Central Florida

I got an email yesterday and the writer mentioned that she missed reading the Dispatch. I know I haven’t written in a little bit and pulled the blog up to refresh my memory. I was shocked when I saw my last entry was on Feb 28^th. Where does it go? Time, where does it all go?

On Saturday the 28^th of February my notes say it rained all day and we watched old movies on TV. I also posted last on that date so I guess I spent some time at the computer. One day inside and we must have developed some cabin fever, I know you northern readers can attest to that. After two days snowed in, (that happened frequently where I lived) you just have to get out and do something. Anyhow, on Sunday we went to Chuy’s, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for lunch and then drove over to old town just to walk around outside for a while. Old town is a street of restaurants and shops whose claim to fame is the frequent classic car cruise-ins it hosts. We were too early for Sundays cruise-in so it was pretty quiet.

On Monday we drove to the giant Webster’s Flea Market. All of the usual hundreds of vendors and thousands of shoppers were there, including the oddities, like the flea market stall massage parlor.

The last time we were here Millie bought a scarf for one dollar. It was not a keep warm scarf, but a light fashion accessory. At the time I tried to give her five dollars to buy more of different colors but she declined wanting to try the one she bought first. So here we were again, after driving 40 miles and walking untold steps we finally found the scarf vendor and purchased the remaining four. Now in a woman’s world this has been a successful and fun experience. I’m still scratching my head about that as it is totally contradictory to men’s shopping. Men plan the attack, enter the store and go directly to the targeted items, secure the packages and get out! Women shop?

On Monday the 3^rd I started a much needed motorhome project. Every electrical outlet on the driver’s side of the bus was on the same circuit. In the morning every high wattage appliance e.g. coffee pot, hair drier, fireplace heater, we use is on that side. Over the next four days, working a little each day I changed that side into three circuits, bedroom, bathroom, and living area. A motorhome is not like a house and routing new wires in a professional manner and doing so in accordance with the National Electric Code was quite a challenge. I am very pleased with the end result.

One of the reasons the electric project stretched out for days was on Thursday we returned to the Plant City Strawberry Festival to see the Oak Ridge Boys in concert. It was a beautiful sunny day, temps in the 80’s with a slight breeze, just perfect for an outside venue. The performers put on an enjoyable performance, after 40 years of singing together they entertain with enthusiasm and still strong voices.

At the fair we also indulged in strawberry Shortcake, once again choosing the Catholic Church booth and their make your own desert. We also bought some fresh strawberries to take home. The strawberry Festival is one of our favorite Florida things to do and we will miss it if we go to Arizona next winter.

I mention this only because I captured a good picture but when we entered the fairgrounds parking lot the gate attendant mentioned that it was senior day. Just then these two centurions crossed in front of us and I thought here we go again.

On Saturday March 7 we went to see a much anticipated movie, “The second Best Most Exotic Marigold Hotel”. The first movie with this name was very warm and funny, with actors perfectly matched to their characters and a plausible storyline. The sequel was in my opinion a total flop. Millie admits it is not as good as the original but IMHO is biased toward the British actors and doesn’t want to speak ill of them. Don’t waste your time or money.

Later that evening we went to the campground entertainment with Clay and Rebecca. The performer was another singular troubadour armed with a guitar and computerized backup. His name is Lou Renshaw and he was quite good and the fact that he played tunes from the golden era (60’s & 70’s) when songs still had melody and could be danced to made it all the more enjoyable. 

While riding my bike around the campground on Sunday March 8^th I saw my friends Jim and Martha Cavanaugh from North Carolina. I had spoken to them briefly earlier this winter in Peace River and then couldn’t find them when I looked for their motorhome. Mystery solved, they have a brand new one and it’s a beauty. It’s got one of the nicest interiors in both function and design I’ve ever seen. It was good to see them again.

That evening we had dinner with Clay and Rebecca at Outback Steakhouse. No, I still can’t eat red meat, that’s an allergy I guess I’ll have for life. It’s never a problem, every restaurant no matter its specialty always offers alternatives and they are often better than the restaurants themed selections. I had the Wood-fire grilled Salmon glazed with Firecracker sauce and topped with fresh mango salsa and it was excellent.

Monday March 9^th is a lost day. I didn’t write in my logbook and don’t have a clue as to what, if anything, we did this day.

Tuesday March 10^th we moved about 30 miles up the road to Bee’s RV Resort. Millie will be here one day before flying out to New Mexico, the girls and I will stay one week. This park is slowly morphing into a permanent residence park. They are selling lots that people either use for their personal RV site or they place a park model (35 feet max) mobile home on it. I don’t see this as a transient park in a few more years. It’s all about the money I guess, didn’t Billy C say that once, “it’s the economy stupid!”

I know this is hard for you women to believe, but Millie came to Florida without any shoes! No closed toe shoes that is and she is leaving for snow covered to Los Alamos in a day. She keeps a supply of clothes at her daughter’s house but the thought of travel from the airport at Albuquerque to Los Alamos in flip-flops concerned her. So off to the shoe store we go where Millie secures a fine pair of black shoes. You know, I think I may have been hoodwinked into a shopping trip, I'm going to check her side of the closet and see if there are any shoes in there!

Friday March 12 has come; we don’t talk about these departure dates much. These trips to New Mexico are good for Millie and her family and I want her to go. And I don’t mind staying in Florida with the dogs; it’s just the initial separation that pains us.

I know it sounds crazy at our age but we’ve very much in love and still act like newlyweds.  Now, get your finger out of your throat and quit making those barf sounds! Heck, we are newlyweds; it hasn’t been that long since that magical day we met on the beach. We know we’ve started this game late on, but we plan on living the adventure for a long time and these short separations are just part of the journey.