Live Oak Point Park

Saturday morning dawns, quiet and cool under a broad and beautiful blue sky.

Unlike some of our Punta Gorda residents, we are not afraid to venture over the bridge north to Port Charlotte.  And we do but we have never stopped at the renovated Live Oak Point Park located at the foot of  the US 41 north bound bridge.

Coming off the bridge, turn right before Race Trac, turn right again and slowly work your way back to parking area along the side of the bridge.

Government mandates that we stay at home with the exception of essential activities like grocery shopping, biking, walking and fishing. Social distancing requires a  minimum of six feet separation from others when are out and about.. Even cars practiced Social Distancing at the park.

A boardwalk under the bridges allows walkers to access both the North bound and the South bridges without dodging fast moving cars on the highway.  From the west side leading back to Port Charlotte, cranes rise above the now silent Sunseeker Resort with construction suspended March 18th. We walked beyond the construction zone and then returned via a shortcut to the parking area.

Looking Down from the Boardwalk

Punta Gorda Lies Across the  Peace River

On the way home we spotted a few bridge walkers, a few outdoor yoga enthusiasts in the park  - and far fewer walkers and cyclists than normal. 

Pizza with Marie

We picked up the "inmate" at Southport Square for pizza one day last week before the "Stay at Home" order came down and the before Covid-19 sent two residents to the hospital.  One of them died!  God Bless them all.

Bleu Kitty Keeps a Close Eye on his Grandma Marie

Joanne makes her homemade specialty pizzas 

A View from the Handlebars

It was a lovely day as we took off for a bike ride (about 8 miles) around our gorgeous little town.  Unfortunately, the parks are closed except for biking and walking.  No congregating at all!  Most everyone was friendly that we passed by saying "good morning."

Modern Times Mon, Modern Times

Invasion of the Algae and Other Items

Saturday March 21 - Globs of algae invade our canal. By Sunday morning the algae had floated away with the tide but returned Sunday afternoon. We motored down the canal to the yacht club without problem to pump out and top off the fuel tank. Upon leaving the fuel dock, the starboard engine water intake plugged up. Fortunately, the engine instrument panel displays a warning before the engine overheats.  A doughnut in the harbor cleared the intake.  Saw lots of algae around one side of the intake upon raising the engines when we got home.

Last month, I crewed on the boat setting the windward markers for the Charlotte Harbor Regatta.  The anchors for the markers came up coated with balls of algae. Maybe this harbor algae has lost its mooring and drifted into the canals. Anyway we have rafts of algae floating in today.

Richard had one of his eye's fixed because the cataract has grown back.  Unfortunately, the next eye was scheduled the following week.  But, too late, all non-essential surgery was delayed because of Corona Virus.  Now he has to wait until late May.  Oh well!  We did manage to have lunch at our favorite Mexican place in Fort Myers.  We were practically the only ones in the place.  The next day, all restaurants were shut down for inside dining.  Strange times, we are living in...

Joanne enjoying last lunch at Cantina Laredo's before shut down

Flower beds all mulched for Summer Season

Last week - Added mulch to flower beds.







   



Take the Civility Pledge
https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/civilize-it


I PLEDGE:

1. Civility - To recognize the human dignity of those with whom I disagree, treat others with respect, and rise above attacks when directed at me.

2. Clarity  To root my political viewpoints in the Gospel and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, conversation, study and listening. I will stand up for my convictions and speak out when I witness language that disparages others' dignity, while also listening and seeking to understand others’ experiences.

3. Compassion - To encounter others with a tone and posture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and invites others to do the same. I will presume others’ best intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. I will strive to understand before seeking to be understood.

Our Life Has Changed courtesy of CORONAVIRUS

The new decade started off well... BUT we should have paid close attention to the international news when we heard the Chinese shut down most of their society to fight a new pandemic, known as "Corona Virus."  The last week of our life changed dramatically!   Our country, in fact most of the world, is fighting the spread of this strange disease that started in Wuhan, China and is deadly especially to the elderly and those with underlying disease.  Symptoms are fever, flu-like symptoms and a dry cough that can destroy lungs.  There is no vaccine, no proven treatment and lots of fear and worry in our Society.  There are severe shortages of surgical masks, gowns, and tests.  People can be unwitting carriers of the disease and show no symptoms.  Many people are quarantined for 14 days waiting to see if they will come down with the virus.  Everything is in flux.  Toilet paper, eggs, and many food items are being hoarded and are in short supply.   People are losing their jobs rapidly.  The lucky ones are working from home.  The government is scrambling to come up with plans to mitigate the financial hits and pain.

