or simulated.

Birds of Prey/Ice Cream Social

2010-03-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

A Docent from the Gumbo-Limbo Nature Preserve came on a beautiful Wednesday to make a very interesting presentation. It had been postponed three times because of the weather. It was well attended. The Docent was a black man. I didn't use my flash because I didn't want to startle the critters. He passed a docile snake around. Marc held it and was surprised at how smooth and non-slimy it was.

We even got the staff out for this one. This was the last official event of the season.

I helped serve the ice cream for the ice cream social. The $1.00 charge for the Potlucks has resulted in a nice kitty for the future and Lots of ice cream, sugar wafers, and syrups were on hand for a linger-longer gabfest. Seconds and thirds were common and people seemed to have a good time.

Last Potluck of the Season

2010-03-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

The last Potluck of the Season was a big success. We had about 110 in attendance and the food was terrific and plentiful. "My" dance was a big hit. (It was aided by my crowd who wasted no time getting on the dance floor and hamming it up.) There was time for a few rounds of, LCR, a gambling game during which time, my 78 year-old"Roadie," Bob, and Andre and I got my sound equipment and lights disassembled and packed up. After I got home I got the giggles: it was all over by 10:00 p.m. A preview of life at Shady Pines?

Andre and Guy caught a mess of fish-one six pound bass. Andre and Nicole H. made a Greek dish "Bass Mayonnaise" which was artfully done and very tasty. Within that ex-cop's breast beats a poetic heart.

The "usual suspects" hitting the vino before the food .

Marc was shooting the picture. Andre, D. Nicole G. Jeanne, Rene, and moi making bunny ears on Jeanne. More pix at the link. Click it see some old and happy fools. (Jeanne's pictures included)

Last Potluck of the Season

Beautiful Day

2010-03-08T04:37:00.000-08:00

Jaason called Sunday morning. I had sent a list of things I needed to be taught for my housesitting stint. We got that done and had a great time. Jeanne's kids had sent my kids an edible bouquet as a thank you. Lori went to the fresh market and we had bodacious burgers, sat by the pool, and watched the Goodyear blimp and party people on boats enjoying a very pleasant day. A colleague of Jason's had won a trip on the Goodyear blimp and was very likely aboard.

When the young ones come along the canal with the tunes blaring, the O.F. scoots out to the dock to dance along and take pictures. This boat obliged me with a closeup and saucy poses. Great fun for all.

The dogs played a lot. It really is entertaining for them and us. Good exercise for them. Jason had fired the old lawn maintenance crew. They broke something nearly every time they came. With a new outfit he was emboldened to contract for new landscape lighting which is lower voltage and absolutely amazing. The texture of the tree bark makes exotic patterns. There is a blue light high in one tree that casts "moonlight" on a patio table. The reflection of the trees in the pool is dramatic.

I had planned to stop at WalMart on the way home. I was completely out of some things and with six weeks to go, I had to stock up. Sunday night is a great time to go-I was in and out in record time. Lori and I made a plate to share of fruit from the bouquet for Marc and Jeanne and I dropped it off on my way home. Marc is feeling better. Great day hanging out with my kids.

Leprechauns!

2010-03-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

I was surprised to have Andre bike up to me while I was walking the dog. When they left last year it was to be their last trip. Here at age 80 and 81, they are again in the park at their favorite site. Tonight they are square dancing in Boynton Beach. Anna booked a cruise for them and told Andre it was his job to get them here. So the 1990 Ford van made another trek to chilly Florida. They are sharp as tacks mentally, Anna is getting a little deaf. Andre almost brought me to my knees recounting his prostate issues. Not entirely funny because his PSA numbers are climbing again. At 81 Anna is unembarrassed by anything. Tough as nails. Andre has a little electric heater for his dome tent. Anna has a lot of blankets and a hair dryer for heat in the van.

Joyce came over while Tony was holding forth today. She had taken Gary's scooter over to the office to collect the newspaper, turned around and crashed right into the electric gate. She is bruised from toe to shoulder. I felt bad for her injuries but found the mental pictures hilarious. "Crash" Anderson they are calling her.

Tony's daughter, Jennifer, and his grandkids came up for lunch. Evidently she did not want to go to the Ritz-Carlton for brunch so they went to John G's. She is a beautiful woman and the grandkids are also gorgeous and "smart", the three year old informed me.

Rene and Terese invited me for breakfast this morning. Terese worked her magic, producing an excellent omelet on her hot plate. We had grapefruit, sliced tomatoes with pesto sauce, avocado, and toasted English muffins. Jeanne crashed the party to announce that Marc had a good night and was now able to urinate. I was glad to hear that but it kind of spoiled my surprise. Terese and Rene had, after much urging, decided to keep the little TV I loaned them for the Olympics. It is just the perfect size for their VW Westfalia and it doesn't catch a signal in Wyoming. They were really wrestling with accepting such a gift. So the breakfast was an occasion to give me a very nice "French Press" Bodum coffeemaker, some Starbuck beans and a nice travel mug. All of which thrilled me. Thoughtful gifts.

It was actually a pretty nice day all day long. Hope arises in my heart. Guy, from home, had a computer issue so he called. He said we had two inches of rain in Arapahoe yesterday which, on top of the snow which has been there since October, was making a mess. But moisture is always welcome- here or there.

Alive and flourishing

2010-03-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

Not having posted since Monday, some enquiries have arrived. All is well, if not perfect- the weather really has been dispiriting some days. Strong winds, rain, but usually some sunshine too. "The Season" is coming to a close. The last potluck will be March 8 (WEATHER PERMITTING). Folks are hustling to get some entertaining done. Nicole has been planning a spaghetti dinner since Rene and Terese came on January 15th but the weather has not cooperated. They took me to John G's for lunch Wednesday in their Rialta. I will close and come back-her highness is pitching a whining fit to go out.

Now I am back. Tony has come and gone. He is the bane of my existence. Sheryl came by to ask me to walk her dog, Abbie, and Tony wanted to know who the woman was who came out of my RV! I was, in fact, down the street having dinner at Bob and Ruth's. They are very entertaining and somewhat of a surprise. They were tradespeople-fencebuilders, but are very sophisticated in some ways-down to earth in others. Bob fixed Tilapia in Bruschetta, Ruth, cooked carrots and mashed potatoes and made a salad. Nicole brought a nice wine. I was told to bring nothing but I brought chocolate covered strawberries from Hoffman's. That was a redundant dessert because cherry pie was on the menu. They are both good storytellers. Bob greeted my arrival with "The pain in the ass is here."

The Rialta is a little person's RV-22 feet but completely equipped, V-6 engine 17 m.p.g. on the highway. Since Nicole is a size zero and Andre is not large it works well for them.

Marc is still suffering. Jeanne took my advice and got his appointment moved to today as opposed to next Thursday. Over the weekend in agony could be dangerous.

I am feeling better. I massaged my painful legs and got the lumps out. It hurt but in a good way.

Laundry Day

2010-03-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

The kids called and I spent Sunday afternoon at Deerfield doing my laundry and watching dogs play. They invited Marcia to dinner as well. Her husband Bob was up at Daytona with his Harley but came home in time for Jason to help unload the bike.

Ka-Bobs from the Fresh Market are fantastic. Lori opened a bottle of "three figure wine" that was so mellow. It was a gift from David. I buy 3 digit wine-low three digit wine. There is a difference in taste but not effect. I used my little FM transmitter for my iPod to play tunes through the big stereo. That was pleasant. Marcia is a holistic therapist and Chiropractor. She used a tapping therapy to rid Jason of a headache. It was effective. She brought her dogs Lucy and Maximus (huge Maximus). Jason has been busy. They are going to take a cruise with Lori's brother and his wife for Chad's 20th anniversary. I will sit the dog during that time and Lori suggested I invite my friends down for a dinner party. Sounds good to me.

Going home I passed a burning car and pulled in to report it but the fire trucks arrived before I could draw my phone. No occupants in the car. Likely arson.

To give Tony his due, the rack of lamb was delectable-perhaps the best ever. But it cost me dearly. Six visits today and three phone calls. I also had visits from my old friend Andre (my 80 year old friend, Andre) and my 78 year old friend Bob who is a New Jersey riot. Lord he is funny. He extended an invitation for a fish dinner Thursday. Joyce had called last night while I was at Deerfield and invited me for dinner tonight: Her excellent meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Bonnie's veggie melange from the green market, and Joyce's ambrosia salad and lemon lush for dessert. Oink, oink.

New neighbors on both sides-Quebeckers. One side is going to be fine. The other -typical. I guess the park erupted in car horn blowing yesterday when Canada won the gold medal in hockey.

Marc is having urinary issues. Pain and fever. He got meds from his Georgia doc yesterday but not much relief. Urologist tomorrow. I got the water flowing but now my minerals are fouled up. Rene heard from his brother who lives in Chile. He is fine but is sleeping in his street clothes with his car keys in his pocket, close to the door. There have been hundreds of aftershocks. Past couple of days have been nice, if a little cool, in South FL.

Jeanne's Memento

2010-02-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

Jeanne sent the collage of part of the Sunset Cruise which I am posting almost a week after the event because it is good and this day turned cold and rainy after a promising start. No pictures of my own. My walks with Honey are also social events for us both. Rene bought some big milkbones for her. She tends to take them politely and then carry them home. We stopped to see Roger and Sandy to see how they were faring in Joe and Pat's RV. Sandy wants an RV and a dog of her own. I would say the experiment worked. Roger is more circumspect. I visited too long. Honey buried her Milkbone under a palm tree. A coon will find it tonight. Harley left the campground but Honey found an American Eskimo dog to play with. He too lives in isolation, in Kentucky, and needs socialization. Honey was great with him but he was funny. He kept pawing the ground like a bull.

I have been having swelly legs and am hitting the diuretics and staying flat on my back for a nap in aid of getting them back down, I have been walking and riding the bike daily. Probably need to watch the salt more carefully-starting tomorrow. Tony is fixing a rack of lamb (yum) and pasta with pesto (yuk) to bring over.

Chowderheads

2010-02-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

I'll try this again-the original post went to Internet Limbo. Andre catches the fish, cooks the fish and serves the fish. A delicious chowder and "fishburgers" that will render any future McDonald's fish sandwiches inedible.

Everybody brought a little something good. I was grinning: Six years ago I never could have imagined myself sitting around with the Quebecois debating whether Canada was according Quebec its due in the Olympics.

That was our last truly fine evening. It rained on and off all day yesterday and cool winds today.

Tony just walked by with his three Jack Russell Terriers in camouflage coats! Jaysus! He is going to be a hit or get hit in Gillette, WY. After his third visitation yesterday I told him I was busy. I was: hiding meds and making sure they go into the appropriate dog requires paying attention. Buster is doing pretty well. Honey got two walks yessterdaaay and played with Harley, a big German Shepherd. She is game even though he was bigger.

Bid bon voyage to Pat and Joe for their month visit in Bathurst. Roger and Sandy will enjoy their RV for the month. Roger taught with Joe and Pat but is now a member of Canadian Parliament. Very witty and personable.

The young Latours are home.

Sunday, Funday

2010-02-23T04:28:00.000-08:00

I had offered Jeanne and family a sunset cruise. Her son and his wife were visiting. I shopped all the way to Deerfield, picking up steaks at Costco, etc.,etc. and arrived about 2:00 to build a salad and otherwise get ready. Steve and Mariela, former and soon to be current neighbors of the kids drove their new party barge up from Fort Lauderdale on its maiden voyage. The electricity had gone out. They had their three dogs with them, we had three. Tahoe and Juneau are old friends. They tied up to the seawall and soon there was a circus of dogs. Jason got his multitester and fixed Steve's boat! I was impressed and so was Steve. They tried to load their dogs, two were on and one romped away so the other two jumped off too. Jason said give them some more time and they will be ready. So we did that and Steve got in the hot pool.

Our guests arrived. I had put a battery in the charger for the Sony and forgot to put it in. So I used three cameras and didn't take many cruise pictures. We broke out sailing hats. Cathy's pirate hat was eliciting thumbs up and "aarghs" from passing boaters.We had plenty of wine and I think I can safely say a fun time was had by all.

We had a great meal: Jason cooked on his grill and microwave: Ribeyes, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, salad, bread with dipping sauce, and more wine- key lime pie for dessert. The table exerted its magic influence and we were gabbing until 10:00.

While we were cruising somebody got into the pantry and helped herself to the liver treats. So I was not entirely surprised Honey joined me on the bed at 5:00 a.m. We had a nice lovey but I knew my sleep was going to be short. And it threw me off for a whole day. Monday included a two hour nap and accompanying loginess. Took my bike to loan the Latours and they couldn't stop gushing about the sunset cruise evening.

A few pix by clicking:

Sunday, Funday

Blue Skies

2010-02-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

The weather has taken a turn for the better and spirits rise. Both doggies are feeling better and have walks. It works well to walk Honey first, then do a slow short walk with Buster. Honey is getting a dividend and is not so inclined to strain at the leash and Buster feels included.

