Toes in the sand...

Shells in my pocket...

Some fun on the beach...

Don't anyone knock it...

Do you see that pelican sitting on the post? Even after all the other birds had flown off, he stayed, as if he had laid claim and was unwilling to give it up.

When in Florida...

... find an Irish pub!

It was a dark and stormy day. But we didn't let the rain stop us. We spent the day in the historic part of Naples. We walked on the beach and watched some dolphins playing, or feeding, just off the shore. We window shopped, but were too wet to go into the shops (much to Kevin and Allen's relief).

And then we found McCabe's Irish Pub, and found a familiar feel to settle into and have a pint or two. We found out from our server that the original Tommy Bahama's pub wasn't too far away. By the time we got there, it was pouring down rain, but we still sat at a table outside under a large umbrella... still feeling right at home. The rain here is so nice because it is warm.

My brother and his wife have a really lovely home in Naples that we are lucky enough to be able to use. We would rather bring our meals in and sit out by the pool than go out to dinner. I am not sure, however, that we are saving any money at the local "Whole Foods" grocery store. It is a great food market, and we seem to spend quite a bit each time we go (great wines!).

Today is supposed to rain and be cloudy, but so far the sun is out. So we are off to explore again. Stay posted... I will keep you up-to-date on our adventures!

A visit with Steve

Beth's father, Steve, is one of the nicest people I know. We had a nice visit with him at the nursing home he lives in. Unfortunately, Steve's memory has fallen victim to alzheimer's. He doesn't remember me, but he is so kind, he smiles and is glad to see me. He doesn't remember that we share a birthday, or that he has been to my home in Idaho several times, but I am sure to remind him.

Beth is really great with him. She laughs with him, even though sometimes he thinks she is Aunt Rita. 

We took him outside where we could visit without all the other residents interruptions. And he was at the top of his game: he danced and sang for us, told us things that I couldn't quite understand, and generally just enjoyed a few moments with people who were familiar.

Critter heaven

It isn't often that you see the caterpillar and the butterfly that it turns into at the same time. Obviously, this one didn't turn into that butterfly, but it will turn into one just like it in about 2 weeks.

Beth has a rooster named Reggie, an Ent who is making a face at me (if you don't know what that is, you need to watch "The Two Towers" or read Tolkien's trilogy), and poisonous toads in her yard. Rosie, her little Cairn Terrier, has almost died eating them. She has finally figured out that they aren't good snacking material.

Oh man, lots of big, honkin' spiders! This one on the left is about the size of my fist. The one in the middle is very tiny, maybe 1/4", and the one on the right is a couple of inches long. I used my ultra-telephoto lens so I didn't have to get close to them. Scary creatures, but they eat the mosquitos and are harmless to big animals. Beth calls them her pets. I think she is crazy!

Now on to photos of alligators. Saturday is my big drive to Miami on "Alligator Alley." I am assuming they call it that because there are lots of gators. I want to get a good shot of some without them eating me. I will probably use my ultra-telephoto lens again... don't want to get too close.

Just another day in sunny...

PARADISE!

I am basking in 80° with a slight, cool breeze. It is perfect weather! I am so relaxed. Beth and I are having a great time... we drank too much wine last night, but what's new with that?

The critters around here are fascinating. I have been snapping photos for the last hour just around the pool.

On my way to sunny Florida!

I love sitting in airports watching folks and their different expressions, some look lost, some are confident, some are really happy like me off on a vacation adventure, and some are so immersed in their electronic stuff that they notice no one and appear to have a little transparent cocoon around them.

Yes, I am immersed in electronics in Seattle... but not for long. Just wanted to get in this post quickly so I can go back to people-watching. I am making up stories about people based upon their expressions. It is fun.

Maybe more later when I am sitting in Denver.

The Autumn Curtain Falls

The fall equinox has come. Our forecast for today is more rain, although I see plenty of blue sky peeking through those white clouds. Our weatherman predicts freezing temperatures tonight, so I plan on bringing in the potted plants I intend to keep over winter. And this is a photo of the last harvest from the garden, unless by some miracle my kale is still there when we get back from Florida.

The leaves on the maple in the front yard are just beginning to turn yellow, as is the weeping willow in the back. And after yesterday's soaking rain, everything is looking perky. 

So it is with a mixed heart that I welcome Fall and say so long to the shortest summer I can remember in recent years that was preceded by the wierdest spring I ever remember.