The Woods and a Watercolor

It's late and I'm tired. My husband is already asleep and Diana, a favorite friend visiting this week from Lake Forest is getting ready for bed. I feel compelled to post on my blog before I do the same, but am unsure of what words to write, thoughts to convey or story to tell.

I think about the weather and how lovely it was to be outside today ; To walk in the woods with my friend and feel the fresh pine scented air brush against my skin. My eyes were drawn to the glimmer of the lake as the deep, dark blue water twinkled in the sunlight. Nature's bling. White billowy clouds provided a canopy for earth's changing colors, and gave moments of shade for a hen turkey leading her long line of hatchlings single file acrosss the brush cut land.

This afternoon Diana presented me with one of the water colors she painted. Such a loving gift and so beautiful ! I wrote about this painting in an earlier blog, how I admired it. It is of two women walking together down a country road , not unlike a country road here in north Idaho. It's raining and the pair share a red umbrella. I imagine the two are friends like Diana and me. Friends comfortable together, who talk about things important to each of them; Friends who listen to one another not only with their ears, but with their heart.

Diana's painting now hangs in a prominent place on my dining room wall and is worth more to me than any Picasso, Pissaro or Renoir.

FALL

Summer days end
Fall begins
earth colors change
from shades of green
to a golden hue
Slow to rise
the morning sun
brings daylight
at a later hour;
The air is different
no longer warm
but crisp and cool
better sweathshirt weather
than sleevelessshirt weather
Migrating birds are gone
leaving their summer home
for places far away

The Villages and Time With Dad

For three years my dad and his wife Susie have been talking about The Villages, telling Gary and me about the many activities this Florida retirement community has to offer. We would always listen, nod our heads and say, "Yeah, sounds great". The truth is one can't really imagine the mecca of entertainment this place is until they experience it up close and personal.

Susie often describes it as 'Disneyland for seniors'. I think that's a good analysis. Like Disneyland, everything is pristine and clean; Uniform and orderly. Schedules run on time and proprietors and personnel are cheerful and friendly. Each of the two Village squares has its own theme, and a colorful storybook look a like town built around it.

If they choose to,Villagers can gather in either Square every night of the week and dance to a different band , or attend a live performance at any number of showcase venues like Savannah Center, Church on the Square or Katie Belle's - a western style opera house where Dad and Susie took us to see the talented rock n' roll impersonators Donna Moore and Dunning Shaw. If I hadn't known better I would've sworn I was seeing Captain and Tennille, Sonny and Cher, Elton John, Dolly Parton and Liza Minnelli. My dad has a good time whatever he's doing and always tries to get the most out of the moment. So when Shaw as Rod Stewart grooved and moved around the room and got close to where dad was sitting, he spontaneously threw his leg out and up ; Rod Stewart fell on his knees, grabbed dad's leg and crooned to him in his throaty style voice. The audience loved it ! They were hooting and hollering, cheering dad as he became part of the act. It was great fun.

Another feature The Villages is noted for is its 70 mile golf cart path , a well designed transportation system that allows villagers to easily travel anywhere and everywhere within The Villages. Most residents have their own cart, and many are very unique. Some look like a 1940's Woody, 1920's Model T, or a '57 Chevy; Others a Circus wagon, covered wagon, or lunch wagon. Since I'm not a golfer I had never driven a golf cart before, but dad gave me a quick lesson and off we went , part of the golf cart parade.

Dad also gave me a lesson in how to play Pickleball, my new favorite outdoors game. Pickleball is a simple paddle game, playing a special perforated slow moving ball over a tennis type net, on a badminton sized court. There is a total of 78 courts in The Villages, attesting to the popularity of the game there. We played Table Tennis at a Rec center that looked like a grand hotel , and Bocce. While Gary and I were the big winners in Table Tennis, we were the big losers in Bocce.

Bocce is a precision sport requiring good judgement of distance, both Dad and Susie play this competitive game of skill very well. With their 11 to 4 score , I think Gary and I may have helped boost their confidence as they practice and get ready for the upcoming Mallory Square tournament; I'm sure dad will be mailing us a copy of The Villages Daily Sun newspaper with the headline, "Ron and Susie Bag Bocce Battle with Big Win".

Shannon is Dad's youngest child and doesn't live far from The Villages, which gave my sister and me the chance to spend time together, too. She's a master when it comes to grilling food ; Twice during our visit she worked her magic with hamburger and steak. It was nice for both of us to have some quiet time to catch up on the happenings of our lives. We chatted about jewelry, the Internet and played four handed Cribbage with Gary and Brian, Shannons long time companion. I thought about Kathleen and Shannon; Perfect names for St.Patrick's Day. Two lyrical and lovely Irish songs came to mind, " Where the River Shannon Flows" and "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen". Two good songs, two good names, two good daughters.

Kayaking on Lake Miona the final day of our visit was a big thrill for Gary and me. Dad made reservations for the three of us to join a group from The Villages , take a lesson with Ryan Tolar of Discovery Kayak Tours and do some morning kayaking around the lake. For awhile we weren't sure we'd be able to go as I injured my left knee the night before causing us to forgo the 8 a.m. meeting time. My disappointment ran deep at the thought we might miss this opportunity. It was something we had talked about for days and were all looking forward to.

