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!

Apricity South 2

November 7, 2025, Friday
Weighed in today and am I pleased? The scale was very good to us today. Gives you hope and encouragement for the upcoming days. Water aerobics at 9am, They took a picture for the newsletter as it was a cloudy day.  Then Rich and I sat by the pool for a while - just the two of us. Didn’t do much for the rest of the day.

Observed these woodpeckers having a feast! 

November 8, 2025, Saturday

Did an early morning breakfast treat at Skillets - they have cheesy grits. A favorite of mine.

Got some groceries and then I took my walk. We went poolside for about an hour on this glorious sunny, 80-degree day. 

November 9, 2025, Sunday

Lazy Sunday - early walk, church on line, lunch, margaritas, watch the alligators, birds, turtles and golfers from the lanai, practice Rich’s ukulele/harmonica, and dinner. 

November 10, 2025, Monday 

Did “polar plunge” water aerobics - it was 63 degrees so the water actually felt warm. Getting out wasn’t as bad as I feared it would be. I decided to make potato soup for lunch today and before I peeled 1/2 a potato, I was bleeding. This is the sharpest potato peeler I have ever seen - a serious flap of skin now hangs on my index  finger. Dr. Rich bandaged it and held onto me at my request. I have fainted before when I cut a finger and bled. He also finished making the soup.

So with that in mind I dared not line dance in the afternoon as was planned. I did go and watch them to get a feel for what they do here in sunny Florida. The difference is they don’t call the dance steps as my adorable friend and drill sergeant, Cindy, did in AZ. Hmmm - their steps are the same, but hope I can put them in the right order next week…

November 11, 2025, Tuesday 

HAPPY VETERANS DAY! 

Woke up to 38 degrees so walked in the afternoon instead. Rich went to the Alohaukulele group with me today, I could not play with my tender finger tip, so I just sang. But he played his ukulele very well for someone who has hardly picked it up since last winter. The group keeps growing in preparation for Christmas concerts. 

November 12, 2025, Wednesday

Decided to try an online live jam session with Ukulele Gent. I still can’t play, but I can strum with my right hand and sing. It was interesting - a one way jam. We can see the leader, but he can’t see or hear us. We learned some new stuff.

November 13.2025, Thursday

Pretty darn proud of this young lady - 1st born grandchild, Leanna. Her BopBop would be so proud💕

Today we had a beginner lesson at the Lakewood Ranch Library - an amazing huge structure.

The room was equipped with a screen, sound system, comfortable chairs and tables. Alice led us in an hour of the last class of the session. It was good for us - I never used the pick and am much more confident and aware of the island strum. Rich played the whole time as well. I did ok moving my fingers around so as to NOT use my index finger.  

Went to the Golf Course Clubhouse for a double smash burger for $8! Very good.

Until we meet again…

Apricity South 2

October 27, 2025 - Up and at ‘em bright and early today. On the road by 6:30am heading South, destination Fredericksburg, VA. Eddi, our friend from North Ranch, lost her husband, Cowboy Bob, one year ago and moved into a lovely apartment that her daughter, Judi, and her husband created in their basement/playroom. The transformation is really impressive with a cute 1/2 dishwasher, wine cooler under the counter as her daily fridge, creative storage spaces in the kitchen and more. Sliding doors to a patio with lawn furniture and a fire pit allow her a private entrance. Her bedroom has a small electric fireplace, her bed draped with a gorgeous quilt, a walk-in closet, a recliner and a reupholstered Victorian chair that was her grandmother’s. Bob’s picture is framed right next to her chair. The room is lovingly decorated with mementos she brought from AZ. Cute little stuffed animals are peaking out at you throughout the room - very cute and cozy. We had lunch at a mediterranean Restaurant - delicious lamb kabobs.

Earlier in the day, Rich and I took a drive to the Fredericksburg Visitor Center in hopes of seeing a film describing the battles of the area. It was closed due to the Government Shutdown, so we did a self-guided tour. 

With all of the territory that we cover, we seldom stop to sightsee. On this trip, we wanted to stop and smell the roses along the way. Glad we did; these were not fragrant roses, but thorny recorded evidence of incredible suffering and hardship. Try to imagine looking out over four battlefields within a 17-mile radius of the bloodiest encounters 160 years after the fact. Tall trees interrupt the view, housing developments have sprung up along the 2-lane roads that meander through this hallowed ground. And we keep reminding ourselves that these brave men were on foot - quite a contrast as we toured the area in the comfort of our car.

Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11 - 13, 1862) - This is the entrance to the Fredericksburg National Cemetary where 15,000 Union soldiers are buried, 12,000 of them unknown! In all, 30,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in the two-day December 1862 battle where the Union army was defeated and humiliated. 



We walked along renowned Sunken Road, the site where Union soldiers attempted 7 waves to advance across the open fairgrounds to overtake the Confederates. They could not get closer than 50 yards hindered by a stonewall. For eight hours these open fields became a killing ground. The opposing soldiers held the high ground with their well defended line. 

