Wednesday on Marco

Papa and Isabelle start the day in the pool, actually spent the better part of the morning there. Isabelle loves the noodle, it helps her stay above the water
Isabelle practices paddling with her hands( in the shallow end only mom)
An early dinner at the little bar on Goodland, notice no booze in her hand!
Oh papa, do I have to smile?
Not really sure what I am going to order, not sure I really like anything I on menu, oh wait I see cheese sticks, I see chicken fingers, oh ya!

I am happy now, and this smile is just for you mommy!Now we are really talking, dessert at the Chocolate Strawberry, Aunt Char just loves Chocolate so here we are, and I think I found something I like.......

Yes sir re bob, I found salt water taffy, and papa says go for it........And I found a cookie dough ice cream I wanted as well, so the end of a great day, another great day.So, Wednesday is coming to a close and Isabelle is about out of books to read in bed, she has consumed everything she had, and has gotten, to quote Isabelle.." I am really an advanced reader for a 7 year old"

Thursday brings a lunch cruise on the Marco Island Princess for our little Princess Isabelle, I will post the pictures from that adventure tomorrow.

Pictures of the Beach Day

Isabelle and the birds Isabelle and the sand castle



Isabelle on the beach and with Papa












Well here are the pictures of the day on the beach.

A day on the Beach

Today was not like any other here on the island, no sir e bob, today was a special day, for one Isabelle and I picked some oranges early on the morning as she arose from bed right from the backyard of the house we are in, yes sir e bob, right in our very own back lot. Lifting her high into the air she plucked them right off the tree, and Nana of course peeled one right away and we all tasted a really good little orange. But wait there's more, if you taste one you can taste two and for the same price, absolutely free. Then Breakfast and yummy, Chocolate chip waffles for Isabelle and after a little while we handed off to Tigertail beach for a day of fun in the sun, Sand castle and all, now I must confess that the construction dude was one the task, while dancing and prancing girl made sand pies and mucky piles of wet sand and seaweed, never the less the castle took shape. Birds flocking around some boys who catch small fish in a net and actually hand feed a few Herons. Isabelle was happy just having the birds all around her. Then without question we had to stop at the cafe on the beach for cheeseburgers in paradise, at least Isabelle and Nana, I choose a hot dog. It was a perfect day for the Little Princess, with playing on the jungle play area after lunch and then off to the house to jump into the pool to cool off, we played and played and had a wonderful time getting wet and floating on those long float things. Off to the store to get a couple more post cards that needed writing on them, that is a story in it self, but I will not tell it.
Pizza and dominoes, Isabelle went out again, she it good, no question about that. and a small cup of Carmel Ice cream before climbing into bed to finish up her book before sleep. All this plus getting another package from mommy, something for Clara! Isabelle was trilled. A big day in the Island today, Pictures of some of these events may follow, having trouble uploading from camera, the batteries may be weak and it would transfer, I will get new ones and try again. Let me tell you, however, I am going to sleep well tonight.

A grand day

Today was one of those special days in a life that just simply has to be recounted for those who care to read. Of course this was Palm Sunday and that alone would give cause to reflect and record thoughts and feelings associated with one of the major events of years past, but alas, as profound and having eternal effects on the spirit of mankind, this day holds another event which brings the heart warning, pulse raising, spirit lifting of a papa such as I. Today after church Patty and I changed into our Florida outfits and set out on a journey to a more Northern territory of Florida know as Tampa.The reason for this excursion into the hustle and bustle of the Tampa area was to arrive at the Airport to meet non other then our little Isabelle. She was arriving with her daddy who to attend a conference in Orlando for the week. We were going to be able to bring Isabelle to Marco Island for that same period, Hooray! Ah the joy to once again be embraced and get and give a hug! The smile alone at the airport was worth the drive itself, but that was just the beginning. Yes, we have her, and already she and Nana had to get into the pool, even before dinner, nothing would keep her from the appointed task of getting wet. Let's face it, wake up in the cold and snow, and before dinner swimming in a 86 degree pool with the sun shining and just as warm air. Ain't life good! and all that at 7 years of age. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday hold so much more, And as Isabelle reminded Nana, "she is on vacation"

I don't Understand

It never ceases to amaze me how some individuals as well intended as they may be and to some decree seem to be, at least by themselves, intellectual have allowed themselves to be sucked into such a state of euphoria over perhaps the most liberal of all people who has slide into the pipeline of public, media promoted celeberitism,(my own word) since I don't know who. However, I am beginning to make some sense of this "illness" and perhaps can offer, from my mind, some thoughts that will help.



First it would certainly make a whole lot of sense to desire a leader who has for the most part absolutely no moral convictions which match those of the Conservative Christians living in this country. After all who in their right mind would want a leader who believed in living with any restrictions on the right to live any way you choose. It has been said by many that it is a horrible thing President Bush does by endeavoring to push his personal convictions on the rest of Americans, yet euphoria ensues over a man who says he wants to push his personal agenda of liberalism on the rest of Americans and actually, well maybe not actually, maybe just in the political arena, believes he can sit down and reason with Islamic terrorists dedicated to killing as many Americans as they can, what just because his middle name is like theirs.
You think the Government of this country is against Christian values now, you think the government wants separation of church and state now, just wait! You know our founding fathers formed this country with the concept that people should have the freedom to worship without the control of the state, however the state surely should be influenced by the peoples beliefs, which include the beliefs of the people who believe in God. However, now they have turned that around and try to make people believe that the church has absolute no say in the affairs of the state, that the state should be without any influence of Christian values, of Godly values, that the state has the right to remove any and all forms of Christian values from the public forum, yet does not impose that same control on non-Christian religious groups. Just wait for more "change".



