KAREN AND DENNIS; LOIS AND GENE IN VENICE FLORIDA

Sun, Feb. 09 - There was a group of us tennis friends from Richmond, VA who used to play tennis together for years and years; go out to dinner and happy hours, oyster roasts, boating, etc. etc. etc.  One couple, Lois and Gene, recently bought a condo in Venice, FL.  They were going to be in St. Petersburg for a couple of weeks to house-sit for their daughter while she was away from home.  So Lois and Gene offered the use of their condo in Venice to other friends, Karen and Dennis while they were in Florida.

Karen and Dennis came to visit us at TT Peace River on Sunday.  Dennis and I had a great time playing a few games of Pickleball with Brenda and James.  After that we enjoyed snacks and drinking beer and catching up with things back home.  Later the four of us went to a late lunch/early dinner at Wildcat Grille in Wauchula.  It was such fun seeing our "old" friends in Florida!!

Sat, Feb 15 - On Saturday, we drove over to Venice, FL to visit our friends Lois and Gene at their new condo.  It was really nice, overlooking the small canal and golf course.  After catching up on all the happenings, we decided to go out to dinner and then over to the beach to see the "Drum Circle" and watch the sunset.

Well, we visited for so long, by the time we had dinner and got over to the beach, the sun had set and the Drum Circle had almost closed down.  I think the Drum Circle could be a lot of fun with all types of drums, lighted hula hoops, etc.  A big party on the beach at sunset!!  But it really did not matter that we missed it because it was so cold and windy out on the beach that evening, it would have been pretty miserable!!

We did get our picture taken with a couple of the drummers who were still on the beach.  (See how bundled up we are!  Burrrr!!)

The last of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico!

On our drive home, we did get to witness the full moon rising.

It followed us all the way back to Wauchula!

It's always fun visiting with our long time friends!!

MARK AND CHRIS BACK AT TANGLEWOOD RV RESORT

Wed, Feb 19 - On one of my trips to Sebring, FL for a Cold-Wave Laser Treatment, we stopped by to see Mark and Chris at Tanglewood.  We have not see them since a group from the East Coast were in Calfornia back in 2011.

Since we last saw them, Mark and Chris have married and bought a beautiful new Allegro Bus!!  Congratulations Guys!!

It was great to see them again!  We had to get in a picture too!!

See you guys again soon!!

KEN'S VISIT TO SEBRING PODITRIST

Wed, Feb 12 - Ken has been suffering with a terrible pain in the fourth toe of his left foot.  The pain was so severe that he could not wear his shoes.  We looked up Podiatrist on line and found the three best Podiatrist in Sebring, FL, according to the website.  We called Sebring Foot Care and, due to a cancellation, Ken was able to get an appointment the next day, on Wednesday, February 12.

The Podiatrist, Dr. Joni Jones, examined Ken's feet and toes and toenails.  We immediately took a liking to Dr. Joni.  She was thorough, easy to talk to, fun, and cute as a button!  We told her we had found her on the web as "one of the best Podiatrist in Sebring."  She replied:  "I'm THE BEST!".  Dr. Joni took X-Rays of both of Ken's feet.  Reading the X-Rays, she explained to Ken that his toe was hurting because a doctor some time ago had removed a bone from Ken's little toe so it was shorter than normal and not support the fourth toe.  She wrapped the toe with a band-aide and sat up a follow-up appointment.

As we left Dr. Joni's office, I happened to turn around and saw doctor and patient laughing and hugging each other Good Bye!!  They were so cute I had to have a picture!!

Dr. Joni is a dancer -- both ballroom and on stage.  She loved to strike a pose for pictures!!

Here she snuggles Ken's neck!  I can't blame her!!

Then she wrapped Ken's arms around her waist!!

What a fun visit with Dr. Joni Jones, Best Podiatrist in Sebring, FL.  I told Ken he was NEVER going to the Podiatrist alone!!!

