Sunglasses lost and mysteriously found.

I had two houseguests visiting me in Florida. One lost her sunglasses multiple times while staying here. Fortunately some one always found the  glasses where she had left them and returned them to her. I mercilessly teased her for being absent minded- especially about  losing her sunglasses.  The day after she left, I was punished for teasing her. My cherished sunglasses disappeared. I searched every where, but to no avail. I enlisted the help of my daughter and son in law who had moved in with me for a  visit the same day  my friends went home to Toronto. The three of us searched every room thoroughly in vain.They were gone.

I was heartbroken. I loved those glasses. They were the only ones I had managed not to lose for over two years.

But wait!! That is not the end of the story. Later that afternoon I walked into the bedroom. The sunglasses were lying in plain view on the floor on top of a bright yellow bag that the daily newspaper is delivered in. The bag and the glasses were not on the floor before. Is it possible that I have a friendly ghost living here or a guardian angel looking out for me  that returned my glasses. What do you think? Has anything like this ever happened to you? Your comments  and opinions would be appreciated.

MY THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

TODAYS MISADVENTURES ARE MATERIAL FOR TOMORROWS BLOG.

FIRST MONTH ON MY OWN IN FLORIDA HAS PASSED

Another first  has come and gone— the first month  that I  have been in Florida  without my hubby for the first time,    has passed.  I have survived and in some ways I have thrived.  When I accomplish something I continue to throw my arms up in the air and shout I DID IT- a ritual I learned from my younger grandchildren However I still don’t shout as loud as they  do because I still don’t want my neighbours to think I am completely bonkers.

After the initial horror of the first few days walking into the  Florida condo, without my spouse and then losing internet, television  and telephone service the first day due to a mishap involving Atlantic Broadband, things have gone reasonably well. Sure I still miss him and get lonely and when I see an attractive white haired man I sometimes think it is him– until with a jolt, I remember, However I am not living the horrific nightmare of last season  watching him  struggle for breath every time he took a few steps. The worst has already happened. He is gone.

I did have  one frightening experience and felt very vulnerable and very alone. I describe it below.

I Had a Bad Day, What a Bad Day I had.

The day and evening before my bad day I was experiencing mild shooting pains in my right temple and eye. When I woke up in the morning , I went to my computer . I was seeing double.I panicked and called my son in Toronto who is  an optometrist. he suggested I see an optometrist in the area to check my eyes. I found an old local phonebook and made an apointment at an office in the area. They did me a favour and squeezed me in for 10 A.M.  I wrote the address down and even had the presence  of mind to enter it in my I- phone. I called my son back and gave him the particulars to where I was going in case he wanted to confer with the doctor. I then called a taxi. I could have called a friend or neighbour but I didn’t want to spoil anyones day. I paid the taxi driver $10 for a minute and a half ride. Had I known it was so close I would have walked. I went into the building and searched for the suite number. It was vacant. Once again I panicked. It was already 5 to 10. I thought– “well  I will phone them–maybe I copied down the wrong address.” Then I discovered although I had recorded the address in note form and in my I-phone I had failed to record the phone number.  I walked into the only occupied office in the building and asked if they knew of this doctor. They didn’t. Phone books are practically obsolete. They didn’t have one and their computers were down. What to do ? I called long distance to my son in Toronto. I had given him the phone number. After obtaining it from him, I  called the office. The phone number in the old phone book was the same but they had moved to a new location a few years ago. The receptionist said the new office was only a couple of minutes away and the Doctor would see me when I arrived. Sure the office was only a couple minutes by car but I was walking and it  took me nearly a half hour. It was hot. I couldn’t see,  I was light headed because I hadn’t eaten breakfast.I was nervous and a little queazy There was heavy traffic . I obey traffic lights but many drivers here think it is their mission to run down as many pedestrians as they can. Against all odds I made it safely to the office. The doctor was very nice. Everything checked out okay- no macular degeneration , no detached retina, just the very beginnings of one cataract and the optic nerve appeared to be okay. However she suggested just to make sure I  should see an Ophthalmologist Neurologist.I walked across the road to make an apointment with the specialist.. I would have to wait a week.It would be expensive and it would probably be a hassle to get my out of country health insurance to cover it. I took a taxi home, My eyes are better I only see one image at a time. and at the advice of my son  and the advice of a poolside friend who is the wife of a Boston optometrist, I try to moderate my computor use { hard to do when one likes to blog and write} and I use eye drops every day. I speak to my son frequently and will check further if necessary when I return home in the spring.  To add insult to misery , somewhere along the way I lost my favourite back sweater. I called the various places I was but it is lost and gone forever, oh my darling black sweater. When my friend heard about my misadventure she said she always thought  it was my hubby who attracted Mr. Murphy and lived life according  to his law– “Whatever can go wrong will”.  Now she is convinced it is me. Oh “Why Me?”

