Loving Lover's Key State Park - 23 Jan 2015

Osprey eating his fish

Today's 'treasures' from the beach at Lover's Key

We decided that we would head out to Lover's Key today for a day at the beach...given that there is a prediction of a 'cold front' heading through tomorrow. Sorry folks, but a cold spell here is mid-60 degrees but it is supposed to rain so definitely won't be a beach day tomorrow. That suits us fine as the weekends tend to be pretty busy at the beach and we don't need to be there.

We were there by 9:45 am and the wind was blowing a howling gale! I didn't think our beach umbrella/cabana would stay up but we battened down the hatches and it was held it's ground. We had lots of people stop by asking to have a closer look at it and I suspect Dick's Sporting Goods will be doing a brisk business over the next few days. I have to admit, I stayed close to it while Wayne went for a walk...just in case...but it was a saviour when it came time to eat lunch and then get some shade as the temperature went up, up, up.

Lover's Key has changed dramatically since we were here last year. Over the winter they brought in a barge and did some dredging in order to expand the beach by almost 200 feet. When we went for the first time last week we couldn't believe our eyes as last year we had this tiny strip to sit on and it got pretty darn crowded as the afternoon progressed. Now, there is room for hundreds of people and they are planting some native grasses to try and hold the sand in place. The Park Guide did tell us that it will only take 10 years before Mother Nature reclaims the land and we saw some evidence of that today.

This was our prime shelling spot last year but with the mega dredging there are much less shells along the shore. I was so disappointed as I've told everyone how this is shell heaven but certainly didn't appear so this year. However, as the day went on and the tide began to come in, the waves were taking away large chunks of the bank and lo and behold, all the shells were stacked in the sand as the waves took the broken parts of the bank away. It's a whole new way of collecting shells...you have to watch the edge to see if there is something sticking out and grab it before the next wave comes in as the tide will take it out so fast you can't grab it in time.

We had lots of fun and an older (than us) couple sitting on the shore were laughing at the numbers of times we got a wave up our backs while bending over or how often we slipped and nearly went for an unscheduled swim. I am not....cannot....bring home as many shells as I did last year unless any of my family develop an extreme love for shell art and I don't think that's going to happen! lol

The 3 large Osprey nests are busy and at least two have babies in them. There is one next near the washroom (which is built high on stilts) and as per last year, I was able to get up close and personal with one that was sitting on a tree eating a freshly caught fish. They are so used to seeing people that as long as you are quiet, the birds will sit in the tree eating and not be frightened away. I stood there for about half an hour watching him/her and taking photos...it was a joy to watch.

We've met a number of our neighbours including 'Patsy' who is a well known local artist and has her condo set up as a studio. We stopped in to her place on our way back from the pool last night and she showed us the big 5 x 6 ft canvas she is working on as a commission. She was also showing me some beautiful orchid studies she is doing...very beautiful. She said she is very busy, most of her commissions are gotten via word of mouth and I can see why. She is very talented.

Tomorrow we will head to one of the local markets and stock up on fresh veggies and perhaps try one of the seafood restaurants that was recommended by one of our neighbours. Sunday is the Swamp Buggy Races and I can't wait to see that...it's not NASCAR but still lots of fun.

Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx

This Could Be Heaven (I hope)....

Huge Dolphin fishing just off the shore at Lover's Key

Skimmers taking off to get their share of the fish.

Early morning swim in my private pool.

I'm not overly concerned about being in my 'twilight years'. It's inevitable and unless modern medicine progresses to the point where I can choose to live another 20 years past the point where nature says it's time to go, I'm willing to let things happen as they may. Heaven knows, it's been a magical mystery ride!

Ageing does, however, make me a little more thoughtful about what might be waiting for me on the other side. I have some scenarios...either based on my traditional spiritual training or others from my fabulous imagination...but if I'm able to put in an order for my heavenly home, I think today might be pretty close to how I'd like to spend eternity. The only thing missing...the most important thing...was that I'd need family/extended family occupying all the other units in the condo.

I had a great night's sleep..not too hot and not too cold. I slept late..no trucks rumbling past and no sirens screaming down the road. My tea wasn't too strong and I put just the right amount of sugar in it. I sat out on our little screened-in porch letting the sun warm my bones and watched the steam rise off the swimming pool below. By the time I'd refilled my cup with coffee and sat back down I knew I was swimming this morning. It was 9:15 am and there was nobody in the pool and no signs that anyone was going to come to the pool.

Wayne and I exercised and stretched, did laps, ran in place and after about 40 minutes felt like we had given the best we were going to give today and got out. We'd decided that we both wanted to go different places and the compromise was that he would drop me off downtown while he went in search of a hobby shop and then we would meet again at our favourite place for lunch...The 5th Avenue Café.

