Travels of Mark and Pat

Friday - November 13

Much cooler this morning for our morning walk. Connor texted that it was snowing in Urbana....and then friends wrote, "Snowing in Bloomington"! Ugh....oh well.....the season is coming and hope we won't be there - ha!

I played canasta - back to losing, but Sandy, Vicki and I had a good time against the winners, Beth, Becky and Lisa.

On home for lunch - what started out as a cloudy, cool morning turned into sunshine and 77.

Naps, reading, games made up our afternoon till time to go for last walk of the day! Had a good visit with Mark L. He and Brenda are back.....also with Barry. He and Donna just got a new RV (to them) - having "fun"? settling in!

WOW....................so proud of Maeve. Her school had a contest for designing the best "All Seasons" Christmas card and she won! Here she is with her beautiful art work (and certificate showing her as the winner! Zoom in close to see all the detail! Her design will be the school Christmas card that is sent out.

Congratulations Maeve!!!

Two big events today in our country - FAA doing a ground stoppage of flights and the tanker/cruise ship collision in New Orleans - thankfully all passengers and crew are safe.

Have a good weekend and warm thoughts for those folks affected by the cold weather

Thursday - November 12

UGH........3 years ago today I slipped on the wet leaves and went flying down the hill on a trail near Michael's home....resulting in a reverse shoulder replacement and ongoing nerve pain in my hand. Oh well....could've been worse! Just a bad memory

We walked (very humid again), but cooler weather is coming our way!

Mark went downtown to get new license plates for Big Red(such an ordeal. He had an appt. for December but decided to just go get in line and wait - either way, it's not the best experience - so many people and some of the staff are s l o w.....but we are all set for another 10 years!

I did some laundry and gathered more stuff to take to NC next week. Also ordered more gifts online.

Mark took one of Flo's tires in to be checked as it's had a slow leak....

Tonight we met Connie, Steve, Jim and Lydia at The Vue (Shell Point - retirement community where they all live) for delicious dinner followed by "So Good" The Neil Diamond Experience at the Tribby Arts Center. They had some very delicious mini desserts in the lobby along with champagne before the show.

Mark, Pat, Steve, Connie, Lydia, Jim

And what a fantastic show - Robert Neary sang 23 of Neil's songs. He's a former actor and 6 years ago started performing all these awesome hits that we all know and love. Robert even had a resemblance to Neil and of the Neil Diamond tribute shows, Robert and his 7-piece band were ranked #1. The show ended with "Sweet Caroline" and the audience all were given batons that lit up to sing along and wave. FUN evening!

Wednesday - November 11

My favorite veteran - thank you Ryan

We left for downtown and planned to have breakfast at Peter's only to find them closed in observance of Veterans Day. So we went to Cafe Blue - sat outside - good pastry for me and sandwich for Mark + our coffees. We sat with our Ipads and then walked around a bit before heading out. Lots of boats downtown for big show this weekend. And the Christmas decor is all over....

Sad and surprised to hear that Capone's Italian place downtown is closing 11/25. We've enjoyed some good meals there especially, pizza. No explanation given for the closing - they were always busy???

Downtown lamp posts

At Dillard's entrance at Edison Mall

We stopped at The Paper Store - had been past this many times and thought it was a Gold Crown Hallmark store as the sign said, but actually so much more....very nice!!!

Then time for 2nd visit with Dr. Lee (Endodontist) and finish up this 1st root canal. Now to hear from Dr. Baxmann (dentist) to see him before we get started with the 2nd root canal.

Dr. Lee and his hygienist, Heidi are so very nice, Dr. calls me Miss Pat and always asking if I have any ? and explains things very thoroughly.

Mark ran some errands while I was doing my thing and had just gotten back to the office as I was finished. Much shorter appt. today.

How did we ever survive without Amazon? Ha.....Mark placed an order this morning and when we got home at 1:00 this afternoon, there it was outside Flo!

So..........this afternoon we walked over to Matt and Christine's lot for a "Frozen Beverage Happy Hour". They were our neighbors for a short time until a much bigger lot became available. Imagine our surprise, dismay and disappointment to find out that the party was YESTERDAY!!!! How did I mess that up? Ha....

Matt said they had around 75 people and went thru 14 gallons of the stuff (he has a new slushie machine) to make pina coladas, root beer creams, margaritas, rum punch, etc., etc. Oh well....next time! I kept thinking how good that would taste after all the novocaine! 😄

No canasta today or Lucky 13 tonight as CT had a special breakfast and dinner for our veterans.

It's great to see familiar faces arriving back for the season but also so many new faces/names in the park?

