Giada!

We have been spending a great deal of time with my sister-in-law, Diana, and Gerhard. This is a good thing because it is family. But there is more to it than that. Diana just happens to be a great cook!! Both sisters can make it happen in the kitchen, but Diana really enjoys the culinary arts more than Joanna. They come from a mom who was a chef, so they had better be capable cooks!

Diana received a cookbook from Gerhard for Christmas. It is Giada De Laurentiis' latest, and it is filled with some great stuff.

For the past few days, we have been willing and fortunate recipients of Diana's kitchen talents as she tried out some new recipes. It has been tremendous to enjoy dishes like panna cotta, orzo pudding, and herb roasted pork tenderloin, just to name a few. Thank you Diana!!!!

The down side is that it is deadly for my current "lose weight through exercise" strategy. I guess sometimes you just have to give it up for the team!! ( I am doing my best). As my friend Ron said in the quote of the day, "Steve, you can't ride a bike far enough to work off those calories!!!"

I have spent some time flipping through the book and looking at the recipes and beautiful pictures. I must admit it helps that Giada is easy on the eyes. (Far better looking than Betty Crocker!)

On another note, 60 minutes had a nice segment on Islay tonight. Here is the link:
https://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/video/YVKEFyPjAbWQHXYrjnR8XFAWoTWait6y/whisky-island/

Epiphany

I've been thinking a great deal about my 55 plus experience here at Swan Lake. As we age and become more infirm, we are all going to need more support. That is the real value of these retirement communities; You are not alone!!

I see loneliness as a huge problem for the baby boomers who are aging out. The isolation that comes with all this technology means even more loneliness in the future. I'm not saying I want to spend my days playing shuffleboard and pitching horseshoes. But I do enjoy being around people who are near my age and think a lot like I do. We have met some mighty nice people here and that is something of value. Joanna is also very concerned with being in a safe and secure place, and Swan Lake fits the bill. So I am sure we will be returning here in the seasons ahead if they will have us.

I say seasons as there is no way I would want to live here year around!! Most of the people here have homes up north that they return for the off season, like Al and Carol from Vermont. 

Gasoline was going for $2.05 a gallon today. That is pretty low! Good news for RVers!!!

Here is Teddy's view out the door today! He loves to sit on the step and it is warm today so he catches a breeze.

Orzo, Owls, Lights, Rum and Coke, and a Package

Each day brings new surprises here in paradise and today was no exception. We spent the afternoon with Joanna's sister, Diana, and husband, Gerhard. Diana is an excellent cook (it runs in the family) and even makes leftovers seem like a restaurant meal. We had a most excellent dinner, the highlight being a dessert she made this afternoon called "White chocolate Orzo Pudding". It's a lot like rice pudding (my fave)but with orzo. Man was that good! I am including the recipe here: (<---It's that good!) It comes from Giada's new cookbook.

Naturally, after a big meal I decided I needed to take a walk. As I paraded through the neighborhood on a warm sunny afternoon, I met this little guy along the way;

Cape Coral is famous for its burrowing owls. These are the smallest of the owls and they build their nests up to 20 feet underground. They are amazing and very beneficial to the environment eating bugs and insects. This little guy was soaking up the afternoon sun and I think I got a nice video, too. It made a pleasant day even better!

We headed home in the rush hour traffic as the sun dropped below the horizon. When we pulled in there awaited a package from Washington DC on my doorstep. An invite from the White House? At the very least an appointment as an ambassador to British Honduras!

No...wait..., something even better! A personally signed copy of Mike Tirrell's favorite book entitled: Without a Trace!

 I will read it with pleasure! Thank you Mike!

As it was not yet dark and feeling fat from all the great food, I decided to take a bike ride. Little did I realize more fun lay ahead! I pedaled around Swan Lake enjoying all the lively decorations on the homes. As I entered my final lap, one home was particularly well done. I decided to stop and snap a fight eye. Since the owners were sitting out, I asked permission first. Not only did Al and Carol give me permission, they invited me over to sit and enjoy a rum and coke. A rum and coke!!!!!!!!
Enthusiastically I said yes and spent the next 20 minutes in lively conversation with 2 of the nicest people I have met here so far. Al and Carol are married 40 years and hail from the Burlington, Vermont area.
They like to decorate their house for Christmas.

