Busy Weekend Ahead!

What a change a day makes!  Sunday we still had about 10 inches of snow on the ground.  Monday brought warmer temperatures, so Kirk, Gariann, Dennis and I got the shovels out and cleared a lot of the pickleball courts off.  Tuesday was over 50 degrees, so we played pickleball without coats and gloves.  In fact, one of us played without a shirt. And today, Wednesday the snow is almost gone except for the shady places and north facing hills.

We have our small group meeting tonight, Iowa basketball Thursday, and Friday we've invited some friends over for food and fellowship.  I've promised that we'll eat together, and that there will be plenty, but as of yet have not decided what I'll fix.  Our circle 8 group hasn't met since the COVID outbreak, and we're really looking forward to the time together.  On Sunday, we're participating in a "Trivia Night" event.  We don't expect to know the answers to any of the questions, but hope to have a good time anyway, while supporting a great cause.  

Stay tuned - I'll try to get pictures and share about how things went for our team!  

Highlights of Our February Trip

 We could not have picked a better - or worse - time to be away from home for two weeks! We left in the midst of a winter storm on February 4, and spent a week on the beaches of Anna Maria Island, coming home by way of South Carolina. It was so great for us to be warm and carefree, yet we did feel bad knowing that Wyatt, Tyler and Travis were taking care of everything for us at home in the worst weather of the year!
For us, it was a wonderful time. Our rental on AMI (Anna Maria Island) was lovely and just a few steps from the beach. And two blocks from the free trolley stop too! Although most everything we did was within walking distance, we did take the trolley to the Anna Maria Pier a couple times.
After our week on AMI, we headed north to meet up with Bob and Brenda Hoffstatter on Edisto Island. Although it was their anniversary trip, they graciously provided a great meal when we arrived, comfortable beds for everyone, great breakfast, guided sightseeing, and just a great time. We saw a bit of Charleston, and enjoyed Valentine's Day dinner at the Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse. It was a new experience for us, and the food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the roasted pineapple! Who would have thought? Of course, the meats were good too, and they just keep bringing more until you can't swallow another bite! After dinner, we returned to their place and enjoyed the show their church put on for Valentine's Day.... comedian Johnny W. He was really a great comedian with no vulgarity. Thanks to the Church in Branson for streaming it!
We didn't see any alligators, but we saw dolphins in both AMI and Edisto Beach. Of course, by the time a dolphin breaches, and you get the camera out...he's gone! So - no pictures of the dolphins. I should explain the red lights in the night photo. We were all soundly sleeping when the fire alarms in our unit went off. LOUD! We were sure there was no fire, but the alarm told us C02 Evacuate immediately. So, we called the emergency number and the fire department came to test our air. Turns out, the alarm batteries needed replaced.
We did see a lot of snow and ice as we traveled back to Iowa. We caught the ice of what the weather channel was calling Winter Storm Uri, and then we got mixed up in the next one, Viola. We saw a number of cars in the ditches, were stopped at one point for two hours for emergency crews to clear up a bad wreck and another 45 minutes the next day. We were blessed with safe travel and arrived home Tuesday night to find all was well on the home place!
And, this morning begins a warming trend for our area!
No matter where you go, it's always great to get home! I feel like Dorothy....there's no place like home!

Welcome to Florida

Shuffleboard!

Our kitchen area

Late afternoon at the beach

We had six bicycles to use all week!

Pool time.

Bocce ball at the beach.

Manatee County Fire and Rescue and AMI Police 

After dinner at the Ugly Grouper. Scrap metal work of art.

Anna Maria Pier

Watching dolphins at Edisto Beach SC

Missed the dolphins, but got the bird!

Celebrating Bob and Brenda at a Brazilian Steakhouse.

Fine dining at Galpao Gaucho

 

Special Visitor Today!

 This morning we had a Barred Owl on our deck looking in the window!  After posing for a picture, he moved to the cedar tree nearest the porch and stayed all day long.  He finally left at 5:27 this evening.  I don't remember ever having an owl visit before today.  What a special blessing!

Zero Degrees and Snow Cover!

 Well, the mild weather is gone today!  We have several inches of snow on the ground and this morning the outdoor temperature reading was just below zero!  The birds have been at the feeders in flocks.  Then all of a sudden, there wasn't a bird in sight...so we knew there was a hawk nearby.  It's sad to see one of our songbirds taken by a hawk, but the hawk must also eat.  The pictures aren't the best quality since they're taken with my shaky hands through a dirty glass window!  I guess I should be washing windows instead of watching the birds, but that's not going to happen when it's so cold!

We've had bluebirds all winter, so have been putting out dried meal worms for them.  They're here every day, usually just before light. The early bird gets the worm, you know.  They come often throughout the day too, but then they have to share with the chickadees and our Carolina wren. I've not yet been able to get a picture of the wren.  This is the first year we've had a wren stay through the winter. I take that as a sign that the winter will be mild and spring will arrive early.  

We're thankful for the good health and healing we've enjoyed so far.  Dennis had surgery on Wednesday, January 13.  The nerve in his left elbow was being pinched, causing his fingers to be numb.  The surgeon clipped the tethers and added new ones go allow the nerve more space.  It went well, and recovery was without complications.  We went to get the stitches out last Tuesday. 

Lots of bruising but healing well.

We have been enjoying a lot of  'chair' time over the past few days.  With the snow on the ground and the cold temperatures, we're both content to stay inside with our Kindles and enjoy the activities of the birds, squirrels, and whatever else can be viewed from our recliners.  On days like this, going out to get the mail seems like a big trip!  Of course, it is a quarter of a mile, and all uphill ... I've often thought about dragging a sled out to get the mail and then riding it home.  Perhaps today!

Pickleball!

We've been enjoying a lot of mild weather this winter and taking advantage of the opportunities to be outdoors playing pickleball.  Today my fitbit counted up 19,655 steps.  It was mostly sunny and up to 43 degrees.  Tomorrow is predicted to be much colder! 

We started playing with Josh and Kenny, and later Candy joined us. Gariann and Kirk came when they got off work, and played until dark.  We saw a spectacular sunset sky!  Photos courtesy of Dennis.

What A Year! Recap of 2020

 The year 2020 is now history.  Covid, corruption, and chaos!  Even so, we have enjoyed the blessings of our unchanging and ever faithful God.  His Word is true.  He's still God.  My hope is in the Lord. I trust in Him. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow!  

We enjoyed a week in Eastern Tennessee riding our motorcycles in the beautiful Smokey Mountains. 

                           

We enjoyed many 'home' projects.  

We attended 'drive in' church, and then 'online' church, and 'wear a mask to church'. But yet, we are thankful that we still had church!  

We were able to participate in a few Cowboy Shooting events, which was a lot of fun!

 

We have often played pickle ball!  In fact, we were able to play yesterday, and hope to play again tomorrow and Thursday. 

Tomorrow would have been Mom and Dad's birthdays. Mom would have been 91 and Dad 93.  I'm so thankful for having had them for parents; for their instruction, example and their love and encouragement. 

I had COVID just after Thanksgiving.  My experience was very mild, but I did have a fever for two weeks and lost my sense of smell.  I'm thankful to have had so little discomfort with it, and no complications!  

Yes, the past year was one we'll not forget, and hope not to repeat, but it was still filled with much for which to be thankful!