Jewels

Latona and I have only a few days left with my mom and stepdad.  We feel happy that they will continue independent living for a bit longer.  With the use of a local taxi company they will have the transportation they need, and a home health care agency will provide weekly check-ups.

Mom loves to "go" so this change will be harder on her than Chick, but she is also very pragmatic and will do what needs to be done.  We have marveled at her statements about just walking to the grocery store if necessary since it is over a mile away.  When we start feeling like wimps we just say "remember MOM"!

As always, we have been given many "jewels" over the past few weeks.  Our bird gifts have included Bluebirds and the Swallow Tailed Kite.  These are all in mom's neighborhood along with Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Sandhill Cranes and Red Shouldered Hawks.

This pic from Cornell Ornithological Lab Webpage

The community called The Villages is expanding and is creating a new section near mom's.  It is called Brownwood and has a western theme for all the building completed so far.  At the entrance they have added some sculpture that we stopped to see.

For us, exciting things have often been happening at the state park mentioned earlier where we go for our daily walk (usually).  The other day we saw that the Magnolias had started to bloom and some water lily pads captured memories of the previous evening rain.

But perhaps the "jewels" we cherish the most happen to us as we travel what we hope is the intentional path we have chosen.  This leads me to a few stories.  We have visited a neighborhood pub in the afternoon while Mom has her nap and were quickly adopted by a new friend.  Our shared times have been nourishing, and we already look forward to reconnecting next year.  Thank you.

We also had to have a visit to a body shop (nothing serious just some rust from the Keys) and had a conversation with a gentleman who wanted to talk with us about his daughter.  She had been seriously abused by a boyfriend and had chosen a female partner.  He talked about his initial struggle but his overwhelming joy at seeing her happiness.  He believed God's love had won out in her life. Thank you.

My last little anecdote happened in the supermarket.  I was about three people back in the line and was observing the two people at the register.  The one appeared to be the daughter, while the older one, who appeared to be the mother, was looking around restlessly and chattering to herself.  While we waited, a thirty-looking black woman entered the store and walked toward an aisle about 50 feet from where we all stood.  The older woman started yelling "youngin, youngin."  The younger woman heard her calling, spun on her heels and made a straight line to the voice she recognized.  She was immediately wrapped in the older one's arms, and after hugs and kisses, they parted with smiles spread across both faces.  The gentleman ahead of me turned to say that the older woman had been a teacher and had taught every kid in this town for the past forty-five years.  This one was one of hers. Thank you.

I have been reminded of all the "youngins" I have been privileged to teach, work with, and see go on their way in their own life.  To each of them I send out a loving shout-out and a special hug! Thank you.

And thank you to all the jewels in our lives.  We can feel your love and support wherever we go.

I am excited to share that I will pass the seventy-year mark before I write again.  Their are so many things to say as I pass this special milepost.  My heart is full and grateful for my wonderful life partner and all we share, my daughter and family, my birth family, my adopted children and families, friends, friends, friends, good health, and memories of the experiences that have made my life full and blessed.  In every way, and to everyone, THANK YOU!

Time with Mom and Chick

After a sweet, and always encouraging visit with Pat and Jean in their new home, we started to prepare for our visit with Mom and Chick.  Life was about to take a new turn for them.

We arrived the Tuesday before Easter, and enjoyed getting back to life in the adult community where they currently reside.  The pond near the clubhouse has a lovely fountain, a screened in sitting spot, a few alligators,  and some snakes that slither around.  A hot tub near the pool also gives us an evening soak which is a nice treat.

What we soon would learn was that Chick was required to surrender his driver's license. Mom hadn't driven for several years due to symptoms of glaucoma, so all of a sudden here goes independence and the ability to do what needs to be done for independent life.  No more shopping trips, doctor's appointments and even lunch at Wendy's without hiring someone or accessing senior services.

They are both amazing, and happily have been able to live as they have wanted for over ninety years.  So here goes another steep learning curve for all of us.

Questions we started to deal with:  What about the car and the signed lease? Will they take it back?  Do they need a new place to live and what will be helpful?  Is it time for Assisted Living?  What can they afford? Will a new place take the cat? Can we find a place in the Villages which would allow golf cart transportation? What are the other options for transportation?  How about home health care?  What about veteran benefits and other health insurance policies? And in all of it, what is comfortable for them?

I feel like I can honestly report that we are working well together so far, and that Mom and Chick are able to say what they feel okay about and what not.  Each day we make some progress. We have also been building a relationship with his son and wife that is very helpful for us all.

Latona and I go for a daily visit to our state park that is only a few miles away and get in a 1-2 mile walk and have a chance to confront some new wildlife adventure.

WE love the Live Oaks and the Spanish Moss in the wind

Part of the pathway

Warmer weather is starting to bring out the snakes which we haven't seen here before. The turtle appeared to have been laying eggs judging by the loose dirt around her tail and back feet.