The weather was perfect. About 72 degrees, a tiny breeze and not a sign of humidity. This is what the weather must be like in Shangri La....my Shangri La. Once I was out of the car I headed for my favourite browsing spot, Wind In The Willows. If I was a socialite or spent half the year travelling around the world on my yacht I'd be actually buying things in this store vice just browsing. The clothes and accessories are so beautiful (and equally expensive) and funky enough to make you try something on while trying to figure out where the hell you would wear it. There are fabulous Fascinators, outrageously big and beautiful necklaces, and children's clothing that you want to buy but know that the Grandkids cannot sit still long enough to prevent ruining it. There are also 3 White Persian cats in the store...2 shaved to resemble a Lion and one unshaved. Finding out where they are hiding amongst the dresses and sequined purses is part of the joy of being in that store.

Next stop was to Best of Everything. I'm not sure how many square feet of jewellery is in that space but there is not a colour, a particular stone or type of metal that has not made into some type of jewellery. The trend right now is big and colourful and this place has it all covered. I pick up and put down. I look at those hundreds of watches in every size, style and colour and remember that I already have a drawer full at home, all of which need a battery. Like my roam through Wind In The Willow, I leave with both my Visa and Cash untouched.  That does not happen often.

The final stop was to Chico's. As I do each and every time I go in that store, I get a salesclerk to tell me how their weird sizing relates to what I normally wear; for example, a size 8 pants/bottom in Chico's is 0.50. A size 12 or medium top is size 1 in Chico's. Their sizing doesn't follow any European, Canadian, Caribbean, or American scale but it gives the clerk in the store an opportunity to learn your name, what size you take, and go eye-to-eye with you for at least 30 seconds. Because their clothing is gorgeous, most women do not go out of that store without buying something. Great merchandising. I did buy a great pair of pants plus a sweater and scarf in a colour I have never, ever considered wearing but now wonder how I ever did without it.

Wayne and I met at our café and had a great lunch and were even lucky enough to get our favourite spot in the corner in the big leather wing chairs. The food was perfect...hot and fresh...and we lingered for an hour while we discussed the rest of the day. The decision to come home and spend the afternoon by the pool was a no-brainer. Wayne made it into the condo and as far as the bed while I grabbed a book and sat on the patio. Perfect!

It's now 3 pm and although the day is far from over, I've already decided that this is basically what I hope Heaven will be like. In 'my' Heaven though, we'll have a big family dinner tonight. It will include grandparents, parents, friends I haven't seen since...well, you know...and my dearest cousins, aunts and uncles, and anyone else whom I loved or admired. Clearly, it will have to be a Pot Luck!

Until next time, love and hugs to all. xx

The Joy of Shopping (in the U.S.A.)

While wintering in Naples we keep a calendar. It has big daily boxes so that we can jot down what we did that day and what we want to do tomorrow...or next week...and our calendar includes the big sales days in local stores.

Shopping in the United States has always been a source of excitement for women and an equally intense source of mystery for our husbands. "Work out the exchange rate, the cost of staying a couple of days and eating and there are NO, NO, NO bargains", they tell us patiently. Deep in our souls we know that is probably true but it is so easy to justify the joy of shopping here that all logic flies out the mall door when we see that sign..."50% OFF EVERYTHING IN THE STORE". Add the fact that we have access to a market that includes merchandise we don't even see in Canada and all hope for not spending money here is gone.

Naples probably has the highest ratio of shopping mall-to-individual than anywhere else in the U.S.A. Because the city is new, rich, and growing, the malls here are beautiful architecturally and the high priced stores share space side-by-side with the discount stores. The Miromar Outlet Mall hosts free music concerts and antique car shows as well as the opportunity to shop at over 100 outlet stores and has some of the most beautiful fountains, complete with coy ponds, that I've seen anywhere. The local community is encouraged to hold events on their grounds around the mall.

One of my favourite stores is Bealls (pronounced Bells) Department Store. It's only in the State of Florida and it has managed to create a merchandising strategy that...up until now...only our husbands have understood. I call it 'Canadian Tire South' and herein lies the shopping excitement that no amount of duty, dollar difference, and logic can prevent us from shopping here.

I had been into one of the Bealls stores earlier in the week. There is always a sale, from 20-50% on name brand merchandise. As I went through the cash, the cashier gave me my receipt, pointed out how much I had saved on that purchase, gave me my 'Bealls Bucks' (the equivalent of Canadian Tire money), and then handed me a coupon for a few days down the road that would give me an additional 25% off my entire purchase. That future purchase could include, sale, clearance, and/or regular priced merchandise.

That day was today and it was marked on big letters on the calendar! We did the beach thing in the morning but there was no way I wasn't going to be in the Bealls store at some point today to use my coupon! I cannot afford to buy Caribbean Joe clothing at home...it's stupid expensive...but at Bealls today, I was able to buy the best fitting shorts, t-shirts, and tops which were already marked at 40% off and then my coupon gave me an additional 25% off that price. A t-shirt which was originally $32.00 and on the clearance rack for 60% off, became mine for $9.60. THEN...then, she handed me a $40 credit to spend next week! I already have shivers.

Yesterday I ventured into Charming Charlie's (a jewellery store) and hit the '50-70% off the 50%' sale. Once again, I do not need to go the Doctor to confirm my heart is solid and in good condition. The shelves were overflowing with bangles, bobbles, necklaces and a thousand other things I didn't need but wouldn't think of resisting...such as a set of 4 silver bangles (one has a big rhinestone in the centre) for $1.50? Not me. After all, Christmas is coming.