It was obvious I was in pain, so "Doctor" Dad came into my room with a tube of Ultra Strength Muscle Rub , squirted out a dab and rubbed it over my knee. It reminded of me of when I was a little girl and my beloved Grandpa Cooney would do the same thing if I had fallen and hurt myself . Grandpa would comfort me, dry my tears and always made me feel better. I took an analgesic and slipped on my knee brace. I still had some pain but was determined to go kayaking anyway. And am I glad I did ! Since we got there late, we didn't get to be on the lake as long as we wanted to, but it's not always the quantity, but the quality that counts. Due to our late arrival, we ended up having a private lesson with Ryan. He took extra care in showing us how to sit in the Kayak, use our paddle and maneuver our Kayak . This trip wasn't fast paced or white water kind of stuff, but slow moving and serene, allowing us to gain confidence in our endeavor and enjoy the natural beauty all around. Gary and I have only been home a day and already have contacted a sports outlet here in Coeur d' Alene inquiring about buying a Kayak. For me, kayaking on Lake Miona with dad and my husband was one of the highlights of our holiday ,and I can't wait to do it again.

Our days at The Villages passed way too fast and before we knew it, it was time to go, proving the old adage , " Time passes quickly when you're having fun" to be true. I've lived away from my dad for more years than I'd like to say, so am always grateful for our shared experiences and time together. Being with dad ranks high on my 'Making a Memory' map.

Making a Memory

Susan and I have known each other since first grade when she was a student at Zion Lutheran and I attended St. Rose of Lima. Susan remembers we met on the corner near our schools and began the ritual of walking home together . My recollection is slightly different as I recall we first met when she and her dad gave me a ride to school in their family Station Wagon. No matter. The fact is, we've been close friends for over 50 years sharing youthful adventures and the changing seasons of our lives.

For most of our adult lives we've lived on opposite sides of the country and don't get the opportunity to see each other as often as we'd like, so when my dad and his wife Susie generously arranged for us and our husbands to use their Time Share near Orlando, we jumped at the chance to get together. The adjoining suites provided a perfect get away and allowed us a couple of carefree days to laugh and play and talk, talk, talk.

Being with Ben and Susan on the day of their wedding anniversary was especially sweet for Gary and me. Not only because we love the Heick's, but because I was a bridesmaid in Susan's wedding; My mother even sang at their wedding. It seemed meaningful for us to be with our friends to help commemorate and honor their 38 years of marriage. We made a toast to Susan and Ben telling them they were a darling couple then and are a darling couple now.

Ben has a favorite saying when doing something special with family or friends, a saying I like a lot: " We're making a memory".

"Making a memory" is exactly what the four of us were about , and not just what we did I might add, but how we did it, with lots of joy and laughter. For me, making memories is similar to selecting and adding pieces of material to a patchwork quilt , it adds to the fabric and color of our being.

One night we had dinner at a quaint restaurant in Celebration - a planned community where the architechture and colorful buildings on main street reminded me of Disneyland's Main Street. After enjoying a leisurely meal at an outside table - Susan and I shared an order of fish taco's and a Caeser salad - we took a short walk to an Irish pub for a Bailey's and beer. When we got back to our rooms we changed into our PJ's, popped some corn and turned on the televsion to get our Fox news fix; Agreeing with, and affirming one another in our political beliefs , we talked about the economy and wondered about the future of health care.

Thursday we made a plan and drove to Mt. Dora - about a 50 minute drive from where we were staying. Mt.Dora is truly a little piece of Americana with a strong Florida flavor; I'm so glad Susan suggested we go there. When we bought tickets for a guided tour of the old city, we didn't know we'd be spending an hour riding around in a sweltering hot trolley car. Prespiration dripped down the sides our faces as we fanned ourselves with brochures to help cool us down. Even with all the humidity and heat it was worth it as the guide gave us a good overview of the area. One highlight of our day trip was eating at the highly recommended Goblin's Market. We were told people drive from miles around just to eat there, and I believe they do. The tasty crab cakes on a bed of greens was out of this world delicious.

After lunch Gary and Ben headed for the lobby of what once was a grand lakeside hotel so they could relax and play Cribbage. Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower stayed at the same hotel during their terms in office. The place had a lot of character, but looked as though it had seen better days. Susan and I were more interested in finding treasures at the local antique stores; Knowing we didn't have much time before shops closed we hussled up one block and down another - like mall walkers making their early morning rounds.

Some things time and age don't change; Susan and me talking back and forth a mile a minute about a hundred and one different things, and when together taking turns calling out to each other with excitement in our voice - "Kathy, look at this". Then, a few minutes later, "Susan, over here", just like we did when we were kids.

Cribbage and shopping done, we had one more important stop to make before departing Mt. Dora; The ice cream parlor. We were almost giddy at the prospect of picking a favorite flavor. Susan chose pistachio, Gary had a hot fudge sundae and for Ben and me it was mint chocolate chip. A refreshing way to end a memory making day !

Changes

Change of seasons
change the time
change your story
change your mind
change the clothes you daily wear
change the color of your hair
change your attitude
change your style
Change. Change. Change.
Fred Astaire sang to Ginger
"Change partners and dance with me"
Change of venue
change the menu
change of heart
do impart
Change of address
change of name
nothing ever stays the same

Change can be gradual , slow; Not daily noticed. Change can be sudden and abrupt like death, divorce or a friendship lost. Some say to change is to grow and mature. However,I say too much change changes who we are and what we know to be faithful, honest and true. A little change is good; Change for the sake of change seems foolish.

Seasons

Goodbye to August
hello September
Summer nearly gone
Fall almost here
seasons change
like changing of the guard
passing time
from one to the other
season after season ;
Year after year