Mon - 23 Jan/17

The storm system has passed leaving things a lot cooler this cloudy morning. A sweater is still required at 8:30 a.m. because of the strong wind.

Charlotte insisted on walking to the Craft Room this morning because of the refreshing temps.

I remained at the motorhome and set about doing odd jobs while I listened to a “Harry Bosch” series Audible Book: “Trunk Music” by Michael Connelly.

-          Refilled the Keurig storage tank with water.

-          Dumped the Black Water (Sewage)

-          Checked all car fluid levels.

-          Put a car key in the RV Key Safe

-          Replaced batteries in the Weather Radio

-          Repaired the Weather Radio antenna

-          Updated “Concert” Database

-          Made Spaghetti Sauce and cooked the Spaghetti

-          Set the table for lunch

Then it was time to pick up Charlotte at the Craft Room.

 

The ladies were having a fun time working on the intricate “Canada 150^th” pattern. They are doing a great job.

Lunch was comfort food on a cold day.

The blustery weather made up our mind. We would just relax today. It was just TV and rest all day.  

We got in several phone calls throughout the day. One was a birthday call to a best friend back home. It was to give “Best Wishes”. It was a mixed blessing: it reminded us that we missed them but; not the cold weather.

We also discovered we needed the rest because we both had a nap.

 

The “Fireplace” was on for the first time in weeks – just to take the dampness out of the air.

We ended with the usual TV evening while playing Quirkle.  

Sun - 22 Jan/17

Shucks - no rain last night. Today started off like a normal day except for extra strong bursts of wind and more clouds; but still 80 F.

The short session of stormy should start in late afternoon and be gone by 10 p.m.

The Strawberry-Banana bread we purchased at Brownwood Colonial Days yesterday was excellent. We shared it in bed while watching CBS Sunday Morning.

We did a lot of nothing until it was time to head to the Orange Blossom Opry for the afternoon (2:30 p.m.) Bobby Bare show. The remaining few seats available when we arrived were soon filled. Again, the Opry was a sellout.

We went to hear our favourite Bobby Bare songs: Detroit City, 500 Miles Away From Home, All American Boy (He released this under his stage name at the time: Bill Parsons - which he didn't sing), Four Strong Winds (written by his Calgary Canada friend Ian Tyson) and Drop Kick Me Jesus (on President Bill Clinton's Favourite list).

Bobby sang several other hits that the audience (not us) knew well. It was a great show. Bobby was quite funny throughout the show. It is hard to believe he first came on the music scene in the '50's and he now is in his 80's. He still has a strong voice.

We headed back to OMS supper and arrived there at 5:30 p.m. We finished the leftover fajitas (Chili's - last night). They were just as good when reheated.

We had about 15 minutes to R and R (Rest and Relax) until the "Blend" Doo Wop Show in the Rec Hall. We wanted to go early. "Bill's Rules: #23 "At an RV Park Event; being there a half hour early means you are already 15 minutes late". Tonight that had extra importance. We wanted to get in earlier because of the approaching storm. If all works out - the worst will pass while we are at the show. Just as we were leaving for the show the park "Emergency Alarm" went off. We were under a Tornado Alert!

Bonus: The Rec Hall is also one of the Park's Emergency Shelters. (You can never be too safe - grin).

The show start was delayed (until 7:30 p.m.) because of the storm. Folks (with dogs) are only allowed to shelter at The Lodge during emergency alerts. The show couldn't start until the "All Clear" was given. This show was also a sellout.

This 4 man group does '60's Doo Wop "A cappella" (voices only) style. Remember this era? It was when we could understand (and knew) all the words to our favourite songs, the words weren't vulgar and music wasn't often needed for everyone to sing along. The "Blend" reminded me of when I went to see "The Nylons" (Canadian A cappella group) with Kat (daughter).

The Blend did classics from across all genres (except Rap - another grin). They sang songs ranging from Traditional Hymns to Country, Elvis to the Beach Boys and everything in between. It was like a songfest of our favourites. The audience loved participating when invited. (Hey, they knew all the words). I won't list the tunes - just think of your favourite '60's songs and they probably sang them tonight. Super Harmony! It was great fun!

