Second "Wave" Coming Tomorrow Night

We picked up Lisa and Taylor in Orlando last Tuesday. This was a working week for Lisa but I managed to get her away for a pedicure on Wednesday and lunch on Thursday. Taylor loves traveling around by golf car. I've taken him with me on lots of errands. He thought it especially cool when I pulled up to the bank ATM which was perfect height for the cart. I've taken him golfing several times after 7 when it doesn't cost anything. Last night we got a little wet as it rained but no lightning. Taylor thought it was great and a few times "slid" to his next shot.

Arne did quite a few things with Taylor last week...chipping & putting, movie, billiards and fishing. While fishing, Taylor was after an eight foot gator. As he threw out his line, the gator would swim toward the bobber. I wish Arne had had the camera. Taylor asked a stranger to be his bodyguard while standing near the water. Tomorrow, Arne is taking Taylor to the Air gun Range for shooting practice.

I rented a 4-seater golf cart for a week. The four of us rode it to Spanish Springs Saturday evening, about a 5-6 mile ride. Sunday, Lisa drove Taylor and I around the southern part of The Villages, probably another 7-8 miles.

Sunday morning, Aaron 2 stopped in. He flew in Saturday night and his aunt picked him up. He is spending a few days with them and his other grandparents before joining us on Wednesday.

Tomorrow night, Aaron 1 (Moondog), Nick and Dan arrive around 11 PM. They have to change planes in Houston and I have visions of Aaron getting off the plane and refusing to get on the next leg, saying instead that he will take the bus back to Phoenix. He hates to fly.

Squirrel Stole from My Golf Bag

While playing golf this afternoon with our neighborhood group, I spotted a squirrel with a bag of nuts. Since I had brought some nuts with me in a snack bag, I assumed they were mine and stomped toward the squirrel. The squirrel proceeded to pick up the bag in its teeth and carry it off so I just let it go. Thinking it had gotten away with my "fresh" nuts, I discovered that the squirrel had actually chewed the zipper on my golf bag and taken a bag of old "stale" nuts from my bag. Now, the pocket in which I keep my golf balls, and snacks, will no longer close as a tooth is missing from the zipper. :-( The good news for the day is that I hit my ball less than 2 feet from the hole on a par 3 and won $10 for the effort, which, by the way, was a well hit ball. :-) I was told that it was a monkey squirrel but I believe it was actually a fox squirrel, which is in the picture taken from the Internet. This looks like "my" squirrel.

Happy Fourth of July!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Independence Day. We had wonderful patriotic music at church this morning performed by the barbershop choir. This evening we went to the Town Square and ate pasta at Red Sauce. They had $7 meals until 6 PM. It included a salad and half their usual entree. We were both stuffed and wondered how anyone could eat the full entree. We then went home and watched the various Fourth of July celebrations. While my favorite was Boston Pops with Toby Keith, I've added a Fourth of July in Washington, D.C. to my bucket list.

Last night, Arne and I went to a concert at Temple Shalom. The performer was 18-year-old Adam Swanson from Shenandoah, Iowa. He just won the World Champion Old Time Piano Player award in Peoria, Illinois, for the third year in a row. He was phenomenal! His fingers moved amazingly fast over that keyboard. Check him out http://www.adamgswanson.com/Adam_Swanson/Home.html. I took my first piano lesson a week ago and experienced difficulty with the G7 chord. This gave me a true appreciation for his talent.

Swensen "Stimulus" Ending

The Swensen "Stimulus" is ending. On Friday, we picked up our new Yamaha gas golf car. That's not a typo. Here in The Villages, they're called cars, not carts. We are very happy with the way the cart turned out. Arne made great choices with colors. This afternoon I drove it to Wal-Mart, about 3 miles away. I was glad we have a Curtis Cab as I had more groceries than would fit in the basket. So I closed the passenger door after putting items on the floor and nothing could fall out on the ride home. I told Arne that I now feel like a Villager. Golf cars are a favorite mode of transportation here. In fact, we've been encouraged to let Sweet Tomatoes headquarters know that we want them to open their eatery in a cart-accessible location.

Yesterday we traveled about 90 miles south for the 50th wedding anniversary of friends, Jack and Bobbi Leahy, who've recently moved here from Sedona, AZ. The party was at the home of their son in Dover. Martha Stewart couldn't have put on a better party. Luann, their daughter-in-law, was a very energetic 40-something. Mike and Luann have the perfect home for a party and family reunion. Except for one grandson in the Coast Guard, all of the Leahy children (5) and their families were spending the week-end at "the compound" which has a large pool, BB court and separate house with pool table kitchen, etc. Just what my sister needs at the farm for Kalkwarf family reunions. :-) Luann gave each of the guest couples a gift basket which contained a bottle of wine with corkscrew, cheese and crackers with knife, apple with corer, and two chocolates.
We're watching the US Open and just watched Dustin Johnson implode with a triple bogey and his next tee shot went so far left, they couldn't find it within the 5 minute time frame. He's given Woods and Mickelson an opening. I'm afraid Tiger will be the one to capitalize. Wait a minute, Ernie Els just made a terrific shot and he's in contention. I would be happy with Mickelson or Els...anyone but Tiger.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I made it another year! It was a beautiful day. I played Mah Jong this afternoon and won 3 games...the MJ Gods were good to me! I spent an hour on the phone with dear friend, Jody, from Iowa. Hard to believe we've been friends since Kindergarten, over 60 years ago! I don't feel that old. :-)

This evening, Arne took me to Outback where I pigged out on Bloomin' Onion, steak, salad and sweet potato. Now my waistline is "bloomin." Upon arriving home, I received a call from youngest son, Aaron. He had also texted me in the early morning. I received a text from Lisa as well this afternoon. I had talked to her at length on Saturday. No word from Erik. He's been consumed with moving into a new home. I'm sorry I'm not there to help him as I did with his previous moves.

More importantly, today is Flag Day. In our neighborhood, small flags were placed next to everyone's driveway. We also hung out our large flag in honor of the day.
Last Thursday, Arne and I went to Market Square to order a sign for the front of our house. I was very surprised to see it hanging on our lamppost already.

We saved and then we spent...

On Saturday, Arne and I took a ride to Ocala to look at golf carts. From there we stopped by the Toyota dealer...just to look. We drove an Avalon Limited and really liked it. Being the end of the month, they were anxious to "make a deal." We went home to think about it. Monday morning, we drove back to Ocala and made a deal for the car. The Acura had 90,000 miles so it was time.

Tuesday we finally ordered a golf cart. It will be delivered in three weeks. You could say we're spending our kids' inheritance but...the US Congress is doing that for us.

I played golf yesterday and today. Today I won $$ as my team won second place and I got closest to the pin on a tough par 3. Tomorrow is Hand and Foot and Friday is golf again.

Cruisin' Part II

View of San Juan from Fort San Felipe del Morro.
Border between the Dutch St. Marten and French St. Martin. People move back and forth freely without problems to either country.
Sitting on the beach at Phillipsburg, St. Marten. Yes, I got a perm a few weeks ago, thus the curly locks.
I read two books on this trip. Arne thought it cute to take a picture of me reading in bed. You can see I let him know what I thought of his photo shoot.

Arne's garden did well while we were gone. Our neighbor picked two tomatoes. More are coming and the green peppers are ready for picking.