I have done nice things with friends . With two groups of friends it is a ritual for us snow birds to get together for reunions. This year was no different except I went without my mate. Both groups went back to the same restaurant as last year. I thought it would really bother me especially when in both cases we were given the same table as last year. I surprised myself . I felt D. was with us as did some of our friends.

I have made new friendships here and have attended, movies,  art shows and  events with both friends and relatives.  Sometimes would prefer to stay home and mope , but my older daughter encouraged me to go out , or people will stop asking me to join them.   D still had a lot of living to do. I will try and live for the two of us ,as I begin this  new chapter of my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Books written by my fellow bloggers and Face Book friends

There are many bloggers and those on Facebook who are talented writers . Since I became a member of the blogging community about a year and a half ago, I have read a number of their books, Many are self published, like my own book “Why Me? -A Memoir “ and can be purchased  online or directly from the author.

Some noteworthy books are as follows:

FINDING LUCAS by Samantha Stroh Bailey.

Samantha and I connected through a friend of mine who also was a friend of her family. Coincidentally Samantha and my daughter were former schoolmates. Samantha advised and guided me on issues regarding writing and publishing. In some ways this young lady was my mentor. FINDING LUCAS is a delightful story .Samantha classifies it as a “Chic Flick” In my opinion it is so much more. Her outrageous characters are memorable. The book is racy and funny –oh so very funny. When I  think about it it still brings a smile to my lips.

ROOM 732 by Merle Saferstein.

I met Merle in Florida in 2013. She just had  had her book published at about the same time mine was. Someone gave me her business card and I gave her a call.We met for lunch and became friends. Merle is a bright articulate woman and an educator who writes and lectures. ROOM 732 is a collection of short stories that takes place in room 732 of the Hollywood Beach Hotel in Hollywood Florida. Each story represents an era in the history of  the hotel and of the Hollywood Beach area. My only criticism is I wish some  of the short stories could have gone on forever! I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the people I met in room 732.

UPHILL BOTH WAYS by JT Weaver

Jt Weaver wrote this book for his children. UPHIL BOTH WAYS is a collection of short stories in the authors own words “about the events that helped to shape your  father into the person that you know.” Life was not always easy for JT. He wrote with honesty and humour and he is leaving a great legacy for his family, and a book that we can all enjoy and relate to on some level.

LIZZIE AND THE BOYS CLUB by Elizabeth Melton Parsons

Elizabeth Melton Parsons is one of my favourite blogging friends  and Facebook friend. She is multi talented – an artist, decorator photographer and author. She is a compassionate human being and a dedicated wife and mother. I recently purchased LIZZY AND THE BOYS CLUB  for my granddaughter. I read it also . We both enjoyed this funny delightful book about a loveable  mischievous tomboy growing up in the Florida Everglades.I am sure Lizzie’s antics are based on  young Elizabeths adventures and misadventures. Elizabeth has written other books and my intention is to read them in the future.

A PLACE IN THE WORLD by Cinda Crabbe MacKinnon.

The author grew up in Latin America .Her novel “A PLACE IN THE WORLD “ is a poignant and well written  love story that takes place in Columbia. Although it is a work of fiction, this book informs and teaches as well. it depicts and explores the history of Columbia, its  coffee industry geology, its fora and fauna and most important we meet the colourful people and get an incite into their rich culture. I recommend you read this book .You won’t be sorry.

