…is alive and well in The Villages.  I had mentioned them in one of my more recent blogs, and was determined to find them and get some pictures.  More easily said than done.  I was on Rio Grande and spotted them in the lake by Chula Vista, however did not have my camera.  When I got home I mentioned to Sean that I really wanted to get pictures and they were in the lake nearby.  We hopped in the golf cart and beelined back to the lake where I had seen them, and to our disappointment, they were gone.  We decided to check the water behind Freedom Point as they are there sometimes, and on our way checked Lake Mira Mar, where there were hundreds of egrets and seagulls, having their afternoon snack.  There were quite a few people pulling up with bags of bread and from the behavior of the birds, this must be a daily happening.  However, there were no pelicans to be seen.  We gave up our hunt and thought a Dunkin Donuts coffee would be in order, however Sean mentioned Ollie’s Frozen Custard, just as it was crossing my mind too.  Ollie’s won by a majority vote.  After thoroughly enjoying our treat and with the guilt starting to set in, we headed back home.  To our surprise we found a small group of pelicans in the pond behind Freedom Point.  I took some pictures and we sat and watched them for awhile.  The white pelican does not take a flying dive for its’ food, rather they swim around and feed in groups and stick their bills in the water to look for schools of fish.  When they find a school the entire group all stick their bills and heads in at one time and keep them underwater while they feed, which is quite something to see.  We headed on home and took the recreational cart path at the Hacienda Country Club, which winds adjacent to the golf course and passes a few small ponds.  We came around one corner, to our surprise,  there was another flock.  It was much larger and it had to have had over 100 birds.  I tried to get as close as I could but they started swimming away.  I wish I was a better photographer, as it is hard to see how big they really are.  They are 5’2″ long and have a wing span of 8′  You can see some black under their wings when they fly. They rest on sandbars, they do not fly up into trees.   Their range is the Florida peninsula, on inland lakes, from Sept. to April.  I had read a few years ago about white Pelicans that migrated from lakes in Wisconsin, so I’m quite sure that is where these go for the summer. I think you would have to agree that that is what you would call a  real snowbird.

    in Eustis, is the home of the Bay Street Players, and if you have never attended a production of theirs there, I highly recommend it.  Yesterday I attended a performance of Avenue Q, The Musical  and can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. I was with a friend,  who had seen Avenue Q on Broadway, and she said this production was every bit as good. As Broadway?  That really says something.   A few weeks ago I attended a one man show called the 6 Guitars, and it was fantastic.  Chase Padgett was extremely talented, and yet very funny.  A very upbeat performance that I would gladly go see again, if it was still playing.  A little history;  the Historic State Theatre was built in 1916 and in addition to serving as a Vaudeville Theatre it was also designed as a venue for the latest craze in mass entertainment, “moving pictures”,  hence the presence of one of the largest “photo play” pipe organs in the Southeast. When vaudeville faded out it was strictly a movie theater and operated as such for many years, until that too died out.  It was empty for many years until in 1974 a group of theatre aficionados discovered the vacant theatre and decided to clean it up.  That is when the Bay Street Players were founded, and they have been there ever since..  That was 38 years ago, and they have done a lot of work, both with productions but also with the restoring of the building.  They perform five plays yearly, as well as other short productions.  The Bay Street Players also promote the arts in their youth program, called the Young People’s Theatre. The theatre is old, but intimate. It seats roughly 225 people and when you go there, you do step back in time. This is not your Savannah Center, it is an old theater of our youth.They sell soft drinks and some candy in the lobby, and I think I even saw some homemade cookies.  The dress goes from very casual to quite dressy, and mostly in between.  I guess the best word to describe the theatre, and also the Historic Town of Eustis, is quaint. Restaurants are excellent and if you like Mexican food, and atmosphere,  there is a restaurant a few doors down, and it is the best Mexican Restaurant I  have ever eaten at, and that includes the Mexican Restaurant in Old Towne San Diego. Lake Eustis is one block over from the theater. There is a lovely little park where you can sit and enjoy the views, or walk along the lake itself.  Some good stores for shopping, although Sunday the restaurants are open, but most of the shops are closed.  It is about a 40 minute ride from here…Rt#441 to Rt#19 North.  You can get more information by going to www.baystreetplayers.org.  I love The Villages, and I love what’s all around us too.

