Apricity South 6

​November 28, 2025 - Friday

My walking buddy from home, Dee, is in Florida for a break. She and her daughter, Kristen, came over for a nice walk in the chilly mid-morning air. We pushed it to 2.30 miles and stopped for a selfie to share the sunshine and view with the other walking buddy, Kathy. Miss you, Kathy…

November 29, 2025 - Saturday

Another brisk, breezy morning at 48 degrees. But the day warmed up to 79, so I walked around 10am. Charlotte, my renter for the past 8 years, pulled in today. She has found a new place to rent, thankfully, and it is just 1/4 mile down the street from me. She brought me a dozen bagels from FishHawk Bagels which she orders for others each year on her way over from her granddaughter’s in the Villages. 

November 30, 2025 - Sunday

We went to Publix early, got the car washed, and I had my walk done before 9am. Church online at 10:30 while Rich made a potato salad (which we haven’t had in a very long time). It was perfect with a turkey sandwich for lunch. 

Went over to Charlotte’s new “digs” to visit. When I told her last January that I wanted to use the condo this year, she started a search for another spot in this community. She has made many friends over the years so was able to find a two-story home with 4 bedrooms and a pool in the screened lanai. 

The kitchen is very big and well equipped with everything. So she will prepare meals for her new live-in landlord, Lyle - a very nice guy. He stopped in from his Harley ride for something while I was there. He said to help ourselves to whatever we wanted - meat in the freezer, grill in the lanai, have at it… Of course, we didn’t do any of that, but it was very generous of him to offer. 

December 1, 2025 - Monday

At water aerobics this morning, I met a neighbor, Betty, for the first time. We had a nice, long conversation in the pool afterwards as we turned to prunes. She, Joe, and Maddy (dog) are from Illinois where they have a huge lake house. They enjoy vodka, as does Rich, so we will have to continue the conversation soon. 

Mr. Handyman came by with the new springs for the window. All is well again.

At line dancing I was promoting the upcoming Christmas Concerts only to find out that one of the members, Linda, of the ukulele group is here in line dancing! Jeez! I asked her where she sits in the  practices and she is up front and I am in the back so rarely see her face. WOW! It is a small world which is getting smaller and smaller…

December 2, 2025 - Tuesday

Walked in spite of a threat of rain before our 2-hour ukulele practice. Things are coming together nicely - thank goodness, since the first concert is Friday with one more practice. 

When Linda arrived, she had two other Stoneybrook residents with her who have been here all along! I present a picture of them from my view in the back. How could I recognize them?

Kay, Julie, Linda

Then from the front of the room showing their lovely faces…

Linda, Julie, Kay

My son-in-law, Dave, took Zachary to breakfast this morning and when they were preparing to leave, they heard a crash. It was Dave’s 2026 Ford 150 truck that a rental car ricocheted into. WOW!

We stopped at Hot Heads Salon on the way home. Natalia Liya was available to cut Rich’s hair. She was done in 10 minutes and charged $25. It looks good too. The owner, Joe, was just finishing up a cut on Santa Claus - this is the beard and hair he sheered off…

December 3, 2025 - Wednesday

After water aerobics, we went to meet my friend from home, Joyce, for lunch. She has been wintering in Florida for decades. She and her late husband are responsible for us having this condo. In 2008, Lou showed Bob and our son, Randy, this condo just for ha! ha’s! After they got back home, Bob kept talking about it for weeks. Shoulda, coulda, woulda! Finally, I said, let’s talk about it, run the numbers and see if we can manage it. We worked it out and here I am…. He enjoyed many years of coming down to golf in the winter while I was still working.

I have been renting it out since he passed in 2017 and was very successful with summer rentals as well - usually folks who are building a new home or remodeling, etc. This summer wasn’t so good. I had an applicant for July through October, Joseph, who is the foreman on the construction site for Tim Hortons, just down the street from the condo. This was a welcome stay for me as it would keep the money coming in all summer without turnover. We were both happy with the arrangement. He wanted to check out the place, so I asked my neighbor downstairs, Connie, if she would give him the spare key to get in. After he left, I asked her what she thought of him. She said, he was a very nice young man and he took his boots off before stepping inside. I was happy to hear that and the process began - rental application for the gated community, transfer of membership to use the facilities, background check, etc. Well, the move-in date was getting so close and I hadn’t heard back from them. So I called and was told that there was a problem with the background check - Joseph was a felon. I couldn’t believe it and when I texted him the problem, he replied, “That was 33 years ago!” OMG. I was so upset. I immediately told each of my teenage grandkids about this and how the choices they make now will stay with them the rest of their lives! 

