Apricity South 2

​January 23, 2026 - Friday

Cut my walk short today as we had Ukulele strum and sing this morning. Couldn’t swim either so I got a picture of the shallow end of the class. There are a few more mermaids in the deep end. 

Did laundry and tax stuff in the afternoon. The girl and boy Wildcats played in different locations at the same time, with only one being broadcast - the boys. They lost - never got ahead of the opponents. The girls won by a lot and Leanna played well. 

January 24, 2026 - Saturday 

Walked with Charlotte this morning and Shotsie met her mini-me. Same exact coloring and curly hair. 

A fellow player in Alohaukulele group is involved with an organization that advocates for foster children. They collect donations of laptops, desk tops, iPads, etc. Another tech group cleans the data off of the donated machines and installs the school’s software. What a great cause! I have Bob’s Gateway laptop here (old, heavy, not used in 10 years) and a Dell case which I will gladly give to the group.

The rest of the day was devoted to taxes! Great news - sister, Terri and husband, Jim are coming here for a visit in mid-March. Can’t wait - we have to start scoping out places to visit and eat! 🎉🥳 ❤️ 

January 25, 2026 - Sunday

Walked with Charlotte early as it is supposed to get hotter throughout the day. Thankfully, there were breezes to ward off the humidity. I haven’t really felt it much since we got here until today. We welcome the warmth of this day. 

January 26, 2026 - Monday

I was mentally ready to go swimming this morning when it suddenly got dark and rained very hard. The temps cooled and I didn’t plan on going. Then it stopped and the wind stopped too. So at 8:55 I looked out the window to see if any cars showed up at the pool. Lo and behold, 2 cars were there so I donned my suit and grabbed my bag and went over. Terry, the instructor, showed up and 4 of us polliwogs. The water was gloriously warm and Terry proceeded with a partial class, but we stayed longer to finish the routine. I am so tired of walking instead of swimming, but it looks like we won’t be swimming for the rest of this week and part of the next given the weather forecast. 

Had line dancing this afternoon and tired fast - not sure why!

Big storm back home today - no school and a couple of feet of snow. My granddaughters couldn’t make a snowman (too light) so they did a photo shoot instead. 

They FaceTimed me after supper and we had some laughs.

This is the view from my front door while blowing and snowing…

January 27, 2026 - Tuesday

It was 37 degrees when I got up this morning and it didn’t get much better than that throughout the day, but given what they are dealing with back home, I’ll take it. We went to do the grocery thing, then I went bundled up for a walk. It was 47 degrees. Then went to the Elks for a hotdog. Had to turn the heat on again - grrrr. 

Jacob played at home tonight. They went back and forth until the 3rd quarter when the opponent sailed by…  

January 28, 2026 - Wednesday

Walked later in the morning today staying on the sunny side of the street when possible. Usually I follow the shade, but there’s a noticeable difference these days. After lunch we headed over to the Rec Center for our kickoff meeting of the Stoneybrook Jam. Happy to report that those that showed up (Alan on 12 string acoustic, Laurie on guitar, Linda, Rich and I on ukulele and Ray representing Kay to gather information - he plays accordion, but currently has tendonitis) are talented and committed to this endeavor. We decided to meet on Wednesdays from 2-4pm, but will each submit our choice of 4 songs so that we can brush up if need be. Probably will be doing 50’s and 60’s music as we are all of a certain genre. 

Kristin from the Activity Committee was there to greet us and see if we needed anything. She will put this event on the monthly newsletter calendar. There are over a thousand homes in this community, so I’m sure we can reach more interested musicians than I could with Facebook and word of mouth. She also showed me and app called TeamReach which is a great way to communicate with each other. 

January 29, 2026 - Thursday

Dropped to 35 degrees today and there was literally frost on the grass. I did not walk today, not as much about the cold as it was that I wouldn’t have time. Today was the first day of a 2-day ukulele mini-fest at the Lakewood Ranch Library, where workshops, bring your own lunch and performances were on the agenda. Raffle tickets were sold and hand crafted jewelry was for sale. 

I bought these hand drawn wooden earrings. 

Lil Rev (aka, Marc Revenson) was the main attraction 

- using all of these instruments…

…to teach us many new strum patterns (boom chuck, chunking, boogie, tremolo, triplet, doo woo and reggae) to a group of 60 in 1 1/2 hours. He was a grade school teacher and college professor early in life. Then while playing his guitar, mandolin, and other instruments at a gig, someone came up to the stage and said, “Lil Rev, this was my grandfather’s instrument and no one wants it, so you can have it.” He believes that changed his life and his focus on playing, performing, teaching, writing and recording ukulele themed projects molded his new career.  

