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.

Back in NY

Mike, Leslie and Zach rode with me from Fl. to Greg and Mel's in N.Carolina where there was a plan for me to stay a couple of days and Dusty and I would finish the trip to NY.Chris and family had just had a vacation in the N. Carolina outer banks and then drove over to Mel's. The plan got changed and we left immediately after the N.Carolina arrival for Ny so it was a straight thing for me.I missed the fun days with Greg and Mel but was glad to have a way to get home.I was home a week when I received news that my beautiful friend Ana had passed away. I flew back to Fl. for a week.Ana and I became friends a few years ago and I went with her to her time shares in Hawaii, Las Vegas, St. Augustine and also on a couple of cruises.
It took awhile after coming home the second time to get settled in but I finally did. I was here for Mark's graduation and party.I have gone to some dances at the clubs but miss the skating very much.
Then word came 2 weeks ago that my very good friend Tom Carlson from Orange Park had lost his battle with cancer. I wanted to go back for his funeral but airline prices were very high so didn't.
The next weekend was the Mohr family reunion. I thought it turned out well. I tried to get Janice to come up for it. Maybe next year.Brother Greg looked delightful in his special dress and the hula skirt. Way to go Greg.
I just had company for a week. He is my dear friend from Middleburg, Fl. He says he likes to work and work he did. He fixed things around my camper that needed fixing. He couldn't stay any longer because of his dog and his yard. He drove straight through both ways.He says he is flying up to get me when I tell him the date I am going back to Fl.which will be the beginning of September.I need to find out when Heidi's open house is and then plan.
I'm sitting on a picnic bench by the lake with this computer. It is a very pretty day.I'll be taking Jessie to work at the Atheneum hotel in Chautauqua later. She works in housekeeping. I thought about getting a job but decided against it.
I promise I won't wait so long to write.
Greg, Slim says he is Crystal's uncle. Do you know Amy?

another finally

Shame on me for neglecting this blog. I don't know where the time goes. We had a cold winter plus the wild boar problem which made for a not so good winter. The weather now however is beautiful with everything blooming and so pretty. They have cleaned out the areas which the boar chewed up and will eventually put new sod in. I have had a mess in the back since I got here and it's still a mess. We have put down yard guard which is supposed to repel those critters. I saw 4 of them 2 days ago and hopefully they got their snouts full and won't return. Ron's medical problems also put a damper on the winter. He is now home in NY and I hope he sees constant improvement.
I'm starting to get ready for my trip back to NY. I'm so comfortable here that it's hard to think about going back . Some good things are waiting there and it will be great if the weatherman cooperates.The skaters are not giving up with the rink being closed and are going to Erie once a month. It will be good to see them all again.
Slim Griffin and the Country Gentlemen play every other Friday night at the Celoron Legion so I can hear some good old country music. Of course the Mohr family reunion is Aug. 1st and that is always a good week. Greg and Mel will be here then.
Heidi will be coming back to the area so perhaps we'll see more of Kat. (Heidi and Dan too)
I'm finishing up some things today and Bill and Loretta will be here tomorrow afternoon and stay the night. They are on their way to Sarasota for a Grandaughter's graduation.She wants to eat at Alfies and have their fish fry. My friend Buford (I call him Jack) will be here today and we are going to do some more to the back lawn area.
That's it for now. I'll try to do better and not let so much time go by.

Ron's Surgery

I'm writing this for Laura as she won't be home until very late tonight. She wants to stay at the hospital until Ron wakes up more. Janice and I went this afternoon and stayed until 9:30pm. He was beginning to wake up then from the anesthesia. He did well and is in the Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.The Dr. said to plan on staying one week but if things go well it might be shorter.Laura will do an update tomorrow.

Catching up

Time is going by too fast.I just had company from Auburn, Indiana. Don and Joey Aiken have been in Florida for a couple of weeks. They stayed here for 4 days. We went to some yard sales and an antique store.
He convinced me to buy red mulch and put it around my house. He was right there moving the bags and dumping the mulch--all 24 bags of it. He also put a new light on my lamp post.I told him not to work and just enjoy the area but he said he enjoyed it. He's 78. He works at and used to be President of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Automobile Museaum in Auburn.They bough a lot of my dolls when Bill died. Now they are on their way home facing rain and snow.I hope they make this a yearly visit.
Leslie's father passed away last week. They had a Memorial service for him today.The service was beautiful with many eulolgies.It was Military with the folding and presentation of the flag, taps etc. My friend Rick drove me to Melborne for it. It was good because we went through some heavy rain on the way home and I was glad I wasn't driving.. Rick is from Palm Coast and was widowed 3 months ago.He likes yard sales, auctions etc. He says he will go dancing with me. We'll see!!!
Ron paid tribute to Laura for her attention to him through his knee ordeal in his blog. They are facing surgery next week for removal of the partial knee.. Oh how I wish they would go to Shands Hospital in Gainesville for a second opinion.

Everyone's Gone

I just had a fun and exciting two weeks. Greg and Mel came down for his 2 seminars for Marshall Institute..They stayed some at my home, at Orlando and at Daytona.Scott flew down late Friday night as he wanted to see the shuttle early Sunday morning. Chris and Lynn flew into Orlando Friday night and drove here in a beautiful rental red mustang.I had breakfast with them at the Pier Saturday morning. Melanie and I went to Longwood for a baby shower for Melissa. She's due to have a baby girl the beginning of March.I drove on to Paradise Cove in Lake Buena Vista for Mike Watson and Kim pruitt's wedding. I met Chris and Lynn there. It was a 5:30 pm wedding and very cool with 27 mile per hr.winds. Yes,it was outdoors and very chilly.They put up plastic sides on the patio and had torches lit for the reception. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Jim. Gale, Drew, DeAundra and family all looked wonderful.It took me one and a half hour to drive home.No one was home when I got there as the guys had gone to the races and they and Mel left from there to go to see the shuttle scheduled for 4:39 am. Chris and Lynn had VIP seats for the launch.Unfortunately it was scrapped at the last minute.Greg, Mel and Scott left for home on Sunday. Chris and Lynn had flights for Monday so they returned to the cape and saw the liftoff on Monday at 4:14 am. Chris sent me a text that it was awesome. I'm anxious to see the video he took. It's almost 9 pm and I'm very tired so know everyone else is exhausted. It was a great time.
This morning I drove to Palatka to go with Ron to the Dr. He thinks he may still have an infection in the knee due to the lab results. He will have a bone scan of the knee on Thursday.He does seem better and is walking better.He will start Physical Therapy soon.