Planting Bulrush

Bulrush is a natural plant to the waterways in Florida. My good friend, Don, from the Florida Fish and Game, was kind enough to dig some of the plants up, from the shores of
Lake Okeechobee and bring them to me so I could plant them along my back patio shoreline at the Big O.
Now that they are planted our little alligator friend came along to check it out. One thing about planting things in Florida, one is that the ground is usually mostly sand, so it's easy to dig in and second, no matter what you put in the ground it grows. So it's very gratifying.

2007 Honda Shadow

Ok, so we had to throw a u-turn while driving thru Lake Placid, FL. on our day trip to Sebring, FL to do a little shopping. There was a Honda dealer on the other side of the highway and Jim just wanted to look and compare. Well, if any of you know Jim at all, you know he is very impulsive and usually gets what he wants............... He just wanted to sit on it.........Pleeease..............Of course, he could not take it out for a test ride, because, well...... they wouldn't let him go out wearing Crocs, after all there is a safety concern.
So, he liked it and he put a down payment on it and will return to the dealership next week to finalize the deal. Looking good in the neighborhood..........

Giant Schnauzer

This is Clyde, he is a Giant Schnauzer. Linda is dog-sitting Clyde and Micah for the week-end. Their owners are Brian and Julie, Linda and Bruce's, son and daughter-in-law. What a gentle giant this fella is, he is around 150 lbs and is so well behaved.

Micah, in comparison, is your more standard size Schnauzer. They are great pals and it was really fun to watch them play and explore.

Laying sod at the Big O

OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA...........
The heat index is 104 degrees.......... My good friend and neighbor, Nancy Adams and I are preparing the soil of our back property, getting it ready to lay the sod that was delivered that day. Once you get it, you have to plant it........Git R Done!!!!

A short break for a photo shoot.....Amber, (our dog) looking on to make sure we are doing the job correctly. She will tell us otherwise, I am sure. While working, a 3' alligator came up to the shoreline, we saw it and didn't pay much attention to it, but when it started coming ashore and taking a good look at Nancy's ankles, well, we had to do some serious tossing of rocks to discourage it from looking for a little treat. We have to remember that we live in the Everglades and these reptiles are native to Florida and you have to respect them.

With the sod now down, we have to water it morning and evening. We are on serious water restrictions, here in Florida, but when you do any new landscaping you are allowed to water it for 30 days without being worried about getting fined.

Jim is giving the sod a good drink, we are really happy that this job is done. No one said retirement was going to be easy. So much work, so little time..........

Lily Kai's 4th Birthday Party-Theme- "Pirates"

Papa is showing Lily that her backyard has been turned into a "Pirate's Haven". I'm not too sure what she is thinking at this point, she was pretty quiet, but she got into the groove within seconds.Pirate flags EVERY
WHERE, Pirate balloons even a Pirate jumping house. How cool is that!!!

There were over 40 children and adults at this
celebration, many came in full costume, it was great.

Lily Kai is so lucky, she has so many people that love her.

Kelly, Lily Kai and Mommy

Lily Kai, Daddy and Amity

Dinner at the Rustic Inn Crab House, Ft Lauderdale, FL

Jim and I arrived in Ft Lauderdale the eve of Lily's 4th birthday party. We met up with our son Mike, Amity, Scotty and Lily. We headed for the Rustic Inn Crab House for dinner. Here are some pics of that evening.

The Rustic Inn Crab House is located in Ft Lauderdale, FL. Their menu consists of crab, BBQ'd ribs, mussels, mahi mahi and so much more, it was very difficult to choose. We ate like kings and enjoyed our evening out with our family and friends. Lily Kai and Gramma are ready to dig in. We are eating in the outside dining area and Lily was waiting patiently to get her food so she can share it with the fish.
The Rustic Inn Crab House sits right on the water and it is really fun to throw bread into the water and watch the fish come up and swallow it down.
Papa thinks it's pretty funny while Lily is trying to open some crab legs with her hammer. She actually did a great job and opened a few of them.
We are all very full after our huge meals. Pictured are: Papa Jim, Gramma, Scotty, Amity, Lily and Mike.

Auntie Sandy and Lily Kai

Lily spent the afternoon of her 4th birthday with her Auntie Sandy. She got a pedicure and a manicure..... Gee Sandy, I want to spend my next birthday with you..... What a lucky little girl our Lily is.

Lily and Max at the Rodeo

This is Max, Lily Kai's best buddy. She was so happy to see him, it was a surprise that her mom had for her, bringing Max with them from Ft Lauderdale, FL to spend the day with us all in Okeechobee during the celebration of the American Cowboy.

Max and Lily Kai

Are they adorable or what!!!!!!!!!!! They are two peas in a pod. Friends forever.