DON'T REMEMBER SIGNING UP FOR THIS!

Woke up to 34'!  Thought I was in Florida! I know, people in Wisconsin would be digging out their shorts and T-shirts, as the high today will be 55'.  Not exactly what we have had most days this winter.  Tomorrow high of 68'; in the low 80's the rest of the week.  Sounds much better to me! 
Actually, this winter has been fantastic for FL weather. The Floridians rejoice on days like today/they love their "winter" weather.  I can tolerate a few days of "cold" ~ no snow, frost, shivering, boots, gloves, etc.          

A FEEDING FRENZY

             An unusual, yet interesting morning.  
Most mornings I do the chore of sweeping the leaves in front of our cottage and down the driveway.  The leaves are constant falling.  I rake them up and the next week it looks as if I haven't touched them.  Well, on Wednesday I snatched the broom and went outside, to be greeted by thousands of flies.  Tiny bodied flies with transparent wings.  I brushed myself off and ducked back inside. Looking out the windows I saw flies on all sides of the cottage.  Then I noticed the birds.  Hundreds of birds were flying every which way, diving to catch the flies!  Binoculars out, I tried to see what kind of birds they were.  They were so quick I could not get a good view.  Within an hour the feeding frenzy was over - the birds and flies were gone and the sky was clear.  
                    An interesting morning!

As you can see in these pictures, the birds were diving sideways, upside down, every which way to catch the flies.  Must've been a joy for them to have such an abundant breakfast.
I do wonder how the birds just happened to be where the flies were.
Maybe the birds were following them on their route? 

A SMALL PEEK ~ OUR CRUISE IN THE CARIBBEAN

In Mexico we saw Crocodiles. We also took an excursion driving our own jeeps.  I drove one and Dan drove the other one.  Following our guide, in his dune buggy, we traversed along very bumpy, potholed roads!  I was having fun driving.  It was almost like a Disney ride!  I had to keep up with the guide and try to avoid all the potholes!  We would be going 20 then soon up to 80!  Crazy as it was, I had a great time driving that jeep! 

On the Grand Cayman Island we met a begging raccoon. 

Joe and David climbed 124 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  That's Joe on the left-wearing his wide-brimmed hat.  

Gail and Jerry drinking a Coco Loco. 

Nancy and Joe smiling for the camera.

Susie and Dan, relaxing in Mexico.

Phyllis and David staying out of the sun. 

The view as we left the Grand Caymans. 

Welcome to Hell, Grand Caymans.  The town is really called Hell.  Extremely pointy volcanic rocks make up a good portion of the town, which is quite small. Thus, the name HELL.

We saw several iguanas on this trip. 

David and Susie climbing up Dunn's Fall in Jamaica.  I backed out of this "jaunt" as I would have been wet all day (no swimsuit on that day) the water was at least waist deep. David braved it with his street clothes--yes, and wet the rest of the day. 

Gas by the liter.  Around $6.00 a gallon. 

A CHOCOLATE BUFFET!
What more could a person ask for? 

One of a multitude of ice sculptures at the
Chocolate Buffet. 

The Eiffel Tower in chocolate!

Oh, where to go on Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas?

One of the tender boats that took us from the ship to the islands. 

This window on the ship greeted us each day as we walked up the steps to take the elevator to the Garden Cafe. 

To help reduce the spreading of germs, all restroom doors had these signs. 

To prevent the spreading of germs and viruses all elevators, restaurants and casinos were equipped with antibacterial stands. No touch-automatic release as you put your hand under it. 

Our room ~ with a large porthole window.
Several nights I would wake up and watch out the porthole to see other ships in the distance.  One afternoon I saw a large sailboat pass by.  Must have been someone living on their boat and cruising from island to island. 

These towel animals greeted us each day, made by our Steward, Gabena.  There was a class and a DVD on how to do towel art.  I did not participate, as I was convinced I'd never need that skill!
Gabena did a fantastic job keeping our room neat and tidy.  We would leave and upon our return she had everything straightened out.  News of what was happening each day was left on our bed for us to read.  She greeted each person in the hall, by name.  Amazing, as each week she has a new hall of people to take care of.

We had a great time on the open seas last week.  Where to next?  I must start doing some research!
So many places in the world to visit.  Learning about how the people live is the most interesting to me.  Seeing various cultures and finding friendly people no matter where we go is enlightening.
Thanking the Good Lord for being healthy and limber enough to keep going is our prayer. 

A WEEK ON THE HIGH SEAS

What a great time we had last week!  
A cruise to Cozumel, Mexico - Grand Cayman Islands - Ocho Rios, Jamaica -
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.  
Boarding the Norwegian Sun was the beginning to a week of warm weather, an abundance of food, time with friends and an education of the history and lifestyles of the islands we visited.  