Tuesday - November 10

Walked, did 2 loads of laundry and left at 11 for Chicken Salad Chick to meet John and Beth. Always a fun visit with them AND delicious lunch. We've only been here one other time (different location) but did take out....so many choices. We were all happy!

Beth and John

We will not see these dear friends till late January with travels coming up for all of us. After our good bye hugs, Mark and I went to Publix and walked all the aisles (steps) and picked up a few things. Another stop at Dollar Tree and on home.

Quiet afternoon reading, napping, etc. We had a great chat with Connor and loved hearing all about his marathon accomplishment! And Davis called wishing Grandpa a belated Happy Birthday and they had a long visit.

Monday - November 9

Walked, played canasta and WON big time! Lisa, Becky and I beat Lisa, Joanne and Sue. Fun as always! Home for lunch and then a power nap for each of us and off to the mall to walk some more and Mark picked up his new sunglasses which had been ordered and came in today.

Back home to read and just hang out. We had our leftovers from Harold's tonight!

Sunday - November 8

YEAH...........the Irish win; the Hawkeyes win and what a great finish to a super duper day!!! We stayed up till the end of that very exciting Notre Dame game! Whew..... few more gray hairs after that nail biter! 😂

I slept in after the late night....beautiful Sunday and Mark suggested we should go to St. Therese in North Fort Myers for Mass at 11. We've been here before and always enjoy checking out various other churches.

St. Therese had a visiting priest (Father Ed) who gave a great homily - not sure where he's from but had an interesting accent. At the end of Mass, Father Jan Antonik (pastor) honored the Veterans including "Joe", a 97-year old Marine who was still able to wear his uniform from 50+ years ago. We gave him a big round of applause.

Stopped at Aroma Joe's, a nice coffee shop along 41 - had a peppermint latte (1st of the season - a bit early, but very good). Had never heard of this coffee shop but 3rd in the area with other locations in Port Charlotte and Cape Coral. They originated in New England.

Then to the mall to walk - busy this Sunday but got some good steps in. It's great to see Edison Mall thriving with only a few empty storefronts. Macy's, Dillards, Penny's, etc......all decked out for Christmas. This Midwest girl still has a hard time thinking about Christmas coming when it's so warm here. 😊

Next stop was Culver's for ice cream treats and finally WalMart, to pick up a Rx and a few other things. Came home and Mark grilled out hot dogs - haven't had one on the grill in a long time - yummy! Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and napping.

Zoom tonight was missing Sharon, Janet and Doris. Of course, health issues were the hot topic ...again!!!

Have a great week!

Saturday - November 7

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y

To the very best Hubby, Dad and Grandpa!

We LOVE you!!!

A very happening day.....along with Mark's birthday, Connor ran a marathon in Indianapolis with a fantastic time of 3:02:00 besting Liam's time of 3:38 from his last marathon. Anne and Liam were there to cheer him on. So proud!

Congrats Connor!

My boat sister, Teri walked a 5K in Ohio today after having knee surgery with major complications (she's a trooper), and a baby shower for our nephew Danny and Julia in Menomonee Falls, WI for their little one due in January.

And last but not least..........the big Notre Dame game tonight against Miami - Michael, Brooke, Drew and Tessa are there (with Brady)...

Our Notre Dame guy...

We walked (kinda short walk with the humidity) and then off to Biggies to meet Jim and Lydia who treated us to a delicious breakfast. This place has such great comfort food - we didn't make it here last season....good to be back and delicious as ever! While eating and visiting I had my phone tracking Connor as he kept ticking off those miles and we all cheered as he crossed the finish line! Said our good byes (and thanks) and we went to the mall to walk some more - so nice and cool and not too crowded for a Saturday.

Jim, Lydia, Pat, Mark

I got an iced coffee at Europa Cafe in the mall and on home.

Mark enjoyed phone calls and text messages....

Quiet afternoon before we left for Harold's - wow....we've heard about this place but never been and recently ranked #1 in Fort Myers The ambiance, service and food were outstanding - it's definitely a special occasion place - the birthday boy was very pleased (me, too).

Friday - November 6

Hot and sunny....we were off to Peter's for coffee/pastries. Marika and Stefan were there today, so our 1st time to see these dear baristas!!! We sat in the courtyard with our goodies and I-pads and then took off - Mark for a haircut with Jose and a manicure with Alisa for me. We got done at the same time and on home.

Productive rest of the morning organizing our stuff and starting to gather what we want to take to NC (2 weeks from today). Mark was busy making dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants for next January's cruise. His brother Jim and our friend Kathy (both big-time cruisers) have been a very big help as we are newbies to all this cruise stuff!!!

