A fantastic day at the pool

Ellen, my neighbor, shared this photo she took just prior to sunrise this a.m. It was a fantastic sky and her morning photo turned out better than did mine, hers being unobstructed. She is up one floor and on the end so no palm trees interfere with her shots. I just love this, it sucks me right in...

The rest of my day, which began with such promise as this lovely sky showed, was spent in and at the pool. Oh, it feels wonderful to be floating about and riding my invisible bicycle under the water, round and around I go. Not many people are out yet so often the pool is mine to enjoy alone until after lunch. I can get my lunch out there, still coming from the kitchen inside The Club but I sure don't care where it comes from. Marlena takes good care of us pool diners. We are disappointed that things are not yet up and running in the cabana after the whole winter to take care of business. Patience, my dear, patience...

                                   

My friend from church, Jean N., retired from her job and when cleaning out her desk, came upon this can cozy. She knew that I would appreciate such a garish thing, and boy, do I ever! So many people comment on it, I could go into business and make my own to sell!

Justin went with his boss, his wife, and buddies to have appetizers at Whitey's for dinner so I stayed home and dined on dry bread and water, my go-to guilt answer to Justin. No worries, I have plenty to sustain me, I shall not fade away. Looking forward to the weekend with my friends, catching up on all the news and such since we've seen each other. I love summer!

Alligator wrestling

The manatees are active in the river outside the building. Connie called me to come down 'and bring your camera!' to see them swimming and eating along the bulkhead behind The Capri building. My other neighbors came out also with their grandbabies to see them, but I am not sure the little ones knew what we were looking at. I took some video for my sister, Kerry, but I cannot share such in the blog. Here are two sunbathers, fairly close to the bulkhead:

I can handle looking at the manatees up close and personal, but I have less bravery when it comes to a lizard, especially in the house. I faced such a beast this morning, in my bedroom. As I was lying on my bed watching the news, I heard this sound, like something hitting the floor. Not like a book dropping but softer, with a click sound to it. I got up and came around my bed to spot a small lizard on the floor between my desk and the bed. Oh oh!

Not wanting that beast under my bed, I tossed a towel which was handy to cover the lizard. Nuts, it crawled out from under it and into the corner away from the bed. Now what? Hating to leave the room to get a broom or something and loose sight of it, I instead reached into my desk cupboard for my compressed air can. Yup, that did the trick! I scooted him along the wall, under the desk and out the other side toward the river room. Not only did I scoot the gila monster along but also a bunch of bunnies. Now I'll have to vacuum them up! 

I opened the sliding glass door and got the baby dragon into the track of the door. The next thing I saw was this prehistoric beast climbing on the screen as I closed the door again. Mission accomplished and no shots were fired!  My guess is that he came into the house last night as Justin and I had the doors opened to look out at something. This means the beast was in my house overnight, though, and I am not sure I can wrap my head around that idea. 

When we first moved to FL, we lived in an apartment off of Wells Road, not really a 'bad' part of town those 27 years ago. Justin and I were home alone one day when I noticed a lizard running along the wall behind our sofa. Justin's play pen was right there and I freaked out, having such a creature loose in my house. Bravely, I opened the door to the patio on the front of the house and spotted a guy going past on a bicycle. I flagged him and asked him for help. He came into my house and searched for the lizard, unable to find it. 

After assuring me they were harmless (they ALL say that!), he left with my thanks for his coming to help me. I watched like a hawk for that sneaking creature to show itself but I never did see it again. It likely dried up behind or under something, never to be seen again. Good! Serves him right for invading my space and threatening my baby. People were horrified to hear how I flagged down a strange man to help me but I had no fear in those days of such things, only the snake-looking things!

Back to Bible Study

Thursdays are my favorite day of the week, Bible study at Victory day. I just love this class, regardless of the planned topic. We have the liberty and opportunity to discuss things other than Isaiah, our current study, and eventually find the connections between what Israel was facing, or going to face, and what we are up against in 2015 in America. A couple ladies in particular are well-read and aware, as is Pastor, and I so appreciate having these discussions with them. 

Before I left for WI, I was figuring out the schedule for the class and determined I would be gone when we covered Isaiah 53, one of the 'good' chapters. I was looking forward to the worksheet and discussion as well as pondering the lessons in this chapter, which, alas, I would miss. However, last night, I contacted Rita to find out which chapter we were on and she told me it was Isaiah 53. What??  Yes, it seems Pastor missed a week or two while his daughter and grandbaby were in town so our schedule got thrown off. Yay for me, then, because I still got to go over this with the class. Love when this stuff happens!