He bunked at his friend’s - Ukulele Gent (aka, Greg Gent) who joined him in the concert section of the program. He sang and played Harvest Moon, while Lil Rev did magic on his mandolin. For the full experience, click on the videos in this link… Caveat - you have to join the group to view. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FHP6yumo8/?

In closing, Lil Rev played a number of songs using/displaying the strums we had just learned. Then he told his life story while noodling the entire time. He had lost his first wife to cancer at age 40, leaving his young daughter Mariela without a mother. He had lost his best friend so young and was devastated. But as he stated, when hit so hard like that we can’t comprehend how things will come about, blinded by grief. As it turns out, he ran into his high school sweetheart 30 years after they parted ways right out of school. They met for coffee once, then they met again, then they met again. In the end they married and Mariela put her hands on his new brides’s face and said, “You are my angel.” I was crying (not sobbing) from the beginning and kept wiping my tears away. Afterwards I went up to him and explained that even at my age, finding love again is possible. 

Twenty of us went to Percoco’s Italian Restaurant for a delicious dinner.

Day two is tomorrow where Rich will learn to play his uBass - stay tuned. 

Apricity South - 2

​January 16, 2026 - Friday

Too cold again to swim, so walked after it warmed up a bit. It felt like Saturday all day. Nothing else to speak of except that the varsity boys played at home and had a very exciting game ending with a 3-point buzzer beater with 4 seconds to go! GO WILDCATS! It was not televised but the shot was shared on Facebook… so exciting. 

January 17, 2026 - Saturday

Charlotte and I walked with Shotsie mid-morning after I dusted and vacuumed. It is so much more enjoyable to walk with someone - talking all the way. She came in to see Rich’s latest art and the new ukulele. 

Rich sat at the desk drawing from early morning to mid-afternoon. When he’s in the groove, he’s really in the groove. 

January 18, 2026 - Sunday

Another cold day in the end. It was 71 at noon and then dropped to 59 with wind and rain. I walked when it was about 64 degrees and then went to church virtually. Most of the day was messing with the internet connection to ALL of our devices! We did a little strumming as well. 

January 19, 2026 - Monday HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY!

No swimming today either. When I woke up at 7, it was 37 degrees (feels like 31). Decided to call the trip through Costco my walk for the day, but I did line dance in the afternoon. Was able to watch Jake play basketball from last week’s tapes. So happy!

January 20, 2026 - Tuesday

Waited until mid-morning to walk so it was a little warmer. Met Drew and Will for a 2-hour lunch at Der Dutchman, a restaurant “drawing from both cultures' heritage, with their parent company, Dutchman Hospitality Group, rooted in these traditions, providing homestyle comfort food in Ohio, Florida, and Indiana. While not strictly an Amish or Mennonite community, the restaurants embody the cooking styles of the Plain People, offering dishes like fried chicken, noodles, and fresh pies, often in Amish-Mennonite communities.”

We had so much to catch up on. They have been friends of the family since Johan’s restaurant days with sister Leslie in the front of the house, chef Johan in the kitchen, and Drew at the bar. Later in life Drew and I worked together at Big Y Foods and had many memories to share. Will just retired in September after 36 years at the Marriott followed by 23 years as professor of Hotel Management at the University of Massachusetts. 

Tonight both Jacob and Leanna had basketball games at 7pm. I watch them on NFHS network when broadcasted so I figured I could watch one on Rich’s tablet and one on my iPad, simultaneously. However, they did not allow that so I watched the boys and will watch the girls tomorrow. Sadly, both teams lost. 

January 21, 2026 - Wednesday 

Mid-morning walk this morning followed by a Yum and Strum party at Carl’s house in Parrish, FL. Carl was our leader for all of the Christmas performances and wanted to show appreciation for those who participated - 32 players. 

He and Sue have a perfect home to hold a pot luck luncheon plus a strum along for dessert. See brief video clip in the body of this email. 

The array of food brought by players was amazing. This is only one section…

Dessert bar…

A fun strum after our bellies were full. 

January 22, 2026 - Thursday

Finally a warm day - we can put aside the fuzzy blankets that have been retrieved from the closet for the last week.

Double header games tonight Lee vs Lenox - boys followed by girls in the Lee High gym and streamed for all to watch. Such fun and Lee won both games! Yay! 

Apricity South 2

​January 9, 2025 - Friday

Gorgeous day today for water aerobics. 

Time for a pedicure so we went this morning before hitting Seasons 52 for lunch! This restaurant is our maiden voyage, but I have been hearing good things about it - just 1 mile down the street. Somehow it felt like a day to celebrate. Actually, the waiter (Kevin) was a great salesman. He made a Hawaiin Pineapple Cosmo sound so good that I decided to go for it. Rich tasted mine and got one as well. It took us a while to peruse the menu as there are so many delectable choices. Love that the menu lists the calories in each dish! 

