Oh yes, I almost forgot I have a blog.......

 One of us has already been here over a week and the other is still trying to figure out where he is when he wakes up at night.    We pulled in last Tuesday evening.   Wednesday was unloading and cleaning the MH and getting it settled into storage and on Thursday, bright and early, he got the last seat out of Montrose and flew back to Connecticut.   ( I would have gone had the flights looked more conducive to pass riding).       He joined other North American Airline crew members to remember a colleague and friend who left all too soon.       He was able to spend time with Andy and Mason and then finally returned to Montrose on Sunday......tired, sneezy and a bit jet-lagged but grateful for a chance to reunite with old friends.  

 I meant to post a couple pics of our time at the Rally......but since that is so far in past history, here's just this one of the wagons round the campsite.   You can see the low clouds and gray conditions.  

 And this is from our drive over the mountains as the snow fell and eventually grew to a few inches
but the road remained wet.  

As soon as we landed in Cobble Creek, I joined an army of dedicated women in getting ready for a lovely English tea in the upper level of the Clubhouse.     Hope West Kids, a division  of Hospice, was the selected charity and two young ladies, all dressed in their finest  spoke eloquently about how the Good Grief Camp and support group had helped them.      I should have taken a pic of the flowers and tea cups and the crowd of women, young and old, in their tea finery.   It was all very lovely and very successful.    Right after this picture, it hailed for 20 minutes.   Luckily, just small bits but did cover the ground.  

 The weather has been wet and cold and the mountains continue to get snow.   The wildflowers should be spectacular when it all melts.    This was our view driving into Montrose.    The days start out chilly but sunny, 40+ and by noon the clouds roll in and the rains start.   But it doesn't stop the golfers or the builders (the place is busy with about 8 new homes going up) .  

It has been very welcoming to come back into the community.    I meet the familiar faces and their dogs on my morning walk and we are greeted warmly wherever we go.   Pickle ball is getting organized, Mah Jongg is growing to 3 tables, Ladie's , Men's and Couple's golf beckons and the hiking group is making big plans for the summer and fall and beyond.....   It's a very dynamic place and one we're glad we discovered.  
And, we have found that Gail and Lee have converted to Plant Based eating.    They are the couple who winter in Belize and moved here from Gunnison along with Buffy, the massive  buffalo head that greets all who enter their home.     She's not sure what she'll do with all the elk they have in the freezer !!    Now, if we can get our on site restaurant to offer some healthier food.......   We did go out the other night to a new Mexican restaurant and they had several items on the menu that fit our way of eating perfectly....oh happy day.!!

I'm enjoying the garden centers and their huge array of familiar flowers.    So good to see the hanging baskets of geranium, million bells, wave petunias, lobelia and the flowering shrubs and trees and hosta.    I have new large pots for the patio and am planning the arrangements.    The hummingbird feeder is up and we see a few.   We still need furniture out there before you can join us for a sunset glass of wine.    Hope you're thinking of stopping by once again.....

Back where we belong......

I'm posting the blog from my phone due to various computer issues.   And not sure I can add pics.  

We enjoyed our time in Denver with the grands and their parents and the dogs and the fish and the birds.  And we joined up with the Colorado Allegro group once again.  Despite cold and rain and generally miserable weather at the State Park, we caught up and made future plans with 18 of us in one coach living room.   Wine helped with the coziness.  

We braved sleet and snow and rain and made the trek westward yesterday.  It was slushy but no ice and the snow made for even more beautiful scenery than usual.  

It's so good to be here once again.   We found a nice welcoming wine basket at the door and it's good to catch up with old and new friends.   Lots of things going on this weekend.     

Talk later.......

Colorado

We did it !     And managed to glide thru the deadly tornado alley with only a few raindrops.    Once we left our  R&R in Alabama, we made tracks and did between 4-500+ miles each day.   ( Memo to Dean and Diane:   We had to maintain our reputation ! )        We saw ONE pronghorn antelope and a lot of cows.    We followed our usual trail and stayed at familiar RV campgrounds.    Aside from too much sitting, it was an uneventful crossing.     And now, we will stop and smell the roses and gaze at the beautiful mountains for a few days before we head over the passes to Montrose once again.

Last night we met the kids at Ted's Mountain Grill.   Ted Turner's vision of responsible and sustainable  environmental programs and his passion to preserve the Bison have been recognized and his restaurants are a testament to do the right thing for the planet.    So, even tho we ordered the delicious veggie burger, I approve of the menu of sustainable beef and bison and not the beef, pork and chicken from those violent and horrific factories.    End of rant.....I almost got carried away for a minute.........

Rolling right along........

