28 February 2019 GRAND FINALE!!! So long to 13 years of blogging from Ocala, FL

     This issue concludes 13 years of blogging. Now that we’ve become CLODS (Cruisers Living on Dirt), our lives are like everyone else’s so until we take flight in our coach, there’ll be no more blogging and maybe not even then. May just use Facebook as our way of letting you know if we’re doing anything other than living here in our Bubble.

     Our eldest, Chadwick, Jr., and granddaughter, Izzi, both had early February birthdays. They just keep getting older yet I stay the same age. Don’t understand how that is.

     Bill visited his 89 year old sister in upstate NY and, luckily, he was there for a week between blizzards. He just can’t tolerate temps below 60 degrees anymore so the weather seemed orchestrated with him in mind.

     We love ABBA. Have seen the performance on Broadway, the ‘’official ABBA sanctioned’ troupe in Clayton, NY, and again here this month, as well as the movie a couple times. Great happy music!!!

     I participated in several Martin Luther King and Black History Month events and learned so much as well as broadened my horizons. Unforgettable functions.

     We celebrated Valentine’s Day quite festively, at our Beautiful Lodge. Great food, fun, libations, and music. It seemed as if all the women were in red!

     Of course we had a Full Moon party hosted by neighbors, Terry and Barb. Thankfully, it wasn’t so cold this month, albeit it very cloudy so no moon could we see but that didn’t stop the fun, fellowship, and an excuse to gather with neighbors.

     Friends, Cozette and John, from New Smyrna Beach, came for an overnight visit and we had a wonderful time listening to John play and sing his original songs and catching up since last we saw them so long ago.

     While they were here, we went to view horse jumping--a new experience for the four of us.

     Bill closed out the month with a trip to a Model T gathering in St. Augustine

while I attended an incredible presentation by an Emmy award-winning National Geographic film maker, Mark Emery. He presented his documentary film, highlighting the historic, economic, and environmental significance of Silver Springs. Through the eyes of 4 Americans who, incidentally, are black, and were the glass bottom boat drivers, who have a combined 200 years of experience on the river.  Emery delivered an engaging story of Silver Springs, the history of segregation at the springs, and the coming of age of these remarkable ambassadors for nature. The film told the history and ecology of Silver Springs through the people who lived it as it unfolded. It is a film legacy with remaining boat drivers who are able to share this story. After the presentation, Emery and several of the boat captains, shared additional insights and stories about their experiences. This was a gem of a presentation and opportunity.

     It’s difficult to believe that we end our first 5 months in our new home tomorrow. Time in certainly flying but we’re both extremely busy with Bill’s Old Car Club that he initiated, pickle ball to which he’s become addicted, his French class that he loves, and my swimming and working out with a great trainer. 

     Our weather is gorgeous but there always seems to be a freeze soon’s trees are budding and flowers blossoming.  Tomorrow begins Spring and Daylight Savings Time is not far behind.  Hope to see you on Facebook.

Bill and Laura Bender

9128 SW 82nd Lane

Ocala, FL 34481

864 525 5236

http://kindredspiritiii.blogspot.com

31 January 2019 Larkhill Community Ocala, FL

      2019 began with a flurry of parties or maybe it was just a continuation of the soirees of 2018! New Year’s Day we enjoyed 3 parties—1 was a meal of collards, black eyed peas, cornbread, ribs, and chicken in a neighbors' home down the street---our Southern Good Luck Charm for the year.

     Another neighbor needed a bit of nursing help so I hung his IV antibiotics a few times to fill in some blanks. I don’t miss getting up to go to work but I do miss nursing.

     We finally got our living room rug and the remainder of our bedroom furniture.

     There are two more pieces that don't show here but we're so excited to finally have drawers! Headboard is asymmetrical as are night stands. More narrow one on left with longer portion of headboard and the wider night table on the right with the shorter headboard segment.

       There is a significance to the canvas of an abstract Washington DC skyline and the bicycle bookends. In all of our years of cruising and although we loved many places, we spent the most concentrated time in DC and it's our all-time favorite city. We spent a total of 6 months and 1 week there, riding our bikes to Bethesda (home of NHC), Silver Spring, Mt. Vernon, Arlington, Alexandria, Capitol Heights, Georgetown, Hyattsville, Crystal City, and more places than I can name. So that's why we fell in love with the painting! THEN, Bill spied the bookends and we knew that they would have a special place beneath the painting of our nation's capitol.

