The culprit.........

 It's the  caliper and yes, it can be a source of fire and damage.       We have sensors on the tires to give us feedback as to tire pressure and temperature.   It is part of our checklist to note the numbers.    It also has a warning sound if either of those parameters changes slowly or rapidly.    On departure day, the batteries were dead so the decision was made to go on ahead and buy replacements at our destination ........................................................!!!!!    Good choice, Bad choice???  Actually, it  wouldn't have changed the outcome but we might have had some earlier warning on temperature and pulled over before the panic mode set in.    But we still would have needed the tow and repair.    Yes, the batteries are now replaced and we will be very alert on our next outing.    Dean and Diane have had this happen twice !! and it was a defect and there was a recall on their calipers.  I would feel better if the other ones were replaced but know that won't happen.  

So, we remain at Lazy Days.    They need to order the part ( wouldn't you think that in a place of this size, they'd have one on the shelf ?  ) and then reschedule to put it back together so it will be the rest of the week before we can take it home.     We are debating whether to stay or go home.   It is very comfortable here with complimentary meals and Happy Hour  ( the chardonnay tasted like battery acid tho....)  Tomorrow is the HUGE RV show right down the road.    Since we were just at the big one in Hershey last summer and since we have a new MH, we don't feel a strong need to go .....  there are also seminars offered here every day on every imaginable subject related to RVing so that could fill the hours....plus the beautiful beaches are just down the road and we've never really explored this popular tourist area......but then there's the golf and pickleball at home and the getting ready for the BIG trip.   We'll have to flip a coin............. 

We are disappointed that we won't meet up with Mark and Annette in Naples but later in Feb we hope to try again.    And, the timing of this failure was much better than on some more organized trip.    And we know what to be aware of  in the future.     Jeremy , the hefty tow guy, offered that he'd rather tow a garbage truck in the rain at midnight than tow a big RV....said they are just too delicate.   Hopefully, we won't meet him again but we know he's out there waiting for us if we do.

It's never a good sign............

......when the tow truck pulls up in front of your MH on the interstate......!

We were about an hour from home, merrily moving down the highway.    Then, the steering wheel started vibrating and we noted a strong smell of something burning.    Fortunately, within a few scary  seconds we were off on the side of the very busy Interstate and stopped.   We have read really bad stories of fires in wheels, resulting in tragedies and total destruction.   I had the fire extinguisher in hand as we stopped and hopped out to look for the source of the smoke/fire or whatever it was.    I saw nothing but the acrid smell was strong and coming from the Lt Front tire area.    That side was the one next to very heavy traffic, so P was very cautious about sticking body parts too far out.    The wheel cover was dangerously hot to the touch.    After deciding there was no fire, we  re-entered the coach and made a phone call to the company ( like AAA ) to come and help us out.    And so, Jeremy and his heavy duty tow truck showed up  and towed the MH down the road as we followed in the car.    

There were guesses as to the nature of the problem but it seems centered around the brake.   And so, he brought us to Lazy Days, the huge RV sales and service company near Tampa where we bought the coach.    Early Monday morning, we'll hope they can diagnose and treat the problem and get us back on the road.   It's very very busy down here so not optimistic that anything will be done quickly.    But, since we are a member of the Crown Club , because we bought a  certain model of RV, we get free camping and meals at the Club....and a pool.   When we were pulled in, a small group gathered because really, how often do you see one of these big rigs being towed ?    One guy said his friend had to be towed 30 miles and it cost $1500 !!
We don't feel too bad tho.....it could have been worse.      Everything is covered by warranty, we are only 90 min from home if we have to leave it, and we had plans that are easily changed.......And the weather is lovely and we aren't in the middle of Wyoming.        So, we'll hang around tomorrow until they decide what and when and do some exploring and just relax.

Actually, there is one black spot on the whole thing.....I had plans to wear my Broncos shirt proudly on this trip....... !

Game Day.......

