Apricity South 2

​February 13, 2026 - Friday

It was a little misty when we met at 9am for aerobics and the sun never came out, but it felt good to move, stretch, balance, and jog in the tepid water. 

Rich and I  met Tim and Dee at the Elks for a reasonably priced lunch. It’s one of the few places you can get lunch and drinks for two for under $30. 

February 14, 2026 - Saturday  HAPPY VALENTINE’S Walked with Charlotte and Shotsy early before it got too hot. 

Rich offered to take me to the World Ukulele Day at The Bay Park in Sarasota. Yay! 

We had decided not to go for a few reasons (45-minute drive, lots of traffic, people, parking, walking, etc.), but in the end overcame them and arrived at the park one hour early! So, not hard to park or walk. We acted so quickly that we didn’t bring chairs or instruments. I grabbed sunscreen and my water bottle and we both had hats to protect us from the sun. Being our first time, we weren’t sure of anything. Turns out, players from several groups in the area arrived with chairs, instruments, iPads and stands, hats, et al. We sat on a bench early and before the show started, I was feeling lightheaded from the sun and NO SNACK after walking. So I went to a shaded area and perused the situation. A table with four chairs in the breezy shade was occupied by a couple and two vacant seats. I knew he was a uker as he had a Hawaiian shirt on and his uke was on the table. I approached them and asked if I could use the extra two chairs - they immediately agreed to it. He, Kevin, wore a Boston baseball hat. So we started sharing - he went to school in N. Adams, loved the area we are from, and is in uke groups on the Cape and in Boston. Pat, his wife, told me he started playing during Covid and has become very involved. 

Notice the buildings being constructed in the background - someone was operating that crane and had to climb up the scaffolding to get in. Another person was on the top floor doing whatever one does up there… OY!

Our Alice and Carl kicked it off and then the Suncoast Sandfleas took over. 

This group meets every Monday at 10:30am at Nakomis Beach in Venice. There are over a hundred ukers who go weekly, toting their chairs, music stands, and books of music. I am not a book girl - I prefer an iPad or a big screen. Also, it is a hike for us, so we only went the first Monday we were here. It is much more convenient for us to go to Lakewood Ranch with the Aloha Ukulele Club. They have a big screen and chairs for us. 

Three lovely ladies in the forefront of this picture are in our Stoneybrook Jam. I offered Margo my hat - she wished she took it after the fact

Rich cooked a nice steak which we split with potatoes and broccoli for Valentine’s Day. 

February 15, 2026 - Sunday HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY ❤️

Leanna Robin got an appointment for her license the end of this month. Good Golly Gee! When I think back to those days, it’s scary….

We went to Miller Ale House for our Valentine’s dinner out! Its our first time there - a sports bar with lots of taps…

We were surprised at how affordable the prices are there. During the week, you can order lunch specials starting at $7.99

Our waiter, Frank from Brooklyn and Yankee fan, was a real gem. He helped us decide what to order, and did nice follow-up too. He has Thursday and Saturday off to coach his son’s basketball team. 

The meal was terrific and very plentiful. Rich had prime rib and I had Pork Osso Bucco. So good!

February 16, 2026 - Monday

It rained pretty hard last night which cooled the pool quite a bit, but we did aerobics anyway. It  was fine after you were in and until you had to get out! Line dancing in the afternoon was good. 

Met up with Terry, Debbie and her daughter, Monica, at Outback for early dinner. It is school vacation back home, so a number of the town’s people are here this week. They sure got a great week weather-wise. 

February 17, 2026 - Tuesday

After my walk, we went to the post office to mail tax paperwork to my accountant - Hallelujah! I was in line for nearly an hour! Feels so good to have them gone…

Played a little ukulele after lunch - prepping for the jam on Wednesday. 

Boys game tonight - if they lose, they are out of the running for the State Championship. They lost…😢

February 18, 2026 - Wednesday 

There were 25 of us pollywogs today due to nice weather and school break, which brings a lot of folks down South.

This also affected our jam - three had company, one injured the tip of his fret finger, one is recovering from a germy cold. So it was a uker day with four of us strumming along. This is the last day we will play host as Jim is here from Connecticut and has invited us to play in his bonus room - a music room. Can’t wait to see it. 

The Lady Wildcats lost their final Western Mass Tourney game…😢 They will be playing in the Massachusetts State Tournament soon. 

February 19, 2026 - Thursday

Got my walk in before going to Aloha Ukulele strum and sing. We went to the Elks for lunch after and in walked Carol for the first time since she fell and broke her right arm a month ago. This was the first day driving her car. She wasn’t there long before she walked over to the tab machine. This is a two handed game to pull the tabs. Glad that she is feeling better and able to do what she wants. It was a long haul for a very independent lady. 

Tata from a beautiful, 80-degree slice of paradise… 🌴🌊🐠🏊