I don’t mean to sound rhetorical, but it doesn’t feel like Christmas here in the true sense of tramping through the snow and cold, bundled-up on your way to the stores, while traipsing aisle after aisle shopping for presents!

There’s no buttoning-up, trudging back to the car with shopping carts skittering through the ice ruts and snow as they’re pushed back to be loaded in the car; no carrying the presents back into the house, fearing a slip or fall will not only break that “Wii” the family has dreamed of, but also breaking you’re neck; no separating sales slips in the event dad didn’t like the tie; no removing price tags prior to wrapping; no balancing the checkbook, or credit card remorse!

There’s no climbing on ladders, precariously perched atop a slippery footing, stringing lights indoor and out; no unlit bulbs that won’t light once they’re strung!

There’s none of that!  AND, there’s none of that that makes Christmas Christmas away from home; in a new environment with no snow to trudge though; no white snow blanketing the ground and lying on bows; not the good warm feeling as you enter your warm, cozy house after shopping—mission accomplished; no gathering for the family Christmas dinner; no anticipation how joyful the presents will be received after eating; no enjoying that holiday cocktail with family and the chatter that follows; no relaxing and unwinding once the company has left and the kids are in bed!  You know, that’s what gives you the ‘sense’ of Christmas where we come from.

Our gifts were sent in envelopes (checks) for family members to use as they wish—purchase would they want.  We didn’t bring any decorations down this year; didn’t have room; didn’t want to buy them here; will bring some along next fall; there was a small artificial tree left here.  Ergo, other than Shirley preparing her usual big Christmas dinner for the two of us, there’s not much preparation, nor decorating for this joyful day.

One thing that came to mind last night as I pondered Christmas in Florida was the numerous Christmas cards from family and friends adorning our arches and walls.  Without the lights, garland, Santas and other stuffed Christmas stuff, these personalized cards decorating our new Florida home brought a warm cozy feeling, and the true meaning of Christmas!  As long as you have family and friends remembering you with thoughts on cards, decorations are superficial.  We’ll see if we bring down those decorations!  Nonetheless, they brighten the holiday!

I got up and walked to one wall, opening several of the hanging cards one-by-one, remembering and thinking again of the friends or family who sent their joyous greeting.  Those holiday wishes suddenly and truly meant more than all the lights, gilded, silver and gold ornaments and animated stuffed Santas!

We can thank God for giving his Son on this day for our salvation.  We can thank God, as we count our blessings, for this Christmas moment—perhaps the one moment when so many come together—to remember and honor our Lord, and to come together, even from afar, to think of those so near and dear to us.  The cards decorating our home from family and friends are also great presents, in lieu of their presence.

Today is Christmas and I’m sitting in our Florida room typing, windows open, shorts and short-sleeves.  Again today the temps will in  the low 80s and partly cloudy.  It has been above normal temps here for a long time, and is to remain so.  We’ve been going to the Conquina Beach just about everyday; today won’t be any different (there are about four beaches we like and are relatively close).  We’re taking advantage of the warm weather spell.  Also, we can say we spent Christmas on the beach—sunny and 80!

Here’s some photos and video Shirley took of December 23rd and 24th.  Click to enlarge.  Again, Shirley and I wish you a joyous, blessed and Merry Christmas!

Conquina Beach on Anna Marie Island.

Dolphins showed up!  I got within 75′ of them!  They came in close to shore!

Click on Shirley’s videos!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-S2KJCRxg&list=UUAU1FPVdS4f-tAHPTDLoNmg&index=1&feature=plcp

And >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-0POW15FK8&list=UUAU1FPVdS4f-tAHPTDLoNmg&index=2&feature=plcp

Shirley is set on trying this!

Dolphins like to frolic and feed in the area of the bridge passing from Anna Marie Island and Longboat Key.  The inlet goes to the Intercoastal.

After, we drove up to the northern end of Anna Marie Island and ate at the City Pier!

Could be worse, the kid could be buried in snow!

Shirley and I looking out on the Gulf; taken Christmas Eve Day!  We’re headed back to the same spot on Conquina Island where we hope to swim with dolphins—Shirley’s packing the cooler as I finish this post.   I’ll click on “Publish” and head out right now; 11:30 AM; sunny and 82-degrees.  Roger

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Now, with my feeble wit and fable foundering, I’ll return to facts.  Temps were in the mid-80s, sunny and a nice breeze blowing when we decided to head to the beach; a cold front was advancing and expected late Monday; no time like Sunday to take advantage of the summer-like weather.  We packed our chairs, umbrella, cooler and camera for a day relaxing, sunning and walking Bradenton Beach.

