Snow and Stock Cars

Our 3 day drive to florida turned into a 5 day adventure due to the great Valentine's day blizzard. We left Monday afternoon and drove to Binghampton in an endeavor to avoid the worst of the storm on I88. We awoke to about a foot of snow on the ground and fairly heavy snow falling. We only made it as far as Wilkes-Barre, Pa. when the conditions deteriotated to the point that I could not see the road. We followed a white truck to a Hilton Garden Inn. All but one restaurant was closed and we were able to obtain the last meal they served before closing. The next morning, after cheking TV, Internet, Hotel Desk, and the Department of Transportation; all of whom assurred me that I81 was moving, we headed south. We were able to travel 2 miles before the traffic cam to a stop. There we sat for the next two hours. That day we traveled about 160 miles in 12 hours. Jack-knifed trucks and rough ice covered road all the way. We departed from Winchester, Virginia on Friday morning and drove to Savannah where we spent the night. On Saturday we were able to conclude our trip, arriving around 4pm. Our Florida Villa is everything we expected. It is very secluded sitting on over 6 wooded acres.
Sunday morning at 3:30 am, John and I got up and headed for the Daytona 500. We were the 35th car in the parking lot on the Superstretch. It was a very windy and cold day but we witnessed a terrific race. While waiting for the race to begin we took the tram to the front side of the track where we went to Daytona USA and experienced the new movie, Dale, about Dale Earnhardt. It was a terrific film and kept us warm for a couple of hours.
On Shrove Tuesday we attended the Mardi Gras celebration at the Villages. It was great fun with music, food, costumed folks, and even clowns. Last night we attended Ash Wednesday services at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sunset Harbor. Tonight we will be attending the Orange Blossom Opry.

Retirement: day 1

I was showered this weekend with well wishes, gifts, affection, and prayers as this new adventure begins. My thoughts keep returning to the quote I shared at the party on friday evening. These words are spoken by the title character, Jayber Crow, in the book by Wendell Berry. Jayber is reflecting on his life as a barber in a small Kentucky town.

I am a man who has hoped, in time, that his life, when poured out at the end would say,

"Good-good-good-good" like a gallon jug of the prime local spirit.

I am a man of losses, regrets, and griefs.

I am an old man full of love,

I am a man of faith.