nature's movie trailer

I sit here in the coolness of the morning that is much welcomed following temps over the century mark 16 hours ago, and relish the fact that I can do so.  I so love to start my day out here when the marine layer lurks  sheepishly just this side of the horizon's reach.  Wisps of thin cotton candy float by, just out of reach of the mother cloud moving lazily behind with watchful eye.  There is a hint of breeze giving ever changing hints to where our thermometer digits will lead.   There is an ebb & flow to the traffic... those arriving & departing are taking that first & last look at the now gray-blue waters ... those with much road ahead of them- plowing onward without hesitation.  Passers-by on foot are with friends or pups (bags in hand), taking in the ocean air that beach dwellers appreciate at every opportunity, smiling, whistling, chatting.  There is a fivesome of sparrows holding court on the lollipop trees.  I can't hear the discussion, but there seems to be some disagreement between them.   A pair of purple finches are "see-sawing" on the Mexican sage.  Every time I see them ... I wonder (again) why they are called purple, since clearly, they are red! (but I digress).  Little kitty is nosing around the clam shells near my feet, trying to catch sight of the bug who flew in this direction.  It'll keep her occupied for a few minutes, as she is patient enough to sit & stare at it far longer than I would!  Popoki is sitting slumped over on the rug just inside the open doorway, eyes sleepily peering out to make sure he isn't missing a snack.  Oops, his patience is FAR thinner ... he's already turned & looking for the nearest cat cushion to circle into.  I have a line up of crows to my right.  squawk ... squawk... squawk .... mouths wide open just waiting for their turn to voice a complaint.  To me, they never look happy.  ALWAYS griping about something, and ALWAYS in numbers.  squawk, pace, squawk.   what a life.  A lone squirrel scurries across the field & disappears down a hole that undoubtedly goes on for miles & miles.  They have a tunnel system that rivals the NYC subway for traveling from point A to point B.  It used to have a stop (s) in our yard- but once we put up the great wall of Irwin ... they diverted elsewhere.  I see no trace of the apples I left for the deer on the hill in the common area that stretches out in front of me, but the Captain made sure the water buckets were refilled this morning.  The lack of rainfall this past season has dried up the hills- and a family of deer come down daily ... sometimes more than once a day ... to search for food & water.  Many of the yards used to have open slat fences & these gentle creatures would help themselves to fountains, ponds, & an array of flowering plants.  But fences have recently been filled in or repaired, leaving the rose bushes in the common area to take the full brunt of their appetites.  Some may protest that "nature" is thinning the population out by the lack of water & vegetation up the hill ... but we choose to toss out our fallen fruit & supply what brings them to our backyard theatre!  It's hard to watch little Bambi fawns struggle - I gladly sacrifice a bloom here & there to help them flourish. We've only noticed 1 buck so far & he doesn't always accompany the daily excursion to our lower grounds.  My collection of over 300 pictures has (finally) been compressed to about 50 with over an hour of time dedicated to the chore yesterday.  With the heat, I needed to find something that could be done INDOORS & downstairs where the house stays cooler.  NOW, the thermometer is slowly approaching 70 degrees, so the blue belly lizards are basking in sunny spots about our boardwalk.  Their morning routine seems to start off with a few push ups & sprints.  The wind current has shifted bringing a soft cool breeze into the lanai here .... and if it persists, I will need to grab my sweatshirt.  This time yesterday ... it was about 11 degrees warmer in this very spot I sit.  (and I begin to hum ... "what a difference a day makes").  I feel a groan in my tummy that's telling me I've had enough coffee & it's time for breakfast.  I will have to now decide which is stronger- my hunger pangs, or my desire to enjoy nature's panorama in real time.... hmm, lemme ponder that for a bit.

blast from the past!!

by chance... I logged onto FB yesterday just in time to see the post of a classmate who was basking in the beauty of my lanai view (so to speak) & documented it with a photo.  I commented, in passing, on where I thought the picture was taken and to my surprise ... got a response that she & 2 others gals we here for an overnight chick-cation!  By my calculation, I've not seen these women in at least 20 years!  Creeping my toe slightly over the border of my comfort zone, I sent off a note suggesting we meet up.  Afterward ... I questioned my sanity.  What would we have to talk about?  After all this time, what would we have in common? And, of course, I admit (sheepishly) .... what will they look like?  We are all at that magic (argh) #60 ... or rapidly approaching.  OMG .... what did I get myself into?
however, over the next couple of hours ... I found myself actually hoping their schedule would allow and hour or so to "catch up".  AND I WASNT disappointed... well except that the hour &  half we had ... was NOT nearly enough time together !  Needless to say, we jumped right into conversation, with nary a silent moment at the table.  We reminisced a bit, caught up a bit and even planned a bit.  This is not the end of the road for this foursome- we have much left to say & do I think.