Justin and I are planning to have dinner out tonight, depending upon how he feels when he gets home from work. Often he is totally wiped as the heat and long days wear him out, but the thoughts of Koko's or 4Rivers might be enough to sustain him. We shall see. Otherwise we can order pizza or have some Chinese food delivered, we are flexible like that!

My poor nerves!

Today I am doing something which I normally don't do for a week or so after a trip---emptying my suitcase. Oh, I did immediately take out the food items needing to be refrigerated. Also, I grabbed my toiletry bag to get what I needed for bedtime. The rest could wait, at least, until today. 

I pulled out the items to be laundered, not necessarily dirty but needing to be freshened up after a couple of days crumpled in the luggage. I sure did not perspire at all when in WI to get them funky smelling. Anyway, I put in the first load and added the soap, pressed the appropriate buttons on the washer and started it. 

While I was minding my own business at the desk, the machine taking care of its business, I heard this terrible bang sound. Frantically I raced to the laundry room in the hallway where I certainly expected to see the machine on its side or something. Nothing was amiss---apparently it was simply changing cycles. With such a big bang? Not a continuous one like an unbalanced load or anything, just one big bang. Yikes, my poor heart and nerves cannot take any drama from the laundry room, or anything with water running to it. In the year that I have had this new machine, you'd think I would become accustomed to the noises it makes, but I have not. Might need a nap after this!

"Make new friends...."

"but keep the old..." We sang this little ditty when I was itty bitty. Well, at least when I was substantially younger, with my sisters and friends. We would sing this playground song in a round-style: "Make new friends, but keep the old; some are silver and others gold." Yesterday, I made a new friend who will probably become gold. How could she not? Her name is Kim!

This a.m. I went out for the first aquarobics class of the season for me. It was great to see my friends again and meet some new people. I only screamed a little bit as I lowered myself in to still too cool water but the heat from the sun felt divine, and made up for it. We had a good workout, most of the routines the same as last year. Our dear friend, Randy, in his late 70's, seems to have forgotten what to do having missed last season due some injuries. I am sure it will all come back to him with practice. Nancy W was not there for class and I am uncertain she will join us at all. Morning is not her favorite time of day, having interrupted sleep most nights.

Kim is a woman younger than me by some years but has multiple aches 'n pains primarily from the waist down. Two years ago she was hit by truck while riding her motorcycle and sustained many life-threatening injuries, breaking many bones in many places as well as having internal injuries. She was 'out of it' for two weeks at least before she was brought around to consciousness following the accident, and has no recollection of the accident. I told her God did that for her, spared her that horrific memory. She still experiences pain and discomfort from the pins, screws, plates, etc. which hold her together and yet, she is vital and delightful. She has great upper body strength and raise herself out of the pool using her arms. I have all I can do to climb out using the steps.

Kim the Second (Kim II) is a retired writer, having worked for newspapers and other publications in the area prior to retiring. It will be interesting getting to know her better as the summer goes on. She drives in from Fleming Island where she lives with her husband in a rural setting. She enjoys gardening and is into all things natural. We are just two peas in a pod---NOT! But, she does enjoy beer, and not necessarily Natural Light!

While it's in the high 80's here, my poor nephew is sunbathing Sheboygan-style back in WI. My sister, Lynn, sent this picture via text message to show me what I left behind. I do not miss those chilly temps up there one little bit!

This evening I was privileged to attend the graduation service and ceremony for the preschool at our church. Judy and Betty took care of the refreshments so all I did was meet 'n greet the parents, grands, and other family. And helped take some group pictures as requested. The kids did a good job demonstrating for the gathering the things they learned in preschool, especially their Bible lessons and songs. If they learned nothing else, at least they know Jesus and that He loves them!

Here they are singing one of their little Bible songs, using the hand gestures which help them to remember the words. One little guy was not quite into it. There were four more kids on the other side, not in the photo.

A visit recap

At this writing I am flying back home and thinking of all the things I need to write about. The time with my family and with Linda; going to eat at my favorite places in town; hanging out with Mom most evenings and getting all caught up in NCIS. That should last me a good while. 