     I can tell you that we weren’t sad to see the Rubbermaid tubs go that we’d been living out of for months. Oh, the things we take for granted! Several weeks later and I’m still thrilled at being able to open a drawer and finding the items that I expect to be there. With the tubs, I never knew where anything was. A rug and furniture has helped our echo somewhat but we still hear ourselves bouncing off the walls. Window treatments will probably help---one of these days.

     There’s a wonderful art instructor here as part of our Life Long Learning Center. I’ve taken classes from her before and just love her. If only I could tuck myself in her back pocket and absorb every technique that she knows. I did a little sea turtle the other day and it’s hanging in our guest room.

     We also have a performing arts center and enjoyed a dueling pianos show like none other. They play piano, harmonica, sax, guitar, and are also a comedy team. Deuces Wild is their name so if they come to your area, you’d love their show.

     Bill and I began foreign language classes and after only 1 class, I’m not sure I’ll survive. He’s taking French and I, Spanish. Now why didn’t I take French, too???  Sure would’ve made a lot of sense because when Bill worked for Michelin, a French company, he was fluent to the point that he could give presentations in French when he went to the home office in France. He’s thrilled with his instructor and just the first class seemed to resurrect all he knew but had forgotten. My instructor is also very good but when I took 2 years of Spanish in college, I never even came close to being fluent so I’m struggling. Hope subsequent classes loosen my tongue a bit.

     Andy and Dinata, boating and RV friends from Marathon, have settled in Leesburg, FL, so they drove up to visit us for a day. We had a wonderful time laughing, talking, laughing, catching up, and laughing some more.

      Bill’s Old Car Club took an excursion to the horse farm of the Gypsy Gold Vanner breed established in the 1995 by Dennis, the farm owner, and his late wife. He thrilled us as he narrated a walking two-hour tour of his farm. We met the Gypsy Gold Vanner horses in person, heard the history of the breed from its discovery in Great Britain and to its growth in the United States. Dennis discovered this unique breed in England where they were used as draw horses for the bands of gypsies and he brought the breed to America. 

     He explained the species, its history, and the unique British Gypsy culture. We walked the farm and met the stallions, mares, foals, mules, donkeys, parrots, and various other animals loved at Gypsy Gold Farm. I was surprised to not see dogs or cats there but I loved on the other creatures—although not the birds.

     The farm land and animals are immaculately maintained by 3 people—Dennis, who just had his 70th birthday, and two others.  That 3 people can maintain that level of perfection is amazing.  If you’re ever in the Ocala area, put this on your list of things to do. The tours are 3 days a week and reservations must be made in advance.

Notice the perfect heart on the flank of this horse!

     So many of our neighbors have entertained us in their homes and we haven’t been able to without asking them to bring their own chair!  😦   Now that we’re almost complete sans lanai furniture and window treatments, we've had a few open houses inviting our new neighbors. Having several nights of guests was fun and we look forward to doing that more often.

     Last month I suggested we have a Full Moon Party each month. We hosted the first one in December. Another of our neighbors, Tom and Elaine, hosted the January Super Blood Wolf Moon/Eclipse Party. It was COLD—in the low 30’s which is way below my comfort level.

     Carolyn and Don, dear friends from our boating lives, were our first overnight house guests. They’re fleeing north GA for Marathon and some warm weather. We had an exciting time of 'catching up'. 

     Our Larkhill neighborhood gathered at a local steak house to wrap up the month and, of course, food and fellowship were outstanding. 

     January ended with the Larkhill Men's Breakfast Club heading off in a caravan for Red's Cafe and Sherry, a neighbor, and I drove to The Villages for a make-over for me. Her complexion is gorgeous and flawless and and she's inspired me to buy some makeup after a decade long hiatus of wearing none. 

     An end of month report on our language classes---on Bill's 3rd class, he presented a 'story' in French and the instructor understood him and Bill understood each class member's "recital".  Hate to admit it but I'm not doing nearly that spectacularly in Spanish. Hopefully February's report will present my Spanish language skills in a better light.


Bill and Laura
9128 SW 82nd Lane
Ocala, FL 34481

     

31 December 2018 Ocala and occasionally Jacksonville

     Hip hip hooray!!! Our sofa finally arrived on 1 December---an indication of a good month to come! Now our guests don't have to bring their own chairs nor sit on the floor.

     We began the month with Bill and some of his car aficionados went to the Garlits Car Museum for the day and they loved it. I think we've landed in Paradise.

