Home Again, Home Again...

And  just like that – the adventure is over. 

You may recall that our original plan for yesterday was to drive to the Tampa area and sightsee and have a leisurely lunch before dropping me at the airport for the flight home to California.  This, despite the fact that “B” was coming down with a cold.  I had had concerns, because I thought it might be detrimental to his recovery of his cold to schlep around, but he, the ultimate gracious host, discounted it.  Well, after all, it didn’t turn out that way anyway.

At perhaps 5:00am “N” received a call from her sister in England (her name would be “D”, if you’re really enjoying the letter designations I’ve been using) saying that their mom was having a major health issue. 

 Nothing was definite however so we spent much of the morning quietly at home waiting for phone calls.  During this interlude “H” showed me how to make big, fluffy pom-poms so I could put one on my luggage; making it more easy to identify on the airport carousel.  It was simple and fun so I made one for my luggage and one for “N”s.  At last the call came through that mom (or, "M2", if you want...) was doing better and things could continue as before.  Whew!

Finally we had a light lunch and set out for Tampa which is about an hour and a half from the Villages.  Well, you can’t see much of an area from a typical turnpike – just the road and the trees lining it so I can’t really tell you what the land between the Villages and Tampa looks like.

So at last I was dropped off at the airport and spent the rest of the day (until about 9:30pm) either in the air or at an airport.  How wonderful it was to see Al drive up to bring me home again!  Travel is fun but getting home again is really the icing on the cake!

Oh yeah, and the birds put up quite a vocal welcome when I walked in the door – I guess they were glad to see me, too!

The Florida Adventure Starts to Wind Down

Welcome back -

No pictures tonight - it's late and I'm tired and have a big day tomorrow.  Here's the recap of today's adventures:

Well, the party last night lasted until quite nearly 1am last night and we wanted an early start to the day today since four of us depart for home in the afternoon (“M” and family plus “H²” who has to go to work tomorrow).

So it’s yet another bright, sunny day in central Florida and I’m just waiting for “H²” to get ready so we can meet “M” “S” and “G” down in the lobby and return to “H”s house for a big, bagel and lox breakfast.  I don’t know what the morning will hold for us – I expect more of the same from last night unless “B” has found some exciting event that we really can’t resist.  At about 2pm “B” will depart with the gang for the airport and “H²” will leave late in the afternoon to get home to southern Florida – about a 4 hour drive.

At 3pm “N” and I have an appointment to see the “villa” model home – it’s the only (moderately priced) model we have not seen during the last week and “B” thought it would be good for us to see it; just to know what’s out there.  That should be fun – though we might miss “H²”’s departure – not sure yet.

So that’s what I expect for today – I’ll let you know how it all turns out.

Well, the preparation for our large breakfast was a symphony of controlled chaos – several cooks preparing or cooking everything from bagels to potatoes to scrambled eggs to every side dish that exists.  Those that weren’t cooking were washing what whomever was done with - a utensil or pot, pan, or dish.

Finally we all sat down and finished nearly everything over conversation and coffee (and juice and milk and water etc etc).  Some time after that we went to the community pool which is not even a mile from the house.  “G”, “M”, “B” and “N” went swimming while the rest of us sat in the shade and chatted.

By the time we returned, a quick lunch was called for so everyone grabbed some leftovers from the past day or two and cleaned out the frig and it was suddenly time to drive “M” and family to the airport.  The pandemoniusly noisy house was suddenly quiet since only “HHH”, “H²” and I are left.  They will accompany me on the appointment to see the “villa” style houses in about half an hour, then when we return “H²” will have to leave also to return to her home in southern Florida.

I expect a quiet evening after that – and perhaps another early evening.  Tomorrow I return to California through Tampa so we plan to take a trip to the gulf coast which “N” has never seen, then drop me off at the airport and I’ll be on my way home.

