Florida Adventure - Day 5

Today has been “Family Day.”  I woke early and met “S” and “G” down in the hotel restaurant where we had coffee and tea until “M” joined us.  At 8:30 “B” and “N” arrived and breakfast began.  “H” was once more at a meeting but this time she was voted the Secretary of her Democratic Party group!  “H” is very much a “take charge” person and no doubt she’ll be President of the group before you know it.

After breakfast “M” and “B” flew a kite over the water for a while (kite-flying being one of “M”’s hobbies)

then the group of us attended an Environmental Expo at one of the recreation centers.  The several meeting rooms were filled with vendors of all types offering products and services of maximum benefit to the environment. They ranged from hot tubs to lighting to tote bags made of recycled juice drink bags.  Very clever stuff.  We strolled around until we’d seen all there was to see, including a hybrid car that claims to get 100 miles to the gallon of gas.  We also saw a small tornado shelter they seat in one’s garage UNDER where you park your car.

After the expo we went back to the house where we got the happy news that “H²” was going to join us after all!  Her mechanic pronounced her car in safe condition after having been rear-ended yesterday, and she felt fine herself so at around 3:00pm she walked in the door and joined the conversations and good times.

During the afternoon I read the first 2 chapters of my new novel to the group, and received in return some very excellent feedback!  Changes to be made – they’ll improve the story tenfold!  I love when that happens.

So now it’s nearly 6pm and we’re preparing to have a home-cooked meal here at the house.  It’s more work but rather a homey and welcoming feeling.  “H” of course is setting up her camera to take family photos, and no crawling away to hide (this means you, “G”!)

I rather expect the evening to continue in this vein, being filled with conversation and laughter and making the most of the time together, as “M” “S” and “G” leave again tomorrow.

I’ll let you know what happens.

-----and time passed ------

Well, the supper was wonderful – not only was the food really good, the company and the laughter were fabulous.  We even sang some old-time songs, believe it or not! (remember the San Francisco Whale song by Burl Ives?)  After the meal and a spate of cleaning up we all got together and watched “UP”.  Now it’s about 11:30pm and the conversation has mellowed somewhat but getting us all in the same room is still like herding cats.

Still, it’s been the highlight of my adventure so far – and certainly will remain the day I remember best during my stay.