An Ending to a Visit - Day Five and Six

June 9 to 10, 2026

We had picked up a large watermelon from a street vendor near home after a breakfast at “Waffle House” on Monday, which turned out to be really quite tasty after chilling it in the refrigerator.  “Seedless” turned out to be a huge exaggeration as the watermelon had countless seeds.  It was good though, so we overlooked the vendor’s false claim.

  

Tuesday was another quiet day spent at home.  “Albert” the alligator had disappointed us by not reappearing.  I enjoyed Kris’s help on Tuesday with grocery shopping at Walmart, especially with the replenishment of our drinking water supply.  The bottled water is heavy and hauling it home is a chore.

Kris left on Wednesday morning from Fort Meyers International Airport.  Unfortunately, all good things do come to an end.  Kris had to return home.  The drive to the airport was easy.  The goodbyes were hard.  

After leaving her, we headed to the Fort Meyers Subaru dealer for an oil change.  The service was needed after our 3,400 mile trip across the United States.  It turned out to be a quick, easy, and enjoyable experience with complimentary coffee and another customer to chat with as we all waited for our vehicles.  Maybe I’m delusional, but I continue to be amazed by the abundance of just plain happy people here.  From the staff to the mutual customer, time passed quickly in pleasant conversation.

We’re all caught up now on the lives of two elders and their cat “living the dream” in Southwest Florida.  Cheers, and back to you soon!  

Yup! that's really Snoopy (enhanced with Ai) "living the life" in Florida!

Beach Excursion - Day Four

June 8, 2026

Feeling empowered by experience, Monday we headed out to Sarasota to visit Siesta Beach on Siesta Key with an even larger collection of beach items stored in the trunk of the Subaru.  Adding an umbrella, bringing lots of towels, and donning bathing suits with hats, T-Shirts, and sandals, we felt prepared!

Claimed to be one of the best beaches in the world, the 99-percent quartz composition of the sand here creates a gleaming white beach with a sprinkling of tiny white shells of varying shapes.  Add to that the azure water with a wide, shallow wading area at this beach, and you have a perfect seaside venue.  For the younger folks there are volleyball courts in the sand, tennis courts, and shaded playgrounds.  There’s a trolley traveling up and down the street bordering the beach, covered picnic areas with grills, the desirable showers near the parking lot for rinsing off, plus a concession stand and washrooms. 

Though the hike to the water is lengthy, the amenities and 85-degree water at this time of the year make up for the effort to cross the sand to the water.  There are a variety of ways to achieve shade on the beach and our little umbrella is way down on the list.  Some people put up tent-like coverings creating lots of shade for their beach chairs or towels.  The only consideration is how much you wish to carry.  Others pull wagons with large, fat wheels filled with beach equipment and coolers containing their beverages and snacks.  It’s fun to encourage each other as everyone treks through the sand toward the water. We set up our umbrella, planting it in the sand with a special post-like device that at least partially screws down into the sand to secure the umbrella in the breeze.  A small beach chair held our belongings, and then we were off into the water to swim and people watch.

Little fish were visible in the clear water near the shore.  Under hats and with T-Shirts protecting our shoulders, we spent a considerable time in the water.  Kris found yet a few more shells.  Then we trudged back across the sand with our gear to enjoy a lunch break at the concession stand.  About the time we sat and started our lunch at 2:01 pm, a 6.1 earthquake occurred off the west end of Cuba. Unbeknown to us, we were happily sipping non-alcoholic Pina Coladas, and watching a volley ball game before us on the beach.  We never felt it, though many across Florida did.  Luckily, it didn’t create a tsunami either.  We only learned of it after the fact, upon arriving back home.  

Of course we ended the day with a Culver’s ice cream stop, followed by a siesta for Jim and Snoopy.  Life is good! 

Leisure Day at the Pool - Day Three

June 7, 2026

Taking a break from the surf and sand, we ventured no further than the pool at our condominium on Sunday.  This was my first trip down to the pool, and I was grateful to have Kris’s company to breach the unknown.  Several people were at the pool, including several visiting young children, so the activity was entertaining and pleasantly noisy as children are wont to be.  In the heat of almost midday, the water felt chilly at first.  As soon as total immersion was achieved, it felt wondrous.  There are umbrellas at several tables to shade seating, and if you’re lucky enough to arrive first, there’s shade under a palm tree.  We claimed our table and umbrella, grabbed a couple of pool noodles, then ventured into the water.  It was a leisurely way to spend an hour, but pool shoes on the pool deck’s hot surface are something to secure for the next trip to the pool. 

  

We continued taking it easy with a trip to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  This nearby restaurant is becoming one of our favorites.  The prices are easy on your wallet, the service is great, and the selection of food resembles what I’d cook at home with lots of yummy side dishes that I almost never think to add to my at-home renderings, like biscuits with jam.  Waiting for the meal to arrive, we all entertained ourselves with a game that seems to be on every table.  The shopping in Cracker Barrel’s gift shop is oh-so-very-tempting, too.  So far I’ve restrained myself, but gifts for our kids, and perhaps ourselves will occur on one of these trips.  Our daughter Shari would love the flamingos, our daughter Pam would join me in pursuing the jewelry, and our grandkids and great grandchildren could go wild in there, when we get to enjoy their eventual visits here with us!  I can see that moving here has given us many opportunities to entertain family and friends when anyone comes to see us.