FAYE GETS NEW COLD-WAVE LASER THERAPY

Wed, Feb 12 - While sitting in the waiting room of Ken's Podiatrist, Dr. Joni Jones, I noticed a poster on the wall about Cold-Wave Laser Therapy MLS.  I wondered if this type of therapy might help me recover from the hip/back pains I have been suffering.  I've been limping and walking hunched over for the past several month.  I asked the office who could tell me about this Laser Therapy.  As it turned out, Steve H. the expert on Laser Therapy, was established at Dr. Jones' office.  He explained how he was certain Laser Therapy could fix my right hip so I could walk properly.  I signed up for six sessions at $60/each (that was all I could afford, even though he recommended 25 sessions).

For each session, I laid on my stomach on a table and Steve shined the Laser on my back/left hip area for about 30 minutes.  I felt absolutely nothing; no heat, no tingling, nothing.  I could not even tell the machine was turned on except for a beeping sound that indicated the laser was activated.  After only one session, I could stand up straight and walk a lot better.  Like a miracle!!  That was wonderful!!

Faye and Steve and the Cold-Wave Laser Therapy MLD machine.

Although I saw immediate results at first, after the remaining sessions, I am still not 100%.  Still I am hoping the laser therapy will continue to improve my walking ability!!

Thanks Steve for this introduction to Cold-Wave Laser Therapy!

LADIES LUNCHEON AT THE BACK PORCH RESTAURANT, LAKE ALFRED, FLORIDA

Fri, Jan 24 - Today I joined friends Cis and Sally and about 43 other ladies from Torrey Oaks for a delightful luncheon at The Back Porch Restaurant.  I rode with Cis as we caravaned the 40-mile drive to Lake Alfred and the restaurant.  Ken and I have driven pass this place numerous times and often wondered what it was.

The Barn is a unique building that contains three distinct areas -- The Stable contains a garden center with plants and gardening items; The Barn Antiques, established in 1969, has a nice gift shop and lots of antiques; and The Back Porch Restaurant, nestled between the other two, is a nice little restaurant with a dine-in back porch and patio.

Our group actually filled up the entire back porch.  I thought with our large group, it would take forever to be served.  After we had chosen seats, we were given  printed menus and pencils.  We each marked our menu with our choices of appetizer, soup, entree sandwich, and dessert.  When we had made our selections Cis and I took our menus to the front counter and turned them in to the hostess.  We each got coffee from the coffee maker and a cup of iced water and made our way back to our table.

I kid you not!!  Before I could stir my coffee, a waitress brought our lunch!!  Lunch was unique in that the waitresses brought each person a large "picnic basket" containing that person's choices.  We removed our lunch items and placed them on the table and the waitress took the basket.  Cute!!  And apparently that is the secret to very FAST service!!

For my lunch, I choose Cream of Vegetable Soup, Pasta Salad, Chicken Salad Croissant, and Unbelievable Chocolate for dessert!  Delicious!!

It was delightful!!  Thank you ladies for letting me join you all!

THINGS THAT GO CLICK,, CLICK, CLICK IN THE NIGHT!

Thu, Jan 16 -  Thursday morning, Ken said he woke up during the night and heard a strange clicking sound.  Click, Click, Click.  What in the world was going on, he wondered.  He got up and went toward the front of the motorhome.  This is what he saw!!  The slide-out had come in by itself!!

(Picture taken Thursday morning)

And it would not go out!!  This was not good!!  It looked like we were looking at a major expense!!  The Slide-out motor or something like that!

We were planning to leave TT Orlando that morning.  What were we going to do??  At least the slide-out was in the IN position and not OUT!!  We could at least move!!

We called nearby Camping Connection as soon as they opened and asked if they could take a look at our slide-out and figure out the problem.  The Gods were with us!  Camping Connection said to bring the RV in.  They would see what they could do.

Gary spent about an hour and checked out everything it could possibly be.  Turned out the Inline Circuit Breaker had gone bad!!  A $5.69 part plus labor -- total cost $123.79!!  Wow!!  We were so lucky!!!

Thank you Camping Connection for taking good care of us!!

But, this delay leads to the next article where we are not so lucky!

DON'T BE STUPID!! LIKE I WAS!!

Thur, Jan 16 - This morning as we were leaving TT Orlando to go to TT Peace River, we needed to stop by Camping Connection to have a repair made to our slide-out (See article Things That Go Click, Click, Click In The Night).  Because of this delay, we were running a few hours behind schedule.  That was not a problem except it meant we would arrive at TT  Peace River at about 1:30 pm, and by the time we were sat up it would be after 2:00 pm.

