MY FIRST WALK AROUND THE PROPERTY AND APPLEBEES IT WAS TONIGHT

A FLORIDA BUTTERFLY
It was cool enough first thing this morning when I took Pheebs out to throw on my warm housecoat.  No need for A/C during the night which is good because an A/C unit running inside a Motorhome can be very noisy with the big fan going full tilt.  Despite a rare un-interrupted good night’s sleep I still managed get myself another handful of zzzzzzzz’s this morning.  Think it’s my body’s way of continuing to build up it’s reserves.

A PHOTO WALK AROUND JOANNE AND DAVE’S PLACE THIS MORNING

For the first time since being here I mustered myself up enough energy to walk all the way around the property’s rim where we are staying paying particular attention to any movement in the pond’s water.  JoAnne and Dave just a week before we got here had to have an Alligator removed from the pond and it wasn’t the first.  There are a series of small ponds running through the rural neighborhood and at the far end of the these ponds there is a canal and that is where the Gators come from and get into people’s ponds along the way.  I made doubly sure to keep Pheebs away from the water’s edge and the only thing I saw move was a Frog.  By the time I got back to the rig it was on with the A/C full tilt.  Kelly rolled in about the same time.

FIGURED WE MUST BE NEAR THE BRADENTON/SARASOTA AIRPORT AS I WATCHED THIS PASSENGER JET GAINING ALTITUDE

IT WAS HERE ON THIS GRASS DAVE AND JOANNE FIRST SPOTTED THE ALLIGATOR WHICH THEY LATER HAD REMOVED

Early afternoon again found us over at Aunt Jeans and we had another peacefully relaxing time simply chatting about old times, current plans, the future, and just about anything else that came to mind for us.  As I’ve said before I am really enjoying these afternoons spent with Aunt Jean.

For supper tonight we all piled into the Speedy Gonzales mobile and off to Applebees.  They had a 6 oz steak special so we all had that with green beans and mashed potatoes for me and sweet potatoes for Jean and Kelly.  Food was great and we all waddled out on an even keel.

LOVE THE APPLEBEE COLORS

“COME ON YA SLOWPOKE JEAN AND I STARVIN OVER HERE”!!

HOLY SMOKES THAT APPLEBEE’S MENU IS BIGGER THAN JEAN


SEEMS NO MATTER WHERE ONE GOES HERE IN THESE UNITED OF STATES ONE CAN ALWAYS FIND A WINDMILL’S WEATHER VANE SHOT FULL OF HOLES

With each passing day now I feel a bit stronger and may never know what it was that made me so sick a week ago.  Kelly headed off to do some errands while Pheebs and I stayed back and spent us some very relaxing time around the coach.  Been doing a lot of reading and just finished another book Thursday night and started a new one Friday morning.  Next time back to Florida we will be sure to come in cooler weather and without being hampered by sickness I hope to get out and about to see some things which for me would be all the flora and fauna along Florida’s back roads.  Lots of photo opportunities out there I’m sure.

HEY THAT LITTLE JEEP LIBERTY ROLLING IN THE DRIVEWAY LOOKS FAMILIAR
Returning to our coach from Jean’s the past couple nights we both noticed how nice it was to step into a much cooler and comfortable atmosphere instead of the previous number of days where temps inside the rig had heated up during the day into the high 80s.  Being hooked up to Dave’s newly installed 30 amp service really saved the day for us big time.
GROANER’S CORNER:(( Now that I'm older....here's what I've discovered...
1. I started out with nothing ... I still have most of it.
2. When did my wild oats turn to prunes and All-Bran?
3. I finally got my head together; now my body is falling apart.
4. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.
5. All reports are in. Life is now officially unfair.
6. If all is not lost, where is it?
7. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.
8. The first rule of holes: If you are in one, stop digging.
9. I went to school to become a wit, only got halfway through.
10. Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant.
11. A day without sunshine is like a day in Seattle.
12. It's not the pace of life that concerns me; it's the sudden stop at the end.
13. It's hard to make a comeback, especially when you haven't been anywhere.
14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees.
15. When you're finally holding all the cards, why does everyone else decide to play chess?
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Doctor: What's wrong with your bother?
Boy: He thinks he is a chicken.
Doctor: really? How long has this been going on?
Boy: Five years.
Doctor: Five years!
Boy: We would have brought him in earlier, but we needed the eggs.
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One day St. Peter saw a street gang walking up to the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter ran to God and said, "God, there are some low-life street gang members at the Gates. What do I do?"
God relied, "Just do what you normally do with that type. Redirect them."  St. Peter went back to carry out the order, but he suddenly came running back and yelling, "God, God, they're gone! They're gone!" "The street gang?"
"No, the Pearly Gates!"

