Monday - November 30

 We left Clarksville at 8.   Roads were dry but it was very windy (19 mph with gusts at 30).     A gloomy, grey day but all good with traveling and light traffic.    Stopped in Kuttawa, KY for McDonalds breakfast to go and arrived at Eastland Suites at 2:30.      Got all our stuff unloaded - burrrr....30 degrees and so windy.    Off to storage to get our winter clothes (+ Mark's Christmas socks 😊), all the decorations, wrapping paper, etc.     

Picked up supper from Culver's and on home.   Unloaded again and now pretty well settled.   

Mark has his injection at  8 AM tomorrow.    Hope 'n pray this one will really help!

Monday - November 23

 Blustery start to the day with temps in the 40's.     The sun shone all day long and eventually warmed to 57.     Had breakfast sandwiches and late morning, Mark and I went for a short hike.

I wrapped some more gifts and then after lunch, hiked with Theresa in the state park.    Awesome and perfect day as the wind died down.

Read and played virtual euchre in the afternoon.    Anne worked remote as did Liam, Connor and Brady.    The 3 littles did zoom session as they are home today and tomorrow.

Tonight we celebrated...................Michael and Brooke closed on their Newton home today!    We toasted with a few sips of wine (from a distance) and then loaded our plates (love this) and back to the cottage.    Tonight's menu was grilled fish, BBQ chicken, cheesy potatoes and sautéed brussels sprouts with bacon.   All sooo yummy!

Cheers and Congratulations!!!

And a sweet story to share.    The young couple who are the new home owners went to their new home after the closing and he proposed and she said "Yes"!!!    Wishing them many happy years together in their beautiful new home.  

Mark and I will always cherish so many happy memories of our time spent there!

Sunday - November 22

 Mostly cloudy day but very pleasant for some hiking......Theresa and I did a 2.6 mile walk thru the forest.    Back home for church with Father Paul Soper at Holy Cross Chapel in Boston.

Michael brought us chicken from Bojangles for lunch.    Mark and I walked in the afternoon another 2 miles.

Anne, Liam and Connor arrived at 2 - so happy they are here!     Davis rolled in late afternoon from Raleigh and he's home till January 6th.,     Waiting for Ryan who comes in Tuesday night.

 Anne, Brooke, Annette and the kiddos did a woodworking project at their friend Amy's home.

Mark and I sat around the fire and read.    Michael and Drew watched the Panthers game.

The whole family gathered at Michael and Brooke's for delicious corned beef and cabbage and BBQ ribs.      Mark and I filled our plates (wearing masks) and came back to the cottage to dig in!     I HATE covid.....

Nine siblings did zoom and caught up on the news......Ryan (nephew) is out of ICU but big concern remains about the lack of kidney function.    He still needs lots of prayers.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving week staying safe, healthy and happy!  💗

Saturday - November 21

 Very hazy over the water when we woke up and couldn't see a thing, but then it cleared and another gorgeous day of 70.

After breakfast, we drove to Morganton for some errands (coffee fix at The Grind Café), gas and car wash and grocery pick up at Wal Mart.

I wrapped more gifts and listened to oldies.

On home and after lunch Mark and I went for a walk on one of our favorite trails and who should we run into, but Luke and friends Max and Miles (twins), Ivy (their sister) and Maeve along with Annette and Amy (the Moms).    We had a good visit and continued on our way.    So different crunching along in all the leaves compared to springtime.     Some new painted rocks, too.

Sat outside this afternoon and read - just delightful.     Miss Blair was playing (mixing up a concoction pumpkin seeds, water, etc.) for Jerry (cat).    She and her Mom had been to Charlotte for a birthday party late this morning.

 

Sweet Blair getting so grown up

Mark and I went to Philip and Annette's for burgers and on such a gorgeous evening, so fun to sit around the roaring bonfire and enjoy!    Drew arrived tonight and will be home till the end of January!

                               Annette has her trees (all 3) decorated and this is the biggie (12') - beautiful!

Anne, Liam, Connor and Davis come tomorrow!!!     Hurray!

Friday - November 20

 Nippy morning here at the lake, but sunny, clear skies and no wind.     We had breakfast and then I dug into wrapping presents.    Brought some Christmas paper, tissue, tags, scissors and tape from FM and ready to have at it.

I was wrong about Brooke's beautiful pink flowers that surround us - they are camellias - not endless roses (duh)!    They bloom fall into spring and are so pretty.    She has several bushes!   Love it!