You think the outside is nice? You outta see the inside! I will have to go back and snap a fight eye of that! It was so good I made Joanna come over for the inside tour. My jaw was hanging!!! Al and Carol are a delight and the results of their efforts are pure joy!!
As we departed sporting large grins I promised Al I will return with my bottle of Papa's Pilar Rum. Now if I can just remember to get a picture when I go back!!!!!

Burrowing owl

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sfuCayb79swqqbUK7

The Big Surprise

We surprised my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on Christmas day. It was a fun evening and boy were Diana and Gerhard surprised!!. Diana cooked an exquisite prime rib dinner for us with Baked Alaska for dessert. They can cook in this family! My nephew, Ian, also attended along with Heather and the beautiful children. Finally Heather's mom, Terry was also there along with Ian's workmate, Chris. A good time!

Here we are at dinner:

 That is Heather's mom, Terry, on the right.

 Ian prepares the dessert

 Opening presents!

The new year is just over the horizon. 2018 has had its challenges, but as former Secretary of State James Baker says, "I'm still pulling the sheet off my own face every morning!"

As some of you know, I have been working on a book for a while now. This past year with my eye problems, I had to put it aside. When we move over to Stuart on the east coast in January, some serious writing time is on my agenda. That means the blogging will stop. My posts are getting pretty mundane anyway, so it will be time for a break.

Christmas Day!

We woke up to this scene today:

Stevie and Shawna sent us these views:

Clearly I am missing the feel of Christmas and home sweet home with my family. But we are headed to see Gerhard and Diana and family later today so all is not lost! It will be fun to surprise them!!! Gerhard, if you happen to tune in, don't give it away pal!

...And we took a nice morning walk and I am wearing shorts today so no sense complaining!

Here is a picture sent by Rioch and Robin in Hawaii:

Pretty cool, eh?

Finally, Mary sent me these and they did my heart good. Thanks Mary!!!!

Well, wherever you are today, I wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas!

11,222

That is the number of steps I took yesterday. I wear a Fitbit and 10,000 steps a days is recommended. I rarely get more than 5K-7k in each day. Yesterday I was determined to get in my 10k and I made it.

It wasn't looking good until Joanna reminded me that we were going Christmas Caroling last night. Wow! Now there is something I haven't done in a few decades!!!! It was actually a good bit of fun. Singing is always good for the soul and what a great bunch of decorations here at Swan Lake!! I haven't forgotten the many old favorite carols and sang with gusto!! It brought back some memories!!
And so I got the appointed number of steps for the day.

It's Christmas Eve on a bright and sunny morning and as I sip my coffee I feel wistful at not being at home with family. Those of you who I would normally be spending time with tonight know that I miss you deeply! And thanks to all of you that have taken the time to follow along here and inspire me to keep writing.

Joanna and I will finish a few late Christmas cards and then head out to mail them and grab lunch. Then a quiet evening here tonight in front of our tiny tree. We are in a good place!

Not sure that I mentioned we drove over to Ron and Sue Ann's house and decorated their front door. They are scheduled to arrive Tuesday night! Surprise!!

Here are some pics:
The folks lounging and enjoying the outdoors

 Always birds around

 The Christmas package line at the post office. Avoided that!

 Bingo night

 My lousy bingo cards

 Decorating Ron and Sue Ann's front door for a surprise. "Baby it's cold outside!"

 Swan Lake entrance

Good News at the Solstice!

Today has the shortest daylight of the year. Winter has arrived and we are plunging into the depths of the season. The good news is we have bottomed out and the days get longer from here on out! Woo hoo! The weather here in paradise is nasty today. Very windy with gusts in the 30's. Also constant fierce showers all day long with temps in the 60's. A good day to be inside...

giving blood! I did it! For the first time in decades I gave blood!!! In my defense, I have been unable to donate due to the fact that I was taking many nasty drugs in the past! No longer. The only nasty drug  these days is the occasional Manhattan. (Do I dare?). I must thank my friend Mike for inspiring me on the course of action of giving blood as a way of giving back. It was an easy process and went smoothly. Soon they will notify me if I qualify to donate platelets as well. That process is more involved, but I am planning to go ahead with it in the months ahead to help cancer patients if I can.

Since we are having our mail forwarded by a mail service, I have not received any of our Christmas cards yet. We did however get a nice card today from Shannon and Ben! These newlyweds are in their 2nd month of matrimony. I wonder if they have had their first argument yet? Has Ben learned the magic words? Time will tell!

