It’s official, the lady of the house is 46 today!  Yes, today was her honest to goodness birthday.  Unfortunately, she was not able to sleep in on her birthday, inasmuch as we had an early morning appointment.  OK, a 9 am appointment to have Marti groomed.  9 am though is early, I mean real early for us to start our day.  But we braved the cold, the early morning hour and off we went.  Only to discover we really didn’t have to be there until 10 am!  Ah, that extra hour of sleep would have been so nice.  At least I did get to bring her that first cup of coffee in bed.  I try.

Our next stop was at Walmart to pick up our passport photos.  Oh, let me tell you we are really photogenic – not!  Our mug shots will probably get us into Canada but I don’t know if they will let us come back home.  Time will tell.  Photos in hand we visited the Bushnell court house to obtain our passports.  However, all we were able to get were the applications which are a bit more detailed than we thought and are going to take a bit of time to complete.  Oh well, they will get done in due time.

Continuing on we went to get Marti, who the groomer told us actually decided to behave himself.  Translated, he neither tried to nip her nor did he try to jump off the table.  Amazing.  Compared to what he looked like, he actually looks really spiffy now.  Look,

and see for yourself.  Of course, he is on my lap in our favorite chair.  Hey, he would be the first to tell you, I had a rough morning.  One more thing done before we leave.

While we were out we received a phone call from the camp office informing us that Barbara had a package waiting there for her.  Wonder what it could be?  This is what

we discovered when we returned.  The card read “Grandma, Love, Petrie, Fred, Sasha, Mae and Inky”.  Yes, Amanda struck again with a wonderful note of originality (she has five rescue dogs).  Our other kids never seem to remember their mom’s birthday but count on Amanda never to forget and to always do something special.  Love you Amanda.

Wait, the day was not finished.  Afternoon appointment at the VA in Tampa for an echo cardiogram.  But not for the really needed appointment with orthopedics.  I started that process back in January stressing that I would be leaving the end of March.  Want to know when they finally contacted me regarding a follow up on my knee replacement?  Monday of this week.  Their good news was we have an appointment for you in April.  What a nightmare VA care is down here in Florida.  Especially the orthopedics department.  Nothing like the care in NJ.  Here, they brush you off, will not return your phone calls, and do as little as possible to assist you.  Bottom line it is a mess down here.  So I will have to start the process all over again when we return here next winter.  Perhaps they’ll have the mess straightened out?  I’m not holding my breath that is for sure.

So that was how the day went.  Places to go and things to do.  Daylight is now far gone and night is upon us.  The day was an interesting one.  Though we didn’t go on any trips of discovery it was a good one.  At times a bit frustrating.  Yet, we made the most of the day God had given us.  We did it together.  We hope your day was a great one as well.  If not then remember that tomorrow is coming and when you wake decide to make the day a great one.  Decide to do something that will make you and your world a better place for all.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before. 

 

Thanks but no thanks!  I understand you folks up north are a caring bunch and love to share with friends and acquaintances.  But, really?  As far as we are concerned we don’t need you sharing your cold weather with us down here in Florida.  I mean, just look . .

That bottom number was at 8:21 am this morning!  Enough is enough, keep your cold weather to yourself.  We can do just fine on our own.  Now if you happen to win the lottery and want to share, why, we would definitely appreciate that.

As for the rest of the day.  We’re beginning to get ready to move out in another 11 days.  Today we gathered up all the throw rugs and dog towels and washed them.  We still have to shampoo the carpets in Graybeard.  I have to load test the chassis battery.  Waiting for the gate valves so that I can change them.

Can you keep a little secret, don’t tell Barbara I told you.  Tomorrow is her birthday.  Yes, oh yes.  Also knowing that I had better not forget it I decided to celebrate it a day early.  Can never be too careful with these things.  So today being the incurable romantic that I am (no comments from my children who may happen to be reading) I stopped today for

flowers.  Next we picked up her new computer which we are configuring as I type

and what would her birthday be without being taken out for her favorite,  a corned beef supper with all the fixins.