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

I was right about the quiet evening which was very good.  “N” is learning to knit and is presently making a knitted stuffed toy bear that “H” makes for charity.  While “N” worked on it I read The Siliphore, Book One to her, which she really, really liked.  SO gratifying when someone likes what you create!

We had a late, very pleasant supper then back to more knitting and reading and before we knew it it had gotten late.

Tomorrow’s plan still stands to go to the Tampa area and tour around until 3pm when I’ll need to be at the airport for my 4:30pm flight home. 

I’ll need my sleep for the big day tomorrow, so good night, all!

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.

Florida Adventure - Day Four

Today started a great deal later than the prior three days, since I had no appointments or schedules to keep.  I stayed up late Skyping with Al and reading etc and slept through until an unheard-of 9:00am!  A leisurely shower followed, then a struggle with my hair which didn’t want to behave for any reason.  I strangled it into a high braid and twisted it into a semi-obedient circle, where it has so far remained.

Next I went down to the hotel restaurant where I sat out on the terrace and had breakfast overlooking the little lake with more golf courses on the far side.  It was cool and pleasant with a slight breeze so I enjoyed it for a long while until “H” phoned to say they were coming to meet me there and we’d go to that tram ride we’d been thinking of all week.

Well, sad to say, the tram ride that was usually a guided tour of the Villages turned out to be a special tram ride to visit the 16 model homes they really would like you to buy so we went along with it being that we’d already boarded the tram) and took a look at a few of the models.  They weren’t showing any of the smaller sized homes so we looked at a handful of the big ones. I felt they looked much like the smaller ones, only with the rooms stretched out.  By this time the sun had gotten quite HOT and we were glad to take the tram back and not go see the other 12 homes, thank you anyway!

Lunch was called for then, so we went back to the town square to a restaurant called “Urban Flats” which serves your sandwich or burger on flatbread.  It was pleasant and different and actually very tasty.

After lunch we walked to the Barnes & Noble where we hunted fruitlessly for a gift I wanted to get for “N”.  Darn! 

 She actually found a book she kindly bought for me called “At Home: A Short History of Private Life” by Bill Bryson who also wrote “A Short History of Nearly Everything.”  It covers all sorts of topics having to do with life at home and promises to be not only informative but very funny as well.   I’ll have to keep her shopping until I can find something for her!

So we’re about to leave in two vehicles for the Zydeco Dancing lesson that “B” and “H” are giving, during which “B” and “N” will leave to pick up my brother and his family at the airport.  “H” and I will stay at the lesson then return to the house to await the arrival of “H”s daughter, “H²”.  If my brother’s family are not too tired when they get to the Villages they’ll join us here at the house but if they’d rather just bed down they’ll be taken directly to the hotel, and once “H²” arrives we’ll end up back at the hotel where she’ll be sharing the hotel room with me for the weekend.

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

As planned we went to the dancing class where “B” and “H” gave some lessons to some eager couples.  After a while “B” left with “N” to pick up my brother and his family and “H” and I remained, I watching and “H” helping another instructor teach some Cajun dances.  It was quite a lot of fun to watch, and I even had a lovely chat with the wife of the other instructor.

After the lesson was over we went back to the house where I read the first two chapters of my new novel to “H” who enjoyed it enough to start guessing what was going on and who was behind the evil deed.  Very satisfying to hear that happen!  

 Sad news came though when “H”’s daughter “H²” phoned to say someone had rear-ended her car half an hour into her drive up to join us, so she turned back home again. She wasn't hurt and her car mostly just got jolted but she felt it wisest to return home.   We’ll miss her!  I had been really looking forward to getting together with her but I guess it will have to wait.  L

Well, before too long the rest of the gang arrived and we went off to the hotel so “M”, “S”, and their son “G” could check in and we could all have a lovely dinner.  It was fun to meet “G” for the first time – he seems like a good fellow. 

After dinner we had a lovely walk along the boardwalk just outside the restaurant, during which “G” played a recording of himself playing the cello which I enjoyed quite a lot.   No doubt “M” and “S” are quite proud! 

