The Crowders Come to Florida

Barbara (sister), Trey, Barbara (daughter)

Barbara, Trey, Houston and Patrick arrived last Monday for a visit and we had a wonderful time!  Sister Barbara rode with me to St. Pete to pick them up at the airport.  The boys were very excited, as this was their first plane trip.  They also "ah'd" a lot going over the Sunshine Skyway bridge for the first time.  They all quickly changed from long sleeves to short ones and headed for the pool while I setup the borrowed Winnebago for Trey and Barbara to sleep in.  The boys bunked with me and that was just fine!  The highlight of that was getting to hear them do their nightly prayers and hearing my name mentioned a time or 2.  It's a wonderful feeling to know someone is praying for you. 

That night we went to dinner at the Casey Key Fish House, which I'd heard was good.  It wasn't good, it was great!  Among us we had tuna, mahi mahi, Chilean sea bass and giant shrimp stuffed with crab meat.  We left there a few pounds heavier and totally satisfied.  What a great meal and a fine start for their visit.

Patrick and Houston, grandsons

On Tuesday, after a brief stop at Wal-Mart to get shovels for the boys, we were off to Siesta Key beach.  The guys dug and swam, I walked, and Barb and Trey smiled a lot, soaking up the sun and salt air.  It was a little foggy to begin with, but that burned off and the day was sunny and warm.  Great fun!

Barbara and Trey

Patrick

On Wednesday we went to Myakka State Park, one of my most favorite places, and did the air boat ride.  We saw lots and lots of gators, a black snake chasing a lizard and fish in the river.  We all enjoyed a stroll through the gift shop, one of the better ones I know of, and a nice lunch, including some gator stew for me.  My new tee shirt says: "Advice from a campfire.  Bring people together.  Spark new ideas.  Kindle strong friendships.  Radiate warmth.  No smoking.  Be a good storyteller.  Don't burn out."  Although we didn't have a campfire because none are allowed in the RV park, we did the other things pretty well.  Although I was more than a little tired by the end of the week.

Luis, Houston, Patrick and Trey

That evening we went to the Sierra's for the regular Wednesday family dinner, except this one was anything but "regular".  Luis and Barbara are exceptionally fine hosts, both having worked in the hospitality business for many years, and you always feel warmly welcomed to their home.  Luis asked the boys if they'd ever had fresh sugar cane, and they hadn't, so he grabbed his machete, said "follow me" and in a few seconds he had chopped off a cane, removed the bark and we were all sucking the sweet juice from the cane.  What a treat!  Once again, these are the kinds of things that make this lifestyle so worthwhile for me right now.  Luis cooked one of his specialties, peccadillo, a Cuban dish, and we all ate our fill.  Jen, Mike and Jason joined us for the evening and the boys found a new idol with Jason.  They had seen him play baseball the day before and we're wowed by his stature.  And a more than interesting coincidence:  Jason received a letter of interest from the baseball program at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, near Barb and Trey.  The coach lives in their neighborhood and Houston played baseball with their son!  Hmmm....more than interesting!

Patrick, Houston and Barbara

Barbara surprised us with cupcakes and candles, a little celebration for all the ones we missed over the years.  And she gifted the boys with Frisbees and balls, Uncle Luis gave them some cash and Jason gave them pellet guns.  This was Treys first time meeting the Sierras and I thanked him several times for coming down to visit.  At one point he said "I didn't want to meet them at a funeral."  Unfortunately, that is often how some family  members get to meet first and he didn't want to do it that way.  He's truly a wonderful son-in-law and I told him so!

There was considerable talk about them coming again next year and staying a little longer perhaps.  I told them up front that was part of my agenda, to help them have such a good time that they would want to return.  Daughter Barbara, really enjoyed reconnecting with the Sierras and meeting Mike;  Trey and the boys had a fine first experience with them;  and I got to be here and see it all!  One of my regrets is not taking more pictures at the Sierras that night.  Another is that my son, Derick, and his family won't get to visit me here this year; hopefully next time they will. 

Here's another pony tail progress photo for the readers who've asked for this.  Sister Barbara fixed it for me on Monday while we waited for the Crowders to arrive.  She did a much better job than I do! 

Thanks to my friend Ginger for loaning me her Winnebago this week; thanks to Barbara and Luis for their generosity and hospitality; thanks to Barbara, Trey and my fine grandsons for making the trip; and thanks to the Holy One for this life and all the goodness we enjoy!