Life boats on the Norwegian Sun. We saw them as we entered the ship and again during the
Muster Drill.

Baggage being loaded.  It was interesting how much baggage people brought on.  Some had a small satchel, others had 4 large suitcases.  A freestyling cruise, as this one was, requires a regular week's worth of clothing.  Actually, we took too much!  

The front of our ship ~ The Norwegian Sun.

You guessed it ~ the back of our ship!

The Norwegian Sun ~ big, huh?  Yes, it was, but not one of the biggest ships on the water.  There were 12 decks. The 12th being an observation deck.  The 11th was where the pools, hot tubs, the largest bar and the grand buffet at The Garden Cafe.  Three more buffets were located on this floor along with a Sports Bar.  Yes, Joe was in 'heaven' ~ food available all day!  I was pleased ~ I didn't have to stand in the kitchen to make any of it!  Ahhhhhh....heavenly!
The 7th deck had a casino, several stores and a large balcony venue for many shows that we went to.
Deck 5 was considered the lobby.  Check in for excursions, the hotel desk, a piano bar and more venues for shows.  Deck 6 - more areas for shows.  The shows were fabulous!  From the professionals to the crew's talent show, all were enjoyed by the multitudes of people viewing them.
Deck 3 held  the kitchens, bakeries/galley.  All food was made on the 3rd. deck and zipped up to the restaurants via "dumb waiters."  Our host at the Four Seasons Restaurant explained the process to us.
Deck 2 was a very busy deck. The crew from the kitchens, bars, etc. lived on Deck 2.  We met people from all over the world working on this cruise ship.  90 countries were represented by the crew and staff. 40 countries were represented by the passengers.  Our captain was from Sweden, the Cruise Director was from South Africa and the Hotel Manager was from Milwaukee, WI.
The rest of the decks were hotel rooms.  Rooms varied in size-ours was just right.  We had a king size bed, a fold out couch, a desk and chair, a well organized closet and a bathroom larger than the one we had in our Park Model in Green Lake.  Very comfy!

Our parking lot was great!  Only $6/day to park!  A shuttle to handle our luggage and transport us to and from the ship.  A better deal could not be found!    (It's $15/day to park by the cruise ship and we were only a 5 minute drive from the ship.)

NATURE IN DECEMBER

Viewing and walking through nature is a favorite past time of mine.  I venture out to the Circle B Preserve several times during our winters, in Florida.  What used to be a large ranch, is now a wildlife preserve. Walking through the preserve is a different experience each time.  Depending on the time of day, the month, the migrations, feeding times and seasons. Stepping out of the car and onto the path immediately creates a calming, relaxed mood for me.  The birds are my friends, the animals are a bonus!  
                        Such a Good Thing...

Camoflauged

                 Feral Hog looking right at me. 
            An unusual sighting at the Circle B. 
              I went in the other direction-fast!


           

On most occasions we see dozens of vultures
on "Buzzard Beach" - this day only a few.

Standing very still, waiting for prey to pass through the water. 

CHRISTMAS IN FLORIDA

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, 

just like the ones I used to know ~ 

NOT!  

It was in the 80's here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!  Wonderful...missing all the kids, is the one thing that makes me sad when holidays come around.  We did have family here for Christmas! 
Joe's sister, Frances, and her son, Tony, were here Christmas Eve-overnight to Christmas afternoon. They will return for an overnight again on Thursday.  Tony is on leave from the Navy and we enjoyed their company for Christmas. Spaghetti dinner coming up on Thursday!  


I snapped numerous pictures over the holidays.  We spent several days and nights at concerts, cantatas, reenactments of the Christmas story (above in Davenport, FL, viewing decorations at major hotels and having fun at Downtown Disney. 
                                                     Living statue at 
                                                 Downtown Disney.

 TeePee's decorated the tree         
at the Wilderness Hotel. 
                                                                                                       
                                                    
                                                      The Ricola horns!
                                                 Downtown Disney.

 Snowflake ladies amazing the
children~and the adults!

            Living statues drawing throngs of Disney visitors.

 A gingerbread house 12' high at the Grand Floridian,   Disney/look at the ingredients!

                    Mickey Mouse "Wreath" at the 
                   Contemporary Hotel, Disney.

              It's Mardi Grau all year at Port Orleans.
                                            
                                                Nice "seat" Frances...

         Frances and Tony       
                          

                       Joe and Tony on a Harley!

 The snowflake ladies, on stilts, walked around, creating "Kodak moments" for Disney guests.  The toy soldiers, on stilts, also were blinded by cameras ~ they were amazing!  Dancing, singing, jumping up and down entertaining the crowds~all on those stilts!  Fantastic balance! 

                    Our "Christmas tree" on the porch.