The storm had pretty well passed by 9:00 p.m. The show didn't end until 9:30. When we arrived back at the motorhome the TV was broadcasting a tornado alert for the Cape Canaveral area. The progress was being tracked minute by minute on local TV.

I was also able to catch up on the NFL Football. Today's divisional finals were now complete. It will be New England and Atlanta in the Super Bowl.

My phone had reception (we could track the storm on an "App" using Wi-Fi in the Rec Hall); however I could not use it as a "Hotspot" when we first arrived back at the RV. The blog couldn't ne started until about 10:30 p.m. The 4G network may have been down due to the storm.

That's a wrap for an entertaining (but stormy) day!

Sat - 21 Jan/17

The weather, despite the storm coming in, isn't much different compared to the past few weeks - just cloudier.

Just a lazy day. We slept in until after 9, finished off the coffee cake for breakfast and did a few cleaning odd-jobs until noon.

Charlotte went to the Rec Hall for the Chinese Auction for a charitable cause. It started at noon. A Chinese Auction is where items (all donated) are placed on tables. Participants buy tickets: (Red) $1 each - 6 for $5 / (White) 20 for $5. Then it is time to check out all the items and place tickets (as many as you want) in bags at the item you hope to win. The ticket (Red or White) required for each item chance depends on the value $$ range of the item.

The ticket buying/item selecting stops promptly at 2 p.m. Then the Chinese Auction begins in this manner:

             - Groups of 3 or more helpers are situated at each table.
             - One person draws a ticket from an item bag.
             - Another announces the item being drawn for over the P.A. system - then the number drawn
             - Winners raise there hands and the prize is delivered to them.

With several rows of tables it took almost 2 hours to draw from the hundreds of item bags. Charlotte won an lovely Afghan. Some folks won several prizes. One chap won two prizes - each for a haircut. (He had a few tickets in the bag for that draw). Some bags only had a few tickets while more popular items had bags that were half full.

After the auction we headed for the Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages. Today, from 4-9 p.m., the Antique Car Show was filling several of the streets with vintage automobiles. We got lucky and found a parking spot behind "The Sharon" (Arts & Entertainment Center) as someone was leaving the event early. Otherwise we would have been parking blocks away.

This is a huge annual event with hundreds of cars of all eras taking part. They are lined up, side by side, on both sides of the streets that surround the main square as well as each of the side streets for a block or more in all directions. The middle of the streets are totally packed with the thousands of folks, mostly seniors, that either owned, drove or remember most of these icons of a bygone era.

We saw several (but, not all) of vehicles that we (or our parents) owned in the past. All now worth many times what we originally paid for them at the time.

A few of ours:

1969 Pontiac Grand Prix (Second Generation)

1965 Thunderbird Convertible

(Ours was Arctic Blue with matching powder blue leather "Cocktail" seats).

The top went into the trunk and the tail lights were the first that flashed sequentially across the back.

An original Austin Mini (mine was the iconic red).

...and a Corvair Monza. (Our's was burgundy)

There was a Malibu SS 2 door in yellow.  The car we owned when married was a 1967 Malibu Convertible in the classic blue for that era (like the Corvair above).

Then there were the cars I grew up with:

The first car I can remember was my dad's 1948 Chrysler. (Dad's was Burgundy)

The first car I drove by myself (in Florida when I was 12) was our 1956 Buick Century Hardtop. (Dad's was only 2-toned - the classic White (top and bottom) w/Black middle.

There were a few hot rods that looked like my old 1931 Ford. I was so busy looking at them I forgot to take a picture. Well it looked like this!

Then, there was one of my favourites that I almost got to drive:

Dad was going to buy an Avanti R2 (Paxton Supercharged) model and mom wouldn't let him because it was "Plastic (actually Fiberglass) and wouldn't stand up!"

I even saw something I thought Nick (Son-in-Law) would like: An old Chevy Cab-Over Truck. The cab flips forward to allow servicing the motor underneath.