It's hard to think of ourselves as "elderly," but we are in our 7th decade so we qualify for the distinction of being in a high risk category.  We have to be socially distant and avoid groups of people, stay in our homes or out in the fresh air.  We can't go to Church (who could imagine that the Catholic Church would close down services?), or out to eat or gather with our friends, exercise, take the boat out to a marina or most anything social.  

Yesterday was my 71st birthday, and it sure was different that the one just a year ago when I traveled to Barcelona and throughout Spain with our friends, Betty & Richard.  This year, we picked up my 99 year-old Mom, and had dinner at home.  It was nice and later, our friends, Sue & Rob, stopped by (on the lanai!) and sat 6 ft. away from us talking.  It was so great to see them and try to make sense of everything that has happened recently.  Later, Mom wanted to sing Happy Birthday to me.  I blinked back tears as I looked at her face singing to me in the flickering candles, thinking I have to remember this special moment of having my Mom and Richard with me during this troubled scary time.

Richard and I are active in St Vincent de Paul and we attended an emergency meeting on Friday.  Richard is going to coordinate the financial aid with the county group in behalf of our organization.  I went into work last Wednesday and spoke to leadership about the precautions I thought we need to take (after speaking to my sister, Claire and daughter, Michele who are in the medical field).  I am now NOT going to go in to their offices and do the interviewing via phone.  This way both Richard and I can be involved in some of the solutions without risking ourselves to close contact from other people.

Right now, I am very grateful for all that we have - our comfortable home to weather this storm and a good network of friends and contacts available via phone and social media.  I can already see good things happening all around.  People are showing they care and are pulling together.  The next few weeks will tell the tale of whether this virus can be stopped.

Our travel plans from Bali to Bangkok were cancelled.  It was sad to tell our Perth. Australia friends that we could not come - but they understand because they, too, are going through this crisis.  The future of our Friendship Force Club is in doubt because the entire travel industry has disappeared overnight.  The financial hits will be hard for them to bear. As for me, I am putting my Faith in God and trying to limit the constant news banter.  Being quiet, thinking with gratitude is what gets you through the hard times!

Lickity Split at Aqua Marina

Winning Kite

Richard wins trophy - 1st place Men's Division

Rum Bay on Palm Island Resort

Before Our World changed, I want to remember our wonderful trip on Lickity Split to Aqua Marina with our PGIslander friends.  We had such a great time flying kites on the beach near Englewood and enjoying the friendship, great food and joy of being on our boat again.  Such treasures and memories!

Andy & Charlene Cooper with us at Farewell Party, Vivante Clubhouse - Great week with them!

We also had a wonderful Inbound Journey from Niagara Canada with our Friendship Force Club.  We so enjoyed having the Coopers stay with us from Haliburton, Canada.  I organized a super Farewell Party at Vivante Clubhouse for 46 people with wonderful Steel Drum entertainment by Duo.

Our Friendship Force Club with the Canadians at Colonial Country Club Welcome Lunch

2020 - Start of a new decade!

Enjoying Chinese Cork & Fork at Isles Yacht Club

We started off 2020 by attending our first "Cork and Fork" event at the Isles Yacht Club.  I became interested in attending because my water aerobics buddies have been talking about the huge Chinese Dragon that they had obtained for a super duper decoration.  It lived up on all counts.  The dragon was red and his tail extended 40 ft around the room!  The food was spectacular.  Lots of little courses with wine parings.  Just a delightful evening!

Emmane Beasha wows us!

Last Saturday night one of my scrabble buddies could not attend the Charlotte Co Concert Band performance.  So, he gifted us with two free tickets.  The highlight was hearing Emmane Beasha perform.  We could not believe the powerful gorgeous voice coming out from this little 11-year old girl. She is amazing!  She was a finalist on "America's Got Talent" and lives in nearby North Port.  We loved listening to all her songs especially "Ave Maria."

Raft up on Edgewater Lake - Check out Lickity Split, last boat on the right!

Also last Saturday, we participated in our first Edgewater Lake Raft-Up Event of our boating club, the PGIslanders with our new boat, Lickity Split.  There were ~35 people who brought wonderful lunch food and we had a terrific time.  The weather was awesome.

End of Year Festivities

Mom with Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Isles YC

Every year the Holiday Season seems to start earlier - or could it be that we are just getting older  - and time seems to go by so much more quickly?

