Back in Florida

I wrote a lengthy post and it didn't go.

Milwaukee Germanfeast

I have spent 3 days at this Germanfeast. It's an exciting time. I loved the music and seeing all the beautiful costumes. I did get to eat snitzel, dumpling and red cabbage, a brat with sauerkrat. I'm not a beer drinker so didn't indulge but there were a lot that did.Leslie bought a pig's head and had us try that but after having all those wild boar in my Fl.backyard I could only have a taste.The 10,000 Maniacs from Jamestown were there Sunday night. Mike and I sat right up front. They have been a band for 30 years and from our hometown but I have never heard them until now. I really liked them and the singer Mary Ramsey from Buffalo is a delight. I held up a sign saying Jamestown NY and she acknowledged it. There were several stages with many bands and we just couldn't hear them all.
I left Milwaukee Monday at noon. They wanted people to give up their seats as the flight was overbooked.I checked it out but would have to have an extra stop so declined. Ron & Laura were picking me up at the Erie airport and I didn't want to delay them. We did go to the Casino on the way home and I played my favorite machine. I hit and it wouldn't stop dinging until it got to $171. I played a little more and ended up taking quite a bit with me. I guess that made up for not giving up my seat for a free airplane ride.
There are a few more things to look forward to before my return south.Time is going by too fast.

It's been 6 long months

I can't believe 6 months have gone by without me writing in this blog. A lot has happened. We had some cold weather last winter in Florida. It was a good year anyway. My friend Jack would come down on Thursday and go back to his home on Sunday.He says he likes to work and work he did. He has my yard and landscaping looking wonderful. He brings vegetation from his home to mine. I have lots of new stuff-- banana trees, rose bushes etc. We ocasionally see the pigs. We go to the Moose on Thursday night and dance. I had a roof leak in the office so had to have that repaired. He fixed the inside part.It's so nice to have a man around the house.
I didn't have a lot of company but it was great when Mel, Kris, and Kelly came and stayed a few days to celebrate their big 5-0 Birthdays.They said they had a great time. I did have family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jack likes to work in the kitchen so that was a great big help.
He drove me back to New York the beginning of June. So here I am. I became a great-grandmother June 20th with the arrival of Nolan Allen Truver.He's a real sweetheart. We just had a big celebration for Ron and Laura on Sat. the 16th of July for an early 50th anniversay party. I really believed they were surprised. Jerry, Derek and Heidi planned it and pulled it off. We siblings helped where we could. Mel made the wedding cake for them to cut and it was absolutely beautiful. I gave a speech for Bill who was the best man.I had them wear red clown noses and I wore one. I thought it would help me to laugh and hold back the tears.The weather man cooperated and did the next day for the Mohr reunion also held at the Vikings. We had barbecued chicken 2 days in a row which was ok with me. It was good!!.
Jack came up the Wednesday before, Janice and Don came up on Thursday and Greg and Mel the next day. They left the following Mon. but it was good to see them for a few days anyways.Don and Janice stayed until this last Sunday. While they were here we went to Niagara Falls,rode on the Chautauqua Belle, went to a couple of Casinos and our campers pig roast,etc. We met Greg and Judy at the Salamanca Casino after going to the Zippo museum and he showed us how to win at those machines. Jack put in a beautiful walkway in front of my steps while here.
Now everyone has left and I've spent the whole day alone and inside. Actually I'm getting ready to go to Milwaukee for a Germanfest. Will meet Mike, Leslie and her family there for the weekend.(and I made 2 loaves of banana bread)
My life is much quieter here than it used to be. The skating rink is now a Mr. Salvage and I don't go dancing like I used to.I keep up with the lawn and the porch has been done and the shed cleaned out.
News is sad tonight. A couple have died in Tonawanda from the heat and there was a special on the young man who fell out of the roller coaster.
It's a little cooler now. It was very hot while company was here.
I will try to do better on this blog- I promise

Still catching up

I had a wonderful time in Nevada.It was in the 30's and 40's but didn't feel that cold. We went to Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Reno. Jack saw no sense in putting money in a machine and losing it at the Golden Nugget until he won &25.A monster was created.We had fun and probably came out even with our gambling.
We went to a candlelight service in Palm Coast on Christmas Eve. and then went to Mike's for Christmas Day and had a beautiful prime rib dinner and opened gifts after. My gift is a trip to NY city in April with them and Minzi. (Leslie's Mom) I was there only once when about 16 so I'm really looking forward to it. The day after Christmas I had the 4 Florida siblings here for another prime rib dinner.It was a quiet fun day.It was fun (another fun) decorating this year and my home sure looked Christmasy.
Now it's another year and where does the time go? This year I have a new computer, a new dryer, and a new 47 in. TV.We have had fun watching movies on the big screen.I gave my camera and microphone to Ron and Laura so they can now skype with their families.
Greg and Mel will be here this weekend as he has work in Savannah Ga. Her Birthday is the 23rd and it's a big one. It will also be "fun".
I've written a lot about my wild boar problem.They have allowed hunters to come into Bulow State Park and shoot them. At last report they took out 23, then 22, and now another 15. People say they were here first. However they reproduce every 6 months, carry diseases and can even kill you if threatened. At least now the population will be kept down. I have been seeing deer out back.They are quite small and "fun" to watch.One of them likes to eat from my bird feeder.
It's been very cold here. I saw on TV that we were the only state that didn't have snow for a couple of days. However, flurries were reported in noth Florida.
That's all for now. I'll try to do better with my blog posts.