A HOME COOKED MEAL AT AUNT JEANS:))

A FEW FLOWER PHOTOS FROM  IN AND AROUND JEAN’S FLOWER BEDS TODAY

A nice quiet morning spent relaxing around the rig with the afternoon being spent over at Aunt Jeans.  Kelly was able to help Jean with some computer stuff while I managed to get all her outside flowering shrubs watered.   Jean did the cooking tonight with her friend Pat bringing over a delish dish of baked apples.   A tasty pork loin roast done up with my favorites of mashed potatoes and gravy plus cream corn.  Had ourselves a great round table supper.

KELLY HELPS JEAN WITH SOME COMPUTER STUFF

THINK I EVEN CAUGHT MYSELF SOME ZZZZZZZZZZZ’S IN THAT BLUE CHAIR THIS AFTERNOON

I have always written my blog with an emphasis on honesty and I’m not one to flower things up when in fact there are no flowers or grundge it down when there is no need to do that either.  My opinions have always been forthcoming with attention paid to not only my own feelings but the feelings of others as well.  Never my intention to be rude or sarcastic and never my intention to cast myself as someone I am not.  I try to keep a respectful balance to my thoughts, feelings and opinions.  Not always easy of course but necessary if I want to continue writing my blog in the manner I do.  And yes the pressing business in Congress Arizona does have to do with our house but that is all I am at liberty to say about that.  Looks like we will be rolling out early Sunday morning.

We plugged into Dave’s brand spanking new 30 amp service for the first time about 9 this morning then kicked on our A/C unit.  ‘WOW’, didn’t take us long to have the coach down to 70F whereupon I had to put on one of my warm flannel winter shirts.  I immediately felt so much better in the cooler air.  I was a new person. A few thermostat adjustments and we soon settled on a comfortable 75F.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh such sweet relief at last:)))))))

AUNT JEAN’S BACK YARD….HER DIGS ARE OFF CAMERA TO THE LEFT

JEAN’S PLACE DEAD AHEAD BOTTOM CENTER

And here’s another bonus from our hosts JoAnne and Dave.  They have high speed lightning fast internet service here so Dave gave us the password to their internet and we were able to update our Garmin GPS maps in no time at all.  Mighty fine people these folks.

LOTS OF NICE PALM TREES AROUND JEAN’S PLACE

 

JEAN’S PAD IS JUST BELOW THE FLAG TO THE LEFT

It’s been over two weeks since we left Bayfield and in that time we have watched very little television and certainly not any network news channels.  This has turned out to be a welcome break from our normal routines of constantly checking news channels back home.  With all the election madness here south of the border we had become quite caught up in the circus like atmosphere.  I had become very emotionally involved with the daily chaos on the campaign trail and found what was and still is happening to America very disturbing.  The past couple weeks on the road has given me a welcome and much needed break from all that and of course the break from network news came just at the right time.  Don’t know who is going to win this election but I do know this fine country of America is going to be in an even bigger mess the day after the election than the day before the election.  It’s inevitable and cannot be avoided.  The irreversible damage has already been done to the country and the damage following the election will be epic.  Hang on America, your future is about to enter an even darker period.  Only thing we as Canadians can do is to stand by and wish you the best in the coming stormy days, months and years ahead.  Wished I could say common sense, decency and logic will prevail but it hasn’t so far so I am not at all optimistic about your future.  Good luck America and know we Canadians are your best friends and wish you nothing but the best in your coming trials and tribulations.

JUST OUTSIDE JEANS LANAI DOOR

GROANER’S CORNER:(( On the first day God created the cow. God said, "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years."
The cow said, "That's a kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty years and I'll give back the other forty." And God agreed.
On the second day, God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give back the other ten." So God agreed (*sigh*).
On the third day God created the monkey. God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty year life span." Monkey said, "How boring, monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?" And God agreed again (...???...)
On the fourth day God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, enjoy. Do nothing, just enjoy, enjoy. I'll give you twenty years."
Man said, "What? Only twenty years? No way, man. Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty cow gave back, and the ten dog gave back and the ten monkey gave back. That makes eighty, okay?" "Okay," said God. "You've got a deal."
So, that is why for the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, enjoy, and do nothing. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain our grandchildren; and for the last ten years we sit in front of the house and bark at everybody.