The head "volunteer" stopped by to apologize about Louise's impromptu concert and ask me to DJ a dance on the final Potluck March 8. That was satisfying if unnecessary. The neighbors will be returning today-Tony included....

I will be away most of today. Sunset cruise for the Latours. Need to shop and stop on the way to Deerfield. Honey needs a playdate. She was crazy to play today on the morning bike run and it turned out to be not much fun for me.

No Escape

2010-02-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Jeanne's good work: Her Potluck Collage and embellished Veteran's Picture from Monday's event. I was too busy to snap anything. Click on them to see better.

There is no escaping Tony. He is 150 miles away but through the magic of the cellular system, I lost 20 minutes I'll never get back last night but somehow missed tonight's call. He was having a great time and had to tell me he got flirted with and was spending money like he had it. I had lived through his cancer and prostate operation story at least three times so I asked him if he was still functional. Down here men discuss their prostate surgeons like women discuss their plastic surgeons. Better living through chemistry, apparently. One lady had too big a personality and big boobs, the other was too "country" sharing her airstream with three German Shepherds and southwest decor. Like I give a rat's ass. Just find somebody else to pester, Tony.

I had a brainstorm yesterday. I have a little flat screen TV that I bought for a song last season. I took it to Terese and Rene who have a keen interest in the Olympics. They were tickled pink. The sit in their VW camper and watch on these chilly evenings. WXEL said this was the coldest winter in 29 years, the fifth coldest since record keeping began in 1887. Still, there is nothing to shovel or skid on but it is a piece of history I could live without. We did have about 6 beautiful hours today. I did RV maintenance and "re-camped."

Buster wanted a walk today so he got one. Honey got a longer one. It was not enough but we have a new crop of dogs in the park so she played with a huge English Sheepdog- Clyde, from North Carolina and a big mixed breed from Canada. They played hard. Honey is insatiable. She will play all day and the cool weather agrees with her. She is getting more socialized with both dogs and humans. Several people have stolen a pat.

The "terrorists" next door continue to perplex. One person leaves in the van for days at a time. Now both bicycles are gone and the van is too. The van is crammed so the bikes did not leave that way. I am sure I saw four people emerge the first day but have only seen two since.

Breaking a Record

2010-02-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

It has been 32 years since I have gone to a movie. I got so angry to the point of offering to step outside with noisy patrons during Superman that I swore off movies. Terese and Rene invited me to go to see Avatar with them and I accepted. The theater experience was pleasant. Ten dollar tickets seemed to keep the riff-raff out. $6.75 for popcorn seemed a little stiff but it was nearly a lifetime supply. 3-D has come of age. The visuals were amazing and 3-D is the only compelling reason to see this movie. The storyline and plot were very derivative: a little Western, a little Billy Budd, a little Green Mansions, a little Star Wars. It was too long by at least an hour-Cameron shot all this visual feast and couldn't seem to decide what to cut. But the genie is out of the bottle. I'll go again at an upscale, non babysitting theater.

Still coolish down here-this has folks seeking indoor activities. Upside: Honey has not "blown her coat," the refrigerator is keeping up. Better weather is coming. This is the Mantra of an entire nation.

I put the audio equipment away. It all fits in a big plastic storage bin. My neighbors had to fly home for a funeral so I am keeping an eye on their place. Moe is flying home to babysit for two weeks. Robert is relishing a "vacation." He is quiet to her noisy but has a dry wit. Patsy and Joe will go home for a month on the 25th and some friends will come down here to use their RV during that time.

Thwarted

2010-02-16T04:41:00.000-08:00

The potluck was great-180 people and our logistic improvements meant people were served faster and the food was great and plentiful. Bob helped me set up the music equipment. He is one of those people who is just competent at everything. I asked him if his wife, Ruth, would be "Celebrity Tambourine Player." "Are you on drugs?" he asked. The dinner music was great- people liked it. The P.A. system was better if not the best. But Louise arrived prepared to play for thirty minutes or an hour after dinner. Turns out she had just inserted herself in the program. This was not new behavior and had eyes rolling. She had people leaving until the crowd dwindled. So there was no dance.

The Veteran's ceremony was more touching than I anticipated. I had downloaded the "Star Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" to play. Doug Altman had written two prayers and a bilingual woman did them in French. Doug is not a vet but he is a member of a Harley group called the Guardians who make sure Veteran's burials are not disturbed by the likes of the Westboro Baptist Church. Yesterday afternoon they all attended a funeral of a homeless vet for whom the American Legion paid to have a service.

We had a gorgeous day and a mild evening yesterday. The cool is back today.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

My sweet kids invited the old man down to Deerfield for a Valentine's eve prime loin dinner with dutch potatoes and squash, sourdough bread with three dipping sauces, a nice bottle of Cabernet, and warm company. Jason apologized for not having a dessert but they had given me a box of Godiva chocolates so coffee and chocolates hit the spot. Their neighbor Marcia came over so we wined and chocolated her. She was processing a lot and needed to talk. Their neighbor, Lew, earlier this week, finished a call from Bank of America about a late mortgage payment, sent his wife to the grocery store, went to the bathroom with his 12 gauge shotgun and ended his relationship with the bank. He was a nice man. I had met him at two parties at the kids.

Sunday, Tony packed up and went to a week-long meeting of Airstreamers near Tampa.

A beautiful sight! Tony's Airstream rounding the bend on the way out. But I got a call an hour later-he was convoying with an 80 year old couple and was having a hard time keeping up. "Everyone wants to go to heaven but some people are in a hurry to get there," said Tony.

The sound equipment was unpacked for a trial run before I set it up for the potluck tonight. It has been chilly and I was in a sleep deficit-I crashed-in a blue funk, and my bones were on fire. The "popped knee" gives me no trouble during the day but hurts like blazes when I sleep. Sleep and Aleve provided some relief and I feel pretty good today.

Buster had a bad couple of days -lots of coughing. I think he had a good night. Honey is edgy. I am careful to exercise her because it makes life better for her and for us.

Miss Pineapple

2010-02-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

Miss Pineapple wears the shades most of the day. She came with the workman who put nitrogen in Tony's tires. it costs $10.00 per tire for this service. Nitrogen is supposed to prolong the life of tires and keep them evenly inflated. Somehow I missed out on this tidbit and have never put nitrogen in my tires. Tony takes off for Tampa tomorrow. It will be a blissful week. He brought me another half of a smoked chicken tonight. This after Linguini with Pesto Sauce last night that was so medicinal tasting I could not eat but a few bites. He has his kind side but it keeps the door open to his constant presence in the tent-house. He looked like Ahab the A-rab when the chicken came. We had a violent thunderstorm that knocked the electricity out. I was the first to report it. It took awhile to fix it. I had enough battery to stay up but not knowing when the juice would return, I gave up on watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics and went to bed. Then I got up again when the lights came on and was right on time for the thrilling first minutes and satisfactory march of the athletes. I like the positive and joyous feel of the Olympics.

Honey exposed herself as a performer. I left the dogs tethered for 30 minutes while I went to hang a sign. Bill and Sandy noticed she did not bark at a single dog or person in the whole time. She was mighty glad to see me when I returned but they think the fierceness is a show for me. (I think she is just protective of me because she loves me so very much.) Who knows what goes on her pretty head.

The Canadians seem to be covering themselves with glory in the opening show. I am going to close and watch.

Sunrise

2010-02-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Buster came to join me in the bed very early. He was in distress. I thought, "Here we go." He wanted out. He disappeared in a flash. Then I saw him across the street. He had the drizzlies. I won't keep you in suspense. He seems fine tonight. Wanted to go on a walk for the first time in a long time so we did a "Buster walk." Honey gave me an "Is this all?" look but she had both a morning walk and an afternoon run with the bike. The tuned up bike is running schmoooth. The saddle is comfier and non-absorbent. On the trek to get the bike I got the propane bottle filled and took a new route down to Boynton. We passed by Aberdeen-the golf course seen on a lot of TV sports presentations.

Given the early hour, I snapped a few Sunrise pictures. The bottom one is my view across the park. The top one is our campsite. The middle one is the best damn guard dog in captivity.

I was invited to Andre H's house for fresh bass fillets. I took a great salad, Francoise's wife cooked a rice dish. Nicole made a potato/sweet/potato/carrot/onion melange. A nice Chardonnay to start, coffee and chocolate almonds to finish. Andre bought an accordion just before he came down. He has the magnaminous smile of a musician down-the fingering is coming along. He is going to be serenading the north country around the campfire before long. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Francoise, who was 77 yesterday -not a pill goes in his skinny body. His wife is perfectly bi-lingual, seems perpetually amused and easy to get along with. She takes pills.

The wind destroyed Andre's tent so he got a new one and I have to say I am impressed with it. It turned breezy and cooled right off tonight and we were just fine.

Tony was over for morning coffee-he brings it, and for a Regis College graduate, I have to admit he can can cram more effing eff words in a sentence than a Wyoming roustabout. His same old stories are becoming more detailed. The pictures are becoming clearer. After the episode with the Colombian Internet Bride and divorce, he said his son came up to him, shook his hand and said, "Congratulations, you are the dumbest man I know." Tony presents well but the wife who bore his children is now married to an ex-con. As such, he cannot hold a Florida state license for anything so his wife is ostensibly a foreign and exotic car mechanic while hubby number three does the mechanicking. I am starting to feel Tony is toxic-my first impression was right.

Slow Day

2010-02-09T17:45:00.001-08:00

I had the slows today. Spent two hours fixing a three dollar flashlight and 30 minutes not fixing a three dollar solar yard light. Tony was busy so I had most of the day to myself. He had his carpets steam cleaned and the Sears repairman failed to show to fix his microwave. He did come over to complain about that. He likes to do laundry, cook, and iron but thinks he needs a cleaning lady for his 32 foot Airstream. He is still coming to terms with coming down in the world though there are many who would like to be in his shoes. He will be going to Tampa for an Airstream gathering for a week. Yay! He says the group is comprised of geriatric cheapskates. Sounds like a blast.

I went to the Social Committee meeting this morning. They would like a little background music at the President's Day potluck. I will do that. Little does he know it will turn into a DANCE. I broke out some of the equipment today.

Before that, Honey had a great walk. She has playmates all over the park. Pumpkin and Lily and Lola. It was not very far but she got a ton of exercise. Buster too, had the slows. I am afraid he is fading. He is getting lots of loveys. Those are a good idea even if he rallies. Honey looks forward to her morning rub. Bonding time. She is so independent.

Visited with Bill and Sandy and Moe. They are all kind of fun. The women are v-e-r-y chatty and animated. Bill and Robert are mostly amused and tease them about it.

I called the kids. Lori's email said Juneau was sick. They had already had him to the Vet. Dogs are eating the dead iguanas, getting botulism and paralysis sets in. Supportive therapy can get healthy ones through it but a lot of dogs have died. The vet said she didn't think that was his problem and he is eating today.

Velo's called. My bike is ready. I will fetch it in the morning and I bet it will go a hundred miles an hour now. I picked out a new saddle. The old one had a split in the cover and rain would get in there. Chapped my ass.

Coasted on yesterday's soup and am enjoying a cooling rain tonight.

Sunset from my backyard

2010-02-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

The Sony has a "twilight, handheld" setting. It doesn't seem to work as well as the panorama feature but I am not especially steady either. It improves twilight pictures but is not a panacea. I snapped this in between two of Tony's 10 plus visits today. He seems either terribly lonely or he can't stop flapping his gums. I escaped early to go to Boynton to take my bike for a tune-up. I saw Tony on my way out. He was on his way to Pompano to give his kids their Christmas presents. He had invited them to visit him several times and they didn't. Hmmm.

The bike shop had changed hands and I think for the better. Wednesday will tell. When I returned to the park I noticed a dog and put on the brakes. He was a dead-ringer for Buster. I spoke to his owners who had no idea what kind of dog he was but had him for 15 years. The lady walked over with her dog and we visited for quite awhile. She has British accent and is a Reiki Master (psychic) healer.Very interesting insights.

I made a pot of soup today. I was not hungry and ate nothing until I started the soup at 2:00. Then I was rooting for the slow-cooker to cook faster. Seminole Wedding Soup. Very tasty.

Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

Patsy and Joe had their annual Superbowl Party-pre-party, really. Everybody brought something good. Doc Rosenberg made some Mead-hot spiced wine with honey. It was excellent and left him reeling in record time. It was funny.

Jan Rosenberg made some Korean shish-ka-bobs that were quite tasty. Other burgers, salads, fruit, brownies and so forth of a more conventional sort rounded out the buffet. I went to the Joy Luck and got 40 chicken wings for $20.00. They sold well but I had leftovers so I took a plate to the "terrorists" in celebration of no explosions, and some to Tony who was three sheets to the wind. I didn't really have a favorite for the game so I was happy for the Saints. Tomorrow will tell how I did on the pool. My expectations are not high but I made a little last year.

A pleasant way to spend the evening of a sort of chilly day. The change in the weather brought fierce winds yesterday. It was the day that my awning should have gone away but didn't. The neighbors lost the use of their gazebo tent because the wind broke their supports. If my awning didn't go yesterday, it probably won't. The table is installed under it and it is a good arrangement.