We enjoyed our time at Bella Terra but did get out and explore other places to hang our hat, should we come this way again.     Gulf State Park, near Orange Beach, was huge with many amenities.    But the beach was across a busy highway so a car would be helpful.   The gulf beaches are powdery white sand and there are the high rise condos along the beach.    All in all, didn't do much for us.   We spent part of the day, based on a recommendation, over in Fairhope Alabama.    It is on the gulf as well with gorgeous homes,  luxurious landscapes and a lovely town of nice shops and restaurants  and magnificent magnolia trees, now in bloom.   

We decided to leave this morning, closely monitoring the weather.     We knew we'd have rain along the way but we were rather pleased to only have about an hour of heavy rain as we gradually headed 

Northwest. 

   

 Scenery was a non event .....roads were very good, not too much traffic and we finished up our day's 400+ miles in Shreveport.     We are about halfway and it looks like clear weather for the next several days.

Westward Ho.........

The preparations never get any easier but this time we felt more organized.   Despite not having any teenage kids around to do the loading , we managed to get it out of the spaces, into carry bags, out across the yard, up those annoying steps and into their assorted cubbies on the bus......My FITBIT recorded over 11,000 steps on Tuesday and that was without a morning walk.    And because we started organizing on Monday and brought the MH to the house that night, we seemed to have more time....enough so that we had an impromptu Happy Hour on the lanai, followed by dinner with our favorite friends.     AND, neighbors from Montrose were in TV for a family gathering so they joined us and filled us in on the latest Cobble Creek happenings.    A fun bon voyage party.......

We were on the road early Wednesday  morning and easily did our 300 miles to St Andrew's State Park on Panama City Beach Island.     We'd recommend a stop there with your tent or RV.    It's on the barrier island and quite a large park of long needle pines and palmetto.    We had a nice view of the Bay and just a short ride over to the beach.    BUT, this is what the beach looked like.....!   They are reclaiming the sand and the equip was huge and noisy.   We could have walked around it to the area near the jetty but we weren't that into sitting on the beach anyhow so did a quick tour of the area and came home to a cold drink.   

They have a nature trail of interest and a shuttle to Shell Island for more primitive beaching (no facilities except sun and sand and shells).   This large heron on the dock ignored us as he tried to get his wet feathers less disheveled.

 Our campsite was narrow but functional.   I was initially taking a pic of the Pickleball on the antenna when Mr PB himself entered the picture.

And so, this is our new home for 2 nights.     Bella Terra Resort in Foley, Alabama.    If you have the interest and the $$$, you can buy a lot and and build your own amenities on it.    We see casitas, hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, firepits and who knows what else.   The club house looks nice with a large pool and tonight is movie night.     We are close to the gulf beaches and we saw them setting up for a big Art show on the green in town.      We'll explore today and decide on our next direction.     And yes, we are keeping an eagle eye on the weather out there in TX and OK and the plains.    We'll make a dash across when the going looks good.  

Earth Day

We went to try out some golf clubs for ME on Monday.    TV does everything pretty well and their efforts to sell you new golf gear is no exception.     The clubs are displayed in a bright new  facility next to the driving range  with every color and brand and style of club you could imagine.    Well, not sure about the color and style but they had what I was looking for...sort of.     I chatted with a very nice gent about my wishes and expectations and we went to the large open bay with a lovely view so I could try them out for size.    Well, after abusing several clubs and embarrassing myself with a couple wayward shots, he said that maybe I should just stay with what I have.....and go to WALMART !!!!  and get a weighted club and practice with that so I could improve my swing speed and my distance.    What he didn't say was "Lady, you're 72 yrs old, how long are you even going to be able to swing a club ?? ".     Actually, I don't think he was really thinking that since he had a few years on himself as well and he probably would have liked to sell me clubs..... but I certainly appreciate his honesty.       So, I might get a club at Walmart and maybe I'll just get a new golf bag and call it done.   After all, it's all about how you look anyhow.....

Two weeks until we hitch up the horses to the wagon and head on down the road.    I am ready.!!    P has been waxing and fixing and checking and getting the moving house ready to go.    I am filling up the guest room with stuff to put in the moving house.     We'll take about 10 days to get to Denver and I'll be sure and take a picture now and then and share.