A GOOD HOME  by Cynthia Reyes

Cynthia Reyes was featured  in Elizabeth Melton Parson’s blog. I have not read A GOOD HOME , as yet. but I certainly intend to. Cynthia Reyes is a fellow Canadian-a former journalist and executive producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Company, She has written for the Globe and Mail and Toronto Life and has won national and international awards for film and written works.  A few years ago her life changed after a disabling car accident. A GOOD HOME describes the many residences she lived in over the years the people she met and relationships that she formed.

 

telephones or should I say lack of them

Five little telephones, working at their best                                                                                                                            one broke down and was put to rest.

Four little telephones, working at their best                                                                                        one broke down and was put to rest.

Three little telephones, working at their best                                                                                                           one broke down and was put to rest.

Two little telephones working at their best                                                                                                           one broke down and was put to rest

One little telephone, trying to do  its best

is breaking down  and will soon  join the rest.

Many years ago hubby and I bought a quality set of phones  for our Florida condo from Costco at a very good price. It was great –We had a phone for every room with one to spare. Last year, two died. This season I started with three. Now only one is partially working. It is getting old and is having trouble  holding  its charge, with the ability to hold it only for  a minute or two at a time –before it involuntarily discharges. This sometimes can be an advantage. The phone works fine for very brief calls  but is great for cutting short telephone solicitors and those who like to engage in long winded conversations. An added advantage- I get good exercise jumping over furniture and running to answer the phone in time, before it disconnects.

I also have cell phones that may or may not work. I am not the only one down here with phone issues.For some reason they don’t seem to be too reliable. Maybe it is all the construction going on and the big buildings interfering with the reception or maybe it is because the aging population  has difficulty with technology.

In any event I suggest if you want to get hold of me: use my email. twitter, Facebook or my WordPress blog. Better yet–hire a skywriter . I have a clear view of the sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SNOWBIRD CURSE

Fw: THE SNOWBIRD CURSE

It doesn’t make a difference whether snow birds rent or own their own place; things  usually are mucked up  when they first arrive in Florida. Actually last season things went the smoothest for us than it had in many years. This year since I am on my own I was really hoping that it would be a repeat of last year. Ya right! It was a bad omen when i came down with an infection Saturday evening and my flight was Monday morning, Jan. 29 Ever try to find a doctor on a Sunday –or a walk in clinic that is actually open to walk in.  It is not easy to walk in through a locked door. My daughter took me to her doctor  and I was given a strong fast acting antibiotic.

 The first day of 2015 I was without a condo telephone,  television, or  internet. However I did find one of Davids old radios. I was only able to get three stations -two were in Spanish and one was a hip hop station. I hip hopped my way through most of the day.  But let me start at the beginning.

I flew down with good friends, on December 29. We sailed through  customs– probably  because my friend noticed that the custom agent looked like Walter Mathieu. She said :” Hey has anybody told you that you look like Walter Mathieu?”The look alikes eyes lit up and it was obvious that he  was flattered  and he proceeded to tell us how many autographs he was asked to sign. While he was busy telling various stories related to him and Walyter he barely glanced at our documents .The flight was good except for my ears- oh my poor ears. They still hurt and they still snap crackle and pop on occasion.

i stayed with my friends at their beautiful rented condo, La Perla, situated right next door to the Newport Hotel We stayed at the Newport umpteen years ago with our two oldest kids so it brought back pleasant memories.The area is really nice and there is a new pier with a nice Beach Restaurant.The plan was for me to stay there for a night and then they would drive me to my condo. Plans got delayed because their car arrived later than expected due to a breakdown of the flat bed transporting their car. They also had to wait for their landlord to send a electrician and a plumber to fix their lights and garbage disposal and figure out their cell phone. On Dec. 31 in the late afternoon after we shopped for groceries I was driven home. It was with great trepidation that I entered the lobby. I was hoping that i wouldn’t meet any one from the building for fear I would burst into tears. Fortunately my condo neighbours and friends were busy doing whatever they were doing. However the post man was there, and I lost it. D. met him  nearly everyday to collect our mail and to chat and kibbutz with him. The postman told me that mail that came here was being sent back to Toronto. Charming. I have visions of the mail travelling back and forth between the two cities the whole season because the Toronto post office is forwarding the mail here and  then Florida  will foreword it back to To.

