Snow Again!

Can you believe it? We have 2 new snow storms coming in and it's the end of February! We still have some on the ground from the last one. Will I never see the bare streets again? Maybe it's going to snow all year...ugh! I think I should be a "snow bird" and move to Florida with the rest of the blue-haired ladies. This time though, my shovel is on the porch. Last time, it was in the garage - big help there.

Anyway, just downloaded another book for my Reader. I hate to be stuck inside with nothing to read. And, I have some comfort food; popcorn, pretzels, chocolate, cookies and wine. So guess I'll survive!

Paradise Continued...

Tuesday was a "stay at home" day to loaf around,get some sun,visit with the family, take pictures,and make new friends. Donna had prepared activities for the rest of the week so that evening, we signed up for whatever we were interested in. In the evening, we had "Italian Night" on the beach and all 3 villas ate together. It is very easy to get used to this kind of life....hmmm?

Wednesday, Barb & I joined most of the group for an all day sailing/catamaran trip. Our Captain was Pernell and local; the Mate was Nicki and from South Africa, Susan. Said she came here with another catamaran (where they build them) and stayed. A lot of the group went snorkeling in a small cove then we sailed to a barge/restaurant called Willi T's and had lunch. We told our brother that he could do the same thing only we would name it Willi P's! BTW, Willi T. was named after William Thornton who designed the Capitol in D.C. in the 19Th C. On the way back, Nicki made us some "Painkillers" that are made up of orange, pineapple and coconut juice along with a tot of rum. Pretty good! I'll have to send Joe the recipe for his new lounge.

Thursday, a deep-sea fishing trip was planned so Barb and I had hot-stone massages instead. I never had one quite like it. She even put hot stones on my forehead and between my toes. It felt so good.

Donna caught a 64 lb. Wahoo! Mike had to help her haul it in. And, they enjoyed it for dinner. By the way, Mike put you both on his friend's list so you can open his pictures.

Friday, we went out on a yacht for the afternoon. He took us past Necker Island (Richard Bronson's) where we visited 9 years ago. We also saw a lot of other places/islands that we only read about. I never was in and out so many boats in all my life.

Saturday, found us back on the Mystique with our favorite captain & mate. This time, we headed for Jon Von Werk Island to eat lunch at the Soggy Dollar. Pernell could only bring the cat in so far so we had to take the dinghy. I about croaked when I saw it as I am not the most graceful person around. All in all, I made it but got my butt wet as we were a little crowded.

And, Sunday we bummed around. My camera's battery died on the 3rd day so I didn't get many pictures. However, Bill and Mike did. I will post the ones I got as soon as I upload them.

As usual, I came home with a cold/bronchitis. It started on Saturday and I'm still coughing. So it goes. I came home to all of this snow and more predicted. Enjoy your warm sunny days! I envy you!

Bill and I were talking about this trip and the one at Necker. Virgin Gorda was more "people friendly" but we had great service at Necker. But who can afford $50,000 a day? I'll take VG!

A Short Vacation in Paradise

We left home at 4:30 A.M. for Philadelphia Airport (17 degrees outside) dressed in our summer clothes with a couple of sweaters/hoodies...mighty, mighty cold! Leaving at 7:45 and flying USAire to San Juan took 3 1/2 hours. We were met by a pilot from Air America Charters who took our luggage and herded us to another gate for our flight to Tortolla. Here we met Bill, Donna, Jeanneanne, Brian and baby, Davis. The rest of the family came in later. The flight to Tortolla (BVI) took about 30 minutes in a little prop plane which held just 8 people. In Tortolla (Beef Island Airport), we went through Customs (didn't even have to take off our shoes) then took a water taxi to Virgin Gorda (translated Fat Lady), our destination. At the harbor, we were met with an truck with open rows of seats in the back and to our villa on Mango Bay, Aquamarne. It's about 12 miles from Spanish Town and is back in the hills - very beautiful. I was freaked out because the cars drive on the left side of the road but soon got used to it. There was a sign posted on a tree "Left is Right and Right is Suicide!