Poker and Birthday Party

2010-02-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

Lori's birthday was Monday, the party was Friday. Sharon and John from Phoenix flew in and the "usual suspects" showed up for Barbecue: chicken wings, pork, beef, chicken and cornbread and the trimmings. Jason and Lori had new pool lights installed: L.E.D."s that are programmable and can rotate through a rainbow of colors as they mix and change. Very cool.

The party started on time and the schedule disintegrated from there. People had a really good time. I was the butler. Got them oiled up and tapered them off. I had most of the cleanup done before I left at midnight-that meant home at one a.m. I was on my feet too long. My lower cartilege -free back was aching. But the party was a great success and the kids were able to enjoy it, too. They should change the name of "Guitar Hero" to "So you think you can sing." The ladies who were trying to be "The Bangles" should have called themselves "The Dangles." Age is no barrier to having a good time, though.

As you can see above, the big winner of the first round was the Birthday Girl!

There has been no shortage of drama in the park. After our spontaneous Happy Hour at Chateau Latour, they were bedding down when they heard blood curdling screams and somebody was knocking on their door. They called 911. The biker chick next door claimed her husband/boyfriend was beating her. The scene drew four deputies and a fire engine/EMT unit. Not a mark on her. She evidently had taken some PCP and freaked. They were gone bright and early the next day. But Jeanne was just thrilled. She was in on it and had to complete a statement for the police.

I went to the police. As you all know, I do "strange" without batting an eyelash. But the folks who moved in next door last Saturday were "just wrong." Four men below age 30 from Michigan checked in in a toy hauler and a van from Michigan. Only two have been seen since.
No toys came out of the hauler save for two bikes and the men are seldom seen. They aren't here for the Florida sunshine. They seem to be memorizing things and one took off on the bike in black slacks and a white shirt and came back the next day in t-shirt and shorts. They back in so their license is hidden. They only leave at night. I spoke briefly to one and he said tremulously that the helicopters at the airport were "disturbing my psyche." The possibility of terrorism at the Superbowl was not even on my radar until these birds showed up. Tony originally had them pegged as gay but he is now freaking out. We laughed about Jack Bauer showing up, kicking the door in and finding them making love. (not his term) If they are innocent, no harm so far. If they are not, someone is forewarned.

Tony is becoming a pest. He is here four or five times a day-coffee in the morning and very generous glasses of wine in the evening and stopping after he walks his dogs and empties his garbage. I listen. I have sympathy-he has essentially lost everything in the downturn save his dogs and his Airstream. His goal is to become a well-paid Professional Photographer. General Contracting in South Florida is a non-starter right now. As he is going to Gillette, WY for the national Airstream Convention and a photography workshop in Jackson, he was angling for an invitation to park at my house. I had to disabuse him of this notion. I told him I was a recluse when I am in Wyoming and like it that way. Now he is working at at "why" and "how much?" of a recluse I am. "Because," and "none of your beeswax," are the answers to those questions. I am trying to be gentle but...

S'mores and more

2010-02-04T03:10:00.000-08:00

Marc and Jean came by on their bicycle built for two. They wanted to know if I wanted to join them for lunch at the Pizza Palace. I did but took the van-good thing because they decided to have a happy hour. The van was needed to take the supplies. They have plenty of leftovers but they bought plenty. Jeanne had never had or made S'mores. I had enjoyed this very common camping treat once before at the Nob so I was the expert. Marc fired up their portable fireplace and we had wine and cheese, crackers and dip, and S'mores along with a rip-roaring good time. We are like old kids. Good humor and wit and the laughing starts. The coon family tried to join the party and and Andre goosed it as he chased it over the fence. Mass hysteria. I had taken a bottle of my favorite wine and after it was widely praised by the French, revealed it costs $2.97 a bottle. Not quite "Two-Buck Chuck," but certainly affordable. Terese sketched me in her journal. An amazing likeness in short order. My straw cowboy hat caught her imagination. I am enshrined along with the very excellent sketch she made of her mother as she lay dying a few months ago.

I am going to change my campsite set-up. The picnic table is going to go under the tent. I can't depend on the weather staying stable long enough to extend an invitation so I will move the show under the big top.

I will go to Deerfield to buttle tomorrow. Lori is having a Poker Party/Birthday party. They went to a poker party last weekend and Lori won both games. She likes that.

Celebrating Groundhog Day

2010-02-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

Taking pictures in my backyard and straightening up after a good rainstorm were morning activities after after the dog walk. Patsy biked over to see if I had received her email from two days ago. I had not. It was an invitation to dinner this evening. I accepted on the spot. They blew it out. Said it was a Groundhog Celebration Canadian style: Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, steamed turnips, steamed carrots, and Marilyn brought a mince pie with homemade mincemeat. It was all scrumptious. The only complication is yesterday's pot of pea soup was working its magic. I was under pressure. A smoke break provided some cover but shortly after eating the pie I knew I was in trouble. I left hastily and had a 400 yard walking-fart extravaganza.

Tony hollered out his door as I went past. He had been over four times-was going to give me a smoked chicken half but the van was parked, my bike was parked-I had walked over to Patsy and Joe's under my umbrella. Tony thought I was dead or dying in the RV. After initially being touched by his concern I really felt trespassed upon. I don't want a keeper, nor a nosy parker neighbor. But, I had more immediate concerns. I hope to be beyond this by tomorrow.

The book was finished last night. As tempting as it was to start the sequel, I did not. I get lost in them and saving some for more rainy days makes sense. Joe says they have been coming here for 12 years and have never experienced a season like this. Many of my plans to entertain, have movies, etc. have been waiting on decent weather. But I am not bitching-rain is not the same as snow and cold. I am having a good time, just not the time I expected.

Laid Back Day

2010-02-01T16:14:00.000-08:00

The change of pace I was seeking has happened. Tony went to a photography workshop in Miami over the weekend. He said it was good. The break was good for me. I visited with the other neighbors a bit yesterday, read my novel. Terese had this trilogy in French-it is by a Swede. I downloaded it onto the Kindle for next to nothing. Terese is reading some raunchy stuff. A mystery but with a Swedish sensibility about sex. Fixed chicken livers for us last night and the dogs got a repeat tonight.

Since it rained all day today it was more of the same for me. Made a pot of pea soup and some tuna salad. Pretty gentle, if constant rain. Took a diuretic and with the soup, we have a "cleansing diet" going on. That was something we never heard about until the last few years.

I finally remembered to get some iron tablets down here. I thought I had packed them but they are not to be found. I had the foresight to go to WalMart last evening so we are provisioned. The iron pills do seem to pep me up.

The rain is supposed to go away tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile life at camp is very agreeable. \

More like it

2010-01-30T19:58:00.000-08:00

The past two days have been beautiful in the weather department. Promised rain today never materialized this afternoon. I went down to Robert and Moe's to enjoy their firepit for awhile tonight. It's pretty neat. Honey was/is having a fit about a marauding cat or coon. It paid a visit last night but found nothing to eat.

Not so for me-the diet resolution didn't last 24 hours. Joyce had collected copies of a local newspaper with coupons so several of us went to the Rum Shack for the early bird special on Friday. I had a decent tuna steak and otherwise ate wisely but it was no soup diet. Lake Worth is fun downtown, all day long and into the night. Music in the open air bars, shops open, all manner of people and dogs, mingle and wander. We went to Bali-my favorite import place. Joyce is a shopper/spender. Scouted some gew-gaws for Lori's birthday Monday.

Today I ran the dog and waited until 11:00 when the shop opened and made some purchases for Lori and a thank you gift for Marcia. I went to the Green Market in the beach parking lot. I was too late for the bread. I bought some olives-Greek and otherwise, for Rene-a little gift as he admitted to a fondness for them. I saw Rene, Terese, Andre and Nicole on the fitness trail and presented the olives. Terese said, "Come for lunch, I will make a salad. Nicole contributed some chicken for it, I had five Corona beers and so provisioned we proceeded to have a party. Interesting conversation and wit. Andre is a stitch. Very sharp.

In the afternoon I was reading a book on my Kindle. Gary came by and I gave him my remaining beer. Joyce came on her bicycle. Gary bought it for her this morning at the Flea Market and spent the afternoon rehabilitating it. It is a great bike for $35.00. They were both pleased.

I stepped out of the coach tonight and instead of the usual knee twinge, something gave. It is a little swollen but not really painful. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Adventures with the Sony Camera

2010-01-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Cool night but it warmed up fast so I was off early with Honey for a bike run. Then she saw a buddy "Woody" passing and started barking so we walked the circle with them. They played a little but mostly they walked. After that I fed them pork loin and looked at the darn roast and said "I don't need all of that," so I took a nice chunk to Robert and Moe for lunch meat. Then I ditched the dogs for a camera safari and later ditched the bike for the van and went through the park and to the beach for picture-taking-to put the camera through its paces to see how it does. The EVF (electronic viewfinder) is a little disappointing. But the pictures are great. The camera on automatic is very forgiving. More pix at the link:

Adventures with the Sony in Lake Worth

Tony invited me to his yard for big fat NY strip steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and canapes with Maryland Blue Crab dip. Life is good. But the high living has to stop. I was on a downhill weight trajectory and I want that to continue. It is going to be back to soup for awhile. The usual evening chill drove me home but when I took the dogs out, a warm front had arrived.

Park Life

2010-01-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

The panorama pictures need to be clicked upon to enlarge them. Shots of parts of this beautiful park taken with the new Sony camera. Above is part of Lake Osborne by the causeway to the campground. The shot below is across the street showing the wetlands/kayaking area.

I was able to park the dogs for awhile. Joyce called while I was at home visiting with her husband and she announced lunch was about ready. So we went for a nice lunch. Having already left the dogs at home I continued biking and taking a few pictures.

I think the Park rangers were conducting a fish census. There was a die-off in the cold. There is a dead iguana across the street from us. They die in the trees and it takes a few days for them to fall out. Buster was real interested in it.

The 20X zoom revealed more of the lake on the far side of the island. I did a little cleaning and discovered a pork loin that had a "use by" date of today so I cooked that and invited Tony for supper. Roast pork, salad, sweet potato, applesauce, cranberry sauce eaten in the evening chilling. Tony has lived in Florida for 31 years and says this is the coldest winter in his recollection. The evenings and mornings are chilly but the sun gets things up to 70 degrees during the day which is cold to a Floridian but delightful to a Wyoming guy. I am not complaining.

"Moe" aka Maureen came over this morning and we chatted while Joyce got ready for her walk with Moe. Moe is from Quebec but is a mostly English speaker. Kind of a fireplug in build and cheerful and capable. We were backdoor neighbors two years ago. They stayed home for her husband's treatment for Hepatitis C last year. It was not successful. Robert is a great guy- kind of quiet but kind and capable. The disease has progressed to early cirrhosis and that is bad. He gets tired.

Honey bolted twice today between door and tether. Once she went into the pasture and was playing with some dogs. They were all having a ball. The second time was after Tony left and she scared the poopings out of some walkers. So we are using the leash all the time now and the training collar is charging tonight. I shorted her on her walk this morning because she was so headstrong. Not much fun to battle her and I am really pretty lenient with letting her sniff and explore. Maybe she will do better tomorrow with more exercise. Buster was perky all day long. We snuggled last night and I can interrupt the coughing spells with rhythmic patting.

Potluck

2010-01-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

The top picture was taken with the new Sony. The shutter is so fast it stopped the propeller on this seaplane. Click on it to enlarge and observe. The below picture,taken with a pocket camera, is of our gang with the good addition of Andre H. in the white shirt. He has been having good luck fishing- a four pound bass from our lake and some other fish went into a chowder pot. It was terrific. That was his contribution to the potluck supper. 150 of us turned out. Everybody sails past the "Absolutely No Alcohol" sign with their wine and beer and it makes for a convivial time.

.
We were already convivial because Rene and Terese hosted a cocktail hour and a half before the potluck.

Click on the picture below for a few more pictures with captions:

Happy Campers

The lady next door who is a decidedly unhappy camper surprised me with a gift: She knitted me two pot holders or hot pads to match my camper. She was a recipient of coffee cake and we have visited a couple of times. They seldom emerge from their camper and I am relatively certain her husband stays pickled most of the time. It was a very sweet thing for her to do. They are very nice-tight stitches and they lay flat.

New Toy!

2010-01-26T04:42:00.000-08:00

Clicken to embiggen the pictures. The kids wanted to get me a DSLR camera for Christmas but I confessed to them that I have one and lugging the lenses and changing them constantly limits its use. But, I found a camera-a Sony, that has an actual mechanical shutter and some terrific features. They generously splurged for me. It was waiting in Deerfield and it was killing me. Unbeknownst to me Lori had sprained her ankle Friday night. But she was some better by yesterday and I took them lunch. We all played with the camera. Jason thinks it might cost him twice as much as anticipated because Lori might need one. It is a great camera. It takes panorama shots and hand-held twilight shots as well as hardly a bad one in the bunch. I am thrilled with it. The top picture is a 240 degree panorama from the point on their property. I have often wished for such a feature in Wyoming where the vistas are so magnificent- a chunk out of the middle doesn't do it justice.

