Happy Birthday, USA

The wind is still here and the breeze is lovely blowing through the rooms this a.m. The sun is peeking out and reflecting from the water on the Mandarin side of the river. The first time I woke up and went for a little walk, the sky to the northeast was a brilliant pink. Unfortunately, due to my room being in upset, both my cameras were out of reach, so I just climbed back under my covers for another hour or two of sleep 'n dreams. No rain was predicted for last night so I kept the sliding doors open when I went to bed. Nice!

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Oh, would I love to be in NYC for the nation's birthday! On F & F, the plaza outside their studio is all set-up for a picnic and the Army Jazz Ambassadors are playing their music as various cooks are having a food-making contest for other military folk. Love seeing those guys, mostly guys today, in their uniform. Speaking of seeing uniforms, there was an evening wedding yesterday at The Club as we were enjoying our social time at the pool. About half of the 'congregation' were in their dress white uniforms and it looked just smashing. The groom was also in dress whites and the bride wore a white dress. We understand that at some point in the ceremony, or afterward, the men will form a double line and have the couple walk under a canopy of crossed swords. And traditionally, the last man swats the bride across the bum with his sword. Not sure what that is supposed to mean, butt.........

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Around noon or so I decided to go down to have some lunch but did not put on my swimsuit since the sun was not shining. Normally I have a hot dog but this season's dogs are simply not measuring up. In fact, Marlena gave me a free one to try along with my burger, to see if was a cooking-issue. Danny, the usual cook, had called in sick, so she was handling all the work with one of the lifeguards helping out. One bite told me that nope, it was the product and not the cooking. She was going to let the chef know that I had a problem with them but later, he came down to the cabana to check on things. I spoke with him myself and explained the issue. He thought that I might have a problem with the dogs being natural casing but I told him I was a big natural casing girl, coming from WI, but said the meat seemed to be a little mealy. Also assured him that the lame hot dog was not a deal-breaker for me, I can switch to the burgers and be a happy girl. When this order of hot dogs is used up, he said he was going to back to last year's brand, which was Nathan's, I think. I told him I like the Boar's Head brand of natural casing dogs but they are expensive. Chef seemed to believe that the dogs used in the cabana are about the same price. Perhaps so, but certainly NOT the same quality!

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After finishing my lunch, I stepped outside and checked the sky. It was getting more and more blue with the sun appearing sincere, so I went back upstairs to change into my suit. Yeah!!!! There were no umbrellas out as the wind was still wild but I preferred sitting in the sun anyway, trying to make my unbaked bread brown. (Thanks, Linda J., for that!!) I decided to take a dip and splash around a little but oh, my goodness, was that water cold!! A few days without sunshine and lots of rain changed things dramatically in a week's time. Folks complained last weekend that the water was too warm, like taking a bath, but I disagreed. Brrrr! Others said the same thing, that it was cold, but they liked it that way. After I sat a bit, my newer friend, Penny, who moved here recently from St. Paul, MN, came over to sit. She said she knew a die-hard or two would be at the pool. Since it looked like it would stay nice for a while, she decided to go play golf. Before she left though, Ellen and her daughter, Maggie, came downstairs to enjoy the poolside. Penny and Ellen were introduced, and Maggie, too, of course, which helps widen Penny's circle of acquaintances. She does pretty well for herself, makes friends easily.

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After Penny left, the three of us enjoyed the time together, with Maggie going back upstairs at one point to bring an apple pie down to their table. I declined a slice because I was still full from my lunch. When the sky became overcast, I decided to go upstairs but told Ellen we'd be back out for dinner that night.When I did go back downstairs, Ellen and Mags were still there! Ellen sat at the table with us for a bit and then went upstairs but her daughter stayed to chat with a friend of Travis', my upstairs neighbor. Jessica brought the baby down and Travis' carried Beckham all around the pool to show him off. My goodness, that is one adorable and friendly baby---just like his daddy!

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I am molting....molting!!!! During the week my face and nose, which is part of my face, was peeling and now my shoulders/upper arms are at it. And yes, I did put lotion on my face and arms and legs. I call that 'closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out' but lotion nonetheless. Nothing says 'pretty' like skin falling off! When I came back up after dinner, I took my shower and got ready for bed, greasing myself all up, even my feet. NOT a good idea when a person still has some walking around to do before falling asleep! Tends to be a bit slimy when walking on ceramic tiled floors. When Penny and I were talking at the pool, she told about having to go grocery shopping during the week, which she prefers not to do, because all she had in her cupboard was enough oatmeal for one serving, and that was it! No wonder she is so tiny! I don't know what made me think about that just now...

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Shortly I must get ready for church. Our Bible study is at 9:30 during the summer, hardly enough time to really get into anything but still, at least we are studying. I have not been to Good Shepherd for worship since early June so it will be nice to see everyone again, those I have not seen at the Tuesday Bible studies. Some of the regulars are attending Victory today to celebrate the nation's birthday, although I know for a fact that at GS we will be singing "God Bless Our Native Land" as part of our service. I get a sneak peek at Victory's sermon as part of an e-mail Pastor Hoyer sends out, with the first couple of paragraphs from his sermon included. It sounds interesting, based upon what God told the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land.

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Last night, as I laid here watching the "House" marathon on USA, I could also see fireworks going up all along the river's edge on the Mandarin side. Sometimes I could hear the boom but not always. It is so pretty and downright festive to see that and tonight will certainly be more of the same. Ellen is so sad we are not having any in Orange Park as last year a bunch of us enjoyed apple pie in her condo, on the 4th floor facing the barge which launches them. Boo hoo hoo! Maybe I should ask our neighbors on the south end of the building if we can come to their balconies to watch the display from Green Cove tonight!!! I am not shy!