I started the day with an early morning walk thru the thick fog.   It was pretty but I was cautious navigating crosswalks because these old people don't see well even on sunny days and I don't trust any of them in a moving vehicle.     Near the house, the sun was trying to burn off the dampness.    

 We're loading up and heading out in the morning.    But first, our attention is directed at the BIG game.

Broncoman is upright, the tee shirt is on and we sit in our A/C while the Denver fans shiver in 7 degrees.     We're optimistic but not saying that too loud...........UPDATE:   It is tied at the half and I am taking back any optimism that I had and trying all the good karma tricks I know......

We're heading over to Sanibel Island tomorrow for some sun and surf.   We'll take you along........

UPDATED UPDATE............................................................say it isn't  so !!

Excited.......

At the last minute, (because we always do things at the last minute) we checked to see if we could join a tour to Costa Rica.     Alas, the tour deadline was in OCTOBER and because we sat on our thumbs, they had given away the hotel rooms and there was no room at the inn.    

Until this morning.... while I was winding my way thru the aisles of Publix.... I got a phone call saying they did have room and we could come along after all...!!!    So on February 1st , we will spend 10 days on an Art and PhotographyTour.   If you want more details, click on the link and click on Art Tours at the top.  (Lynne, I think they can squeeze you in....Vermont is too cold anyway!)    I took botanical art lessons a decade ago from Mindy at the NY Botanical Gardens.   Ever since, I have looked at nature with a new eye and have tried to capture our world with pencil and a camera.    I have wanted to do this  each year it is offered but always managed to find a reason not to.......But now, there's no more wanting.........we are going !!   Paul is equally enthused as it is not just  for artists and we will see a varied view of the country.    ( Clarification:    I am NOT an artist. )

So, February is about full.   When we get back, it is just a couple of days until Andy and Mason come down and when they leave, we head to the Keys in the MH.

Otherwise, life on the lanai is busy with bad golf (me), great pickle ball (him) and good friends.  

Planning......

...... our next year.    We don't normally plan anything more than a few hours ahead of time.....Most of the time it works out OK but occasionally,  like this week, we are disappointed when we can't do something at the last moment.     There is a glimmer of hope that it still might work out but we are not optimistic : (       

Anyhow, we are trying to look at the next year and schedule our life around known events coming up.     We have graduations in May and December.    There is a big wedding in November that we can't miss and we especially need to give ourselves a nice treat to remember  50 years ago.     Andy and Mason will come visiting in February.    We have Florida get-aways in the MH in the next two months and then escape from the heat in May.    Should we head east, west, or north this year ?    We'll end up at the Balloon Fiesta again in October but what trail will we find before that ?    

The days are still quite nice down here with occasional bursts of 80 degrees.    We need rain but not on golf days.     Come on down, the water's warm !!

A day in the life of a ........

SEVENTY year old.     Yes, one of us has tipped over into another decade.  !!   And the other isn't far behind.    To prove that we are still very much alive and well,  we headed out to the explore the 

 Withlacoochee Trail.    A former railbed, this flat wide trail winds 46 miles thru central Florida.   We did not manage that many miles but did meander along enjoying the perfect day and the view from a walkway carved into the swamp of bald cypress and spanish moss.   In this particular section of the long trail, there is signage to help identify the birds and trees and tell us that we are following in the footsteps of the Spanish Explorer DeSoto , some 500 years earlier.

And to celebrate the day and the accomplishment, we had a picnic of delicious PB&J's.    The wine came later !!
We stayed home this year for the holidays but welcomed Jeff and Jennifer.    They came down, played some golf, went to Key West, got sunburned, came back and played more golf.     And , I didn't take a single picture of them!    I find that hard to believe but I have nothing to post to prove their existence in Florida.     They took pictures so I'll have to hope they read this and forward one to me so I can show you how good looking they are !!
2012 was a great year for us and we plan to continue doing whatever it is that made it so................

