Catching Up

Well, here it is early June and the rainy season is upon us. It seems like everyday is filled with either rain, storms, or just plain overcast. Oh well, we've got to take the bad with the good. At least all the ponds and lakes are being refilled. This has got to make the fishes and gators happy. The down side is it reduces the golf I can play. I've only been out once in the last week. Bike riding isn't much better. In fact, I just came back from an abbreviated ride. Got rained out. Hopefully I can try again later today.

We have been somewhat fortunate in that the weekends have been sunny. We continue to explore. We visited the small, quaint town of Dundedin a couple weekends ago. They have some great speciality shops and good restaurants. They also have a bike trail that runs through Dunedin from the north in Tarpon Springs and continuing south. It is called the Pinellas Trail and is the old railroad tracks paved over for cyclists and walkers. This is on the list of things to do. From there we traveled south to Clearwater Beach. What a mess with tourists at the beach and activities at the park. Actually it was quite fun to be in all of that. This past weekend we traveled north a bit to Dade City to visit an antique car show. Although there were not many cars in attendance, nothing like the rod runs in Pigeon Forge,  Dade City also has an old section in town that is populated with restaurants and speciality shops, so we spent some time roaming through these stores.

This weekend we are going to St. Armand's Square in Sarasota to visit their arts and crafts fair. St. Armand's is a wonderful location, again, with lots of shops and restaurants to visit. It is great to just walk around there and people watch. Also, in town are a some friends from Sevierville that we will get to visit with for a day. We are truly looking forward to that time.

On the golf side of things, I have been able to play quite a bit until the rainy season set in. With all the playing, I've been able to reduce my score noticeably and now am shooting in the mid 90's on a regular and consistent basis. This, for me, is quite a feat. Of course in that score exists a couple mulligans. My next goal is to shoot that score without the mulligans. It's amazing what taking your time on your swing, paying attention, and following through can do for your score.

I have included some photos from the golf course again. Birds, a tortoise, and alligators and course shots. I saw a couple armadillos the other day on the course, but by the time I got my camera they had scurried away. For a minute I thought I was in Texas. I also have located a place that attracts stray golf balls. There is a pond on the 17th hole that sits below the course. I was held up one day waiting for the green to clear of a twosome, happened to look down at the pond and was tons of golf balls in the shallow water and near the water. Thus, I have been golf ball fishing the last few times I've played and have recovered enough golf balls to last quite some time. And at the rate that I lose them I will definitely need them.

Typical Day; Typical Week

I think we have now settled into a typical lifestyle; whatever that means. Honey is back to work and I am the housekeeper. My days and weeks consist of usually preparing dinner; drinking coffee on the lanai; doing some grocery shopping; working on the computer on the lanai; riding my new bike; reading the newspaper on the lanai; playing golf;  working the crossword puzzle on the lanai. Is there a common thread located in my daily and weekly activities? I think so. I seem to spend a fair amount of time on the lanai. It is wonderful. Both exposed sides are screened in and face into a nature preserve. All the privacy that one could want. And I get to see some of the preserve's creatures everyday. I've seen Rocky Raccoon, a ton of Sammy Squirrel's family, and nearly everyday I see Tommy Turtle (photo below)  amble out and down the grass line for his usual buffet of greens. About two hours later he comes meandering back and disappears back into the woods. I've also seen red birds and blue birds right outside my lanai.

I've played more golf  since we've been here than I have in all of the last two years. I get to the course two or three times a week, late afternoon when it's not so busy. I can't go until I get my daily chores complete. I haven't improved yet, but I know it's coming. Golf has to be one of the most humbling and frustrating activities available. I bought a pull cart recently and this enables me to just load my golf bag on the cart and walk over. It takes about ten minutes and it's a great way to go. Once there, though, I ride. I have also seen a number of critters on the course, and have attached a number of photos showing both the animals and various locations on the course itself. Most of the critters have been different birds, but I have seen a gator a few times. Nothing big yet, he appears to be just a juvenile. Maybe five feet long.  The birds go wherever they want. They are in the water, on the tee box, in the fairway, on the green. It is their domain and the golfers are just visiting.  Obviously the gator can go where it wants also. No arguments from me.

Honey and I bought bikes a couple weeks ago. They are great. 21 gears, but I use, maybe, three of them. They are not racing bikes, but built more for just touring and cruising. The bike enables me to ride to the grocery with my canvas bag, shop, and ride home. Who needs that second car? I walk to the golf course and bike to the grocery. What else is there???  I also will ride a couple times a week and I am doing about 8 - 10 miles each time out. Great exercise, not that I need it - LOL.

The weather continues to be absolutely wonderful. The sun shines everyday. The temperature will get into the mid to high 80's during the day and the mid 60's at night. Today was the first partly overcast day that we have had since we arrived. It has rained a couple times late at night, but we have not seen any during the day yet. Although I've read that the rainy season starts in June.

We are truly blessed to be here. We certainly took the "long way 'round Robin's barn" as the saying goes, to get here but we made it.