About 10 days ago, we went to St Petersburg to view a showing of the PlantPureNation documentary that will open nationwide on July 4th.   As in all the cities that it is being previewed in, they had to move the showing to a larger auditorium in the theatre and many cities have sold out.     If interested, try www.plantpurenation.com and check out the cities where it's showing..    The show highlights efforts to share the amazing affects of eating plant based on small volunteer groups.   Starting out with small groups in NC, the participants agree to eat prepared food, delivered to their homes for 2 weeks.    A medical history and blood work is done at the beginning and repeated at the end.   It's fun to see how delighted and surprised they are at the amazing results.      After repeating these JUMPSTART groups in KY,  an attempt was made to pass a resolution to say that eating a whole food plant based diet was beneficial in avoiding and TREATING certain medical issues.     The KY legislature  rejected it twice and their comments are not their best and brightest moments.    But you realize that they are just trying to stay in office and protecting the lobbyists who keep them there......big agriculture, dairy and big pharma.     It's a sad commentary on our government, at all levels.
When I see the recalls of ice cream and the spread of bird flu in commercial farms and read that some big manufacturers are fearing a drop in sales due to contamination fears,  I enjoy my organic (mostly) plants.
Today is EARTH DAY and knowing that we are doing a very small part to return this planet to good health, makes me happy.      Here's a little something to think about.........
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/moby/moby-meat_b_5889850.html

A perfect number....

Hi again !    Yep, we're still alive and well....haven't starved or withered away and we're still enjoying our new lifestyle.     It's always a new day of experimenting and learning and being encouraged by the energy and well being that we have found.     

We don't go out to eat very often.   Panera is a favorite but their breakfast sandwiches don't work for us.    We could have the oatmeal but we make that everyday at home.  

 

So, yesterday, being a day that called for a celebration, we headed to a local popular NY Deli kind of place.    We both ordered the waffles.    Yep, they probably had milk and eggs in them and maybe oil and sugar and other stuff that we avoid but they were the least offensive things on the menu.    I have to say, our taste buds were sparkling.     We brought our own real maple syrup (warmed even ! ) and the combination of thick crunchy waffle with cold juicy sweet strawberries and warm maple syrup was a delight.   Paul had his with bananas in a rum sauce ( think buttery ! ).    It was a fun indulgence.  

 Word has gotten around so no one sent me chocolate covered donuts  but Sandy sent this perfect Edible Arrangement.   It is huge and I immediately ate the strawberries and some pineapple.   So fresh and crisp....  We are both happy to have a ready snack to munch on.

Speaking of special days.    Yesterday, the number of the day was 72.    12 years ago, when I turned 60 I was in a state of denial and sadness.   I was not happy .   Mostly because I kept thinking that in 10 years I would be SEVENTY and I truly could not handle that thought.    I was not ready to be old and out of touch and probably ill and useless.      If only I'd known then what the next 12 years would bring, I would have been a happy happy me.     To come so close to losing the most amazing and wonderful person in my life , puts everything into a different perspective.    To watch him challenge every dire prediction the Drs could think of and accomplish goals no one could have predicted is just short of a miracle.    It is what the human spirit in conjunction with determination and stubbornness can accomplish.    These years are a huge gift to us and we embrace them and try and make them the very best possible years.    To be active and healthy and happy and in love with each other and our life is a gift we can not take lightly.     Seventy two is a perfect place to be and we embrace it with gratitude and understanding that the years will continue to accumulate and we will continue to do our best to be vibrant and as healthy as possible and to look forward to each and every day.    

Favorite things...........

When did they all grow up???    Lizzie, Alex and Becca ...(.and Aspen.)...are really wonderful young adults and we are so proud of them.   Can't wait to see them soon.  

Healthy eating has been in the news of late.     The 2015 Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee has just issued it's latest recommendation on what Americans should be eating.    They concluded that a diet higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal-based foods is both healthier and better for the environment.  The meat industry is fighting back saying the meat advice is "flawed and nonsensical" and is urging people to protest the new guidelines.  "Hot dog, sausage, bacon and salami lovers throughout the land stand together as Americans in favor of a balanced diet that includes meat and poultry of all kinds."    The book "Whole" tells the truth about the influence of big business in our government policies.

Dr Dean Ornish wrote a strong opinion piece in the NY Times "The Myth of the High Protein Diet"   and John Stewart interviewed the author of "Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, living Longer and Feeling Better Every Day" last night.   The discussion mentioned that going plant based is easier than ever.

On Sunday, we will go to St Petersburg for the sneak peek tour of the movie Plant Pure Nation which will open in July at local theaters.   It's been showing to sold out crowds in other cities.    The authors wrote "The China Study".  

The Masters Golf is on this week and I love watching it.    It is one of the most beautiful settings and yes, I know they discriminate against women and blacks altho there are now a few as members.    We live close enough to watch the Pro's in several of the Florida tournaments but having done that years ago at Pebble Beach and at the Buick Open in Westchester,  I now prefer TV.