He could use to tow trailers. (He has his own Mobile RV Service).

I'm not sure what the top "Stainless Steel Draft Container" holds; but we can do some "Wishful Thinking" can't we?

There were a few cars I wished could have seen again: My first convertible: 1962 Chevy II; my Meyers Manx Dune Buggy; and our 1970 Pontiac Le Mans Convertible (a GTO without the big motor) which was Charlotte's all time favourite.

There were a few Austin Healeys; but none of the other Austins (Westminster) or Triumphs (a TR-2, TR-3, TR-4A) or other odd cars I have owned at one time or another.

There were also several Corvettes of different eras that I wouldn't mind owning today. Also a smattering of sports cars: Sunbeam Tiger, Shelby Cobra, Jaguars, etc. Hey! I keep buying those "Lottery Tickets, Eh!". A fella can dream, can't he!

Today was a walk (many blocks worth) down memory lane (on the streets) of The Villages. I, like many others, got a little nostalgic about the past automobiles in our life.

After almost 2 hours of viewing we headed to Chili's for supper. The Villages has virtually all the "Name Brand" restaurants that always are packed at this time of day (actually any time of day) on the weekend.

We got to eat about 45 minutes after our arrival. It was worth the wait. Then we returned to OMS by our usual night route along the well-lit US-441/SR-19.

Just in time to watch the late local news. I'm hoping for a little rain on the roof tonight!

Fri - 20 Jan/17

Another nice day (83 F) before the "Cold Spell" w/rain arrives starting tomorrow. The worst part of the storm will be Sunday afternoon.

Charlotte and I spent an hour copying a "Maple Leaf" pattern involving several sheets. It won a contest for Canada's 150th. Anniversary (in 2017). Charlotte and a few others (Canadians) will try to make it during craft sessions. What took so long was that I had to make 4 B & W copies' on special material that can be sewn on, cut out, then removed. Almost 3 dozen images later it was done.

After watching a bit of the "Trump Inauguration" we headed out for a busy day. Our first destination was Blue Parrot in Lady Lake, FL. Today was their 42nd annual craft show.

There was a good turnout with a lot of variety. It took about an hour to do all the booths.

Charlotte did find an item that had her name on it. They are kids jeans w/running shoes disguised as plant (pot) holders. It took her a bit; but she finally decided on a "Blue Denim" one.

Once again we passed on a visit to Camping World due to time constraints (even when we are retired, unbelievable!). It was already after the noon hour and the Brownwood "Colonial Days" event would be over by 4 p.m. and it would take us until 1 p.m. to get there.

At Brownwood, the newest of The Villages "Town Centres". the theme is based on the Cattle Ranch era of the area. There are several statues at the main entrance to the Town Square section. The whole motif of Brownwood is "Early Cattle Country".

Throughout the square there were several folks in "Period Dress" representing the "Colonial Days" theme just walking about.

There was live music in "Paddock Square". All of the "Town Squares" (3) in The Villages have live music daily; however this is the only location that has a (small) "Grandstand" viewing area.

We did about half of the booths before hunger pangs had us heading for "Five Guys".

It was packed as were all the restaurants around the square. The burger and fries, as usual, were excellent.

We then finished doing the booths. Our only purchase was some "Yummy" looking Strawberry Banana Bread.

Our last stop was the "Barnstorm Theatre". Our intention was to get tickets for "Rogue One" (Star Wars Movie) in 3D. Unfortunately, the 3D version is only being shown at 1:30 and 7:30 (or near that time). The movie is over 2 hours longs. We changed our mind. We did not want to wait another 4 hours for the 3D version. The 2D version would be on in a little over an hour; but if you are going to see this type of movie - 3D is the only way to go.

We also thought it would be better to leave before "Rush Hour". We will come again for the afternoon show - perhaps this coming Monday.

We took SR-44 back to OMS. We take a jog that avoids going through downtown Leesburg, FL. Unfortunately, it does co-exist with US-441 for a portion, which was "totally traffic". We did leave US-441 when SR-44 once again branch off. We prefer the quieter roads. It also goes past our usual Publix where we needed to stop. Charlotte went in for a jug of milk, a Woman's World magazine and few other items.

