Florida Trip: Week Two

It has been a quiet week here in North Central Florida. Wednesday was our warmest day and we drove into Gainesville to take in a Florida Gator baseball game. It was a beautiful evening for baseball and the Gators beat the University of Illinois, 8-1.

Before the game we visited the Baughman Meditation Center on the campus of the University of Florida. It is a beautiful building open to students, faculty, and the public for personal contemplation. Here are a couple of pics of this peaceful place.

Richard and Louise and Rich and Zoe all drove up from Ocala for a visit on Thursday. We ate lunch at Huckleberry's BBQ in Fanning Springs with real southern BBq that is smoked on the premises along with sides of fried okra, fried corn, and mustard greens. Everyone enjoyed the feast. After lunch we took the short drive to the Dakotah Winery for a wine tasting. Everyone left with bottles of wine. This was our second visit and it won't be our last.

Saturday found us driving to Silver Springs Park for a Randy Travis Concert. We sat on the lawn with the two Richard's and Louise and Zoe. The country artist was in fine voice and backed by a terrific band. Temperatures were in the high 60's with a strong breeze. During the concert, John had the opportunity to meet a baby 'gator up close and personal.
Here at the rental, John and I have played a few games of horseshoes, Mary has quilted, I've gone for my daily walks down to the river, Mary and I have played cards, and we've all watched a couple of movies on the tv. It is hard to believe that our time here is half over already.

Florida Trip: Week One

We began our trip south a day later then planned due to a winter storm in the northeast. The delay did not prevent us from driving through rapidly falling snow south of Poughkeepsie and into New Jersey on Friday the 25th. We arrived safely at the home of Karl and Leslie in the early evening. After a tour of the church that Karl serves as Senior Pastor, we had a fantastic dinner at Famous Dave's Barbeque. Our first but certainly not last bbq of the trip. We had a lively discussion and lots of laughs with Karl and Leslie and their daughters, Amanda and Abigail.

Saturday we had an uneventful trip to Florence, SC; then on to Florida and the town of Homossasa to spend the evening with Poker Blugill (Dewey) and his lovely wife, Elizabeth. Sunday morning dawned with bright sunshine and mild temps. Dewey cranked up the pontoon boat and we cruised down the river accompanied by dolphins and manatees. It was very exciting and Dewey and Elizabeth went swimming with the manatees as I spotted for them from the boat. In the afternoon we headed north to our rental here in Old Town, Florida. This house is about 90 miles northeast of where we have stayed the last three years so we have a lot of new territory to explore. Tuesday and Wednesday we began those explorations with trips to the Walmart (the social gathering place for many in this area), pizza at Hungry Howie's, and walks in the neighborhood as well as on the Suncoast Trail.

Dewey and Elizabeth arrived Thursday afternoon and I cooked apricots and chicken for dinner. On Friday we purchased fishing licenses with visions of catching some Suwanee bass but thanks to unusually high water we came up empty. The day was still very enjoyable as we visited two of the local state parks, Manatee and Fanning Springs. Hungry from being outdoors all day, we visited the Black Diamond Restaurant for a great meal. Returning to the house we ended the day with a lively game of Fact or Crap. Dewey won which I think is Crap but it sure was fun.

Saturday morning, Dewey and Elizabeth headed north after sharing a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, over easy eggs, and smoked bacon made by yours truly. An engaging conversation was the perfect accompaniment to the hearty breakfast. Mary, John, and I visited a few flea markets in the afternoon and listened to live bluegrass music in the evening at the Otter River Campground. Five different bands performed old timey gospel and bluegrass.

Today, Sunday, we made the hour drive to Gainesville to attend church. During a hymn I left the sanctuary to find a bathroom and seeing a sign that indicated the restrooms were in the next building, I walked across the court to the indicated building. Upon return I found myself locked out of the church. After about five minutes an usher came into the hallway and I attracted his attention by tapping on the window. I am not quite sure that I would rate this particular congregation as "visitor friendly" but I did enjoy the worship service. We had lunch at the Book Lovers Cafe and the visited the museum at the University of Florida. The highlight of the visit was the butterfly rainforest where we were surround by hundreds of beautiful specimens. I am having trouble downloading pics here but there is a slide show on my facebook page.

The nights have remained quite cool but each day has been warmer then the previous and today we reached 74 degrees.

