Well another birthday has come and gone. Thanks for all of the great cards, emails, messages and calls. It rained – which was too bad – but I couldn’t complain as it is a great place to spend the winter and a rainy day every month or so isn’t too critical.
We have been busy this month with all sorts of events – eating has been the main activity on lots of these occasions. As usual we go out together every Friday night – someone picks the restaurant and then hosts us at their place after for dessert. The other eating events have happened at the Clubhouse.
Clubhouse Farewell Dinner
Danny, Daniel and Dave at the Clubhouse for the Farewell Dinner
Earl and Dan
Marilyn, Karen, Carol, Sharon and Liz at the Farewell Dinner
We went to the sunset at Venice Beach after dinner – the red tide issues this past summer disrupted the usual drum ceremonies. I did see the guy who used to perform at Nokomis Beach drum circle.
We are gearing up for a solid month of beach days. I cannot believe that we have only 50 days left here in Paradise.
We celebrated in fine style at the clubhouse where a resident and her band played and we danced. This was the first time we attended this event which was held twice before. During our first years here we always hosted a large afternoon party but haven’t done so for several years. We had a table of 12 and during the intermission they drew for door prizes and our table won 3 (Earl, Dave and I). The Canadians did really well as we won a total of 6 prizes.
Marilyn, Liz, Linda, Brett, Sharon and Dan
Dennis Irwin
Dan Paige and Earl
Marilyn and Liz
Dave with main door prize
Carol with door prize
Earl with door prize
It is true that retirement means you are busier than ever – I cannot believe that it is March already. We have been busy with the regular things that we enjoy. Dave golfs on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday mornings he works with the guys in the park on odd jobs. His polymyalgia rheumatica is under control and each month he has been able to reduce the amount of prednisone that he takes – currently down to 9 mg per day. It is amazing how often he meets someone who has it or who had it. He is much better than this time last year and even better than he was during the summer. Unfortunately I had a bout of cold/flu that lingered for about 2 weeks but I finally shook it.
Valentine flowers from my man
N’tino’s for Valentine pizza supper
We went to several movies earlier this winter – A Star is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Green Book. Our first outing of the year to Venice Theatre was to see a great Patsy Cline show with Danny Munroe. What a great show. I was invited to a symphony performance (with a guest pianist) that is part of the community concert series here. It was held in the large Presbyterian across the street – another super show that Marilyn Munroe and I enjoyed.
On Friday nights we go out to supper and then one of us hosts the dessert and drinks. There have been lots of good meals thus far. On Wednesday we go to bingo with the Corkerys. We have all been lucky with wins. Saturday night is reserved for dominoes and we have had lots of great competition with boys versus girls.
We have been attending Red Hat events twice a month. The latest was at Englewood Beach – the sculpture was interesting.
The month of February was super warm with all but one day being above normal temperatures. We manage the beach as often as we can and it is always a great time. I have continued to paint rocks and leave them at the beach.
There are lots of interesting critters here – most harmless. These guys land and scour the grass for something that they eat.
These two guys were at the beach this week.
I have been painting (dotting) mandalas on rocks to hide here as I did last year. Dave takes one with him everyday when he goes to Publix (grocery store). Liz, Marilyn and I also took a course on resin work. We made a “sun catcher” style picture.
I also tried my hand at suncatchers made from old CDs.
And on a final note – it is strawberry season here. The most interesting thing to tell you about that is the fact that some berry patches here are from Nova Scotia seedlings.
Adventure Logan 