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner at the Isles Yacht Club with our friends, the Andersons, Eitenmillers, Lordons with my Mom and Richard.  Mom's 99th birthday was the day before.  It was a food fest those two days.  Mom wanted Italian food at a favorite restaurant, Donato's in Port Charlotte. We had a wonderful dinner with Mom's friend, Norma Jean Rich.  The Chef even came out and sang to Mom in his best operatic voice. Truly, a time to remember!

Mom, Norma Jean, Joanne & Richard celebrating Mom's 99th

Next up on Tuesday, December 3rd, was a wonderful Holiday Dinner and Dance sponsored by St Vincent de Paul at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club.  What a beautiful setting with all kinds of pastas and sauces, not to mention terrific  people!  

Oops - one more little detail into our Holidays!  I discovered the "Perfect Boat" which was advertised briefly online located in Lighthouse Point (north of Fort Lauderdale).  After much convincing, I got Richard to look at it with me. 

Lickity Split, our new boat

Just a quick 2-1/2 hour jaunt over to the other side of the state via Alligator Alley.  Yes, we saw a 2016 Merry Fisher Jeanneau power boat with outboard engines in great condition.  Could we purchase it?  Would we put in an offer?

After much discussion and reviewing of our finances, we decided "to go for it."  Again, we traveled over to meet the surveyor and engine expert.  There were more negotiations to lower the price and finally, the day came to purchase the boat.  We decided to have it trucked over here.  But wait!  That required us to go over to Lighthouse Point for the 3rd time during the holidays and follow the truck (loaded down with our new boat) back here to launch it into Charlotte Harbor.

Hurrah!  We did it!  We once again are boat owners and can participate in our boating club activities and enjoy anchoring out - and the joy of fixing boats  - and speeding over the water with the wind in our hair and the salt under our fingernails!

More Holiday events.  Yes, there was the Garden Club Tour of Homes which is always so interesting as they use natural garden clippings to make incredible decorations.   

Our Friendship Force Club had a delicious time at the Isles Yacht Club Brunch.  Love all these people!

Following that, I organized our Friendship Force Club's Holiday Brunch at the Isles Yacht Club.  We elected new officers for the next 2 years (not an easy feat!) and enjoyed a spirited gift exchange.

Three days later on December 11 we attended our boating club's PGIslanders Holiday Dinner Dance and Change of Watch at the Isles Yacht Club.  Lots of fun!  The next day, we attended the Lighting of the Fleet, a beautiful event.  There is a countdown and all at once, every boat in the marina lights up.  We had a great time on Gene & Sue Fuller's new boat with lots of friends attending.

My 99-yr old Mom was enthralled by Paul Todd singing to her

The next evening we attended a Paul Todd Concert at our church, Sacred Heart, with my Mom.  What a fantastic evening of rousing music by this performer and his talented son.  On Saturday, Dec 14, we attended the Isles Yacht Club formal Christmas Ball.  We enjoyed sitting with our friends, Magda and Ford Cooper, and dancing to the band.


We rested for a day and then rang bells once morning for the Salvation Army at the local WalMart.  We had fun talking to people rushing in and out of the store and many people were generous.  Our red pot was full!

All decked out for IYC Ball

On Saturday, Dec 21st, we took Mom to hear the Venice Orchestra for their Christmas Pop Concert.  We had first row seats and enjoyed the harpist playing right before us.  Dinner followed at the Venice Yacht Club and Mom really enjoyed her steak.

I then began preparing for Christmas Day Dinner.  I made a turkey and Cousin Constance also contributed a grilled turkey and other dishes.  We had 14 people here and it was lots of fun.  We were so glad that cousin Jake, Claudia and her son, Andy, could come down from Tampa.  Cousin Constance had 3 surprise Amoco friends surprise Bill.  It was great!   Oh, and on Christmas Eve, we had dinner with Mom at La Florentino's followed by Punta Gorda Midnight Mass at 10 p.m.  Just a beautiful concert and Mass.

Andy, Richard holding Bleu Kitty, Claudia, Joanne & Mom (Marie)

Whew!  We have been cleaning up and relaxing since then.  We saw the movie, Little Women, which was very good.  Tomorrow is Richard's birthday and we will take our boat, Lickity Split to Pelican Bay to celebrate with our friends aboard their catamaran, the party boat.

On New Year's Day, cousins Tony & Karen stopped by with the new bride & groom, Claudia and Jake.  

Cousin Tony, Karen, Claudia, Mom, Me and Cousin Jake

We have so much to be thankful for and hope the New Year will bring more good health, friends, activities, joy and love.