It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and we didn’t know what the crowds would be like, much less the traffic entering the beach on Cortez Road.  To our delight, we drove right up to the parking lots with plenty of open spots available.  The beach was sparsely populated, even early afternoon.  We pitch our umbrella, unfolded the chairs, doffed our clothes and changed into our suits (in the changing hut) and relaxed for awhile before embarking off  up and down the beach.  Here are some photos Shirley took to share with you folks up nort’ of a day on Bradenton Beach.  Roger

(Click on pics to enlarge)

Watching the flotilla sail by.

Taking a walk.

Inlet to the Intercoastal; looking at Longboat Key.

There’s a nice park with benches and tables to watch the boats come and go.

Heading back.

Gulf Drive Cafe and Tiki Bar is just a few blocks north of the beach.  We go there after the afternoon on the beach to watch the sunsets.

We were glad we took advantage of the beautiful day.  The front came in Monday, bringing plenty of rain and cool temps.  Tuesday, the front passed and it was a pleasant day partly cloudy day in the low-70s.  Wednesday, cool and cloudy; temps in the upper 60s.  This AM it was 50, warming up to a sunny low-70s day.  Outlook:  Sunny to partly cloudy through next Tuesday, with temps climbing into the 80s!  Lock-and-load the camera; we’ll be beach-bound for the next few days to take advantage of this warm—now December—weather!

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Tom stood up for Shirley’s and my wedding in ’89; Karen tended to Shirley’s preparations for the ceremony, in Shirley’s deceased mother’s stead.  I won’t disclose my friend’s age—he’s getting up there—but, I’ll be 63 next month, and Tom’s 11 years my senior; looking at him you couldn’t tell!

Many thanks for good friends who are there to encourage/support, laugh, entertaining, fun-loving and are true-blue and loyal!  From Bradenton, FL, Shirley and I raise a toast on Tom’s  74th birthday—oh, I let it slip, anyway!  Happy birthday, Tom!  Rog and Shirley

1989, our wedding.  Shirley’s sister, Kaye, stood up with Tom!  He still can muster-up that devilish grin!

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The sand used by the artist is said to be the finest in the entire world; 99% crystallized quartz; fine as talcum powder; ends up on your shoes; clings to your clothing like a powdered doughnut; follows you to the car’s carpet mats and welcome mat back home!  Be that as it may, it’s the best packing sand, and with the use of diluted Elmer’s Glue spray, retains it shape for days!  More info on previous post.

Here’s an extensive folder of the photos Shirley took trying to show the remarkable and marvelous work created from the finely granulated, powdery, whitest beach sand!  In Greek mythology, Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Althea breathed life into his clay figure man, who was molded from mud and clay.  The Bible purports, “And the Lord God formed Man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”  

It’s amazing what talent mortal man has to raise  images from the ground; lifeless figures, yes, but realistic and amazing!  But low-and-behold, those ‘sustaining winds’  will erode the mortals precise and tedious work…”ashes to ashes, dust to dust”!  I ask myself is it all worth it; art doomed—leveled by wind, rain and passerbys!   Photos remain, but only in two dimensions.  I think my media would be clay, tempered in a kiln, mortality extended!  But, with my artistic prowess and ability, Play Dough is best suited as my media!

The demise of a mortals work!  Click to enlarge.  Roger

It almost looks like that little elf buried Santa in the sand!

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A special thanks, especially to all my family and friends who served our country, including the Reserve, Guard, Coast Guard, etc, through all the wars; to the families who had to sacrifice and keep-on-keeping-on while their loved ones were away.

I’d like to name them all (if even possible), but wish to select one:  Bobby Ruminski, from Two Rivers, WI (my hometown).  He was a neighbor who lived on the corner with his parents.  Bobby was a couple of years older than me; big and strong.  As a kid, I’d go over and watch him “pump iron”—his weights and bench-press set out in their backyard. Later, while he was in high school sports, I would take over his newspaper route during football season and ride around the neighborhoods on my bike pitching papers on peoples’ porches!

Bobby would also show me some of his hobbies in his basement, befriending me despite our age difference.  Memories are vague, but recollections of his kindness and friendliness are not lost.  What was lost was any further getting-together when he was drafted and never returned from Vietnam.

From high school, Bob wanted to be a Marine.  However, though extremely strong and physically fit, Bob had a problem with the written application forms, and was denied entrance.  If I recall, he tried twice—perhaps three times—to enlist.  Then, the the war escalated and Bob was drafted; you can’t tell me he was disappointed; he finally got his wish!

