Sand Sculpting Competion

Anna Maria Sand Sculpting and Pirate Adventure

Las Vegas

We just returned from 5 days in Fabulous Las Vegas!  Fabulously Expensive Las Vegas, but we did have a great time!

Heron's Nest

Riding through the Heron's Nest in Lakewood Ranch, we thought we would stop for a short while and enjoy the natural beauty.

The Visitor and the Baker

Sunset over Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Blvd during one of our evening bicycle rides.

First Double

We rode our bikes for about 50 minutes this morning as usual.  What is unusual is that we went out again, after dinner tonight for about 20 minutes.  Beautiful sunset!

Nicholas and Gizmo

Birthday

My Princess is 19 today!

Boom Lowering

Don't know how to put this into words, so I will just mark the day this way.

Baking School

Liddy started school to become a pastry chef today. She is going to MTI - Manatee Technical Institute for the culinary arts.

VMI

Today is the day that Anthony & Kristen arrive in Florida to start their new life together.

Lakewood Ranch Funnel Cloud

Last evening about 7:00 P.M. Chris and I noticed severe wind in the back of our house.  The pond in the back actually had waves as the wind pushed the water around.

After a bit the wind died down and the sky opened up and torrents of rain fell in about an hour's time, then everything cleared.

When I woke this morning, I turned on the local TV NEWS broadcast and one segment showed a small, funnel shaped cloud over Lakewood Ranch.  The weatherman said that it never touched down, nor was any damage reported.

July 4th again...

Thursday, July 4, 2013

I was born on a Thursday in the last century in the year 1946.

I do not know why, but this feather seems like an appropriate addition to my notes today.

Happy Birthday

To me!

It has been an extraordinarily special blessing to be born on the 4th of July!  In previous years, I have hosted parties, mostly backyard barbecue parties, but parties nonetheless.  I have been to the movies on the 4th, and I have been to the Mote Aquarium.  I have been to other people's parties and I have gone out to dinner on the 4th.  The one thing they all have in common is that wherever I go, people are celebrating.  When I share that the 4th is my birthday, it is like I have gone home again.

Anthony & Kristen Engaged Today!

Golfing Again!

I did not think I wanted to do this again, but I did.  Yesterday, my son, Anthony suggested we play golf together, so off we went to Perridia to play 18 holes.

I DID NOT SUCK!!!

I did get tired and sat out a few holes, but I played through, getting at least one earned Bogey! (That's the best I have done in a long time).  We had a great father and son day of golf followed by lunch at Woody's.

River Club Circuit

The River Club Circuit involves riding north on Lakewood Ranch Blvd, turning left after about a mile onto Country Club Road then south on River Club Blvd to LWR Blvd again then home.

In the beginning, it seemed that this particular route (3.5 miles) was long and arduous.  Now, it is completed in short-order.  I am finding that to ride for 45 minutes, I need to go further and further!  Oh yeah!

Nine Mile Morning

This morning, Chris and I took a nine mile bicycle ride.  We began with the loop around Lakewood Ranch Blvd onto River Club Blvd, across Country Club Road back to LWR Blvd.

The circuit took far less time than we had anticipated so we veered off onto Hidden River Trail as far as Lorraine Road and back.  I am sore -- it is a good sore though!!!

Bill Bailey

Bill had his first chemo treatment today.  We pray it will work and we get our puppy back.

Riding better each day

Initially, I was afraid that I would not be able  to pedal my bike because of my knees.  I have found that after getting it rolling, I can.  I do find myself fearful of going too fast or making transitions from sidewalk to street, etc, but each day I am getting better -- stronger!  I am having fun!

Riding

My third day and I am riding a little bit more each day.  Today I went around the Hammock then, later, went with Chris on LWR  Blvd and around the Meadow and back home.  Chris stayed out a bit  longer, but I thought it best to call it a day and do  more tomorrow.  I am getting stronger everyday and having more fun everyday.

Pedego Day

Bicycle today.  Green step-thru cruiser by Pedego.  Now for the real fun.

Mile Marker

I achieved one of my interim goals this morning -- I walked a mile.  Next goal is to be able to ride a bicycle.  I am getting there!

Driving Mr. V

This morning at about 10:30, I got behind the wheel of my car and drove it around the block.  i  have not driven a car since the middle of January.  Okay, where do I want to drive on my first excursion?

Going further

I am up to walking up to Lakewood Ranch Blvd, to the first pond and back in the mornings.  It is still sore when I complete the circuit, but every day I am getting stronger!!!  Oh yeah, I have given up the walker and am only relying on my cane.  I am leaning on it less and less; its mainly for balance then support.

Hip Prgress

I am home.  I have been home since Thursday.  Without a wheelchair, I am forced to get around using only my walker.  I am up to the challenge and feeling better and better every day!

Rehab

I made it through surgery at LWR Medical Center and after a rough few days, it was decided that I should go to rehab for awhile.  So here I am, at Life Care Center of Sarasota.  It is an altogether pleasant place, if you ever need a nursing facility.

Hip Eve

I got the call, its tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.

Hip Hardware Update

I now have only 4 days before my hip surgery.  I have been taken off all medicine, even pain medicine since Wednesday.  Well, I am, however, allowed Tramadol, but that does not have much of a kick to it.  I am in good spirits, despite being in constant pain.

More Hip News

I was asked what happened by an old colleague with whom I keep in touch.  This is my answer to him:

What happened is that I got old.

In retrospect, its been in the works for awhile.  It became accentuated with the fall I took in June and has gotten progressively worse since.  On the bright side, with my new bionic hip, I will, again be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.  Or at least walk without a cane.

My immediate goal is to be able ride a bike and play golf.  Now when I  flub a stroke, I can blame it on my hip.

Hip-Hip Away

I am scheduled for hip replacement surgery on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013.  The procedure will take place at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.  This should take the pain away.  I can not believe I am saying this, but, "anything would be better than the constant pain of this hip."

Maybe I should say, "Happy Hip Year  to me"?

Happy New Year 2013

Here we go again -- another chance to get it right.  For me, 2013 is when I resolve my  hip issues and get moving again.  Love to all who may read this blog!