Walked late afternoon and then settled in for the night!

Enjoy your weekend...

Thursday - November 5

Walked and noticed more folks are arriving at CT as lots are getting spruced up with pavers washed and cleaned, landscaping trimmed, new thatching on tiki's, RV's getting washed, etc.

We left for Punta Gorda around 11:15 and met Allie and Owen at The Riviera Bar and Grill (a new place for all of us but been there for a long time - oldest waterfront restaurant in Punta Gorda). Our friends Rog and Martin recommended it and we all enjoyed - large tiki and big inside dining with nice views of the boats coming and going. Food was great and of course, visit was fun as always. The Riviera is definitely a return place.

Allie, Mark, Pat, Owen

We stopped at Pottery Express and Bamboo in rural Punta Gorda and I got a new pretty pot for flowers (will fill the pots after Thanksgiving). This place is unbelievable with so much to choose from and beautiful pottery in every shape, size and color!

Ruby's temp hit 90 on our way home. Naptime...

Wednesday - November 4

A nice sunny, warm day after all the rain. We walked and then left for my dermatologist appt. with Dr. Kagen. He was checking my legs and the skin condition he's treating "Porokeratosis". He was pleased with how my legs looked (very red but that means the latest medicine is working). Now I'm to use aquaphor and see him in 6 weeks.

Next stop was lunch for Mark (3 Pepper Burrito Co.) and a Starbucks iced coffee for me.

I had my 1st of 6 appts. today with Dr. Lee starting the 3 root canals. Wasn't too bad. He said I have a very healthy mouth, but no reason why these things happen that I should get 3 all at once. He said I was the 3rd patient today who had never had a root canal - very unusual as most people have at least one or many!!!

While I was in the dental chair, Mark was running errands, walking at the mall, etc.

Had a nice chat with my Aunt Marian who is 98 today - what an inspiration she is!!!

Another fun evening playing Lucky 13 and I was a winner! Smaller group tonight of just 5 tables.

Tuesday - November 3

Boy these mornings are crazy humid and getting plenty of rain, but nothing like Brevard County, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach (where my cousin lives - 12-15"). So much flooding.

Got our walks in and then enjoyed the AC catching up on stuff and did some online Christmas shopping along with 2 loads of laundry.

Around 2:30, the heavens opened up BIG time....it poured cats and dogs, buckets, a real gully washer coming straight down! WOW...along with some loud booms of thunder.

We left at 4:30 to meet Jim, Lydia, John and Beth at Courtney's - 1 hour trip for us - rained most of the way and rush-hour traffic. But all worth it to hang out with these folks and enjoy a great meal and lively conversation (health issues, the main topic, of course)! Very enjoyable evening.

Beth, Lydia, Jim, Mark, John, Pat

We were only home about 10 minutes and the rain started again....

Monday - November 2

96% humidity this morning - whew, a very drippy walk....most of the rain all went north big time. We did get a shower around 9:15.

I played canasta and lost again...........Vicki, Lisa and Becky beat Betty Jo, Becky and me by a LOT! But still fun and imagine that 4 of us (Vicki, Becky, Lisa and I all have a "Mark" in our life as in our hubbies)

I won't be able to play rest of this week; Euchre and Rummikube will start in January.

We left soon as I got home and stopped at Culver's for a small ice cream cup (pumpkin pecan for me; chocolate for Mark) to tide us over. Then to the eye Dr. for Mark's exam with Dr. Alessi. All good for another year.

Then to Dollar Tree and Mark thought Chinese sounded good, so...China Dragon was next stop - ok but not returning anytime soon. Last stop was meeting with our financial advisor and finally home at 5 just before the next batch of rain started.

We bought some cranberry white chocolate bread at Publix yesterday - oh my.......especially toasted!

Sunday - November 1

A rainy Sunday......started with sprinkles and drizzle. We were up early with the time change an decided to have breakfast before church. The Oasis, a favorite downtown breakfast/lunch place has new owners (the folks had it for many years and had such a big success but retired and a new guy came in and did a major remodel and renamed it "Fort Myers Brunch". It's very nice - much brighter with all new furniture, paint, wall decor, etc. Food was good as ever, too. I told our waitress who we recognized from The Oasis (been there 20 years) that the only improvement would be to add an espresso machine....she totally agreed! 😋

Then we were off to 9:30 Mass with Father Steve. Today is the Solemnity of All Saints. Bigger crowd - snowbirds are gradually coming back.

Stopped at Publix for a few groceries, a latte for me at Chocolatte and on home. We had just carried in the groceries when it started raining and it's been coming down (very heavy at times) all afternoon, to continue tonight and into tomorrow. Good afternoon to just hunker down.

Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve enjoyed their weekend visiting friends in Georgia and what a treat to see the Blue Angels perform yesterday in Peachtree City.

Terrible tragedy in West Palm this afternoon - plane crash that killed nine enroute to the Bahamas.

9 on zoom tonight....Halloween - Janet had 1000 kiddos; Tom and Beth's new neighborhood in Ohio does Halloween on 2 different nights; update on Doris's daughter-in-law, Michelle, dental stuff; all the rain we had and nothing at Shell Point where Jim and Lydia live.

Have a good week....

Halloween - 2026

I made egg/sausage/cheese omelets and toast for breakfast and then we went for a sticky walk! The humidity has been something the past few days!

I washed Flo's windows + the screens and sills. Big job to have out of the way. And then..........Saturday college football. All 3 of my teams started at noon and all 3 WON!!! I was changing those channels back 'n forth between the 3 games!

Very exciting afternoon with Notre Dame beating Navy 35-13; Iowa winning over Wisconsin 30-0 and Illinois upsetting Maryland on a last-second play 20-17.

Blair did facetime with me all about Christmas + showing me some new clothes she got.

We walked to the clubhouse parking lot for Big Papa's BBQ food truck - we both had the BBQ sundaes which are so good. Layers of pulled pork, cole slaw and baked beans. We also got some peach cobbler!

We had some rain at 5:45 - naturally with my nice clean windows!

Maeve, our zombie cheerleader

Luke (all black) and Maeve with their friends in Georgia

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep

Friday - October 30

It was humid when we walked and already 75. I played canasta and along with Sandy and Vicki B, we lost to Lisa W, Lisa ? and Sue - close game again! Mark gave Flo a good scrubbing.

Home for lunch and then I held the ladder while Mark washed Flo's roof. Windows tomorrow. Sure looks like rain, but very spotty. At 3, we did get a very brief shower.

We walked after supper - nice breeze.

This plant is in abundance here at CT. Not sure what it's called, but....really blooming big time now.

Just one of many

And this little one is getting started but doing well on our lot

My Monday Night Friends have been sending some cute pics of their grandchildren dressed up for Halloween. Our Maeve and Luke are visiting friends in Georgia this weekend....

Jack and Luke on the golf course

Maeve has got some serious "claws" going on before Halloween!

H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N !!!

Thursday - October 29

Warm sunny day - started out with a walk, breakfast and then to Coffee Rush (a favorite coffee shop - just drive-thru) for our fix (their white chocolate maple latte is sooo good). Mark had his usual decaf Americano and a cheese Danish. We were sitting in the car and from the time Mark ordered, she took our $ and delivered coffee/food, the gal said "perfect" TEN times. I started counting and when she got to 5x, I thought "wow, this is it" and she continued 5 more times. Oh well....just something we find humorous! Doesn't take much for us to have a good laugh!

Then more errands, including new tennies for each of us (Snyderman's Shoes is a great place and their staff is so knowledgeable.) They know when new shoes are in need from how the soles look. So, we walked out with some classy comfort and will be great for walking! Also got some new sunglasses (me). So, a $$$ morning but fun 😊

Off to Cristof's to meet Rog and Martin for lunch. They were our next-door neighbors here at CT for a few years before they got out of RVing and bought a condo. It's always fun to get together and catch up and we had lots to yak about over a delicious lunch + a shared "bomb" - round ball of spumoni surrounded by dark chocolate hard shell - DELISH (a favorite for Claire and I when we eat here). We shared this (well, not Martin as he's not into chocolate 😟).

We asked our waitress to take our picture and she said "do you want me to clear the table first"? We said "no, that's ok" and she said "well, you can always ask Chat GPT."

Mark, Pat, Rog, Martin

messy table

We laughed and when we got home, that's exactly what techie Mark did.............tah dah!!!

Same people; no mess! Ha....

Said our goodbyes after 2+ hours and on home for us! Mark took a nap. I enjoyed puzzles (obsessed with these and the fall ones are out - so many really neat ones)! LOVE my puzzles!

Wednesday - October 28

Wacky (or as Blair would say "wonky") weather day - dreary and misty, then sun, drizzle, sun, heavier rain, sun and on it went. We were out and about and it poured and a few miles down the road....dry as could be!

I played canasta and lost at the very end - Vicki B, Vicki F and I could not pull out the win to Vicki H, Becky and Sandy. There are so many Lisa's and Vicki's in the park with more to come!

