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Vieques — Itinerary for a Week

/ Jo / 2 Comments

Although we just returned from Florida a month ago Charlie and I have been planning a return trip to Puerto Rico for a long time.

Even though we were in the final seating group we snagged seats in the 4th row from the front.

We arrived at San Juan airport but transferred immediately to a smaller airport where we were transported to Vieques, a nearby island.

We flew above the clouds over the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 1 Friday

Our travel day started early in the morning.

The Vieques Air Link desk in Ceiba.

By the time we reached the airport at Ceiba, Puerto Rico, it was afternoon.

We were seated in the last row of the little plane.

Then we flew to Vieques on an 8-seater.  The flight took 10 minutes.

Vieques Airport from the tarmac side.

After securing a rental car we headed to our room in an AirBnB.

Our room was the second door on the left.

Day 2 Saturday

On the second day of our trip we explored the island by car, went grocery shopping, and tried some local restaurants.

Charlie likes to check out the fare at local grocery stores.

We also found a barber who would give Charlie a traditional haircut.

Careful with that razor, Tito.

We saw the Southern Cross constellation on a cloudy night in San Juan, in February, 2019.

Crux is visible just above and to the right of the tallest boat mast.

We tried again in Vieques and were delighted to see it clearly from our south-facing position in Esperanza.

The Southern Cross — Crux.

Even though it was relatively low in the sky we had no doubt .  After staying up half the night we were happy to get back to our room.

We slept well in this comfortable bed even though folks partied in the street until the wee hours.

Day 3 Sunday

In the morning we  attended a service in Spanish at Holy Redeemer Methodist Church in Esperanza where we were cheerfully and sincerely welcomed.

Church began at 10 a.m. and went on until about noon — lots of music and a grace-filled gospel message.

In the evening we had arranged a Biobay Tour in the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.

We toured the bay in completely clear kayaks (at the left of the photo).

Touring Mosquito Bay in the dark was our primary purpose for visiting Vieques.

Day 4 Monday

We relaxed at the beach then took a sunset horseback ride in late afternoon.

My steed’s name was Carlitos — Charlie in Spanish.

This was the first time that we had ever had the opportunity to ride in the ocean — exciting.

Day 5 Tuesday

We drove to the north side of the island especially to see the almost 400-year-old Ceiba tree.

That’s Charlie near the trunk of the tree for scale.

It was quite spectacular.

Day 6  Wednesday

Each day began early for us with the aid of nature’s alarm clock.

Coqs crowed morning, noon, and night.

Charlie and I headed to Sun Bay early in the morning to try tai chi on the beach.

Charlie (in the light clothing) enjoyed tai chi more than he expected.

Day 7  Thursday

Beach Day.

White sandy beaches with palm trees for shade.

Our favorite beach was Pata Prieta —Black (or brown or dark) leg.

Beaches are free on Vieques.

Our final sunset on Vieques.

We enjoyed the night sky and the setting sun.

Day 8  Friday

Travel day.

The first leg of our journey home was in a small plane.

Details soon.

Jo

March 2023 — Objectives

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Ah, Spring! Almost, at least.  We’ve been harvesting daffodils from the yard for about 2 weeks — a sure harbinger of spring.

Daffodils from the yard brighten up the house.

I stopped eating sugar at the end of last month which so far has not been much of a challenge.  I’m sure that will change when we start traveling and entertaining.

  1. Celebrate birthdays.

    It only takes a few people to make a party.

    I have a little get-together planned for the birthday boy and girl at The Glade.

  2.  Head to Vieques in Puerto Rico.

    Hoping to see the bioluminescence of Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico.

  3. Begin working on a small claims court filing. I’m dreading it.
  4. See a movie.
  5.  Read a book.
  6.  Remove a box from the attic.

    The attic is still full of stuff even after careful assessment.

  7.  Work on fall travel plans.

    We have tickets to visit Egypt next fall.

  8.  Get rid of 5 pairs of shoes.

    Let’s start with this pair whose innersole is disintegrating to a turquoise powder.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: HOPE.
  10.  Write a goal list for April, 2023.