Camellias

Mark, Brooke and I went for a short walk - a spectacular day!

Luke, Maeve and Blair had 1/2 day of school.    Annette picked them up and subs from Jersey Mikes for a picnic lunch around the fire pit at Michael's.    Mike and Theresa joined us!

Theresa, Mike, Annette, Brooke

Picnic on 11/20 covid style

Luke 'n Maeve

I walked with Mike and Theresa and then on home for happy hour.   Had a nice fire going and sat around the fire pit.

Brady

Blair amongst the camellias

Happy Hour with Brooke and Michael

Sunset on 11/20/20

Tomato soup and grilled cheese/ham sandwiches for supper.    Got over 13,000 steps today - yeah!

Thursday - November 19

 Another glorious day for traveling - we are at Lake James (2:00) after stopping in Forest City, NC for lunch at Zaxby's and eating in the WalMart parking lot.    Most of the fast food places we've seen are not open for inside dining - not that we would do it anyway.

Blair came running to meet us but kept her distance.....once again, no hugs.  😞 She, Luke an Maeve only had 1/2 day school (also tomorrow).    Mark's sister Theresa and Mike arrived this afternoon, too, from West Chicago.

Michael had our fridge and cupboards stocked - what a guy!   He also had recommended Sam Snead's last night - great choice!

Pretty endless roses outside our door

And beautiful Lake James.....never tire of this view!

All settled in the lower level of the cottage - nice and cozy with living area, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room - everything we could possibly need and isolated from rest of family which is sad, but the way it's gotta be.    Hoping for nice weather that we can gather outdoors from a distance!

Wednesday - November 18

 Sunny but nippy for we Floridians this morning.    Fridge is pretty empty so Mark went to Hardees for a biscuit sandwich for me and his favorite (biscuits and gravy.)     I walked - very pleasant and warming up fast!

We left the park at 9:10 and had a good day of travel with perfect weather.    We had lunch at Wendy's drive-thru in Waldo, FL.

Arrived in Savannah around 4:30 and good to be here - 1st hotel visit since early March (after Patrick's Celebration of Life).

Mark picked up carry-out at Sam Snead's just 2 minutes away - we shared a spicy shrimp flatbread and red velvet cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce - all very good!

We heard that RV and boat sales have skyrocketed since Covid with families wanting to enjoy trips and water fun for recreation.    The huge North Trail RV dealer near us in Fort Myers carries several different brands including Airstream.   Normally there is a very large inventory, but not so these days....Airstream and other brands are way down in the parking lot.    

A sweet memory from 3 years ago - Patrick and Liam cheering on the Irish at Notre Dame!   We all feel that Liam would now be taller than his Dad!!!

5 hours away from Lake James!!!!

  

Tuesday - November 17

 Woke up to a balmy sunny day and so refreshing after all the humidity we've been having.     My walk felt extra good this morning!

We decided this morning to leave tomorrow for NC and do the trip over 2 days instead of one very long day.    Happy about that, so scurried around to finish up the packing and other final things.    2 six-hour days sound good to me!

Picked lunch up from The Boathouse - 2 shrimp baskets - sooo yummy as we hadn't had shrimp since we've been here.    We went for a walk, checked the mail one last time and then stopped to visit Jim and Lydia.    They are leaving tomorrow for St. Louis and Thanksgiving.

Game time for Jim and Lydia on their patio.

No Chamberlain Christmas this year, so God willing, we'll be back together here at 

Cypress Trail in January!

We had a glass of wine on our patio late afternoon with our neighbors Rog and Martin.

Anne told us that Illinois is now in Tier 3.....almost a total shutdown.   Yikes,    Covid is soo bad all across the country.

Ryan is having some ups and downs with BP, breathing and kidneys.....please keep praying!

Monday - November 16

 Big-time sticky out there walking this morning!    And dead still....

So, woke up to an e-mail from Cypress Trail that a pickleball player had tested positive.   Pickleball is a very popular sport here in the park, so they went on to say that 19 other players were possibly exposed.  And then we are thinking these same players went on home to their spouse???    And another sobering concern....there are 36 zip codes in Lee County, Florida......we are at 33905 and it is the highest for covid cases.    Arghhhh

We've canceled our appointments for this week - haircut for Mark; massage and manicure for me!

Jim and Lydia brought me an iced skinny vanilla latte from Java House......what dears they are!!!

We drove to Bell Tower to do a curbside pick-up (Christmas gift)......gotta love these stores who make it so quick 'n easy to shop these days.