WITH CLOUDY SKIES IT WASN’T QUITE SO HOT TODAY

To give you an idea of the mighty fine people who’s place we are staying at here in Sarasota I can tell you this.  Well before leaving Canada a few weeks ago I decided not to bring our heavy cumbersome 25 foot 50 amp yellow power cord.  This thick cord is an aggravating brute but necessary to run our coach air conditioners.  Not being frequenters of RV Parks where these cords are used we have in 10 years only had a occasion to use a 50 amp cord once so I did not want to be dragging the weight of this cord all over the place this winter.  Figured Florida’s heat and humidity wouldn’t be a problem for us around the end of October.  I figured wrong and with this years higher than normal heat and humidity we have been suffering in the heat with basically no A/C with the exception of a short period in early evening when we use the rig’s generator to run the A/C units to bring the high 80’s temperatures down until the cooler night air kicks in.  At JoAnne and Dave’s place where we are staying they have a regular 50 amp plug but of course you know where our 50 amp cord is:((  Unbeknownst to us Dave was busy Tuesday installing a new power box that will not only have 50 amp capabilities but a 30 amp service as well.  We have our 30 amp cord with us and that means we will now be able to run 1 A/C unit for sure and possibly our second unit at the same time as well.  Now how nice of Aunt Jean’s friends not only to provide a wonderful place for us to stay but to go out of their way to hook up a special 30 amp service just for us to run our A/C and get some sustained relief from the heat and humidity.  Special kind hearted and caring people indeed and they are so typical of the many caring friends Aunt Jean has here in Sarasota Florida.

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Kelly headed off this morning in search of a new Goodwill Store not to far from us so Pheebs and I had us a totally relaxing morning just hanging out in the rig.  Sitting with my computer I took myself for a trip down memory lane looking back through my blog’s Archives to see what we were doing on this date over the past 10 years.  Three of those years we hadn’t left Bayfield yet but for the other 7 we were somewhere here in the United States either heading for or at our winter destinations west of the Mississippi.  It’s one of the great enjoyments of writing a daily blog in that I can go back to almost any day in the past 10 years to see where we were, what I was thinking about, where we were going or where we had been.  And with lots of photos to boot it is always so great to reminisce and just simply enjoy so many, many, fine days that would have otherwise been lost forever to the cruelty of our aging forgetful memories.

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Quite a contrast in days from November 1rst 2015 to November 1rst 2016.  A year ago on the morning of Nov 1rst we had ourselves caught up in a morning cattle drive just east of Torrey Utah while staying at Capital Reef National Park.  Quite a change of scenery from last year at this time to this year.  Tangled Up In A Utah Cattle Drive 

Don’t know if it’s related to this unknown medical thing I have but I’ve had no interest in going anywhere or seeing anything here in Sarasota and simply look forward each day to going over to Aunt Jeans.  Some folks have suggested walks and hikes in the area but in this heat and humidity neither Kelly or I have any interest in doing that.  Keep in mind this heat and humidity is perfectly normal and fine for the locals but for Kelly and I we personally find it way too oppressive and extremely draining.  Of course Kelly has been getting out and enjoying the air conditioned stores but that is about it.  I know this is very different from my usual outdoor explorations but when it’s hot and humid like this in Bayfield during the summer months I also have no interest in doing anything except staying inside where it’s nice and cool. 

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Another nice afternoon relaxing at Aunt Jeans with Jean taking us for a drive around her complex showing us the route she takes for her morning walks.  Stopped in to see her best friend Pat a few blocks away.  For supper tonight Jean took us out to the Amish/Mennonite oriented Sommers Dutch Family Restaurant.  Both Kelly and I had the broasted chicken which was always our favorite dish at Anna Maes in Millbank Ontario which is also a Mennonite/Amish family restaurant.  Jean had an open face roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy.  We all later waddled our way to the car.

A MIGHTY FINE LITTLE PERSON WALKS TOWARDS HER MIGHTY FINE BIG CAR

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Before going to Europe on business, a man drove his Rolls-Royce to a downtown New York City bank and went in to ask for an immediate loan of $5,000.  The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for such a loan. So the businessman hands over the keys to a Rolls-Royce parked on the street in front of the bank. Everything checks out, and the bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. An employee drives the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks it there.  Two weeks later, the businessman returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.40. The loan officer says, "We are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is: why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"  The man smiled. "Where else could I park my Rolls-Royce in Manhattan for two weeks and pay only $15.40?"

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When the wise company president learned that his employees were tanking up upon no-trace vodka martinis during their lunch hours, he issued the following memo:  To all employees; If you must drink during your lunch hours, please drink whiskey. It is better for our customers to know you're drunk than to think you're stupid.