Jo

February 2023 — Processed

/ Jo / 2 Comments

February has always been my favorite month probably because it’s my birthday month along with that of my very clever niece who was born the same day forty years later.  My great-grandmother’s birthday was one day before mine except she was born in 1884.  Enough about my shallow self now on to the items I hoped to accomplish in February. 

Sunrise in Hudson, Florida.

In addition to the numbered list below:

  • I washed a dingy window in the living room.
  • I went to the local planetarium to see “Rocks in Space”. 

    I’m learning a great deal from these monthly planetarium shows.

     I’m loving these planetarium shows so much so that I might branch out to other local planetaria. It won’t be long before our local astronomical league resumes their monthly star parties.
  • Charlie and I hosted a dinner party with 2 other couples. 

    The table was set with place plates that I picked up at a local Goodwill store.

  • I celebrated Dash’s 5th birthday by taking him to Starbucks for a puppuccino — he loved it! 

    This was to be Dash’s birthday portrait.

    Dash had a serious look for his birthday photo until I said one word —

    SMILE!

February goal fulfilment:

  1.  Family trip to Florida.

    View of Clearwater Beach from a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.

  2. Remove one item or box from basement. I did get rid of a small box with old hardware — dried up plumbing washers and the like — and consolidated a few other things.  I put electrical bits and bobs in the electric crate so we can actually find them when we need them.
  3.  Birthday celebration. 

    Our menu was simple — crème caramel, mini-croissant, biscotti, glazed donuts, and avocado toast in the kitchen. And COFFEE!

    We hosted a drop-by morning coffee party.
  4.  See a play.  I saw multiple plays — Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story (at a dinner theatre in Florida)

    Both the buffet meal and show were satisfying.

    and The Complete works of William Shakespeare, Abridged (at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Baltimore) .

    Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s home theatre is in a classic building in downtown Baltimore.

    Both were a lot of fun even keeping Charlie engaged who is not the theatre lover I am.
  5.  See a movie.  I saw The Whale — a heartbreaking story of a sad life reaching for redemption. Then I watched Plane which was brutal but exciting.  Also saw Marlowe with Liam Neeson, a classic mystery. 
  6.  Read a book. I read another Elizabeth Peters mystery set in Egypt called. I’m gleaning a lot of small details about “how things work” in Egypt.  I also read A Man Called Ove on which the movie A Man Called Otto was based.

    The original Swedish book is available in English.

    I liked the book as much as even more than the movie — definitely worth reading. Then I checked the original Swedish movie out of the library — so good, so sweet, so sad, so intense — I highly recommend it.
  7. Attend orchestra concert. I enjoyed featuring Brahms’ final songs — lovely.  Then Charlie and I were gifted tickets to the Baltimore Symphony performing Mahler’s 1st Symphony: Titan. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it.  The audience went wild for the performance and the conductor, Marin Alsop.
  8. Get 2022 tax information to our accountant. Always challenging I mailed this packet early in the month and emailed the final pieces on the 15th.  I’m just waiting for the inevitable questions from my accountant.
  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STABILITY.
  10. Write a goal list for March, 2023.

A Week in the Sunshine State

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Early in February Charlie and I headed south to Florida to spend a week on the Gulf of Mexico near Hudson Florida.

The view of the Gulf of Mexico and lagoon from our condo.

We went expressly to spend some time with Charlie’s mother.  We usually stay at her house but this time we decided it would be more fun if we had accommodations right on the Gulf of Mexico so we three could gaze at the sun setting over the watery horizon every day (much like we did in Hawaii last year).  It never gets old.

Our first meal together was at an open-air restaurant on the beach — Sam’s.

Even though we went to relax and visit I planned a few excursions to explore this area of the central western coast of Florida.  The items crossed out below were optional and we just didn’t have time for everything.

The westward view from our condo gave us a glorious seat for the setting sun.

Our schedule follows:

  • Day 1 :
    • Fly to Tampa

      We had a direct flight from Maryland to Florida.

    • Pick up car.
    • Check in at AirBnB Condo,

      The view from our bedroom faces north.