Heading South

Well...yes...I am ready. Ready to leave the Northeastern United States for five weeks. Florida is on my mind and thankfully the sunshine state appears to be warming up after an unusually cold winter. On my sidebar I have the current temperature for Ballston Lake and for North Central Florida where we will be staying. Today our high was in the 30's and there it reached the 70's. Here we are about to enter our 5th month of winter but in Florida, spring is just around the corner.
Much to do before departing. You know the list. This and that. I have the route all mapped out. A stay with friends in the Philadelphia area, then on to Florence, SC, and then a couple days with Poker Bluegill and his lovely wife in Homossassa where we will say hello to the manatees and Lu the Hippo. Then, finally, to our rental in Old Town, FL. This will be a new rental and a new area for us after three wonderful winter trips to the Ocala area. We will be out in the country surrounded by many state and county parks. They call the area Old Florida to differentiate from the Disneyfied and Condoized parts of Florida.
High on the priority list of tasks to complete is getting the Nissan ready for the trip. All was well, then Friday I stopped to get gas. As I squeezed the pump handle, gas ran out of the tank and down the side of the car. Nursing the pump, squeezing tentatively, I managed to get 3 gallons into the tank. Saturday I had the same experience. Tommorrow morning when the service department opens at the dealer, I will be there waiting. Hopefully they will be able to fix it quickly so that we can leave on schedule.
Tonight I have begun packing. Folding the warm weather clothes and placing them in the suitcase creates one of the best feelings a resident of the Notheast can have in February. For my few faithful readers, I will be blogging along as we travel. 'till then.

Ahhhhh February

"Why, what's the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?"
- William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

As I turn my face to February and my back to January, I anticipate March in Florida.

"Late February, and the air's so balmy snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled into early blooming.
Then, the inevitable blizzard will come, blighting our harbingers of spring, and the numbed yards will
go back undercover. In Florida, it's strawberry season— shortcake, waffles, berries and cream will
be penciled on the coffee shop menus."
- Gail Mazur, The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw

Only the shortest month stands between us and strawberries, grapefruit, and oranges. March in Florida is springtime with blossoming flowers and fresh garden vegetables. Often this month my mind will already be on the journey to the sunshine state. February comes with the promise to not be quite as busy and filled with activities as January was.

My last post, written on New Year's Day, described a lazy and relaxing day that would not be repeated. January was busy, challenging, and filled with activity. One such activity involved Potential Unlimited Productions, an organization which offers artistic and musical training for individuals with disabilities. John has been a "cast member" at "Potential" for many years and I serve on their board. In January they moved to a new facility near Woodstock, New York and I traveled there two days to help clean and paint the new space. I also made a trip to the Syracuse area to attend two meetings involving responsibilities I have with the Upper New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. I continue to serve on the Mission in Transition Team and this year I am serving on the planning team for the Synod Assembly to be held in June. I am coordinating efforts to plan worship for that event. My main priority in January was to design workshops on "Preaching Hope to an Anxious People" which I presented at the First Call Pastors' Event, January 25-28, in Convent Station, New Jersey. This was my fifth year on staff at that important event which offers continuing education for pastors in their first 3 years in parish ministry.

In between the ministry responsibilities I continued weekly Tai Chi classes and added a two week Qi Gong class. Qi Gong (pronounced chee kung) sometimes spelled Chi Kung, is the ancient art of Chinese energy work. Qi (or chi) means energy or life force - Gong (kung) means work. The set I recently learned is called "The Swimming Dragon" and it involves stretching and twisting the whole body. Special Olympic bowling started up again on 1/14 and I am once again serving as a coach to John's team. Spending time with these courageous folks is the highlight of my week. We have a great time together. January ended with a "bang" as John and I attended the musical "Grease" on Saturday and John performed for the second year at the Center for Disability Telethon on Sunday.

Granddaughter, Kaylyn, and I began a four week Improv class this week. We enjoyed the first session very much and are looking forward to the upcoming sessions. John and I have tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters this Sunday, I am helping lead a council retreat later in the month, we have another meeting in Syracuse this Saturday, and it is time to start planning Senior High Camp. I am thankful for a full and rich life as March and my 65^th birthday are on the horizon.

