Spring in Florida 2010

Spring in Florida - 2010

February 25 through April, before our April 14 to 29 trip to Europe

After three great summer months in Chile, we bid farewell to Mónica and Gustavo (seen here peaking through the airport security barrier at left). We departed on February 24th from the Santiago airport, on our way to Florida by way of Dallas (shown above). Little did we know then that three days later would be the giant Chilean earthquake! Fortunately all our friends survived safely.

We knew Margy's sister Bibba (left) would be at the airport to pick us up, but we did not know that her surprise visitor, Carolyn (Margy's friend from elementary school days), would be with her.

We last saw Carolyn at the family picnic in 2009, and it was great to see both of them upon our arrival to Florida.

Carolyn gathered some pine cones for a decoration project back home. She and Bibba enjoyed relaxing with us before they headed north to return home. It was wonderful to see them and to spend a few days together.

It always feels good to be back home to see our "furry friends" and "feathered friends," (aside from our "people" friends) as well as enjoy the colorful sunrises over the lake just beyond our back yard.

With gold, red, purple and orange, the sky and lake reflections burst with brilliant color. A stirring way to begin each day!

The morning sun beams in our sun room, making for a wonderful place to start each day, gathering Chi, as well as to appreciate the joy of being alive and well amidst nature, friends and family.

Artie's cousin Selma, with husband Noel and their friend Ingrid dropped in briefly. Bibba and Carolyn joined us to celebrate Noel's birthday at dinner, February 27th.

Sel and Noel returned a few days later, after Bibba and Carolyn had gone.

We enjoyed some time relaxing at home, and then took them to our favorite drive-on beach to see the gulls, brave the sea breezes, and take more photos.

Depending on the season, at times it is like having the whole beach to yourself. We had one of those private-beach days with Selma and Noel.

Former Syracuse University gymnast teammate, Ernie, and his wife Anoush, visited for a day, 8 March 2010.

Later that same day another Syracuse University friend, Dennis, and his wife Cari, joined the visit. We proceeded to take every couple-combination photo possible of the six of us.

At left, Anoush, Ernie, Dennis and Cari.

Now Anoush, Ernie, Artie and Margy.

Finally, Artie, Margy, Cari and Dennis.

Ernie and Anoush took off and Dennis and Cari stayed on for a few more days of fun activities with us.

The bikers get ready!

Once again to our favorite drive-on beach!

It's fun to capture these graceful gulls in flight or when they're ready to launch. If the photo opportunities are not happening, then create them! Den runs among the birds to stir up some trouble. Later, Artie and Den photograph each other at the car.

Dueling cameras!

After decades of not playing tennis, Dennis and Artie went to see how they would survive at the community court.

Artie chased several balls over the fence, using fine gymnastic form. His juggling may have been better than his tennis!

After a hard workout, the boys took a brisk swim in the community pool, next to the tennis court and close to our house.

Look at Den's perfect form!

Just like the days at Syracuse University: work hard and play hard!

It's so convenient having these fine facilities just down the street from our house.

After burning all those calories, Den and Cari introduced us to Cold Stone Creamery. We enjoyed the freshly-made ice cream. Yumm!

As always, a fun visit with Dennis and Cari, with or without the extra calories!

Artie, Margy, Bob, Kathy (Margy's sister), Dave and Pat (another sister) all enjoyed time together in Myrtle Beach, SC.

What has become an annual sister's reunion, thanks to Kathy and Bob's generous invitation to join them at an ocean-side condominium rental apartment, also included Pat's birthday celebration March 21st.

Lakeside dining, complete with rainbow! Fun family time together.

Fred and Pat visited us for a few days at the end of March. We knew them from our days in Houston, TX, in 1990, and then caught up with them at their house in Kentucky last fall.

We're glad they did not wait another 20 years for a second reunion!

We did a day-trip to Flagler Beach FL to visit with Bob and Carol, old friends from the 80's when we lived in Florida before. We went out to eat at this seaside restaurant, and then headed back to see Bob's wood shop. Fred does wood working too, and we thought they'd enjoy each other's company and shop-talk. We had a nice day together.

Back at Bob and Carol's, we toured their beautiful self-done landscaping, fountains, fish pond and dock.

As expected, the shop-talk was fun as the professionals shared stories and admired tools of the trade, while the rest of us enjoyed watching them compare notes.

Can you guess where else we took Pat and Fred? Of course, our favorite drive-on beach (are we in a rut?)!

Nothing wrong with a rut, if it is a fun rut! Their visit ended with dessert at another great Fernandina Beach ice cream shop.

When we don't have visitors, we enjoy our various local routines that include Tai Chi on the beach, twice per month.

Tai Chi instructor, Larry, helps us with the details. Early spring saw some cold and windy days on the beach, and Margy had all she could do to bundle up and keep warm!

Our other exercises include walking and biking in the neighborhood as well as Artie's Aikido practice two evenings a week at the Y, where we also practice Tai Chi indoors three times a week.

Artie and his book.

Creativity.