MAYBE IT WASNT coming home again ... but it felt a little like that.  I heard things that reminded me why we remembered each other.  I heard things that I could relate to myself.  And best of all ... I appreciated the smiles & hugs I was greeted with!!  Pretty cool chicks I'd say!!

forever shall ye wave ...

the Captain & I were discussing plans for our holiday decorating over lunch today.  I 'm so pleased that he is such a patriotic guy .. since I am too!  I'm reminded of our trip East a few years ago. How I loved the multitude of American flags that were flown on a daily basis. THAT is the country I want to live in- where people are proud of where they are & what they can accomplish with their lives if they choose to put in the effort.  A place where we have choices.  A respectful place.  We spend much of July in honor of where we live & thankful for those who fight to keep the freedoms we possess that are far & above anywhere else in the world !  Our flag is hoisted every day we are home ... and by this weekend .. it will go up & STAY UP for a few days.  Lighted appropriately & waving proudly and gallantly to show our patriotism! God Bless America!

a GOOD DADDY ... (in spite?)

the smiles are genuine ... they were probably proceeded by a few giggles, maybe even a reminder of table manners ... but the best part of all is being together as a family at dinner time!
It doesn't happen near enough if everyone was asked- but duty calls to make a living and the gang is as used to it as they can be.
When "daddy" Chris was a couple years younger than Addy & his brother about Anthony's age here ... I could have blogged about his virtues as a father.  But the dreaded "D" happened along the way and since then-  there have been a few years  he's let his fatherhood obligations fall well through the cracks.  I managed to get through most of them- telling myself he was the one missing out on their momentous achievements & daily life .. but in honesty- the boys were short changed in the ways that are most common in single parent families!  All that being said- Chris is an amazing father.  Supportive, loving, generous with attention, and the knowledge that kids need as much love as they do guidelines.  Perhaps he's made up for what was shorted on him, or maybe he's just a good, GOOD man!!  I love you my son!!

you are NOT my father- you ARE my dad!

in 24 hours ....

this was a good "last" day for these two ....  they ate breakfast together ... discussing important things like pink hair ribbons & baby doll diapers!  

By mid morning, I was running errands & they were heading out to the bike trail ... no doubt with the munchkin jabbering all along the way.

They lunched at a picnic table, as miss-priss fired questions at the Captain, and passing on some wise advice about eating the lettuce on his sandwich!

A couple of hours & a car nap later, they picked me up and we headed to the recently weather-elusive beach.  The sun was high & bright ..... & we were all itching to get our feet into the sand!  It took all of 30 seconds for the bob-sie twins to hit the waters' edge.  And so it began ... the sprints from sandcastle to waves, the squeals of excitement, the "do it again" requests ....

I know that Addy is anxious to get home to mommy, daddy & brother ACE tomorrow- but while she will hugging & kissing them upon arrival ... there will be a grown man standing nearby with a tear or two welling up!

protecting a princess

I had to laugh when I downloaded this picture from my camera ... little Addy appears a bit overdressed for navigating a slide!!
BUT, as silly as knee pads & a helmet might look in the photo... keeping this tyke safe, is a full time job in my book!  Don't think me nuts ... the accessories were for the bike ride we were on when we came across the playground but, there is MUCH we do to keep her from harm on a daily basis.
This precious lass is full of giggles, kisses, excuses, questions, ideas, & wonder... and we want to enjoy every moment of it.  Protecting her is very important to us- so if you should see her in a suit of armor while skate boarding, or wearing an inter tube the size of Texas while swimming ... don't be surprised!

I am the #1 fan of my biggest fan!

The main man in my life shared his birthday with us today!  A relaxed morning with a few light chores ... an outing with little miss Addy to the SeaLife Center & Avila Barn for some critter petting.  The 3 of us lunched together in the sunshine, then gathered up some neighbors to whittle down an ice cream cake- & celebrate in true birthday style!!

Thank you my Captain for making this day special for us ... by simply spending it with you!!

HAPPY #64

I'm In a New York State of Mind ... or at least I "was"

With my audition (New York State of Mind) behind me and just the "fluff" time needed for my solo in our upcoming summer show- I am feeling (a BIT) less pressed for time for the moment.  Our quartet completed it's audition as well, and given the fact that we are performing the same song in a men's barbershop show this weekend ... it was advantageous to KNOW IT!  I'm still tweaking OUR script ... but with additional songs to be added, pending additional auditions over the next 3 weeks ... it's in temporary limbo.
Overall there are 9 chorus songs to be learned & I am 1/3 done... 1/3 more than half done & 1/3 just getting into them ... so I am ahead of the game.  With the completion of this weekend's performance, I can dedicate more time to getting them under my belt.  Costuming is outlined & pretty straight forward (and I have a good helper for it) and it appears that props will be a little easier than last year.  All-in-all .. we are in pretty good shape for 10 weeks out.
While life may be throwing some curveballs (or perhaps aging would be the culprit) ... involvement with this chorus has been nothing but amazing.  It keeps me on my toes, it adds a gray hair from time to time (perhaps), but mostly ... it has brought experiences and friendships into my life that I am enjoying more than ever and I am so thankful for that!  Celebration Chorus rocks!!!!!

little step- BIG tears

EVERY time I am in my serenity garden (OFTEN), I see this stepping stone ... and the look on my grandson, Anthony's, face - when he brought it to me.  He & the Captain went to the hardware store and ... possibly found what they went there for-  but MORE IMPORTANTLY (well, at least for the reason of this blog post) - they were were thinking of me.  Anthony often does ... he has talked grampa into flowers on more than one occasion!
I think of my adorable grandkids routinely ... but as I step on this stone & into the garden, a smile grows inside & out and sometimes ... a well of tears follow.  Happy Tears   :o)