Adventure Logan

Winter here continues to be one of the best in many years – still not wearing long sleeves and certainly no frost delays for the old golfer. The Corkerys and MacIntyres are back from their trips to NS and we have all settled into the great life. Finished the reno on the bathroom. The men went to Pineapples Grill for a Superbowl event and the gals all headed to Panera Bread for dinner followed by a trip to the movies to see The Descendants. Liz and I did our Tuesday night cards this week and then the gang met for Thursday night dominoes with the gals winning for the first time this season – finally. Liz, Judy and I went to Boca Royale for the annual Red Hat Tea and Fashion Show. Of course the beach picnic for Brian and Kathleen McIntosh was cold – but fun as usual. I guess we can live with a few cool days since the rest of them have been spectacular.

Bathroom renovation

Red Hat Tea at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club

Judy, Liz and I at Tea with Shannon, Carol B., and Donna

Sunset at Beach Picnic on Saturday, February 11

Gus and Dave Duelling Cooks

Brian. Kathleen and Marilyn

Kathleen and Mary Evelyn

Dave and Carol

The VAAS Rookery is one of Venice, Florida’s best kept secrets. Those who discover this treasure understand the reason why. Photographers and birders from near and far come to the rookery to enjoy and photograph nesting birds during January, February and March. Although these months are the busiest time of the year, the rookery has visitors all year around. The rookery is on a small island in a very small lake. Even at that, during nesting time it is quite crowded with Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets and some Anhingas and Night Herons. Our little gang (Laidaws, Cullens, Munroes, Gallants and Logans) visited here tonight and were amazed at the activity as hundreds of birds made their way into the rookery. We arrived at 5PM and there was a steady arrival of birds. The white ones show up best but there were as many black and gray ones which you can’t see in the dim light of dusk. Of course we had to made a real adventure of it and had a picnic supper.

Rookery when we first arrived at about 5PM

Mother and babies settle in for the night

Filling up for the night

Last stretch before bed!

Yet another meal !!!

Yummy!

Another busy week is finished – and we are left wondering how we actually used to work! I was busy as secretary of the park association this week. On Monday, I redecorated the bulletin boards at the mailroom and outside the hall – such a teacher eh! The guys went golfing in the park scramble so we gals went off to Panera Bread for supper. On Tuesday Peggy and I went to see Joyful Noise (Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah) – at the $5 seniors matinee of course and then I was off to my card course in the evening. Wednesday Dave and I began a small redo of our bathroom – painted over the wallpaper and repainted the cabinets. (This job took lots longer than planned so we were working on it most days for a couple of hours since we also changed out plug covers and lights). On Thursday Marilyn, Peggy, Judy and I went to lunch at the Burgundy Cafe with the red hat group and at night we did our usual dominoes game with the guys winning yet again. Friday night it was off to the Venice Community Center for a Bee Gees tribute concert – great time. The rotary club had a BBQ in the yard before the show. Over 900 enjoyed the lively concert and sang along for lots of it. The eight of us (Cullens, Munroes, Gallants and Logans) went for dessert at Perkins Restaurant after. On Saturday we did a few yard sales and then continued on the bathroom before going out to dinner at Applebees followed by dessert and liquers at the Gallants.

Lunch at the Burgundy Cafe

With the Tribute Bee Gees Band Members

This evening we attended the annual Kentucky Dinner. It is always very well attended – tonight there were 150+ people. The ladies were asked to wear a hat – which is one of the highlights of the real Kentucky Derby. There were quite a few interesting ones that is for sure. The meal is always “Kentucky Fried Chicken” along with the many side dishes that the residents make and bring. Our group usually chooses their desserts and eat them while waiting for the tables to be called – tonight was no different and that was a good thing since our table (named after a famous derby winner) was the last chosen. Marilyn and Danny Munroe arrived last night so the gang continues to grow. We are waiting for the MacIntyres and the Corkerys to return and for the Irwins to get here.

Molly and George

Danny and Marilyn

Peggy and Jim

Mike and Judy

Carol Ann and Charles

Carol and Dave

This evening we were off to a sold-out Buddy Holly tribute concert at the Venice Community Center. Along with 950 other folks (mostly of our vintage) we enjoyed the 2 hour concert.

Buddy Holly Tribute Concert at the Venice Community Center

Dave and Carol

Jimmy and Peggy Laidlaw

Judy and Michael Cullen

Charles and Carol Ann

Peg and Jim in front of the bike parking area in their yard - transportation to the party!

Mike and Judy

Dave, Lloyd, Ken, Trevor and Dwayne

Peg and some of the guests

M&M and I enjoying one of her famous "shooters" !

Not that we need an excuse to party but one often comes in handy! Peg and Jim hosted their annual “Say Goodbye to the Lights” party – the night they turn off the Christmas lights that they have hung on their mobile. Some confusion reigned as the hearing impaired folk thought that it was a party for someone leaving so Peg had to explain that it was the lights leaving not someone named Light. As usual we had a good time – lots of food, drink and conversation.

It has been a busy first week of the new year. Work on Judy and Mike’s new place has been a priority for everyone. Carol Ann, Charles, George and Dave have been helping with the painting of the kitchen and living room. Dave and Ken began the laying of the laminate. The park hosted the “Welcome Back Potluck” and it was well attended. To end the week the Laidlaw’s hosted a beach picnic at the new park next to Sharkey’s. The sunset was spectacular with lots of red – and then the full moon rose to start the night. The park boasts a large pond with several resident alligators – one which swam over to our side while we were there. Dave brought John Cluett (Gus and Mary Evelyn’s grandson) over from their picnic to see him.

Residents line up for Welcome Back Potluck

Jim and Peggy at Welcome Back Potluck

Dave and Carol at Welcome Back Potluck

Pond in park taken from large covered picnic area!

Mike, Jimmy and Dave having a pre-supper discussion!

Peggy, Judy and Carol enjoying supper outdoors!

Alligator in pond at new walking/picnic park!

Sunset Sunday January 8, 2012

John and Dave check out the alligator!

We wish all of you a great Happy New Year and best wishes for a super 2012. The weather here has been exceptional and is breaking records so we are very happy. Wonderful temperatures for outdoor activities. To celebrate New Year’s Eve we were off to Saltwater Cafe for dinner – with Judy and Mike, Gus and Mary Evelyn, Molly and George and Carol Ann and Charles. John (Mary Evelyn and Gus’ grandson) was with us but after a very full day of activities he was very sleepy. So – we pulled 3 chairs up at the end of our table and there he lay – sound asleep – for the 3 hours that we were there. Dave and I stopped in at the Laidlaws once we came home and did the Halifax Grand Parade countdown to their New Year (11PM our time). Although it was pretty low key, we had a great time and enjoyed bringing the new year in with our friends.

George, Molly, and Mary Evelyn

Dave and Mike

Judy, Carol and George

Gus, Carol Ann and Charles

John sleeping through New Year's Eve

Mike and Judy arrived around 4PM on Thursday and we have been in a whirlwind ever since. They liked their new place (or at least they said they did) and have begun to settle into it. We had pork roast supper for them and then Dave and Mike went to Publix to get some breakfast items. On Friday morning MIke, Judy and I were off to the bank, the county building and the airport authority to get the final steps in their purchase completed. We had a little time late afternoon and then it was off to Ntino’s for pizza and then to the Players Theatre in Sarasota for a Doo Wop concert with Peg and Jim. The four young men sang acappella and were very good.