     In the evening that day, we went to George and Donna's home for Happy Hour and to bring in the last month of 2018. Our Larkhill Family seems to be most proficient at finding even the most insignificant reason to toast.

     The following day we attended the Christmas musical presentation of the choral group of our development. 

     Love the proximity to 2 gyms and 3 pools. In a group class we had to grab a ball and look what I pulled out of the bin--a Bender Ball. How apropos!

     Larkhill Elves decorated both gates into our neighborhood making our entry festive. They also put Santa hats on all the mailboxes.

     Bill and 'the boys' went to a local venue for a car show. He thinks he's died and gone to Classic Car Heaven! Our 2nd son, Geoff, also had a birthday that day---46, he is!!! These kids need to slow this aging!

     The performing arts center here on campus has outstanding entertainment and we were fortunate to hear the Atlantic City Boys. They were fantastic and so much fun.

     We took a little drive to Rainbow River with the "special" car group and had lunch at Swampy's Bar and Grill. Beautifully clear water.

     
     Then that evening, we attended the Candler Hills Christmas Party at our beautiful Lodge with a catered meal.  Under this development of On Top of the World's umbrella, is OTOW General, Indigo, quite a few more and Candler Hills under which Larkhill, our neighborhood, is the newest area.

      I met a couple at the pool, Bob and Barbie, from the UK and Canada. They were so interesting so we planned to meet for breakfast at the Pub just off the Pickle Ball courts and an outdoor 50 meter pool. We had a most enjoyable morning chatting with new friends.

     One afternoon I attended a lecture, The Hilarity of the English Language. It was fun and led by a very well educated, talented, and well-traveled presenter.

     Both of us attended a community meeting with our County Commissioner as the featured presenter. Following, a landscape architect spoke on efficient water use, conservation, and indigenous plants we should consider for our lawns. He was excellent and inspiring!

     The second week of the month (10 weeks since we moved in!!!), we finally got our mattress and foundation. How good it felt to move into our own bedroom albeit it sans dresser, one night stand, and window treatment.

     The same evening we attended Tim and Marcie's Christmas Open House and while loving the spread, we couldn't wait to dive into our new bed hoping it felt as good as does the same brand mattress on our boat.

     There's an art instructor here that I took classes from last winter. She's excellent and here's the fruit of my labor from that morning.

      One of our Larkhill song birds invited the entire neighborhood to their home to loosen up our vocal cords with some Christmas Cheer and then we all went caroling. That was a bunch of fun and hope it becomes a tradition for Larkhill.

     Bill bought a membership to the Woodshop here and he is head over heels. He has quite a bit of tools, etc., here (seems to me) but the shop has state of the art equipment that would take several barns to house.

     Our oldest grandson had his 18th birthday!!! Seems as though I should feel like Methuselah but I don't. They're all getting older but we aren't. How does that work?

     We feel as if we have enough furnishings to have friends in so right before Christmas, we entertained 4 evenings in a row, skipped a day, then went to neighbor's on Christmas Eve to welcome the anticipated arrival of Santa.

     I heard some lamentations about no excuses for a party after NYE till Valentine's. We were a couple days before the full moon so we invited the whole kit and caboodle of Larkhillians to bring their chair, a refreshing beverage and come to our house for our first Full Moon Party aka Howl at the Moon Party. There were meteorite showers that night which we didn't see but the moon rise was spectacular. After a bit of howling we all went our separate ways. Tom and Elaine have stepped up to host the event in January. These folks are looking for any reason at all to party so here we go!!!

     NYE morning was spectacular in every way and a tad of exercise with good intentions for more seemed a good start to end 2018. The weather is absolutely gorgeous so we saddled up our bikes and took off for a 15 mile ride as we gradually condition the parts of our anatomy with which our saddles contact in anticipation of longer rides. I kept falling behind because when I'd see oak trees near the street, I'd slow down and ride by the curb so I could pop the acorns. Then I'd laugh all alone and by myself while Bill's patiently waiting and rolling his eyes. I often think I'm a 78 year old 4 year old!!!

    An underlying motive was to get tired so we could nap and stay awake till the party begins at 8. Usually I'm preparing to shuffle off to bed about that time. Bill napped but my wheels kept turning so will start my coffee consumption.

     NYE we're all headed to The Lodge to sweep 2018 under the rug as we add golden intentions for a better 2019 although 2018 was quite excellent for us. Happy New Year, All!!!

