Port St. Lucie and Butterfly World

John and Nancy welcomed us again this year, by “gifting” us with John’s beautiful woodworking treasures. We will especially enjoy the fish trivet at the “nest”, and will get much use from the beautiful Black Walnut and Oak pens. Nancy gave me a most thoughtful book of the history of St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, NC. Amy and Bob Jimison will enjoy reading it because they were married in the St. Mary’s Chapel. Thanks John and Nancy!

While visiting with the McGees, we drove down to Fort Lauderdale and Pompano to visit the most fabulous Butterfly World. It is the work of one man’s dream, and houses exquisite Butterflies of many species, as well as Hummingbirds, Parrots, Lorikeets, Spiders, and many other “creatures” that I don’t want to meet in the dark night! Tucker, we hope you like the big Tarantula! I tried to bring it home to you, but they wouldn’t let me!

We ate a very tasty lunch with a beautiful beach view at the Sea Watch Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. That is where we found “Bugsie the Bunny” when we left the restaurant. We returned to Port St. Lucie along the Ocean Highway where we feasted our eyes on ”mega mansions” and “mega yachts” on both the Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway. We found it rather “obscene” when we remember all of the folks who have lost jobs, homes, and health!

Nancy and I had some shopping and sewing fun, but we can never do enough of that!!! We celebrated our time together with a meal at Cowboys BBQ Restaurant. Les ate his greens in the form of Fried Green Tomatoes and Fried Green Beans! (“Grease is good” says Lester) After a very special time with our friends in Port St. Lucie, we returned home by way of Yeehaw Junction, and we ate subs and Cuban sandwiches at a little grocery and sandwich shop near Lakeland, FL.

Since that trip, we have tried to stay warm in our little “tin can cave”. We had three warm days in a row, and everyone crawled out from their caves and from under their rocks to see what the sun felt like. I know you can feel our pain. We have been able to sit on our porch only 3 days since we arrived on January 5. Thursday the temp will be 22*!!!!! March doesn’t look too promising either. Enough now. We must go prepare for the COLD!!!! Much love to all of you-family and friends.



Mary Ann, Les, and Polly/Paulie

Cape Coral and Sanibel Island

What a wonderful time we had visiting Rosalie and Gene Mulligan-dear friends from Wilmington, who “winter” at Cape Coral, FL. Their “Florida home” is beautiful, and we were given an awesome “suite” to stay in. Polly really enjoyed it, too! We were joined that first evening by Amy and Bob Jimison (staying on Sanibel Island) and Gina and Jerry Kenny (visiting with the Jimisons) for a wonderfully “yummy” dinner prepared by Rosalie (with Gene’s help, I am sure!) I can’t tell you how special it was for us all to be together down in FL. Our friendship goes back 40 years when we all started in Lancashire.

The next day the Mulligans drove us to Sanibel Island, which you can see is beautiful! We had never seen Banyan trees before. How marvelous they are! And the beautiful Golf shore, gathering shells, and just taking in the beauty surrounding us. The “Sanibel Stoop’ is aptly named, but the older we get, the harder it is to “unstoop’!!! I was fascinated to see the sea creatures that had attached themselves to the crabs etc. My Granddaughter Elizabeth, and I had taken a workshop at Cape Helnlopen and learned about these “symbiotic” relationships, where both parties benefit from clinging together for food, protection, or transport. Cool!!! We drove over to Captiva Island just to “gawk and drool” at these “mega mansions” that lined the roads. When I win the Lottery, I promise I will share it with you. There were two homes that looked like “misplaced White Houses”. Actually, I am not envious because I would just have more rooms to put my “piles”!



We had a great time seeing how the “other half” lives. As Sunday was the Super Bowl, we were invited to enjoy the game at neighborhood friends of the Mulligans. Again, we were treated to “yummy” food, and the best part about it was, we girls didn’t have to watch the game! We could just eat and drink our way through the evening. Great fun!



Monday was spent with the Mulligans driving us back and forth to the auto repair shop to get the van fixed. It was only $1400!! It was very good that we got to the Cape Coral before the engine ran dry. Oh well! Thank you Rosalie and Gene!! We had a wonderful weekend, and it was so special to be together in Florida. At least, we don’t have to shovel!! Sorry folks! That was unkind!!



The cutest little “Burrowing Owls” live in holes they have dug in the ground. As they are “endangered”, their homes are protected and there can be no development on the site. If you get too close to them, they will fly out at you. These little critters were living in the Mulligan’s community.



Tomorrow we will drive down to Port St. Lucie to visit John and Nancy McGee-Les’s roommate in college. I know we will have a great time, because we did last year, and it will be special just being together again. Take good care, and keep warm.



Blessings,

Mary Ann, Les, and “Polly/Paulie”

Kumquat Festival

We had a very interesting, informative, and fun time visiting the Kumquat Growers Open House, and the Kumquat Festival in Dade City. We met Roger Swain “Champion of the Kumquat” and heard “everything you ever wanted to learn about Kumquats, but were afraid to ask”. He was very interesting, and is the Host of the Victory Garden Program on PBS. He is from New England, and has a vast and impressive knowledge of gardening. We were treated to a tour of the vineyards and learned about the fruit from planting to packing and shipping. We were treated to Joe’s Hot Dogs with Kumquat “Chutney’, chips and drink. Some of our Airstream friends posed with us for a “Kodak Moment” with Roger.

We managed to “beat the rain” at the Festival. We did lots of looking, as it was very crowded. As you can see, the “Carolina BBQ” and the Philly Cheese Steaks followed us down to Florida. Les enjoyed the classic cars, and just “people watching”. We bought a raffle ticket to win the quilt which was actually made to celebrate the 50th high School reunion for a Dade City High School.
As we sit here on this rainy day in our cozy little Airstream, we can’t help but think of some you who are about to endure yet ANOTHER SNOW STORM !!!!!!!!If ever there was a winter to be down in Florida, it is this one. We are blessed to be here, and we pray that all of you stay warm and toasty in your homes, and that the power stays on for you. Have you ever seen such as this???
I will close now so that we can send this off. Our love and prayers go out to you ALL.



Love, Mary Ann, Les, and “Polly-Paulie”