Posies

This is the bougainvillea I rescued from the trash over by the kid's house. A little TLC and Miracle-Gro and it is showing its gratitude in profusion. Below the Frangipani are blooming. I have an aromatic one-not all of them have perfume.

They are kind of fragile and appear to be short-lived. But they are pretty, waxy, blooms kind of like Gardenias. Fun

By my front doorstep the Jasmine bush is almost overwhelming in dispensing it's aroma. Fortunately I like it. This means that summer is here-way early. It has been pretty toasty. Of course the Air Conditioner blower gave out. That operation has been replaced/upgraded with a more energy efficient model. It works well. My visit to the Opthamologist revealed nothing alarming which is kind of alarming. My doctor is going to consult with a peer who specializes in neurology but my tests showed all good results-optic nerve, macular area, retina, etc., So I guess there is a point to carrying my organ donor card after all. The eyes are worth passing on even with very mild cataracts. I can provide a longer list of "don't bother" organs. Dr. Mitchell was very kind, very thorough, and communicative as were his assistants. Kevin took my old glasses which are still on track for acuity and did a refurb in front of my eyes: new ear piece covers, new nose pieces, tightened and adjusted, I still see "purple fringeing" and strong light seems to have a wave length. Best guess is my med Amiordione is the culprit. It is an annoyance but now it is off my worry list. The doggies are doing all right-they seem to have assimilated and are pretty happy. They love to go on walks. We go early to beat the heat.

Bottoms Up!

Met Lew and Greg at Green Cay and we did one of the loops, taking pictures and visiting. Then I took them to lunch as planned. Greg had called when I was on the road in Nebraska. The hospital started down the call list in the cell phone and got Greg who told them the names of my kids. It was more complex than that but he got them set on the right trail. Lew is having prostate issues and is going to Tampa for robotic surgery in early May. As my friend Delores says "I hate this getting old business we are all tarnishing!"

That is an alligator covered by duckweed. He was just waiting for unsuspecting creatures. Green Cay is a man-made "natural area." A farmer left the land he had grown peppers on for years to the county to be returned into a natural area. It is used to percolate and purify water from the Palm Beach sewage plant in its final stage before recycling.

There is a wide assortment of wildlife to be seen and photographed. It is also a very peaceful place to be- less busy than Wacodahatchie which is closer but not so big. Enjoyed the day before it turned very windy and rainy.

Catching U Up

From my front window you can see the Bougainvillea have made a spectacular recovery. My own is less spectacular but encouraging. They did an echocardiogram down my throat prior to the Cardioversion. Dr. Cohn shared the results: Every valve in my heart leaks (bad news) a little (good news). My aorta is so enlarged it does not bode well for the Cardioversion "sticking." Still, my ejection fraction was measured at 20% which is an improvement over 15%. He thinks a road trip to Wyoming this summer is reasonable. My longevity is reasonable as long as my regimen is followed. A trip to the Opthamologist this week-my outlook is getting even more peculiar.

 I've had a couple of days just being a householder. This has been nice-my "stuff" is finding homes in places that are not the van, nor the garage. The bad part of this is illness is precipitating the "down time." Jason has been bowled over by "THE BUG." Lori and I have easier cases though we did not escape. I am thinking the Flu shot did reduce the severity of mine-and I am sure Lori takes one too. Jason has felt miserable-I was worried. Too much company for too long this year contributed to it, I think. They get worn out. Not that it wasn't all fun because it was. I am getting squared away for company. Perhaps I can relieve some pressure on them.

The accommodations here are very nice but admittedly not as spectacular as "over there." Finally- Greg and Lew and I met here for a visit. They are staying until May 15th. I am glad as most of my other cohorts have called it a season and headed for home. I am going to meet Lew and Greg at Green Cay for a field trip today. Good wildlife photo opportunities. Greg has been taking some great photos this year. He stepped up to a Canon 30x camera. I am outgunned.

Joe's 88th, Vicki's 30th Birthday

A collection of photos can be found by clicking on the photo.

03262011 FL Audrey FL 6th Birthday

Audrey's 6th Birthday Celebration-East Coast Version. A collection of photos. Click the picture to go there.

Whew!

The only lasting souvenir of Matt and Audrey's visit is a cold/flu bug that Lori and I are fighting off, Jason is recuperating from a nasty bout of, and Audrey is having a relapse to-she brought it and took it home. But she was a delight in between. Here she is having her Florida birthday party and she got Barbie stuff as requested. I took Matt cigar shopping for his (Feb 24) birthday. We saw some cigars being made. It was very interesting. Love my kids!!!!

Lori instigated a party for Joe-88 years old who has moved in with neighbors Marsha (daughter-in -law) and Bob, (son). The party was at Steve and Mariela's -a wonderful re-run on 35 pound of oysters and Marsha had a variety of dishes catered. Joe and Bob are Italian and that is the way the menu leaned. It was great. Joe had said he wanted "Tan shoes with pink shoelaces" for his birthday. We worked hard at that and the song also mentions a hat with purple hat band. It was a great party. Joe felt special and he also got a Hoveround Scooter. Watch out ladies!

Too Busy to Blog?

Audrey's first ocean swim age 6.

A smattering of the activities. Matt and Audrey arrived Tuesday and we have been busy. They might be the charter users of my guest room. I am delighted to see them The steady stream of visitors has taken its toll on Jason and Lori. They are looking for a little break.

Jeanne and Marc paint my guest room. So nice.

Marc and Jeanne and Andre and Nicole offered to paint my office on the day I went to Boca hospital in the dead of night. The kids ended up painting it so Marc and Jeanne came to paint my guest room. It was so nice of them and the room is beautiful.  Jason Lori and I went to City Mattress- they were very nice and said it would take  about $1000 to do a bed. I said let's try the ReStore. There were two single trundle beds, a dresser and a night stand for $249. Good stuff. I have been buying wild linens  I think you might enjoy my guest room. (hint, hint)

Gary and Scott play with Juneau

Gary is Lori's friend Kathy's son. She bought them a ticket from Chicago for a weekend sun break. They had a ball. Delightful younger (29 and 30 ) people who have great laughs,

Bon Voyage Nicole and Andre

I wanted to take Nicole and Andre to JB's on the beach but it is Spring Break and they had a loud band there. Not conducive to people of a certain age conversing. So we walked the beach before I took them to the "Whales Rib" It too was bouncing but they were able to seat us at the raw bar which brought back many memories of Nicole's younger seafaring days. They loved it-we saw a lot of chef action.  Fun. We ate nothing but appetizers. They are now in a primitive campground on the west coast of Florida, on their slow migration to Canada.