In my mind, that was too late to eat lunch.  We were driving at moderate speed south on Rt. 17 through some small towns; terrain was flat and fairly straight; light traffic.  I could whip up a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch on the way.

Suddenly!!  Ken had to stop quickly!  I was standing at the kitchen counter with knife in my hand, spreading peanut butter and jelly on slices of wheat bread.  I went flying toward the front of the RV.  With the slide-out in the IN position, there was very little room to navigate my fall!  I struck my side on the corner of the console and fell into the floor!

The knife went flying out of my hand!  A slice of peanut butter bread was plastered on the side of the J-Lounge on the right!!  Jelly bread was in the kitchen tile floor, jelly side up, almost under my foot!  I slowly managed to get myself up out of the floor and SIT DOWN and fasten my seat belt!!  STUPID!!!

After we had settled in at our new campsite, I drove myself to the Wauchula Hospital Emergency Room to see what kind of damage I had done to my right side.  The staff took four X-Rays of my ribs.  The ER doctor showed me the pictures and said I had fractured my #9 rib (one of the lower ribs) in two places.  The ends were not pointed toward my lungs and did not create a major problem.  They do nothing for that type of fracture except prescribe some strong pain medication.  It will take four to six weeks to heal.  In the meantime, take it easy and breath deeply every hour to prevent pneumonia.

I have been surprised that the fractured ribs have not bothered me too, too much, except getting in and out of bed.  And I have been taking it very, very easy!!  No pickleball for a while!!

So, Do like I said -- not as I do.  Don't Be Stupid!!

GRANDSON THOMAS IS A WINNER AT THE HORSE SHOW IN RALEIGH!!

Sat - Sun, Jan 18-19.  State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

This past weekend my Grandson Thomas participated in a Horse Show at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds and he made quite a showing!!  Thomas and Willy, his new horse, did really well.  Out of four classes they won two of the classes and placed 3rd in another. AND he ended up the Champion of the Division.

Here are pictures of the big event!  Both Thomas and Willy look so good together -- like the Champions they are!!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to you Thomas!  Keep up the good work!  We are so proud of you!!

VENISON STEAK AND CHOPS FROM CIS AND JOE

Sundays, Jan 05 and Jan 12 - Frequently when we talked to Cis and Joe, they mentioned all the deer hunting their family does during the season in Pennsylvania.  And I always tell them to bring Venison when they come to Florida for the winter!

This winter, they did indeed bring us some Venison!!  My thinking was that we would all have a cookout together and they would share some of the Venison, but what happened was they brought three nice sized packages of Venison just of us!!  A package of steak, a package of chops, and a package of sausage which Joe said was actually hamburger.  We were absolutely thrilled!!  But what to do with it??

I called Cis to see how they prepared their Venison.  Cis totally surprised me when she said "Oh, we don't eat it.  We have not eaten Venison in years!!"  What??!!  We could not believe it!

What to do??  We have never prepared Venison before!!  I went on line a looked for recipes for Venison Steak!  This one recipe indicated it was the best recipe ever!!  and all of the reviews showed 5 stars and excellent reviews.  That's the one we chose. It was the right choice.  Our Venison steak was soooo good served with sauteed mushrooms!!  Melted in our mouth!!  Definitely Five stars!!!

The next week, we decided to give the Chops a try.  Another trip to the internet searching for recipes for Venison Chops.  The recipe we chose was like the one for the steaks -- the best recipe ever with 5 star ratings and excellent reviews!!  This was a slow cooker recipe.  It too was wonderful served over egg noodles!!  Could cut it with a fork!

We still have the package of hamburger to prepare.  Can't wait to try it!!

Thank you so much Cis and Joe for the Venison treats!  How can we ever repay you??

NELSON'S VISIT TO TT ORLANDO AND WINE TASTING!

Thur, Jan 09  - Faye's brother Nelson recently moved to The Villages about fifty miles away from TT Orlando.  That is ideal because now we can visit each other more frequently.  Today Nelson came to TT Orlando and after lunch we sent to the "RV Show" at the campground.  We browsed through several of the coaches and fifth-wheels and chose the ones we wanted.  HA HA

Later, Nelson and I went to Lakeridge Winery north of Clermont for their wine tasting!

