Sitting on the Edge

I'm sitting on the edge right now - literally.  I'm situated on the southern edge of a severe line of weather to the north, with tornadoes and damaging winds.  And I feel fortunate that the thunder beings have so far chosen not to be here today.  Above you can see the effects of their previous visits this week.  The dog park has become a dog pond, with about a hundred previously hidden tennis balls floating around!

I'm also on the back edge of my time here in Florida and the leading edge of the next phase of my travels.  I'll be heading back to Fletcher, NC, near Asheville, tomorrow.  But before I leave here, just a few thoughts about this life changing visit.

The People  Besides the wonderful time spent with my sister, Barbara, and her family, I also had visits from my daughter Barbara and her family, plus long time friend Jan Wynns from Raleigh.  And I've also met some fine folks here at Sun n Fun, and here are a few of them.  Ginger was my first friend made here and she introduced me to many other folks.  Thank you, Ginger!

Debbie and Ginger

Steven and Ginger

Lynn and Walt

There were many other good folks I met and didn't get good pictures of, like Adam and Angie, Rick, Earle, and those whose names I'm just not recalling right now, but will as soon as I hit the "publish" button. 

Mardis Gras at Sun n Fun will always be a good memory for me.  As Howard Hanger said in a Jubilee! service recently, "Remember is to put back together, like that first knee-buckling kiss from a new lover!"  I had one of those while here, and I will remember it for a long, long time.  My knees still tremble when I think about it!  Thank you sweet lady! 

There were the plays, the Brotherhood of Fire and Light retreat with Jim Rosemergy, Disney World, the Chinese Acrobats, Siesta Key Oyster Bar and the beach, more scooter rides than I can count, great sea food and much more.  It has been a wonderful stay and I will remember it always. 

And even though I was here physically, I stayed in touch with Jubilee! thanks to their pod casts.  Otherwise I would have missed hearing things like "Jesus was never a Christian, you know, he was always a Jew."  Huh!? Or, "Why don't we ever think of Jesus farting and belching.  After all, he was a man."  Howard rocks my world and I'm grateful! 

Corned beef a la Luis

My last dinner at the Sierra's was one to remember.  Luis fixed corned beef "a la Luis" and it was splendid!  Besides the traditional herbs and spices, Luis added his own secret Latin style flavors, plus sangria, to the marinade.  After the meat was cooked, he removed it and put the vegetables in juices to cook: cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains and sweet peppers.  As the old almond joy commercial used to say, it was indescribably delicious!  Thanks you Luis, and Mike and Jen, for the many fine dinners!  I'm grateful! 

Well, the thunder beings are closer now, the breeze is cooler and I think we may be in for a thumping.  So, I'll sign off while I can and say "happy trails" until we meet again. 

Thanks for stopping by!  What a trip this has been!  Is!  Will be!!!