Campfire

[BarbaraRose]

If you lease/buy there, can you stay at another SKP park at a discount? Sounds interesting... I just sent for some info and a free copy of their magazine.

[Bethers]

If you lease/buy there, can you stay at another SKP park at a discount? Sounds interesting... I just sent for some info and a free copy of their magazine.

Being a member of SKP gives you discounts. You don't get additional discounts by leasing. And not all their parks are equal, and not all offer leases.

[carold]

Beth, both my sister and BIL are birders..if u didn't already know. tGM likes it there too, but I'm not as big a fan of that area as he is...I love being close to the beach and a little more humidity. It is a great deal though. Enjoy!

[JudyJB]

While it is pleasant enough here in Florida to not need the warmth of a campfire, I thought this was a good time to get the fire going again so we can all sit around it as the holiday approaches.

This is supposed to be my relaxing week, but I just rode my electric bike 14 miles. And while I do not do much pedaling, it takes a lot of upper body strength to control since it is so heavy. I need to get myself in better shape because I am finding out lately that doing just a little really wears me out. As much as I can, I try not to act my 71 years, but OH MY, how my body knows my age! Can't fool these old muscles.

Knees and back have really been bothering me this week, so I guess I need to start taking Aleve and aspirin more regularly. Shoulders and neck get sore from riding my bike. Some days I really feel like I am falling apart physically. Just hope my mind holds out for a few more years. Right now I am trying to decide if I can manage to drag myself out of my recliner to fix myself some dinner. Every muscle aches.

On a more positive note, for those of you who have never been here, Myakka River State Park, east of Sarasota, is a fantastic place for birds and other animals. I just can't resist going out to see what new things I can see. Will do the boat tour and tram tour later this week. I just updated my blog, so check out what I have seen in the last few days.

[BarbaraRose]

Anyone get in touch with Nancy yet??

Judy, nice park! You know your birds! I wouldn't want to be in the water with those gators either!

[carold]

My sister, a big birder, has been here in Sarasota for a week. She went to the "celery fields" and saw about 30 species of birds. It is just west of Myakka off of Fruitville Rd.

[JudyJB]

I'm going out for propane on Tuesday so I'll stop by the Celery Fields. Hope I can park. Also thought I might check out the aquarium in Sarasota assuming weather is good.

[carold]

Judy, I was wrong about location of CF. It is on Palmer, the first road north of Fruitville. The best birding is off Palmer on Raymond Rd. There are bird naturalists from 8:30 - 10:30 although we saw the most around 7-7:30. You can Google the location. Sorry about that.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Carold. I did look it up. Am going to go out there tomorrow.

I really don't know my birds that well. What I do is look them up when I get back from taking photos. I can see them better on my laptop by blowing up photos, also, rather than looking at them directly. I keep a bird book handy to check them.

I have a horrible headache, so took some Aleve. I suspect I am coming down with something. Hope not.

[Bethers]

I don't know my birds either, but enjoy them anyway.

Am only chiming in because I talked with Carol's sister tonight and she really enjoyed it there.

[MandysMom]

Feel better soon Judy!
Velda

[Redetotry]

I need to sit by the fire and rest and relax. I baked chocolate chip cookies this morning for my niece and they didn't turn out right. I always use the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag and they are always really good. This time the minute I opened the oven door when the timer went off, I knew they were not going to be good. The texture is just all wrong, they are really light (airy) an crispy. I can't imagine what I did unless I over mixed the batter. I usually need to stir it by hand after I get all the flour in but this time I was able to use my hand mixer. DH says they taste good, I took one bite and won't eat any more because I won't waste my sugar intake on a sweet I don't really love. I'm going to send them anyway and hope she will like them, it's been two years since I made them for her so maybe she has forgotten how the others were. So the wine is good and I'm off for acupuncture in a bit. I always get a good nap while on the table waiting for the needles to do their magic.

[Bethers]

I bet they taste good, BJ. We are our own worst enemies on this kind of stuff.

I've been looking yesterday and today at picture after picture Carold's sister took at Celery Fields. This is a definite place that will get me back to Florida for a winter again. Wow.

At the moment I'm feeling bad. Woke up overnight with a dreadful headache. Nothing is helping it. Was invited last night, and accepted, going to a cocktail hour at Carold's sisters. Just emailed to say I won't make it. Hate not keeping commitments.

I suppose I can do my Christmas cooking for what I'm taking with to Phoenix and dinner there.

[mitch5252]

...So the wine is good ...

..
Wine AND Chocolate?
Good Lord, you sound like me...
Pair well, don't they?
Enjoy your pins and needles.
..

[JudyJB]

I am feeling better, but I have been getting tired very easily the last few weeks. I had a bit of a sore throat so took Zicam the other day and slept a lot.

I skipped the Celery Fields today, Carol, but I did go out to the Mote Aquarium and enjoyed the bird sanctuary next door to it as well. Lots of interesting birds, including a black vulture who must have thought I had food because he hopped down off his perch, picked up a toy, and dropped it in front of me next to the cage wire. I don't care for vultures, but I have to admit that this one was charming. The sign on his cage said that black vultures are playful and inventive, compared to turkey vultures. Did not know that. Also watched them feed a blind brown pelican. Keeper had to hand feed bird who would open her mouth to get a fish, but another pelican kept hanging around to catch the fish she dropped! Will update my blog in an hour or so.

A cousin I have not seen in years is stopping by tomorrow with his wife, and then my task for the rest of the day will be laundry. Christmas day will be packing up for my flight to Ohio on Friday and maybe another bike ride if I am not too tired.