Our first trip downtown had to include a visit to Wind in the Willows, another favourite store. I didn't go in to shop but was excited to see what the window display was as Valentine's is coming and their windows are amazing. I wasn't disappointed as the photos above attest. I get a warm feeling all over when I look at the photos and can't wait to get through the door. I probably won't buy anything but oh, the fun of pawing through stuff can't be measured.

In short, Husbands, stop fighting the inevitable. Until the US/Cdn dollar difference becomes mega dramatic (we  bought the LuvMachine and travelled through the States when the Cdn $$ was only worth 63 cents US)over-rides the joy of shopping, we will continue to extoll the virtues of shopping here.  I'm tired of trying to be excited about 15% off mass merchandise at the Bay and not finding a customer rep anywhere on the floor. I may not have any desire to live permanently in the USA but I sure love to shop here.

In Naples, FL - 7 Jan 2015

It is hard to believe it was only 12 days ago that we left Ottawa...without snow and an Xmas tree still standing decorated in the living room...but here we are, back in our second home in Naples. It has been a bit of a frustration in getting settled but all things happen in due course and I think we are finally feeling some calm coming back.

We left on Dec 27, which is a bit early for us but we really wanted to get on the road before snow or any other weather kept us from leaving. I managed to get a bit of Xmas stuff put away (I hardly decorated at all this year), a lot of laundry done, and made the hard (for me) decision to leave the fully decorated tree standing in the living room. I've now decided to leave it up all year...it will be a conversation piece and save me an endless amount of work this winter.

Because the weather was so good, we elected to cross at the Thousand Island bridge and head south until we could hook up with I-95 which would take us straight down to Florida. Our first night was in Wilkes-Barre, PA; the second in Petersburg, VA; the third in Savannah, GA; and the fourth in Sarasota, FL. We could have driven through to Napes of the fourth night but were so tired and it was pouring rain so opted for a good night's sleep and it was a good choice.

The traffic on I-95 was insane! From Washington right through to Florida there was endless traffic and we would speed along for some distance and then come to a screaming halt and crawl along for 1-2 hours. We really need to find an alternate route next year that will keep us off that Interstate as much as possible. It is the main highway South so used by truck, snowbirds, and all other travellers heading South.

Of course, I was sick again. I started to cough the day we left and I hacked and hacked until two days ago when it just stopped! I think the pneumonia shot I had last fall must have helped as I was waiting until after this past weekend before thinking about going to a clinic and when I got up Monday morning I had almost had a miraculous recovery! Whatever happened, I am grateful and today celebrated by going shopping!

Our condo has been a mixture of frustration and disappointment. I anticipated that we would not be getting anything like the spotless, modern rentals we have had in the past and I was correct. When we came in we realized that it was a little harder used than we'd remembered and while there was no smell, it was not anything close to clean. Without going through the whole process, we have now shampooed the carpets, bleached and scrubbed the bathrooms, wiped down nearly every surface and piece of furniture, covered the couches, and whatever dirt we are cleaning from this point on, is ours! I have to admit, we are quite comfortable and the wonderful heated pool and the familiarity with the neighbourhood have made up for our initial disappointment.

Part of our frustration was in realizing that we had no internet or cable service in the condo. If anyone thinks that not being on the grid isn't a big deal...think again! I'd left my address book and cell phone at home so couldn't even phone the kids to tell them we had arrived safely. We went to Comcast on Dec 31 and after a brief...really brief connection that immediately died...we got online today, Jan 7. Not having cable isn't a big deal......we aren't big tv watchers at home. I now realize that it's because we are each either on our separate laptops watching Netflix or FaceTiming, or doing a hundred other things via the internet. I left a phone message at Comcast yesterday that sort of went "This is Lynne Corkum. I want my internet NOW please. My grandchildren are starting to fret because I can't FaceTime with them and it will soon become unmanageable for their parents if we can't do a face-to-face sooner rather than later. Thank you." We get 3 channels on the television and that's enough. I have my computer!

We did get a few things done...we both got our cheap, throw-away cell phones, our membership at the Botanical Gardens, and our pass to the beach at Lover's Key. The fridge is full of food from Costco, we've already rented more movies via the Red Box for $1.59 that we've see in all of 2014 at home and we've been to Jimmy John's for their delicious sandwiches 3x (it's in our backyard so easy to get there). Tomorrow we are going to see the Manatees at the power dam and then off to the movies to see the last installment of the Hobbit. I bought the first two segments, which we have watched, and anxious to see the big battle ending. I saw my first Bentley today...I've decided to keep score this year. This one was magnificent and I'm more certain than ever that behind one of those tinted Bentley windows is Justin Timberlake! I will find him!

I don't think I'll blog every day...our lives just aren't that exciting and other than documenting for myself what we did, saw, and plan to do, I'm sure no-one else is interested anyway. Just in case though, love and hugs to everyone at home. I won't tell you that the weather here is unseasonable warm, the pool is almost too warm, our first lunch at the 5th Street Café was wonderful or the winter sales are in full swing (Xmas stuff here is 90% off!). xx