On the health front, I am down 4 lbs. and hoping to do even better, even with the holidays ahead. Still health clubbing almost every day. Today the rock music was blaring and I was very tempted to ask the guy with the man bun if he could turn on some Christmas Carols. NO road work on the mighty Schwinn today as the weather is brutal. I did soap up the windshield this morning on the bus and it worked splendidly as the rain has rinsed it clean.

Nothing else to report except improving weather between now and Christmas! Overall a pretty mundane post today.

Giving Back!

If you are reading this, chances are you are living a pretty good life. And yet about 5 billion people on this planet go to bed hungry every night. (It's hard to get a handle on a number that big!)
Just living in this America provides an important advantage over that other 5 billion. Why do you think so many people want to be here?

Tonight I am warm, dry, my tummy is full, and I am spending the winter in a sort of paradise. My health is good, thanks to a terrific medical system. We basically lack for nothing. All this brings me to a big wow! Thank you America! I live in a country where for the most part, each of us has the ability to become all that we are capable of being.

But just being thankful is not enough. We need to give something back. Many Americans do give something back through self sacrifice. Some even making the ultimate sacrifice in far away lands for our country.

My friend Mike is giving blood platelets tonight to help others. This is a simple act of kindness that is repeated over and over every day here in America. I call it giving back. To me it is the greatest part of this wonderful country that I am so fortunate to live in. People are out there doing great things to make this country a better place without expecting anything in return.

So what does this have to do with you?  It is this: What are you doing to "give back" to your community and this great nation? Each of us needs to mull this one over. What better time to stop thinking about yourself and to start thinking about others than the holiday season? Do you have a plan to "give back"? I do.

On another front, a busy 2 days here in paradise. Last night Joanna and I played Bingo. I have to admit it was a fun time, but we did not have any winning cards. We did make some new friends.

Today we went to visit good friends, Tom and Nancy, up in Port Charlotte. We went out to lunch and had some great conversation! Always fun! We ate Mexican so I am happy!

Walkabout

Part of being in a warm sunny place is being able to get outside and do things. Joanna and I are walking every day now and I can already feel the benefits. Sleeping better, walking faster, and I've even dropped a few pounds. I may not be able to drink a gallon of water every day, but at least I'm meeting my goal of getting my rag doll body into better shape!

Went to a special showing of a new movie called, "They Shall Not Grow Old". It meant braving the traffic and driving at night but it was worth it. The film tells the story of the British experience in WW1 in which 1 million British soldiers perished. Using archival footage that is amazingly restored, plus the recorded voices of former soldiers, the story is brought to life on screen in a gripping and amazing way. A real gift from creator Peter Jackson. This is a movie that no history buff should miss, and it is in 3D!! 
Here is a link to a NY Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/16/movies/peter-jackson-war-movie.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR0_6Ufwg94qki3MTyaZNsX1FUdpkFFbQ8HTka939oPCJbfIZuC7WYQzL7k

On a lighter note, I LOVE going to the movies, I am finicky about where I sit in the theater. Experience says I am best off sitting where nobody is behind me. This avoids having to tolerate rude people who talk during the film. I usually end up in the back of the theatre. They now make you select your seat when you purchase your ticket. This is to encourage online sales I guess. This made it easy for me to get the seat I wanted. No one behind me and plenty of leg room that goes with an aisle seat.

I have a dream about going to the movies and being the only one in the theatre. It has only happened once in my life but what a thrill that was for me! The movie was "Last of the Mohicans" with Daniel Day Lewis and it was a very special moment!!!

Finally, what about refreshments? When I go with Sammy, he usually spends a king's ransom for a huge popcorn and a giant drink. I love popcorn but cannot eat it any more as it does not agree with me. So I sit and drool while he chows down. Darn! When I go with others, like Joanna or Mary, we always buy candy ahead at the dollar store and smuggle it in. I am partial to Chuckles but usually get Raisinets.

Finally, on an unrelated theme, I have heard several versions of "Baby it's Cold Outside" of late. I can't get that darn tune out of my head!!!! So catchy!  I find myself listening to that song in my head all day long!

The Secret of Swan Lake

Lindsey Stirling is an extremely talented young lady who plays the violin beautifully. She is currently on an east coast concert tour and I for one would love to see her play if she ever gets close enough for me to attend.

I watched a moving video today where Lindsey dressed plainly and set up shop in a NY subway station. As she beautifully played "Hallelujah" in the busy station, not a single person seemed to notice her. Everyone was too self absorbed by their cell phones. Shocking that they could all ignore the beauty of her music right under their noses. It seems we live in an isolating world.