Yes , Bob was killed driving a transport (I think a Jeep) by a sniper—Bob wasn’t there all that long.  I don’t know exactly how old I was then, but I still feel that sorrow when I first heard the news.  Bob was a great guy; you could tell he loved his Mom; he conveyed friendship to me through those brief early years.  I was proud to be considered his friend, and prouder now of his determination to serve his country.

I could go on-and-on with thanks and appreciation to all the family members and friends that served, those that survived or never returned, and those I never did or will know, but I selected the story that struck me hard growing up and how close war can hit near home, or worse.  Here’s a quick link to the history of Veteran’s Day.  God Bless America and our Armed Forces!  Roger

Click here>>> http://www.military.com/veterans-day/

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The photos Shirley took will give you a glimpse of our ride, taking us all the way up past St. Petersburg to Clearwater, Florida (about 30 miles).  I didn’t plan on going beyond the Bridge, but seeing we were near Clearwater, we decided to visit My Uncle Andy Konitzer and Hazel.  That visit will be another post, as we’re going back to celebrate his 89th birthday in a week-and-a-half.

In researching information for your knowledge, I ran across an incident/accident I remember being big news about the Bridge back in 1980; probably of more interest than our tour.  It happened when a vessel hit the Bridge and the tragedies that followed.  Here’s a video (a tribute to our Coast Guard and All emergency services!) >>>  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMjBGLxMdP4 .  Note the changes to the Bridge after the accident that Shirley took and the rebuilding that followed.  Again, what a horrendous tragedy I now remember following in the news, back in ’80.

My parents owned a winter home in Clearwater since the late 70s through the ’90s, and had often taken rides over the Bridge; we were sometimes along when visiting.  Crossing the Bridge prompted me to research and retrieve memories.  Roger

(Click on pics to enlarge)

Heading north on I-275 to St. Pete from Bradenton through Palmetto.

Rest stop at the end of the Bridge for a look over Tampa Bay.

Heading back south later that afternoon to Bradenton after a surprise visit to Uncle Andy’s!

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The bar’s favorite cheerleader, Nancy, and her husband, Bob, keep the spirits up and flowing!  For every score the Pack makes as she leads the cheers, complete with pom-poms,  she passes out vodka jello shots to participating patrons.  We figured that was 7 rounds!

Roger

(Pics by Shirley; click to enlarge)

“Go Pack!”

Here’s the video of Williams’ interception and our reaction.  By the way, the gentleman who joined us at our table is Ron from Indiana.  He’s always been an avid Packer fan who spends his winters here; takes and give a lot of bantering back home!  Everyone is friendly and outgoing…  Click here for video >>>  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttkHIsXf1JA

Great time, exciting game, wonderful fans and beautiful spot to watch the Packers go 8-0!

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There are things that one doesn’t think of, like retaining pest and especially termite exterminators (fortunately, we were able to transfer accounts from previous owner; termite destruction is a major concern down here, so you take all precautions).  There aren’t any flies, etc this time of year.  I understand summertime is when they can be a nuisance.

Bradenton Beach and harbor are about 20 minutes west along a scenic avenue and picturesque causeway/bridge harboring sailboats and other pleasure craft.  The weather has been in the low 80s with plenty of sunshine.  Hurricane Rina skirted to the south of us shortly after our arrival, with only a couple downpours here; it left a gorgeous sunset.  We are having a cold front move through rapidly today; temp in the low-70s, but will rebound to low-80s and sunny by Sunday.

We constantly monitor the weather and web cam up there and note that the seasons are taking their course.  I always loved the seasons, but with my precarious and tentative mobility, not having to negotiate the ice and snow to come will be more comfortable and reassuring—we get out often for walks, malls, to the beach, and exercise in the pool.  We’ll find out what the holidays will be like, but we’re already planning to fly back for my mother’s 100th birthday January 6th for a few days!

I rifled through some of Shirley’s folders for some pics.  She’s taken a bunch since we got here; here’s a short list of the park; click to enlarge.  Roger

Hurricane Rina missed us to the south.  Kelly Lake’s Tom and Karen Lutz (down in a condo on Ft. Meyers Beach during this time) got a good taste of it, but not the full brunt; their windows were bowing in and shaking.

Older photo of home from May.  Shirley already has her green thumb planting flowers and shrubs.

Heading for clubhouse and some pool!

Pool heated to 86-degrees!  Just perfect!

And some more pool!

The predator and the prey!

Down the hatch!  But, look who’s coming!

One of our resident alligators in Pescara Lake; about 7′ long!

