Salutations from the sunshine State

I hate winter.  This isn’t a new state of mind, I’ve hated winter my entire life.  I truly think I was switched at birth with someone who was supposed to live in a warm climate.  There are multiple pictures of me as a child crying in ice skates, crying in sleds, crying standing in the snow…..it’s a life long theme of hating the cold.  As a teen there were multiple excursions to the ski slopes, but to be honest the main reason was to sit in the lodge, have something warm to drink, and check out the boys.  This week we have left the grey cold skies of Michigan and journeyed south to sunny Florida for time with my sister, her husband, my step-daughter and granddaughters.

And just as I’ve always felt out of sorts in the cold, I am equally at “Home” whenever my sister and I are together.  It’s effortless.  Regardless of the location, it just feels “right” somehow.  There are 5 of us siblings (4 sisters and my brother) and whenever or wherever we gather it is uncomplicated, conversation flows, and laughter abounds.  But this visit is also in Florida and my heart soars at the sight of palm trees, the sounds of waves, and the sun shining brightly on my face.

The location was also perfect for connecting with friends for a round of golf.  Joe was a gem dragging our clubs to and from the airport.  And this being my 1st official “golf trip”, I couldn’t have been anymore appreciative of his patience and creativity in lugging two travel golf bags down for us.  We spent our first day in Punta Gorda for a round of golf.  Joe could not miss a putt and I couldn’t hit a ball off the tee over the water.  Dinner outside on the bay at Fisherman’s Village with friends was the perfect ending to a fun-filled day.  Punta Gorda is a lovely area with a delightful and charming downtown.

Joe and our brother-in-law hit the links again on Wednesday, so Anne and I headed to Ft Myers Beach.  After mentioning that I didn’t like sitting near the pier because bait attracts little fish, and little fish attract big fish, and sharks eat big fish…..we set up our chairs pretty much right next to the pier.  In defense of our position, the beach was incredibly crowded and we had our hands full of chairs, coolers, and beach bag so we planted ourselves pretty quickly when we found a cranny to inch in to.  Dolphin’s were swimming and chasing schools of fish right off the pier and one started acting odd making breeching movements and slapping his belly off the water, and then they all swam off.  We commented how odd it was and what the possible meaning could be.  I decided to take a dip into the water and walked out about waist deep.  The sun was shining, the water a little chilly and giving off a lot of glare.  What sounded like cheering drifted down to me and I’m shading my eyes looking upwards at the crowds trying to figure out what the heck they’re all excited about.  Over and over the people on the pier are shouting what sounded like a rousing chorus of awe.  Upon returning to the beach, my sister Anne is standing on the shore and I say “what the heck were they all cheering about?” and she proceeds to tell me that they were all shouting “SHARK!” over and over, and that there was a shark swimming about 10 feet away from me.  One of my shining moments of clueless behavior.  Possibly a good thing in our travels that we ran into Jesus in downtown Ft Myers.

The week included a day of “Chip & Putt” competition with Anne/Mike vs Joe/Me.  A day that started with a visit to the driving range and also included time where Anne & I became a little distracted by the cows in the fields next door.  The competition was fierce and the rewards of beer for the victors kept both teams scrambling for position.  The boys had “greenie” side bets going with Joe and I sweeping both rounds for the win.  That evening we were joined by our daughter Jessica and the granddaughters for dinner, catching up with the girls, and making plans.

Plans that included a day on the water for family, fishing and exploring.  The day started a little chilly, but quickly warmed up.  Fishing poles were baited and we were very successful in catching every little fish in the sea – catfish, lizard fish, and perch….this time the little fish didn’t attract the big fish.  A stop at “Picnic Island” for lunch, exploring and cartwheels.  Watching Savannah and Abby looking for and collecting sea creatures in their buckets was priceless.  More exploring, shell collecting and sand castles the next day with the girls at Ft Myers Beach.

Joe and Mike made good use of the tennis courts at their complex.  And to Joe’s dismay, Mike beat him set after set after set.  I’m thinking that since Joe had to lug the golf bags down and around, he must have forgotten to pack his tennis “A” game and cannon serve.  Our last night was spent at the Sanibel Causeway for fishing and sunset.  The fish weren’t biting, but the sunset and company couldn’t have been any better.

As always, time flies by too quickly and we had to say our goodbyes.  The time with Jessica and the granddaughters was precious and we are grateful for the technology of FaceTime to keep in touch with their beautiful faces.  As for that feeling of “Home” and time with my sister and her husband – that I carry with me everywhere I go and remember with airfare of $200 roundtrip you may be seeing me sooner than later.