Artie worked everyday in Florida to finish his 80,000-word, 19 chapter book, "Slice the Salami: Tips for life and leadership, one slice at a time." Margy's sister, Bibba, suggested Artie employ her niece, Katie (Kate Johnson Design, Binghamtom, NY) to do professional graphic design, taking Artie's sketches to a higher level.

Shown at left, Katie works on the original artwork for the book, including the cover (see below). Her fiancé, Joe, helped critique the work, as did Margy and a few of our "editorial team" members who offered constructive feedback about the work in progress.

Katie at the digital drawing board.

Joe and Katie.

April 10, 2010 the digital manuscript was mailed to the Print-On-Demand publisher from our local Post Office. If all goes according to plan, by late-summer the book should be available at www.Amazon.com, www.Buybooksontheweb.com, and other similar book distributors, as well as at bookstores near you!

As you can see, it's been a busy, fun and productive spring in Florida, and all this before we made our trip to Europe!

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		After three great summer months in Chile, we bid farewell to Mónica and Gustavo (seen here peaking through the airport security barrier at left). We departed on February 24th from the Santiago airport, on our way to Florida by way of Dallas (shown above). Little did we know then that three days later would be the giant Chilean earthquake! Fortunately all our friends survived safely.


Carolyn gathered some pine cones for a decoration project back home. She and Bibba enjoyed relaxing with us before they headed north to return home. It was wonderful to see them and to spend a few days together.


		It always feels good to be back home to see our "furry friends" and "feathered friends," (aside from our "people" friends) as well as enjoy the colorful sunrises over the lake just beyond our back yard.


With gold, red, purple and orange, the sky and lake reflections burst with brilliant color. A stirring way to begin each day!


The morning sun beams in our sun room, making for a wonderful place to start each day, gathering Chi, as well as to appreciate the joy of being alive and well amidst nature, friends and family.


		Artie's cousin Selma, with husband Noel and their friend Ingrid dropped in briefly. Bibba and Carolyn joined us to celebrate Noel's birthday at dinner, February 27th.

		Depending on the season, at times it is like having the whole beach to yourself. We had one of those private-beach days with Selma and Noel.


Former Syracuse University gymnast teammate, Ernie, and his wife Anoush, visited for a day, 8 March 2010.

		Later that same day another Syracuse University friend, Dennis, and his wife Cari, joined the visit. We proceeded to take every couple-combination photo possible of the six of us. At left, Anoush, Ernie, Dennis and Cari.

		Now Anoush, Ernie, Artie and Margy.

		Finally, Artie, Margy, Cari and Dennis. Ernie and Anoush took off and Dennis and Cari stayed on for a few more days of fun activities with us.

It's fun to capture these graceful gulls in flight or when they're ready to launch. If the photo opportunities are not happening, then create them! Den runs among the birds to stir up some trouble. Later, Artie and Den photograph each other at the car.

After decades of not playing tennis, Dennis and Artie went to see how they would survive at the community court.

Artie chased several balls over the fence, using fine gymnastic form. His juggling may have been better than his tennis!


Just like the days at Syracuse University: work hard and play hard!


It's so convenient having these fine facilities just down the street from our house.


As always, a fun visit with Dennis and Cari, with or without the extra calories!


Artie, Margy, Bob, Kathy (Margy's sister), Dave and Pat (another sister) all enjoyed time together in Myrtle Beach, SC.


		What has become an annual sister's reunion, thanks to Kathy and Bob's generous invitation to join them at an ocean-side condominium rental apartment, also included Pat's birthday celebration March 21st.


Lakeside dining, complete with rainbow! Fun family time together.


We did a day-trip to Flagler Beach FL to visit with Bob and Carol, old friends from the 80's when we lived in Florida before. We went out to eat at this seaside restaurant, and then headed back to see Bob's wood shop. Fred does wood working too, and we thought they'd enjoy each other's company and shop-talk. We had a nice day together.


		Back at Bob and Carol's, we toured their beautiful self-done landscaping, fountains, fish pond and dock.

Can you guess where else we took Pat and Fred? Of course, our favorite drive-on beach (are we in a rut?)!

Nothing wrong with a rut, if it is a fun rut! Their visit ended with dessert at another great Fernandina Beach ice cream shop.

When we don't have visitors, we enjoy our various local routines that include Tai Chi on the beach, twice per month.

		Artie worked everyday in Florida to finish his 80,000-word, 19 chapter book, "Slice the Salami: Tips for life and leadership, one slice at a time." Margy's sister, Bibba, suggested Artie employ her niece, Katie (Kate Johnson Design, Binghamtom, NY) to do professional graphic design, taking Artie's sketches to a higher level. Shown at left, Katie works on the original artwork for the book, including the cover (see below). Her fiancé, Joe, helped critique the work, as did Margy and a few of our "editorial team" members who offered constructive feedback about the work in progress.

Katie at the digital drawing board.		Joe and Katie.


		April 10, 2010 the digital manuscript was mailed to the Print-On-Demand publisher from our local Post Office. If all goes according to plan, by late-summer the book should be available at www.Amazon.com, www.Buybooksontheweb.com, and other similar book distributors, as well as at bookstores near you!



As you can see, it's been a busy, fun and productive spring in Florida, and all this before we made our trip to Europe!