I brought a pressure cooker !!    I hope to cook beans and grains in a fraction of the time.    I've never owned one and this one is very high tech and simple ( I hope).    It's  a slow cooker as well.   In my research, they are used to quickly make baked potatoes and sweet potatoes.   ( Guess they aren't really baked.)     Last night I made a "cheese" sauce out of potatoes, onions, carrots, spices and nutritional yeast ( a flaky substance with a  nutty, cheesey flavor ).   I mixed it with brown Jasmine rice and broccoli and Paul gave it an "8".    Tonight, the sauce will be used on baked potatoes.     I'm gradually building up a repertoire of favorite recipes.    

I watched Masterpiece theatre on Sunday night.   "Wolf Hall"  a compilation of the books of Hilary Mandell's, "Wolf Hall" and "Bringing Up the Bodies".   It covers the period of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell and Anne Bolyne.    I thoroughly enjoyed the books but the show comes on at 10 pm and I am fading and we can't record the local channels.    I am a  British history fan but still have moments of figuring out who's who.    Maybe that's why I liked London so much.   Plus, I have British blood flowing thru my veins..

We're sort of planning our summer.    We'd love to see you but put in your reservation now so we can make sure we are not traveling when you decide to come out and climb mountains with us.   (not literally, we'll climb by Jeep ! )    We are thinking of heading to British Columbia and the beautiful Canadian Rockies.  

Perfect week.......

Jennifer and Jeff came and went and it went by much too fast.   They had about perfect golf weather and as it got more hot and humid, they finished up their golfing days and headed back to the rain of the NW.    It was wonderful while it lasted and hope we can see them sooner than later.  

 

 TV is full of happy children for the Easter week and it is busy down here.   It's fun to see the dancing and laughter on the Squares each night as the generations have fun together.

Had my annual physical this week.    The Dr was very pleased with everything and had many questions about how I made the changes.   She said she was on a low carb diet and struggling.   I gave her some websites and told her to watch "Forks Over Knives" and "The Last Heart Attack" .    After she left, the assistant came in and said, " I don't know what you said to her but she's all excited and is writing things down".     So I went to B &N and bought 2 books and left them on her desk.   She may toss them .....but maybe not ......

We get the weekly updates from the Cobble Creek Hiking Club and I read them with envy.    Our friends, Jessica and Lynn, who led the group at Capital Reef, posted several pics of their time in "The Wave" near Kanab Utah.   Stunning.    Wikipedia describes it as a grueling 6 mile hike.    It is only open to 20 hikers a day and is by lottery the day before or by applying 4 months in advance.    It will be much too hot to consider it when we get out there........But I will enjoy Laura's pictures.

Some of you might be familiar with Melody Johnson and her fabulous art work.   She is multi-talented and generous with her advice and techniques.    She is very prolific and offers small art pieces for great prices so I grabbed one last week.    It is 12x12 and I haven't decided if it will stay here or move with us to the mountains.    This is hand dyed cottons.

The calendar  is telling us it's time to start thinking about heading West.    I'm anxious to get back and catch up with everything and everyone.       The mountains are calling my name...

No news......

..........is good news !!       Just to let you all know that we are still out here in blog land.    At this age, you just never know !    But, now that we are enjoying our plants, we plan to be around a bit longer.   I got my labs back the other day.    My lipids are better and heading in the right direction.  The scale is showing very positive results as well as my clothes.     AND, the golf ball is cooperating !

Jeff and Jennifer arrive tomorrow for a week.   It's always fun to have a bit of youth around "The Bubble".   We have tee times and excursions planned.

And now I must continue my eradication of geckos.....one managed to escape INTO the house.   I had a dream that it was on my pillow !  

Spring has sprung.......

So, we are giving golf one more chance to see if we really want to continue to beat up our egos.   I guess the key is playing more than once a month as the game seems to be coming back a bit.   But, at this age, it ain't going to come back very far......

 We had to pause while the residents of this  golf course strolled by on his way to someplace important.     Haven't seen too many wood storks before .....Welcome !!

The pool is finally warm and refreshing.   We are doing the spring clean up and power washing the winter dust off and also eradicating the tiny pesky anoles once again.    Another golf ball punched it's way thru the top of the screening again yesterday and bounced around making a lot of noise.   The Tee boxes are located past those palms but normally, we just get a few rolling into the yard.   The owner must have had an idea where it went as he did not drive over to look for it.    Because we live on a golf course, the law says it's just a hazard of living here and we have no recourse.....not that I would do anything anyhow.   But he could have said "Sorry " !!

Blog alert:    Time for my next lecture  on plant based eating for your learning pleasure.   

I am not a cook and fortunately live with the right man who isn't fussy.    Transitioning to this way of eating has been a challenge.   Some people try and duplicate familiar foods and that is not always successful.    I don't get the need to make fake meat or buy fake meat.     Initially, it might make the transition easier but the taste buds do change and the way you look at food changes and soon, you eat what looks and tastes good.     I'm spending a lot more time and effort to try and come up with healthy and tasty items.    I'm thankful for the web and Facebook groups and several cookbooks that I've studied.   Here are pictures of a couple of successes.  

