Averaging 271 sunny or partly sunny days per year, Fort Myers has the highest number of sunny days in Florida.  The city was founded in 1885, and named after Colonel Abraham Myers.  It is considered the gateway to Southwest Florida, and Thomas Edison and Henry Ford wintered here on an estate which is now a museum open to the public.  In 1898, Edison brought electric light to the city.  Known now as the city of palms, it was Thomas Edison who imported royal palms to line the street known as McGregor Boulevard.  Amazingly, from this city, it is possible to boat to Palm Beach on the east coast by traveling along the Caloosahatchee River to the Okeechobee Waterway then continuing east to reach the Intracoastal Waterway.

We traveled down to Fort Myer today to explore the city a bit and have lunch.  We started by driving through the neighborhood near the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  The royal palms were exquisite, as were the homes they graced.  The neighborhood borders the waterfront, and the homes reflect the upscale locale we traveled through.  Even the smaller homes reflected an elegance with a style that reminded me of parts of San Diego.  In other areas the southern oak trees grew over the road.

 

We saved the tour of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates for a later date, but did stop in at the entrance where we saw a gift shop, plants for sale, huge banyan trees, and statues of the former residents.  It will be an interesting place to tour.

   

Lunch at The Original Ford Garage provided an interesting decor and the food and service were very good.  There were multiple restaurants along the downtown district we were in.  Sculptures and murals were bountiful along the sidewalk.  There's an art museum and a theater converted into shops which all looked enticing.   Plenty of reason to return, especially with an Italian restaurant that's reportedly good as well.  

 

The "people" in the sculpture above are playing dominos.  The car in our restaurant appeared authentic.  We traveled home before the afternoon showers began for "siesta time" and concluded another good day.  We'll expand on the details of this area soon I suspect...Cheers for now!

Memorabilia and Pop Up Art

 

As much as I appreciate elegant decor, memorabilia win out in our home.  Yes, the marble countertops, muted colors, and contemporary lighting fixtures in my kitchen all satisfy my desire for decorator touches.  But I also like to retain the atmosphere of a grandmother's butter dish with delicate roses, antique cut glass bowls, a prayer for "daily bread" in Norwegian on a round wooden plaque, or a ceramic cow cookie jar.  All have graced my kitchens for longer than I can remember.  Add a few Texas stars we collected in San Antonio, an cross stitched picture of chickens, a lamp shade with roosters, and my kitchen becomes what Jimmy calls "Christine's Kitchen"–an eclectic collection of objects I love.  So be it.  That's me.  I'm "home" and that's what matters.

I am convinced that the birds here believe our buildings with their sprinkler watered grounds were all put here purely for their enjoyment.  Walking this morning along my two mile route, I saw a crane perched on the roof of a carport.  He mostly ignored me, as did a mockingbird who availed himself of a drink of water from a puddle created by the sprinkler system.  

It was cloudy this morning and I had started earlier, so all of us were enjoying the cooler temperatures.  Further along, I passed a fallen, dead tree that someone has decorated with bird houses.  It is interesting how humans make art out of the most ordinary things.  I also wonder about the story behind the tree's demise.  Was it the hurricane that came through here a couple of summers ago, or did the tree just reach its natural end and fall?  I'll never know for sure unless someday along my walk I meet someone who can share more details about this creation.

 

First Gator Sighting

  

 

Memorial Day–a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed so much for our country.  As we began the day, Jim and I remembered our fathers who fought in World War II.  Mine survived Pearl Harbor, and Jimmy's was part of the European effort during the war. 

A veteran in our community played “Taps” on a bugle at 3 pm in our backyard.  In honor of veterans, the condo association hosted a potluck at 5 pm with hamburgers and hotdogs provided.  I made a tray of frosted brownies to contribute.  As with all potluck meals, there was more food than could possibly be consumed by the attendees.  It feels good to be part of a community of people of a similar age.  The conversations were enjoyable and informative as we passed the time with them.  It seems like a good place where we’ve chosen to be.  Happily, we even ended up bringing some of our dessert back home for TV time. 

We ended our Memorial Day celebration with one last exciting moment—our first sighting of an alligator as he swam by in the lake behind our condo! We learned at the community barbecue today that there are perhaps three of them living out there. So it was thrilling last evening when Jim actually spotted one swimming very quietly along the edge of the lake. A crane who was fishing along the bank of the lake noted his presence as well, and judiciously watched as he passed by. Of course the alligator could be a “she” as well, but we are not knowledgeable enough to tell the difference.  

