I love a new toy....

This is a test.   I'm using the Blogger app on my new phone.    It's a bit of a challenge.

Getting the pics in the order I want seems to be an exercise in futility.I've had the big iPhone 6 Plus for about 3 days and having fun figuring out the new features.  It is big.  But seems to be similar to the larger Samsungs.

I appreciate that this was a totally extravagant purchase.   Someone suggested that I could get this or some sparklies for our pending 51st.   It wasn't a hard choice.  

We're heading out tomorrow to say thanks for a great family.  

 I'm not taking a computer or camera  but I'm thinking that this pretty (as in pleasing to the touch and eyes) amazing device can do it all.   I think it's up to the challenge

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday with those you love.  

If appliances had eyes.............

Life is good.....  but it's not really blog worthy of late.    No beautiful mountains or golden aspens to show.    Yes, there are some pretty flowers but I'd have to change the lens to get a decent macro shot and I'm still busy fighting the gecko war....one thing at a time.     

Jon captured  a frosty sunrise in Connecticut.

 The man of the house  is down and out with a head cold.    I made a trip to our NY deli to pick up some  hearty Jewish mother's  chicken soup for him.    He is feeling better so it must have been worth the trip.    
We've always read how world class athletes often train at higher altitude in order to increase  their red blood cells to carry more oxygen.    I think it has worked for us as well.     I am walking farther and farther with less effort and climbing the hills on the golf courses is much easier than I remember.    He said that he noticed he had more stamina at pickleball.    I'm not sure how long the effect lasts but we are appreciating those extra RBC's.

I have walked most everyday since we got back and I use Runkeeper on my phone to keep track of the distance and pace.    It also has  a little map of my route....so I can find my way home I think.    Today, I did 4.86 mi in 100% humidity .    Very uncomfortable and then the front met the cold air of tomorrow and we had some serious storms and warnings.    Today it was 83 and tomorrow it is to be in the 30's in the morning.      

 I am still using my FITBIT which is a great motivator.     It gives me awards and smiley faces and calls me champ when I accomplish more than usual.   I have worn it daily since I got it about 8 months ago.    I'm not sure how it measures going up stairs.....we just have small hills here and no stairs so I discount that item.
My goal is 10,000 steps per day and I have reached 15,000 on occasion.    It makes me happy.  I read a blog of a younger (40ish) woman with kids who walks 15,000 a day but then, she IS a bit younger so I feel OK about my stats.          My mother walked .... and gardened.    I only walk and the plants have to fend for themselves.

I was searching thru the archives and found this GoPro video that Jon made awhile back......  Oops....it appears that the video won't open on my phone or iPad.....but works on the computer.

War…...

Houses don't do well when left alone.   They must get lonely and invite guests in from the outside.    Ask us how we know !!!!

The first sign was little droppings at the base of a picture and a mirror…..then there was the very desiccated frog under a piece of furniture.    And then, there was the very much alive large GECKO viewing the world from the wicker rocking chair…..inside .     I'm rather used to the quick nimble -footed lizards outside.    They are good at popping out when you least expect them.    They are good at catching insects and apparently, very prolific breeders.     But, I draw the line when they come inside.    I suspect they came in with the house-watchers….if a door was left open a crack, they will scurry in.   I have no idea where the frog came from.   I've heard of the geckos hanging out behind a frame, be it a mirror or picture and I think that's how we had the droppings below…..ugh !       The rocking chair got moved hastily outside , with Mr Gecko riding along.     The floors got a good cleaning and inspection and nothing else was found.      

As usual, the lanai was needing a good power washing.    At least twice a year, we tackle that ordeal.    I managed to annihilate a few with the power washer.     This year, there seems to be a large number of small ones…..less than an inch in size.   And I certainly don't want them growing to adult hood in my space.    So, today I resorted to my tried and true method of gecko extermination…….the old vacuum with the bag and long wand.     I can sneak up them and suck them up in a flash…..no hideout is safe from my eyes.    Last year I estimated that I scooped up about 35 in two days.    Today, I probably got 7 or 8 and I know of a couple more that evaded me.     I'll go on patrol again tomorrow.       Neighbors with cats don't have a problem……I prefer a vacuum.      

The weather is ideal right now and it would be lovely to open the french doors to the lanai and enjoy the breezes and views……but I'm not even tempted.   

I was out on an early walk this morning and saw myself  projected up the street……I love my Fitbit and I managed to meet my 10,000 step goal  for the day by 8:30.     It's very green and lush down here and the delightfully blue plumbago is in full bloom along with assorted colors of hibiscus.    

Other than waging a war and playing bad golf, there isn't much going on and that's just fine.   

Over the rivers and thru the woods…..

We said 'see you later'  to our favorite places and peoples and headed East.    It took us 8 days to traverse Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Georgia and into Florida.     We stopped in Denver to catch up with Lizzie and Becca and their parents.   We stopped an extra day near St Louis to let the winds blow and the snow fall ahead of us.    We stopped in Lexington to see Lillie (who has no idea how much her world will change when baby sister Nina arrives in a couple of weeks) and a good visit with Jan and Curt.   We stopped in Gaffney, SC for the annual maintenance on the Freightliner chassis and to visit with cousin Kathy and Paul's 99 year young Aunt Dorothy, so spry and involved.      We mustered our old selves and drove almost 600 miles in order to watch the beautiful moon rise over the house last night.   It is good to be home again…...