Fort DeSoto Park Style Fun

Just returned from a four day camping trip to Ft. DeSoto Park in South St. Petersburg. It was great fun in spite of the severe weather that blew up suddenly. We had a great campsite right on the water and were nestled between two stands of palm trees which gave a lot of protection. We did not have the courage, though, to stay in the trailer with tornado warnings so ended up spending the night at the home of some good friends. The weather was cold and it was very windy but during the day, when the sun was out, we took full advantage of all the park has to offer.
We walked on the dog beach with Cocoa and I found my first piece of what I like to call, Mermaid Glass. It is actually sea glass but I like to thing that it is from the mirror of a mermaid. We walked on the pier and watched a Great Blue Heron sit peacefully on the roof of a nearby building waiting for his dinner to appear. We took a walk on the newly-built nature trail and nearly wore Cocoa out. Next time, we want to take the bicycles along because there are many beautiful paths to explore. This park is nature at its best. It is beautifully cared for and very, very popular. I attempted to book another reservation for the end of March but they are completely filled up until May.

Visit To Sholom Park

This is Sholom Park, a beautiful park less than three miles from our house. It is a favorite place to visit just to walk the paths, admire the latest blooming plants, and walk the labyrinth. Today was a crisp, cool winter day--perfect for a visit as we begin the Year of Fun.
Food is not allowed in this park so we brought a picnic lunch and ate it in the car. We then took a wonderful walk through the park admiring the trees that look like bare skeletons. We walked through the covered pergola and continued through the labyrinth. The labyrinth has only one way in and one way out and I always lose my way back and end up having to cut across the grass. Today was no exception.
This heron took advantage of the fact that we were feeding the fish. He was waiting on the sidelines for the fish to surface so that he could have his own lunch, totally ignoring the fact that food is NOT allowed in the park.

Happy New Year

I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and to let all of my blog readers know that I have designated this year as the Year of Fun. What has I been doing the rest of the time, if not having fun, you might ask? Well, I have been having fun, that's true. However, I continue to work more than I play and I'm not ok with that. Having been raised to always be "busy", I have a very difficult time just playing. And I am just beginning to become accustomed to not working and filling my days with purposeful activities.

But "playing" I will do. Tomorrow, we are going to AAA to find out just what activities are available at a discounted price given our advanced age. Ha!!

Then we will go to Shalom Park for a little walk-around and maybe even walk the labyrinth. Friday, we are taking a little trip to Trenton, Florida to visit some of their little shops. I know, I know, it's not as exciting as a trip to Cuba or an impromptu trip to San Francisco but I've done that and right now, we are trying to grab the brass ring on a daily basis before the ring is too rusted to find, much less grab.

Sorry Guys

"Wait Mom, don't put us away just yet!"

"Sorry guys, Christmas is over and you are considered decorations. Decorations at this house go up fast and come down fast. We've had a lovely time together but too much familiarity often breeds contempt ( I think Shakespeare might have said that). And so I will put you away with your Moose brothers and sisters for another year."

"But I want to thank you for always giving us a lift and helping us to remember our child-like selves. Each time we take you out of your box, we snuggle up to you and remember when and where you were born ( or bought). So, thank you for that and we'll see you again next year sometime after Thanksgiving."

"In the meantime, sleep tight and stay warm."

The Remains of the Day

All the food is put away and the cookie cans are closed. But there is this little bit of sangria with brandy-soaked fruit that cannot possibly go to waste. I am wondering how it would taste as a hot punch later on in the evening since it is such a cold, damp day here today. We had a wonderful Christmas meal of authentic Cuban food and authentic Cuban flan. LeeAnn, Maria, and friends were lovely guests and my favorite gift was an Epcot day with LeeAnn that I will cash in during the New Year. We have been taking turns being sick around here but I have learned through years of experience, that Christmas is only a day and that Christmas can come anytime you open your heart to it. Thanks girls, for a wonderful day yesterday--not only my girls who were physically here but also my girls that live away. Happy Holidays Everyone.

Unbelievable Likeness

While surfing the net prior to my trip to Cuba, I came across this picture entitled, "Street in Havana, Cuba". Now normally, there would be nothing unusual about a photograph such as this except that it looks exactly like my father. My father died in 2005 and had never been to Cuba although his mother was born there. I was stunned to see that his gene pool is still thriving in Havana. It's not just the face, because that is almost exact. It's the cap that he always wore that is identical to the one in the picture. It is the thin, tall body and the way his hands are resting on his lap. It is the way his clothes just hang on his body and it is the very fashionable shoes--always a wardrobe staple. It is the pronounced chin that I carry also as my profile. The only part of the picture that doesn't fit is the bicycle. My father never learned to ride a bicycle although it would have made his coffee deliveries a lot easier when he was a young teenager. If I ever doubted that I am part Cuban, this photograph would affirm my heritage. This is my father's clone. All he needs is a pair of reading glasses, a cup of Cuban coffee, and a well-made Cuban cigar.

Sunday Morning On The Farm

It is Sunday morning and Santa is standing in charge of the living room decorations. I think he looks an awful lot like Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Now, mind you, I have not seen any of the Harry Potter movies but this is what I think Dumbledore should look like in my own imagination. I don't know what to make of the penguins and children but I suppose I could conjure up a story with them also. Perhaps Dumbledore will cast a magic spell and create owls from penguins and sorcerers from children. Stranger things have happened at Hogwarts, you must admit.

Back to reality, it is a cloudy, dreary day outside. But I am sitting with a dog in my lap just having chopped all of the onions, garlic, and carrots for a large pot of split pea soup. There is flan in the oven and all is pretty much right with world right about now. Happy Sunday before Christmas.