This morning I walked almost two miles on the neighborhood sidewalks before the sun rose high enough to raise the temperature above the overnight lows.  There’s a good breeze today that is keeping it cooler.  Now, I sit on our lanai writing with a cup of coffee as Snoopy keeps me company, and Jimmy still sleeps.  I have started a good book, and will continue reading while I have this relaxing time.  Some photos follow from this morning’s walk.  Can you see my shadow in the last one, looking out toward the lake?  That's a fun type of photo Jim and I frequently do.  Cheers and have a good day,

    

   

 

Prescription Savings - Knowledge is Power

Like this bird searching for food, success depends upon knowledge.  How would you feel if you could compare shop any prescription cost from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere you obtain internet access, on one site to save money?    

Well you can on:  trumprx.gov   I was impressed with how easy the site works.  It doesn't sell the drugs, it merely gives information for comparison shopping.  I entered my prescriptions and the results provided were astounding.  Whether you use a preferred pharmacy or your favorite grocery store, the cost results for pickup availability are right there to compare.  You choose thereafter where to have your prescription filled, i.e. at a pharmacy– for example Walgreens or CVS, your grocery store, or at Walmart, based on the price comparisons.

For further options, mail order pharmacy prices for Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban's site) or Amazon Prime are also displayed.  When available through Amazon Prime, the cost is usually the lowest for all options, followed by Cost Plus Drugs.  When Cost Plus Drugs is the only option, it is still lower than the local pharmacies or grocery stores where you have to pickup the item.  The price quoted for Cost Plus Drugs includes shipping.  With Amazon Prime, the shipping is free.  You merely have to plan ahead for a day's delay or so if you have the time to wait for a mail order option. 

 

The site says the quoted price may be even less depending upon your health insurance plan's coverage of the drug.  I also compared zip code prices between Florida and Washington states, and the cost was the same regardless of which state's zip code I entered.

So, don't get hung up on your political views affiliated with one side of the aisle or the other.  Go to the site and see what you can save.  You'll be happy for the information.  I was...

Cheers, Exercise, and Wildlife

Some time ago there was a popular television show called "Cheers" that centered around a bar setting.  The theme song was something along the lines of "this was the place to go because everyone knew your name."  Plus everyone's life challenges were mostly solved there, and best of all, everyone belonged.  It sort of felt that way here in our condo complex yesterday morning.

We had stayed in all day on Thursday, never even opening the front door.  Amazon came and went without a sound leaving their package by our door where it stayed until Friday morning.  Deciding to go for a walk (more on that in a moment), I spied the package as I opened the door.  Retrieving it happened to be exactly at the same moment our neighbor, Ray, was departing his condo next door.  He said to me:  "Good to see you, Chris.  We noticed that package outside your door all day yesterday.  Martha and I were about ready to call for a 'wellness check' for you and Jim."  I thanked him and told him we'd stayed in all day on Thursday and hadn't noticed the delivery.  To me, his words brought the theme song of Cheers to my mind, because in just a month here neighbors know our names, and we matter enough for them to worry about our welfare.  That's a super realization, and very welcomed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Thereafter, I went on my first walk to the mailbox and back.  We are at the back of the complex and a smooth, level sidewalk runs from our building out to the mailboxes.  I haven't done much outdoor walking lately.  This was a way to see how far and how well I could cover the distance.  It's not quite a quarter of a mile one way if I walk the length of our building before descending the stairs.  (There are two stairwells in every building, with an elevator situated in the middle.)  So, feeling ambitious, I walked the distance twice.  I covered .96 mile in about 25 minutes, and felt good about it.  It was a good start to the 5,000 steps/day I want to achieve at a minimum.  

      

This morning, I tried the walk again, only further.  Continuing on past the mailboxes along the paved entrance road to our buildings, I aimed for the clubhouse and pool area.  Along the way, I saw two large cranes on the grass behind one of our buildings.  They noticed me, even from the relatively long distance between us, and watched me attentively.  I took a photo of one of them, and then continued on toward the mailboxes.  Rounding the curve at our entrance, I crossed to another sidewalk and followed it past two tennis courts, a bocce court, and a shuffle board court to reach the clubhouse.  We have yet to go into the clubhouse, but will do so on Monday when a BBQ is scheduled here for Memorial Day.  The pool beyond looked inviting, and it is my goal to go and enjoy it some afternoon soon.

Heading back home, I noticed a rabbit at the entry.  We stared at each other for a moment, long enough for me to get a photo.  Jim had seen a rabbit on the property, and now I had photographic proof of it.  It was exactly like the rabbits we'd had in our prior home.  Nature and wildlife are one of my favorite things to photograph.  I am happy that there are many contenders here to fill that urge.