Bill and Laura
9128 SW 82nd Lane
Ocala, FL 34481
864 525 5236

    

30 November 2018 Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Ocala, Tampa, Ocala

     It's impossible to believe that a month ago today we closed and began the arduous task of moving in. In that month we've received furniture ONLY for our guest suite and that's where we're sleeping for lack of our own completed bedroom. It'll be well broken in before our first guests arrive. The remainder is promised by Christmas. It was ordered in March, delivered in October but 2 of the 5 cartons looked as if they'd been dropped from the Empire State Building so we're awaiting replacements.  We hope Santa can get down the chimney with the anticipated pieces without creating anymore firewood and splinters. We're so looking forward to being able to have overnight guests and neighbors over but at this point, they'd have to bring their own chairs!!!

     We started off the month, 1 November, on the Pickle Ball courts at 7:30. We're new to this game but are loving it and the aerobic conditioning that it's providing. Bill's really making great strides in improvement. The seasoned players are so friendly, welcoming, and patient with newbies.  I'm still working with a personal trainer trying to get this old and neglected bod back in shape. I'm rejecting 'round' as an acceptable shape.

     If you know Bill only vaguely, you'll know he, among many other things, is an old classic car guy. A friend planned a little back-roads trip for 1 November, to a unique lunch place and since then many others have said, "sign us up". Mid-December we're planning a similar excursion and from the response, believe we're going to have quite a parade. May need a police escort.  Only kidding.

     For years Bill has coveted homes that we see in passing that have roomy garages. Now he doesn't need to lust anymore--he has his own. I'm so sorry I ever teased him about his anal-ness because every day I'm absolutely amazed at what he's concocted. Nothing's on the floor. Everything is stacked or on shelves with labels or in labeled drawers. "Cutting tools", "Small screwdrivers", "Large screwdrivers", "SAE Metric", and there is no end. His garage is a work of art and it makes my heart swell to see him playing in his long hungered after garage. He give 'garage' a new definition and it's not just a place to park cars.

     Even though this is a golf cart community, I'm holding out. Everywhere we go inside our community, we ride our bikes. If we had a cart, we'd be plopping our big fat behinds in it instead of getting some exercise. In 6 weeks I've cycled 200 miles just running errands, going to the gym, pool, etc. We've not yet gone on a ride--these are just what would've been golf cart miles. This is such a beautiful and safe place to cycle.

     Last Friday I signed up for a boat load of Life Long Learning courses---guitar, acrylic as well as watercolor painting, Spanish, and several lectures. On Top of the World, Candler Hills, and Larkhill each have a Face Book page on which I saw a comment by someone asking how he could be so lonely living in such a huge and beautiful place. Ironically, there's a LLL class on how to make friends when moving into a retirement community. We've found the best way is to just walk out your front door. We haven't encountered an unfriendly person nor a grump yet.

     I'm still exploring and experimenting with fitness classes. On my bucket list for years has been ballet so that's semi-checked off. I took a Barre class in my endeavor to replicate Pavlova. The entire experience was hysterical and I wanted to burst out laughing but just resisted by grinning a lot. I'll go back this next week for Beginning Ballet but I don't see myself rushing out the door to purchase a tu tu anytime soon. Not real sure this is my cup of tea.

     Bill's made 2 trips to Jax to the boat so far this month varnishing, making the engine room clean enough to eat off the floor, changing fluids, etc., in anticipation of meeting with a broker next week. In 5 trips, he's filled our little vehicle to the brim with stuff from the boat. He said in 1 or 2 more trips, he may have her emptied. We're discovering things we had forgotten that we have. You know, for old folks, every day's a brand new experience even if it's the same as yesterday!!!

     Continuing with that thought, for folks who park their car and blink a couple of times which erases their brain, this is a solution for helping them find their vehicle.

     Bill and a friend drove over Daytona's Turkey Run, the largest car show and swap meet in the US. Nothing followed him home but I'm certain some seeds were planted.

     Bill's reason for wanting a large garage is to fill it with a long dreamt of car collection. Today, the last day of November, this followed him home. He is one happy man!!! It's now a roommate to the TR6 and awaiting the Model A, yet to come.

     Thanksgiving and my birthday have come and gone and were near the end of the month. We're still impatiently awaiting our rug and furniture. Hopefully by the end of next month, we'll be 'complete'. 



Merry Christmas to you and your families!

Bill and Laura
Larkhill
Ocala, FL

31 October 2018 Ocala, FL

1 October 

     Today is the day I thought would never come! We closed this morning and began moving in this afternoon. 