We shared the beet salad -  Betty didn’t tell me it was served warm!

I had the plank salmon which was delicious.

Rich had the shrimp and grits which I took a bite of.

We were sure that we would NOT be ordering dessert - then Kevin appears with an unavoidable presentation of cordial glasses with 6 options that we could not deny. We did share one Belgium Chocolate S’more. 

I looked the meal up in my Weight Watchers app just for the heck of it. Sure enough, all of their dishes are in WW and it wasn’t as bad as I would have thought point-wise. It was an expensive outing, but we thank Rich’s son, Perry, and daughter-in-law, Lyn, for their Christmas check.

January 10, 2025 - Saturday

Laundry today after my walk. Not much else going on. No high school basketball games until they get back to school next week. Leanna FaceTimed me which is always a treat. Lily is in the background being a little pesty, but she gets in a line or two with Mimi. 

January 11, 2025 - Sunday

Walked and then went to church online. Spent the better part of the day working on tax stuff. Played a little ukulele to mellow out. Rich is prepping on YouTube for a workshop to learn u-bass at the end of the month. 

We called Rich’s sister, Eileen, and she is feeling much better after fracturing a rib. Then we called Gary at North Ranch, Congress, AZ. He is retired from the Escapees and is still living in his motorhome there, looking for an apartment. It was good to catch up with him.  

January 12, 2025 - Monday

In the high 40’s this morning, so no swimming! Walked at 10 when it warmed up a little. Also, line-danced in the afternoon. The outside of the condo was power washed today - they did a nice job including windows. 

Was able to watch the girls game on my TV! A big step up from watching on iPhone and iPad… they won though it was not a tight in-control game. Lu scored a basket. No picture. 

Jake (21) is back in the game happily. He has spent a lot of time in rehab and the weight room, building up muscle to support his 6’5” frame. 

January 13, 2025 - Tuesday

Another cloudy, cool day which is perfect for walking. A chainsaw was buzzing all morning trimming the palms out front. I now have a better view of the pool from the front door. 

I waited to go for my walk until they gave Pamela the Palm tree a haircut in the back yard. This guy was taking care of business. 

Before 

After

Unfortunately, no games were filmed tonight, so I have to wait for scores to be posted at the end of each quarter - so frustrating.  

Rich has added another ukulele to his collection - she is a beauty and has such a nice tone. It is a concert and mine is a tenor, about 3 inches longer. Can’t wait for Thursday at the Alohaukulele sing and strum. 

January 14, 2025 - Wednesday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Went to Publix to shop for BOGO’s before they expire. As it turns out, they give you a bar cake or ice cream for your birthday, so we have our dessert planned for tonight. Then to pool for aerobics - 61 degrees but the water is warm as bath water. It was quite chilly when we got out. 

For my birthday lunch, Rich took me to the Lazy Ballerina - a bungalow that was built in 1911 and converted to a restaurant in 2023. The name is: “…inspired by a term used in the Australian art of winemaking. Just as a ballerina dancer moves through her routine, we strive to create a seamless and enjoyable dining experience.” They made it past the notable 2-year start up period in spite of two hurricanes which wiped out their food both times! The owner is Becky, who owned a nearby lumberyard until she retired and took on this venture. The building is so cute and decorated to the nines. The entrance:

There are several group seating rooms downstairs:

And upstairs: 

Then there’s the food! Wow - we decided to get a bottle of Pinot Grigio wine from Sea Glass winery in Napa country. Really smooth with a little bite that I haven’t experienced.

A small appetizer of Cheese Pimento Fritters was awesome with a glaze of Sweet and Spicy Chili Pepper sauce over the fried cheese. 

My entree was Grouper and Shrimp over Grits - unbelievable.

Rich had Short Ribs served on mashed potatoes - he loved it.

I thought we were done, but they came over singing with a chocolate chip cookie a la mode and a candle on top. I made a wish, blew it out, and we got into it before I took the picture. Oops…

Needless to say, when we got home we “rested our eyes” and I fell sound asleep for 1.5 hours. I am not a day (or bottle) drinker!

NO SUPPER, but Publix cake for dessert!

I hope the Weight Watcher police know that your birthday is a FREE day!

January 15, 2025 - Thursday

It was 60 degrees when I walked, but with a windbreaker it was just right. Its supposed to go down to the 30’s tonight and we already decided no swimming tomorrow.

We went to sing and strum with our ukulele group. Rich played his new instrument and did well with it. We have so much fun with the crew - there are a few of them who bring it to a whole new level of laughter and music. 

Tonight the Wildcats are playing Lenox (a long time rival). For the first time, the Varsity girls will play at 5:30 and the Varsity boys at 7pm. Please be televised!

Sorry for the overload on food this week. We’ll try to be better next week!