Then I read this from Karol Markowicz in the NY Post: 

"Many Americans are bereft of people to lean on. The demise of tight-knit communities has had a profound effect on us. We’re increasingly living our lives on the Internet, alone amid vast digital crowds. Social media have replaced socializing. We’re all guilty of staring too often at our phones. We curl up at night with the latest Chrome browser.

The loneliness is killing us.

“Baby boomers are aging alone more than any generation in US history,” Janet Adamy and Paul Overberg wrote in The Wall Street Journal a few days ago. “The resulting loneliness is a looming public-health threat.” The statistics are stark: “About one in 11 Americans age 50 and older lacks a spouse, partner or living child, census figures and other research show.”

Unsurprisingly, that’s also the age group that has the highest rate of suicide and an increasing rate of drug addiction.

The economy is booming. Crime has fallen dramatically all over the country. We’re richer and safer than ever.
Yet we’re in the middle of this terrible malaise....We’re not connecting."

Now contrast this to Swan Lake Village where we are currently staying. People smile and wave to each other. Friendly conversation is everywhere. They play shuffleboard, cards, and Bingo together. They swim, ride bikes, take walks, and have coffee and donuts. It all may sound pretty square and old-fashioned, but this is a happy place. I'll bet the suicide rate here is zero.

Let me finish this post with another quote from Markowicz:

"In 2019, let’s work on being kinder to each other. Let’s be the people who step in when someone is hurting or in trouble. Let’s put down our phones and laptops and make connections on our blocks and in our neighborhoods. Let’s seek out the lonely, the outcasts. Let 2018’s victims open our eyes to the desperation all around us. 

We’re literally dying without each other."

Me: "Honey, I think we should play Bingo tonight."

Random

Here are a few random thoughts to end the week:


"Getting into shape" gets harder as one gets older. (Maybe I should say, "gets impossible!")

Exercise makes me hungry.

As Joanna and I walk through the park, we see people stopped and talking along the way. Everyone is so relaxed and friendly. As we were walking last night, I said to Joanna, "Those people look old!" Then I realized they are probably thinking the same thing about us. In my head I am still a young man.

When you are healthy, retirement is really like being at a Dude Ranch.

It's hard to follow my sports teams live when I am away from home.

There is an endless supply of birdlife to observe here in Florida.

Joanna bought me a special flashlight to shine into trees to catch glimpses of owls at night.
Doesn't that pretty much guarantee I will never hear another owl again this winter in Florida?

If I leave the awning out on the bus overnight, it is certain to thunderstorm. (Like last night)

If I forget to bring my cell phone with me, it guarantees someone will call.

My elementary music teacher, who is 92, advised me to develop some young friends. Very good advice!

I have become a big fan of the New York Post, especially the sports. (And I no longer watch TV news.)

It doesn't feel like Christmas without at least one decoration.

Swimming is great exercise if the pool is the right temp. My rag doll body prefers 85 degrees. Here it is the right temp. and I will try to go every day!

Christmas cards are almost done. I am winging it as my official Christmas card list is at home. If you don't get a card from us this year, please cut me some slack!

Old Time Radio, TV, and Wilbur Smith

I have a confession to make: I am in love with old time radio and TV. Let me explain. We have cable tv at home and I do love to watch sports: SU basketball and the NY Mets being my favorites. I also enjoy watching movies and streaming my favorite shows. But even with over a hundred channels and Netflix, and Hulu (thanks Mary) there basically is never really anything on that I want to watch on an average night.

This past year I have become an avid reader. I enjoy using my local library to obtain the titles I want. So what am I reading? Basically anything written by Wilbur Smith. I love historical fiction and Wilbur is a master at it. Plus, he has written about 30 epics, so I am set for the near future. Many nights the tv is off and I am page turning.

However, this has also been a year of vision problems for me, so especially lately I have had to cut back some on my reading due to eye strain.

So bring on YouTube and the old time shows that I currently love to watch. My favorite right now is "What's My Line?" The fact that it dates back to the fifties and sixties and is shot in black and white only enhances my enjoyment. Hey, that's when I was growing up! I know I have lost the millennials already, but I can't help myself. I love being around the people and shows that I watched as a kid growing up. Give me Bennet Cerf, Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, and Steve Allen from WML and I am set for hours. They are the master inquisitors of their day, and they do it with wit and charm and humor that is infectious. I challenge you to give the show a try. You will be surprised at how engaging it is. I love seeing the mystery guest on each show. "Blindfolds all in place panel?"
It's usually a Hollywood great from yesteryear. And finally: Guess what! They never swear on What's My Line!!!!!!!

