Villages, Fl January 15, 2019 Wednesday Sunny 80

Time for a blog update, right Lauren? Well I have to agree.

One thing about being in the Villages is I am having a harder time keeping track of time and in particular what day is it. The old retiree saying that "Everyday is Saturday" is far more true here than anywhere else. Why? No school buses going by the house, no morning rush hour (other than to the pickleball courts - but it is seven days a week),  and no lawnmowers starting on Saturday at 0700. How is one supposed to remember time and equally important, the day and date? Thank heavens for my cell phone.

Well, I was reminded by looking at my cell phone that Saturday (a week or so ago) had arrived unannounced.  We did remember from our time last year with Jim and Justine that there is a farmer's market on Saturday at Brownwood Town Square. Faye had been hankering for some of the locally made dried veggies that she bought last year. So off to the market. The day promised to rain by mid morning so we headed out early, forsaking pickleball for dried veggies. The vendors were indeed waiting for us.

I took this picture for you Madelaine. Nana and I laugh when we see Christmas decorations up after the first of the year and remember your comments about being annoyed with decorations still being up "long after Christmas"  We chuckle that for you New Years day must have been made a holiday to give everyone the perfect day to take down Christmas decorations.

Ah the dried veggie stand is still here!!

We are still amused by seeing the streets packed with golf carts

The square is quiet today - think because of the forecast rain.

Later in the week we walked around the neighborhood some more. Madz would be real annoyed with these folks.

And there is pickleball - even though the temperatures are "cool."  Notice the line to get another turn for a game. Some spots are more popular than others.

Here we share the photo with Andy Reid who is taking a day off before rejoining the KC practice tomorrow.

In addition to the town squares, each area has regional recreational areas. These is where there are area building for meetings that includes excerise to quilting activities. This is the Fenney Rec center.
It has a nice nature walk.

I have no idea what this bird is. But the jumping minnows in the pool beneath assures that he or she is fully nourished.

The spanish moss in the trees is really beautiful.

The stream that we wandered along turns out to be supplied by a spring pool seen below that really flows a lot of water.

Later in the week we went to Brownwood to take in some of the nightly (yes every night) free entertainment - I imagine the locals are irritated that the squares now fill up early with all the snowbirds - we have heard some grumble about it including at the pickleball courts.

And if you need a dance partner, choices included those with four legs.

And more pickleball - but bring a hat as the sun is in your eyes early in the morning. We found this group in the Spanish Moss rec area near us. It is a good friendly bunch that plays at our level - and so far the number that show up is just right - enough time between games to get a drink and wipe the brow.

The air was super still last night

But the wind came up in the afternoon - and it was warm!!

This is nice pedestrian only walk way along the main road through neighborhood.

The moon came up nicely - but the house we are in is facing directly south and we never see the sun during the day from the lanai area. This would be good in the summer but I would like to see it in the winter months.

Had to smile at this cart parked next door.

And several days ago friends Jim and Justine finally recovered enough from being laid up to join us for dinner and a long awaited Mexican Train game. There were winners and losers - I will let you surmise which pair was the winners.

Yesterday we visited the Hogeye nature trail walk nearby. It was a very nice two mile walking path around a very nice wetland area.

We saw a pair of fox squirrels. Really interesting. A sign near the head of the trail noted that they are on the endangered list.

Several wood storks seemed to be accustomed to walkers sharing the water's edge with them.

Well it's been a nice several weeks.

Time to get ready for another hard day of Villages living - so time to say .............

Good Night and May God Bless

Villages, Fl January 3, 2020 Friday Sunny 80

Well another year has passed us by and sends us looking to a new year of adventure and surprises.

Not only do we have a new year to look forward to - but a new decade as well. If it is half as wonderful as the last one it will be amazing. During the last decade some grandkids have arrived and some have blossomed into young adults. We are excited to see what the next decade holds for all the special people we love and cherish.

But before we see the results of the next decade we need to live it - and thus that brings us to today.

We find ourselves in sunny and warm Florida. A wonderful part of last year's Great Loop was spending the winter months in warm weather. We found it not only pleasant but great for keeping us active - which is important as the decades pass by in our wakes. We loved being on the boat in Sarasota last year but the trip to come back we decided was too long - too much time away from our home and family. So this year we are renting a place in the villages for the months of January, February, and March.

And we did have a wonderful fall and great times at Thanksgiving and Christmas - so not being on the boat trip south was nicely reaffirmed in our minds. And the snow below in early December was equally reaffirming that a trip south for a while was a good idea.

Notice the snow shovel - ugh!!

But I have to admit the snow is a stunning blanket that transforms the scene into a picture that can claim the title of "winter wonderland."

So after the holidays it was southbound. We traveled three days and arrived in the Villages on December 30. We stayed with friends Jim and Justine until we could check into our rental home on January 2.

Before arriving at Jim and Justine's we made a grocery stop. You know you are in the Villages because of all the golf carts. And I still have to smile as all the custom ones - too funny.

It was wonderful to be once again with them. And the ladies are looking better than ever - don't you agree?

 And Rocky is glad to see his treat giving friend

And compare this sunset to the one above. Do you see any differences?  Yea, me too!!

And soon it was time for pickleball - outside!!

And time for Mexican train. Jim did a great job winning the start - but I can't say that our luck continued much longer.

The Villages have town squares with shops, restaurants, and bandstands. On New Year's Eve we headed to Sumter Landing for some music and dinner.  I still have to smile at the number of golf carts.

Ryan - this reminded me of you!

New Year's Day was Michigan Football versus Alabama - Jim and his two sons, and grandson Brian went to the game in Orlando - we cheered and we were hopeful through the first half.

And Rocky was never too far from his treat mister

And the ladies preparing a wonderful dinner for the returning, but unfortunately slightly sad, fans

And then it was January 2 and time for us to check in. This is one of the many recreation centers.

We quickly got our keys and found our spot in the sun for three months.
We had Jim and Justine stop by latter with sons Sean and Ian.

Sean is on the left and he insisted in conversations last night that Ian was the favored one - much to Justine's claims of not true - which Faye and I know is correct - but I had to laugh when I noted that the photo that I had taken of them made Sean look like the "black sheep" of the family - sorry Sean completely unintended!!  It was so wonderful to meet them. They reminded us of sons Ryan and Robert - we had great time telling tales of raising all of them.

So below is pictures of the house we rented - it is really nice and we were fortunate to get it as there are few for rent with the amenities this house has.

Where did they come up with Zipperer Way?

So there you have it - the start of our winter adventure.

Lauren - trust this blog is to your liking!!  She told us I must do the blog. So fun to have you read it!!

So it is night time thus it is time to say ..............

Good Night and May God Bless