I don’t like the tack it took!  The park manager warns us to stay a few feet away from it; like, ya!

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We have been busy arranging our home to our liking, shopping for some furniture and odds-and-ends; filling the pantry and shelves; exploring the area, beaches, restaurants and sights-to-see. In between, we relax in the pool and shoot pool in our park’s clubhouse—haven’t gotten around to shuffleboard as of yet!

Anyway, I want to start with a two-hour road trip we took down to Ft. Meyers Beach to visit long time Kelly Lake friends, Tom and Karen Lutz, who were staying in a condo (penthouse atop a 13 story complex—130′ overlooking the Gulf!) for the month of October.   We spent the day walking the beach, ending up with pizza at a nearby pizzeria.  It was a beautiful drive and a grand time with our friends.  Tom and Karen left last Friday for home in Oconto Falls and a check on their cottage at Kelly Lake.

I’ll be filling you in on other sights we’ve seen, places we’ve been and things we’ve done.  Temps have been in the 80s and weather’s been pleasant.  Here are some photos Shirley took of our day at Ft. Meyers Beach; click to enlarge):

Me Nd Karen; condo behind.

Karen out gathering shells.

Ibis.

Dolphins playfully glide by.

Penthouse, 130′ up!

Me and Tom enjoying the view while the ladies seek shells.

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Brad usually takes his 70 mph-plus tunnel hull speedboat to Shawano Lake and the River, but at Sharon’s request (she goes 70 mph+ herself!), planned to haul Sharon’s pontoon boat the 1/2 hour-or-so drive to the Lighthouse Supper Club just north of Shawano Lake at the entrance to the upper Wolf.

(Click on pics to enlarge)

Brad’s screamin’ machine after giving me a white-knucklin’ ride!  I, personally, would have loved to tour the Wolf on this!  But, Sharon was right… the pontoon was the way to go.

Sharon’s pontoon boat staged in front of the Lighthouse Supper Club at Shawano Lake Wednesday.

There’s a decent ramp to launch right along the supper club, with mooring facilities a hop, skip and a jump from the outdoor patio.   We tied up in the slip for a bit to freshen-up inside and were as eager as “Shadow” to get underway!

This has been just a super week of warm sunny fall weather with light winds and smooth sailing!  It wasn’t long before we doffed our shirts to soak up the remaining season’s rays, sit back and be guided as we glided along the Wolf; narrated by Brad and Sharon; they both lived there years ago before moving to Kelly Lake; Sharon has a home on Round Lake.

It wasn’t long before I realized why they went through all the work to haul-out, trailer and launch their boat at Shawano Lake and the Wolf.  Brad guided us a short distance out into the open waters of Shawano to give us an idea of the expanse of the 12-mile long lake before returning to the inlet and up the river.  The fall colors were just showing the reds, oranges and yellows on a green backdrop of grass, foliage and blue sky.  Being a Wednesday, the waterways were left pretty much to ourselves.

We slipped our moorings at the Lighthouse about 12:30 PM, taking our own sweet time sightseeing, while relaxing and enjoying one-another’s company—all around, a grand fall day and cruise—and arriving back around 5 PM!  I don’t know how far we went, but if we averaged 4 knots, and we were gone all afternoon ’til evening… well?!

What a great get-away to enjoy one last beautiful fall day on the water here in Wisconsin; a different scenic view and venue than we’re use to on Kelly Lake!  You know what they say, it’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere but on Kelly Lake!  After nearly 63 years, I have far too many memories of growing up here to leave!  But, Brad and Sharon have those same feelings of living there first and now here.

Thanks for thinking of us, Brad and Sharon!  It was a grand time with great friends!  Rog and Shirley

Enjoy a virtual ride along the Wolf River.  Here are but a few of the many scenic fall shots Shirley took along the way.  Click on pics to enlarge.  Shirley also took a little video.

On arrival—Lighthouse Supper Club.

Sharon, Brad and me.

Shadow, the sea dog!

Heading through the Wolf River outlet into Shawano Lake.  Lighthouse slips are to your right.

Returning back up the Wolf past the Lighthouse.

Brad commandeering his mother’s boat as he slips between the shores barely noticed.

Sharon trusting in Brad’s navigation and piloting!

Another lonely pontooner as we lazily roll along.

Homes along the way are beautiful, many opulent, and some palatial multi-million dollar homes.

Fall colors just starting.

I remember the days of boathouses.  Not sure their allowed anymore.

When you come to a fork in the river, take it!

See video >>> http://www.youtube.com/user/rjbirr?feature=mhee#p/u/0/kNtlAuu0BCc

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