Adventure Logan

Nokomis Drum Circle

A trip to see the Nokomis Drum Circle is always a must when the weather cooperates! This eve it was a spectacular night and we headed out to witness the spectacle. Each time we go there new elements have been added – this year it is the altar which now has solar lights and flowers/palm fronds etc.

 Then there are the drummers and dancers!

Then there are the people doing rituals of some sort!

The crowd was very large tonight!

The sunset – after all that is what all this fuss was about – was great. It was drummed down in fine style and got a super standing ovation from the crowd (about 3000 people)

Ducky Boat Ride

For several years we have noticed the Ducky Boat and said that we would love to take the tour but never have – until today. The Red Hat group made the trip this morning and we climbed aboard – the 6 of us were a little chilly. The sun was shining and the temps got to mid 60’s so it was not too bad – but – so unlike the usual weather that we are still surprised when we walk outdoors. The Ducky Boat took us through the intercostal to Dona Bay and then up to the entrance where the north jetty and south jetty face each other. We even sailed up the intercostal to the drawbridge at Nokomis Beach.

Marilyn, Judy, Mary, Liz , Dawn and Carol

Condos on the intercostal near the center bridge

Carol

Entrance to Gulf from Intercostal

House along Dona Bay

Sooky – Ducky Boat Owner’s dog

A boat on the channel near the South Jetty

Judy, Marilyn and Mary

Snake Island

Pelicans on footings of Nokomis Beach drawbridge

Closeup of Osprey and baby in nest on channel marker

Venice Yacht Club

The ladies went to Captain Eddy’s for lunch after the boat ride.

Visit wth Carol & Stephen Hiltz

Mary and I finally got to make our visit to see the Hiltz compound in Sarasota. The weather was not what we hoped (50 degrees F) but at least the sun was shining! It is always great to spend time with Carol and Stephen and there is never a moment when the conversation lags. Stephen gave us a tour of the club house at their park and then the four of us went to Marina Jacks for lunch. Following lunch we toured the boardwalk there and checked out some magnificent yachts.

 Marina Jacks

Banyan Tree

Identity Theft

Although it isn’t a laughing matter, I am trying to see the humour in recent events. When I checked our bank account on Friday, I noticed a charge of $192.11 from Walmart.com and it caught my attention. Regular purchases from a Walmart are recorded with the store number and location but this was specifically Walmart.com. I did purchase items around Black Friday using the Walmart.com which is essentially buying online from their online catalogue but not since then. My first thought was that it was a double billing but that wasn’t the case. I reported to the bank and then last night I also reported to Walmart.com. It would appear that someone (named Carol Logan) opened a new Walmart.com account using my bank card number and ordered a window air conditioner with it. The customer rep at Walmart checked out the account and although it wasn’t the one I have with them it is using my bank card info. The AC unit has been shipped and FedEx is going to deliver by the 28th – she is attempting to stop delivery – and that delivery is in Los Angeles, CA. Scary thought that someone could access my number/name so easily – and yes that card is in my possession and was never out of it except when I purchased with it. Something to be said for those folks who believe in keeping their money under their mattress, LOL!

ABBA Concert

This evening the gang attended another concert at the Venice Community Center –  an ABBA legends band. Although it wasn’t nearly as fantastic as the Eagles last month, it was fun. The band was from Toronto and with a little more experience could be excellent – better costumes and a little better rapport with the audience would make them more interesting.

Greenan’s Last 24 Hours

Sadly the 10 day visit of the Greenans is over and they have gone home to Dartmouth. It was wonderful having them both here even though the weather wasn’t as nice as we had hoped. I can honestly say that the week flew by and we were very busy and there were many laughs along the way. On Friday night we went out for the “last supper” at the Burgundy Cafe. We gathered for a pic before going out and NO the gals didn’t coordinate their outfits in advance!

And neither did the guys!

Since today (Saturday) was the last day the gals went to lunch at Sharky’s so that Claire could enjoy the beach one last time. There was a huge fog bank just off shore so the end of the Venice Pier was shrouded in fog – an unusual sight!

Carol, Liz, Claire, Mary, Carol Ann, Mary Evelyn and Molly

Another Birthday

Another year has gone and another birthday arrived. I do feel blessed to have the chance to celebrate in Florida with great friends. So it was a wonderful day with so many of my favourite things that I cannot complain at all. I spent a couple of hours this morning reading emails, Facebook messages and answering phone calls – what a great start to the day. Claire and Mary arrived at noon and spirited me away for lunch at another favourite – Panera Bread.  On the way there we passed a sign and just had to stop and get a pic!

After lunch we spent an hour or so shopping and then headed for the beach. It was a spectacular day on Service Beach and I was so happy sharing it with Claire and Mary. There is nothing like sitting and listening to those waves.

Dave came to the beach to tell us bathing beauties that supper was planned (salmon, tossed salad, potato salad and rolls) and that we needed to be home by 5:30.

We had supper (Mary, Bob, Claire, Ron, Dave and I) followed by an outing to the Frank Galleria to see  Oz – THE GREAT AND POWERFUL . After the movie, we finished the day off with my other favourite – Raspberry Elegance cake – and champagne. We were joined by Liz, Earl, Judy and Mike. They went to the movies too – but saw different movies. So the day has ended and I am more than pleased that it unfolded as it did.

Thanks to all who were here to share and to all those who sent  cards, phone messages, emails or Facebook messages. 63 is turning out to be quite good so far!!!!

St. Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all of you! I started the day off with a road trip to Punta Gorda with Claire and Liz. (Claire and Ron Greenan arrived on Thursday and are here for 9 days – yippee). We headed out bright and early to the annual Bucklers craft show and spent the morning there.

Mary and Bob Daniels arrived from the Villages today and are here for 2 weeks and along with Claire and Ron Greenan we are planning some fun days!

Upon our return home we got ready for our annual St. Patty’s Day at the beach. The gang gathered there for some food and drink! LOL

Canadian Patio Party

Today the Canadian residents hosted the annual Patio Party at the park. It is the fourth year that we have done it and it is lots of work. We broke with tradition and pre-sold the tickets because last year 30 people signed up but didn’t come. I thought that having 30 extra meals that weren’t paid for or eaten was wasteful  (and the work to do it all tiring). We were thrilled that 100 people bought tickets and attended the event.

Earl called bingo – the Americans arrived at 4PM to play for an hour. He does a great job of calling and they loved their prizes.

Dave and Jimmy did the cooking (Mike and Cory helped). They got the 100 burgers done in record time!

Dan Thornham (Liz’s brother) loved the sunshine at the event!

Back in Venice

We arrived back in Venice on Tuesday afternoon after our 10 days in Orlando with family. Of course we were a little tired but after a couple of days things were back to normal. The temperatures have risen nicely and tonight we were off to the beach for a picnic. Liz’s brother Dan and his wife Karen (who we met 35 years ago when we bought our first house in Forest Hills) are here for a vacation. One of our favourite things is having a beach picnic so we all wanted Dan and Karen to experience it too. So this eve we were off to Service Beach for supper and sunset.

Dan, Dave, Mike and Earl

Karen, Liz, Judy and Carol

Karen and Dan enjoying “retirement practice”

Waiting for sunset