Mom insists that Law & Order is on almost every day (when we're awake) but that is just not so. One network carries the SVU series of the franchise but that's not my favorite. I like basic L & O plus the Criminal Intent version. She would ask me what I usually watch at a certain hour and normally I am not watching TV in the daytime. So, anyway, it really didn't matter to me what she was watching as I had the iPad there for reading and communicating. Why rob that nice old lady of her pleasures?  More than once she allowed me to watch "The Five" but it was obviously NOT her first choice.  

My sister, Kerry, was able to come one weekend which was great.  Her work schedule makes it difficult for her to do so. We have such a good time when we're together. Lori came twice to visit---once alone and the 2nd trip with Dusty along. That time was a briefer stay, only overnight as he had to get back for work. (Sorry if this is repeat stuff---working backwards on my timeline here!)

Another highlight was seeing my nephews in a school performance, which was very nice. They have the best teachers who bring out the gifts of the students so well. Also got to spend part of an afternoon with them and then enjoy pizza with the boys and Noah, and Lynn (thanks again, Mom!) for dinner. I just love eating in at Pizza Hut, getting the personal sized meat lovers. Such a treat for me!  On a Saturday morning, Mom, Lynn, Danny, Jill, and I went to a fund raiser pancake breakfast held at the local Applebee's. What a delicious treat that was. As Justin would say, "Whenever I have pancakes, I wonder to myself why I don't have pancakes more often!" Me, too! And our meals came with sausages and a drink as well. It was a great start to that cold, rainy day. 

Speaking of treats, I got to Perkins about three or four times, one time just for pie and a drink, again Mom's treat. She was hungry for lemon mirange pie and I was told it was pie or nothing for me. So I had pie!, and I enjoyed it!  We went once with Lori for lunch before she headed for home. Instead of potato pancakes I ordered meatloaf and mashed potatoes which was wonderful.  I took the rest home for another meal plus bought a cup of WI cheese soup to go. That was simply delicious, two servings from it.

More than once I told the Manitowoc folks about my usual response when asked by friends here what I do up there. My answer is generally "church and perch". I could have used a bit more perch, but sure good a great fill up of Bible study and worship during my stay. Oh, how I envy the folks at my church (and from the area) for the number of Bible study opportunities available. As one who appreciates the time in the Word, it is distressing to have scantly attended sessions. One particular treat was hearing the Manitowoc Lutheran High School choirs perform the church year in song. I enjoyed most of the concert and seeing some folks I'd not seen for a while. That was on the 2nd full day in town and a great kick off to my time. 

Justin should be here (at the airport) shortly so I will send this off and get my stuff together. Am quite ready to hug my boy and tell him all about my trip. He is my prisoner in the car and can't escape my stories!   

The wedding and reception

The big day finally arrived! Naomi and David's wedding, the reason I came at this time of the year rather than later in the summer. Naomi graduated from Martin Luther College earlier this month, and now her wedding day!

I borrowed this from someone else's photos. The man in the blue shirt served as vicar at my church in FL when we first moved to FL, and his brother served as vicar here at FG before I moved to FL. They are long-time friends of the family and have kids who went to MLC with Naomi and David. 

Here is the school gym all dressed out for the wedding. The bleachers are lined with jars with candles in them and some tulle to make them look pretty. Later Naomi's uncles came around and lighted all the candles which was quite a task!  Linda, Tommy, and I were seated at the 2nd table in, along the bleachers.

I sneaked a picture of Ann, one of the kitchen ladies, who so graciously, with others, served the wedding meal. Her words, "It's the least we could do for this family who has done so much for us." Love it! A group of people made most of the food, and the family did as well. By the way, Ann is no longer a member of this congregation but came back in order to serve her friends in this fashion.

The mother of the bride, Julia, and her mom, Jean, waiting for the meal to be served. Julia was radiant, and I can't say I blame her!  I know she is filled with joy over this for her daughter and dear son-in-law. 

Naomi and David are about to drink a toast after her uncle lead the room in prayer. He is a pastor, serving the Lord in CA. 

My blurry plate of food complete with a natural casing hot dog, dinner roll, olives, pickles, noodles with beef tips, and a slice of ham. I ate the hot dog first, of course!

Naomi's aunt Janice is about to start carving away on the wedding cakes. Naomi's nieces and nephews and other younger ones helped to distribute the cake to the guests. All the flowers were donated from people's gardens and presented in embellished jars. I was tempted to take the arrangement from my table when I left to give to Lynn, because she just loves lilacs. But I resisted!