Rich is standing next to the Innis house which was ravaged by bullets as it sat in the vortex of the fighting. 

Chancellorsville (April 27 - May 6, 1863) - Robert E. Lee won his greatest victory, but lost his legendary subordinate, Stonewall Jackson, who was accidentally shot by his own troops. 

The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864) - On no American battlefield did the landscape do more to intensify the horror of the combat. For two days the Armies grappled in the dense thickets and tangled undergrowth of the Wilderness. The fighting ended in a ghastly fiery stalemate. Almost 30,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded, others missing in the two-day battle. Grant decided to push on to Spotsylvania with a roar of approval from his weary solders. 

Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21, 1864) - For 22 hours the two sides locked in the war’s most intense hand-to-hand close combat. The fighting here was considered the most desperate in the entire war.

We are glad we made this tour - it is unimaginable how these soldiers did what they did. Seeing the terrain is something we will never forget. 🥹

October 28, 2025 - We set the alarm and were on the road by 4:30am. The plan was to see how we felt when we got to Savannah. We felt fine and pushed on to the condo arriving at 6:30pm - basically a 14-hour day with bio-breaks every 3 hours or so. The traffic was amazingly truck light! We saw so many pulled off to sleep in the early morning hours. Maybe they slept in or took westerly routes because it was a great traffic day on I-95 South. Rich drove the lion’s share, with me giving him a break here and there. 

Couldn’t wait to crash after lugging the bare essentials up the stairs. You’d be amazed at how many “bare essentials” there are!

October 29-30, 2025 - Lugging more stuff up and unpacking is pretty exhausting, but we are settling in. Took a break to have lunch at Acapulco Restaurant.

October 31, 2025 - Stocking up on provisions today from Costco, Publix and the Ellington Mall. Physically and financially spent after that ordeal, so we took a nap and then sat out on the lanai watching Alley the alligator, movements of big turtles and water birds, with our Margaritas in hand. The golf tee across the pond offers a fair amount of entertainment as well.

November 1, 2025 - I think we have finally recovered from the trip down.. 11/1 is the first day of the rest of my life, so continuing my walking regiment down here and WW again. Adding 3 days of water aerobics and 1 day of line dancing to my calendar. 

November 2, 2025 - Struggled long and hard to get my printer up and running. Apple Care said that HP discontinued support for this model, so off to Costco we went to get a mid-level one on sale. It took a while, but it is set up and good to go. 

November 3, 2025 - We went for our first visit to the Sun Coast Sand Fleas Ukulele group on Nokomis Beach. A glorious day, but for dealing with the traffic - it took us about 30 minutes to get there. The ocean water was a deep blue green. About 50 of us gathered to play and sing. I met Steffi in Gt. Barrington, MA while playing with the BUB group. She told me about this group and I have been following them on Facebook. It was crazy to see my picture with Steffi on the cover of the post someone shared. We also learned of a group at Lakewood Ranch which is right next door to us, so may have to give them a go. 

November 4, 2025 - Took an early run to Publix to stock up on pantry items and go to UPS store. We were out of there by 8:15 and discovered that we don’t have to get on SR64 for most of the things we need - Walmart, Aldis, Costco, Target, car wash, Dairy Queen 😋 and other stores that are still being built. 

November 5, 2025 - Went to my first water aerobics class this morning. It was indeed a workout, therefore, I don’t think I need to walk today. According to my Weight Watcher App, I earned 3 points for 55 minutes of water aerobics. It was also very fun with 50’s/60’s music accompaniment. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow…

My youngest grandson (13 yo) wrote the most touching essay for school about my husband, his BopBop. A flood of tears sprang from my eyes as I read his memory of him. He really described him well, even though he was only 5 when he passed. 

November 6, 2025 - After my walk this morning, I went solo to another ukulele group. Rich stayed behind awaiting a delivery. This group is Aloha Ukulele Lakewood Ranch - 15 minutes down the road from the condo. So much easier than going to Nokomis Beach 30 minutes away. Two very different groups: Nokomis is mostly old folks like us, full of vim and vigor, gregarious, welcoming… They use multiple big music books which you buy on Amazon, clips to hold the music down when the wind blows, music stands, BYO chairs and have a very energetic young lady (71 yo) as their leader.

Today’s group is younger and uses digital music with a big screen for all to see, paper copies for those who can’t let go of paper, no music stands needed, cushioned chairs in an air conditioned room, a view of a small pond, and a mellow leader with a very dry sense of humor. They are practicing for 10 Christmas concerts, so they were a little more serious. I can practice with them even if I don’t perform in any or all of them. Anyway, I really enjoyed both of them, but Lakewood Ranch is more convenient in many ways. We will still go to Nokomis from time to time.

Social Burger Night at the golf clubhouse down the road with the Water Aerobic folks. Rich got to meet more people and share stories!