I also have an Old Time Radio app on my phone which brings me classic radio shows from the "good old days". Listen to a few episodes of Gunsmoke at bedtime and you will begin to imagine you are  right there along with Matt Dillon and Chester. If I am restless when I go to bed, Old time Radio will sooth me into a dreamy sleep in minutes.

My current favorite is Jack Benny. He was a master of radio comedy for well over 20 years and his shows involve richly portrayed and engaging characters like Rochester, Don Wilson, Phil Harris, and Dennis Day. My favorite character is Mary Livingstone, Jacks wife in real life life,  who keeps Jack chopped down to size on the show with her witty remarks. It's all in good fun!

And so the next time you are bored and surfing your tv, why not head for youtube and give John Charles Daly and company on What's My Line? a chance to really entertain you! C'mon! What have you got to lose? And if you have an android platform, the Old Time Radio app is free!!!!

Buzzards

Buzzards! The more I learn about them, the less I like them. I know they provide a service by eating dead animals. But I learned today that they also prey on live animals, namely turtles. If a turtle gets caught in the open, a buzzard will pick it up, fly high, and smash it on the ground. The only protection a turtle has is to shrink into its carapace completely so the buzzard cannot grab it.

Today as I pedaled my bike to the health club, I noticed some buzzards next to the sidewalk just ahead. As I passed by I was astonished to see them pecking away at a turtle. I made a quick u turn and headed back to save the little guy. I spooked the buzzards away, making sure that i didn't get close enough to get puked on. It was then I noticed that I was too late. The turtle's head was smashed in and it was dead.

 RIP buddy!

These birds seem to be everywhere these days. I often kid that it is not safe to do yard work without wearing goggles. Should you pass out in the yard, you are likely to awaken with a buzzard on your chest pecking out your eyeballs! A gruesome prospect! Adult buzzards have no predators! No wonder I see so many!

I continued on to the club and completed my workout. I am feeling stronger. Here is my health venue:

Lots of machines in a dreary facility!

A typical day or atypical?

I rode my bike to the gym to work out, took 2 walks, and did a "bus project". That is the good news. (Here is a picture of my bike. It's right out of the Wizard of Oz!)

Elvira Gulch! Hmmmmm!


On the negative side of the ledger, I am struggling with my water intake. The goal is a gallon a day. I'd swear I just drank the entire ocean, but whenever I check my gallon jug it is more full than empty. I can almost imagine what it is like to be waterboarded as I choke down another big slug!

Teddy is supervising my water trials. It's a chore and I am not succeeding! Even worse, I haven't lost any weight. Friend Mike Tirrell (he works for the govmint and reads this blog between missions to protect 'Mericans) says that his "family" doctor told him, "If you want to lose weight, eat less!" Sounds easy enough!

Today my water program backfired on me. We went out to dinner this afternoon. I know, why do old people go out for dinner in the afternoon? I used to wonder about that myself. Not any more! Number 1, we don't want to drive at night or during rush hour if we can help it. Driving at night has become a big issue of late. I am beginning to feel like a caveman from antiquity. When the sun goes down we must rush home and sit by the fire until it comes back. The night is filled with danger! #2 Old people eat earlier so we don't get indigestion from the evening meal. #3 Early Bird Specials. #4 We desire to avoid the crush of humanity in Florida at restaurants at dinnertime because America doesn't cook. #5 We only eat 2 meals a day because we are overweight; Breakfast and early dinner. (see cranky hungry below) Can I stop with the reasons now?

Traffic is heavy. Traffic is always heavy here in Florida during tourist season, when everyone from "up there" is now "down here". I can see fine to drive but I can't multitask the GPS and where do we turn and what did that sign say? This day the tension in the car is growing and I am cranky hungry. Worst of all...I HAVE TO PEE SO BAD MY EYES ARE BULGING!!! Hey, you try to glug down a big jug of water and see what happens to you! I spot a Lowes and make the required stop.  We finally arrive at our destination and I am relieved in more ways than one.

A very nice young man from India waits on us.  I want to ask him more questions about how he ended up here in the US, but I am afraid I will offend him. Besides, ICE could be reading this. Dinner at Carabbas is just great, and we arrive home safely. I am proud to be carrying a take out box with part of my dinner. Remember, I am trying to eat less. The day ends with me watching several old episodes of "What's My Line" on the Internet. I am hooked on this show(A post of its own).