Memorial Day at IYC

 Memorial Day - Joanne served as IYC Chaplin. Marie (Joanne's 100 year old Mom) was recognized for service in World War II receiving a standing ovation. Many attendees thanked her warmly for her service. 

Chaplin 

Marie, Joanne and Piper

Field of Honor

 

This year our little town of Punta Gorda (Rotary Club) created a Healing Field of Honor for Memorial Day, a breathtaking field of FLAGS, to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice AND those who served us so selflessly, our living VETS.  We sponsored a flag for Richard's brother, Colonel Bart Collins, U.S. Army, our family hero, who served our country in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and other posts throughout the world.  Pictures below.

Blind Pass Beach with Mary, Al and Marie

 

My sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Alan, visited from Connecticut, the first of our family post-COVID.  We had a wonderful time catching up and enjoying the beach with our 100-1/2 year young Mom.  This is Blind Pass Beach on Manasota Key, Englewood.  The water was a Caribbean-like blue green.  We felt like we were in the movie, A Wonderful Life, because complete strangers came up to welcome us and actually applauded Mom's efforts in getting in and out of the water.  A very special time!

We also toasted and celebrated Mary and Al's 50th Wedding Anniversary and Alan's 75th birthday, complete with a home-made, coconut custard meringue pie, a special favorite of Al.  

Our 27th Anniversary

 

Richard made this beautiful card for our 27th Anniversary, a compilation of fun times and adventures.  We celebrated by having a special dinner at Carmello's here in Punta Gorda Isles.  Lovely!

2021 - The first Quarter - January through April

 As I reflect on the first 4 months of 2021, it's been a whirlwind of ups and downs, but mostly hope for the future.  The 'down' was the January 6th terrible attack on the Capitol before the inauguration of President Biden.  The UP was our democracy prevailed and Biden assumed the presidency.  Trump was impeached again and his  FB account was frozen.  It's been so nice not hearing his hateful rhetoric.  In Biden's first 100 days, he has done a wonderful job making vaccinations available to everyone.  That alone is a big improvement over Trump's indifference to the plight of our citizens.

Blowing in the new year - Duane, Rob, Richard

Our annual cruise to Pelican Island to ring in the new year was cancelled.  However, we did "blow in" the new year at the Punta Gorda Gilchrist Park waterfront with our shell horn.  Sue and Rob joined us as well as friends, Diane and Duane.  We had a lovely Friendship Force Holiday Pot Luck at Gilchrist Park, too.  Everyone was very careful wearing their masks and managed to enjoy the holidays despite the Pandemic.  We did a lot of zooming with the family, our Friendship Force Group and our PGIslander's Boating Club.  A year ago, we never heard of Zoom - now it has been our salvation to socialize safely and stay connected.

Sunset at Marker 1 PGIslander Cruise

Us with Friendship Force friends on picnic in park

"Getting the shot" became the goal for everyone here.  Fortunately, in Florida, those over 65 years of age (that includes us!) were first up on the list.  BUT, we had to navigate computer systems that crashed.  I scored one of the first appointments with the Charlotte Co Health Dept.  Richard was not so lucky, but with persistence, he was able to get vaccinated here at Publix Pharmacy in Punta Gorda.  He helped friends schedule their appointments, too.  It was great that others tried to help those who were not computer literate.  

Richard, Betty, Joanne & Richard

The highlight of the month of February was a week long visit of our dear friends, Betty and Richard who flew here from Houston once they received their shots.  They were overjoyed to travel again and after a look at the Florida Keys and Key West, they stayed here in Punta Gorda.  We took them to a great exhibit of Van Gogh at the Dali Museum in St Pete. The displays that were projected on the walls were so novel and exciting!  It was truly amazing.  Unfortunately, our friends had to deal long distance with a freeze in Houston resulting in broken water pipes in their condo.  Later, the next month, there was a terrible fire that destroyed much of their complex.  They now have to move out for at least 2 years for extensive repairs to be completed.  Looks like their Asheville House is in their future!

Mom with her artist friend, Nancy in New Port Richey

I also drove my 100-year-old Mom on a trip north to New Port Richey to visit her old friends where she lived for many years.  We had such a wonderful welcome and fun lunch together!

Lickity Split sitting on new boat lift

Boating wise, we went on an Isles Yacht Club Cruise to Boca Grande in late February.  It is the first cruise in a year!  Most everyone was relieved that they received their inoculations, and once again, could gather together for pot lucks and dinners together along with a fun game of Right - Left - Center!   After getting warranty work completed on our engines, we decided a boat lift was essential in extending the life of our boat, Lickity Split.  It took a while, but recently the lift was completed.  Last week, we attended a raft up at Marker 1 with a bunch of PGIslander boats.  What fun!

On Pontoon going to Marker 1 

Heavy equipment to put in boat lift

We've booked some trips to Oklahoma, the Badlands, the Big Island of Hawaii to visit Michele's new home for later this year.  There is so much to be grateful for!  Covid is on the decline.  The country is back and we need more folks to get vaccinated.  Hurrah.

Joanne tours Boca Grande during cruise

 

Widdens Marina - Old Florida in Upscale Boca Grande

Walk Around Boca Grande

Beach at Boca Grande

Friendship Force Picnic in Fort Myers

Biking the Venice Waterway

Walk for Poor - February 2021

Canal Clean-Up  PGIslanders  March 2021

Webb Lake Bike Rides