                 I was looking through some pictures when I came across this one taken only a few short years ago.  Two of them have recently gotten their drivers licenses, and the third one is a few months away from getting his permit.  These are my pajama boys of summer, who I have written about in the past.  I’ve had the good fortune of spending six weeks each summer with them, and several summers had them all to myself for four weeks at Lake Naomi in Pennsylvania.  I do believe they had as good a time as I did, and it was probably the one time I really appreciated cell phones. They could roam around independently, spend countless hours sailing, kayaking, swimming and hanging out on an island in the middle of the lake, and also check out the activity at the Club after dusk. as long as they answered on my second or third ring.  And they did.  Last summer was a different story though, whiskers appeared along with girlfriends.  The two licensees now had a purpose to work, well maybe two purposes, a car and a girl.  My time with them was limited, and will probably continue in that direction, which is how it should be.  They were overheard saying though that now they can drive to The Villages, whenever they want.  I think they forgot a couple of reason they can’t;  school,  a job, girlfriends and parental permission.  When I look at that picture, I can’t help but feel their innocence and remember my own carefree exuberance and naivety at that age.  It does not seem like that long ago.  They grew up so fast, but didn’t we all.

had by all. Saturday evening, the Monday, Wednesday, Friday Golf Group got together for their Annual Party. The party was planned for 60 people, however the flu ruined the plans of several, and we wound up with a healthy and lively 56 people. This was the second year we have done this, and that is how it got its’ name, Annual. Several years ago, right before I retired from selling real estate with The Properties of The Villages, a Real Estate Agent from Punta Gorda moved to The Villages and joined the Sales Team. We hit it off immediately and became fast friends. One day she mentioned that her husband was a good golfer and was looking to get into a group. He needed a group to keep his game up and also improve his play. I could identify with her as Sean found himself in that dilemma when we first came to The Villages. He had belonged to 12 different golf groups in and around New York City and liked the competitiveness of the groups he was involved with. He was also lost not having the camaraderie of other golfers. I casually asked my new friend what her husbands handicap was and said no more. I had recommended Sean’s group to a casual golfer one time, and Sean asked me never to do that again. I passed the information on to Sean with his telephone number and left it at that. A few days later, my friend was ecstatic that her husband got a call from someone named Sean and he is joining a group. Shortly after that  I retired and would see her on occasion, as she was still working and busy. I had heard through others that she had been diagnosed with cancer. I did reach out and stay more in touch than I might have otherwise. She went through her treatment and when completed, celebrated her cancer free diagnosis. She would mention quite often how happy she was that her husband was a part of this golf group, and so much so, she started nudging me and others that we should have a Party.  A party where the wives could meet the other golfers their husbands always talked about. She was almost insistent on this happening, even though the cancer she had fought so bravely, reared its’ ugly head again. Unless you knew, you would never have known it had, as she continued to work with all the enthusiasm she had when she was well. In November we decided to do it and made the date for January.  We met regularly, in between her appointments, and we got it off the ground. We sent announcements to all, and got an immediate response, which was positive. She was ecstatic. She was so sure the other wives wanted to meet each other and the response validated her idea. She worked at her job and also on the party, up until one week before. Everything was basically done, all we had to do was set up. That week she became quite sick and kept apologizing that she couldn’t help, but it didn’t matter. It was all done. I spoke to her in the hospital the day before, and she said I am making them release me as I am going to come. That was the last I spoke to her. She was released from the hospital that day, however was not able to attend. When I called  to tell her all about the party I spoke with her son, which at the time I did not realize the significance of his visit. I thought this was a temporary set back and that she would be fine. I called again just a few days later and spoke to an unfamiliar woman, and it was then that I realized the severity of her illness. She passed away just a few short days later. It may not sound fitting that I started this out with a good time was had by all, but if you knew my friend, you would know that is exactly what she wanted..she wanted us to get together. Her determination made us do it, and she will always be remembered everyday, but especially at our Annual party. It was as if she knew the friendships that are forged on the golf course live on, and they must be celebrated.  And celebrate we did…in her honor.