New Year's Day

Just the strangest day for me. I seem to have learned how to relax. Finally. At least for a day. So I began the new decade in my pajamas and stayed in them. Cannot remember ever doing that before as an adult. Ate cereal and blueberries, read the paper, posted photos on the blog, prepared pork and sauerkraut with apples, carrots, onions, and brown sugar and put it all in the crockpot. To my surprise it was 12:30 and I was still in my PJ's....so I took a nap. This afternoon I got dressed, we watched a little football, ate dinner, and watched "Taking Woodstock". A delightful and fun account of the events surrounding the 3 days of peace and music. Until the mouse....not in the movie but running across our living room floor. Where did he come from? Went behind the piano. So we gave chase, went behind the tv, then out a crack under the doorjam. Stuffed it full of steel wool. That'll fix him. Happy New Year!

2009 in Pictures

Clara Rose born 11/25
Sawyer Todd born 6/26

Mary, John, and I in Florida in March

Kaylyn and I at MassMoca

Christmas Eve

Autumn

September in Diamond Point

Noah and Jake

Noah in his pool

Josh taking the plunge

My son...the guitar man

planting the garden with Jena and Jake

John and Noah with me on a hike

waterfall in Vermont

Morgan up a tree

spring at our house

John the rock star

You "nose" it is 2010!!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas

I believe in Christmas.

I believe that God continues to work in my life today through this story of Christ's birth so long ago.

I am a shepherd, startled to hear the good news of the angels, but eager to go and see for myself.

I am Mary, aware that somehow God is using me to accomplish things to big for me to imagine.

I am Joseph, not understanding fully that which God calls me to do, but following as fatihfully as I can.

I am the innkeeper, busy and frazzeld, but making some room, somehow, for God to be born.

I am the Wisemen, on a journey of discovery, bearing my gift to be given to glorify God.

And Yes, I am the angel, proclaiming in my own life, the glorious good news that God has come into the world and we shall never be the same.

I believe in Christmas and with my life, today and throughout the year to come, I will proclaim that Christ is born, that Chrismas is here, that God is with us!

(written by Peter K. Perry, Prescott United Methodist Church; Orescott, AZ)

First Snow

After an unusually warm and balmy November and first week of December, we finally received our first snow of the season. I awoke to blue skies, 23 degrees, and a beautifully decorated snow covered world. These pics are from my morning walk in Shenentaha Park.

When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I will know that I am growing old.-Lady Bird Johnson

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different and if this is not enchantment, where is it to be found?-John Boynton Priestley

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together. -Anon.

Two Days Old

Clara Rose...2 days old

A Week of Thanksliving!

Clara Rose

Clara Rose and PopPop


Big Brother Noah and his little sister just 25 hours old

8 grandchildren. EIGHT grandchildren. When Mary and I married, she 21 and I 22, we knew we would have children. Plural. Certainly two, maybe three, or more. Turned out to be more. Three wonderful daughters, then a son. Later, through adoption, another son. Blessings all. But grandchildren? You don't even think about the possibility. Then your children marry and you begin to think...hey, I could be a grandfather. Eight times! Clara Rose took her time coming into the world. 42 weeks in the womb. Then we got the call from Vermont...6 a.m....Wednesday morning, it looked like she would come into the world later that day. I was needed to watch her soon-to-be big brother, Noah. Had to make some quick decisions. Mary was needed to work at the store on Friday morning...5 a.m.

I didn't know how long I would be needed. So decision made, John and I to Vermont. We arrived just before noon. The call announcing Clara Rose's birth came at five p.m. (except she wasn't Clara Rose yet because they hadn't decided on a name). John, Noah, and I piled into the car and made the hour drive over the mountain from Waitsfield to Middlebury. We met this eighth grandchild, all 9lbs 8oz., with a beautiful head of dark curly hair. After a great visit, everyone except Mom and daughter went to McDonald's for a quick meal. Behind the restaurant was a supermarket. I had brought some food with me to cook for Thanksgiving but I didn't have a Turkey. In the market I was able to purchase an unfrozen 3 lb turkey breast. Joshua returned to his wife and daughter at the hospital and we headed back over the mountain.Clara Rose and her parents arrived home at 6:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day, just a little over 24 hours old. I served brussel sprouts, green beans, yams, and turkey for dinner. Mary hosted two of our daughters, Carla and Sarah, and Sarah's son, Sawyer (our 7th grandchild) and our dear friend, Linda, whose husband, Don, had gone into Hospice Care the day before. They had a fine dinner of turkey, green bean cassarole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatos and gravy, scalloped corn, and pie for dessert.