We had planned to wash Flo this afternoon but not with the icky weather + it was very windy. So decided to go grab some lunch and run a bunch of errands. We had several gift cards to restaurants, so today, chose Panera as it was close to other stops. Got several errands out of the way and then home sweet home for naps!

While I was playing canasta, Mark was dealing with doctor offices, changing his scheduled colonoscopy, making appts, etc. Arghhh what a struggle. Gone are the days when we all had one main doctor and no issue scheduling this or that. He talked to the scheduler for his cardiologist (changed from October to November and now January). He is on a cancellation list but the next available appt. is June. Crazy.....and after his colonoscopy they want Mark to meet with Michael, APRN to go over the results.....the procedure is in February but can't get in with Michael till late April and we'll be gone. Just nuts and frustrating!

Tonight we played Lucky 13 (bingo with cards) at the clubhouse and I won 2x for $26.50. We had 6 tables and fun as always. We sat with Jerry and Barb from NJ, Beverly and Danny from KY and Lisa and Kenny from NC. This game originated back in 2014 when CT first opened.

Tuesday - October 27

Well, today was the pits!!! ARGH......UGH....

We walked in the morning, Mark did some computer work and I did 2 loads of laundry. After lunch we left for my haircut with Destiny and since Culver's was close by, Mark enjoyed some ice cream with his I-pad while waiting for me. Later we drove past the house that my boat sisters are renting for early March when they come to Fort Myers.

Drove downtown and checked out Bruno's Italian Market (this just opened last month and is in the location of the former Bruno's Italian restaurant which now is in a very nice, much larger location a few blocks away). The market is open for lunch and has a variety of Italian goodies, wine, ready to go meals, desserts, etc. They've done very well since opening.

Next stop was SW Florida Root Canal Specialists to see my "newest" doctor, an endodontist, Dr. Lee about my possible root canal work??? Well.....Mark dropped me off and he left for his appt. with his gastro dr. regarding colonoscopy coming in the new year. This was rescheduled today after not being able to get out of the park yesterday with the school bus accident and deputy sheriff getting hit by car.

After some really high-tech x-rays + regular ones, Dr. came in and showed me and explained my teeth dilemma. I knew there was a possibility that I would need 2 root canals, but what a shock and disbelief that I need THREE. WHAT????? Holy smokes....was not prepared for that, but it is happening and my first (of many) appts. will be next week.

I guess I've been lucky over the years - no root canals, no implants, and haven't had a cavity in eons....after I left the office, I walked (.7) to Starbucks and waited for Mark to pick me up.

So, in light of all the very serious health issues going on with family/friends, I will put my "big-girl" panties on and deal with this latest glitch! "3" is what really blew my mind! 😟

Our Fed Ex brothers are flying tonight together for 1st time to Montana!

Monday - October 26

Very windy today but the sun was shining and low 80s. Mark had a dr. appt. and planned to leave at 8:30 only to find out Tice Street (in front of CT) was totally blocked in both directions. There had been an accident involving 2 school buses in front of the Manatee Elementary school and then while a deputy sheriff was directing traffic, he was hit by a car.....no other details. There was no way outta here so Mark had to call and cancel his appt.

Luckily he was able to reschedule for tomorrow afternoon (he'll see the PA). We each walked going our separate ways.

I played canasta for the 1st time this season - so much fun and happy to be back with these gals although there were only 9 of us and one guy. Anita, Sandy and I beat Vicki, Donna and Sue. Home for lunch and naps.

Went to The Lodge for supper. It was so cold inside so we braved the wind and sat outside. Mark wanted some ice cream afterwards, so Scoops on First was close by.....absolutely freezing in there, too!

Have you noticed the waitresses and waiters (mainly ladies) or other young people dealing with the public are constantly saying "Perfect"!!!! Over and over we hear it. A few years ago they were saying "Absolutely"! 😀

We drove past the new Legacy Marina which was destroyed by Ian with the docks and boats washed away or severely damaged. And now 4 years later, it is finally back in business - at least open and operating and one large yacht was there tonight. When completely finished with Nervous Nellies as the restaurant replacing Joe's Crab Shack, it will be really nice and a big asset to downtown.

Sunday - October 25

Beautiful day but really windy - we could get "high" from this awesome weather!!! Went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis with Father Robert. Then "Take Two Coffee" for coffee and their yummy donuts! Filled Ruby up and on home.

Enjoyed a quiet afternoon on Flo. We walked later and had a nice chat with Dave and Sue from Michigan. We play euchre with them on Thursday nights.

Tonight's Zoom had all but Marilyn, Doris, Sharon and Tom H. Joan updated us on her ongoing ankle issues and will have more surgery next spring. She's been thru so much. Also much talk about golf.

Have an awesome week!