We were back at the motorhome in time for the 6 p.m. news. Apparently, the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC went on without us (grin) - as did the riots by protesters.

Guess What? A usual TV evening tonight. (You know the routine).

Thu - 19 Jan/17

We still have great weather that will hit 80 F again today under bright skies. Humidity will not start to arrive until tomorrow when we will head for a "Cold Spell" (it will go down to the 70's) and bring with it the possibility of showers and thunderstorms. It will probably only last for a few days.

Another regular Thursday morning. I dropped Charlotte off at the craft room and went next door to the lodge with my computer.

Not a lot to do online today. I checked for a Windows 10 Pro update for the computer. There was none. I updated a few virus programs, checked our email and did our banking. That was about it for all that needed to be done this morning.

I did all this while listening to an audible book through my hearing aids. My current selection is "Trunk Music" (A Harry Bosch Novel) by Michael Connelly.

A notice for a  35 day "3 Region Encounter" offered by the Great American RV Caravan Tour" company was in the emails. I scanned their agenda to see if there were any spots we would be interested in seeing should we pass by those areas some time in the future. I had most sites in their tour already listed in my database. I had made a custom designed program for that purpose. A number of the places listed we had already "Been There - Done That"- sometimes a number of times.

I added "Arc Encounter" to our list as a (slim) possibility. It is a Christian Fundamentalist Theme Park with a "Large-as-Life" Noah's Arc that opened last summer in Williamstown, KY. I was not interested in the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC; however a stop in Airy, NC (the inspiration for Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show) has always been on our list. The Historical Carter House and Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN were also of interest.

We had already done everything listed for Chattanooga, TN, Colonial Williamsburg (VA) Niagara Falls, NY and Washington, DC. We had just spent 4 days in Bath, NY this summer with friends from Mexico, so that was not added to our listed either. The "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" (Cleveland, OH) was actually in our plans to visit when we came south this winter. Unfortunately, the month long delay caused by a cancelled medical appointment meant we had to pass it up. Maybe on the way back?

I then added these new spots to my Streets and Trips template. It, like my database, has the 7,700 + items. They are marked on the map with address, phone and other vital information.

In the emails I also received an update from The Villages Entertainment. They had just arranged for "The Yardbirds", an iconic group from "The British Invasion" era of the '60's, to appear at The Savannah Center on March 9th. I added it to our entertainment tickets immediately. This was their initial ticket offering by The Villages and I could have gotten front row seats (slightly off center); however, I decided on row 2 with seats on the center aisle for the 5:30 p.m. show, instead.

Charlotte arrived a little before 11:45 a.m. I gave her the trunk key then I packed up the computer and joined her. After dropping everything off (main computer, sewing machine and craft bag) at the motorhome, we headed for Computer Corner in Leesburg, FL. I received a call that our "backup" computer had been repaired.  It had been damaged on the way down here in the motorhome.  I brought it in last week for repair. We were now off to pick it up.

Of course, we had to make a stop at Jo-Ann Fabrics. Here Charlotte picked up some material for her next project.

A few miles down the road we arrived at the Ichiban (Oriental) Buffet for lunch. Charlotte really enjoys their sushi with ginger. I like the "Hot and Sour" soup and just about everything else. We left stuffed, as usual.

After lunch our first stop was at Lowe's just a bit down the road. I wanted a few additional coat hooks for the RV (to hold flashlights above the doorway). I also had 2 spare Honda Del Sol keys made.

This multi-stop excursion continued. A little further down the road I pulled into Jenkins Honda. I thought I could pick up a bolt for the Del Sol headlight pod at the parts counter. They had none. It is a special item so I ordered 4 and will be able to pick them up tomorrow.

 



We then continued on to Computer Corner to pick up the backup computer. They did an excellent job. It looks, works and feels like new. The tech said it is a "very good little computer" which is exactly why I thought it was worth repairing.

We had originally planned on continuing on to Camping World; but that would have put us into the middle of 6 lanes of rush hour traffic on US-441/27. Instead, we headed back to OMS using less congested CR-44.

