December 16, 2005

Yours truly catching snowflakes on Third Avenue down town.

I wanted to post a few photos of the park here in Naples. We have a palm tree right by our window.

December 16, 2005

Last day of school for VA kids until after New Years. I don't notice many kids in this neck of the woods. Seems like mostly whitehairs like me. Action is picking up though due to the Christmas rush. Our bike club is going strong - Pelican Pete Peddlers. We are having new shirts made to identify the members as we travel. We generally complete a 16 - 20 mile circuit which almost always takes in a half hour browsing for shells on one of our fabulous beaches. The beaches by the way appear to be unaffected by the storms in this area. Of course, who knows what the quality of the water in the Gulf is. Temp right now in the Ocean is 70. Temp outside in the air is 85. I have to tell you a story - The other day my friend and I were heading up to Bonita Springs which involves a right turn on Rt. 41. It is right on red here and there are 4 lanes. We swung out on the inside lane making a right turn. There was a car aways back but otherwise no traffic. Before we knew what had happened, the car that appeared to be way back pulled up alongside of us, rolled down the passenger side window and out popped a whitehaired grandmotherly looking woman who promptly shoved her middle digit of her right hand out the window at us. She looked so angry that it made me laugh but then I thought how sad. Not the end of the story. We stop at the next light, they pull up next to us and with a voice so loud and angry that it would have caused fear in the hearts of the 101st Airborne Div. of the USA, she shouted "Go Home". Well that brought about howls of laughter from my friend and I. Chances are we are as "home" here as she is and without the tourist business in FL, they would be paying a state income tax plus the loss of tremendous revenue. I ponder on what makes people that angry and especially this time of year when we are espoused to spread love and peace on earth good will towards men. Think we can hang that one on Pres. Bush?? Doubt it. People are angry at their relatives, their friends, their gov't, their cars, and also their computers so I don't think there is much help for them other than to smile when you are the receiver of their wrath. Is that "turning the other cheek" do you suppose? Does turning the other cheek mean one could possibly "moon" the angry motorist? Now I am fantasizing. I am being taken out to dinner tonight to celebrate an early Christmas since my friend is to be away for a few weeks up in the scary white north. Bash and I will struggle along here in the sunshine. Hope your day is special and without any "digital" waves coming your way. Blessings ----