OK, it was the Thursday night supper at the activity hall but give me credit my heart was in the right place.  Happy birthday a day early my sweetheart.

So that was our day.  Day has now faded and night is once again all around us.  Not a terribly exciting day but a great day nonetheless.  A great day because we were together.  Though a day early, it was fun to celebrate Barbara’s birthday today and to spoil her a bit.  Now with the day behind us it’s time to prepare for another cold night.  It’s going to be a night for extra blankets for sure.  We hope you had a great day.  A day to do something enjoyable.  A day to live life to the fullest.  Hey, here’s a thought for you

Remember to start tomorrow with a smile!

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before. 

 

Yes, blood wanted.  Not a lot, but just enough.  Not from both of us, but only from one of us.  However, I’m getting ahead of myself.  Last night we resolved we were going to get up and out at the crack of dawn.  Well, we got up, but dawn had already come and gone; and, we got out, not quite in the timely fashion we thought we would but hey we’re retired so no issue!

Today we had places to go and things to see.  First things first, Barbara needed to get some blood work done.  So our first trip was to her doctor’s office in Brookville.

Poor Barbara the nurse in the office was definitely out of practice taking blood and my wife paid the price.  Several tries and enough was enough, the nurse simply told her, “I’m sorry I can’t seem to do it”.  Ouch!

But all was not lost for we had a plan “B” up our sleeves.  Leaving the doctor’s office we

traveled to the local Quest lab in Brooksville.  Success!  Twenty minutes later the deed was done.  The difference between someone who draws blood on occasion and those who do it all the time.

By now, we were both as hungry as could be.  Guess what was right around the corner ?

Trust me when I say you have not had breakfast until you’ve had breakfast here.  The food is the best there is and if you leave the table hungry then it’s because you haven’t finished your meal.  There is always enough and then some to take home.

Now with the nastiness of the morning out-of-the-way and tummies full it was time to go exploring.  Barbara had been doing some more research and found a really neat place

This seven gable, 14 room three-story “Painted Lady” Victorian Era home is perched on top of a hill overlooking the city of Brooksville and has over 11,000 artifacts on display.  Add to that the fact that it is a certified haunted house!  Honestly, it has been featured on numerous paranormal TV shows and written up in many books and magazines that deal with ghosts and haunted houses.  So let’s go on a tour, beginning with the parlor as you walk in which has in it a rather odd-looking desk.  Though it is hard to see in this picture, the desk has

a mirror underneath it.  Why?  Because as the lady of the house was descending the stairs toward the parlor she was able to check her petticoats in the mirror to make sure they were adjusted properly.  In the parlor, on display, were many items but this one caught my eye immediately it was called a courting candle.  The idea being that when the

young man entered the parlor to visit his lady friend the candle would be lit.  When it burnt down to the holder it was time for him to go.  Of course, if dad didn’t like the young man to begin with he would often stick a stubby half burnt candle in the holder so as to get rid of the young man much quicker!

Below is a picture of a typical rug of the period which would be on the parlor floor as well as other rooms in the house.

This is a picture of the table when it was set in preparation for entertaining guests

Here is a picture of a working Edison Amberola phonograph.  Edison began mass-producing cylinder phonographs in the late 1890s. These machines employed a wax record that played for a duration of two minutes.  Those cylinders were later replaced with ones that would play for a little over four minutes.

In the era in which this house was built, the city of Brooksville taxed homeowners on three primary household features:

• the number of chimneys;
• the number of stairs inside the house
• the number of closets the house had

that being the case this home rather than having separate fireplaces on main walls in each room had them back to back throughout the house

the stairs to the upstairs rooms were on the outside of the house and there were next to no closets in the whole house!  Following are some other pictures from our tour.  This is a working music box from the 1800’s

A typical adult bed that might be filled with straw, cotton, or even moss from the trees outside

A teaching book, sail cloth to which pictures had been pasted

A childs doll, this one is unique in that it’s limbs and eyes actually move

A four poster bed for an adult

Some typical men’s clothing, note the white slip to the right, yes, that is for a man!

