Monday - March 9

Very windy today and mostly cloudy with some sun coming later in the afternoon.    We went to 8:15 Mass at St. Francis and then to Java Coffee House. 

Had several errands and top priority was to find carpet for Catrina and continue that search.    Last August/September before we left NY, we had found some and all prepared to order and have them use our current layout when we were told that both patterns we chose had been discontinued.    Arghhh.    So, decided to get this job done in FL and here it is March.....still searching, but trying to narrow things down. 

 We stopped at Mario's Italian Grocery (per Shirley and Dick's recommendation yesterday) - what a wonderful gourmet grocery - so many prepared foods, fresh meats, and much more!    Tonight we shared some baked ziti and lasagna - both excellent!

On home for lunch, naps, read, little laundry and Mark hunting online at the thousands of carpet samples!     Mind boggling!    

Went for a walk this evening and visited with Jim and Lydia.    Tomorrow is big election in the park to choose a board of directors for our HOA when it takes over from the developer in July.

Sunday - March 8

Breezy and no sun today - 73 but sure didn't feel like it!    We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis and then on our way to Naples to meet Dick and Shirley at Venetian Village.     This is a lovely area of upscale shops and restaurants on the water.    We had a delicious lunch at "Fish" and sat by the water but behind clear vinyl curtains protecting us from the strong wind.    It was perfect and as always, had a great visit.    Dick and Shirley (from Sublette) are high school classmates!    We met a month ago and had lunch at The Boathouse and then they came to Cypress Trail.    Shirley and I had lobster flatbread, Mark, the grouper BLT and Dick enjoyed his clam chowder and wedge salad.    After lunch, Shirley and I hit a few shops while the guys sat and visited nearby.

Mark, Pat, Shirley, Dick

Stopped at a few places on our way home and back to Flo at 3:45.    

The sun came out around 6ish - enjoying our extra hour of daylight!

Little North Carolina babes

Our 3 munchkins on the beach  at Lake James!

Pretty new bush planted on our lot a few days ago

Clerodendrum

Saturday - March 7

Cool, but sunny and clear blue skies with a high of 68.   Gorgeous and refreshing!

Paul and Margaret came to the park this morning......Paul and Mark worked together at State Farm, their daughter,  Lucy is our dermatologist and their grandson, Jack is a really good friend of Connor's.

So, after giving them a tour of Flo and the she shed, we sat inside Flo and had a good visit till we were off to Buckingham Farms for a hearty breakfast.    We've never seen it so packed but lucky to find a table in the sun.   So good to see these dear friends and catch up!     They live in Bloomington but spend the winter months at their condo in Bonita Springs.   We had a great visit!

Margaret and Paul at Buckingham Farms

Enjoyed a relaxing afternoon/evening after our busy week......rode bikes, napped, read, and defrosted the freezer.

Scary that 2 deaths were reported in Florida last night and one of them nearby at the Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers.

Change your clocks ahead; full moon coming and wash your hands!!!

So much going on in our country and world now - scary times!

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Friday - March 6

Big day......I was off at 8:30 to meet friends (Connie, Diane and Sue) at Keke for breakfast.     2 hours later, we finally left and then we were hitting several different shops.    Sue and Diane went on home (Jerry, Sue's husband fell a few nights ago and has a compression fracture in his back.)    Poor guy....sure feel for him and Mark is very sympathetic for all he's going thru.

Shopping at Anthony's

Diane, Sue, Connie, Pat

Connie and I did more browsing in stores and then met Mark and Steve at The Prawnbroker for 4:00 dinner.    Sue, Jerry, Diane and Gerald (friends from Bloomington staying with them) cancelled as Jerry is not up to any extra going here, there and everywhere - needs to rest and take it as easy as possible.    We 4 had a wonderful dinner as always and great visit.    Back to Flo at 6:30. 

Steve, Connie, Pat and Mark

Another winner at The Prawnbroker

Mark took our neighbor, Dick to and from hospital for his colonoscopy today.    Both of us are tired tonight!    Been a very busy week and more coming Saturday/Sunday!

On that note....nighty night!

Thursday - March 5

Hot 'n sunny.......we drove to Sarasota to meet Blue Angel friends, Bob and Carol.    Their son-in-law, Tom was Ryan's commanding officer and also flies for Fed Ex.    We met Bob and Carol several years ago and have kept in touch (they live in Pennsylvania) and are in Florida (St. Pete Beach area) so Sarasota was a good equal travel time to meet.

Millie's is a breakfast/lunch spot (our friends Mike and Claire recommended it) and we've been to their Delavan, WI location several times years ago (now closed).    Delicious food and beverages and non-stop chatter.

Beverages before and with brunch

Bellini and Bloody Mary

While we were eating, a lady came up to us and said she was with the shop next door "A'Tu" and gave us each a coupon and what a nice shop it was - please stop in.    So, of course, since Carol and I love to shop, we parked the guys outside in the shade, and wandered over.    Very nice shop - Carol got some items - nothing for me!   But it was fun and really cute clothes.

And then, it was time to say good bye.....

we've met in Jupiter, Stuart and Isle of Capri before and now Sarasota.  

 Sure hope it works for next year....

Mark, Pat, Carol, Bob

Back home to do some laundry, read and relax a bit....