New Group

This morning I joined the Villages Genealogical Society. I plan to gather information on the Kalkwarfs (Grandparents John and Louise in picture) and Jensens. I'm hoping Arne will join me and research the Swensens and Nothnagels.

This afternoon I played golf and played like a beginner. Could it be because I've been playing with so many people who are just starting to play?

Monday morning, I went to Pickleball 103. I'm now ready to join Beginner's Open Play.

We've Been Booed!

This morning I opened the front door to get the newspaper and there was a large bag in the way. Seems we were "booed" during the night. This is something which goes on in this neighborhood during the month of October. I had to go shopping this afternoon to get things to put in two boo bags. I will be trying to sneak them over to neighbors who haven't been booed. The idea is to not be seen delivering the bag.


Our bag contained an electric light pumpkin, Gummy Skulls, orange loofah and apple pie scented candle. Happy Halloween, Everyone!

This week's First...Volleyball Lessons

After church, I went to the high school gym where I played basketball for an hour. I met a lady who played in the AAU tournament in Gallup, NM in the mid-60's with a team from Cleveland. She knew of several of the players I had played against, especially the gals from Nashville Business College. They were hard to forget and won the National title many times.

After basketball, comes volleyball. Avis, the coach, gave me some lessons in setting, bumping and slamming. There's a lot to learn before the senior games the first week-end in December.

Yesterday, Arne and I went to a workshop called "Building Bridges with Islam." A local Imam who teaches and studies at Central Florida University was the main speaker. Being born in America, he could tell about Islam in a manner which we could understand. He pointed out that many of the things we associate with Muslims are actually cultural and not religious. He was asked to write an article for a local paper regarding the Ohio girl who fled to Florida, claiming her parents would kill her because she converted to Christianity. He said this is not Islam but cultural. Anyway, the paper wouldn't print the story because he wasn't controversial enough.

Another First...Polo

This week we had our garage floor painted, I went to Pickleball 102 and I played golf twice...in the rain. Wednesday afternoon, I played with the neighborhood mixed group on an executive course. Executive as in par 28. I shot 37. We got rained on for a few holes but it wasn't heavy rain. I joined the larger group at the 19th hole (RJ Gators at Lake Sumter) and met lots of neighbors. On Friday, I again played the executive course. On the third hole, we spotted lightning, grabbed our balls off the green and ran to our carts. Before we got the sides dropped on the cart, the heavens opened up and we were soaked! We sat it out for less than 15 minutes and then finished our round.

This afternoon Arne and I went to the Polo Field. There were two matches, 1 PM on one field and then 3 PM on the second field. It was quite cool as the high today was low 60's and the wind made it feel much cooler. We met Mike and Marti from New York, Buffalo area. They are snowbirds. She was a teacher, loves horses and knew something about polo. We knew nothing before today. They are members of the Polo Booster Club. She said the club has great parties and takes "field trips" to Miami for polo matches.

Polo has 6 Chukkers (periods). There are 3 Chukkers in the first half and 3 in the second. Horses are changed out during the breaks. In the second match, a player fell off his horse and there was a 15-minute delay as they checked him over and then brought in a sub. That team won. There were three brothers, ages 19, 18 and 14 plus the substitute. They were very good...all from Argentina.



Marti and I out on the field at half time, sipping champagne. They invite people out to stomp down divots made on the field by the horses and then give out complimentary champagne. We're talking to a young man whose nine-month-old son was enjoying the grass. They had moved his mom down to The Villages from Michigan.

Three Firsts

I experienced three firsts this week...Italian-American Festival, Executive Golf and pickleball.

On Thursday, Arne and I went to Lake Sumter Landing for the Italian festival which began with a parade at 4:45. Then there were food vendors and entertainment on the square. One lady dressed in the colors of the Italian flag, red and green, was having a grand time dancing by herself.





Friday morning, I played my first executive round of golf. I played with three ladies from the neighborhood who were beginners. They were intimidated to be playing with someone who "should be playing the championship courses." I tried to keep them calm and encourage them. I shot 33, par was 28. It was a very easy course with very few hazards. It's great practice of shots within 100 yards.

This morning, Arne and I went to Pickleball 101. It was late morning on one of the hottest days on record. Heat index was 103 degrees. We were soaked when we got home. The instructors proceeded to tell us how addictive this game is so we will see. I'm going to Pickleball 102 on Tuesday while Arne is going to stay with 101. Guess who will be the addict!

A Visit from a Groomsman

Saturday morning we traveled to the (flea)Market at Marion to talk with the guy who will probably be painting our garage floor. I hope we get it done in the next couple weeks so Arne can get his art studio set up and we get the garage organized.

From there, we went to the softball fields where we cheered on the Miona Shores team to victory. That night we celebrated Aaron's birthday, without him, by going to Crisper's for salad.

Sunday we skipped church as we've both felt a little funky and decided we shouldn't be in a big crowd. I did go to the gym later in the afternoon and ended up playing some BB for about 20 minutes. Seemed like 2 hours! I don't know if I can do this. Perhaps I was just out of breath due to the head cold I've been trying to keep at bay. I was talking to a fellow this morning at the Fitness Center and complaining about how I couldn't even get the ball to the basket. I told him I was sure I am as strong now as I was in high school. He said it's depth perception. The basket is higher than it seems. That made me feel a little better and that I just have to practice to get the depth perception back. I was going to practice this morning on the outdoor court, only to find out that they are resurfacing, so no shooting. :-(

Last night Ron Pearson, Arne's fraternity pledgeson and a groomsman at our wedding, stopped in on his way to Ocala for business. He treated us to dinner at The Olive Garden, delicious. We came back to the house to watch the Vikings/ Packers game. Ron left toward the end of the second quarter. I was pulling for Favre to beat the Packers and thus complete his record of defeating every team in the NFL. I watched through the third quarter and by then it was after 11 PM and time for bed. Yes, my bedtime is later here but I also get up later, between 7 and 7:30 AM. Sure makes the morning fly by!

Today the finishing touches were put on the addition to our lanai. It really opens it up. I'll post some pictures when we have the furniture arranged.

Aaron's 40!

Forty years ago today I gave birth to a 11 lb. 3 oz baby boy. Today he is 6' 7" and celebrating his birthday with a party/concert at The Sail Inn in Tempe. I wish I were there to join in the festivities. There's a full moon tonight which seems appropriate for the man who calls himself Moondog and whose band is Dog of the Moon.