 Corn bread.    Oil and sugar free.   It has  maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.  No eggs.   The cornmeal is kind of rustic and coarse which I like.    Great warm with honey.
 

 OK, so this is a copycat....called Fettucini alfredo but that's not what it tastes like so I wouldn't name it that.    It's whole wheat fettuccine , broccoli, and a sauce made with cauliflower.    No egg, cheese, dairy or oil.     Very good and even better the next day.

 Every day for lunch we have a delicious green smoothie.    Lots of kale, chard and spinach with an apple, banana and blueberries and cashew milk.   We top it with flax for our omega 3's.  

So then I made rice and beans.....and added corn.    It is delicious.    We eat it as a snack with corn tortilla chips that I bake.   Or add it to burritos made with refried beans, ww tortillas and sometimes onions and red peppers.  

We eat oatmeal every morning, lots of potatoes and veggies and beans and salads.    I made oatmeal, walnut raisin cookies that are a sweet treat ( again, no oil, no dairy, no eggs, no flour etc ).    We eat until we are satisfied.....no counting calories.    We are losing weight but the main thing is that we feel  SO MUCH BETTER....  I want to ask why everyone doesn't eat this way!!    I regret the way I ate for years altho I have never eaten or liked much meat.  
I encourage everyone to watch the CNN special that Dr Sanja Gupta did this fall called "The Last Heart attack".   It's available on youtube and should be required watching.  

OK, enough already........

BUT, if you want any info............................I'm available.  

Florida finally feels like Florida.........

 I'm sorry  all you Northerners but it really is nice down here these days.    In fact, it's a bit too warm for the morning walks and I'm doing some serious brow wiping.    But as the day winds down, sitting out  on the lanai is  delightful and relaxing.

 Lately, we have seen very large flocks of white pelicans.    This is the first year I have noticed them here at all.    Normally, they are over on the coasts, both the brown ones and the white ones.    But this year there are many many flocks.    Watching them come in for a landing, with their substantial wing span, it's hard not to imagine them as airplanes as they hover over the surface right before they settle gently into the water.   This picture does not capture the number of them on the pond.    And straight behind and across the golf course is our house....the one in the middle covered over by palm trees.   I wanted to get closer but couldn't walk on the course so just used the trusty phone from the side walk.  ( You definitely want to keep your golf ball  on this fairway as there is a lot of trouble if you don't ! )

 Today, I met my BFF at the big Mall in Orlando.    This is Susan from Montrose.....just a few doors down from us.    She sent me the snow pics and is my happy hour friend.     She's visiting her kids and I was thrilled that we could meet for lunch and catch up.    I'm getting excited to be heading back there later in April or early May.  ( Yes, I noticed the sign above our heads and it is not an indication of anything !!!!  )

Speaking of food.......this was dinner tonight.   I forgot to rotate the picture so just turn your head.  We  always have a large green salad with everything  imaginable on it .... well, not cucumbers,......Then I cut up these veggies, splashed them with some balsamic and ground pepper and roasted them in a hot oven.    The cauliflower and the brussel sprouts and the onion get very sweet.   There are sweet potato  and purple potatoes and sometimes I add chunks of red, yellow and orange peppers.   I  forgot to  take a picture after they were done.   I'm not a fan of roasted broccoli...prefer it steamed.   My Silpat mat doesn't quite fit the baking sheet.   

And because I can't quit my proselytizing , here's another view of plant based eating. 

We're enjoying the new season of House of Cards.   I want her hair..... 

