March 11-14, 2022 - Annie and Violet in Florida for a Quick Visit

On the 11th daughter, Annie, and granddaughter, Violet, flew in from California for a visit with us here in Florida. It was a quick trip, but grandma planned a lot of activities for a five-year-old to enjoy. Also, David had told us about the bird sanctuary in Clearwater which is fun to visit. 

The weather did not cooperate at all for their visit but we made the best of it. Saturday we first headed to the bird sanctuary in Clearwater. It was really great place for a five-year-old with the rescued birds in cages and other birds just walking around among us. This guy was sitting on a post as I walked up. I thought he was a statue at first because he didn't move. He was a beauty.

It was hard to take pictures of the rescue birds because they were behind chain-link fences and often in dark cages. Here is a picture of a couple of pelicans. The hump on their peak is to keep other birds from poking their eyes out and for courting purposes. They are big birds.

This handsome guy was just sitting there watching my every move. He didn't mind having his picture taken. He was about eighteen inches tall and didn't make a sound.

The place had an observation deck overlooking the gulf. I took this picture of Alexa and Violet checking out the beach and also to show the rollers on the gulf that day.

After the bird sanctuary we had a nice lunch and headed back to the campground where Violet got in the pool despite the cold, windy afternoon weather. The pool was heated but it was only sixty degrees out. Needless to say, Violet was the only one in the pool. 

The next day we had tickets to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It isn't a normal aquarium but more of a rescue operation with some marine exhibits. All of the animals there are rescued animals and cannot be returned to the wild. There are large dolphin tanks and the dolphins were trained to do tricks to entertain folks.

Dolphins use sound to find food. As they age they loose their sense of hearing and can no longer find food and thus die off. I thought this exhibit was fascinating. It is a model of a whale heart. It is about three feet around and four feet tall. Amazing to think about.

There were pelicans here as well. Violet enjoyed getting up close and personal with them behind glass. They clearly reacted to her being there.

After lunch we headed to the beach. It was a cold, blustery day. As you can see in this picture we are all bundled up. I would not even have considered going to the beach on such a day but it was one of the reasons Violet came to Florida.

I couldn't even think about getting in the water but Violet and Annie got their feet wet to make the most

of the experience. The rollers were about six foot high the entire time.

After playing in the water Violet dried off the best she could and went shell hunting and played in the sand.

Upon getting back to the campsite Violet painted her shells and I strung them on a necklace for her. Here we are working on that project at the picnic table. It still wasn't very warm.

While the paint on the necklace was drying we took a golf cart ride around the park on George's golf cart. I let Violet steer a little on our back street. 

It was a short but great visit. Violet thought it was great fun sleeping on the "bouncy" mattress on the floor in the camper. Early Monday morning it was to the airport in Tampa for their six hour trip home.  We will see them again in October when the whole family comes to Missouri for a wedding. We will look forward to it. It's a bummer to have all your grandkids in California, 2000 miles away.

March 10. 2022 - Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida

Yesterday we went to the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg. It is a museum for all types of glass sculpture. The glass sculptures were the best I have ever seen. I was astounded at the talent from all over the world making the various type of glass sculptures. Absolutely amazing. Here are some pictures sculptures using different techniques. Each of these pieces are about two feet in width. The first is seven individual pieces with red piping on each.

This piece intrigued me with its brushed, hairlike texture.

This next one was many pieces made and attached to each other making a continuous chain.

This one was my absolute favorite. Bags of "water" made out of glass with bubbles in the water and drops of water on the bags. Incredible.

This display was amazing with the black and white jars and the flat pieces behind them. Each was about two feet tall.

This display was amazing as well as different. It was miniature with every single item in the scene being made out of glass. The entire scene was only about a foot wide and a foot tall. Crazy talent.

We spent about two hours there and I could have spent twice the time to take it all in. I had never seen anything like it. If you are ever in St. Petersburg, you need to check this place out.

March 8, 2022 - Alexa Arrives - Late Lunch and Sunset at the Beach

Alexa arrived from St. Louis on Monday evening. Tuesday we headed to Ybor City for a great meal at the Columbia Restaurant, open since 1905. The oldest Cuban restaurant in Tampa.

We didn't make reservations and arrived a little before one p.m. We quickly learned that the first available table would be 2:30 p.m. We made that reservation and walked down the street, got a drink at a bar, sat at a table on the sidewalk, and watched everyone pass by. Back at the Columbia we all ordered something different, and the food was once again outstanding.

After our late lunch we headed to Madeira Beach to watch the sunset. It wasn't crowded at all.

I enjoy pushing my feet down into the sand as I sit there. I don't know what it is but there is something soothing about it when the sand is not hot.

Alexa, Kelly, and Celina walked down the beach looking for shells. I just watched people walk by.

It was a beautiful evening but we didn't get to see the sunset due to clouds on the horizon. Here are some pictures of what we did get to see.

We are headed back to the beach on Wednesday before rain moves in for several days. I'm putting on my suit and hope to get in the water. Prior to this the water has been way too cold.

March 6, 2022 - First Ever Audrey Steet Poker Run

A couple weeks back Kelly had the idea to have a Poker Run on Audrey Street. It had never been done before. Several folks jumped on the idea quickly and offered to be hosts at the stops. 

The game was five card stud, nothing wild, and a new deck to draw from at each stop. With a new deck of cards at each stop the hands could get high. I collected $5.00 from each participant at the first stop, which was our lot, and supervised the drawing of cards at all stops. Everyone paid $5.00 to participate with only one winner. 