Ryan and Molly were able to talk last night and this morning....slowly improving day by day!

Mark and Jim beat Lydia and me 2 of 3 euchre games!    Not the best cards tonight!

Thriving lime tree here in the park

Sunday - November 15

 Another humid start to the day....walked, breakfast and then went to Mass with Father Peter DeFazio in the Boston Seaport area.

The sun was bright and sunny....we sat outside under the awning with our books and read awhile but then wimped out and decided the AC was the place to be.    Mark finished "Chika", very good by Mitch Albom and I'm into #4 of 7 books - The Clifton Chronicals" by Jeffrey Archer - excellent!!!

Nothing like a good book to be swept away!!!!!

More good progress for Ryan....off the ventilator, still on dialysis, pancreatitis and sepsis levels are looking good!    Each day is a big blessing!!!

Played cards with Mark and Nancy - the guys against the gals with the Marks winning 2 of 3.

The heat index reached 93 today!   

We ordered carry out from Cracker Barrel - shared a country fried turkey dinner with 3-cheese squash casserole and green beans (they forgot the cranberry relish)!    It was delish and plenty of leftover turkey.   Thanks for the tip, Linda!   So, since we shared the entree, we also had a piece of chocolate pecan pie (ice cream came with it)!   Yummy!

Zoom with 9 siblings - so many things to cover......Ryan's improved health (hoping to get him out of bed tomorrow),  covid, school situations, Thanksgiving plans, etc.

Have a healthy, safe week!

Saturday - November 14

 HUMID......   Very cloudy and overcast, too....occasional sun but then, really drippy!

Did some short walks - more big rigs arrived today including across from us - (Oregon) and there goes our view of the water and fountain!

Ryan update is more encouraging.    Took him off BP med and woke him briefly - he moved his arms on command.    Prayers ongoing.....Still on ventilator

Visited with Lydia this afternoon and then on home to cool down.

How about some more flowers -  pretty Hibiscus colors in the park!   So vibrant!

We are watching on YouTube "Saints Alive" (fund raiser) for CCHS (our kids alma mater and where Liam and Connor attend).  This annual dinner/auction is always in the spring, but because of covid, didn't happen, so having a fall event this year virtually.    

Received some good news a short time ago....Ryan (nephew) has improved dramatically tonight - still on ventilator and dialysis but the pancreatitis and infection are improving   Now to get the kidneys functioning.    Prayers are working....thank you and keep at 'em!

 

Friday - November 13

 Our nephew Ryan was air lifted to a hospital in Elgin, IL during the night.   He's on a ventilator, sedated and doctors are hoping he can avoid dialysis.    Molly is not able to be with him.    Prayers ongoing...

We packed up a bunch of stuff in the car for our trip to NC next week....holy moly - we look like the Clampetts but haven't put anything on the roof yet!  Ha....  We will be in NC for 11 days and then IL for 5 weeks or so.   Since we had put the furniture and outdoor stuff away before Eta came thru, we just left in she shed till we return in January.    Looking forward to getting my pretty pots out and plant some flowers.

Hot and sunny today....but really nice having the sunshine return after all the rain.

Liam and Connor and rest of students at Catholic schools throughout the Peoria Diocese are going remote.....effective Monday thru January 19th.    The covid cases just keep climbing.    Also heard today that some clinics and hospitals are cancelling non-elective or elective surgeries till late January?    Wonder if that will affect my rotator cuff procedure on 12/7.   Not sure if that's considered elective or non-elective?   Certainly not in a lot of pain, but would really like to get it done and over with!    Time will tell.

We picked up dinner from Buckingham Farms tonight - wow!    Mark had the seafood stuffed flounder and I had the eggplant roll-up stuffed with spinach and cheese and topped with marinara.    Both were excellent and have leftovers!

Mark F and Nancy beat Mark and me 2 of 3 games tonight!    

Enjoy your weekend....................stay healthy!    Nancy was saying that their county (Will) is averaging 700-900 positive cases each day!  

Thursday - November 12

Finally a let up in the rain - it was predicted, but hopefully will stay dry all day long.    Very humid when I was out walking.

We heard some very scary news this morning -  our niece Molly's husband, Ryan is in the hospital in critical condition with pancreatitis and a blockage in his colon.   He had surgery but needs dialysis and no machine available now (small hospital).    He is too critical to be transferred to another hospital.     We are all very worried....exactly 1 month ago today (October 12th), his mother-in-law, Sue died.    Too much tragedy.    Ryan is a pharmacist and only 40 years old.    Please pray for Ryan and Molly.