My beautiful grand-dog Juneau resting after hard play with Honey. Below is Buster the wonder dog-still kicking. A cold front came through so we snuggled all night long last night. I loved it.

The potluck was postponed until tonight due to a deluge. If it doesn't happen tonight I will skip it due to the ptomaine factor. In this climate, next day food is usually safe but three days???

Jaunty

2010-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

I felt jaunty today. Donned my bright red T-shirt and red beret for the morning hound walk. Smiles and guffaws from some of my friends, but smiles from strangers. I made a huge mistake going to Costco hungry. I was in quest of a big pie to take to the pot-luck tomorow. I got that and 29 ounces of chicken salad wraps, a coffee cake, two bags of pita chips and a big bag of Craisins. By noon my senses had returned and I gave wraps to Tony and Art and made coffee cake plates for three neighbors. Honey likes the pita chips (and the coffee cake) but thinks the Craisins are awful.

It was a windy day and I have spent the weekend waiting for a call from Deerfield. A package was supposed to have been delivered for me Friday. I made a pot roast in a slow cooker. Cooker and meal were to be gifts for the Deerfield folks. I shared it with Tony and the dogs. No call. Those kids are busy and a big deal was in the offing so no biggie.

Tonight Tony reciprocated and made a pasta dish from scratch -homemade noodles and all. I will ask the name of it tomorrow. I want to be sure to never, ever, order it in a restaurant. I am getting to know more about Tony than I ever thought I wanted to know. Good talker, not much on the listening.

Andre made a "movie." He roller bladed around the park and stopped every 1000 meters to take a picture. It will give you some idea of parts of this great park we live in.
http://gallery.me.com/andredemers/100073

(This link may not work- I copied it from his email.)

Joyce and Gary arrived. Honey remembered Joyce and started barking before she got across the pasture.

Prudy and Gary stopped in. I called Rick-he was off on some quest up north. We know he is alive and got his motorcycle out of hock. He said he would stop by. That will coincide with the pot-luck but I think the pot-luck is going to coincide with a thunderstorm in which case the pot-luck will be Tuesday. Did you get that? My cherry pie is safe in the refrigerator until it happens.

Alive and Well in Paradise?

2010-01-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

The weather is varied and a lot of it is not ideal. But I check temperatures at home and feel grateful to be here. Buster woke me up at 3:00 a.m. the other night needing to go out in the worst way. We went, he went, then he collapsed on the way back to the RV. I carried him home and sat in the screen-house scratching his ears and telling him what a good dog he was until dawn. A passing dog walker caught his attention and he was suddenly well. Bright eyed and looking for his breakfast. He is definitely fading but I'm not counting him out yet. Of course I have been completely out of sync since then. Tired when I should not be, and otherwise screwed up.

It has been mostly domestic around here. Visitors often and I enjoy them. Honey and I visit with dogs and people all around the park on our walks. Gary came over with his wife Prudy this morning asking if I knew where Rick was. The Airstream is gone. Gil stopped yesterday to tell me Rick had sold his Airstream to somebody from Tampa and has moved to an apartment. He said goodbye to Gil but neither of his major benefactors heard a word. I suspect we will, though. Gary's wife, Prudy, is a chatty one. Good woman but "out there."

I've been hanging around the park too much. I need to break out of the rut. I hesitate to take Buster anywhere he may get too hot but he is fine alone. He sleeps a lot anyway whether I am here or not but he amps up the coughing if I leave him alone-not that I can hear him coughing when I sneak up on him but he lets me know. We are all having nap time now. I will have to hurry to catch up.

Verry Intterestting...

2010-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Cool start on a warm day. Walked the dogs, set about swapping a picnic table with a neighbor and fiddled around setting things right after the rainstorm Sunday. I got visitors. Bob,who is a hoot, is a retired fence contractor who for years spent the winters in the Keys being a commercial fisherman. His wife is a treat too but just Bob came wandering in. He is president of his Lion's Club back home and he filled me in on their good work. In his town they screen all preschoolers for vision problems and detect about 10 percent with problems. They buy exams and glasses for the destitute kids. I asked what they did with the glasses they collect. They strip the gold from frames and turn it into cash. They have machines that can read the prescriptions. They mark them with the prescriptions, bag them up and off they go to third world countries. Since they have chapters in every country accountability is excellent. Their $18 million was the the first to get there after the tsunami. The organization was inspired when Helen Keller spoke at their national convention many years ago. She asked them to become "The Knights of Sight" and they did.

Tony came by. People need to talk. His first marriage, produced three kids and in the early 2000's his wife became very religious which she felt exempted her from many wifely duties except the spending of the family income. They divorced. Alarmed at the prospect of growing old alone he hit the Internet and spent 10 months flying to Europe and South America meeting prospective wives. He finally settled on one from Colombia, imported her and her teen-aged daughter only to discover that something was fishy. The daughter's daddy was suddenly back in the picture. He became further alarmed when he discovered immigration laws will provide visas to women who complain of domestic violence and also to women whose citizen husbands die. That marriage lasted six months and he felt lucky to get out of it alive and for $20,000.00. He no longer fears growing old alone. He has the Jack Russell terriers to spill his affection on.

The Latours stopped by with her sister Cindy. Cindy and her husband had been on a ballroom dancing cruise. Her husband encouraged her to stay for another week. Cindy has had extensive "work" done since I last saw her. She looks good but I wouldn't have recognized her. Boobs next. Cindy is sweet and peppy and I like her. She spent a lot of time down here last year. (something fishy going on at home?) They mentioned that they had a great meal at the Pizza Palace-a little bistro in my nearest shopping mall. I saddled up as quickly as they left. I have been hankering for good spaghetti. Of course, Latour-recommended it was a great "value" and it was very good food. I am glad to know of it.

Smoked a Chicken

2010-01-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday turned out to be a very pleasant afternoon. The kids were hanging out. Jason was sitting on a high dollar deal with the company but was affable and dear Lori went to the Fresh Market for delicacies before I arrived. Bruschetta and Hummus on peppery toast rounds, a nice California wine, two loads of laundry in their fabulous washer, big honking shish-ka-bobs on the grill, sweet potato and pasta salad made it the best laundry day I ever had. The doggies were ready to play which entertained us almost as much as watching the Vikings whip up on Dallas. The weather was great after a rainy morning.

Today was a beautiful day and we are supposed to get several now. I went to a meeting of the Volunteers to plan the social calendar. Pot-luck next Monday. Perhaps a movie to follow. Honey got a walk and a bike run. Buster got a walk and in trouble. He smelled something good at the neighbor's and went looking. Not a dog lover on that side but he is checking out tomorrow. His wife already flew home to Montreal. He did speak and is fluent-sometimes they just don't talk. I hope I get a better neighbor. There are some good ones on my row. Tony said he was going to smoke a chicken. He did and brought me a half of a smoked chicken. It was fantastic! Very unusual and tasty. He pops in several times a day-not for long. The lady immediately to my left is still unhappy with the park but she offered me her picnic table (a long one) as her entertaining is over. She is a genealogist so we gabbed about that.

I played with my cameras-not like in taking pictures, but like sharpening my pencils. Cleaned lenses, changed or charged batteries, fixed a lens cover keeper. Nicole and Therese were happily doing their art together in Nicole's tent-house. Rene and Andre were riding the new bikes.

Living Inside a Drum

2010-01-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Big winds yesterday and rain today. I had discussed awning straps with Marc. I was using a nylon rope to hold down the middle of my awning to keep the wind from getting under it and ripping it off and said, "They make a flat strap but they are pretty expensive." He found some flat plastic strapping used for packaging, for a pittance, and gave me the rest of his roll. It was flimsy and the install was accompanied by cursing as it blew around in the wind, got caught on the ventilator, etc., but the deed was done, held taut by bungie cords. The winds were pretty strong and I soon found that a gust would result in a huge bass drum roll. But, I was stuck until the winds subsided. I am surprised the neighbors didn't come knocking.

I was up early today and disassembled the strap, put up the nylon rope, and was good to go when the winds came up and and the rain started. Silence is golden. My screen house is snug and dry. Nice place to be, it is but I am in and under the air conditioning with the dogs. It is the first time I have used the air conditioner in two weeks.

Lori called and I will go south to do laundry, give the dogs a play date, and have Sunday dinner. A welcome invitation. I will feed the dogs and gather the laundry.

New Neighborhood

2010-01-15T18:47:00.000-08:00

With a new north-south placement and a bodacious shade tree on the east side, I am able to do without the aluminum sunscreen and just use the 40% fabric shade. This suits the Honey-bear because she can watch the people and dogs passing by. She seems to understand she is invisible to them. She is a regular ambassador for doggiedom when we walk. She is sweet with all, old, young, sick and decrepit as long as they are DOGS! She actually let a lady touch her today so the socialization seems to be working. She is hell on wheels when her territory is threatened, though.

There are a couple of dogs we met on our rounds- a Corgi who is very ill with Lymphoma and had a morphine patch. We spent quite awhile with dog and master. A near neighbor has a terrier that is already beyond her vet stated expiration day and I just don't see it-she seems pretty bouncy to me. Her owner, Tony, was so negative when we met I was turned off. He came and visited quite awhile today. He owns a house but can't afford to live in it. He has a great 32 year old mint condition Airstream travel trailer. He is/was a general contractor and his most recent client, a doctor, is trying to stiff him on his bill. Three terriers and a serious photographer so if he can keep positive, he might make a fun friend.

Rene and Therese arrived today. Somewhere in Virginia their bike rack fell off and they didn't have a clue. They had great bikes and were fond of them but are consoling themselves with the prospect of new ones. Mme. Latour and I had a conversation the other day and I said "We ought to decorate their site before they arrive." She flat out stole the idea and cut me out of the action. But I had to laugh. She bought 20 el-cheapo balloons and there were only four that hadn't popped by the time Rene and Therese arrived. "Cheaters never prosper, said Grandma Mason. Rene and Therese look great. I am glad they are here. I am trying to develop compassion for Mme. and understand why she does what she does.

Tony had a brand new piece of sewer hose I bought from him. I was trying to opt for continued honey-wagon service because the dolts that designed the new sites put the sewer connections way forward-good for trailers but not so hot for 38 foot RV's. It is a 24 foot stretch from outlet to inlet. I had about 12 feet of hose. But I now have a connection. Not quite to Crane Hall cafeteria but it feels like it. I'll have to get one of those slinky things to provide a downhill slide. Don't want to play "Poop in the Python," at all!

Warm temperatures and two pretty good rains; last night and this afternoon. My handiwork on the awning area and screenhouse/Florida room proved up to the task. A cozy little site is emerging.

I blogged last night but the internet connection went down and I don't know where it went.

2010-01-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

MOVED!

2010-01-13T16:25:00.000-08:00

I am in my new site with lights and electricity, awning out and staked, outdoor furniture arranged and plenty of piddly stuff to do tomorrow. I was up early to finish packing up and put up the awning, etc. I did not ask a single soul to help but before the appointed hour my volunteers came: Patsy, then Andre and Nicole, then Marc with his truck, the Joe and Hal. We dang near had the stuff surrounded. I had placed nearly everything on the picnic table. My awning has a bent strut so it wouldn't quite go all the way in but we caravaned to the new site and they helped me back in and set up! Good electricity and water pressure. THEN, Jeanne said lunch was ready after the crowd had dwindled to we five. At chateau Latour we sat in the sunshine had an elegant salad with steak and kielbasa on it, bamboo hearts, olives, peppers, etc., etc., watched a mama raccoon and four babies try to crash the party and watched the many birds including parrots. A nice bottle of wine imbibed, and good conversation ensued. Jeanne had received a Hasbro "Bop-it" game and surprisingly it was a hoot. We made a good memory out of moving day.

Claud stopped by and said there were hundreds of dead fish floating and perished iguanas around the lake. The cold did them in. We are supposed to have a few nicer days and then rain on Sunday. I will have my hatches battened by then but I must admit, I started to "set-up" during lunch. Don't know if the new meds or the cumulative cold have anything to do with it-it doesn't seem to me that I broke much of a sweat getting things ready. Generic Aleve is helping.

Equilibrium

2010-01-12T05:39:00.000-08:00

To complain about 33 degree weather when it is minus 3 degrees at home seems weird. The humidity, lack of appropriate wardrobe, and stiff breezes do make it uncomfortable but not life threatening like it is in Wyoming. Then the days do improve in Florida. By noon, the layers are being shed and the heaters go off and the fans come on. Each day is a little better. We will be complaining about the heat by Sunday.

Alone time is not a luxury for this cat. It is a necessity to maintain equilibrium. The past two days have been helpful. I have not been idle but time for the details is available. The dogs got their Iverhart meds (in ice cream). Honey got groomed and de-matted. Buster got brushed. I re-patched the tear in my awning which was a little tricky: stepstool, table, hanging on a strut. The beard got caught in a de-flapper. That was painful. The awning tape ran out. But I did not fall and it looks better. This in prep of rolling it up and moving. Other preps for moving too. Today should be big progress.