Fast forward to today - we drive by the Tim Hortons construction site regularly. It is roped off and workers are inside the building. I learned from Connie that he had a big silver truck so when we went by today, there was the truck and someone getting out of it. Rich pulled over and I got out and walked toward him. “Can I help you?” “Are you by chance Joseph?” “I am.” “I’m Monda.” “Hi Monda!” “Do you remember me?” “Yes I do.” We then talked about the sad situation. He explained that he was 19 years old doing teenager things with his buddies. He was the  only one who got caught at a time when they were really coming down hard, and is now a convicted felon. He talks about his mother assuring him that with his faith and truth at his center he will get by. And he certainly has done very well in his field. 

Glory - I have to remember to look up for selfies! Look at that double chin! 

December 4, 2025 - Thursday

Walked before going to practice for Xmas concerts. Then we went to the Elks to have lunch with Tim and Dee. We enjoyed a nice hot Italian sausage sandwich with chips and a few brews. 

Need to get our beauty rest for tomorrow’s debut performance! Stay tuned…

Apricity South

​November 21, 2025 - Friday

Started the day with water aerobics, drying off in the sun, and eating homemade chicken rice soup. They changed the day to socialize with fellow swimmers from Thursday night to Friday night because there is no live music on Thursdays this year. We’re game. This is Brooke - she has a nice voice and good play list. Terry is our instructor…

Some of the water aerobics group and spouses…

Got home in time to follow the big Lee High Wildcat football game. Unfortunately, they did not win this one. It’s the first loss of the season, so they should hold their heads high and be thankful for the glory days they enjoyed. Jacob said, “I know but everyone is so sad.”

November 22, 2025 - Saturday

Shopped early and then went for my walk. Quiet day - should probably do laundry…

November 23, 2025 - Sunday

Walked early to beat the heat. Attended church service online. Got into the left side of the Owner’s Closet…and another bag to drop at Goodwill. 

Got a couple of patio chairs for our front landing…

November 24, 2025 - Monday

Well, I tipped over at water aerobics with the bar bells tucked under both knees. Got my hair wet, but at least I couldn’t get hurt by falling over in water - right? One of the advantages of exercising in the water. 

Line dancing after lunch raised a little sweat as it is boom, boom, boom - no lolly gagging. One short break midway and that’s it. It is amazing to me the muscle memory that I have for these steps. Not the same patterns that I learned in AZ, but I can almost feel which way to go with the music.

November 25, 2025 - Tuesday

I increased my walk today to 2 miles which is what I was doing last month in Massachusetts.  Since here, my walks have been around Stone Harbour Loop which is only 1.6 miles and it’s time to step it up, so I went through cul-de-sacs to pick up more steps. 

Rich and I are committed to playing in four of the Aloha Ukulele Christmas Performances -  12/5, 12/6 @ 11am, 12/12 and 12/15. It took me as long to learn to pronounce mele kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) as to learn all 23 songs! We are starting to get our wardrobes together - stay tuned.

So Brenda, a fellow player with a boo boo on her index finger, told me today that she knows a player in the Lakewood Ranch Garden Club who she wants to bring to this group. She said she’s from Massachusetts! And is a “stringer” in the Magic Fluke Co. of Sheffield, MA which is 25 minutes down the road from my home in Lee. What? I couldn’t believe it - don’t know her name or anything yet, but I will let you know when I meet her.

Stopped at the Elks for a late lunch - we split a meat lovers pizza. It was frozen, but very good actually. Nice and spicy is how I like it. 

If you want a good belly laugh, I highly recommend watching Everybody Loves Raymond on CBS. I didn’t watch the live session, but it is available streaming. So, so funny and back stories on how it all came together. 

November 26, 2025 - Wednesday 

Did H2O Aerobics this morning. Rich came over after to swim and sun after class. Another gorgeous day in paradise! 

Went to the Elks in the evening to see Tony (bartender) play his 12-string guitar, play harmonica and sing. He sounded good. We’ll go see him at our golf club too where he plays once a month. 

Also met another Cindy! There are many in my life - this one is a bundle of laughs and the cook at the Elks… 

November 27, 2025 - Thursday - HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Went for my 2-mile walk in anticipation of a delicious turkey dinner with the works. And it was delicious. We didn’t get a pie since it took us a week to eat a huge pumpkin pie from Costco ($5.99) two weeks ago. 

Called John and Eileen in AZ who we have had Thanksgiving dinner with for the last 5 years. They had a neighbor couple with them this year - a much smaller affair than it has been. 

Talked to my mom, our kids and their families as they gathered together. ❤️❤️❤️ 

Apricity South 2

November 14, 2025, Friday

No water aerobics today as it was 55 degrees at class time. So I walked instead after a quick trip to Costco. Surely the steps up the stairs lugging groceries counts for something! Ironically, WW gives me 3 points for H2O aerobics and only 2 for walking 1.6 miles. Doesn’t seem right. 