JEAN’S CLAM CHOWDER, KELLY’S GROUPER, AND A BIG BURG FOR ME AT WALT’S FISH MARKET

Anything we need to do we need to do early in the morning while night’s cooler air is still upon us.  Even so with the amount of moisture in the air I still end up with clammy clothes right off the bat.  Monday morning I was able to clean Libby’s windows and this morning I was able to get a few routine maintenance things done.  Immediately following that I had to get myself into the shower.  We have a nice stand-up shower with glass doors and I considered getting in, closing the door then filling the shower up to the top and treading water for awhile.  Well at least it was a thought………….

Noticed a couple house battery terminals were in need of cleaning so busied myself with that for bit being careful to keep all my movements on the slow side trying to avoid a sticky sweat.  Didn’t work.  Kinda wondered what all the little Critters were doing this morning skittering and scattering around in Arizona’s ‘dry’ Sonoran Desert.  Checked the generator, Jeep’s and Motorhome oils and all were fine.  Tires good and added windshield washer to Libby’s washer tank.

CHECKED THE GENERATOR’S OIL PLUS COACH BATTERY WATER LEVELS

Kelly headed off to hit a few stores so Pheebs and I had us some quiet time all to ourselves.  I have to keep my driving in this traffic to a minimum.  I have the experience but lack the patience now for this day and age traffic madness.  Hard for me to understand why those many traffic lights have to be sooooo long.   Sheer volume of traffic I guess.  And why is everyone in such a big huge hurry to basically go nowhere they couldn’t get to if they took their time and at least smelled a few roses along the way.  I’m sure missing my quiet morning country road Jeep drives with the Pheebs.

Aside from the heat and humidity and unusual early morning headaches I have definitely been feeling much better these past couple days.  Energy levels are coming back up and if I can keep myself clear of any stress I might just be in reasonably good  shape for our long westward journey soon.  We have some pressing business in Congress Arizona at the moment we have to get to.

Headed off to Aunt Jean’s a little earlier today because Kelly wanted to head off downtown Sarasota to check out some stores and stuff.  I was more than happy not to go and preferred to spend some nice relaxing time with Aunt Jean.  We talked about our family’s history and Jean was able to fill me in on a few more missing pieces of our ancestral past.  With many fond memories we looked at photos Jean had from our ‘Star Parties’ at the old Weenie Roast Ranch.   It was an enjoyable afternoon.

Kelly returned from her shopping Sojourn unscathed around 4 and it wasn’t long before we all piled into the Speedy Gonzales mobile and Jean had us leaning in our seats as we hastily headed for Walt's Fish Market.  I coulda swore we took one corner on two wheels. 

Walt’s is a real fish market restaurant alright and my nose told me that soon as we walked in.  Jean had a big bowl of clam chowder while Kelly had the Grouper.  I had a Walt’s hamburger and everything was good.  Kelly really liked the Grouper.  We were back to Jeans before 6, loaded up the Pheebs, said our goodbyes for the day and headed north for Fruitville Road.  I’m always glad to get back and stretched out in my recliner.

HEADING IN TO WALTS WITH 2 OF MY 3 VERY MUCH MOST FAVORITIST  GALS:))

WALT’S TIKI BAR

YEP IT’S A FISH MARKET ALRIGHT…..REMINDED ME OF THE BIG OPEN AIR FISH MARKET IN PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICO

With these scrambled past few weeks of travel I breezed right by my annual October 19th link to a single event that marked the beginning of a complete turnaround in my life.  Wrote this post back on October 18th 2009 in reference to October 19th 1979……Began My Day In Darkness And Ended My Day In Sunlight.

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Biblical Questions and Answers::
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he got married?
A. Ruth-less.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Honda...because the apostles were all in one Accord.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. 2 Cor. 48 describes going out in service in a Volkswagen Beetle: "We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement."
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. Where is the first baseball game in the Bible?
A. In the big inning, Eve stole first, Adam stole second. Cain struck out Abel, and the Prodigal Son came home. The Giants and the Angels were rained out.
Q. How did Adam and Eve feel when expelled from the Garden of Eden?
A. They were really put out.
Q. What is one of the first things that Adam and Eve did after they were kicked out?
A. They really raised Cain.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to sleep.
Q. Why was Goliath so surprised when David hit him with a slingshot?
A. The thought had never entered his head before.
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. What is the best way to get to Paradise?
A. Turn right and go straight.
Q. Which servant of Jehovah was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. Because he broke all 10 commandments; at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around the Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.
Q. How do we know that Job went to a chiropractor?
A. Because in Job 16:12 we read, "I had come to be at ease, but he proceeded to shake me up and he grabbed me by the back of the neck and proceeded to smash me."
Q. Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible?
A. When Joseph served in Pharaoh's court.