Second, it would certainly seem to me, his experience is not one of a great leader of people, not even one of a good leader of people. Is he a smooth talker, yes, but so was Hitler. Can he inspire people to listen to him, yes, but so did Castro. Does he have a good staff of speech writers, sure, of course they are limited to the word "change" and want the heck does that mean. I change my underwear, but they all look alike. So we change from one President to another, that change may well be from better to worse for the average American, but it will be change. What kind of foreign policy experience does he bring to the table, Oh heck, everyone knows the answer to that question.

Third, I am sorry to say this person of "change" will cause more pain and suffering to Americans around the world. If we do not continue our pressure on those who would kill Americans whenever and where ever they can, they will grow stronger and bolder and begin to attack in ways we cannot even image. Then what will he do, shake his finger at them like that other, smooth talker of years past who lied his way into the white house and now has his spouse running as a front woman to his plans for another term. This man of "change" will destroy the America we know, he will surely not defend it. If is is at all like, and I believe he is, that finger wagging president that"did not have sex with that woman" he will also decimate that military strength of this country and open our borders to those who would destroy us.

Then, of course that whole scandal about NAFTA and Canada, get real folks, He says one thing to you, the public to smooth talk you out of your vote, ad behind closed doors has his staff tell the other country he is just vote getting, that is not at all what he will do when he is president. That kind of change, is not the kind I want. And then his wife has to tell us all "this is the first time she can be proud". What is that all about! Racism! Oh that surely could not be, could it? I mean the African Americans would never have any racist thoughts against any other race, would they?

I could ramble on for hours about this person, but I will not, I will spare you all from this thinking of mine, and simple ask you to examine the real reason, you are being misguided down a path of unreasoning, down a path of being mislead with smooth talk, pleasant( to you) looks and the thinking of being open minded to having this person as president. Instead really examine in you mind the effects on your life and those you love that will ensue if this man of "change" has his chance.

Ode to Marco Island

March has arrived and the Flowers are bursting forth even more then before
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
The days are getting hotter even more then before
The Mocking birds sing the songs of others each day
The morning Sun shines even more upon the Lanai
Even more then before yesterday
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
Golf is better, the fairways actually have some green
Much better then hitting off the sand
Not that my score has improved, and that is mean
The drought was worst the even before,
Global Warming? not even close with all the snow up North
even more then before, but swing the club and not the shovel
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
Driving has become a little crazy
even more then before
with more snowbirds on the road
q-tips they are called by some, all topped with white hair
driving as though some one called "slow motion please!"
Then the others, residents I am sure, thinking faster is better
even better then before
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
The morning walks have gotten fewer
as my days are filled with busy, not to mention the hotter temps
even more then before
it costs more energy, more sweat, more time
to make the route I have in mind
But determined I will continue, I think
even more then before
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
Trips to Naples, trips to Fort Meyers, trips to Sarasota
Trips to where ever even Wal Mart
more then before
Where is my time to go to Winn Dixie or even Publix or some golfing mart
not more then before, time is passing by and Domino's awaits
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
Oh yes, who can forgot, the Citrus grove is new
A place to get the car dirty and gritty
Grape fruit, oranges grown local just for you
and tomatoes, tasty morsels they are nifty
and only 1.29 a lb, a deal for me and for you
Ah, Marco Island in the spring
enough of this dribble, The driver I must be
another adventure this day awaits me
perhaps Corned beef and cabbage will my pay
for waiting in Chico's and other stores alone the way
Ah, Marco Island in the spring

The Days go by

It is almost the close of Feburary and each day passes as the life cycle of a turtle, the pace is almost stagering. I may well be ready for the guys in the white jackets by mid March if it were not for Mondays and the time I spend with the guys on the golf course. Then of course there is the ever exciting times I have at the Winn Dixie strolling up and down each row gazing at all the goodies I cannot have, blood sugar, gotta watch the blood sugar and not to mention the most excellent moments at the Driving range, and I am not in the car, but rather a range on which I may hit many, many golf balls to improve my aim and abilities at striking that little ball correctly. Awe, yes it is so much fun to challenge these old bones, and to attempt to teach this old dog some new tricks. Life must be experinced face first, looking forward, pressing on toward the mark. This last weekend we drive up to Sarasota to visit with friends we have known for some 25 years, attending church with them I was reminded of a verse of scripture in Isaiah,
Isa 43:18-1918 "Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! It reminded me to face life head on, it is difficult to advance when you are facing the rear. And so I do look forward to the next week here in sun drenged Florida. Of course it is another packed schedule, Thurs night Chars friends, three of them I think are arriving for dinner and dominos, with Friday afternoon another set of friends arriving for an afternoon of not just dominos but stacking dominos and then Saturday with our new friends and Char to dinner out on the Isle of Capri, and back to their place for, you guessed it, D________. It seems as if everyone has to get together at the same week. Oh the joy of it all! And yet the days still seem to pass slower then that snail I just saw. What is going on? why and I complaining? No I am not complaining, I am not in a hurry for my days to zoom by, yet I know at the conclusion of this "party" I will once again be able to enjoy the presence of my dear sweetpea II, III, and IV