We decided to take the tour before going to taste the wine.  We went out on a deck overlooking the vineyards.   No grapes this time of year!

Our guide pointed out the machinery used to gather the grapes.

Inside there are barrels of wine being processed.

The packing room.

Next we went to the wine tasting bar.  Our guide poured the wine and explained the different characteristics of each.  Before long we had knowledgeable tastes of nine different Lakeridge wines!  One interesting point he made was that grapes do not grow well in Florida soil.  Wine makers discovered that they could successfully graft a variety of grapes to the roots of the Muscadine grape which is native to Florida and all along the east coast.  Many of the Lakeridge grapes are grown this way and the wines are a delicious blends of the Muscadine grape.

Nelson and I enjoying our wine tasting!  Do you think we might have had a little too much?

When Nelson arrived, he brought us a bottle of wine he had purchased at the grocery store and wrapped in gift paper.  We did not know what kind of wine it was except that it was a Lakeridge wine.  What a coincidence!  When we got home from the winery, we were anxious to see which of the wines he had brought to us.  Here is the bottle of Lakeridge Southern Red which is one of the wines we had tasted earlier.

After dinner, we all enjoyed fresh Strawberry Shortcake!!

Nelson really knows how to enjoy!!

That was so much fun having you visit today, Nelson.  We'll have to do it again soon!

BRYAN SHOWS UP AT TT ORLANDO WITH A BIG SURPRISE!

Sun, Jan 05 - When we went to the Pickleball Courts yesterday, we were so surprised and delighted to see Bryan whom we last saw at TT Palm Springs, CA.  We were chatting and getting reacquainted when he said something like, "I'd like for you to meet my wife."  Wife??!!!  We had no idea Bryan had remarried!!

Today Bryan brought Trisha over to meet us.  We all sat out and became acquainted over ice cold beer!  What a nice lady!  And very obviously fond of Bryan!

She filled us in on the details. They had known each other years and years ago.  Each had married and had children of their own.  Trisha happened to see on Facebook that Bryan was single again and she sat about contacting him.  As a result of her efforts they got together again and recently were married.  Trisha lived on a farm in Savannah, GA and so now Bryan is a happy farmer in Georgia!!

We were glad to see Bryan again in Orlando and delighted to meet Trisha.  Congratulations to the two of you!!  We wish for you many happy years in the future!

PICKLEBALL AT TT ORLANDO IN THE NEW YEAR!

Mon, Jan 06 - We are back at TT Orlando after spending Christmas and the New Year at TT Peace River.  Lots of Pickleball players on the courts this morning, and a lot of familiar faces!

Rick and Eve.  I caught them for a picture as they were leaving the campground to go to Three Flags RV Campground.

Toby and ? (can't remember).

 Vickie and Bryan!!

Jessie (have not seen her in ages) and Sandy.

Bob the Clown showing some of his "Silly Willy" moves on the court.

But Bob really can play Pickleball as he teams up with ?

Lil and Roger.  Have not seen him for several years since we were together in Arizona at TT Verde Valley!

Lois and Jerry (I think).

The above pictures showed the action on the three Pickleball courts at TT Orlando.  Following are the men waiting for the next round:  Ken, ?, Bob and Frank.

Also waiting to play were Faye and Roger, Jessie's husband.  It was soooo good to see the two of them again!!

It was fun seeing everybody again and having some great Pickleball matches!

SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AT TT ORLANDO

Sat, Jan 04 - I knew my friend Suzanne was at TT Orlando at the same time as we were.  I called her today to let her know I had some line dance step sheets for her and when could we get together.  She mentioned that she and John were going to the Saturday night entertainment tonight at the Adult Lounge and I invited myself to join them there.

Our entertainment!  Diana Lynn and Mike Thomas. She was formerly the Recreation Director at TT Orlando.  He performs at nearby Disney World.  Great musical duo.

Here is our group.   Nearest to the camera:  John M and Marion, friends of Suzanne and John.  John B is second on the left and Suzanne and Faye are on the right.

A fun night of good listening.  I was disappointed that I could not dance because of my aching hip!!!