When we arrived back at the park we went to check the mail. There we found our electricity bill for the month and a "You've Got Mail" card. This card meant a package was waiting for us at the office.. It was just before 5 p.m. so we had time to take care of both items. Charlotte went in to pay the bill and picked up the package which turned out to be our order of K-cups from Keurig.

Back at the motorhome we turned on the A/C to cool everything down as it was now in the mid-80's F. Charlotte enjoyed a cup of tea from the Keurig order that just came in and I checked out the new/old computer.

Charlotte then arranged the material pattern that she worked on today at crafts on the kitchen table. It check it out and looks really neat!

I added the coat hooks above the doorway to hold flashlights for easy accessibility. It may look like a mess; but it is now much better compared to before the hooks were added.

No other plans for today other than an evening of TV with the possibility that we will play either Scrabble or Quirkle  while watching/listening like we did last night.

Wed - 18 Jan/17

Well - I Lied.

I thought when I published the blog yesterday we would be watching Jeopardy and NCIS.

Halfway through Jeopardy all of the local news stations interrupted regular broadcasts to bring live coverage of the capture of the fugitive "Cop Killer: Markeith Loyd". He was the subject of a massive manhunt over the last 9 days. He was sought by a task force of officers, working around the clock, that were from several jurisdictions; Orlando Police, Sheriff's Department, State Police, FBI, Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshall's Office as well as other local departments.

A little after 7 p.m. he was captured by police and live coverage hit the news less than 15 minutes later.

A live news conference was held at 8:30 a.m. giving up to date information. The above poster was on display. To our surprise the (now) $125,000 reward didn't provide the information. The Orlando Police Chief indicated it was "Good Police Work". They followed thousands of leads and checked every known associate. They raided hundreds of past sites where he had been known to frequent. Tonight an abandoned residence proved to be where he was hiding.

When he tried to escape out the back he saw he was surrounded and fled back into the house. Shortly after he threw two weapons out and came out the front on his hands and knees. He still tried to physically resist arrest and received a facial wound in the process. He was wearing body armour at the time and one of the guns had a 100 round magazine. I am sure if it was a single officer officer he encounter (as before) he would not have hesitated to shoot his way out.

The police brought him into the Orlando Police HQ in what is know as a "Perp Walk". This is where "The Perpetrator" can be photographed/filmed by TV as he walks into the office.

The Orlando P.D. posted a picture of the slain officer's handcuffs and indicated they would not quit until he was caught. He would symbolic be placed in the fallen officers cuffs. That is how he arrived at OPD. As he entered he shouted out "They Beat Me". The police indicated he resisted arrest. My guess is that not too many viewers were feeling sorry for him.

EMS arrived at the Police Station and went in to treat Loyd. Later he was taken to the hospital for additional treatment. That is where he remained this morning.

The community is now sleeping easier. (Many had recently bought guns and surveillance equipment for protection).

As usual, for a Wednesday, I drove Charlotte to the craft room then proceeded to the Lodge with my computer to do Internet stuff. There I had the pleasure of meeting a new resident from the Green Bay area of Wisconsin. "How about them Packers, eh!" I was surprised to learn he had the same name as a high school class mate. Small world.

Charlotte worked on finishing the additional (3) pillows with the "Trailer" fabric. All Done. She did a great job, as usual. All that is left to do is stuff them with the pillow forms and sew them shut.

I packed the computer when Charlotte arrived about 11:30 a.m..

Lunch today was round two of the "Old El Paso" (Boat) meal Charlotte made yesterday. It was still as tasty today.

After lunch I pulled out the folding ladder to check the light over the door. I needed one so I went to ACE Hardware across the road to pick one up.

Next I stopped to refill our water jug from the "Distilled Water" dispenser situated at the Family General store across from OMS. We also required an additional supply of  "Twizzler" red licorice. Naturally, we found a few other items we didn't know we needed.

Soon the light was working again. Nothing else on the agenda for today. We just watched TV, did odd jobs and rested for the remainder of the day.