 Well,  it was getting chilly down by the water so we all went back to “H” and “B”’s house where we Skyped to Al for a while but what with a full day of traveling, “M” and “S” were quite tired, and “G” had already conked out on the sofa, so we rang off and were taken back to the hotel.

Tomorrow morning we’ll wait for “H” to phone us all so we can get together and have a lovely breakfast before starting out to have a new day’s adventure.

Goodnight to all!

Florida Adventure - Day Three

Ah – I felt much better this morning, having had nearly eight hours of restful sleep.  I think the jet lag is over at last!

It was a lovely, foggy morning when I went outside to await the arrival of “N” and “B” for breakfast. 

The hotel in which I’m staying has a row of wicker rocking chairs in the front and it was delightful to sit down and rock and watch the fog.  The only detriment was a hotel staff member blowing away leaves with one of those noisy blowy-things that pollute the air with fuel fumes and noise.  He left after a while and peaceful tranquility returned, followed shortly by “N” and “B”.

Our breakfast was quite pleasant, enhanced by conversation and cups of tea and coffee. 

Afer this we went to one of the recreation centers where we quickly located “Sparky’s Strummers” by the sounds of banjos and guitars floating through the air.  There’s no instrument more intrinsically jolly than a banjo, and this group gets together regularly for the simple joy of playing old time songs, singing, and playing.  I counted 18 performers, some on guitar, some on banjo, and there was a tambourine and a washboard as well. 

Everyone who knew the song they were playing just opened up and sang along (yours truly included).  One of the musicians was extraordinary on his banjo and had a microphone pointed at it.  His riffs led the way with most songs, and a few microphones were passed around so people could sing the songs they were all playing.

We stayed there for perhaps half an hour then made our way to the car, with “N” dancing all the way; the music having really energized her (or maybe it was the several cups of coffee…I really couldn’t tell)

We spent the rest of the morning driving through the area (“B” should hire himself out as a tour guide!)  taking peeks at open houses to see what the local real estate market has to offer.  We looked at several in a handful of areas, and location really does make a difference – while they were all pretty much the same size range (from 800 feet to about 1300 feet) one of them, being in a new development, was priced far more expensively than the others (and somewhat outrageously, if “B” or I were to be asked).

We’ve now returned to the house and are about to have a lovely lunch, so I’ll sign off.

----- and time passes ----

So now it’s nearly 5pm.  After lunch we went out to look at another house or two – larger ones this time, the cheaper of which listed at $212K.  (“B” knew that this is beyond my means but wanted me to get an idea of what $$ purchases what).  These were quite nice houses with open, airy spaces and the kitchen entirely open to the living/dining area.  Spacious, fair amount of storage, and everything new.  One of these was the newer version of the house “H” and “B” live in, and it was different enough that I had difficulty matching their actual house to the floor plan I was looking at.

In all the homes we saw today I looked for places where we might be able to fit our 3 large birds.  One of the houses actually could have accommodated them; it was actually the first of the small houses we saw in the morning.  This was being sold by a couple who bought it, made upgrades themselves (and a wonderful job they did, too!) and wanted to “flip” it.   They had finished their enclosed lanai so it was a complete structure (as opposed to just a frame and a bunch of screening material) that stretched most of the length of the house. They were selling it furnished (beautifully, too!) with a hot tub for 4 included inside the lanai.  The birds would have fit quite well into that room.  The rest of it was pretty small; 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Very clean-looking.  A nice showcase type place which did not look at all lived-in, which also meant it did look pretty but did not look welcoming.  Well, they dress these houses up to be sellable.  Still, the stuff they were including in the sale looked delicate and I felt sure I would break a lot of it inadvertently simply from being my own, klutzy self.