     A friend and new neighbor planted Flah Flamingo in our yard to welcome us home this morning. We’ve almost been flocked!

2 October 

     Yesterday, I promised photos but last night we were weary to the bone so here are a few this morning. 

     At day's end we had dinner at The Club and came home to savor a bottle of champagne brought over by another new friend and neighbor. We slept here last night on an air mattress and enjoyed our coffee in our wonderful chairs that we've not seen for ever so long. The shot to left of kitchen is from the back yard and our lanai. Southerners call that a "screened porch".  ‘Lanai’ is far too fancy for us. We are most happy to be home.

10 October
     Today was my inaugural swim in one of our beautiful pools. This one is just a five minute stroll up the street. My swim was puny but it’s been so long since I’ve had the opportunity and I intend to get stronger every day. I have eagerly anticipated the day that I could swim at the slightest whim. 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️ Not in any of the pools have I had to clamber for a lane to myself.

     To all my Facebook friends. I am no longer using FB Messenger. I see that I have many messages but I am not going to re-install it. So communicate with me either by email, text, an old fashioned phone call, or Messages, please.

12 October

     Tonight we were enthralled, grinning the entire time, during Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits performance. It was so much fun to know every song and to sing along (quietly).

15 October

     Our bedroom suit that we ordered in March was delivered today and 2 of the 5 crates were in splinters.  They HOPE they can get replacements to us by Christmas.

     Both of us deplore shopping but we have been in the trenches and have certainly boosted Ocala’s economy. And sadly, we ain’t through yet. Overheard a man complaining in an interior design studio, “it costs as much to furnish and decorate this #@%* house as it did to buy it!” I wholeheartedly agree.

     We aren't novices to moving. Several times during my "singlehood" I moved all alone and by myself but all of our moves combined were never as burdensome, complicated, thorny, and problematic as this one has been and continues to be. That must mean that moving is for the youthful.

25 October

It seems that Pickle Ball is what old folks migrate to—many of whom used to play tennis.  It’s been many moons since I was a tennis player so I was game to give Pickle Ball a whirl. Bill and I have taken a couple of lessons and it is SO much fun to run and pick up the ball because my paddle has great difficulty “connecting”. All of the players, even the Hot Dawgs, were so welcoming, friendly, and patient with us. We love it but I haven’t been to the courts many times because there are so many other things I want to do so I need to finish trying them all out so I can prioritize. I did peek in on the ballet and everyone there welcomed me with outstretched arms. They'll never confuse me with Pavlova!

     Today we ordered our sofa and were told to expect delivery in four months! :-(   We’re so empty that we echo.

26 October

We take any and every opportunity to celebrate everything! Today is our son, Andy’s 48th birthday as well as the 21st anniversary of our first date. We went to a lovely French restaurant owned by a couple from France and as was our last experience here, there, food and presentation were spectacular. We each ordered their filet mignon and it very well may beat out our favorite filet restaurant in Brunswick. They were so tender and delectable. A duo entertained us through our long and drawn out dining experience. Both sang and each played an instrument—guitar and flute. Their voices and their instrumentation blended impeccably.

30 October

     Today Bill drove to Jacksonville to bring another load of our carnage home. I think this is the 5th trip with the car packed to the gills. How in the world did we collect so much junque??? He hopes to be home tomorrow and he’s gotta be because we have a very fun thing to do on the 1st but you’ll need to wait another month to find out what that is and see photos.

31 October

     Friends have asked if we miss the boat. I miss our mattress!!! I think of Kindred Spirit III  often but am dumbfounded that I don’t pine for rocking at anchor and cruising the waterways. I thought I’d shed copious tears every day…that may transpire when she sells and leaves us standing on the shore as the new owners steam away from us.

     There are just SO many things to do here that, so far, there is hardly time to taste them all. I’m up before dawn, hit the deck running with no extraneous time during the day, and long for the sun to set so I can hit the hay. 

     Neither of us are sleeping well. It takes forever to fall asleep and then our thoughts awaken us despite the list we made before bedtime— sometimes it may be 1 AM or 3 AM and we’re up and at ‘em for the endurance.

