Easter - 2026

 HE is RISEN!    ALLELUIA!

We woke up to a beautiful Easter morning with clear blue sunny skies, a gentle breeze and the birds chirping,

The 9:30 Mass at St. Francis was packed and Father Steve suggested we do the "St. Francis shuffle" with everyone moving towards the center of the pew to make room for those standing.   The altar was beautiful with all the white lilies.    They even gave out Easter treats to all the children after Mass and there were a LOT of little ones!    I remember so well many years ago having a new outfit and Easter bonnet (hat).  It was neat seeing some of the smaller children all dolled up for this special day.

Then to Cooper's Hawk for brunch with Jim and Lydia.    It was so fun to catch up with them and hear about their new home at Shell Point.    They are enjoying all the many activities, coffee shops, restaurants and sooo many awesome amenities.    Brunch was excellent and just a really fun visit.

Lydia, Jim, Pat, Mark

On home - both of us were stuffed whch meant naptime!  😊

My brother Bob is the Master of Puzzles and he told me about doing them online.    So yesterday I started that (mind boggling how many to choose from and you can choose the number of pieces.)   I love this new hobby.....did these 3 last night!  (100 pieces)

Most of the day was very nice but weather was threatening late afternoon and at 5:45, the heavens opened up BIG time......Very heavy rain, large BOOMS of thunder and lightning!

My parents always said "When it rains on Easter Sunday, that means 7 straight Sundays of rain"!    Well, we sure need it, and every day thru Thursday, we have a good chance - possibly 2-6" in some parts of SWFL.

Easter fun here at CT

We have Lake Chamberlain in our backyard and as of 7:45 (since it began 2 hours ago and still coming down), we've had 2".

We missed Doris and Tom tonight on zoom.    Not a lot of news...Joan is having her ankle surgery on Friday at Cleveland Clinic, so prayers for her.    Tom H's brother Terry had a stroke last night and will be having a heart procedure tomorrow at Decatur hospital - more prayers.   

Saturday - April 4

 A very pretty day - we walked, did some laundry and put 4 bins of clothes that I had sorted thru up on high shelves in the she shed.    We said good bye to our neighbors across the street, Kathy and John who are headed home to Bardstown, Kentucky.    Now that they're gone, we've got our beautiful view back of Sunrise Lake and the fountain.

And then we were off to North Fort Myers to meet long-time friends, Dawn and Kevin.    We met several years ago as we both owned identical PDQ sail catamarans - they were docked at DuSable Marina in downtown Chicago and we would get together occasionally.   We remember watching the Blue Angels from their boat when they performed in Chicago in 2016 (Ryan's last year).     

They moved to Punta Gorda full time a few years ago and we've been getting together once each winter.   This year, Kevin who belongs to the American Legion in Port Charlotte asked if we wanted to meet at the North Fort Myers Legion.    Sure.....well, it was a good choice (after all the many restaurants we've been to this year), we all enjoyed our lunch and visit.  The real shocker was finding out that they sold their home last August and moved to a condo - same complex (1 building away) from our friend Roger.    Small.....world!

Kevin, Dawn, Pat, Mark

Said our good byes and stopped at Publix for a few things.   On home and we both took a nap!

Tonight was the final four NCAA basketball game in Indianapolis - 1st game was Illinois vs UConn - good game, but IL just couldn't get the breaks and lost 71-62.    

Wishing you all a very blessed and happy

EASTER

Friday - April 3

 We walked in the morning - whew 87% humidity!   On home for a bit and then I played canasta and lost (Cheryl, Sue and I) against Linda, Vicki and Eileen.   We had 16 ladies today. My last time to play this year.

Home for tomato soup (Trader Joe's) and grilled cheese for lunch.    

I watched the first 1/2 of the NIT final four last night between ISU and Auburn with Auburn winning 88-66.    What a great season for the Redbirds,    How ironic that both the NIT and NCAA Final Four games are in Indianapolis!    

We went to the Good Friday services at St. Francis with Father Robert - nice crowd and lasted 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Luke's birthday is next week but today he had his party with friends....

Luke and the guys + Maeve and her friend

Philip, Maeve, Luke, Annette

Our dessert last night at Cooper's Hawk

Salted Caramel Creme Brulee

I watched the 2nd episode of "Call the Midwife" - good as ever.     

This funny little clown, Carlos and long-haired friend, 

are doing their own thing while the boys party hearty!

Anne and I played 4 games of euchre - we won 2 and the computer won 2.

Thursday - April 2

 We walked at 8 before the heat arrived....breakfast and then I left for RummiKub.    Played with Jo, Nancy and Anita and we each won a game.   Fun morning and been a long time since we had all played,

Mark worked away on his projects and even got Flo and Big Red hooked up ready for take-off.....well, not quite, but we're getting there!

Mark had a routine "every few years" echocardiogram this afternoon.    I worked some more in the she shed - we are slowly getting our stuff figured out - I do know I have too many clothes!    Can't believe I said that, but it is the truth!   😂

Tonight we left with very nasty weather coming to pick up Mark and Brenda.    As we were driving to Cooper's Hawk, the heavens opened up, along with thunder and lightning and very heavy rain.    Whoaaaa....nasty night to be out.   Fortunately, by the time we got to the restaurant, it had stopped.    Enjoyed a very good meal and always fun to be with these two friends here at CT and who are from New Philadelphia, OH.    On home and more rain - so much standing water in ditches and along the roads.

Glad to be back home but sure was a fun evening despite the weather.

Mark, Brenda, Pat, Mark

Wednesday - April 1

HAPPY   HEAVENLY  BIRTHDAY to my Mom who would've been 107 today.    She would've been so proud of her family,  her 9 grandchildren and 14 great grands.   We sure miss her - Mom, Grandma and GG!

Another very warm sunny day.    We went to 9:00 Mass at St. Vincent de Paul with Father Murchadh.    Sad to hear that an elderly priest, Father David who fills in occasionally on weekdays at St. Vincent's, fell yesterday and has several broken bones - also has a broken neck (previous injury).   

Mark dropped me off at home and he went to Hardees for his biscuits and gravy fix.   A bit later, I  started walking to canasta but then Sandy offered me a ride in her golf cart and catch up about other friends (Kathy and Kevin).    Sooo much going on in CT with serious illness, people leaving (others traveling and stopping here for a night), etc.

So excited to win at canasta - June, Cheryl and I beat Linda, Michelle and Mary.    Close game!

On home and time for lunch - we've been wanting to try the Mexican food trucks on Palm Beach Boulevard - Liam and Connor had gone there in December and loved it.   We went a few weeks ago on a Friday in Lent, but they had no shrimp or any type of fish!!!    So back today.....very good (Mark had 2 pork tacos and I had a chicken quesadilla).    Also a very delicious pineapple drink + several slices of fresh pineapple.    Good choice!

We got our food to go and after lunch, worked on clothes (me) and bins from underneath Flo and in Big Red (Mark).       

Tonight we watched the launch of the Artemis II - WOW!!!

Luke (red jacket) and classmates at the Capitol building

Anne and I won 4 of 4 euchre games tonight - she really got the cards!!!    FUN!