    • Go grocery shopping for breakfast items and snacks. (My plan was to eat out most meals — I have researched all the best spots.)
  • Day 2 
    • Pick up Mom and settle into the condo.
    • Visit Robert J Strickland Memorial Park — a 6-acre park with a swimming area, picnic shelters & a playground, plus   fishing access & a boat ramp.
    • Have a meal at Sam’s Beach Bar —  waterfront dining.

      We had a really nice lunch at Sam’s with enough leftover for another meal.

  • Day 3 
    • Head to Tarpon Springs (17 miles away) in the morning to see this historic Greek town which is home to great restaurants like Dimitri’s on the Water  where we had delicious spanakopita and galakto boureko for dessert.

      I was too intent on my dessert and Greek coffee to pose for a photo.

      The town is full of sponges which are harvested just off the coast.

    • After lunch we continued down the coast to Clearwater Beach where we caught a sunset cruise that took us out into the Gulf.

      Sunset from the cruise boat was beautiful.

  • Day 4 
    • Restful day at the pool/beach by the condo.

      We met a Superhero by the pool — not sure what his superpower is.

    • In the evening we attended Suncoast Dinner Theater’s musical production of The Buddy Holly Story.

      Both the buffet meal and show were satisfying.

  • Day 5 
    • Community Breakfast in the clubhouse.
    • We saw dolphins playing in the lagoon and outside the bedroom.

      We were up close and personal with all sorts of wild birds including the mallard (above), egrets, and herons.

      Our hosts had provided a pair of binoculars which made the watching even more spectacular.

  • Day 6
    •  Attend a local church.
    • Brunch  at 7 Springs Golf and Country Club.

      Our all-you-can eat buffet included made-to-order omelets, waffles, blini and grits — something we northerners seldom get.

  • Day 7 
    •  Take Mom home.
    • Our final sunset.

      After the sun sinks below the horizon stars light up the night sky. (Venus is the light spot above the building on the left.)

  • Day 8
    • Check out of AirBnB by 10 am.

      Looking northward at our last sunrise.

    • Return car to airport.
    • The plan was to eat breakfast on the way to the airport but we had heard so much about Ulele’s grouper sandwich on Concourse C that Charlie and I each had one.

      Grilled grouper with freshly made ketchup was a treat.

    • Fly back to good old Maryland.

This was a really fun and relaxing week with a lot of talk and laughter.

Jo

February 2023 — Objectives

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We have a busy month planned! This is my birthday month so I enjoy celebrating the entire month.   Since retiring at the end of January I now have more time to pursue both creative and necessary projects.  In addition to the items listed below I still attend semiweekly tai chi and Bible study classes.

A birthday puppuccino will make Dash happy. See his smile?

And let’s not forget Dashie’s birthday in early February — he will be a big five years old.

  1.  Family trip to Florida.

    We’ll have a view of the Gulf of Mexico from our condo.

  2. Remove one item or box from basement.
  3.  Birthday celebration.

    Something simple but fun.

  4.  Go to the theatre:  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) .

    This should be a hoot.

  5.  See a movie.
  6.  Read a book.
  7. Attend an orchestra concert.

    This concert will have both narration and singing.

  8. Get 2022 tax information to our accountant.
  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: STABILITY.
  10. Write a goal list for March, 2023.

Jo

January 2023 — Processed

/ Jo / 2 Comments

I made no resolutions this New Year — I never do.  Instead I challenged myself with some objectives that I hoped to realize during the month of January. I’m planning to repeat this exercise every month.

I’m planning a fun and exciting year — 2023, that’s for me!

In addition to the numbered list below:

  • I retired from my job of over thirty years.

    The view from my office window.

  • Charlie and I attended a Rose Bowl party won by my alma mater. 

    2023 Rose Bowl Champs

  • I enjoyed a planetarium presentation about Venus. 

    The entrance to the Planetarium is stellar.

  • I brought the Aloha Spirit to a late holiday party. 

    A fresh pineapple for everyone — Aloha!

  • Among others, I watched these movies at home:  LA LA Land, Lawrence of Arabia, And So It Goes and 2 Indiana Jones films — Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Temple of Doom.    
  • I went to a library presentation about preparation for international travel.  I knew much of what was discussed in terms of passports and money but gleaned a tidbit or two from the experienced presenters. An interesting fact is that camouflage clothing is illegal in a number of places including some you’d never suspect.
  • I knitted a scarf from yarn scraps. 

