JUST BEFORE LEAVING FLORIDA AFTER THE WINTER SEASON.

 April before the 15th - - -

I should have done this Blog before the Ohio one.  Just some notes about activities in Florida. I do have pictures to share in this one.

Gary had a One-Man Art Show in Avon Park, Florida beginning April 1st.  It was to have been a one month show, but the 24th we cut it short so we could head north.  

The art directly on the walls is that of an artist that the Gallery is named for, Peter Powell Roberts..  Gary's work is on a few easels and all of the tables.  

He did sell two of his drawings which made him happy!!  While he visited with his guests, I took care of the refreshment table.  We had a few gallons of drink left over so we stopped by the church we attend and left it in the fridge for the youth groups.  

When we told the youth pastor Sunday that it was there for his youth groups, he was thrilled.  He told me we could over spend any time we want!!  

The SKP park had a group of 40 attend a tour of the RR Museum and lunch in a RR dining car in Avon Park the week before the Art Show.  It was very interesting as they narrated the stories of the beginning of the railroad in that part of Florida.  And the lunch was wonderful!!  And the lunch room lovely and very cozy.  

RR car turned into a Dining car.

Waitress staff
The lady on your right was the
lady with the stories.  And one of the
stories was about Babe Ruth. 

Good friends , Jan and Skip sitting across from us.
They are from southwestern Ohio.

Back at the Park, they are playing chair volley
ball in the Clubhouse, where they were not 
supposed to lift their seats from the chairs!
It looked to be a very fun game!!
The ball is difficult to see because of it's
color.  Hope they change colors before next
season.  

Another couple, Jane and Bob, in the park
are from northeast Ohio.  

At the park we were also serenaded by a new
band. This group just began with both new and 
experienced ukulele players.  They were good!!

We got our share of music because friends who were not able to use their tickets for one of the shows at the Central Florida State College, shared by giving those tickets to us.  We got to enjoy two of those shows and have decided that we will get season tickets for the next season of shows there.

This next show was twin brothers who were quite talented.  They quite often play in Las Vegas.

This twin played and sang the theme song for "Godfather"

I can't put my hands on the program for the show,
So will keep looking and will insert that when
I run across that info.  

   His twin brother shared his Kermit the Frog act

   with us and he did several songs of other famous

   singers, including Cher.  We weren't quite as awed       by his act.  (Gary said, "poke his mind's eye out

   with a stick"),  but it really was not that bad!!

   

In the mean time, Gary continued to add to the interior of the travel trailer which became our new home.  As you can see the closets on each side of our bed were so narrow that he built a clothes rack that could be in the extra room.  It was formerly a bunk room which he turned into a computer and art room.  What do they say, "Hind sight is always 20/20? So I imagine that we could have achieved better had we bought a different trailer. But we are making do.  It will keep us out of the snow in the north!!  

This cabinet that he put shelves in,
was originally where the bunk ladder
was.  That bunk above has quickly 
become storage for many things.

Suppose we could get rid of some clothes??  But we managed to buy a few more when in South Carolina!  I really should not blame this on Gary as it is mostly me.  But when you can get tops for $1. - - -  A thrift in Ohio became a source of shorts for me.  I had been looking for them for several years as all I had were becoming quite raggedy!!  Now I have three new pair at $3. each.  If I could only find that again!!

Mine on top rack and Gary's plus
sweat shirt/jackets on bottom rack.

Hope you've enjoyed the stories of our capers!!!  Stay tuned!!

OHIO SUMMER BEGINS !!

Behind again!!                                                                                                 May 23, 2023

We are finally settling in at the condo in Ohio.  Our motor home having been sold before we began our trip north, made it necessary to be in the condo for the summer.  I imagine that Victor doesn't relish being crowded, but he's not complaining.  We are living by his schedule because of his work hours, but we are adjusting.  He is still looking for his own home, but it will take time.  The house industry is changing all the time.

Vic will soon be going to Minnesota to visit Ben  so our schedule then will be our own for a week. I can sit up late and read!! And we can tear apart closets to clean and maybe get rid of stuff.  

We were quickly reminded that we had a plumbing problem at the bathtub and shower, so some of our first calls were to plumbers.  After two days of repair work and clean-up of flooding from pipes, we now have a very easy on and off control for the tub and shower!  We are so happy!  We had almost forgotten the need, though Vic had informed us.  And our social life can now move on.

We've also been to church in Salem and were greeted by our friends there.  And we've been out with our closest friends at least once and with family.  We are ready for the summer holidays, so bring it on!! Gary even stopped out at the park we stayed in last summer to say "Hi" to our RVing friends, Bill and Jane.  They come north for the summer also.  

On our trip north we stopped in Lexington SC to visit with friends there. 

Sandy, Audrey, Gary, Johnny and Mary

Mary and Johnny were gearing up for trips they have planned for their summer, but we did get to make a trip to Sheely's Buffet with them and our other dear friend, Sandy.  After a few more days together with Sandy for church, and thrift shopping and great fellowship, we traveled on the rest of the way to Ohio.  It was a little colder there than we had expected, so our thrift shopping was geared to getting jeans and jackets.  It was a good thing as Ohio wasn't any warmer.  

"Sandy, thank you so-o much for putting us up for those few days.  We'll stop again, you can be sure!! 

After arriving back in Boardman, I reunited with a Florida TOPS friend,  Alice, and joined her at her TOPS chapter in Cornersburg near us.  She moved back here to live with her daughter and this will give me a closer to home chapter too.  It will be better for me any time that I have to be here during the fall and winter.  It will save me from driving to Salem at night and in rain. 

Now the ladies here at the condo are out lying in the 85 degree water in the pool.  They are happy!!  But the air is not 85!! 

But I'd rather have the views of the flowers.  The Red petunias on our balcony are Mother's Day from our daughter-in-law.  The other flower bed is just out a little from our balcony.  The lady who takes care of the flowers around our condo building does an awesome job!!!!  I'm so glad to have this view and all pictures of flowers that are out around the pool.  

I keep forgetting to have pictures taken when we are out, so I've not much to show you.  I will try to do better with that.

Gary has found food so he is feeding his face and watching TV.  And I am getting hungry so I know it is noon at least.  Actually Gary is the best time clock when it comes to meal time!!

We are hearing from our Florida SKP friends as they are also traveling for the summer.  One couple is going to be leaving soon for a 274 day world cruise.  We envy them that, but maybe we can get in a very short cruise closer to home here.  

We did have a day visit in Amish country here at Mt. Hope, Ohio, to connect with four of our Florida friends.  One couple was visiting with some of their family near Columbus and the other couple lives in Willoughby, Ohio when not in Florida.  Great visit you-all!!

Take care now and bring on the summer!!  I will update you sooner.  Love to you all.