I ran a few errands after lunch and got a much-needed haircut from Jewel (my favorite hairdresser anywhere)!     She was off work because of Covid from March 18-October 1 and now just working part time.  Always fun to catch up with her.

Stopped at the Cape Cod Fish Co. for lobster rolls and sides for Jim, Lydia and us.    On home and enjoyed our delicious dinner!

Zoom with Claire and Kathy - turned out to be a nice sunshiny day.

So many thoughts for Ryan and family.....

Wednesday - November 11

 THANK YOU

to Ryan and all Veterans (men and women) who have served or presently serving our great USA!

                                                          Veterans Day - 2020

The rain continues here in SW Florida as Eta is just hanging on.    After an all-night of nice 'n gentle rainfall, it got heavier this morning and then around 9, we were alerted of a tornado watch for the next 8 hours.     We had wind gusts of 42 mph this morning.

We had ham 'n cheese omelets and English muffins for breakfast.   I did some laundry making a mad dash to the she shed when the rain lightened up a bit.   Also organized some of the gifts I've bought and getting piles of this and that to take to NC and IL.

We played 3 games of euchre with Mark and Nancy - couple against couple.   My Mark and I won 2 of 3.

 When the rain stopped for a bit, we ran some errands and had "lunch" at Love Boat - excellent ice cream here in Fort Myers.    Their original location is quite a ways from us and we've not been there for several years;  but now a new location opened much closer, so....good as ever!!!   Mark had a turtle sundae and I had 2 scoops in a dish (heath bar crunch and cinnamon caramel pecan)     Oink oink!🐷

Back home to hunker down with good book (me) and movie (Mark) as the rain and high winds returned.

Tacos for supper and then more euchre with Mark and Nancy.   Mark F and I beat Mark C and Nancy 2 of 3.

Mr. Egret strutting around the grounds

A banana tree just a few doors away here in Cypress Trail

A sweet and special memory from 1 year ago - Sisters Weekend 

Sue is 2nd from left.

 

God bless you all

Tuesday - November 10

 Today started out sunny and breezy and HUMID......I walked and wow, a lot of the water receded overnight.   Mark did his weights and then we were off to downtown - picked up a prescription at CVS, got my stash of Christmas stamps at the post office, and onto Java House for some yummy pastries and our coffees (I had a pecan chai latte).    Mike (owner), his wife and niece create many of their drinks - this was sure a winner!

Put some gas in the car and on home as the clouds rolled in and heard the thunder.    Did laundry and enjoyed a quiet afternoon.    Around 12:30, it poured and the winds blew!    Didn't last too long, but it was might ferocious!     But the REAL gully washer came around 2:45 - the sky got so dark, winds picked up and oh my..........very heavy rain again (much longer this time) with thunder, lightning and the whole shebang!

Just amazing as we travel around Fort Myers and all the new construction going on of apartments and condos.    HUGE complexes all over the place, especially downtown!

We walked late afternoon, chatted with Jim and Lydia and on home.    Chef salads and shared a baked potato for supper.

Our grand girls are in the news tonight....Michael described Blair as having a 2-car garage (lost her other front tooth).    We had not heard that expression before!    HA!!!!

"All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth"

And who in the heck is this???

Why, I think it's Miss Maeve!

Monday - November 9

 The rain kept pounding down thru the night and into today....we could call it a monsoon?    gulley washer?    Whatever....it was quite something and around 12:30 it finally stopped.    We went for a walk and saw water, water, water everywhere.     Luckily our back yard ditch did not reach the pavers, but was full.    The 2 lakes (Sunset and Sunrise) were both out of their banks, lots of water under folks RV's/5th wheels, campers), and what were ditches are now canals.  

We went for a walk as did many other folks and their dogs.....met up with Jim and Lydia.   They have a canal behind their shed which had water around it.    It is very humid!    

Our back yard

One of many "new" canals in the park

Sunset Lake out of its banks

Played euchre with Mark and Nancy after lunch with Mark F and me beating Nancy and Mark C 2 of 2.

The rain finally stopped around 12:30 - sun tried coming out but by 5, it was shining brightly.   

Fun times here as packages are starting to be delivered for Christmas gifts!

At 7:30, the rain was back!!!    We can expect showers thru Friday!

Nancy and I beat Mark and Mark 2 of 2 games of euchre tonight!