If all goes as we hope, and Mom and Chick are comfortable and safe, we plan to leave here in several weeks and will head to northern Ohio for a special warbler festival, and then on to Pennsylvania and New Jersey for visits with my siblings.  (Always fun times)

Thank you for your interest in our "doings" as well as the health of our "beings".

More to come ...   please keep sending good energy and helpful prayers for Mom and Chick as they negotiate the next steps of their journey.  I am grateful not only to have my mother for all of these almost seventy years of my life, but to have a mother with such courage, strength, and a stubborn will for a positive life.

Some More to Share...

After our time with Torrey, with special thanks to Katrina, we ventured to  Collier-Seminole State Park, Marco Island, and a visit to Ten Thousands Islands National Wildlife Refuge.  

While camping we finally decided to put up our awning.  Yeah, we made it both up and down! Another minor success on the learning curve with the van.

We enjoyed some of the wildlife in the Collier-Seminole State Park on our first day hike.

Gulf Fritillary 

Eastern Ribbonsnake

Resurection Fern - HAPPY EASTER!

Royal Palm from below.  Special species growing in this area.

Red-shouldered Hawk

The area near Naples, Florida is also the access point to Marco Island where we enjoyed a beautiful  walk on Tigertail Beach and another chance to see several Burrowing Owls.

The next day, we visited the Ten Thousand Island NWR and were able to take some bird pictures:

The terrain

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Glossy Ibis

Tri-colored Heron

Blue- Winged Teal

The camping days were relaxing, but we were looking forward to our next stop. We had a planned visit with Latona's oldest stepdaughter, her husband, and granddaughter, husband and great granddaughter.  Four generations together for a long weekend!  We enjoyed meals, music and much sharing over our time together.  The only thing missing was Linden, Jr.!

We thank them all for a wonderful visit.  Their hospitality is always overwhelming and we look forward to our next stop together whether in Florida or Maine.

One reflection to share is my concern that ever since beginning our visit to the Keys, it seems we have not been seeing the numbers of birds we have seen in the past.  Where are they?

One Roseate Spoonbill at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge

Tri-colored Heron and reflection


(We have noticed more Sandhill Crane pairs, more Turkey Vultures and plenty of Ospreys but many of the small peeps seem gone from where we had been used to seeing them.  We are reporting this as a matter of sharing very informal observations along our travel route.)

Well, I will sign-off for now.  We have had a great network here so posting has been easier.

We are grateful for the moments of serendipity when we have people come up to us in the van and want a tour.  We have had so much encouragement about our new house while continuing our transition from Chemo Pond to the open road.  We want to grasp the concept of going with a Free Spirit and living in the moment in reality.  We send our love and best wishes to all our family and friends.

Catching up with Torrey

One of the hardest things about months and months of travel is not being able to see our children, grandchildren and friends face to face for long stretches of time.  So when Katrina (Tone's daughter) called to say that she would like to send Torrey (our oldest granddaughter) to Tampa for a visit with us, we were thrilled.  Our vacation time was up in the Keys so after our departure from Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, we planned a visit with Pat and Jean (friends who live near Tampa) for a few days to scope out the hotel and airport location.

Katrina is an amazing planner and could have been a travel agent, professionally.  She booked us right beside Busch Gardens in a lovely La Quinta motel (translated means the fifth).  A big worry for us was  what a fourteen-year old would enjoy with a couple of "older" folks like us for 5-6 days!  Not to worry.  Torrey always has ideas and plans!

Our hotel

Our room window right beside the pool

After Torrey arrived, we asked her what she wanted to do on her vacation.  She had lots of ideas and wanted to see Busch Gardens, shop at mall in a big city, and visit the historic section of Tampa called Ybor City.  She had already been on the Internet and researched the area.  In addition, a friend of hers would join us on Friday for the long weekend and would add another level of fun for her on her visit.
















Tone and I had visited Busch Gardens years ago but really looked forward to another visit.  We took the train around the "Serengeti" while the "kids" ventured off on their on.  It was wonderful to have our cell phones and could stay in touch.  That made us feel better knowing the responsibility we carried.

(Lots could be said about this kind of setting for some of the animals, but needless to say there are things to enjoy as well.)

Latona and I always are on a steep learning curve it seems.  This makes our life full of adventure, excitement and sometimes stress.  Watching teenagers get ready to visit the city was an adventure in itself.  When we went  to Ybor City* we walked with them from only 6-8 feet behind like watchdogs.

(*Check it out on Wikipedia) 

Fun to pose with woman who came from Cuba and has this...

beautiful cigar shop where Torrey bought some gifts for her father.

The girls buying bracelets from a disabled man on the street.

Mural of historical images

Some of the wave of new life near 7th Avenue


As you can see, we had six days of fun with Torrey, while trying to be a responsible Meme and Nanny.  I am excited to share these good times.  We love ALL our grandchildren, miss them and can't wait to spend time together in the weeks ahead.