The dogs got liver for the past couple of nights. It seems to help Buster. It was not thrilling to me though. A thin crust Hawaiian Pizza hit the spot though it revealed just how paltry pizza toppings are. The Domino's box felt empty without a big glob of bread in there. The medium size has shrunk, also. Not a good value.

The Humana/Rightsource meds came. The new Benazipril at the right strength was discernible in effect. The BP went right down. The doc gave me leave to cheat on the Amlodipine if feet and ankles swell in the heat. It is not cheating time yet.

Livin' in My Hoodie

2010-01-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

My hoodie has been off for sleeping, period. Just now it is starting to feel warm-inside. That means it is warming up outside. I'll take Honey for a walk soon.

Rick had me over for a rib-eye steak, baked potato and salad last night in his 1962 Airstream. The man has had a paycheck and he is walking taller. His Airsteam needs some cosmetic work but those darn things are so well designed and his is of a vintage that the Amish were doing the finish work. The cabinets and fixtures are admirable. He was thinking of selling it but now that he is on the way up it seems to be gaining value in his eyes. He cooked well but he was a little too liberal with the salt and my ankles were swelling before I left. I drank a lot of water to flush the salt and was up and down all night long.

Marcia, one of the kid's neighbors gave them a firepot for Christmas which I thought was very cool. I asked her where she got it at the poker party and when I went down for the ride to the Anniversary party -she had found one for me. That was very nice. I will use it when I inaugurate the new site.

Just got off a Skype video call from Jeanne. Must walk the dog.

Anniversary Party in Victoria Park

2010-01-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

This morning for the first time in 5 years I fired up one of the furnaces in the RV. The cube heaters were not getting the job done. I wasn't even sure the furnace was ready to go but in a minute I had blessed heat. I had to get ready to go to breakfast at the Haapenen's. Really the occasion was Ken needed help getting online with his computer. They bribed me with Finnish pancakes-the Finn answer to crepes. They were tasty and I caught up with their summer activities in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It was a merry chase finding them because Ken isn't any better giving directions than he is with computers. They are in a fourth story apartment this year. Nice view. The computer issues were rudimentary. He is good to go.

The kids invited me to stay at their house last night but knowing that I had a morning appointment drove me on home. It was not too late. They had hauled me down to Fort Lauderdale, Victoria Park for an anniversary party that was fun and just the right size. Pix at the link:

Anniversary Party in Victoria Park

The weather is gradually improving. The dogs got a walk after I bundled up this afternoon. It is supposed to be 72 degrees on Thursday. Come onnn Thursday!

I spoke to Eve briefly. News of the Eureka Earthquake made it sound like Medford was in it. She felt nothing. I had called Matt much earlier to check on them but he must have heard nothing. For me to hear nothing back was raising visions of toppled cell phone towers and widespread devastation. Eve was about to meet them for a bon-voyage breakfast. She is going to Mexico for a couple of weeks to see an old friend and get her teeth worked on by a highly recommended Mexican Dentist. Less than a third of the cost of a U.S. Dentist even with travel factored in. I wished her well.

Dismal

2010-01-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

Dismal weather-it is warmer in Medford, OR than it is South Florida. I was planning to move tomorrow but I am not going out in freezing rain today to finish getting ready. I made good progress yesterday. Buster has the squirts and the hacks, but is getting better. Over all, not my favorite day of the 2009-2010 season.

Rich sent a nice basket from Harry and David's so we have (I have) treats and I made spaghetti sauce yesterday. I don't know what, if any effect the weather will have on the party in Fort Lauderdale tonight. Most people down here use the outdoors for a portion of a party. The weather will improve in a few days. The whole country is freezing. It is all relative.

Rick got a healthy paycheck yesterday. So he is on the way to getting back on his feet.

Need to get the Honey girl in. She thinks she needs to be outside but twenty minutes out there usually cures that until she forgets again.

Thank the gods and Ineptitude!

2010-01-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Took the dogs on a walk to the new site with steel tape measure in hand. Honey spotted something in the bushes and took me for a ride. She will be happy there. Bob was riding his bike. I helped him level his RV in his nearby site yesterday-he has had to move 3 times. He said they gave him the wrong site-it was off by one number, so he went to see them. They said stay. Then I looked around at the numbers. What was 248 last year is now 249. 248 is a great site! Long and level and barely wide enough. Called the office to confirm it was my site. I was ecstatic. Happy Camper.

Today is a beautiful break before another cold front. We are enjoying it.

In spite of the cold I put on my hoodie and sat in my lawn chair yesterday. With the sun on my face and all toasty I fell asleep. Three of my meds warn of too much sun. My nose was swollen when I awoke. It is still too big today but it is normal. I felt not so hot yesterday. My feet were swelling the day before (cold?) so I took a diuretic and was just feeling "off." Soaked my feet in warm water laced with epsom salts, Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and sea salt. That helped a great deal. That is not the exact formula but it is close to a foot soak that I heard discussed recently. Whether it is hooplah or not, it felt good and will become a weekly ritual.

Still Chillin'

2010-01-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

A real-life day. I stayed under the warm covers a while longer today. Walked the Honey dog because the wind makes riding the bike unpleasantly cold. They were going great guns on the site reconstruction. I spoke to the manager as well as Lisa about my reserved site. It is shorter and narrower than it was in the "old park." This produced a big fat goose egg in results. It might have taken a yard or two of shell rock do it right but it wasn't done right. and I hope they plan to smooth it out. I am on the verge of getting crabby.

Jeanne told me Casual Male was having a big sale- She had gone to Steinmart for jeans and noticed the signs. I went down there and found the sale was on ugly stuff and 5X and 6X stuff. Still pretty pricy and I have actually dropped an X. Went to PetSmart for treats for Juneau and my dogs. Juneau is on a diet so I have to get low-cal treats that he likes. He expects his grampie to arrive with treats in hand. I ended up at Macy's where I bought a pair of Dockers pants. I don't think I am going to get next to a washing machine for a few days and I have another party to go to this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale. I have clean clothes but nothing "party presentable."

Took both dogs on a second walk. Honey gets a peppy one alone but she has to to take a slow one when Buster comes along. They both do well. I am proud to take them out. The cool weather agrees with the girl. Buster not so much. Like me, he gets achy. We visited with an ancient (more ancient) couple who had no heat last night. They are from Michigan and in a borrowed travel trailer. I gave them my best advice. "Get an electric space heater." I hope they took it. Mine are having trouble keeping up tonight. Lake Worthless Power is pumping all of 98 volts down the line. My microwave would not function this morning.

Cooked chicken breasts for us for dinner tonight. Baked potato and cream gravy for go-withs. I am suspicious of bread. I seem to fade fast when I have it.

More Jeanne Pictures

2010-01-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

Taken at Butterfly World and edited by Jeanne in chilly John Prince Park.

These are good pictures.

No original pictures from me today unless you want to see somebody nap in the the sunshine in an RV. We have been having a siesta about 1:00 p.m. every day we are around here in the park. Troubled dreams today-worrying about people. Buster needs a nap, I need it, and the puppy benefits. Honey got two walks, Buster went on the shorter one. We walked to my reserved site and it will not do. It may not be finished. The tractor is still there but as it stands it is too short.

The cold spell is breaking records for length. They are predicting strange fruit will be falling from the trees: iguanas go into suspended animation and if cold too long, perish. They are not native to Florida but thrive and have achieved pest status. They eat the ornamental plants. Extinction is not a possibility but many are hoping to thin the ranks. It is legal to kill them "humanely." My pest, the raccoon has taken to messing things up if no food is found. Maybe the move will alleviate that.

Without a "public option" I fear the health legislation will only enrich insurance companies. All of a sudden Humana/Right Source wanted to charge me a $47.00 co-pay for my potassium tablets (on top of my premium) every 90 days. Last year there was no co-pay (and the premium was half the current one). It is not the cost of the medicine. Wal-Mart sells a 90 day supply for $10.00. This after they wanted to charge me $1100.00 for my blood pressure meds in a combination form. We changed the med to two generics that carried no co-pay. It seems to me that they are gaming the system. I'm going to get out the old pencil and Wal-Mart's drug list. Of course, if you drop the Part D, you are subject to a stiffer premium when/if you re-enroll. The banks are doing the same thing-gouging the innocent to enrich the crooks.. Republicans should be rejoicing Obama is such a weenie. Looks good in a suit, though.

Latour Art

2010-01-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

In the cold Jeanne is focusing on the pictures she took at Butterfly World and using Roxio's Photosuite to enhance them and make collages. This is really quite nice. Worth a click to enlarge it.

Cold Facts

2010-01-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

It is almost record cold in South Florida. We have had two "two heater nights." I have a couple of cube heaters and usually one on low suffices on the nights the blower or air conditioner aren't used. The cubes have been on low so far but tomorrow promises an even colder night. All the heaters are sucking juice out of the grid in the park. The voltage meter says 102 volts.

Sunday was devoted to domesticity. Cleaning and an early evening trek to Wal-Mart were the major activities. Good call, it was not too busy down there. I needed coffee and several other staples. Publix makes me angry with their prices-$3.00 more for the same coffee and dog kibbles.

Rick came over and visited for awhile Sunday. He was all mopy and on the pity pot. I did not tumble. Told him to look forward. Next speech is the "cowboy up" speech. Next step is avoidance. I think dependence might be setting in. Time to grow up. He is a classic case of medical expense financial ruin but mooching, emotionally or financially, is not the way out of that catastrophe.

I love my Droid phone. With Google Voice it transcribes my voice messages to text, sends them to the Droid which goes "Droid" and I can read the message, return the call or carry on.

The Canon camera got left in Deerfield. I miss it. I will fetch it tomorrow-maybe do a little laundry. Monday is Jason's work day so tomorrow is better.

Today was much the same: domesticity and keeping warm. Mornings are cold but the sunshine makes it pleasant until sundown. Honey only got a walk today. Buster had bad coughs. I gave him a Benadryl to see if it would calm his smooth muscle spasms. Inconclusive result. He seems fine right now.

Fiesta Bowl, two good dogs and a warm RV. A good evening in the offing.

Texas Hold 'Em-the Estrogen Bowl

2010-01-03T07:24:00.000-08:00

In Texas Hold 'Em, there is an initial buy-in. In this case 20 people paid $20.00. Then the bets are all chips playing for three prizes-$240, 100. and 60. Then according to structured rules, players are eliminated until 8 players remain. It gets tense. All the strategies of poker and the game come into play. There is also a lot of laughing.

Jacqui was the big winner, Trish took second, and Viki took third. There were some bruised male egos (good natured). Brenner says "That Trish is ruthless." The dropouts either played alternate poker games or watched the Valero Bowl. The kids watched movies in the private quarters but not until they tortured us all with Guitar hero. One kid, knows all the lyrics and not a single note. Jason nearly lost it. His parents were beaming. We were cringeing. People brought their dogs too and Honey had a playdate. She really is a player.

Food was good and kind of a potluck. Jason and Lori provided chips and beverages and 10 or 12 pizza's, champagne, wine beer, apple juice, and pop. Karen brought a great salad. Viki brought nacho cheese dip, and made a cherry limeade potion. Trish brought her shortbread tarts, and others brought cookies. Several neighbors came as well as a usual core group of friends. It seemed a successful party to me. I cleaned up, refreshed things, bartended, and filled the recycle bins, etc. as well as visited with guests. Shouldn't be much left for the kids to do today. I enjoyed it. Trish said,"You certainly are domesticated." I said, "Well, if I don't do it around my house it doesn't get done." Failing to add, "Most times it doesn't get done."

Brenner represents Jameson's Irish Whiskey among other brands. The last Irish Whiskey I tasted was Bushmills, long ago, and that was enough to last until the present. Jameson's and ginger ale is a very tasty drink. Had I not a drive home I might have enjoyed a couple.

I was glad Jacqui and David came. They enjoy regular parties too. I was really glad Jacqui won. For a long while I thought she was very distant. It turns out she is painfully shy. She has a great hearty laugh when she is relaxed. "When is the next Poker Party,"she asked.
Link to pix:

Texas hold 'em- The Estrogen Bowl

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve was spent at Jacqui and David's. Click the pix for full size ones.

New Year Day was beautiful until 3:00 p.m and a blustery shower hit us. Yay, wet and we can deal with the cool.

It is gratifying to see that Rick, with prescriptions I funded, is getting better. The antibiotics are really helping. The palliatives are allowing sleep. He is looking better. The job is going well. I brought him some lunch and I think he has been "out" all afternoon. Sleep is a wonderful healer.

Old friends are arriving in the park. Joe and Pat F. arrived. I saw Cheryl and Doug. Though I am living in the "French Quarter" my neighbors are nice and warm: New Year's greetings went all around on this day.