Sunday - November 8

 ETA (estimated time of arrival) has a whole new meaning this week with the tropical storm/depression/hurricane (whatever you want to call it) bearing down on south FL.  We are just hunkered down in Flo and steering clear of the outdoors for a few days.

We had Mass today at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston with Cardinal O'Malley - usually Sunday masses are in the chapel with a different priest each week.

Rained most of the day and the winds were a-blowing (gusts to 38 mph) but the heavier rain and stronger winds will come tonight and into tomorrow.    Anne told me (from IL) that she got an alert on her phone about 10 counties in FL cancelling school tomorrow and an update on the storm!

We had a quiet afternoon, reading and napping....Jim stopped by with 2 pieces of delicious pumpkin cake roll.   BIG thanks!!!    We played euchre with he and Lydia later with the guys beating Lydia and me 2 of 3 games.

We watched "The Bounty Hunter"  - cute movie later, had supper and then fun zoom session with 11 siblings.

The rain and wind continue...

Saturday - November 7

 H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y

73 years young!

My sweetie had a nice low-key day.   We were told this morning to store any loose objects on our property with the strong winds coming cause of Eta.    So our furniture, umbrella, bikes and the critters were all stashed away.   Winds are expected to be 60 mph with rain possibly 3-5".    A new experience for us - riding out a tropical storm.

Mark enjoyed all his phone calls, facetime messages, texts, e-mails and cards from family and friends.

We did some walking and biking, read and watched the movie "Midnight at the Magnolia" - cute movie.

Visited with Jim and Lydia after our walk this afternoon and then back home.   The sky is

 looking kind of ominous.

After 34 years of flying the F-18 Hornet, those jets have been retired and next season, the F-18 Super Hornets will be introduced.    This past Wednesday, the Blues did one final flyover in the Hornets over Pensacola

One last time

Sooo many happy memories!

We celebrated tonight with a fabulous dinner at our favorite Fort Myers restaurant for fine dining - The Veranda.    It is so elegant and all the men waiters wear tuxedos (and masks) - beautiful music playing, fresh peach roses on the table and we so enjoyed our chateaubriand and excellent service from Winston..     We shared Bailey's cheesecake which was decadent!!!    

A very special evening at The Veranda

We were only back home a short time when the heavens opened up and the rain has begun.

Bring on Eta.... 

 

Friday - November 6

 Pretty day.....I walked and Mark exercised.    Fixed sausage/egg/cheese muffin sandwiches and then we were off to the Pottery Express (south of Punta Gorda).    This place is so much fun and so mind boggling with all their pottery.    We wanted a few more critters to put in the rocks....so, here's the 2 new additions to the family, still to be named...

We had a real treat for dinner.......pick up from Buckingham Farms - Mark had the apple pie pork chops and I had Oscar grouper - all excellent.   LOVE this place!   This is their annual Friday night dining experience - carry out only.    They now offer 4 entrees to choose from.

This weekend I was to be with all my "sisters" (Chamberlain) at Eagle Lake in Wisconsin for our annual "Sisters Weekend", but our hostess, Doris cancelled several months ago.   Probably a wise decision, but sad to miss this as always so much fun!

Jim and Lydia stopped by with a little cake (yummy) and card for Mark who will be celebrating tomorrow.  

Eta could still be a threat to south FL - just not sure which direction?   

Enjoy your weekend and as the #'s continue to rise, wear your masks and stay 6' apart.    

 So many folks are "just not getting it"!!!!!

 a

Thursday - November 5

 Cloudy most of today - I walked and after breakfast, we were off to the retina specialist about scarring in Mark's eye.   I couldn't go in and originally they had said 3-4 hr. appt., then 2-3 and yesterday, he got a text that it would be 1-2 hrs?    So, I dropped him off and ran some errands.     He texted 1 hour later that he was done!

Interesting story about his eye and the condition is called Pohs......apparently years ago in the Mississippi/Ohio River Valley, an infection came from soil infected by chickens or playing in a sandbox.   This affected the eyes and caused scarring.    Dr. Mears did her retina specialty at the U of Iowa and saw several of these cases.    The patients are not aware of this and he is all cleared for cataract surgery in January.

I picked him up and we ran more errands.   He was pretty heavily dilated.   Came home, had lunch and a quiet afternoon reading and napping!   Had a nice shower around 5 and cooled down a bit.

So Eta (hurricane/tropical depression) is on our minds here in south FL as we wait and see just which path she will take.    Some friends here in the park are leaving Saturday with their 5th wheel and heading to Georgia till this passes.    It could hit the east coast or veer away.....time will tell and we are on top of this as much as can be.