Today's walk was .85 miles in total, and the time spent was longer due to the distractions of photography, but just as satisfying.  We have elected to stay home mostly during the holiday to avoid the traffic and crowds.  Somehow the days slip by faster here than it seems they should.  More and more each day it feels like we're doing the things we enjoy to fill them, as the organization of our "stuff" recedes.  I suspect a trip to Culver's for ice cream is in our near future, and perhaps a good book on the lanai thereafter.  My boys are in agreement, although I suspect they'll be napping while I read. 

    

Familiar Things and Official Florida Residents

Those of you who spent time with us in our last home would feel more at home with us here as familiar possessions gain a place to live in our new home.  Without a hutch in the dining room, I've created a combination of hutch and curio cabinet with one cabinet we brought with us, while Jimmy has created his own display in the other curio cabinet that survived the journey.  Our butler Franklin now looks over the dining room.

The grandfather clock that Jimmy built also crossed the country without any damage and it is almost ready to chime again.  I am enjoying my early morning coffee from the comfort of my great grandmother's rocker on the lanai, and a wooden hope chest constructed by my maternal great uncle has become a place to store the tools deemed necessary in a condo life since we no longer have a garage.  The prior owners of the condo also left a collection of small tools in a closet which we will sort through to see what we can potentially use in the bit of room left in the wooden chest.  The rest will have to go.  We are not collecting any more extraneous items.

A Snoopy wall hanging is now up in Jimmy's room, and a bookshelf in there displays his model car collection.  The only yard art I brought with me is on the lanai–a lady bug and bee planter decoration, along with a glass and eagle wind chime.  

 

These are the things that make it feel like "home" and remain the constants in our lives from place to place.  This too will assure family and friends who visit, that we are the same in their lives no matter where they may find us.

Today we became official residents of Florida.  We have Florida car tags and drivers licenses.  We're registered to vote.  It took some time to complete, but it was a very efficient and friendly County office.  After we left the attractive building where the offices are located, we had lunch at a nearby Carrabba's Italian Grill while the afternoon thundershowers passed through.  Another good day, and a feeling of accomplishment.

Sunday Donuts, the Beach and a Downpour

 

Bradenton Donuts was a 10-year old memory we needed to revisit to satisfy ourselves that some things never change.  Ten years later, and surviving Hurricane Helene from September, 2024, the same owner is still making the same, delicious donuts.  It took him over a year to reopen after the storm.  He told us he had to replace the roof, flooring, countertops, kitchen equipment, plumbing, electrical, and more.  But the community rallied around him and soon he was back to business as usual.  Luckily, for us as well, he persevered.  It's a bit of a drive for us from Port Charlotte to Bradenton, but well worth the trip.  The breakfast croissant with ham, cheese, and egg melted in our mouths, and donuts for dessert with the remainder of our coffee was a great memory brought back into reality.  It called for some donuts-to-go, and the owner added a free donut to the bag, as he did for every customer who came in while we sat at the counter talking with him in-between orders.  This was truly a happy start to a chosen leisurely Sunday.

From there, we drove over the bridge to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island.  This beach is one of the widest and whitest beaches I'd seen on the west coast of Florida when we resided here ten years ago.  With Hurricane Helene, three to four feet of new sand was deposited on the beach, and across the barrier island at the time from a five to seven foot storm surge.  Driving on the island today however, you would be hard pressed to know anything had happened.  The beaches are superb, and very crowded as you would expect on a Sunday.  The smell of BBQ wafted through the air as families gathered under the pine trees seeking shade.  Others brought their umbrellas and coolers up over the dune line to sit directly before the water.  I was happily surprised that Jim agreed to walk all the way to the water's edge where I tested the water's temperature with my bare feet.  Divine!  On another trip this summer, I plan to bring a bathing suit and join the others submerged in the water.  We will have to come prepared with suntan lotion, a shaded spot to sit in, and with our beach chairs conveniently provided by the prior owners of our condo.  

  

The price of gas is getting lower here.  We filled up for $4.09 at a Walmart gas station.  A bit later and further down the road towards home, we saw gas offered for $3.93 at a Mobil gas station.  The afternoon thunderstorm cycle is here and driving during one is a little challenging.

  

I leave you with one more amazing feat.  How does a tiny, two-inch size, frog make it up three stories to the outside of my bedroom window?  I don't know.  But I will share that I know why–there's a light over the corridor outside my window that attracts flying insects at night.  I suspect he's learned the climb is worth the effort.  The frog and the insects were gone early this morning when I left for Walmart.  Perhaps he'll be back tonight?  If yes, I'll name him...