Lady’s period accessories

The kitchen of the house, how about that study table in the center of the room.

The typical stove of that day and age, would sure hate to have to move it!

Here is a picture of an early refrigerator.  You put the ice in the top, it melted and the cold water ran down a tube and around the actual box on the bottom to keep items inside cold

Some pictures of the doctor’s office that at one time was part of the house.

 

There are so many more pictures to share but time and space do not permit.  If you ever have occasion to be in Brooksville, with some time on your hands, I encourage you to take the tour of the house.  It is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours.

Blood work finished, tour over it was time to turn our wheels toward home.  Once there we spent time inside doing various odds and ends that needed to get done.  All in all it was a full day from beginning to end.

Now the day is over, the sun has long since gone down and night is all around us.  Today was a most enjoyable day for us.  We were able to do something new.  We were able to do it together.  We hope you had an enjoyable day as well.  If not, then tomorrow make it a great day.  Start tomorrow with a smile.  Begin it with the intent of making it a great day.  During the day do something that will make the world a better place for yourself and for those around you.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before. 

 

 

 

 

I did it, I really did it!  I kept to my word and managed to not get up this morning until the sun was well on it’s way.  I offer as evidence the following picture, take note in the

upper right hand corner, that is the sun shining in the solarium window.  Nice, hey?  It’s amazing the kind of things that excite one in their retirement years.  Mine, that is.

Cup of coffee in hand, I settled back to bask in the sun’s warmth and watch the morning news.  Wonder of wonder I actually was able to get two, not one, but two news channels this morning.  That in and of itself is amazing in this location.  Unless you have satellite that is, and we don’t.

As for the rest of the day, it sort of ambled by, not flew by, nor went by in a blur but sort of slow ambled itself by from beginning to end.  I was able to complete some chores on the inside where it was warm.  I spent some time again on the computer trying to get everything in a logical order.  Those who know me will probably say that is an impossible task, but I’m trying to amend my ways!

I finally got through to NJ unemployment for my 1099.  That one chore more than anything else is what has kept us home for the last several days.  Since last week we’ve been trying to get someone to talk to.  Most of the time the wait was 3 hours or longer.  However, as of today they finally gave you the option to leave your name and number for a call back.  Wonder of wonders about 4 hours after I left the message someone actually did call back.  One more thing to check off the to do list.

Barbara chose today to do the laundry so for her it was off to the park wish washy,

 

We did suffer one loss today though.  Barbara’s computer has decided to check out.  Best

guess is that the hard drive is going bad.  She has been struggling with it now for about a week.  Today ,we decided enough is enough.  Let’s face it, its no fun waiting minutes, not seconds, but minutes to get any kind of program to work or the internet to come up.  We backed up all the important files to a flash drive.  After some research we decided on which one would be best for her and we then ordered it via Amazon.  The word is that it will be here on Thursday.  Ask her and I’m sure she will tell you it can’t be soon enough!

Later on we went into town.  I mean really what kind of day would it be if we couldn’t find some kind of excuse to go get something.  We needed a few odds and ends, and gizmos and gadgets so off we went.

So that was our day.  Day is now gone and night is here.  Today there was nothing new discovered.  No new places visited.  Yet the day was enjoyable in and of itself.   The idea is to take each new day as it comes and to make the most of it no matter what it holds or offers.  We hope your day was an enjoyable one.  Maybe like ours just another day.  Perhaps you had the opportunity to to do something you have wanted to do for a long time.  If not there is always tomorrow.  So when you wake, resolve to make each minute count.  Find a way to make the day a great one for yourself and for someone you love.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.