Shots and hors d'oeurves were graciously provided at each of the five stops. 90% of the pot went to the highest hand and 10% went to the hosts who were voted as having the best shots and hors d'oeurves. As the organizers and money keepers Kelly and I did not participate in the poker run or the host contest. 

It was a warm day, sunny day with thirty-two people eagerly participating. Here are some folks gathered around at our site as the festivities began. Celina poured the shots for us as the hors d'oeuvres disappeared.

Here is a picture at Anita and Sherri's table. They won the People's Choice money for the best shots and hors d'oeuvres. Neighbor Hunter was showing everyone his trucks. (He didn't get any shots.)

The final stop was at David and Jean's place. While everyone enjoyed the shots and hors d'oeurves Sandy and I tallied the money and scanned the sheets to find the winning hand. I asked Sandy to help pick the winner because she is an excellent poker player and knows what hands win. Electa and Rosie each had three aces, but Rosie had a Queen high and won the $146.50 pot. 

Many commented that it was the best event ever held on Audrey Street. For that we have to thank Kelly for her partying spirit and great organizational skills.  After about an hour sitting around visiting at the last stop David grilled hot dogs for anyone wanting one. Many hot dogs were consumed because most participants stayed well into the evening. We had a lot of people and limited shade early on at David and Jean's lot so many sat across the street. Here are some pictures.

It was a great event which I'm sure will be repeated next season.

March 1, 2022 - Fat Tuesday Celebration

The ladies conjured up a "Fat Tuesday Fiesta" with great food and several games.  The weather was perfect. Kelly made a large pot of rice and a large pot of gumbo for everyone to enjoy, which can be seen in the middle of the pictures.

Many other decadent food items were brought for sharing as well. Everyone was eager to fill up their plates. David said it was the best gumbo he ever had. 

It being Fat Tuesday many items of dessert were brought for devouring before fasting begins in Lent. Last year we just had dozens of Paczki Donuts, which are a Fat Tuesday tradition in parts of the country.

Debbie and Dave brought two "King Cakes", a Fat Tuesday tradition in New Orleans. They were absolutely delicious.

The other Dave got the baby in his piece and thus was "King" for the day.

After we had finished eating the ladies had three games for everyone to play. The first was a "potato carry". You put as many potatoes between your legs as you could and walked down and dropped them in a bucket. The person with the most potatoes in the bucket won. It was quite entertaining. Here are a couple of pictures.

The second game was a "carrot transfer". The person held a carrot between the knees and had to transfer it to another person. Each time it was transferred part of the carrot was cut off to make the game more difficult. A lot of fun.

The next game was the "cookie swap". In this game you sat in a chair with a cookie laying on your forehead. Without touching the cookie, you had to get it into your mouth. The winner was Charlotte in the yellow shirt.

The final game was the "egg transfer". In this game you held an egg on a spoon and walked to your partner at the other end. You had to transfer the egg to your partner's spoon without touching it. The partner then had to walk back to the start line. (The eggs were hardboiled to minimize a mess on the street.) Mostly guys participated in this game.

After the day's festivities concluded Debbie brought us part of the King Cake that was left. Soon thereafter Kelly cut a piece and while eating it found the second baby.

Another great day on Audrey Street. Ash Wednesday is a day of rest. LOL Many are playing in a golf scramble in Tampa but I bugged off. Instead I'll do laundry, vacuum, blow off the leaves, and post a blog.

February 28, 2022 - First Ever Huevos Rancheros Breakfast

On Sunday morning Debbie and Dave hosted the first Audrey Street "Huevos Rancheros Breakfast". All the eggs were cooked to order so Marianna took on the job of being the waitress and taking orders. Being a retired schoolteacher, she had it all organized in no time. Shawn and Dave are in the background cooking eggs, putting down the tortillas, and covering it all with green chili. When your order was called you could then add cheese, sour cream, onions, etc.

While awaiting orders to be ready, Don and Anita provided Bloody Marys and Mohitas for all. While I only had a Bloody Mary the reports were that the Mohitas were excellent as well. We went through several pitchers of each. It was generous of them to make these for all to share.

A couple of pictures of folks gathered around waiting for their order to be served up.

The meal went like clockwork. Because orders were taken for how eggs would be cooked, there was no waiting in line. Here is a picture of my buddy, Dave, thoroughly enjoying his meal.

Neither Dave nor I had ever had Huevos Rancheros before, and we both loved the meal and another new experience.  A great big "Thank You" to Dave and Debbie for the idea and for their hard work.

I thought I would share where the folks we hang out with on Audrey Street are from so you can appreciate our cosmopolitan group. Dave and Jean are from Michigan, George and Janet are from Michigan, Debbie and Dave are from Colorado, Don and Anita are from Ohio, Marianna is from Ohio, Steve and Sandy are from Kentucky, John Hoops is from Missouri, Tim and Kathy are from Maine, George and Sherry are from Florida, Tom and Joan are from Pennsylvania, Annie is from New Jersey, Don and Brenda are from Indiana, Gary and Lynne are from Indiana, Terry and Julie are from Michigan, Dick and Electa are from Ohio, Jake and Rosie are from Ohio. We have been coming to this park for the past six winters. We have been part of a great, fun-loving group but it will be different next year. A number of us will not be back. We will sorely miss each and every person we know on Audrey Street, as well as folks we have met in other parts of the park. We will definitely miss all the fun activities conjured up each year and hope that our new park will be as busy and entertaining.