It’s time to get up, rise and shine. That was a familiar greeting I received as a young child and also greeted my children with for years. As I think of today’s activities in The Villages, it probably is the most appropriate thing to say. Rise and Shine, y’all.  I added y’all since moving to Florida.  Besides all the athletic activities, and all the activities in the Recreation Centers, the Savannah Center, the nightly entertainment at all three Squares, the movies, and Katie Belles, we also have special daytime events to go to. Starting at Brownwood, there is the Farmer’s Market. If you have not visited, you owe yourself a treat. The produce is all fresh, right out of the fields and there are jellies and jams, and any number of booths to visit. The Market is open from 9am to 2pm. After that,  wind your way up Buena Vista Blvd. and go to Lake Sumter Market Square, where you can browse the Sidewalk Sales. The sales start at 12 noon to 5pm. The weather is going to be in the 70’s, with plenty of sunshine, which makes it feel even warmer. A beautiful, beautiful day. Then take a break, grab a bite to eat at any number of restaurants, where you can sit either inside or out. On a nice day I like outside, as I can multi-task: eat and people watch. Anyway, once you have caught your breath, head over to Morse Blvd. to continue on to Spanish Springs Towne Square, where at 4pm the Cruise In will be revving up. No matter how many times I have gone to it, I still find it to be a lot of fun. Cars from all over Florida participate, and you will find cars from the 30s, 40s and on up. You will find antique cars as well as modified. Woody station wagons and beloved cars of the 60s & 70s, the Camaros and Firebirds, and I bet you will even find a Chevrolet Corvair. Remember them? Attending to me is like taking a walk back through my life. My parents had a Woody Station Wagon, and I can particularly remember the sound the door when you shut it.  I’m not sure why but I always sat in the back seat. I liked it because  I always got to go in first, and it was bouncier then the other seats, which made it fun.  Also, it was bigger than the other seats and   I got to get out last, and that was always pleasurable when going to the dentist or doctor, or even school.  So, at my tender age I liked the back seat and thought that I was getting the best seat in the car.  In retrospect, sometimes we should never look back, I probably was made to sit back there, as privileges, come with age and I was the youngest.  Also, what a five year old finds fun with…bouncing over the bumps in the road… a sophisticated seven and nine year old do not.  On to the Fords with the rumble seats and my high school years.  Yes, Renee Hollyer had a Ford with a rumble seat, that   we all clamored to sit in, especially after football games. It fit two comfortably, so of course we had three in there, at all times.  I wonder why a rumble seat?  Did they save money by not having it be a part of the car, or did someone decide to turn the trunk into a seat?  I’ve never figured that out.  Anyway, cars that I parked in apple orchards in,  a corvette that was a fast introduction to my husband, then a newly married couples car, a VW and onto a VW bus when the children came along.  The Cruise In is a walk back in time and  I defy anyone to attend it and not find themselves dusting off buried memories, and reminiscing about the good old days.  As I said when I started,  time to get up, rise and shine.  So much to do..

As I wrote about yesterday, it  was my Book Club meeting and I said I was going to talk about Daisy.  Well, I didn’t get a chance to share that story, although joined in on other stories.  I do want to tell you about my feelings about this Club, and the great people in it.  Anyone who hears about our Club, can not imagine having over 100 members, with as many as 60, 70, or 80 attending a monthly meeting.  They say it could never work, but guess what, it does. We say it is because of our Chairperson, Kathy Porter, and she says it is because of the members.  We are probably both right, kind of like the members couldn’t do it without Kathy, and Kathy couldn’t do it without members.  A marriage made in Heaven.  Anyway,  everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions of the book, and or comment on someone elses’ thoughts and opinions,  so forth and so on.  Yesterday the discussion was exceptionally lively, as it discussed our feelings of life…backward and forward.  Members stories were especially interesting, being the first woman Stock Broker, the first Principal of a School, a stay at home Mom, and much more.  I enjoyed each one more than the other.   Sometimes I wish the Morse’s could be a fly on the wall and hear all the wonderful things that are said about The Villages.  Yesterday was no exception.  Many woman shared their experiences moving to The Villages, and the scenario is always the same,  I bought in two days, I never imagined anything like this existed, I never imagined having so much fun in retirement,  I can’t rave enough about my neighbors, the activties, I just love living here.   But yet yesterday,  I heard something else, something very profound.  The topic of loss came up and a member shared that she had recently lost her husband and  had been encouraged to come to The Villages for a few days, in fact it was her children who had paid for a Lifestyle Preview visit.  They had heard of The Villages and thought they would like to give her a few days away from the surroundings that were so painful for her.  Little did they realize  she would come, she would  buy and she would move in, just a few short months ago.  With that story, many more stories like that started to be shared.  One woman shared that if anything good had come out of her loss,  it was finding The Villages.  At lunch I happened to be sitting with one of the woman who had shared her experience of coming to The Villages,  and she said…Charlotte,  I was lost without my husband, I had no direction, I was hurting, I did not find the The Villages…The Villages found me.  What a thought.

Anyone who knows me well,  knows that the week of our book club meeting I lay pretty low.  I am doing something I should have done all month, and that is read the book.  This month the book was Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen, which is about her life and thoughts about growing older.  Our facilitator asked us to share our thoughts, so this is what I’ve been doing, and this will be my contribution today.