Lori and Jason are on a roll. A Poker party is scheduled for their house tomorrow night. I will go and be houseboy (I volunteered) so both can play. They have friends in town. Most of them I know. One childhood friend of Jason's has arrived and he was a stitch: Among a very witty set of skills he can tell how many minutes from the start of any movie a sex scene occurs. He is currently a liquor company rep- I haven't seen him since Jason and Lori's wedding. He used to be a livewire. I am sure he has mellowed some. It will be interesting.

I am grateful for this relatively quiet day. Though I did not overindulge on New Year's Eve in any way, the pace of the social life is making quiet time really nice. I am a hermit, dammit!

Papa Stephen

2009-12-31T05:34:00.000-08:00

I had to wake Rick up this morning. He is usually gone by 7:00. There was no sign of activity over there. He had finally gotten some pain killers and had a good night's sleep but too long. He has been doing well at work-they have already moved him from hourly to commission and he has earned $436.00. Prudy and Gary came over to walk his dogs yesterday. They are Mormons but Prudy has had recent knee surgery and is sympathetic to the pain-killer deal. And I guess if such a pillar of rectitude as Rush Limbaugh can't quit them they exert a strong pull. I stick with it though: a junkie is a junkie. As Prudy said, we need to get Rick beyond this first paycheck. To that end I had some good beef stew and buttered bread in tupperware for him when he got home late last night.

I have a BIG slow cooker and made six quarts of stew yesterday and moved most of it. New neighbors from Quebec (but English speakers): I tried to get cute and borrow a bowl, thinking to fill it up. She offered not much of a bowl so I broke out the tupperware for them. Doc Rosenberg stopped by with a fruitcake Jan made-soaked in Amaretto and "no yucky green things," very tasty. I was able to reciprocate swiftly with beef stew. It was above average stew-not my best but nothing to be embarrassed about either.

That Honey takes her work very seriously. After she pulled up her second stake I tethered her to the water post-concrete. I went out last evening to find the tether with her hardened steel collar at the end and both dogs gone. I summoned her with the training collar and they both came-they had obviously been having a ball. Time to come in and go to bed. I am trying to fix her collar this morning but it is probably time for a new one.

Mr. Fish Writes His First Check

2009-12-30T05:34:00.000-08:00

Fish was found. Kitty was in bed. She is just picking at scrambled eggs-stew was not wanted. The Doctor's prognosis is 8 months to live- with treatment. She has had radiation on the brain cancer. Chemo is scheduled but I'll bet she gives it a pass. Ted doesn't think she will leave the park. Meanwhile, like a New Englander she is being very practical. Her father was a stingy tyrant and she did not like that so Ted was amenable to giving over the finances to Kitty. He wrote his first check Sunday as she is teaching him what he needs to know. She has been a brilliant steward of their resources-Ted didn't have a clue. Ted also seems to be doing what is appropriate: he has his wet-eyed moments but is realistic. At 80, this is not his first rodeo with death. He knows what it looks like. They continue to instruct me. But I am still sad and need to find an outlet for stew which needs to go in the pot today.

The Latours designed an outing. Nicole and Andre will go with them to Tradewinds Park and Butterfly World today. I declined. From ten a-yem to eight p-yem is too long to leave the dogs even if I were inclined to spend that much time with Mme. She seems to have exhausted her conversational repertoire. We are in heavy repeat territory now and she tends to be the only talker in many cases. She creeped me out telling how they gave over their marital (soundproofed) suite to her son and his wife during a visit. Rose petals, candles, etc. WTMI! I always preferred completely separate compartments for "mom" and "lust."

There are some units parked in the reconstructed area. Progress is good.

Honey gave a few sharp barks last night and then they faded into the distance. She literally pulled up stake and chased a coon up the chain link fence. She was dragging her tether and the stake. The coon was growling and spitting. It has been a nightly pest and I considered aiding and abetting the hound but I didn't.

Tuesday in the Tropics

2009-12-29T06:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the kind of day I come to Florida for-today is downright chilly. I keep track of home so I still feel fortunate though my hands hurt in this much cold because it seems to me winter in my neck of Wyoming has been brutally cold-I feel so bad for below zero temperatures.

I spoke to Eve a few minutes ago-I was calling to say goodbye but she had already left and was stuck in the San Francisco airport-14 hours without sleep. Not a happy camper. But the visit was fun and I was glad to see her. Good place to be about an ex: kind of neutral but friendly.

I have to get out and about soon. I bought makings for stew thinking to cook enough to give some to the Fish family but the ambulance left the park yesterday afternoon so I don't know if they are at home. I hope they are. Costco is a funny place. Some things are not a bargain at all but meat usually is -if you can use large amounts. Met my old friend Ange-a neighbor from two years ago who bought a condo down here. Waved at his wife and kids across the store.

Buster didn't have a great night but he is resting easy now-not coughing.

Rick did well at his first day of work. His elbow was draining profusely so he went, as directed, to Dr. Patel at St. Mary's where he got a runaround and was caught up in the drama of a shooting coming in. If what I read in the paper this morning was related, it was a fatality- a second successful attempt in the 'hood. But I make no mistake-Rick is a chancy bet. Whether prescription or street, a junkie is a junkie. Those years running the shelter were instructive.

The new neighbors to my right came in from Texas because the wife's girlfriend is ill. He seems a typical Texan. He is very "coach proud." He drives a Foretravel made in Nagadoches, Texas. "The only limit to what you can get in this coach, is your billfold," he says. So I looked it up on the Internet. New ones (his is not) are going for around $800,000.00. So I went down the feature list. The only things his has that mine does not have is something called Hydronic Heating, and a washer and dryer. Bragging rights aside, I feel like I am $775,000.00 ahead. Right where I like to be.

They are getting closer to finishing my reserved site. Perhaps by Wednesday, the electrician said. I picked it for the tree. But part of the tree is gone now. (insert "S" word here)! The quest for my perfect site continues.

Christmas Comes but Once a Year-thank God!

2009-12-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

What to give people who have everything? Hats! Rear Admiral Lori and Cap'n Jason. Juneau gets toys, as do the other dogs.

The old boy is taking some time off- I got too tired and too run down-did not feel well yesterday morning and was sick by last night. In the interest of keeping things to myself, I skipped a fishing trip and dinner in Deerfield with the kids and Eve today but I am happy for the down time.

How did I get so tired? Running forth and back to Deerfield. Lori decided to continue her Polish through Texas Panhandle tradition of a "Kill the Bug" party on Christmas Eve Morning. I helped cook and get the food together-I was cooking at 6:00 a.m on Christmas Eve day. The party was a big success- kids, dogs, all sorts of people-42 of them. The consumption of strong drink and food at this time is supposed to bring good health and prosperity through the coming year. This was a sort of "come as you are" party. After cleanup I had to go home and gussy up for David and Jacqui's Christmas Eve Party.

This was an intimate (by David's standards) party-sit-down dinner for 70. Pictures at the WebAlbum. (Click the picture)

Christmas Eve at David and Jacqui's

As interesting as the lifestyles of the Rich and Famous are, they are just people-very nice people with very real problems along with the perks. Jacqui is raising a grandchild with special needs, etc., etc. To say more would be gossipy but rest assured a pile of money does not insulate you from real life problems.

In between times I was elfing around for Christmas booty. Many miles to Macy's, to West Marine, to The Citrus Grove (out of business now). Then there is my "park son" Rick who has had a bad year. I am sure Lisa parked him here for a reason. I am not the only parent. Gary and Prudy have been feeding him too and lending tools as he makes a buck or two buffing up RV's. He is a good man- he repaired a couple's KIA. They, with family assistance, are taking a Last Hurrah trip -he is blind in one eye and riddled with cancer. Honey likes Rick's dachshunds. Rick starts a job tomorrow. He finally found a hospital that would drain his elbow tonight. He is in constant pain and is open about being addicted to Loratabs. He dropped a transmission on his right arm and has had several surgeries and according to this latest doctor a painful cyst that will never heal without more surgery. His mother lives here but has few resources. For Christmas she did his laundry and he was grateful. Hopefully the job will let him get some of his possessions out of hock.

I had to use my Wells-Fargo Rewards points before they discounted them by a third. So I got a 64 gig iPod Touch. It will hold all my iTunes-14 gigs and counting. Moving the music was no piece of cake. I had to buy software. Apple doesn't have any interest in your having music on your iPod other than what they sell you. But! If you paid for an application (like Scrabble) you don't have to pay again.

Wait there is more! The happy hour at Nicole and Andre's: simple hahahahahahah; melon with prosciutto, deviled eggs, lobster dip. Somebody brought a bag a Ruffles. I brought ice. Elise got a little tipsy and stopped the conversation telling how you tell the difference between male and female lobsters. We always laugh a lot.

Honey was vile to JJ (dog) and Greg when Greg and Lew stopped by Friday. I put her in the RV and she escaped. I finally tried to tackle her but she moved and I bit the dirt. That was a two aspirin night. I asked them to call before they come next time. It was not pretty. The training collar is back on her highness. Then, I took her on a long walk tonight and she interacted very nicely with two Golden Retrievers, two Dobermans, a sheep dog, and a Shih- tzu, four French hens and a partridge in a pear tree.

Too Busy to Blog?

2009-12-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Lots doing and I will catch you up. The social whirlwind of Christmas has to wind down soon.

Phil's Man Cave and the Clark Griswold Syndrome

2009-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

At David's party Phil and Joy invited us to see his Christmas decorations. You may recall National Lampoon's Christmas vacation in which Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, brings down the power grid of Chicago when he plugs his Christmas lights in. To Phil's chagrin, he takes 2nd place year after year. The guy on the corner usually wins and in fact was told to expect us because we would be looking for "big lights." I was really impressed with Phil's "Man Cave-" his garage. He is very handy and showed off his handiwork inside the house but he and his dog hang out in the garage a lot and it has everything a guy could want including a TV with the complete NFL package. Complete picture set at the web album. The man cave is a hoot.

Most of the lights are in the above picture. Lost at this distance is the snow making machine. Below is Phil's Christmas Village. Very elaborate and complete. He spends hours on his decorations and it shows. He says the TV is the villages' drive-in theater. The pics are worth a click to enlarge.

I did not stay too long because Buster had been sick earlier and in fact did not want to go in the car-a very unusual symptom. He seems fine today if a little logy. Honey did go and was rewarded with a good romp with Jack, Phil and Joy's Lab mix: a puppy and just full of it. Juneau pooped out pretty early-he is a people dog.
It is fascinating to me to see what "turns someone's crank." I'm glad people share.

Cool morning this Monday but it got nicer as the day went on. Honey got a run. She played with the Dachshund's next door and Lucy- a boxer/pitbull mix puppy moved in across the street. She is set with playmates.

The Latours were down for a visit. They offered to help me move which I thought was imminent as the 24th is nearly here and I have many social engagements to attend. I was worried. I went to see Lisa. The people who wanted this site cancelled so she blocked me in until February 1st. I can move when my site is ready but don't have to move until February. A huge load off.

I made chicken soup for Mrs. Fish and delivered it at dinner time. She had been in for more tests and treatment and had a big day so she was glad to get it. I hope she is still glad because it got gussied up a little from regular chicken soup. It might not be to her taste, though it tasted fine to me. Her son and granddaughter were there so I met them.

Whew..Sunday a day of rest

2009-12-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday was spent in recuperation and hanging out and doing laundry at Deerfield. Unplanned and completely pleasant. Lori wanted some pictures for her Christmas cards and I took some crappy ones. Jason harvested bananas. We visited. We talked about David and Jaqui's completely fabulous Christmas party that we attended on Friday. (I'll provide a link to pictures) That party is completely over the top. The only thing that saves it from completely wretched excess is it is very egalitarian and diverse in guest selection-the gardener, housekeeper, dentist's helpers, as well as the well-heeled and well-off, attend. And they all enjoy. Some are real characters and now old friends to me. Jacqui's mom tends to get well oiled and is a hoot. David's mom just graduated from Clown School. Not boring.

It is pretty cool down here today and yesterday was in the mid 60's. The dogs were frisky and had a great play day with Juneau. They are very entertaining. We had a reasonable dinner at Duffy's Sport's Tavern, watched the Donco's, and I was heading home with clean clothes at a decent hour. Link to the Party Pictures:

David and Jacqui's FABULOUS Christmas Party

Jolly Old Elf

2009-12-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

Weather forecasted: three days of rain followed by cold (low 40's) so I decided I'd better Christmas shop while I can. Lori elf gave me some suggestions for those I am usually at a loss for. The dogs got left after morning runs and walks and I paid the site rent for the next month, did some shopping on Amazon, and went to Pier One, Macy's, Dillard's and Wal-Mart. The Boynton Macy's is pretty glitzy and they now have a big and tall department that is going to get some business from me. Better value than Casual Male (huge and gargantuan) and lots more style. Malls are designed like casinos-the outside world just sort of vanishes. I really kind of liked it in there.

Nicole and Andre biked over to tell me that the Happy Hour was postponed because Nicole hadn't had time to shop for it. I couldn't help myself: "Shop? I thought we were supposed to be going simple. A can of Vienna sausages and a paring knife and we are good to go." They laughed, too.