The Lee High Wildcats practice for the big football game on Saturday. It is at home and you never know what the weather will be in the Berkshires.

A ride through the town of Lee illustrates the immense town spirit. Bed sheets with each player’s name and tagline are hung in the store fronts. It’s pretty impressive to see. This is Jake’s 2nd cousin, Landon. Big strong boy!

Injured Jake got coverage too. 

November 16, 2025 - Saturday

The warm weather is back, thankfully. 

We did another early morning run for breakfast at Skillets and a Publix - home before people have even climbed out of bed. Love the knotty pine…

They won the Final Four trophy - if they win next week’s game, it’s on the road to the MIAA Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Jake is #23…

The town of Lee does a stand up job of celebrating the Wildcats successes! The fire department drives them through town with whistles, lights and sirens blaring! The townspeople line the sidewalks to cheer the passengers on the trucks! 

November 17, 2025 - Sunday

Went for a walk, listened to church on line, then opened the Owner’s Closet here in my condo! Wow! Lots of stuff in there that I had forgotten about since it’s been 5 years since I was here last. I spent the afternoon going through the right side of the closet - filled 1/2 a garbage bag and also a box for Goodwill. The other half will be done later. It was pretty exhausting as most of the items brought back cherished memories. Then deciding which pile to put it in… keep, donate, toss - Ugh!

November 18, 2025 - Monday

Started the day with H2O aerobics wearing my finger condom to keep it dry; then Rich came over to swim and soak up some sun. 

I almost forgot to go to Line Dancing this afternoon. I am pleased to say that I did pretty darn good with the steps (muscle memory) and certainly got a good workout. It lasts one hour with one brief break, but no loitering between songs - just go right into the next one. There were 15 of us there. During the break, I heard someone talking about “up North” so I asked where up North. St. Albans,Vermont! It so happens I had talked to her husband a few days ago. I was out walking and noticed a golf cart with the vanity plate CLARK. He was nearby, so I started the conversation. Both of my kids married Clarks (2nd cousins) from Tyringham, MA so I am attracted to the name. So now I met Linda - don’t know the husband’s name yet.

November 19, 2025 - Tuesday 

After my early walk and shower, we went to ukulele practice for 2 hours. Of course, we always arrive early, but I heard a woman talking to everyone about how she sliced her finger with a potato peeler! Say what? At first, I thought it was a joke on me, but she held up her well- bandaged left index finger. I approached her holding up my left index finger which is now protected by a New Skin, a liquid bandaid. Brenda is now a new friend of mine as she encouraged me to use one of her extra bandaids for playing today. I was able to use that finger lightly holding down the strings. 

We had to solicit Mr. Handyman to come by to check on my front window with a $175 minimum due at the consultation. Oy! I decided to wash this window for the first time that I can remember since we bought this condo in 2008! That’s right - I have been here VERY LITTLE  until now and don’t think we ever opened the window as it is A/C all the way. Anyway, Mr. Handyman, Andy was a great guy who has been working with windows for 35 years and was able to pull out the faulty springs. He will have to order replacements ($90) which is a whole lot better than having to replace a heavy hurricane window. We breathed a sigh of relief. Great guy working seamlessly with a thumb, 3 stubs and a pinky on his right hand. It amazes me how people make the best of difficult circumstances. 

 

November 20, 2025 - Wednesday 

Walked early to beat the heat. For lunch, we went to the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge for the first time. It’s a very nice club and just 15 minutes away. They have a burger special on Wednesdays which was very good. The bartender is a performer (12-string guitar and singer) - we will probably go over on Thanksgiving Eve to hear him. 

Nice bar…

Ready for Bingo tonight…

This is a great picture of our dear friends from Arizona and Texas. We miss them a whole bunch  and try to stay in touch. ❤️

November 21, 2025 - Thursday

Ukulele practice after my early morning walk.

This is Alice, the amazing retired high school teacher who injects so much energy and understanding into the group - it is contagious. 

Rich is getting serious about this upcoming performance! There were fewer than usual players here today, but they sounded great. See the short video in the body of this email. 

There is a Dim Sum Kitchen across the way from where we practice. Watch out! This is one of our favorite things to eat - just ONE of our favorite. 

Small, medium and large baskets.

Rich does NOT like to wait for anything, much less a table in a restaurant. But today we did wait - 40 minutes. Unheard of… With only 5 booths, there was actually a waitlist to sign to sit and eat. It was well worth the wait. As we watched folks pick up to go food, we realized that the way to do this is to call in your order, pick it up and go home to eat it. 

Rich grabbed one before I could get a picture…

When we checked out, the waitress told us that they would only be doing take out after Thanksgiving. The chef (now owner) has been preparing fresh, homemade dim sum for 20 years. His assistant is retiring and they do not have the staff to cover sit down dining. Good to know…

The view from my office!