WFPB

Whole Food Plant Based now describes ME !   A few years ago I thought I was but I was wrong.    I am not a Vegan or a Vegetarian.    I eat whole foods, not processed look- alike foods, but greens, nuts, seeds, beans, fruit, veggies, grains all put together in delicious combinations that result in allowing my body ( in these, my golden years .... ??... why golden? ) to be the best it can be.  
The only downside is that I wish I was smarter many years ago.   I have been wary of meat for a long time but I can't say that the rest of my diet was so healthy.    And the proof has been the growing out of clothes, the achy joints and the need for BP meds and statins ( I can't take them but should).  
We all assume that this is a natural part of growing older and there is always a drug that will manage the next condition.   I see changes in our family as they add on the years and friends who have debilitating chronic conditions and I want to get on the soapbox and share some tools and ideas that might just turn things around.    But I won't................Instead I'll just say that I feel great.    I am walking farther and faster every day.      I have no achy joints.   I sleep soundly.    I have more energy.   I'm happy.    And, in less than 6 weeks, I am down 11 pounds.    We eat very well.....we fill up fast on roasted veggies, delicious chili, huge salads filled with assorted veggies, seeds and nuts and green ( kale, chard, spinach ) smoothies sweetened with a banana, blueberries and an apple.     We use soy or cashew or almond milk.   We eat whole wheat breads and pastas.    We have hummus with flour free crackers or carrots.     One of us has an occasional bite of baked fish.     We are in the infancy stage of learning but it is energizing to see what our bodies will do at this age.    And, we drink wine.     What's not to like about all of this.  
I certainly don't expect my readers to jump on the bandwagon.   Depending on how and what you eat, it is a big change and a commitment but after a week or two, you'll look at food in an entirely different way.    And, by doing your own research, you will see the role of politics, drug companies,  the meat industry and the corn industry in manipulating what we eat.  
Yes, there is nothing worse than a convert..... sorry about that but maybe I've piqued your interest.  

Enjoying the view from afar........

This might be one reason why we spend our days in the land of palm trees and golf and pickle ball....!

Montrose was buried in beautiful snow last night.    The mountains of Colorado and Utah have been lacking in snow and with the depth's measuring in feet, I'm sure everyone is rejoicing.      That house with the high overhang is our house, the tables are at our dear neighbors, Susan and Gary Gray.   I often walked across the golf course with my wine glass for a happy hour.    Susan will be in the area visiting with her children in a week and I sure hope we can chat awhile.  

Weather has finally warmed up and yesterday I got a bit of a glow on the golf course....and it wasn't from playing well.   Hopefully, the cold days are gone for the year and we invite you all down to savor the warmth and thaw out.  

We are very fortunate to be living healthy, active lives but we are frequently faced with friends dealing with declining health, deaths and debilitation.    Intellectually, I knew this would happen some day but  when the reality of it has a name and a face and a history with us, it becomes much too real and difficult.     I remember when Paul was down and out and how vital the calls and notes and encouragement were to me and I try and offer what I can.  

Speaking of health.....I won't preach (even tho I really really want to ) but do watch "Forks Over Knives"....  Netflix or youtube.      I wasn't going to mention this AGAIN, but then decided that it's my blog and I can do what I want.  

Happy Valentine's Day

 We did the southern drive in our usual 2 days.    We couldn't wait to see the temperatures go over 30 degrees and watch the snow slowly fade.       We could tell we had reached Florida when we

saw this sign at a rest stop...... !

 Besides listening to an Audible.com book , we also kept our eyes on WAZE the FREE app that tells you about traffic and hazards and police and slow traffic.    All those little pink blobs are Wazers who can quickly enter traffic info and we are alerted by an icon and a voice alert.   We can then acknowledge it or delete if it's no longer there.    You get points for each time you comment and then get upgraded to a better looking icon or something.    It was even featured on the news the other night.   It was very helpful going thru the NY traffic.   It also acts as a GPS.

It's great to be back home and in the sun but it is coolish and breezy so the sweaters and jeans still feel good.  

This is what I'll be accessorizing with on Valentine's Day, compliments of my DIL Jennifer who said it was a very early BD gift.....It's not something I would splurge on for  myself but aren't those the best gifts.    I'm loving the color and it goes perfectly with my grey hair !!      Thank you Jen !!  

I was going to put a funny ecard at the end of this but the ones I thought were hilarious weren't G rated or even PG ..... I'll have to send them to my favorite Valentine !      Have a fun day with someone you care about !  

Grandparenting is a special privilege.............

It certainly is white and cold and snowy up here.     We got in on Wed night after easy driving.   The next day it was 2 degrees with a wind chill below zero.   We bundled up in thick sox and extra layers and turned up the heat.    Furry throws wrapped around our legs and electric blankets at night have kept us toasty and comfortable.     We are wimps......!

 The COACH never rests !!    Lessons in the basement commenced with drills and a few chairs became a net.

 After dire warnings of the pending THIRD storm, we waited for the white stuff knowing school would be cancelled and the Mall would be crowded.     Freezing rain came during the night and then the fluffy snow finally began falling this morning.     It is so pretty.  And irresistible  to active boys who took advantage of the deep snow and the long hill out back.   So far, P says there is about 4 new inches on top of the previous accumulations.    They came in,  had  hot chocolate and left their wet clothes all over the entry...........some things never change.

Tomorrow we'll pack up and head quickly south............

......providing the parents decide to come home.

Deja vu all over again...................(yes, it's fuzzy but it's as if the scene is right out of the 70's..)

Meandering thoughts.............

