February 8, 2007

The photo is of our annual Pelican Pete Pedlars Valentine luncheon which was held today. What a great biking day it was here in Southern Florida. Ralph and I are kneeling in the front row. Emory is in the middle back and Gloria is taking the photo. Thanks Gloria!!! Ralph and I left early this morning for the First Pres church to hear Dick Ramburg, the blind clarinet player from the Barbary Coast Dixieland band, tell his life story in word and song at a breakfast concert. He is a truly inspirational man. We bought his cd of solo music and hurried back to change into bike clothes. We biked for 7 miles when we ran into part of the bike club on their way to the restaurant. We joined them and enjoyed a delicious lunch as well as awards and a bit of historical info. In the end, we had biked about 10 miles which will help me to reach my goal of 100 miles per week.

We visited with friends in south Naples yesterday. I managed to get in a 13 mile bike ride up to Hickory Beach in Bonita Springs. As retired people, we are the most active group you can find. Our February calendar is already full. We were trying to plan a street party for Buoy Street and had a difficult time finding a free date. What is supposed to be easy living is hectic sometimes but said with a smile. There is just a lot to do here.

As I watch a fiery sunset out over the Gulf waters, I bid you happy trails until we meet again.

February 7, 2007

We have bright warm sunshine today!!! I know it has only been a few days of cloudy weather and I "almost" feel guilty complaining but I sure am happy to see the sun. We did receive some much needed rain. Yesterday, we awaken to no water in the coach. The auxilary tank was empty too so it was NO water. I went walking around with Sebastian to see what I could find out. We were blocked by a knee deep lake of water. It seems another motor home had broken off the water pipe yesterday. It was fixed but didn't stay fixed in the middle of the night. It took most of the day to repair. Needless to say, we now have a tank of water but you know Murphy's law, there won't be anymore water outages now. Small insurance!

I haven't been able to make my goal of 100 miles a week on my bike what with flat tires, cold, rain, wind and such. But I am back at it. In fact, I am going out in the next few minutes.

We saw a movie last night, "The Good Shepherd" with Matt Damon. It was interesting to see the beginnings and evolution of the CIA. The movie was a great source of discussion and thought but there was so much we didn't get. Some we couldn't hear and some of it was just bits and pieces. Movies that are filmed in fog, rain and darkness always leave me feeling like I need infrared binoculars, light seeking things. We saw "The Queen" last week. It was also very interesting and very well-cast. I thought it would be more historic in theme but it was about the relationship of Princess Dianna and The Queen around the time of Dianna's death.

We heard an incredible dixieland performance at the First Presbyterian Church. They came from northern Michigan. The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band, 5 men, all but one over 60 years of age. What energy and great music. The clarinet player is blind and will be telling his story at a breakfast tomorrow morning. We plan to attend. He plays the sweetest clarinet I have ever heard. He also plays the piano. All of the members play multiple instruments actually sometimes two at a time! They played during the church service sunday morning so we went to that as well. They were very happy to be here in the warm south Florida weather rather than in frigid Mich.

Time to jump on the bike and hit the road.