11-26-18

Just a short note so you know we're fine and having fun visiting old friends.

Yesterday we went to see Libby Levin, my friend since elementary school, who sang with me in high school and in our group the Nonuette.  The biggest thing our group did was to take a singing tour of military bases in the Caribbean with our music teacher the year after we graduated. It was a Department of Defense tour.  We hadn't seen each other since our class's 50th reunion in 2014.  Nancy went with me to see Libby.  Nancy was in Nonuette the two years after my graduation and then Janis was in it the two years after that. It was a big part of our lives.

Today Gary and I visited with Jerry and Shirley Behrens, friends since his Air Force days in the 60's in Germany.  We saw them last in Kansas two years ago where we camped our RVs together and visited the Truman library, among other things.  It, too, was a very special visit.

Tomorrow, Nancy and I are off to Jacksonville to see sister, Janis.

11-23-18

 I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving.  We had a marvelous and healthy turkey dinner at Nancy and Ken's house (sister and brother-in-law) with friends.  Looking forward to leftovers tonight.

For lunch today we met our old friends in Ocala.  Here is a piece of street art, a hand painted horse.  The bricks in the street are all stamped with their manufacturer's name.  The restaurant, Ivy House had a great washtub sink in the ladies room.  Great food.  I had a Mahi BLT with cilantro cream dressing.

We have known John May and Bill Porter since our time as owners of travel agencies with Travel Professionals International.  Since we sold our agencies in 2000, you can see how long we've been friends.  They are still in the business.  The last time we got together was when they brought a group to Oregon for the solar eclipse in 2017.  We hope they'll come west, again.

This is what a Harley-Davidson rider looks like in The Villages, FL. 

11-21-18

This is a talent left over from my youth at Camp Strawderman.  I probably haven't tried archery since I was 18 but it came right back to me.  I actually hit the target!  It was fun!

Gary and I rented a golf cart so we could follow Nancy and Ken around the many golf cart paths in The Villages.  It was scary at first because some of the time you share the road with the cars.  Car drivers don't have much patience for the carts but there are thousands of them here.  We drove our cart to watch them have a country dance lesson and then to dinner.  It was an adventure.

Aren't they cute?

Gary said I needed to amend this blog entry because he shot an 87 and got an Eagle on a par five!  He is just beside himself.  That's the first one he ever got!!  I guess those lessons he took in Quebec in September are paying off.

11-19-18

Nancy and I took the three pups back to the park in Spanish Springs today.  It is beautifully maintained and has pretty views and benches so people can sit and enjoy them.

In the evening we went to a dinner show where a duo called Dawn and Dunning impersonated famous singers like Cher, Elvis, Lady Gaga and Elton John.  They did a good job.

I made an important discovery online today.  Plain toothpaste, not gel, works to make fire ant bites stop itching.  I finally had a good night's sleep.  Yay!

 11-18-18

Beautiful sunset over The Villages, FL.

Today we had some quality family time and traveled to Mt. Dora, Fl.  This quaint town is known for being the highest point in Florida's topography, about 800 feet. There are lots of cute boutiques, cafes and tourists.

We had lunch at Goblin Market, an interesting restaurant with good food and great art.

After lunch we got down to the serious business of tracking down the eclairs Gary had been craving for the past four years since we were last here.

He was not disappointed!

A controversy has been raging in Mt. Dora for the past 2 years over the Van Gogh Starry Night House.  The owners had painted it so their autistic son could easily find his way home.  Eventually, the city council lost the battle because of the right to free speech and the city council apologized to the family.

 Happy family together in Mt. Dora.  Ken and Nancy,  Gary and Carol Jo.

11-16-18

The Villages, FL is a huge community of retired people.  I've heard there are over 125,000 people living here.  There is something for everyone every minute of the day. 

Gary and Ken are enjoying golf most days.  Yesterday they had a little mishap with the golf cart which Ken started to drive when Gary wasn't quite in it, so Gary fell on his right knee.  He's a little sore today but OK. 

Our first night we went out to dinner and watched people singing karaoke.  OMG!!

Nancy and I took the pups to a beautiful park for a walk in the afternoon.  Everything here is so beautifully landscaped and maintained.

Above is Nancy's dog, Missy and our two babies.

Today Nancy and I went to see A Star is Born at a theater in a cowboy themed area.  Every main square here has its own particular personality.

The movie was great and someone had a great time decorating the theater.

Tonight we were entertained by the Singing Servers at the Katy Bell Restaurant.  It was mostly show tunes or popular opera, much better than the karaoke.

You never know what we may do next!