Just look at that cute face.......actually cute faces !     Meet Alex's new friend, Aspen, a portuguese water dog, 10 weeks old alongside Roxie, the Princess of the house and 9 years old.     

The Colorado house has always been happy and alive with kids and cats and dogs and birds and fish, and even a bearded dragon and a turtle at one time.    Aspen comes from outstanding stock and may get a chance to show off  all her talent and breeding  as she grows.     It's a fun hobby and I'm sure Alex is up to the task.   I went that route with one of our dog many years ago.   It was fun but also very political once you get into the serious shows.   But they will have the support of the breeders to show them the way.     It sounds like a lot of fun and what a cute ball of fluff (until she grows).   

Otherwise, the days are rolling along and we are gearing up for heading North.....probably between snowfalls.    

FITBIT sent me a new badge for walking the length of Italy !!    I guess if I'd been more diligent when I first got the thing, ( april last year ) I might have  walked  thru Europe by now.    But I'll take the accolades.      The other day I managed to do 6 miles without too much discomfort.    And then today, I struggled getting 3 miles in.    

I received a subpoena a few weeks to go for a deposition yesterday.     Annoying at best.    Drove 45 min to the designated office. Had an appt for 10 am along with about 8 others who all had the same time.    By 11 we were still waiting !.    Finally, I got called in first and answered questions from the Prosecutor and Defense attorney re: an attempted break-in at a neighbor's house.   I happened to see the suspect on the golf course and gave a statement to the police ( I wrote about it last March).  
No one else in the group had seen anything.    The accused is also wanted on other robberies.    I'm really hoping this doesn't go to trial as I suspect I would be called as a witness for the Prosecution.....even tho I can't really identify him, I saw identifying features.

I finished listening to The Martian on my walks.    It's to be movie coming out late in the year with Matt Damon as the astronaut.   It was good.    I'm reading a couple more books.    If you like to explore new books and authors, Amazon has a blog called Omnivoracious which leads me to some interesting choices.
  I'm also delving deeper and deeper into  plant based eating.....again.    When I did it a couple years ago, I felt great.    I'm not sure why I slipped back into old habits but probably just lazy and the lure of Mexican food (altho leave out the meat/cheese and it's a great vegan food )        The weight is coming off , I'm more energetic and sleeping better.    And, I'm noticing that it is going more mainstream with articles on plant based eating in major publications and more and more athletes embracing the lifestyle.    And yes, I get plenty of protein and calcium from what I eat.   One of the best books is "The Forks over Knives Plan".    The movie Forks over Knives on Netflix is impressive.   So, enough of my proselytizing.

Today we are going to play golf !    We've had tee times a couple of times previously and cancelled them for lack of enthusiasm.    I'm giving it one more shot and if I'm not really really good , I'm going to find a new use for my clubs.    

PS:     We played golf, nice day, sun shining, coolish.....didn't play great, didn't play awful.   Will keep clubs for another day.     Had an observer .........

Snow is why old people live in Florida............

 I'm holding my breath and hoping that Jim Cantore doesn't show up in SW Connecticut.    And if he does here's hoping he brings free generators for everyone !!    

This is from the snowfall a couple of days ago.    And then the "guys"  (along with Scout troop 270 of Sandy Hook ) went on a sleep over on the carrier Intrepid in NYC and saw the space shuttle Enterprise up close and personal.    What a wonderful adventure for those kids.

Nothing new down here in the land of sun and fun.    The pickle ball paddles and my fitbit are getting good workouts.    He's moved up to the Intermediate level and I'm gradually getting more and more steps in each day.     I was out feeling proud of my increasing distance (almost 5 miles that morning) when I was passed by this woman of age with her ear buds in and  no sign of sweat or pain on her face.   I struck up a brief conversation and asked how far she walks........ " 6 miles most days but today I'm doing 8 ".....I was crushed.   I rationalized all the way home..... a bit younger, no grey hair, a tiny bit thinner, must have better shoes,  and probably is getting paid for the mileage by some advertiser.    Then I felt better and decided that we all need a challenge.

We're looking forward to heading North once again......back to Connecticut in Feb.    The grandparents will be in charge for a few days...... providing the forecast is for sun and 60 degrees and they've shoveled a path to the door.      Meanwhile back at the ranch, the golf course is OPEN at Cobble Creek and the sun is shining on the mountains.   Ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. !!!

Potpourri

Seriously, I really need to be more aware of my responsibilities as a blogger and occasionally post something...... something catchy and witty and substantial and mysterious and meaningful and ...... oh, forget it.   This is as good as it gets in my brain.  