Peace, Love and Joy to you all.......

Wishing all of our dear family and friends a joyous Christmas filled with the spirit of love and kindness.     

There are no words........

The heartbreak and horror of today in our beautiful hometown  is beyond comprehension.    Our hearts are heavy and sad.    Andy and Mason attend a nearby school and we are so very thankful that they are home safe tonight.  

Rambling......

I think I mentioned this favorite kitchen tool once before , or maybe not......can't remember that far back.    Anyhow, this Blendtec blender will grind up your golf balls, your avocado, including the pit and probably your favorite shoe in case you wanted to make a smoothy out of it.     I use it most days for delicious nutritious enriched tasty smoothies.     Everything not made of metal is susceptible to being  smooched.    Most days it is fruit ( a good way to get rid of ripe bananas or less than perfect strawberries), acai juice, flax seeds, protein powder, veggies and always greens....spinach, kale.    Sometimes it needs a bit of blue agave syrup to sweeten it up a tad if I've put too many tart things...tomatoes really sap the sweetness out.      

 I make enough for two and he never wants to know what's in them.....and sometimes an opaque glass and straw are best to avoid the unappetizing color....but they always taste great.    I've also made delicious squash soups and if you keep it blending long enough, it will heat the soup.    This little item is pricey but will take care of all those things in the refrig drawer that are long last their prime.  


After coming back to the homestead from our  prolonged stay-away, the yard sadly suffered from lack of attention.    We had a lawn service for mowing and trimming but they obviously didn't earn their pay once we were gone.     So they are gone and we are looking into another.    And, then the delightful little (and I mean REALLY little) ghost ants decided to drop by.     They are called that because of their whitish color and the fact that they appear out of nowhere with no apparent access.    Our pest service is excellent about dropping by as soon as I call to assess and take care of the beasties  (ants are all we've ever had and if anything else came to visit, I would have to move out).
These appeared near the sofa and I had a few crawling on me....not being very visible, I just FELT like things were crawling on me.........

finally realizing that they were !!   I even took two with me to my PT session ......    They don't spray for them and instead use sugar traps...so it takes a few days.... I saw one last night but hoping it is the last of his tribe.   

Speaking of PT...  I had my last session on Friday and see the Dr tomorrow.   Hopefully, he will clear me for normal activities.    We have started taking Pickleball lessons and altho I am careful to not do anything to aggravate it,  I'm not about to try golf until I'm cleared.    P has really taken to PB.   It is played on a court smaller than a tennis court, using a large wooden paddle and a wiffle ball.   It is almost as popular as golf down here.    Considering he was in ICU 7 years ago, his ability to try this is amazing and he's already better than me.......for now.  

We did make an effort to put up some outside decor for the Holiday.    I doubt we'll put up a tree inside or float Christmas balls in the pool or have cookies and milk for Santa.    But the outside does look nice and it took minimal work....my kind of decorating.

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

Important stuff first..............one more useless time waster that I've found is Word with Friends.    I'm not alone in spending the $2.99 for this app. , nor the only one spending waaayyy too much time dreaming up ways to trump MaryBeth and Jon.     But they managed to gang up on me and I fell to defeat with this one benign word, placed just right for  105 points !!!!     It was painful......

 A couple of years ago, we were there for the choosing and cutting of the Christmas tree.   It was rainy and cold.   This year was only a tad better so we opted to keep the home fires burning while they tromped thru the forest of pines to find the perfect one.     While waiting for it to settle and dry out , the boys decorated this smaller one for the big window.  

Only one ornament fell off.....and didn't break.  

We got home late late last night after a 4 hour flight delay.   First the plane broke, then we changed gates for another plane and then we had no crew.    We were not optimistic that we would ever get out of Newark.    After eating a delicious roasted vegetable wrap, we finally boarded and then  napped as we hurried South.

Florida is so sunny and bright and warm....   and colorful.     But it lacks rambunctious little boys.