The exercise to share made me really think about my life..backwards and forwards.  I decided to pin point one thing  that shaped my life..what made me who I am..effected my happiness, my attitudes and my ability to face and overcome difficult situations.  It had to be the mentors I was so fortunate to have.  I attribute my happiness now to several mentors, that seemed to have entered my life at the right time. One of my favorites was Daisy, who is having a profound influence on my life now. I met Daisy 8 years ago.  She was 92 and her daughter was bringing her to The Villages to live with her, as she felt she should not be alone in New Jersey.  She had tried for several years to convince her to come to Florida, but only after a very icy winter did Daisy give up her home, and and her drivers license, and finally succumbed to the inevitable.   She agreed to come,  although she did so kicking and screaming all the way down Rt.#95.  I should give you a little background on Daisy.  She was of Dutch descent.  She was raised, and also raised her family in the Dutch Reform religion.  She lived her whole live in Prospect Park,  New Jersey, which was a town that was founded on the religion, which meant no cars on Sunday in the town, and hanging clothes out on Sunday was a no, no.  Just a few things I knew about the town as one who grew up nearby.  I guess the first hint that Daisy was ahead of her times was when her only daughter married a Catholic.  When my friend said her 92 year old mother was going to join our Thursday night dinners, which is a group of 16 that go out every Thursday night, I was a little skeptical to say the least, that is until I met Daisy. She was one of the most interesting persons I have ever met.  She, at the age of 92, still read the New York Times, front to back every day. She was more contemporary than I was, she was an avid reader and her opinions always seemed to be right on.  I formed a great bond with her, and as our Birthdays were a day a part,  we always had a Birthday Bash..Daisy and I.  I always told her when I grow up I want to be just like you.   She was my new best idol. I especially loved her stories about her early years.  She told me once when she was about 10 years old, she was visiting a friends’ house and they had store bought bread that was sliced.  She thought this was the greatest thing,  however when she ran home raving about the bread that was sliced,  her mother said…”How lazy does some one get.”  She had many stories of growing up in the early 1900’s. Oh…Daisy loved to have a Manhattan with her dinner, and I can’t tell you how many times we would say to a waitress..yes she said a Manhattan.  She would take a sip, wink to indicate her approval, hold her head high and drink it with dignity.  If there ever was a grande dame,  it was Daisy. Oh, she loved to play Poker too, and she did every Sunday.  As she would go out the door, she would always say, if anyone calls I’m at Bible Study. When Daisy died at 97, after just a few days in the hospital,  she left all who knew her, a wonderful legacy.  She was our living proof that we  could grow old and still have fun, and maybe do things we never imagined doing, just as Daisy did…drink Manhattans and play poker. How many people in Prospect Park NJ did that?  The biggest gift Daisy gave us was she took the fear out of growing old.   She was a wonderful mentor to all who knew her,  I miss her dearly and she holds a very special place in my heart, as do all my mentors.

so little time. Sean has a saying, when God made time he made plenty of it. Normally when he says that, remember he is Irish from Ireland, he gets my hackles up because he is changing the subject, he is not addressing the real issue, which probably has to do with answering the question, what took you so long or how long is it going to take you?  The other day I had to call my Bundled server (TV, phone, internet) after receiving my bill that was bungled again. I was already hyperventilating with the idea I had to go through the process again, as this has been happening for two months. I fix one problem and another surfaces. Sean of course got the first taste of my frustration as I headed for the phone. He quietly said to me, you are retired you have all the time in the world, relax and enjoy the music. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but thought you know he’s right, I’m retired what’s the big deal. I called, went through the initial button pushing, put the phone on speaker, listened to the music and hopped on the computer. Normally I would have sat, tapping my foot, ready for bear, and then pouncing like a leopard on its’ prey when finally some person asked if they could help me. This time, the only thing that was just slightly annoying, was when they would interrupt the music and say, thank-you for holding your call is important to us. My problem could not be resolved by the first person I spoke to for 20 minutes and even when they put me back on hold I didn’t mind as I was into something interesting on the computer and I could get back to that. 35 minutes later the 2nd person came on and I was as calm as a cucumber. We quietly discussed my problem, and after 20 minutes I was complimenting her on how smart she had to be to figure out my bill and I couldn’t imagine doing her job all day. I even got 3 months of HBO free for my inconvenience, and I’m sure it was not my inconvenience but my niceness that got me that perk.  I almost said, oh no I’m retired I have plenty of time but I stopped. When I got off the phone it was exactly and hour an a half later. When I went back out and told Sean I just got off the phone and everything is fine, and we have HBO free for three months, he said WHAT, you’ve been on the phone that entire time, I can’t believe it, what took so long? When God made time Sean, he made plenty of it and I walked back in the house chuckling to myself. I’m retired and we are retired and it is a good thing to remind ourselves of, it really works except when you see all the things we could be doing in The Villages and there is just not enough time in the day to partake in all that is offered. Now, that is another story.