Friday - April 10

The high winds continued thru the night and today...gusts from 35-40.   The cottage is surrounded by tall trees and kept thinking one of them will come crashing in or land on Flo.

But this Good Friday is sunny and much cooler with high of 57.    After breakfast we took a ride in Big Red to Old Wildlife Club - another section of Lake James.     More gorgeous homes in beautiful settings. 

Watched Good Friday services from Boston.   The San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio reenacts the "Trial of Jesus" each year marching thru the streets carrying Jesus and everyone in full costumes.    We watched it at the beginning and end and quite something but all in Spanish.   2 years ago this month, Claire, Kathy and I were in San Antonio, and were at that church.

Annette did a grocery pick up today - much appreciated!

Michael grilled salmon for us on the Green Egg....it was excellent along with a salad topped off by warm chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped topping.    Whoaaa....really good especially since we haven't had desserts in a long time!    Thanks to the little kiddos next door for this awesome treat!

Euchre tonight with Annette and me beating Ryan and Drew 3 of 4 games.

Thursday - April 9

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNETTE

Our sweet Annette is celebrating today but unfortunately, we can't all be together!

Best wishes for a wonderful day and year ahead!

xoxoxoxo

A sunny, cooler day (71) and extremely windy!       We had a productive morning catching up on e-mails, bookwork, etc. and listening to oldies (Malt Shop favorites)!

We went to Holy Thursday Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica today.   It was translated in English with only a small number present.    In his homily, the Pope prayed for over 60+ priests in Italy who have died from the virus.   

After lunch we went for a very breezy but enjoyable walk.

Mark's sister Nancy has been having serious back pain since mid January.   She's been to orthopedic and spine and pain specialists but no one has come up with a cause or cure.    Please say some prayers for her as the pain has been extremely bad (she has 6 fractures).    Next week she will see an endocronologist and hematologist.

Euchre tonight with Annette and Drew beating Anne and me 3 out of 5 games!!!

The wind is really howling!!!

Wednesday - April 8

HAPPY   BIRTHDAY,   LUKE

April 8, 2014

1st birthday

April 8, 2020

7th Birthday

Our sweet, affectionate, funny grandson is "7" today!!!

Grandpa and I are sad that we can't be together to celebrate!

We took our 2-hour hike from 9-11, lunch and then went to Mass.   This afternoon we took the pontoon to Philip and Annette's and sang Happy Birthday to Luke - fun but bummer we can't "really" celebrate with him.    We tied up to their pontoon and we stayed on Michael's - the kids understand about this social distancing!

Soo pleasant sitting out there and chatting along with Philip, Annette, Maeve and Ryan,

Just hangin' out...

Uncle Ryan and the Birthday Boy

Great day to be on the water before some chilly weather is coming our way! 

Michael, Brooke and kiddos have cleared out their Newton home.....

Bye bye to 1221 Bugle Lane, Newton, NC

Lots of good times here and 18 years worth of memories!

Sunset cruise

Yeah....cake time!

Tuesday - April 7

A gloomy cool start to the day.    After breakfast, we went for a drive in Big Red (1st time in over 2 weeks) and drove for 2 hours all around Lake James up and down this road and that admiring all the beautiful homes, new construction and beauty of the area.   Had a few sprinkles, but fun to see some of the areas we see when on the trail but not sure exactly where we are in relation to the roads.

Home for lunch and later in the afternoon, the sun came out and warmed up.    We went for a short walk listening to "Chatty Cathy" (Blair) on facetime.    She is one creative, imaginative child!    Never know what she's gonna say!

2-handed euchre with Mark - not a good day for me!    Made some chicken salad, read and sat outside admiring the beauty and went to Mass.       Outside our door

 

Davis, Brady, Drew 

shooting some baskets with their Dad

More fun euchre tonight with Bob, Judy, and Anne.

Monday - April 6

We're supposed to be in the 80's for the next 3 days......decided we were going to walk earlier rather than later to beat the heat.    So at 10, when it was 64 degrees, off we went and got in our long walk (planning to do this 3x a week and shorter ones the other days).     So, we walked, had lunch, power napped and then a nice boat ride on the pontoon.    So pretty on the water.\

My favorite hiking buddy 

Lake James

Had a favorite meal tonight - sweet 'n sour meatloaf, cheesy potatoes and salad!   Mark is impressed with my cooking skills.   They have been reincarnated!!!   Ha!   Pulling out all the stops....well, kind of!

After supper, we went to Mass and then settled in for the night

Hard to believe we arrived here 2 weeks ago today - we've not been to the big house nor has anyone come into the cottage.    It's really strange, but doing what we gotta do and most likely, for a long time to come?

Euchre with Anne, Drew and Bob....several games  and we all won at some point!

A happy memory from 6 years ago today...

April 6, 2014

Lakeland, Florida