“B” and I chatted about the Villages and he mentioned that they really only use their house to sleep in.  Most of their days are spent out of the house doing activities, meetings, and so forth.  I pointed out that this was interesting because Al and I spend most of our time IN our house, so the comfort and amenities of our house are more important to us than they are to “B” and “H”.  “B” suggested that if this was the case, the Villages might not be the right place for us to settle.  He observed that our daughter and niece are important parts of our lives and wondered if it were possible for us to maybe buy a duplex with our daughter and son-in-law up in Oregon. 

I rather thought it would be greatly easier to keep peace in the family if we did not pursue that idea – both Al and our son-in-law are too dominant to peacefully co-exist for any length of time…but I really did appreciate “B”s input.

Well, after all that we dropped Heather off so she could sit attendance at the Democratic Party booth in the nearby Town Square.  We’ll eventually pick her up and go to dinner in one of the restaurants.  I’ll describe that for you later this evening, once I’m back in the hotel.

----- more time passes -----

…and here I am!

So we went back to the town square where “H” was manning the booth with several compatriots and she needed to continue working so “N” and I went to the nearby shoe store to find those sandals she had needed since the other day.  This store was having quite a sale – buy one pair and get two more pairs free so “N” found 3 pairs of sandals (same sandals, 3 different colors) and one of the salespersons handed her a coupon for an additional 25% off (or some such sizeable discount). She ended up with $120 worth of shoes for less than $50!  Excellent.

We went back to the “Vote Democratic” booth but “H” still wasn’t done (“B” was off chatting with a friend) so “N” and I took a stroll around the busy square.  See, this was Thursday night when every week the square fills with craft type booths and live music and people dancing and shopping and strolling.  We walked past people dancing or selling jewelry and caps and hanging decorations and glassware and oh, everything you expect to see at any street craft fair.  I helped "N" find a new purse, at one of these booths (evidently she decided that hers had gotten too old) so our stroll was a successful one.

At last all four of us gathered again and went off to the local deli to have supper.  The matzoh ball soup wasn’t as good as the stuff we get at home but the Chicken Florentine was FABULOUS!! 

After another quick trip back to the “Vote Democratic” booth to pick up the supplies “H” had brought I was dropped off back here at the hotel. 

Tomorrow morning I’ll just chill out here in the hotel until the afternoon when “H” will pick me up in the golf cart. 

See, everyone here has a personalized golf cart as well as a car because most facilities, stores, and services can be reached by golf cart in The Villages, and besides, there are about 87,492 golf courses here.  It appears that every square foot of otherwise unused land has been converted into a golf course so owning a golf cart is what everyone does and all the houses (and I mean nearly every single one!) have a small garage specifically for golf carts.  In fact, I neglected to tell you that yesterday when “B” first picked me up he did so in the golf cart.  There are special, slim roadways built everywhere for the golf carts to use, plus the major roads have golf cart lanes, and it was rather cool to take a scenic tour from within the little golf cart! 

Anyway, “H” will pick me up and bring me to a class in Zydeco dancing that she and “B” teach.  Halfway through the lesson “B” and “N” will leave in the car to travel south to Orlando Airport to pick up my brother “M”, his wife “S” and their son “G”.  That’s right!  Nobody in my family have real names – just initials!  My mother thought it would be easier that way if she had to sew labels into our clothing!  That’s the story I’m going with – work with me, here…

Oh, and I forgot to mention that at some point tomorrow evening the daughter of “H” and “B”, “H²” will arrive.  She’ll bunk with me in the hotel room over the weekend which will give us a wonderful opportunity to catch up, since I haven’t seen her in quite a number of years! 

Other than the above, there appear to be no other activities planned for tomorrow.  “N” had phoned one of the realtors we chatted with to see if he’d be able to show us some of the model homes but as of this writing he had not returned her call.  If they can arrange for someone to give us a quick tour of the more moderately priced models we’ll do that in the morning. Otherwise we’re on our own!

As I am this evening.  Nothing to do now but sit back, watch tv, and catch up on sleep – we got our exercise today!