Wednesday - March 18

 Today started out dreary and cool.    We had a quiet morning on Flo and then left for WalMart to pick up a Rx and a few other piddlies.

Met Paul and Margaret for lunch at BJ's.    Mark and Paul worked together at State Farm and they spend the winter months in Bonita Springs.    We had not been together since April 1, 2023 cause of sickness (me in 2024 and Paul in 2025).    So, a lot to catch up on.   We all had the the Pizookie special which has lots to choose from (strawberry fields salads for Paul, Margaret and me) and chili and wedge salad for Mark +++ our Pizookie treats!!!  Warm individual skillet cookie (our choice) with ice cream and topping....sooo yummy!  😋

Paul, Margaret, Pat, Mark

Caught up on our families, health, winter in FL, travels, etc.    Fun afternoon!    Said our good byes and on home to take a nap!  😀

The sun came out later in the afternoon but still windy.   We went for a walk and visited with Scott and Violet, work campers here who do so much for our community, are well liked and just a really nice couple.    They are leaving Saturday for SC but hope to be back next season - we sure hope so.

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Tuesday - March 17

 Happy St. Patty's Day

Our day started early with a trip to the Sanctuary for lab work and then breakfast at Bob Evans.    After the nasty storm last night we wanted to assess the damage to our lot and neighborhood, and though it was not that light out, we could see many palm fronds down in our street.    When we came back, we drove around the park....some streets had absolutely no damage and then others....including ours got hit hard with some major tiki damage, trees uprooted, broken items (glass) under tikis, furniture blown around and many fronds down.    

Not sure what actually came thru last night - some said straight line wind?   Micro burst?   Tornado?    Other reports of damage around Fort Myers included a private school that is closed today cause of all the damage, downtown, etc.   

Our work campers are the best and they were out and about picking up all the debris along with several resident volunteers.    It is chilly (50s), dreary and still very windy.    A good day to hunker down.

We went for a walk this afternoon (bundled up with heavier jackets and gloves!)    Chatted with some neighbors and Jim and Lydia who were back in the park.    Gosh, so much tiki damage (makes us glad we don't have one) with some of the tops totally gone and piles of wood on the ground.   Also damage to our neighbor's truck from a falling frond.

The St. Patrick's Day parade here at CT scheduled for this afternoon was canceled cause of the cold/wind,    They had a party in the clubhouse with food/music but not serving traditional St. Patty's fare.....Philly cheesesteak sandwiches or BBQ pulled pork?

  By 5:30, the wind had died down and sun came out for just a bit.

We had Kevin's orange chicken tonight (no corned beef and cabbage this year) - "Kevin" is the brand that Publix and Costco carries.   It was good, but we still prefer Trader Joe's.

So many people were on our street today checking out the damage either by golf cart or on foot.

Drew made it back home to Cedar Rapids - late!

Monday - March 16

We had a very fun day.....starting with Mass at St. Vincent de Paul and then off to run several errands including a coffee break at Coffee Rush.    We used up 3 gift cards we've had....Coffee Rush, Talbots and Bath and Body.  Mark stayed in the car while I did the shopping.

Then to Shell Point (Jim and Lydia's new retirement home).    We first met at The Vue along with Mark and Jim's sister, Theresa who is visiting from Chicago and her friend Kim who she's staying with on Fort Myers Beach.   We've heard about Kim many times over the years but had never met her.    What a shock and surprise to find out that the condo Kim is renting is in the same building as our friends, Mike and Claire..........small world especially when you think of all the condos on FMB.

After our delicious lunch, we went to Jim and Lydia's new apartment - it is beautiful and nicely furnished with their brand new furniture.   We went for a tour of their building (restaurant, coffee shop and so much more).    Then dessert and more visiting before time to leave and head home with all the traffic!    HA.....just a fact of life here in Fort Myers especially with all the spring breakers.

Kim, Theresa, Pat, Mark, Jim, Lydia

The siblings

The blizzard in the Midwest is wrecking havoc on sooo many travelers including our grandsons, Drew and Brady who've been trying to get home (Cedar Rapids and Notre Dame) all day.    Lots of canceled flights - so much snow and strong winds.

Well.................speaking of strong winds.   Around 7:40 tonight, a VERY STRONG gust of wind had Flo and us rockin' and rollin' - scary but fortunately, lasted just a few seconds.   However, we won't know the extent of damage till daylight, but we do know our awning flew and rolled up, 2 ladders leaning against the she shed and behind Flo ended up in the driveway, the flag pole was left hanging from she shed with just 1 screw and flag flew into the bushes.   Lots of palm fronds down.....till tomorrow.    YIKES

A cold front is coming thru and tomorrow will only be in the 60s

Good news.....Brady is back at Notre Dame and Drew is at O'Hare!!!

Sunday - March 15

 We went to 9:30 Mass at St. Francis with Father Robert.   On home for breakfast and then met Charlotte and Doug at Rum Bucket for lunch.    This was our last hurrah together as they'll be leaving March 30th for their Annapolis home.   We've sure enjoyed some fun times these past 4 months.

The weather was threatening and then...........thunder, lightning and very heavy rain!   Enjoyed our lunch and visit.    There was a brief respite from the rain and we said good bye in the parking lot till December when they'll be back!    We got home just before the heavens opened up again and whoaaa....came fast and furious!    After such a dry spell, we are getting some much needed moisture with more to come the next few days.

Doug, Charlotte, Pat, Mark

Also said good bye today to Chris and Diane (neighbors here) who are heading home to Connecticut.

Zoom tonight was with 7 siblings - Jim and Lydia are getting settled in their new home at Shell Point (Mark and I are going there tomorrow); blizzard warning coming for the northern IL folks (no school for Karen);  Tom and Beth's new home with walls going up in Plain City, OH, etc.   

Brady and Drew were home last week in NC - their flights were canceled to get back to Notre Dame and Cedar Rapids today cause of the blizzard coming!!!

Enjoy your week!

 

Saturday - March 14

 Woke up to damp, dreary, foggy skies.....very wet after all the rain (3/4").    We met Bob and Linda at Buckingham Farms for breakfast - "Stella's" coffee trailer was there, so I enjoyed my latte and then we all had a yummy breakfast.    Linda and I checked out the goodies inside and she bought a few things.    Then time to say good bye.....we always have so much fun when they come to Fort Myers and we keep busy with shopping, games + the Gatlin show  and of course, eating!  Mark and I will be traveling to Lakeland next weekend to visit Bob and Linda and also Ron and Vicki. 

On home and did some laundry and then we watched the movie "Song Sung Blue" starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman - it was sooo good and I thought how much Patrick would've enjoyed all this music from Neil Diamond including "Sweet Caroline", his signature song at his shows....

We walked late afternoon - very humid!

This was a very sad week hearing about the sudden and unexpected death of our friend Mike (hubby of my Monday Night Friend, Nadine).    We were neighbors many years ago and their Jeff and our Michael were good buddies back in the day     Mike died during heart surgery at Northwestern on Tuesday morning.   Prayers, love and hugs for Nadine and her boys and their families.

Our grand dog, "Karen" (Ryan and Erin's)