Liam and Connor have been in full-time classroom since school started in August.   Now the latest is that they will go remote for 2 weeks in January when they would normally return after Christmas break.    They will return January 19th after MLK's birthday.    This will allow them time to quarantine if they've been traveling, with other people, etc. and have the classrooms all sanitized.

Wednesday - November 4

 Another winner in the weather department - but afternoon brought very windy conditions.    I walked and rode my bike and Mark exercised.   Then I was off to Fort Myers Beach for a fun day with Claire.   It's been sooo long since we were together (last March?)    We've zoomed each week, but this was extra special enjoying non-stop chatter, great lunch at the Dixie Fish Co. and a little jaunt to the Farmers' Market.      Just a delightful day with my good friend!

                                                                    View from Claire's lanai

Wonderful lunch at Dixie Fish Co.

Bacon, fried green tomato, avocado, fried egg on grilled sour dough

Rice 'n beans and a sangria!

All excellent!!!!!!!

Even though Claire and I were together most of the day and did a lot of yakkin'', we did zoom with our buddy, Kathy in Texas.    Shorter session tonight as Kathy had to pick up her granddaughter.    Of course, no let-up in the conversation!   😊

Haven't played online euchre in several weeks - tonight our brother-in-law, Mark F got us back in the groove with his neighbor, Dennis.    Mark F and I beat Mark C and Dennis 3 of 4.  FUN!!!

   

Mark had a good day of getting some odd jobs done, lunch from Fire Bread food truck and enjoying his new book - Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Crazy Horse".

After I got home, we went for a very windy walk....

Sweet Maeve

Tuesday - November 3

 Beautiful day - cool morning but warmed up nicely with clear blue skies.     After breakfast I was off to Massage Envy for a massage (gift certificate from Michael and Brooke last Christmas) that I finally used.    Covid was the big delay..........anyway, it was wonderful - 50 minutes of pure bliss and  scheduled another one for 2 weeks.    I have some kinks to work out in the shoulders and neck! 

On home where Mark had been busy organizing and cleaning out Big Red.    We had lunch, read, took little catnaps and then Jim and Lydia came over for a nice visit on the patio.   Great to catch up with them!

Our neighbor Dick is an election judge and had to report to the polls at 5:30 and not sure what time he'll be home tonight.    Mark to the rescue walking Rusty.....good ole doggie!

Rusty and Mark on a little stroll

We went for a walk - really breezy but love these temps after all that heat 'n humidity!    

Watched the rest of "The Social Dilemma" and highly recommend if you have Netflex!

Blair lost another tooth today!!!

Monday - November 2

 What a spectacular day - some front came thru last night and woke up to much less humid, sunny, cooler temps!    It's very breezy and as the day went on, the kept getting stronger!    Perfect morning for a good walk while Mark did his back exercises.

We opened all of Flo's windows - 1st time since we got here!!    Wonderful!

Ran some errands late morning - curbside pick-up at Home Depot. and then Dollar Tree, Publix and pick-up at WalMart.   

Rode bikes this afternoon - whew...the legs or whatever muscles biking requires are a tad out of shape.   Need to get a'peddlin' lots more.    It really cooled down and the winds are still blowing hard.

Watched a documentary on Netflex that Michael had urged all our family to view - what an eye opener on what social media is doing to our families.    We'll watch the rest tomorrow night.    It is very well done - "The Social Dilemma".

Sunday - November 1

 November started out hot 'n humid today with lots of sunshine.   Enjoyed the extra hour of sleep - Mark was up early!   Not me!!!

Went for a walk and then after breakfast, we went to Mass via Boston with Father Bob Casey.    We've been doing online Mass every Sunday since March 22nd.    Unreal.....2 times we've actually been in church - Connor's confirmation and Sue's funeral.    Today is the feast of All Saints.

Our neighbors, Rog and Martin from Missouri returned today!    Great to have them (and Harley, dog) back.    We hosed down their pavers and concrete to prevent tire marks.    Had a few sprinkles.   It is so humid!

Some of the pretties around the park....

We picked up Cracker Barrel for supper.    When we left the park, the sun was shining and when we were almost there (7 miles), the heavens opened up big time!    Got back home - not a drop!!!

Loved our dinners - Mark had chicken fried chicken and I had grilled maple bacon chicken!   Plenty of leftovers!

Zoom with 10 siblings - always a good time and covered a lot of subjects!

Stay safe and healthy this week!  

`