In my never ending quest to eat healthy, I've perfected the best 'Big Pot" of substantial fixings.     This is what I call chili but it's more than that.     I start with diced tomatoes, add canned corn, beans (lots of beans ), kale, spinach, lots of onion, and taco seasoning.     Then, depending on what I have, I throw in my zucchini or squash or sweet potato noodles, and then quinoa penne pasta....made with just quinoa and corn meal.     It doesn't stay together as it sits for a couple days but it adds a nice hearty substance to the liquid.    You can also use just the quinoa grains or small pasta or brown rice.    I used to make it with ground turkey breast but now that I'm meat-free again, I don't need it and it isn't missed.

Under the Christmas tree this year were these unique bowl/plate combos from Jeff and Jennifer.   They are perfect for just about anything that goes in a bowl.    The plate twists off and the handle on the bowl is very handy.    We use them a lot and especially for the 'chili'....

Speaking of eating and the resulting need to work it off, no matter how healthy the food..... I won this prestigious award after competing in the Workweek Hustle with my blog friend Robbie and a friend of hers.    All courtesy of FiTBIT.     I love that little device and it continues to motivate me to get out  and move.

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I also joined The Villages FITBIT group and out of 20 members (pretty pathetic participation considering there are over 100,000 people here) I am in 9th place after only a couple of days.    The leader averages over 20,000 steps a day !   Sounds a bit like an overachiever or else she's a rambunctious 2 year old.

While I'm out there doing my steps, I am listening to this book.    It has gotten rave reviews on Amazon and Jon and MB liked it.    They said it was pretty scientific, which is an understatement, but I can easily ignore the equation to make water from various elements that the stranded astronaut on Mars has to contend with..... It's also funny.     I enjoy audible books but they are expensive.    I'm on a trial subscription with audible.com and get 2 freebies this month and then they will charge me $14.95 / month for ONE book.    That's not going to happen as long as I remember to cancel after I get my 2nd book.

Cobble Creek came to The Villages this month.    Friends, Sue and Matt ( last seen on the  hiking trails in Capitol Reef NP ) are renting a lovely house down here for 3 months.     We caught up with them at the Square one evening enjoying the high-energy band.    Coach P is also working with all of us to improve our pickle ball game so we can go back to Colorado with enough skills to play without embarrassing ourselves.      Speaking of the Coach, he is in a league and his team is in FIRST place.
AND, absolutely, that is coffee in that Starbucks cup !!!!!

PS:    Thank you for not mentioning the words............ 18, orange, Super Bowl.  

Back where the sun shines.............

What is a blog without content ?    I suspect it is a strong reflection on the author and her procrastination, laziness, lack of creativity and a life that is not blog worthy.   Despite all of this , I do miss chatting with you and reading your comments (few and far between I might add) but I know your'e out there by the stats that I have access to.   I could get more info on you but I prefer not knowing and just presume that I have a following of thousands.   Enough said......

We actually enjoyed driving to Connecticut and back.    We could take stuff and didn't have to work around Jon and MB's schedule for getting to and from the airport.    We could have wandered a bit more but we got anxious to get where we were going and did it in two easy days both ways.    Weather was perfect, traffic was impressive ( especially all those cars heading North out of Florida after New Years .... they were crawling for miles and miles.) and the accidents were limited to fender benders.  (Theirs, not ours ).   So, here's a brief look........

 Saw this painting in a furniture store while MB was trying out sofas....I may have to order it !

.!!/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p79_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=034149SKMT0JMBY2P7RY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1970559082&pf_rd_i=desktop      Here's a fun kitchen gadget.    Makes various sized noodles out of squash, zucchini, carrots, ......   Jon tried a potato and baked it in the oven.....like curly fries.    Put spaghetti sauce on the "zoodles"  and you won't be able to tell it isn't spaghetti !!       I admit to an addiction of bread....not just any bread, but the homemade, crusty warm loaves from Stew Leonards, smothered in butter and SaraBeth's Jam (Oprahs favorite and mine too ).....    I ate a lifetime of carbs and loved every bite.    Now, my chubby little self is paying for it and today the walking shoes and my FITBIT got a good workout.  

On a cold, blustery day, we went to an indoor mini Monster golf place......all in blacklight and loud music....and a big green drooling thing in the corner.    I played golf about as well as I do on the real courses.

All good things come to an end and the huge tree dropped most of it's needles as it was mashed thru the door on it's way to the woods....

Yes, that's Granddad bowling....he hasn't walked the same since.....really !

 
 If you have nothing else to spend your money on, and you like music.....one of us had a birthday to begin the New Year.    We enjoy music of all types and a Sonos system seemed like a good idea.   It's tied into your WIFI and you control it from your phone, iPad or computer.     Right now I am listening to a combo of Queen, ELO and Bach !!    He prefers Adele, Sara Bareilles, a mellower mix.....   The sound quality is excellent.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year.........