February 28--Moving Westward

Always kiss your children goodnight--even if they're already asleep. 
--H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

    But of course! My son sent the most adorable photo of my grandson yesterday afternoon whereupon Grammie had a meltdown. JOY!!

    We traveled yesterday from Savannah back to Panama City Beach, picking up our host's dog from the relatives who were dog-sitting. That was one happy pup, to reunite with Mom. We unloaded our vehicle, got laundry started, and put on our suits. We glided into the pool and stayed there till sunset. The evening was mighty fine pizza and cocktails enjoyed during a hilarious game of Rummikub. 

    We are staying one more day here, so right now, it's off to the golf course...

        Leta

FUN!!!

February 27--Moms Rock!

I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.  --Oprah Winfrey

    I hope that has been the case for me. I remember that when our sons were teenagers, they truly thought Mom was out in left field spiritually. Later, in college, they started speaking the ideas I had shared with them earlier back to me like they had just discovered something completely new. Big smile. 

    Savannah, we love you! So much fun! Yesterday we went out of the city to Wormsloe Historical Site and did a one-mile hike that lasted 3.75 miles. The trail signs (colored arrows) and map (no color indications) were poorly marked and we got lost. However, it was a lovely walk with big live oaks, marshlands and birdsong. 

    Later we roamed around City Market and had lunch and shopped. Below are some of the funnies we saw. We capped off our visit with a great spaghetti and meatball dinner at Corleone's. Of course, we finished off the day with card-playing. 

    Today we return to Panama City Beach, starting our trek homeward. 

        Leta

February 26--Another Day in Paradise

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 
--Desmond Tutu

    I believe that in some way I don't understand that we DO choose our family. In some instances, I wonder what the hell I was thinking!!?! I did make an excellent selection for my dad and oldest brother. Now I do get to choose my "friend family," and it is the best!

    Yesterday's Savannah adventure included a walk to Cafe M for a French pastry breakfast. As is typical, I got us lost on the way there (seriously, it was right down and across the street from our hotel). But our wanderings took us down to the beautiful riverfront, where we found the Christmas shop (an ornament being one of the must-haves of my travel bud) and a Life Is Good store, which is my favorite clothing brand. After shopping we rode the trolley for the full tour. This is a gorgeous city with loads of amazing architecture and history. 

    The evening was capped off with a fabulous dinner at Elizabeth on 37th. It is a restaurant in a beautiful old home. It was by far the best and most expensive meal I've ever had, an extraordinary treat. 

    And of course, we finished off the day with card-playing--we played 31, and since we had no coins, we played with EmergenC packets 😄

    Ready for more fun!

        Leta

Approaching Elizabeth on 37th

February 25--Interesting, But No Ghosts

We must take care of our families wherever we find them.  --Elizabeth Gilbert

    We are now in Savannah. We went on a ghost and pub tour last night. There was some interesting history, and we had some great key-lime-flavored shots. We did not see any ghosts. The "story" of the tour for us was that a very high/drunk bridal party latched onto us and told us their life stories and made us their new best friends. They were a beautiful bunch of girls, and it was quite a hoot. 

    The hotel, in some mysterious way that no one could figure out, messed up our reservation and cancelled one of our rooms. The three of us stayed in one room last night, thankfully with two queen beds. Our travel agent managed to get the second room back for tonight and Sunday. 

    I think we'll be doing the hop-on/hop-off trolley today. I'm excited to see the many beautiful squares in the daylight. 

    Up and moving,

        Leta

Bradley Lock & Key Shop--
the oldest still-operating 
business in Savannah

February 24--Making Family Memories

Sticking with your family is what makes it a family.  --Mitch Albom

    You have to love a vacation when each day keeps getting better than the previous one. My three soul sisters and I are creating a very awesome family. 

    Yesterday four of us played 18 holes at Riviera Country Club. It's a very woman-friendly course, the weather was perfect, and we had a great time. Oh, yes, loads of laughter. But no alligators. This fulfilled one of my "bucket list" items. 

    After an assorted-snack lunch, we drove to Barberville and enjoyed the Yard Art Emporium there. Photos cannot do it justice. It's overwhelming, beautiful, crazy (photos below). You can get a full-size dinosaur or a full-size Virgin Mary. I bought three suns to hang on our garden fence, plus a couple gifts. Then our host took us on a scenic drive, where we marveled at a 2000-year-old live oak. Yes, two thousand. Then we drove along the ocean, saw lots of million-dollar homes, and stuck our feet in the Atlantic Ocean. The water was not as cold as expected. 

    The evening... squeal!! Our host's daughter surprised him by coming from Amsterdam for his 70th birthday. We were able to keep it a surprise, yippee!! Wild celebration and family joy ensued. 

    Today three of us head to Savannah, leaving one of our soul sisters at home in Florida (😀😞)

    Is it possible to have too much fun!?!?!

        Leta

Looking up the 2000 year old live oak

Don't you want one in your garden?

I did not hit a ball into THAT pond.

February 23--NO PARKING!

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. 
--Barbara Bush

    There's been a lot of hugging going on! We moved yesterday from Panama City Beach to Ormond Beach, and I did not have to drive any of it, yippee!! We saw so much devastation still remaining from Hurricane Michael which went through in 2018. We also got the idea on I-95 that they don't want one to park in this area: 

    Heading out to golf!

        Leta

February 22--SISTERS!!!

For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather.  --Christina Rossetti

    As I sit by the pool this morning, the early fog has been burned away by our magnificent sun (Astronomy Picture of the Day below). Soon I will be in the bathtub-warm water by my side 😀

    Sisters!!! I am currently having fun with three soul sisters, and yesterday was a heavenly day of relaxation. We lazed in the pool, went out for a Thai feast at lunch, and finished off the day playing Rummikub. Game-playing is a huge source of laughter and bitch-calling amongst this bunch.

    Today we move on from the home (resort!) of one to the home of another further east in Florida. It is winter back home, so I am most grateful to be closer to our sun!

    Onward,

           Leta

Note the size of Earth
in the upper right corner

Soul Sisters