There were 3 villas inter-connected by flagstone paths. Each villa had 3 master suites, 1 double and a studio. Barb and I had the double which was on the 2nd floor. We had an indoor shower (more on that later) and 2 balconies, one with a hammock. Bill & Donna, Jeannette and Tom and our cousins, Mike and Sandy had the master suites...all had "outdoor" showers but were covered with lattice and foliage. I would stand on the balcony and talk to them when they were showering and I really couldn't see anything but a shadow. Soon stopped though...was only good for a short period. Haha!

Downstairs, the villa had "open" walls along with a patio, pool and faced the Caribbean that was only 1 flight down. There were kayaks for our use as well as beach chairs and lots of towels. The kitchen was well stocked with food and drink so each day, Mike or Donna made breakfast or we scrambled on our own. A Chef prepared our dinner. This was true for all the villas. Housekeeping took care of our rooms and laundry was picked up twice a week. Talk about being pampered.

The rest of the group from N.C. didn't get in until 7 P.M. It seems they had to drive to Charlotte because of a snowstorm.

I'll continue this tomorrow.

Memories of Ventnor Heights

This is a story that was sent to me (in the 90s) when I just started putting together my auto bio. It comes from Patricia Turner, youngest daughter of Aunt Eleanor. I think you'll like it!

If Christmas Trees Could Think

One Christmas Eve, I worked until 9 P.M. at Woolworth's completing my two week stint after school to earn Christmas money. I was the last one out of the store and on Atlantic Avenue, there wasn't a trolley car in sight. As I waited, a taxicab stopped in front of me, and the driver turned out to be none other than Roland Suarez, the area's only, to my knowledge, operatic tenor and a family friend. Except for local radio and TV, fame had eluded him, so he drove a taxi to tide himself over the lean periods. He offered me a ride home, and although I protested that he had money to earn, I did get in.

Upon arriving at "Turner's Ranch", as our small corner property was affectionately known in the neighborhood, we found Daddy in the yard constructing a Christmas tree stand. Pleased to see Roland, he called out, "Raoul, (his given name), I need inspiration! Come and sing, TREES." "I know the melody, Mr. Turner, but I don't know the words," said Roland. "Don't worry," Daddy said, "You sing. I'll give you each line as you sing."

And so it went, "I think that I shall never see",- bang bang bang - "A poem lovely as a tree" - bang bang - "A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray" ...on to the end of the song and the completion of the tree stand.

As an on looker, I remember the powerful tenor voice ringing through the cold night. The seashore air was so cold, clean and clear. I half expected it to break and fall to earth in millions of tiny crystals.

If Christmas trees could think, I'm sure that one would have been very proud, indeed, to end up at Turner's Ranch, serenaded by a magnificent voice, while being fitted for Christmas shoes by a very special cobbler. As I recall, the tree that year seemed to be especially luminescent.

Questions

Do you remember the colored dinner plates you received from the McMahons in Chicago? What was the occasion? I still have two and think they belong to Joe and Bill. Abby and Becca used them last night. These are yellow and red. I told Patty that we've had them "forever!"

And now I'm ...how Old?

Lordy, I never thought I would feel so young....haha! My special day started off with a trip to the dentist for a cleaning. I had a turkey breast in the frig and had Patty and the kids over for dinner. Abby baked me a cake so we had our own little party.

I have wonderful kids, even if one of them claims that I am really 100. I did remind him that if it was true, he would be 70 so he took it back. Two beautiful bouquets grace my tables, cards, telephone calls singing "Happy Birthday" and congratulations galore on Facebook! How lucky can I get?

It Seems Like Forever...

It seems like forever since I've written. We have been so worried about Emery Jane but now, maybe there's some sunshine ahead.

My brother's treat to Virgin Gorda (BVI) is in two weeks and I dread packing and all to get there. It becomes harder and harder. I'm only looking at a 3-4 hour flight to San Juan then a smaller plane to Virgin Gorda. I'm traveling with friend Barb, Jeannette & Tom and our cousins, Mike & Sandy Turner. We're meeting the rest of the group in San Juan. But we're surely have sunny weather and I'm packing for same. My luck will be a blizzard and my warmest thing will be a sweatshirt. LOL! Speaking of...I remember one summer driving through Montana (July) and I about froze my butt off. They were predicting snow for the next day so you better believe, I didn't linger. I am not a cold weather person!