               

 

Snoopy has decided he loves company, also.  He literally thinks getting brushed by Kris is the “cat’s meow” becoming quite verbal to express his appreciation!  In fact, he hardly stopped “talking” and following her around during the entire time she was here with us.  

I’ve concluded that it’s pretty special to have achieved such a wonderful life by choosing Jimmy to be my husband.  With his whole family, my family, our friends, and the life all of us share together, the past almost twenty years have been the happiest of my life.  I am truly blessed to have everyone above who make my life feel a little warmer, and a lot more special!  Thank you!

Beach Explorations - Day Two

Saturday, June 6, 2026

“Albert”, the name we’ve given to our alligator in the pond behind our condominium, made an early morning appearance again on this day.  He passed through the pond slowly in an unconcerned manner, with his tail propelling him along using back and forth motions that hardly made a ripple.  Kris regretfully missed this event, and that only heightened her desire to spot him again.  Even though she made frequent trips to the lanai to search for him, he had slipped away to his daylight hiding place, having apparently finished his nocturnal wanderings for this day.

After breakfast, we decided that another trip to the beach was in order.  Dressed in shorts to facilitate walking in the water, we also grabbed hats to ward off sunburn potential.  Slathering on sunblock lotion, we felt ready to head off to the beach.  The destination this time was Englewood Beach on Manasota Key, located due west of our condominium and a forty-minute drive.

     

Seashells are not as prolific at this beach, but Kris diligently searched for them and was rewarded for her efforts.  The water was warm, and the beach was fairly full with Saturday leisure seekers.  We walked for some distance on the sand and got our feet wet in the water with some waves reaching our knees.  Finally,  we crossed over the highway from the beach parking lot to the “Sandbar Tiki & Grille” for lunch.  This was a return visit for us, and we felt Kris would enjoy the outdoor dining, the live band, and the food.  We had a good meal, and then Kris changed into her bathing suit for the return walk up the beach.  She enjoyed the water, searching for more shells, while we watched from the water’s edge.  Sadly, when we reached our parked car, we realized that there were no water showers to wash off the powdery white sand that clung to our feet and legs.  We rubbed off as much as we could with a T-Shirt, and then headed home.

En route, we found a geocache location near our route, and stopped so Kris could claim her first Florida find.  Hidden cleverly by people, these items require a signature on a paper list enclosed in the small container.  Then an online report can be made in an App for recording the find.  An electronic badge is then assigned in the App commemorating the finder’s effort.  Watching was fun and interesting to the uninitiated observers that Jim and I were before that moment.

We finished the day with a stop for ice cream at Culver's, completing yet another good and satisfying trip to the beach.

Beach Explorations - Day One

 Friday, June 5, 2026

We’ve been enjoying the beaches of Southwest Florida for the last few days.  It all began with the arrival of Jim’s daughter, Kris, at Fort Meyers International Airport on Friday, June 5th.  The airport is directly south of where we live by traveling about 45-minutes on I-75.  Leaving the airport, we opted to head straight to Sanibel Island, famous for the abundant shells on its beaches, and chose Bowman’s Beach Park as our destination, because according to the Lee County website:  “Isolated and picturesque, this beach is probably the most popular on Sanibel. Great shelling and amenities make it worth the five minute hike from the parking area to the beach. Adventurous beachcombers can walk for several miles on unobstructed white sand beaches covered in shells. The shoreline at Bowman's Beach has experienced little of the intense development seen on the rest of the islands.”  It turned out to be completely true.

    

We observed several luxurious waterfront homes as we drove onto the island, then we turned northward and drove several miles to reach Bowman's Beach.  The parking lot was busy.  No matter the temperature, there were lots of parked cars and people heading to the beach laden with beach equipment (more on that later.)  The park has pavilions with shaded benches, bathrooms, water stations to rinse sand from your feet, and informative billboards about what you can potentially see strolling to the water along wooden boardwalks and sandy paths.  Pausing on a bridge crossing a canal, we spied two manatees in the water below.  Nicknamed “sea cows” as their noses resemble a cow’s nose, these gentle creatures rose to the surface to breathe often enough that we were able to photograph them, as fish jumped in the water around them.

As are most Gulf Coast beaches, the brilliant white sand spread out before us north and south as we reached the water.  Indeed, there were lots of shells, and we spent some time picking up several pretty ones.  Still being careful to not spend too much time in the sun to avoid sunburns, we headed back to the car with our shell prizes.  A late lunch was in order then, and we found a hotel nearby with a restaurant called “BRGR Kitchen and Bar” which not only had a great atmosphere, but good service and burgers that were truly delicious.  

We headed home, and ended the day with a beautiful sunset.  The alligator in the pond behind our house made an appearance, gliding by in the silver water just before dusk set in.  We’ve since learned that they feed at this time of the day and it is more likely to see them in the early evening, or sometimes in the early morning as daylight arrives.  Kris was impressed and spent many moments looking for “Albert” during her stay.  

Exploring Fort Myers

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.