    A scarf from leftover yarn.

These are my January realizations.

  1. Adjust automatic reinvestments.  I enjoyed reallocating  my investment strategy especially since I retire at the end of the month.  
  2. Get rid of 10 books. (101 in 1001 #14)

    My shelf is a little lighter.

    I actually sent 11 books to sellbackyourbook.com for a total return of $11.91 with free shipping.  I still have some old books that were unsellable due to the fact that they don’t have ISBN designations.
  3. Drink 60 ounces of water everyday for a week (#48). 

    I’m trying to maintain a high hydration level even after the goal has been accomplished.

    I really don’t know why I find this activity so difficult but I did fulfill the requirement with a few bonus days.  
  4. See a movie:  A Man Called Otto.  Tom Hanks transformation from a crotchety old man to a beloved neighbor was heartwarming.  Finally a movie I can recommend.

    “Otto” is based on the Swedish book and film A Man Called Ove.

    Sadly and without warning my favorite movie theatre has closed its doors for good so now I have to find a new place to see first-run films. I also watched Notting Hill at home.  I enjoyed this movie more than most I saw last year in the theatre.  It made me laugh out loud more than once.
  5. Read a book about Egypt by  Elizabeth Peters. The Laughter of Dead Kings was a fun introduction to Egypt and the characters in the Vicky Bliss series. 

    I love a good mystery.

     I might also try Ms. Peters’ Amelia Peabody historical mystery series.
  6.  Pack up Christmas decorations.  All packed up and stored in the attic. 

    All Christmas decorations have been neatly stowed in the attic.

      I made sure to wrap each item so we won’t be searching for individual pieces next year.
  7.  Hang trim in the conservatory closet. (The casing boards have been lying in the living room for well over a year now.)  I started this project and realized the boards I had saved were not enough to finish the project which I have now struck off my list as good enough. 

    This bench repair took precedence over door trim inside a closet.

      Instead I used the same wood to repair the bench in our front garden.
  8.  Remove one box from the shed. Ah, the shed. 

    The shed is a scary mess which I’m committed to improving with or without permission.

    I actually removed two bulky items — the horse grooming kit (not used in decades) and a big box half full of junk. It’s a start.
  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: PREPARE.
  10. Write a goal list for February, 2023

Rose Bowl Champs

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My alma mater is Penn State.  I have never been back to campus since I graduated in 1976.  That’s riiiight.

The Nittany Lion is Penn State’s mascot.

However I have recently become a lifetime member of the PSU Alumni Association along with Charlie.  He didn’t have an alma mater so we joined as a couple which Penn State is happy to acknowledge.

I’m not really a football fan but I never missed a home game when I was a student.

This year good old State was selected to play in the Rose Bowl so we gathered with about 40 other local alums at a convenient grill to watch the game on multiple big screen TVs.

Final Results

Wonder of wonders — Penn State won the Rose Bowl with a score of 35 to 21 over Utah.

We are Penn State!

We had a lot of fun and plan to attend other events.  I might even get back to campus someday.

Jo

January 2023 — Objectives

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I can hardly believe 2023 is upon us — in the year 2000 it seemed sooooo far away.  I am truly looking forward to more travel, more camaraderie, and more projects with less stress, less worry, and fewer obligations.

I love a good fireworks display to welcome the New Year. (This photo is from the fireworks over the ocean in Maui when we were there last September.)

I don’t make resolutions but I do regularly set goals and have been mostly successful by listing them each month and accounting for the results at the end oaf the month.  I try to put enjoyable items on the list as well as chores.  Here are some of the things I have planned for January.

  1. Adjust automatic reinvestments.
  2. Get rid of 10 books. (101 in 1001 #14)
  3. Drink 60 ounces of water everyday for a week (#48)

    I’ll need to drink 3 of these 20-ounce Yeti cups each day.

  4. See a movie:  A Man Called Otto.
  5. Read a book about Egypt by  Elizabeth Peters. The Laughter of Dead Kings

    A promising novel to start the year.

