December 12, 2025 - Friday
Totally blew it today! Did NOT walk or swim, because I slept sound and late. I am glad for that, but ran out to time before our performance in the University Mall, Sarasota, FL. I have not been in a mall since pre-Covid, so was reminded of the enormity of Macy’s alone! And the clerks walking around in high-heels. And the bright shining bling in the jewelry department. And the samples of lipstick which people actually put on their lips. Thanks to on-line shopping, I felt like it was a different planet.
I have always enjoyed the reels showing pop-up musicians starting with one voice or instrument, and joined in by others, creating a flashmob. The shoppers stop what they are doing and watch the magic happen. Well there we were, 30 Alohaukulelers, at the foot of the elevator outside of Macy’s with people sitting in front of us and others looking down from the 2nd floor, creating our magic. In this large and open space, the sound gets a little lost, but the energy is still there and people appreciate it.
Since we haven’t been to this area yet, we decided to try something new and exotic - Tommy Bahamas. Another spectacular lunch of homemade chips with fresh guacamole and salsa. Then another appetizer of coconut shrimp, washed down with a pricy margarita.
When I’m good, I’m really good. But when I’m bad, I’m really really bad!
December 13, 2025 - Saturday
Back on track with my walking regimen. Other than that, we never left the condo. The screened in lanai counts as fresh air though. Siting alligators, birds, and turtles counts as nature watching. We also prepared our Christmas cards and packages and will mail them Monday.
December 14, 2025 - Sunday
It was cool and cloudy when I walked at 8:30am - much more comfortable when it’s cloudy.
Rich has been focusing on his art and even taking classes online to create new pieces to sell at the Farmers’ Market. He is intense when in that groove, and when he’s not, he’s not. Here’s a few that he has done lately…
December 15, 2025 - Monday
No swimming today - too cold, but I did bundle up and walk. Line dancing in the afternoon. Then I rested a bit for the outdoor show at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch. I really doubted that we would have an audience due to cold and wind, but it was a decent crowd. Thirty of us showed up to entertain and it really went well. One more show to go for us on Saturday.
December 16, 2025 - Tuesday
Still cold and windy, but I did do my walk anyway. Went to Publix to do my Christmas shopping (gift cards) and stayed home after that to wrap it up to mail and do some chores around here.
December 17, 2025 - Wednesday
Did water aerobics even though the air was 59 degrees. It felt like stepping into bathwater with both heaters working in the pool.
Went to UPS Store to ship my Christmas package home - not as expensive this year as I didn’t send home any Arizona rocks for the kids…
Hot Heads is right next door so I walked-in and was lucky enough to get Joe (the owner) to cut my hair. Originally he retired after 40 years of hair styling, but his wife works from home and was always asking him to do this and that. He decided he needed to go back to work. A woman told him she was selling - was sick of it and wanted out. He said he’d buy her shop and here he is 3 years later. He gave me kind of a wild look which is fine with me. Only one tinsel came out in the process - he said Dianne did a really good job fusing them to my hair.
I asked if he owned the Corvette outside based on his personality - and it is! It’s two years old, but would have cost $100k brand new. A client asked him if he could sit in it - he said, yes. A week later he came back to show him the one he bought - it was red!
Went to the Elks for a burger and good conversation with the members there.
When we got home, Rich’s latest purchase was there - a pineapple ukulele! At least he is playing now, so whatever! It’s really cute, but too hard to hang on to for me.
December 18, 2025 - Thursday
Slept late today, but still got my walk in before 9am. We took a ride over to Palmetto to shop at Detwilers. A few of my friends (you know who you are) have always told me about grazing through this store. They sample soooooo many things - we had ginger SNAP cookies, hot mini cinnamon donut, apple cinnamon bun, caramel popcorn, and cheddar cheese. We got a small rib roast for Christmas dinner…
The Story of Detwiler's Farm Market
- Early Years & Inspiration: The founder, Henry Detwiler Sr., was raised in a Mennonite family in Pennsylvania and was the grandson of a butcher. He worked in the butcher shop as a youth and realized his passion for the retail side of the food industry, selling produce at a farm market in the summer when he was about 16.
- Move to Florida: After getting married in 1986, Henry and his wife, Natalie, moved to Sarasota. Henry worked in construction for 15 years while they raised their nine children.
- Humble Beginnings: The business officially started in the early 2000s, beginning with Henry selling produce and Amish barns/outdoor furniture in Virginia, and later operating out of a 10x20 foot tent at Sutter Egg Farm in Sarasota, grading eggs and selling produce. They also ran a farm stand at the Fruitville Grove Market.
- First Brick-and-Mortar Store: In 2009, after losing their lease at the grove, the Detwilers opened their first physical store on Palmer Boulevard in Sarasota. This location, though small (around 5,000 square feet), established their unique farm market style, emphasizing fresh produce, meat, and seafood.
- Expansion & Family Business: The success of the first store led to expansion. Detwiler's now has multiple locations across Sarasota and Manatee counties. It remains a family-owned and operated business, with many of the Detwiler children involved in running the stores; the two oldest sons serve as the president and vice president of the company.
Helena and Terry invited us to Smash Burger night at the club along with 10 others from aerobics class. She gave us snack bags of assorted candies and cookies. Can’t believe Christmas is next week! Until then, tata….
