Looking for Love

I just saw an entertaining little spring drama out my kitchen window along the water's edge.  

A movement caught my eye  -  it was a Snowy Egret doing his mating dance with all his splendid mating plumage.  He puffed his neck and back feathers up just so, then walked a few steps and puffed up again.  It is breezy so the wind caught all those delicate feathers.

I hope this link will open for you --->>>   Snowy Egret's Mating Dance

Just ahead of him I saw a glossy ibis, which was just about the same size.  They both were about two feet tall.

 

When the egret puffed up, the ibis glanced behind her and continued walking away.

Several times the egret danced but it didn't win the heart or even the interest of this nonchalant glossy ibis.

After several fruitless tries, the poor Snowy Egret went back to the water's edge to continue pecking - looking for food instead of love.  

Better luck the next time, Mr. Egret.  Maybe you'd better get your eyes checked!  Poor thing.

The glossy ibis just continued on her merry way!

Busy Week in Florida

Gary and I know that some people find it strange that he drives me to Florida just after Christmas and flies home.  Then, after tax season, he flies down, vacations for a week or so, and drives me back to Virginia. 

He says that if I would be there, he'd feel he should entertain me.  He has people in and out of his office all day long and the phone rings often.  So, his real work is done from 8 p.m. till 2 or 3 a.m. most every night.  

I thought I could help him if I were there and that wouldn't be bad but it's not what Gary wants.  He likes to see each client in person, twice in most cases.  He sees them when they bring their papers and again when they come to sign and pick up their completed tax documents.

I have a little house in a 55+ Community called Savanna Club in Port St. Lucie on the east coast of Florida.  There is a lot to do here and I keep busy.  Best of all, it's warm down here!!!

Last week was one of those typical wonderful busy weeks.

Monday  Built Upon the Sand
House Foundation Problem
Work was done on the base of my house.  It was starting to cave in in several places. After fixing it bit by bit, the time had come to get it repaired  properly.  There was a concrete base but it had disintegrated in many places. 

Still on Monday: Welcome Meeting

I had a meeting with my Vice-Chairs, Sharon Jackson and Sue Berger,  regarding the Welcome Meeting for new residents.  We hold this affair a few times a year.  I'm the chairperson but the November meeting will be led by Sharon and Sue, since I'll still be in VA.  I'll take the RSVPs and make the nametags.

Tuesday - I started the morning getting beautified at the beauty parlor.  Then in the evening, our Zoom Bible Study group met online.  We've kept it going for 2 years - even when we're in Virginia. 

Gary and I like this study group because we're working straight from the Bible.  Rita Etherington, our trusty leader, does a wonderful job keeping us focused. 

Zoom Bible Study  2022
Donna and Dave Waters, Doug and Jeanette Owens, Gary Suter, Allen and Rita (our leader) Etherington, MaryMay Suter, Pat and Rich Necklen

 

 

 

Wednesday -  Wacky Tacky Luncheon
Our Women's Club has over 300 members and we support many local charities.  Here are some highlights from our parade of tacky fashionists.

 

 

(Click each photo for larger view)

And the winner of the Most Wacky Tacky parade was................ none other than MaryMay Suter!

My jacket was pure red sequins but they don't show up in the photos.

Thursday
My Red Hat group, known as the "Hotsie Totsies", went to Stuart to Lady Ann's Tearoom for lunch.  I forgot to take pics but it was elegant.  This is what I had. I think it was pecan encrusted cod or something...

Friday - Gumbo Party with the Hattiitudes

Sylvia Foster invited us to her home and made 2 gumbo pots -  one with chicken and andouille sausage and one with shrimp and crab.  She had hot sauces on the side for those who wished to add to their dishes  We brought appetizers, wine, other beverages, and desserts.  It was a feast of food and conversation! 

BTW - (by the way) - Sylvia is from New Orleans so we got authentic gumbo!

Saturday - Computer Seminar

My computer guru here in Florida is John Grubb of Keystone Computer Concepts.  https://www.4kcc.com/  He gives Saturday morning seminars in Jensen Beach once a month.  I always learn something.

Sunday - 

Church- FUMC First United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie, FL  This is a wonderful church and I especially like our ministers, Brian Carr from West Virginia and Rad Orlandi from Puerto Rico.     Puerto Rico - Robinson School Reconnections

 

Book Group - There are about 10 of us who read a chosen book, then get together and discuss it.  In February, we discussed This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger.  For March it was Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand.   Next month we are reading When The Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkerson.

I really enjoy this group for 2 reasons:  It makes me read books and authors that I've never heard of and it's fun to hang out with lady friends and laugh.....not to mention, solve the problems of Savanna Club and of the world.

So ended a typical week in the winter version of my Snowbird Life.

Built Upon the Sand

Do you remember the kid's song about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand?  The rock stood strong but the sand (and house) washed away.

That's exactly what was happening with my house in Florida.  There were a few places along the base of the house where a hole would develop.  I hired different handy men to add rock, mulch, and even a metal plate to stop the caving in.

But the holes came back even larger and new ones developed.  I knew it was time to take action.  Gary and I talked to a company who was fixing my neighbor's house with that very problem last year.  Gary wisely took a photo of their work truck so we had their number.

Our houses are brought in on wheels, then the wheels are taken away and the house is propped up on concrete blocks.

 

 

A barrier along the  bottom edge of the house was set up using concrete but the concrete had disintegrated.

Front

 It made me tired just to see these men work.  There was a LOT of digging required.

 

 

Side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back

 They slid flat metal down the sides, then installed this white skirting which has holes for ventilation. 

 

Let me guess...aren't you curious how much this cost?  Let's just say I kissed $7,500.00 goodbye. 

 

 

I do believe that, even though my house is still built upon the sand, it is much stronger than before.  

 

Hopefully, this will hold up for as long as I own this house!

Ash Wednesday Service - Literally!

The Ash Wednesday Service was held at FUMC (First United Methodist Church) of Port St. Lucie, Florida.  I got a ride with Pat and Rich Necklen and we picked up Rita Etherington.  (We're all in a Zoom Bible Study group and Rita is our leader.)

When we went in, we were asked to go to the altar, choose a rock, and write a  goal that you plan to aim for during Lent.

We were also given slips of paper that were about an inch wide and 6 inches long.  We were to write something that we planned to give up during Lent.  At the allotted time during the service, we went up to the front where Pastor Brian Carr was waiting.  We could put our paper slip over the candle in a pot or Brian would use a barbecue lighter to burn it for you. 

Then our two associate pastors administered ashes onto our foreheads. When the minister applies the cross of ashes, he/she says to the worshiper: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” He also may say “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

We were pleased to have 118 people in attendance, the most since the Pandemic began. A few people did wear masks.   It took a while for everyone to go up but it was a time of reverence.

Pastor Brian went up to continue the service.  Well, lo and behold, the flames started growing.  At one point, he backed up because of the heat.  It was just plain scary!!!

  A closer look: 

 

Who saved the day but Rad Orlandi, our Associate Pastor.  He brought a metal cover from a communion tray.   Brian put it on the top of the burning pot and then the flame stopped.  Thankfully, it just fit the top of the clay pot.

Then, for whatever reason, he moved the top over (I'm thinking he was hoping to save the metal top.) and the flames roared up again.  This time, he left it in place.

Then we continued with the rest of the service.

As for me, this was an Ash Wednesday Service I won't forget!

p.s. Hopefully I'll remember the goal I'm aiming for and the thing I'm giving up for Lent.