The weather forecast was for showers which began when I was coming home from Macy's. Only it wasn't a shower-it was a gale. It was every bit as complete a "whiteout" as a blizzard. Without anyplace for the water to go, the tires were planing. It was white knuckle time. Fortunately, commonsense prevailed. A lot of flashers were turned on and traffic slowed to about 30 m.p.h. tops. I made it home just fine and have been listening to the rain on the roof ever since. It may "shower" up to 3 inches tonight.

A roast is really a good investment. We three have had three meals off it and may get another.

My screenhouse with rainfly's is a good thing. We can actually be outside in this weather. The air conditioner is getting a rest. So am I- a nice nap in the rain took place.

Family Stuff

2009-12-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

Audrey and her little friend Sidney look at Christmas lights in historic Jacksonville. Best friends. And adorable in a Grampie's eyes.

Richard called tonight and he sounded breathless. Said they were gathering foliage on state lands to have Foresters make Christmas decorations for the preservation fund. "Where are you?" I asked, not placing any such thing on Casper Mountain. "Hawaii," was the reply. They are visiting Melissa, Val's daughter and having a family get-together. (her side). He claims he told me but the nearest thing I recollect was some discussion about one of the daughters who couldn't go for a medical reason. Anyway, it was 2:40 in the afternoon there and 7:40 in the evening here. He was very impressed with the trails and the vistas and glad to be helping out. "Send pictures!"

I started my day by helping "Gilles" re-orient his RV. He figured out if he parked it catywampus they would have a better chance of entering and exiting. I think he was an engineer-just a guess. Each move involved putting down four blocks for the jacks and two ramps for the downhill side tires. I was OK for the first two moves but by the time the 3rd and 4th moves came around I was rueing the day. Pretty cool to sit in the coach and have some ungainly doofus from Wyoming crawling around under your RV. But he was finally happy and very appreciative. "You are one of a kind!" (so true, so true, and what a clever remark. It now belongs me. ) I gave him a banana from the huge bunch Jason sent home with me. They are starting to ripen and are so much better than shipped and store-bought. A little later Gilles brought me a couple of handfuls of candy bars. His wife works for Hershey Canada. I have a nice little treasure trove and a valuable connection.

I had a nice little rump roast that needed to be cooked. It was for the Sunday dinner I gave up on. So I roasted it and it was just right. I love the toaster-oven I bought last season. The dogs thought I was a god. Honey is turning into an effective beggar: first the kiss on the elbow to tell me she is there. Then the head on the leg and the soulful eyes. Not a peep. All this not lost on Buster whose closest approximation to begging has been a very intense observation for drops. He is starting to line up. He is so funny. He has always hated a leash. But Honey gets walked with a leash (I figure even I can catch a dog with a gimpy leg and a heart condition) so I put the leash on him and he just puffs up. Shows what a good dog is supposed to do. Bless him.

The cooling unit of the RV fridge got a good pounding with my rubber mallet. That is supposed to clear clogs. It is performing a little better which is good because Mike did not show or call.

Rainy Day

2009-12-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

I awoke to a short downpour which puddled things up enough to skip the morning run for Honey. What to do on a rainy day? I donned my plastic rain hood and washed the RV. I got a lot of grime off and the next heavy rains rinsed it. I'll buff it up a little when the Sun stays out. I made "on the road" business cards. Name and phone and gmail but no address. No point in advertising there is a house in Wyoming unattended. I tidied and straightened inside and out.

My "rainflys" on the screenhouse did their job. I ordered cloth shower curtains to replace the plastic ones. The plastic ones make good covers within the awning area. Overall, a good idea for limiting rain and sunshine. I had to school myself in the art of fastening snaps to them to keep them from billowing in the breeze. Snaps are harder than one might think. I believe I could invent a better tool than Dritz has come up with.

The park is beginning to fill and I got a new neighbor from Quebec. Gillis is the translation. I helped him back a gorgeous Damon coach into the worst site on the campground. Then I helped him level it. He was alone but his wife will fly in Thursday. He has neat toys: a scooter and a "Smart Car." The entrance to his coach is in front and to get it level the front had to go way up. He said his wife was short and we got the giggles imagining her hiking up her dress and putting her knee on the first step. Seems like a good guy.

My RV refrigerator freezes things just fine. The fresh food part is warmer than it ought to be. I called Coastal Repair and it sounded a little slurry on that end but maybe it was just the rain.

Honey was pent-up by the evening run. If other dogs show the least aggression she tends to give it right back. We had a few "moments"-she is strong enough to drag me and the bike. Matt noticed that she holds a human's gaze. She doesn't break it . He says that is "Alpha Bitch" behavior. I know the type but the term was new. Buster had a bad night. I cooked liver for them tonight but opted for Chinese for me.

A cool evening, welcome after a sweat lodge afternoon. Cooling trend in the air. Welcome. And that is how I spent a rainy day.

Picture of Bob's Big Woody

2009-12-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

Doc loves wood and carts his lathes and chisels from New York to John Prince. He has an earlier vintage Bluebird Wanderlodge. They hold value like crazy because they were built by the schoolbus people and you can still buy parts off the shelf. They were built like tanks but are the "plain janes" of the RV world. Bob made a "woody" out of his. So cool.

When I was running Honey this morning I ran into Ted Fish. He was in a lather. His wife is in the hospital. She has been having dizzy spells and had a bad one. Tests began. She has had a series of tiny strokes. The Scan picked up some anomalies in her lungs. She is being biopsied for cancer. We are all just sick about it. They were my first neighbors in the park and Ted was very helpful to me. I thought she was indestructible. They have kids in Atlanta though they live in New Jersey. Lots of decisions to be made.

Then I stopped to pick up my mail and Lisa, the head clerk was holding some lady and comforting her. She came to look up a friend and discovered she had passed away here in the park. I was touched that Lisa was so tender with a stranger. Of course many of the residents are closer to "terminal" than the average population. Maybe it is covered in the employee's manual. The Rosenbergs and I reacted identically: Enjoy Every Day You Have. So I cleaned things today.

As for me, I also rode the bike, visited with folks, gave away some of the huge banana bunch that broke a limb at Jason's house-at least 30 pounds intact, got the new element put into the hot water heater. It works but I swear I can pee warmer water than it makes. (Not that I ever checked, mind you). I was hoping for tapwater coffee. I am biding my time for Mme. Latour. She has been making the rounds conspiring for "simple" get-togethers. The bitch don't cook! Nobody has ever said a word. They get invited, nobody expects them to do anything, but now we have to have weenie roasts! I told Nicole that Jeanne does not get to set the agenda. The way it works is somebody extends an invitation. You either accept or refuse. I enjoy the occasional weenie roast but I left that "lowest common denominator" at the schoolhouse door.

Now we will think pleasant thoughts or I may be joining Mrs. Fish at the medical center.

Memories...of the way they were

2009-12-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

Lapses: Greg forgot his camera and some complimentary dog-poo bags I gave as party favors. So he and Lew were back this morning. Had a couple of beers and another rehearsal of "How the cow is going to eat the cabbage" when his daughter gets here. Lew's fallback position is moving in with HIS folks if it gets bad. Hey, a little drama makes life interesting...as long as it isn't happening to me.

Their memory lapse was perhaps understandable because we were a little wrecked. Mine happened after I got THROUGH the check-out line at Publix today. Not one red cent on me and my wallet was home. Fortunately, the checker knew me and held my groceries while I went home and returned. BUT, I was behind a family with an autistic teen (laying on the floor, playing with the toys, wandering off, dancing, being bizarre), and a harried middle-aged woman and her mother in an electric cart. BIG shopping. Had time to visit. The old lady's mother was from Oak Hill, West Virginia. I happen to know the area. Behind her were three generations of Guatemalens with two birthday cakes and a ten year birthday boy who was hoping to get through the checkout before he turned eleven. We all got pretty chummy before it was over.

Speaking of chummy, I pulled past Latours and Jeanne came over to the van. She raised her arms and it struck me who she reminds me of. Do you remember Molly Shannon on SNL-the Catholic schoolgirl skits? Mary Margaret. Mary Margaret turned out pretty well.

Honey got two runs today-it started to cool off so she could have an afternoon run. We had a pretty good rain last night. I bought stuff to cook Sunday dinner and lost interest. But it was a nice day and I am glad to be alive and in it-even with the marbles spilling out of my head.

Lew's Birthday Party

2009-12-12T04:21:00.000-08:00

I'm looking at a stack of garbage on my kitchen counter. I was too tired to haul it to the dumpster and the outside garbage can is too big an invitation to the coons. All familiar sights: They saw the game hen post on the blog and expressed envy so I did a repeat. There is very little in the way of leftovers. I saved a half of hen for my "kids."One exception: "Death by chocolate dessert" with a trick candle for dessert. We had a nice time. I am glad to have them around. We got nearly hysterical talking about them getting kicked out of the park last year. Now that they are settled and happy at Mar a Lago Cay trailer park, it is a funny story. As Lew said "How bad do you have to be to get kicked out of a trailer park?" Doesn't look good on the resume.

Mike from Coastal RV called about the time I was really getting going on my cooking. The element for my water heater came in. I told him to come on Monday.

My poor neighbors left this morning. They are on their third site and will be near neighbors when they get to their reserved site. Unfortunately, Honey decided she didn't like him last year and her opinion hasn't changed. He is a nice man. He coasted on my Internet for two years. The park internet seems to be down since last night. Verizon is still cooking though.

No Further Explanation Necessary

2009-12-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

Loose shoes

2009-12-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

The plan worked and a lot of fluid was shed. Shoes loose, legs less lumpy. I was tired so a quiet day helped all around. We had gone to Wally World last night after it cooled off. I had a list in hand when I left but could not locate it once there. I did pretty well considering that. Will have Greg and Lew over for dinner tomorrow evening. Lew's birthday.

I spent a few hours today up Bravo Lane with the Latours. Their air conditioner fried its controller board and I loaned them a fan. I have a spare air conditioner but they do not want that. They are from Georgia so maybe they are better acclimated than I. The evenings are cooling off pretty nicely. Then I took them some tools and helped finish off the installation of my Christmas decorations on their site. They did a nice job.

Matt made it home safely. It was so great to see him. He was missing Audrey. Treasured times.

They are going great guns on the park remodel. They are at a point when the big machines can be used. I walked the dogs that way and visited with a black man for quite awhile. I thought he was very chatty but after I left, he wasted no time unloading a front end loader. I think we were in his way.

Yesterday Got Away From Me

2009-12-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday got away from me. First, I was off to the Latours with my Christmas decorations. Since I will be moving, it does not make sense to put them up here. They are settled. That part was fine but I realized I was out of pill hiding material for Buster and made a trip to Publix. Greg called while I was there and he and Lew were waiting at my site. Lengthy discussions with Greg. His daughter is generally making a mess of the opportunities for education they have provided and she now desires to spend the winter with them along with her 32 year-old unemployed boyfriend. How to get her set straight without rupturing his relationship with her is a problem.

Meanwhile Jason called and Matt's bon voyage had morphed into a trip to Hollywood and the Hard Rock Casino. I had less than an hour to get ready to get to Deerfield at the appointed time. I made it. There I found they had spent the day with Matt giving gun safety and self defense lessons to Jason and Lori at a Delray shooting gallery. They produced impressive used targets. I suggested backlighting them and taping them to the windows. They would deter me. Then they all went for massages. When I got there the mellow factor was so evident I felt like I was hyperactive. No rush to get anywhere. We got four miles down the road and Lori remembered the driver's licenses were at home. We went back. Jason had booked online tickets for the Improv and I.D. was necessary. We dined at the Hard Rock Cafe. They had $15.00 hamburgers, I opted for $18.00 salmon. It was all delish.

I had picked up coupon books and Matt got a freebie when he purchased mother/daughter Hard Rock T-shirts. Then we scooted for the Improv. Jason discovered they were closed and the tickets were for tomorow (today). He was embarrassed but it was no big deal to the rest of us. We wandered and shopped and had a few drinks at the bar and gambled a little. Up and down, but net losers this time. I lost $5.00. Lori lost $30.00 and Jason did about the same. Matt says he doesn't gamble but I gave him my cash out ticket when I was up and he quickly tripled it before it went away.We had fun though

It being Tuesday, the weekend throngs and sidewalk acts and fountain show were not featured. We shopped some. I bought a cute top for Audrey and did a double take when the receipt showed $53! Oh well, her grampie loves her. Below is the incredible shrinking O.F. with his boys. Matt is gloating because he finally tops the old man. The old man is beyond caring but was surprised how much shrinking was taking place. Maybe it is not shrinking, but settling. Do you suppose?

Fueled by strong coffee I left Deerfield at 12:30 this morning, I was home by 1:15 but the coffee kept me awake until 3:00 when I sort of passed out. I was also mad. The coons had cleaned out the outdoor fridge while the Honeybear was in Deerfield playing with Juneau. Not only that, they walked on everything with their muddy feet. The war is going to escalate.