  6.  Pack up Christmas decorations.

    My plan is to add a little more organization to the Christmas storage containers.

  7.  Hang trim in the conservatory closet. (The casing boards have been lying in the living room for well over a year now.)

    The inside of the conservatory closet has never been encased in trim.

  8.  Remove one box from the shed.
  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: PREPARE.
  10. Write a goal list for February, 2023

Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Jo

December, 2022: Well Intended

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We started December out by planning an impromptu movie screening party of a Christmas classic.

10 inches larger than our everyday set.

I bought a big TV so we could all see it well.

The entrance to the Planetarium was “out of this world”.

I went to a local planetarium for the program Mars.  It just so happens Mars is currently very visible in our night sky — it’s one of the objects I can actually locate on my own.

Before and After

I spiffed up our winter outdoor mats with some spray paint.

Our small tree between the living and dining rooms.

Charlie rescued an old artificial tree from a trash heap which we decorated with special Charlie and Jo ornaments.

The dining room —  ready for Christmas.

Now for my December list of good intentions:

  1.  Attend a concert. I used our season tickets to attend a classical music concert featuring  Bonecos de Olinda, Music from Romeo and Juliet, and  a Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.  The violin soloist was phenomenal.

    Holly Jenkins entertained us with her virtuosity.

  2.  Celebrate Christmas!  I have a new theme for this year: Aloha Spirit Christmas.

    An Aloha Spirit Christmas in red and turquoise.

    I had a new color palette which always inspires me.  My sister sent us a new ornament that encapsulates the entire theme.

    The caption is “Pearl, Pineapples & Kona” — Pearl Harbor, Pineapples and Kona Coffee.

  3.  Send out 3 handwritten notes. (101 in 1001 #96) So many kind people keep in touch with me it’s not difficult to find a few to write to. These were not Christmas cards — just a few lines to a few people.
  4.  See a movie.  Early in the month I saw the movie Devotion.  I loved it; it was emotional and sometimes heartbreaking.  I wasn’t ready for the ending. Then I saw Babylon — at 3+ hours it is an ill-advised commitment.  Editing would have done wonders!
  5. Do something fun we’ve never done together. Charlie and I cruised through a local Journey to Bethlehem on a night that allowed us to stay in our car to view it.

    Some of the tableaux even had live animals.

    On the walk-thru nights Sug was one of the costumed participants.

    We had a fun time skating and would do it again.

    Then at the end of the month we went roller skating at a local rink.  Both of us had been skaters as children but neither of us had skated for at least 40 years.  Charlie had no trouble reestablising his old form.

  6.  Get rid of another box from the attic. (Perhaps the excess from our Christmas collection.)  I expelled lots of unused Christmas ornaments and emptied an extra box.
  7.  Read a book:  Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.  I had a slow start with this novel which is a series of letters between friends and family during WWI.  After about 70 pages I was engrossed in the lives of the letter writers and eagerly finished well before the end of the month.

    Last Christmas in Paris

  8.   Finalize details for February and March trips.  I have arranged accommodations, air flights, car rentals, and activities schedule (including special meals).  Ready to pack.

    We’re hoping to see the Greek-heritage sponge divers off the coast of Florida.

  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: REMEMBER.
  10.  Write a goal list for January, 2023.

Jo

December, 2022: Intentions

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I can hardly believe that it’s the end of 2022.  I have so many plans on my 101 in 1001 and bucket lists to accomplish in my lifetime while time seems to move more and more quickly as I age.

Christmas dessert is already in the plan.

Now for my December list of good intentions:

  1.  Attend a concert.

    We have tickets for Music from Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev.

  2.  Celebrate Christmas!  I have a new theme for this year.

    The theme for the past few years has been polar bears.

  3.  Send out 3 handwritten notes. (101 in 1001 #96)
  4.  See a movie.
  5. Do something fun we’ve never done together.

    We’ve never visited a planetarium together.

  6.  Get rid of another box from the attic. (Perhaps the excess from our Christmas collection.)

    I’m sharing the wealth.

  7.  Read a book:  Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

    Last Christmas in Paris

  8.   Finalize details for February and March trips.
  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: REMEMBER.
  10.  Write a goal list for January, 2023.

Jo