Fall in Fernandina Beach, Florida September 27 to December 9, 2009

		The daybreak view (left) from our sun room, and a sunrise at the beach, ten minutes from our house, are always inspiring reminders of why we enjoy returning here each spring and fall.

It's fun to see the variety of birds which gather on the community dock directly behind our house, and to watch their antics.

Any new arrival always upsets the existing order. However, they quickly reposition as needed to continue basking in the sun.

Our return to Florida allows us to enjoy our routine of relaxing at home with a good book (either hard cover or with our electronic Kindles). We also get out of our chairs to exercise at home, take daily walks and, at the YMCA, we enjoy Tai Chi 3 or 4 times a week, plus an aerobic weights class twice a week. In addition, Artie attends an Aikido martial arts workout at the "Y" two evenings a week.

		At left, Artie is all "dressed up" for his Aikido workouts. Above and below, our Tai Chi group gathers for a surprise recognition event for our instructor, Larry.

Larry happily receives a surprise gift certificate for his favorite Chinese restaurant, given in recognition for his years of dedicated service to students at the Y.

October 24th, a few days before Halloween, our community association had a picnic. We gathered at the swimming pool, bringing home-made or store-bought food items to share. A musician played for us while we chatted with neighbors. After being away for several months, it was fun to return to our Florida home and see familiar faces, as well as meet new people.

Angela and Ed		Wilma (the event organizer), her husband Ralph, and Barbara

Neighbor Loretta, and her friend Doug		John, Stephen, and John's wife Donna

Neighbors Katie and Mark, and their daughter Ellie.

The day after the community picnic we drove to Gainesville, FL, to attend the wedding of our friend Bhaskar's daughter, Reba. Artie and Bhaskar had worked together over a 40 year career.

		The wedding was held in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Reba and her husband Nick are both Ph.D astronomers at the University of Florida. They met each other at the University in Gainesville. We knew Reba since she was a young girl, and then later she visited us in Chile when she did astronomy research using Chile's telescopes in La Serena.

Reba's sister Sheila		Reba's parents Rosalie and Bhaskar

		Reba and Nick cutting the cake, enjoying photo opportunities, and with many of their friends (below) just before the reception.

November 2nd we attended the grand opening of a new Yoga center, "Go Yoga," owned and operated by our friend J.P. (the general contractor who did all the modifications on our Florida house) and his wife Cassie. They also announced her pregnancy that day. It was therefore a very special celebration in many ways!

Look closely at the roof of our house and you will see Gustavo and Antonio working at the peak. They are installing two new light tunnels to brighten areas on the second floor. During October and November they did several jobs for us including touch-up painting, installation of a new storm door, and pressure washing the concrete and siding of the house. Our home keeps getting better.

		Although it's scary to watch anyone cut a hole in your perfectly good roof, we know that Gustavo and Antonio do quality work.

They made sure to put plenty of roofing sealer in all the right spots, including even under the screw washers.

Stairway before and after. What a difference in added natural light!

Before (above) and then the difference afterwards.

Before, at left, with night-light always on in this windowless bathroom. After, at right, the only daytime illumination is from the light tunnel now in the ceiling, bringing in full daylight.

A new storm door for the sun room added weather protection and security.

		Finally, all exterior concrete was pressure washed with this special nozzle. The house siding was also pressure washed with a wand. The place looked like new!

In mid-November we made an overnight visit to our friends Carol and Bob (right) to see them and to take advantage of a financial workshop near them, put on by the company that Bob and Carol have used for years. We fit in a brief consultation with Stephanie (above) to learn more about the Company's services.

		Bob worked with Artie when we first lived in Florida, 1980-89, and they were our neighbors in Lake City. Later we lived near each other in Dallas, TX. During this visit, we were lucky that the Space Shuttle was to be launched.

NASA TV showed the launch (photos here are of TV).

		Better still, we could see it live outside!
Their house in Flagler Beach is 85 miles (136 KM) north of the Kennedy Space Center. We could see the spectacular rocket in air. Its speed, and the brilliance of the flare were impressive, even though we were too far away to hear its roar.

		Bob entertained us with origami folding of money, including this one-dollar ring for Margy.

The next morning, Bob dug up fresh sweet potatoes from their garden. Rinsed clean from his rainwater collector barrel, the potatoes were ready for us to take home.

		Back in Fernandina Beach, at the end of November, the night comes earlier, often with beautiful sunsets. The mornings are crisper, occasionally with fog over our backyard lake. We can see the change of the seasons.

At the beach the approach of winter extends the length of the shadows, as the sun remains lower in the sky. We've enjoyed our fall in Fernandina Beach, and now look forward to a hemisphere shift to Chile, where once again we can enjoy three more months of summer!

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