Today is going to be a quiet day with meds. The first thing Dr. Lew noticed was my edema which is not even all that bad at this point but a diuretic and horizontal time seems to be in order. There is a 98 degree difference between here and home in Wyoming this morning.

Life Changing Moment

2009-12-08T04:53:00.000-08:00

You can tell from this young man's face, this encounter with birds is profound. He is rapt. Taken the other day at Butterfly World.

Yesterday was stow away and technology day. I am finding or making a place for everything. Of course this means some stuff must go. I gave a fairly new Eureka vacuum to a groundskeeper. It was good but it made me want to commit vacuum abuse everytime I used it. attachments would fall off or it would tip over when I used the hose and wand. It was replaced with a refurbished Dyson cannister-much more compact, very sturdy and the pet hair comes right up. The staple job on the headliners is barely noticeable. I am relieved about that. I placed a few preventive ones too because I can see some sags. Things are starting to look right homey. The Bose radio is tuned to NPR as I putter around.

Among other things I installed Skype on the main computer. Nicole and Andre just installed it so we had a connection and video chatted for an hour and sixteen minutes last night! Clear across the park! (sarcasm). Gotta run the dog- be right back. Back: today was a two-bagger. A coon tried to make off with a plastic bag of connectors, power supplies, etc. last night Scattered it good. I think I will arrange for a close encounter of the Honey kind.

Put Google Goggles on the Droid. Supposedly I can take a picture of something in Google Goggles and the program will tell me what and where. I usually know where I am but the technology is fascinating. It works with other things too including bar codes.

Matt will leave soon-bon voyage tonight. I didn't get enough but am happy I got what I got!

Monday Morning

2009-12-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

The nice respite from heat will end today. I made the most of it. I got a lot done. The dogs could be outside which helps considerably. Honey has had her run today. Buster had a bad night. He had a lot of coughing but he came to me for help and I patted his back which seems to help. Doze and pat, doze and pat.

We scooted to Deerfield for steaks, squash, pasta salad from the Fresh Market and birthday cake Sunday night. The boys had gone fishing and all they caught were big waves and some color in their faces. They have some events planned over the next few days. I am so glad we, and they, have this time together. Matt looks just great.

I've bitten the bullet and am setting up the HP computer as the main one. I have been using my netbook for months. It is up to the task except the screen size is a little hard on my eyes and my proof-reading has suffered. And since software manufacturers are so chintzy with their licenses, I have not been using some of my favorite programs because they have been saved for the big cahuna.

I am back after installing some of said programs: Microsoft Office 2003, HP Printer program, Latest version of Picasa. Now I need to stir my stumps.

The weather seems to be very bitter at home. My friends are welcome at anytime to share my modest digs and go visit the fat cats from time to time. They are very generous with the O.F.

Jason turns 40!

2009-12-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

The big party was yesterday-the big recuperation is today. The kids are at another (surprise) birthday party tonight. The O.F. stayed home on a coolish drizzly day though the call of excellent leftovers was strong. The kid's parties always include "kids and dogs" and even my pooches had the slows today as Riley, a rescue lab, joined the mix and swam and played chase long into the night. I "put on the agony" in the form of a pair of loafers that nearly crippled me. Lori put on a high class bash for the occasion last year but Jason was single minded about his plan: nothing too fancy and time spent with those near and dear. It was a blast. Catered from Uncle Julio's the fare was "build your own fajitas", with trimmings. Uncle Julio uses real steak and real chicken breast-excellent food.

Warm, nice people who visited and chatted. The little kids asked to do Guitar Hero and quickly got shouldered aside by enthusiastic wannabes. It was a hoot. Lori singing Johnny Cash's "Burning ring of Fire" was not to be missed. I nearly wet myself laughing.

I left at 11:30 p.m.. The last guests left at 3:00 a.m. There were millionaires, multi-millionaires, and multi-multi millionaires, Porsches, Ferraris, Hondas and suburbans, civil servants, business people, a holistic chiropractor, working people, graphic artists, retirees, ages from six to 71, gay, straight, reformed alcoholics and imbibers. but warm, kind and funny. Good sports. Now comes the fun part for you: Guessing who is which: (click for the album and slideshow. I will label the pictures in a few days.)

Jason turns 40!

"This isn't my first rodeo..."

2009-12-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

"This isn't my first rodeo with these things," said Mike the repairmen as he prepared to install my electrical element in the hot water heater. I took this as a signal to keep my yap shut. So I did. It did not take long at all to put it in. He fiddled with my jacks a bit and had no success. I paid. (he had been holding back on some charges-all legit-so this time it hurt a little.) I plugged in the hot water element and the breaker popped. Gave him a call. He was full of all kinds of advice. But he eventually came back. He had installed the thing completely bypassing the thermostat and controls. The heating element fused into a short circuit. He ordered a new one-left a little red-faced. Got bucked off in this rodeo, I guess.

It was windy and threatening rain yesterday so I stiffed Honey on her morning run. We got that done at 7:15 this morning. She needs to blow off energy but we have to go early. It is 78 degrees at 8:15 this morning. Cooler by the weekend thank goodness.

Jason's birthday sounds fun-very casual- kids and dogs welcome. Matt arrives this evening. I am excited. Jason told me about the Celtics/Heat game they all attended. The Casperites hit the jackpot on celebrity watch: Celine Dion was in their section. They'll have tales to tell.

The park is not all that full- I think they built their business plan in the boom market. Many seniors are on a fixed income which took a hit. A lot of people I know from Canada are spending more time on the Florida west coast where bargains are to be had, or not coming at all. Nicole said her sister in law is suicidal over their reversals. Pretty shallow in my book and to which I say "get some pills and therapy or get it over with." Otherwise, it is emotional blackmail.

Party time!

2009-12-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

Monday I was a complete slug. I was tired and needed peace and quiet. I texted Rich and they made it to Denver and were headed to Casper on the highway. Forty-eight degrees in Casper so the return was not a shock.

Yesterday was Latour arrival day so I pitched a dinner party. I had some leftover makings from Thanksgiving that needed to be used so there were some repeats for me but it was all new to the other four: Game hens with wild rice stuffing and blueberry sauce, cranberry relish, creamed onions with peas, romaine salad with apples, and sunflower seed-raspberry vinaigrette. They carried in wine, a veggie platter, and chocolate covered strawberries.We didn't miss a beat in resuming warm friendship. Honey was not a gracious hostess so she sat it out in the RV. Buster was the love object and it was nice for him. Beautiful night, warm, full moon and great to be dining outdoors on December 1, 2009.

It is 77 degrees at 7:00 a.m. and today is going to be too hot. I am told the contractor for the park improvements can't make his payroll so work is ceasing. An adventure every day in South Florida.

Rich, Val and Justin visit

2009-11-29T06:04:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning here now. Honey has had her bike run, Buster has had his walk. Yesterday Rich began his day playing with Juneau in the pool. Jason just called and Lori is fixing a Texas brunch so I will head there soon. THEY will go to the Celtics,/Heat game in Miami tonight-of interest to me on TV but not in person. Amazing Jason scored some great tickets for them.

I took the Casperites to Butterfly World Saturday. Many more pictures to post. We got a bonus: The A Cappela Singers gave a concert at Butterfly World. Amazing voices. There was a basso profundo from Egypt who went so far in the basement I got goosebumps. And two sopranos who hit the stars. Then they encircled the audience and sang. Finished up with "God Bless America." They sold CD's, I bought.

At dinner on Friday night the kids and Rich's group encountered Adam Sandler who was kind and spoke-he was walking around calming his baby. Justin spotted Jamie Fox and his retinue at Butterfly World and went chasing after him. Wide eyed celebrity watch. He was busy with his phone camera.

Also on Saturday we went to Delray where I made good my birthday promise to Val and Rich to buy them dinner at Enigma. We all went and enjoyed the great food. It took Rich to point out the building had been a gas station at one time. I found confirming evidence after he brought it up. They were impressed with the food and ate with gusto. We started with two pitchers of "Fall off the Porch Sangria"and shared three Flans for dessert. In between it was chaos.

Today, after Lori's treat of a breakfast (Texas Breakfast Casserole) we gabbed a bit. Justin wanted to do the beach so Jason loaned a snorkel and the three Wyomingites went to the beach. Lori and Jason needed a nap. I went to CompUSA and spent some money and, killing time for good naps, tried to find the A-1-A highway from Lighthouse Point. That is a nice little community but you can't get to the A-1-A from there. Rich called and had a table at the Patio Bar and Grille on the beach. We met there. We listened to a Karaoke Crooner and had late lunch while we watched the eye candy on the beach promenade. I got tickled: a voluptuous sunbather got her bikini string "lodged" and worked to set it free without really going "there." She would tug at the top and make things bad down low and vice versa. Justin had a stinging brush with a jellyfish but his appetite was unimpaired. It was rolling up on 3:30 when we got back to the house. They all needed to head for Miami by 4:30 so I made my gooodbyes and headed for my cozy abode. I am bushed. I am glad they are all younger. Jason's birthday is on the 4th when the festivities start and include a visit from my son, Jason's brother, Matt. I hope I am rested up by then. Great visits but too much fun in a row! Spring chickenhood is not even in sight in my rearview mirror.

"Houston, we have ignition!"

2009-11-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

I stayed in the park today getting ready to wine and dine Nicole and Andre. Good thing. While Val and Rich were revisiting their turkey sandwiches on a fishing trip (woof) on the rough seas of the ocean, Mike the Coastal RV repair guy showed up. I have propane! Hot water, refrigeration, and all it entails. Wonderful! He also installed the electric element for my coach refrigerator. Fortuitously, the undersink water filter chose this time to spring its annual leak. Mike was here. Yay! He says he can easily install an electrical element for the hot water heater. That would provide redundancy and really cut down on propane use. That is on the list. The jack repair is also on the list. Middle of next week. uhuh. But the cost was reasonable and I am a happy camper. It is all coming together.

Dinner was tasty but somewhat perfunctory. It is chillee -for Florida and so it was short and sweet but the vittles was et and didn't go to waste. Greg called while I was pedalling my bike to Andre's.(Is there a law against biking and cellphone use yet?) He was catching up on my blog and was my right hand partner in crime last season in refilling the holes Honey dug in my lawn. He saw the pictures of the complete devastation and it made him laugh. They will show in a week or ten days and I will enjoy seeing them. They will, be down on Lantana so there will be a little refuge away from here and quite close. They can visit me too.

I was not as unconscious as I thought and the Lumix camera made it home. Here are a few Thanksgiving pictures. Click on the slide show for bigger pix.

Great Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T21:40:00.000-08:00

I started early slicing and dicing, chopping and blending. I had two contributions to make: Cranberry relish and Creamed onions. I was working with less than optimal equipment. Because of no propane because of Coastal RV repair, I was using a 900 watt hot plate. I remembered how long it takes water to boil on this so the onions went first. My blender, bought last season was more a drink blender and it was not doing a good job on cranberries, nor oranges. Out came the hand chopper. Not very efficient but eventually it all came together with minutes to spare before departure. Guests were Trish who celebrated her 30th anniversary of emigrating to the U.S. from Great Britain. I was glad to see her again. Brother Rich, Val and Justin, Lori and Jason, and the dogs. Trish brought starters: Champagne laced with creme de cassis and Swiss tarts she made. Hosts Jason and Lori provided cheese and olives and crackers. The drinks were subtle but powerful. Jason was the master chef and worked his fanny off. I have food pictures: in two cameras both in Deerfield. (Crap!) Trust me when I say it was a fabulous traditional spread.

The new dining room was inaugurated and performed as designed. We ate and lingered and visited and played games until it was time for a sunset cruise. We took David's twin diesel cabin cruiser. It was a great ride on the Intracoastal to Lighthouse Point and the open sea. We got stuck while the bridge keeper at the Camino Real drawbridge had a nap or something. The bridge is supposed to open every 20 minutes. We idled for nearly an hour but the only complaint was we didn't bring enough wine! It was wonderful being on the water in the evening. I was astounded at Jason's ability to parallel park a cabin cruiser. Amazing tour de force. Justin broke the ice and we ate leftover dinner (again) before tucking into apple and pumpkin pies with homemade whipped cream. Then Trish's after dinner liqueur stoked another round of word games and gabbing around the dining table. Great fun. The doggies were good while we were gone and made out like bandits while we were there.

The kids have been busy getting the house assembled and the decorator was in town from Michigan. They turned their former large bedroom into a kind of private quarters living room. The centerpiece of that is a kind of cocooning couch/daybed inspired by Juneau. It has two upholstered sides like a couch and a full size mattress so Jason, Lori and Juneau can snuggle, watch TV, hang out. Juneau took no time figuring out what this was all about. The master bedroom is now where Jason's former office is. They found they gravitated to the smaller bedrooms so made themselves a small one. Many other improvements. I'll take pictures. It is coming together very nicely.

We got a break from the heat. In fact it is a little chilly tonight. I'll cook for Andre and Nicole tomorrow (before the groceries go bad). Saturday we will all do Butterfly World and dine at Enigma. Sunday?? Casperites go home Monday a.m.