Sometime in the past few months water from a clogged  drain from the roof top air conditioner ran in between the walls necessitating maintenance to enter the units and  drill holes in the walls and use serious equipment to drive out the moisture and ensure that  no mould  formed.The furniture had to be moved into the middle of the room and cabinets emptied.  According to a relative and someone who cleans and checks the condo – the place was a mess. Dust was thick and covered everything. There was no guarantee that the furniture would be moved back in place by the time I  arrived.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the furniture where it should be and the place clean.  The  only thing that wasn’t done was to paint the walls where the holes were plastered over. The condo manager assured me this would be looked after. . My friends connected my computor before they left. After they left there was a knock on my door and it was a former neighbour who was in the building visiting and decided to see if I had arrived yet. I  was glad to see her. After she left I discovered that there was no telephone service and the main television wasn’t working. About 5 minutes to 12 the main television came on. About 5 minutes after 12 the main television went off  again as did the internet. I found out the next morning that a vehicle hit a pole and knocked out Atlantic Broadbands signal. A very large area in Florida was affected. How did I find this out? I called my daughter in Toronto on my cell phone. She went onto Twitter and found out the whole scoop. I now have television service and internet ,but have big problems with my phone service–there isn’t any. Fortunately my plan with Atlantic Broadband covers house calls. Unfortunately they can’t send anyone out to me for a few days.

Meanwhile this season other senior snowbirds have had their own misadventures. A couple had to cancel their plans at the last minute after their car was loaded and ready to be driven down to Florida, due to a sudden and unexpected health issue–  contracts and leases have not been honoured by landlords and leasing agents forcing some snow birds to scurry around to find alternate accommodation.There have been unexpected injuries and illness,the necessity to seek treatment, battles with insurance companies, breakdown of vehicles, air conditioners and refrigerators and compromised credit cards. One friend I communicated with said things were going really smoothly, She suddenly noticed an unsettling thumping noise emanating from their water heater. I must contact her to see what that unsettling thumping was.

But life goes on in LaLa land. We escaped the bitter bitter cold that our family and friends have to deal with.I am thankful for that.

Grandmas Day Out

The weather has been cold and blustery and many of us have been in the doldrums . It was time for a change. Four of us rearranged our schedules and planned an outing to the casino at Woodbine race track. Of course we picked the day that Toronto was expecting the first of the seasons major winter storms — but  that didn’t deter us.  Actually when we set out early in the afternoon there was no snow but the weather was definitely blustery. We were not quite sure how to get there , but with the help of a map, a GPS and three slightly directionally challenged passengers, our driver got us there safely. Actually, she didn’t need our input because she knew exactly where she was going and didn’t listen to us anyway. When we reached our destination, said driver  who usually moves rather slowly   because of aches and pains,  jumped out of the car and sprinted to the casino as fast as her senior legs would carry her. She must have had an adrenalin rush from the anticipation of pushing the play button on the penny slot machines. The rest of us followed.

We all had received a mailing from the casino stating that they were having a promotional during the month of December and that we were each entitled to ten dollars of free play. We received our  chits and decided to be partners. We played with the casino’s money and made money. Actually only one of us was lucky and made us lots of money. The  rest of us did not contribute much to the winnings. To celebrate our new found combined wealth of over $300 we decided to have a drink. We felt very Cosmopolitan as we sat at the Casino bar sipping  Cosmopolitans. If only our kids and grandkids could see us now.

When we left the promised storm had arrived. But we were hungry and drove to a restaurant for dinner, diminishing some of our winnings. After  a delicious meal at the Boneyard Grill we made it home safely and we all slept soundly that night. No matter what age one is–getting together with female friends is usually fun and and results in laughter and memories, and stories to tell –and in the winter gets rid of winter blues.