New Year's Eve

The younger generation went to Gasparilla Island a couple of days ago -- it's one of my favorite spots on the Gulf Coast, and one where I've spent time with probably everyone who has ever visited us in Florida.  Here are a few of the photos that they texted us from there:

Today the photos were from one of our favorite walks along the Peace River, from the banyan tree to Fisherman's Village.

Then just before sunset this evening, there were two more -- one of Jake, the domesticated blue heron who hangs out next door, and a bit of a sunset over our next door neighbors dock.  Thanks, family, for the vicarious trip to Florida.

May the new year bring you peace and joy. That's it for this year.

Small Family Vacations in Southwest Florida

It is their plan to make their Grandfather and I feel like we are there with them in spirit.  Today their touring began with Pine Island, a large relatively undeveloped island south of Charlotte Harbor.  This was taken from the island, looking back towards the harbor.  The college girl said it was nice, though.  And peaceful.

From there they headed south to Ft. Myers beach, a much more popular tourist area.

She said she didn't think it was possible to have so many DQ's in one place.  Florida and ice cream apparently go together pretty well.

Taken later, on the beach, waiting for the sun to set.  I have several photos, it's hard to choose which ones to put here.  This is a bit before sunset.

Writing messages in beach sand is a family tradition that goes way back.  This one says "Hi Guys, Love Nikki & TJ"

We got these last few pictures as we were eating our comfort food (JB calls it chicken a la king), and watching ice pellets bounce off our windows.

We followed along all day, recieving regular text message updates with photos attached.  We were obviously there, too.  In spirit.  And here's a "late" edit:  Totally Jammin' sent me some additional photos after their supper in Ft. Myers Beach, where he had to translate something on the menu in French for his Mom.  (I am sure that was fun.)

OSLO in front of poinsettias in the shape of a Christmas tree. It would make a nice card -- Seasons Greetings from the Michigan Family.

Almost as Much Fun as Being There?

I was greeted by this vision of loveliness this morning, attached to a text message from the College Girl.

Ah, Flor-Ida through their eyes.  It was a busy texting morning, as we tried to trouble shoot problems with the Wi-Fi there -- I don't know how, but it did get straightened out.  A bit later I got another photo stream from Totally Jammin' and the College Girl.  I had asked for photos from Sunrise Park, and they remembered that I'd asked.  Here's what they sent:

Three selfies and the tennis court.  I do like the sky there this morning -- we had rain and 37 degrees.  It looks pretty warm where they are.  More text messages ensued -- this time from OSLO who was trying to trouble shoot a cable problem with the living room TV.  And more photos attached to text messages from the grands.  This time from the banyan tree along the Peace River in Punta Gorda.  More selfies, mostly.

These photos absolutely cheered me up.  Sunshine and warm breezes, banyan trees and benches, waterways and palm trees.

Substitutions

Looking back over my 70+ years, or even just over the 50+ years that JB and I have been together,  Christmas traditions have varied a lot.  It pays to be flexible, it seems.  In recent years late Decembers have been spent in Florida, just the two of us, often with our daughter and grandchildren arriving for a visit a day or two after the holiday.  I often used some time on what was always a very quiet Christmas day to take a bike ride -- sometimes to the beach, and last year to Ollie's Pond Park.  This year I took a Christmas Eve walk to Tunnel Park.


Christmas Day I took advantage of the late start to winter by taking a short bike ride -- 41 degrees with a light north wind.  A December bike ride, in Michigan.

Then there is that other thing -- about my daughter and my grandchildren often visiting us in Florida a day or two after Christmas.

Well, that worked out differently, too.  The College Girl and Totally Jammin' had lunch today in Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda (along with OSLO and her fiance).  Harpoon Harry's, if I remember correctly.  Here they are, fresh off the plane, with the Peace River in the background.  Their tickets were purchased "before."  We hope they have a great time, relaxing in the warm sunshine.

102

"She is still remembered, and her memory treasured."  Jim Miller, December 21, 2014

Remembering, and remarking upon, our Mother's birthday was something my brother Jim did every year.  This is one of the photos that he published on her 100th birthday, when he posted a long tribute and history.  Jim put the date at 1947, which seems about right.  Lillie and her four children -- Baby Gene on her lap, Sylvia and Tom sitting barefoot on the step, and Jimmy standing behind them.  Taken at the Anderson farm.

The Day before Winter

Our little family had our holiday gift exchange today.  OSLO and her fiance were here, as well as the Grands.  JB and I made it a group of six.  JB's gift was a new chair, delivered a couple of weeks early.  He's become quite fond of it.  The Jive Turkey chair now rests next to the fireplace and the chair of desolation left with the people who delivered the new chair.  The new chair of power is an actual power chair, with a cord that plugs into the wall.

Since it was an afternoon event, OSLO and I chose a simple Sunday brunch type of menu -- I ordered a quiche and a half dozen pigs from a local eatery -- both were excellent.  I purchased some shrimp for the Grands who love shrimp but who don't love quiche and pigs, and there was some fresh pineapple on the side.   We had fun, exchanged gifts, and spent some quality family time together.  We did our best.

Bright Spot

TotallyJammin' and I picked up supper at Ottawa Beach Inn tonight.  Talking to this young man is always entertaining.  We sure do enjoy having him around.  The  College Girl stayed on campus this weekend to study for her final exams coming up this week, and we missed having her here.  TJ and I Facetimed with her late this evening, and she was working hard.  Fog and rain have settled in here for the weekend, and it feels like winters we had back in the early 80's.  So far, anyway.