January 20, 2006

I got up this morning while it was still 48 degrees outside to ride with the bike group. See the photo - Rode with the speedy group and we rode into the wind which was strong and gusty in our faces. The first five miles were difficult, then we turned towards the west, went to the beach before turning around for the return trip. The trip back home was very difficult since we again rode the "tour de wind". In any event, we did 17 miles - tough though. The slower group only went 11 miles and hung out at the Burger King for a long while. By the time we were half way through our ride, the temps had risen to mid-70's. Overall, it was a pleasant trip - just had to push the limits a bit.

I bought a lovely bunch of tulips at the market the other day. They are purple and just add so much to Bearfoot's ambiance. I have a need for fresh flowers around me no matter where I am.
Tomorrow night, my friend and I have been invited to some biker friends house for dinner then off to a concert by the Marlin Brothers. There are some great groups performing at the Philharmonic but we haven't been yet. The choices of entertainment here in the area are vast and varied. Time and boundless energy is all that is required - of course, money too for many of the performances.

I am headed for my nest early tonight. Until another day -

January 17, 2006

I cannot believe the date. What has happened to January? Time is blowing by me like the strong winds that have been blowing around here of late. I had my botoxin injections today for my BEB (Benign Essentiall Blepharospasm). My VA doc has a colleague here in Naples but the guy couldn't see me until the end of Jan. according to this front guards (receptionist) and since I couldn't get a message through to him that I had a connection, I was given the name of another doc nearby. I like this doctor and hope that the places he put the botox was the best for my type of spasm since I have had some drastic effects from misplaced shots before. I won't know for about 5 days or so. I don't have anywhere to drive to for awhile so if my body reacts in a negative manner, I will have time to heal before time to drive again. It has been difficult to use my eyes for the last 3 weeks so it was time.

My sis and her hubby arrived here the other day. It is very nice having them parked next to Bearfoot instead of some of the others that have gone in and out of here in the last two months. I am biking as much as possible given the wind. Taking ballroom dancing lessons here in the park on monday nights. Finding that very tough since I am not necessarily cooridinated. It is wonderful to see friends from last winter back again. I miss my family and hope some of them will be coming to visit sometime this winter or in the spring. Bashey and I are very comfortable in our new Bearfoot coach. We have a seal on the refrigerator that is leaking so it keeps frosting up and needs to be defrosted often. That and a dead fan motor in the bathroom seem to be the only things needing repair. I have to take it back up to Tampa to get it fixed in March. Hope to be headed slowly back north by then.

I will post some more photos as soon as I download them on the computer. I also have a large file of slides taken of all my paintings that are in storage in VA. I plan to have them put on a cd and will download those too so I can display them on my other blog site. I just finished a watercolour of an eagle in flight for my grandson in Albany but not sure it is complete yet.

Gotta run feed the white beast - (can't blame him since he only eats once a day)

Blessings and fair weather,