I started to feel sick last night-had trouble sleeping. Up early to say goodbye to PATRICK. AMY took public transportation to work. JOHN took PHILLIP to school. We packed & were ready to leave when John came home. Wonderful visit-will see them again in June for a bike ride in Germany. By the time we get to Naples, I’m really feeling badly. ANNE is home from bridge & I need to go to bed. She has a beautiful home & is always so welcoming.

SAYING GOODBYE TO PATRICK AT 6:00 AM WAY TOO EARLY FOR ME

ARTHUR & SPARKY SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR FRIEND THE SLUG

WE ARE NOW IN NAPLES WITH ANNE ALL I WANT TO DO IS SLEEP

I enjoyed going to church with AMY & PHILLIP Sunday morning. I knew I was in the right place when a PEACOCK greeted us in the parking lot. We went for a nice walk later. ARMAND watched golf. It was a very nice way to end our visit in Miami with John & his family. They went to bed early because PATRICK needs to be at the bus stop at 6:00AM.

Peacocks go to church AMY, PHILLIP & I GO TO CHURCH

JOHN & ARMAND GO FOR A BIKE RIDE

SPARKY & ARTHUR WATCH FOR JOHN’S MANY VISITING CATS

PHILLIP EXPALINS LEGO VILLAGE TO ME I’M VERY IMPRESSED

ARMAND TRIED TO HELP AMY WITH HER 1,000 PIECE PUZZLE

We made it through the night on the air mattresses. We walked around the corner to a high rise, took elevator to the roof & found JOHN’S friends ready for pickleball. Everyone was so nice. We played for 2 hrs-it was amazing. Not my playing but the views! Came back & went with AMY to pick up PATRICK who volunteers on Saturdays to help underprivileged kids with their reading. I’m impressed again. JOHN is now taking a nap; AMY & ARMAND are working on a 1,000 piece puzzle; PATRICK is off with friends; PHILLIP is in his room; I’m trying to BLOG. I needed AMY’S help because I ran out of room to post pictures! SHE HELPED ME.

LINDA left at 7 to substitute. We took a little walk & 1st met DEBBIE walking her dog and then LESLIE walking her dog. As we left we said goodbye to another neighbor BARB who we had played pickleball with. It is so amazing to see how friendly & supportive everyone is. I’m impressed & was sad to leave. LINDA made our visit very special.

We arrived in Miami around 1. We got to visit with JOHN before going to pick up PHILLIP at school. Our grandson is in the 8th grade. PATRICK-an 11th grader- took public transportation home & was soaked. He emptied his backpack full of WET papers & went upstairs. JOHN’S wife AMY was on a boat celebrating the end of year leadership academy with people from work at Miami Dade College.

JOHN, ARMAND & I took a walk to the grocery store by the water & past 100’s of boats & high-rises. What a different world from Austin. At home, JOHN, made the most delicious guacamole salad we have ever tasted. Who would have know. Then AMY came home & made a chicken dinner. We have our own room with blow up air mattresses. Glad to be here.

We started the day with a 20-mile easy bike ride & finished with birthday cupcakes for Linda’s sister Valerie. Her 3 sisters all live in New SMYRNA Beach. The bike ride was really nice, shady & on bike paths. I also had an opportunity to visit Linda’s neighbor JENNY. She is a retired Navy nurse who served during the Vietnam War & AIDS crisis. She was in a bad accident but still is able to make her own fused glass & art pieces in her garage. She was kind enough to give me a few samples. Truly an inspirational person to talk to. I have invited her & Linda to Austin & hope they take me up on the offer. The birthday party was nice & it was especially enjoyable to visit with Linda & her sisters. Linda is subbing in the morning.

JENNY WITH GLASS SAMPLE (picture above was painted by her brother)

SISTERS ROSEMARY, B-DAY GIRL VALERIE, LINDA & BARBARA

We left Super 8 & the cats outside waiting to say goodbye. Drove to New Smyrna Beach to visit our friend LINDA. We knew her in Austin before she moved to Dallas & now New Smyrna Beach where her 3 sisters also live. She has always wanted to live by the beach & now it’s become a reality. We all have a tennis background but told her we were now PICKLEBALL PLAYERS. Reluctantly she agreed to try. She wanted to keep playing & we couldn’t believe how quickly she caught on. I need to practice to get ready for The Villages. Today (Wednesday) we went for breakfast & took a 2 hr walk on the beach. Linda also wanted to go for a bike ride but I’ve had enough sun-will go tomorrow. Waiting for it to get cooler so we can play pickleball again. It’s so nice to be here.

We left at 8:30 & arrived at the Super 8 Motel at 6:00. ARMAND did most of the driving. I am almost worthless on trips. I did send a lot of texts now that I have an iPhone. This is the same Motel 8 we stayed at last year. We ate dinner at a nice Mexican Restaurant. I am now caught up on my blog. ARMAND is reading. Tomorrow we are driving to New Smyrna Beach to stay with our friend Linda.

PEARLAND, TX TO LAFAYETTE, LA to VISIT WHITNEY & MOLLY 4/21-23, 2023

WE HAVE OUR OWN ROOM AT WHITNEY’S. MOLLY TAKES REALLY GOOD CARE OF US-DELICIOUS MEALS along with DESSERTS. We also don’t just sit around. We immediately go for walks. My hip was hurting so I had an excuse not to go on the 25 mile bike ride with Whitney and Armand. Instead I went to get shots in my butt & arm. Saturday night, WHITNEY & ARMAND drove to New Iberia to have a sibling reunion with VIVIAN, REGINA, ALICE & RUSSELL. MOLLY & I went out to eat. Sunday, we went back to New Iberia so I could visit Alice & Russell. Sunday night I was doing laundry & fell on my face & have a cut above my eye. Don’t ask me how-but I am a mess. My nurse, MOLLY, was working & wasn’t there to take care of me. I hope I will be presentable for the reunion.

WHITNEY, RUSSELL, ALICE, VIVIAN & ARMAND

WHITNEY, ME and ALICE’S SON STEVEN

We went on a 4 mile walk with WHITNEY & MOLLY

APRIL 19-20, 2023

We left HARLEY & LIBBY with JOHN our pet sitter for 3 weeks. We feel so fortunate to be able to leave for 3 weeks and have someone to take care of our pets & house.

We always look forward to staying with TAMI & BILL in Pearland. TAMI COOKS, RIDES BIKES & WALKS her dog ASTRO. We get to tag along. Thank you TAMI for making the 1st part of our adventure so much fun.

In 2002, 13 women, who did not know each other, from 13 states, biked from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL. We have stayed in contact for 20 yrs & had reunions every 2 yrs. The last one was hosted by FRAN ADAMS in PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN. ARMAND & I are hosting this year’s reunion in THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA-MAY 4-7. We are down to only 4 of us from the original group who are able to make it this year.

REUNION IN 2015 HOSTED BY JANE IN VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO

SUPER BIKER FRAN ADAMS SHE WAS 69 WHEN SHE BIKED ACROSS AMERICA IN 2002

SHE BIKED EVERY MILE-ON DIFFICULT DAYS-SHE WAS MY INSPIRSTION & STILL IS