John and I returned home on Friday. We met Sarah, Sawyer, and Mary in the evening at the Wilton Mall and went to the movies. We saw the film, Blind Side, a wonderful movie based on a true story. It was the perfect film for this holiday weekend as it celebrates the values of family, love, patience, forgiveness, and courage.

This morning I recieved the sad news that Don had died. We prayerfully give thanks for his life, his generosity, his sense of humor, and his friendship.

November Walking

West Coast Chuck, a fellow blogger, got me thinking about the joy of walking in November here in the great northeast. We have experienced an unusual run of sunny and warm weather this November, ideal for raking leaves, biking, walking and hiking. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote; I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

These are photos I took while on a recent walk in Saratoga State Park.
I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape-the lonliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

Andrew Wyeth

Halloween

Grandson, Sawyer, is really "into" the whole pumpkin thing.

John is channeling Michael Jackson for Halloween.

Sand Artist

I have seen some videos of sand artists at work before but none of the presentations were as powerful as this one. She tells a powerful story in a very dramatic way. Click here.

Our own Piano Man

I am excited to be able to share this video on youtube of our son, John, performing this past January on a telethon for The Center for the Disabled. Click on this link and enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9QNLOxzjKc

Autumn Prelude

The calendar tells me that Autumn is still two days away yet the signs are all around me. The leaves are beginning to change and tonight will be in the 30's. The acorn squash and the green and red peppers hang heavy in the garden. I've started digging carrots. Orange and plump and sweet to the taste.
The seasonal change nudges me to change my approach to this blog. To write more often. Thank you to those who have said they've missed it. In the midst of a busy summer it has been low on my priorities.
I heard some fellas talking the other day about approaching retirement and their fear that they would be bored. I can honestly say that I haven't once experienced boredom since retirement. My life is rich with family and challenging experiences.
I am thankful for that. Worked at the Habitat Build this week. Will preach tomorrow. Renovating John's TV room upstairs. New carpet, new paint, new futon, and new TV. John calls it his "man cave". Celebrated John's 23rd birthday on Thursday. Family gathered at Friendly's for supper and ice cream. Earlier in the day we played mini-golf and bowled. John smiled all day. Have spent many hours searching on the Internet for a place to rent in Florida this winter as our earlier plans fell through. Late Thursday evening I found the perfect place for us. And it is available the month of March. It has a separate bedroom and bath for John that will be large enough to accommodate his keyboard. The house is in a region of Florida that we have not yet explored. We are looking forward to the adventure.
That's the key I think. Always have something to look forward to. Family times, challenging work, projects at the house, trips both large and small. Tomorrow we will pray a prayer I found; "Supreme Artist, we praise you for Autumn, a season of humbling and liberating beauty, the grand finale of the year."

76 Trombones

Westcoast Chuck posted this on his face book and it gave me great joy to watch. Click here and I guarantee it will make you smile.

being PopPop!

Sawyer Todd Mraz, our seventh grandchild was born yesterday, June 30, at 10:18 a.m. weighing 7 lb 6 oz and 21" tall. Our grandchildren now range in age from 0ne day to 16 years old. They all call me PopPop. Of all my titles; Reverend, Pastor, etc., this one carries the most responsibility and honor. I am silly with the young ones and funny with the teenagers. I visit museums with Kaylyn (16), play golf with Brendan (14), attend Morgan's (6) dance recitals and soccer games, go on hikes in the woods with Noah (5), mow the grass and work in the garden with Jacob (5), push Jena (2) in her stroller, and hold Sawyer in my arms. I read books outloud and make up stories, chase lightening bugs, prepare chocolate chip pancakes, have tea parties, and make the "tickle monster" come alive. Most of all.....I simply try to "be there". To be truly present in ways that I failed to do for my children. That is the gift of this season of life; to be free to choose how we spend our time more wisely. And so I am available to have lunch, pick someone up at school, take one to an appointment, go to a play or a movie, bowling, etc. You see, nothing very dramatic, not life changing or saving, certainly not memorable by themselves but the sum total of the activities together build the memories of growing up with PopPop. Morgan, Jena, and Jacob

Brendan and I

Noah

On Monday, Kaylyn and I spent a marvelous day together. We drove on route 2 over the mountain to North Adams, Mass. to visit Mass Moca, a huge museum of contemporary art.