Christmas is coming

I did have Thanksgiving for about 20 people. Mike and Leslie couldn't come as she was hosting her family.Again we had too much food. It was all good and I think a lovely day.
It's already the beginning of December. I (with Jack's help) have put up lights and wreaths etc.It looks so pretty out front. I also have 2 Christmas trees. I remember when I was on the west coast there wasn't any room for any tree and I didn't like Christmas at all. This is so much better. The larger tree is in the dining room and the small one in the sun room.
Jack asked me if I would like to go with him for a visit to Carson City, Nevada to see his sister and family and to see some of the west. I of course said yes.He booked the flights and then told me the temperature. He says it's in the 30's and 40's but doesn't feel that cold. Oh dear, I don't like cold weather. I'm glad I have my winter coat, gloves, etc. etc. It should be a great trip with lots to see. I have only been to Las Vegas so this will be a new experience for me.We will be gone for one week and will think about driving back there again next summer.
I have mailed packages to my boys and families so there's not much left to do for Christmas.There's too many shoppers out already. I'll just relax, play my Christmas music and maybe bake cookies when I get home.
Keep warm all. I couldn't believe the mess on the thruway this week. When will they learn that they could prevent a lot of drivers from even getting on the thruway when it is suuch a mess.

Time really does fly by

It's the first of November already. Yes, I did get the new sod in the back yard. It looks nice and it's wonderful to have that first cup of coffee in the sunroom and watch the cardinals, squirrels, etc. I spilled some bird seed and that must have attracted the pigs. Last Wed. at 7:15 am I saw some dark shadows in the very back and the shadows moved their heads and it was two big boars with their little ones. I counted 8 babies running around my yard. There were 5 black ones and 3 brown ones. They heard me and went to a neighbors and ran when I made some noise. I was sleeping but woke up Thursday at 12:30 am to see them again at the neighbors and again at 7:15am on Friday. I wish you could see the neighbors lawn or what used to be a lawn. It is dug up and looks like a cow pasture. The only thing there is a crepe myrtle tree so don't know what attracted them except the roots..It's an old couple who live there and I'm sure they are upset. Jack has rearranged the fence so my whole back area is protected with wire. He also installed a high powered motion detector. It has a spot light on the back all the time and then a bright light when it detects movement. He says I shouldn't have any trouble now with the beasts.
We went to the Government offices in Bunnell and they gave us names of wildlife etc. and they gave us names of trappers. We went to Bulow state park next door and talked to the ranger there.She says the pigs come from all over and wander around in search of food. We'll see how this turns out.
The weather is still wonderful although it's getting quite cool at night knocking the pool temperature down. We've walked a few times on the beach. I've only been to the pool a couple of times. Buford is a workaholic and is constantly fixing things for me or working on the yard. He has put down 20 bags of mulch and brought flowers, shrubs, banana trees etc.from his house to mine. They all fit in nicely and he has a knack for making things grow and look nice.
We're having a yard sale Nov. 13th so I've been going through as much as I can and getting rid of stuff. It's amazing how much excess one has. Now if we can have good weather on that day we'll be ok.
I have also decided that since Buford is a good cook and very willing to help we will have Thanksgiving dinner here.I like to entertain and it's great to have family together.
There's a lot going on in the next few weeks.I still like my Florida home and would like everyone to come and see me.

Back in Florida

My friend did fly up to drive me back to Florida. We stopped at Greg and Mel's on the way back for Labor Day and fun at Lake Royale. It was early for me to get to Fl. but worth it. We've worked on the lawn etc. etc. and I'm almost all settled in. He comes down for a few days and then I go to his home near Orange Park for a few days. He has put up a little electric fence out back. It's set on a timer for the times the pigs come to eat. I sure wish I could hear one squeal.
My back lawn is almost destroyed due to the pigs, cinch bugs and lack of rain. I filed another complaint today and requested the owner's representative come and look at it after their 2pm meeting. She came and it looks like I am going to get new sod. We'll see if that happens. Jack (Buford) brought down a bird bath and we planted some butterfly bushes and put up a bird feeder. We've seen lots of Cardinals.
I hope that I can now do some trips even though this is like vacation land.The beach has been beautiful.I went to the pool today and hope to go again tomorrow.
Zach was in the hospital for a couple of days. He had some food caught in his esophagus and when they went to remove it he got a little tear and then had to have a chest tube and was admitted to ICU. All is well and he is now home and recuperating.
I'm going back to Middleburg this weekend for a wedding on Sunday. Then Monday I have a routine stress test here.I'll try to do better with this blog.