Oh, by the way - How 'bout those 'CATS.

Here are a bunch of photos.

Life is Good!

It's been a few weeks since I last posted on this blog. We've just been busy. As the photos will attest, we have been taking advantage of some free time and the activities in the area before Honey went back to work.

Tarpon Springs has quickly become one of our favorite quaint towns to visit. Many, many shops to stroll through. Specialty clothiers and souvenir shops line the streets. Quite a few good restaurants and several Greek bakeries. Tarpon Springs was noted, at one time,  for its sponge fishing and was considered the sponge capital of Florida. I don't know if that holds true anymore, but from the looks of the boats at dock and the souvenir shops, I would say it is still true. Beautiful homes line the water's edge. Both old and new with the old homes displaying some wonderful architecture.

We found a great restaurant called the Rusty Bellies. It sits on the water and the shrimp boat unloads right there at the adjoining dock. The shrimp is fabulous, and along with the hush puppies and a Corona it is well worth the drive.

Actually, we found the quaint section of the town to be in two areas. The portion that sits on the water with the clothing and souvenir shops, and then another section in a downtown setting which features antiques and restaurants. We have not yet been to the downtown area, but it is certainly on the list of weekend jaunts yet to be taken. Visiting either location is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon. Just strolling through the shops and watching all the out of towners with their packages carrying special items to remind them of their visit to Tarpon Springs.

 Not too far from Tarpon Springs , we found a small bakery, called J.J. Gundy's,  that specializes in pies. It's been in business and serving local restaurants for quite a few years. Of course we stopped in to sample their wares. They have, by far, the best key lime pie we have ever tasted. Just absolutely dynamite.

Big Blue Nation

We did it! We got there. We made what we hope will be our annual pilgrimage. Last week Honey and I made a trip to Lexington and attended Senior Night at the final home game of the Wildcats of UK.

What an experience. We have been to games before at Rupp Arena to see the Cats play. It never ceases to amaze me. The crowd, the excitement, the electricity in the atmosphere, the aura. College basketball at its finest. The game was a 9:10 PM tip-off, all seats are pre-sold, the gates open at 7:30 PM, and yet there are fans in line at the gates at least 30 minutes before they open. Why? My guess is just the experience of being in Rupp Arena and watching the players warm up before the game. The chance to get near the floor and see the players up close. At the slim chance to see Coach Cal before the game. Maybe grab an autograph of a favorite player or coach. Who knows; everyone has their own reason.

Of course, we were there early also. In fact, we were at the adjoining mall about 5:00 PM. Lots of shops with Kentucky paraphernalia and a few eateries. We spent the time roaming through the shops and watching the multitude of fans grow. Everyone had Kentucky Blue on, with some dressed a little more fanatical (see some pictures). Fans of all ages.

We joined the wait at the gate about 7:15. Knew we couldn't get in until 7:30 but it is just part of the whole experience. Once in the arena, we located our seats, and I headed courtside to watch the players, get photos, and just enjoy the surroundings. It's interesting. These kids get all this audulation heaped upon them and they just go about the business of having a good time and playing a game. Laughing and joking like 18 and 19 year old kids should act. As big as Anthony Davis is (6'11") and Terrence Jones (6'9"), they do not possess the physical presence that DeMarcus Cousins possesses. I was fortunate to see him play a couple years ago in Lexington. Got courtside then also. Wow was he big.

Senior Night is always a great game to see. The emotions before the game when the seniors are honored is really special. Darius Miller is a home grown player and has contributed all four years to the Wildcats success. Eloy Vargas has been in Lexington just two years and plays sparingly, but has also contributed to the success of the program. To see these two young men honored and then hear "My Old Kentucky Home" sung is nothing short of chilling.

The game was a sell out, as every game is at Rupp Arena. The stands are nothing but a sea of blue. Loyal and knowledgeable fans everywhere. The game itself was great to watch - another lopsided victory. A great display of basketball. I have to admit, I did not take many photos of the game itself; I was busy watching.

A couple months ago there was some criticism of the Kentucky fans not being continuouslly vocal during games at Rupp. Fans in other arenas are that way, why not Kentucky fans? I, too, questioned that. After attending a game, it became obvious to me. The Kentucky fans are very knowledgeable of the game and are there to watch the players play the game as it should be played. They are not there to be entertained similar to a show. They certainly show their appreciation for a great play and for the players efforts and to show support for their team. But they enjoy the game itself and understand it. This can't be done if they are jumping around and yelling and screaming constantly. The fans at other schools that do the screaming throughout the entire game have no idea what is actually happening on the floor. They are there just to yell.

After the game we hung around for about an hour to listen to the radio talk show that takes place from courtside. There were a few hundred fans that stayed to listen and see two players, the seniors this time, talk with the broadcaster. After they left, Coach Calipari came out and did "his thing" for the radio. Can you imagine, a few hundred fans staying late to watch a radio program.

All in all, a great experience. We plan to be at a game next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.............

I did get quite a few photos of the players in pre-game and some of the floor activities during timeouts, with a couple game photos mixed in.