It's Time to Catch Up

David with Bridget's grandson ...fooling around

 It's time to rewind and recap some of the things that have been going on for the last month or so.Back in August...my brother David had an opening at a local gallery. Derek Gores is a local artist (he does collage work...really great stuff). Since he came to the Melbourne area he has been very involved in the  local art community. He has put on many shows, including several of his own.
. In August he invited David to show his work at his (Derek's) gallery in the Eau Gallie area of Melbourne. It is in a great space...brick walls, etc. in an older building. He also scheduled an "Artist Talk" with David on Sunday , August 17th. David was a little nervous...wondering who would be interested in what he had to say about his art technique and art work....but as I told Derek..."Once he gets going, he'll be fine". Sure enough...one question from a young boy and his dad and he was on a roll. hahah The weather was terrible all day the day of the opening and it may have kept a few people home...but the turnout was still pretty good.

one of David's friends from high school...they don't see each other as often anymore- funny they both showed up to the event wearing the same t-shirt

 LongDoggers recently added a sparkling wine to their menu....and since that's what I like to drink, I had to give it a try. Here's my makeshift ice bucket....hahah. Unfortunately the brand of wine they have on their menu just doesn't seem to agree with me....so I probably won't be drinking too many more glasses. But we had some good laughs.

We've had a lot of rain and storms lately...everyone has had it...hahah We are the Sunshine State!
One afternoon last week we had a big thunderstorm rolling through...Brenna was home with the dogs. There was a big BOOOM and Petey jumped up onto the couch....trying to hide.

...John, Brenna, Josh and their friend Kristian, who was in town for the weekend

Flags donated by FPL

  September 20th, Brenna and Josh organized a local event for National Plug-in Day. Brenna worked with the city of Melbourne to secure a spot downtown. They decided to set-up in the area near the parking garage; which is where one of the charging stations is located. Once the city got involved, the mayor read a proclamation and also helped with some of the details. FPL was also a major sponsor. They provided a large hospitality tent/area. The tent had a big banner advertising the event that was visible from the road. The also had items to give away like the car flags pictured. Brenna had many phone calls back and forth with both the city and FPL...the challenge was fielding all their ideas and reminding them that while they sounded great...she was only a volunteer , representing their local group of EV drivers. That said, she managed to get donations from various groups to pay for t-shirts,  informational hand-outs, refreshments for volunteers. Check out the news clip that aired about the event. This one features Brenna.

flags from FPL

A few weeks back John and I decided to head over to Orlando for the weekend. We wanted to go check out the spot we have reserved for a family get-together next month. (at Ft. Wilderness) we got a Florida Resident special rate on a room at the Gaylord Palms . The hotel was nice and the price was right. We went to check out their Sport's Bar to watch some college football.

If you are looking for a big screen TV....they have a 37' screen. It was fun to watch the Gators WIN on the big TV. Food was decent...but all in all worth it to be able to watch all the games on TV, plus golf.

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David was in another art event in Eau Gallie last month...the 100% Pure Florida show.  Right down the street from the gallery is Joan's Perfect Pie shop. Since it was the First Friday Art event...she had been baking... and not much can top walking in to a shop full of the smell of freshly baked pies!
I decided to get a 5" Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. (small is good...otherwise I'd eat the whole BIG pie! hahah)

On to the next subject...John recently did some tile work at a shopping plaza some friends of ours own. One store happened to be a gun shop. The owner asked John if he could create a special design by the front entrance. It's been a long time since John has done anything like this; and while I'm not a big fan of guns, I must say...he did a great job. The store owner loved it.

blue skies on a late September day

also not a big fan of the yellow house paint across the street...but with the green trees and the bright blue sky....it looks pretty good

                         Back in August I caught a glimpse of fall on this tree in Cortland, NY.

I'd love to see the whole tree when it's this color!

                                                                   colorful candles in Homer, NY

my souvenir from JETS training camp....can't wait till they play the Dolphins...hahahah

     And that about sums up most of what I've been up to lately. Next up...a family reunion with            some of John's family next month...it should be fun!

A trip to the lake

The first time I went to Cortland, back in 2007, I met a man on the plane who asked if I had ever been to Skaneateles. It's one of the Finger Lakes. I had not and he told me if I had a chance I should take a trip to see the lake and the town. I didn't make it on that trip, or my next one...but this time things worked out and we decided to check it out one afternoon.

It wasn't too far from Cortland...maybe 1 1/2 hours. It wasn't a bad drive...but there was a lot of tourist traffic in town. I guess everyone wanted to check out the place...hahah It was a nice late summer afternoon.
We stopped to eat at a local spot. An old inn/resteraunt.

It was right across the street from the lake...and since we got there just after the main lunch crowd, we were able to get a table near the window.

our view

Ellen suggested a couple of different options for us to consider for lunch...and to tell the truth...we found a parking spot right outside this place...and that was how we made our decision.

We had our waitress take a photo after we finished eating. Lighting wasn't great...but you get the idea.

We left the car and walked around downtown for a bit. There was a nice park with beautiful trees and a nice view of the lake.

We sat on a bench under the trees and had a cup of coffee....and a snack from the candy store next door.

I liked all the old buildings- Syracuse Water Supply

After that we walked around a bit.
Martha and I briefly looked around the town library

 I figured I'd see what was on display there...as compared to our library in Melbourne Beach. I noticed they were using the same theme for their summer program as the libraries in Brevard County were using.
We checked out a few shops...no of them had anything I couldn't live without...hahaha

We stopped at the town restrooms...that happened to be right next to this pretty sitting area/park.

close up of the flowers on one of the bushes

The funny thing is...while I was waiting for Martha in the restroom...I glanced up and noticed a familiar face on the corner; heading our way. I thought to myself, it can't be anyone I know...I'm in Skaneateles, NY...I don't know anyone here. Well....I did recognize them...turns out it was a friend of Ellen's that I had just met the day before. hahah We both had a good laugh...because she had spotted me...and thought no, why would she be here. Ellen's friend, her daughter, niece and sister-in-law were also in town for the afternoon.

this is a display from her gift  shop in Homer, NY

                                                    *I had to have Anna pose near this sign also in Homer

A view along the lake in Skaneateles

I loved the old homes and the beautiful town....but couldn't help but wonder what it's like in the middle of January/February. I just don't know if I could handle the winter.

We had a nice little  day trip and I finally got to see the town I had heard about back in 2007...so I enjoyed it. I think next time we're up there I want to head back to Aurora...another beautiful old town in upstate NY.