     What brings me more joy than having enough room so that we don’t have to pat each others’ fannies when we need to pass or having a dishwasher and a washer and dryer that who-knows-who didn’t just washed their car mats and dog beds, is watching Bill playing in his garage. That poor baby has languished and yearned for years for a garage that he could outfit and begin his old car collection. In the middle of the night, if he’s not beside me, I know exactly where he is…and I’m right. For instance, he was showing me a little shim that looked like a domino sans spots, that he made for a shelf and explained to me how and where it would fit. All I could come up with was, “Billy, that’s such a clever idea and perfectly constructed.” After all these years, what should I expect from an engineer? It’s his attention to detail with everything that is such a superb gift. When I enter a room in the dark, the light switch is exactly where I’d expect it to be. Outlets are numerous and well placed. I can’t begin to enumerate all the things he thought of that would’ve never crossed my mind till we'd have closed and then it'd be "too dadgum bad!!!" I used to kid him about his obsession with minutia but now I praise him for it. Opposites certainly do attract.

     Thanks to you all for hanging in there with us all these years.

Bill and Laura

Larkhill

Ocala, FL

30 September 2018 Jacksonville - Ocala

17 September

    Love the early morning view from atop the Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge of the anchored sail boat and Jacksonville’s skyline from my morning walk. On my way back home, Bill and I met for breakfast at Bagel Love.

So much for Keto. A bit of rug shopping at a fabulous shop whose owner knows more about wool rugs than I ever knew there was to know. Then, again, boating friends, Bill and Barb, came and fetched us for lunch. Now it’s happy hour and I am in my most happy place for the first time in quite a while. We're on the fly bridge relishing a nice breeze. It has been in the upper 90s here and just too hot to stick our heads outside. In an effort to keep our galley clean, I’m sure we will find a place where someone cooks but not me. Donna and Mary, you are acquainted with that concept, aren’t you?

19 September

     Feel as if we are abandoning a sinking ship. We are throwing things in boxes and suitcases to head to Ocala in the morning. Just hoping it will all fit in our rental car. Of course, our bikes will be the first to be loaded. Stressful but exciting time. Stand back! Two more Larkhillians on our way! The beginnings of a new adventure!

20 September

     This is our last sunrise from our beloved Kindred Spirit III. The beginning of a very emotional day.

                                      View from our fly bridge

22 September

     Man, oh, man—- do we feel and look like Tobacco Road!!!! Don’t want to unload our carnage brought from our trawler into our coach and then have a do-over of the whole rigmarole Monday when we close. It's only 40' so we'd need pogo sticks to get around with superfluous stuff inside. I’m eternally digging through the car for necessities and am sure our RV Park neighbors are weary of looking at my posterior as I’m upside down in the trunk trying to root out things we need.

     So excited to end this temporary “adventure” and get moved in and organized. This limbo is driving me crazy and for me, that’s a short trip.

23 September

     Tonight we had a grand reunion and long overdue happy hour with Ellen and Carl who are celebrating their 40th anniversary and George and Donna at everyone's fave Tex-Mex restaurant, Las Margaritas.

24 September

     We just finished our 2 hour walk-through and it was a hoot! Our superintendent, Steve, and warranty guy, Butch, were outstanding!!! A stupendous experience would be an understatement.

25 September

     Today Bill rented a car to get to Greenville, SC, where our meager worldly possessions are stored---a 10 hour trip in a car.

26 September

     This morning, Bill and his best friend, Dave, took the truck to Dave's shop to meet power lifting dudes to load important things like a drill press and other manly toys. Then off to our climate controlled storage unit for some essentials that we kept. THEN he picked up the love of his life, his little blue TR6, that he loaded on the car dolly.

27 September

     From Greenville to Ocala in the UHaul truck and dragging the dolly behind was a 12 hour trip. He was toast when he arrived home, thankfully safe and sound.

28 September

     Another day--we shopped till we dropped.  George and Donna kicked off the neighborhood festivities with a gathering in their gorgeous home. Wednesday, the moving truck delivered their things. 2 days later everything was in place, window treatments hung and even pictures on the walls. Their home looks like something from Better Homes and Gardens. Ours won't be that 'put together' next year this time. Maybe Donna's for hire.

30 September
     It was such a good feeling of "coming home" today when we sat on the 3rd row from the front at the church we plan to join. Then off again to enhance the local economy of Ocala. 
     Our closing is in the morning at 11:15! So excited I'm about to jump out of my skin! It will be like Christmas when we open boxes and bins whose contents that we haven't seen in over a decade.  Our ragged bodies will collapse on a brand new air mattress tomorrow night.

Stay tuned for a new book---not just a chapter--that book's closed---but a totally different adventure.

Bill and Laura
Ocala, FL