Happy Easter!

We continue to enjoy life here in South Florida.  Weather has continued to be good and Chris, Marie and I have had our 2^nd Covid shots.   There is a good feeling to that.  We have been out to a few places to eat and enjoying it.  Most of our neighbors have had their shots also and we all feel better for it.  Some short term side effects but well worth it.  I also received my 1^st and 2^nd shingles shots so my doctor should be happy I am all caught up.  Now once I get my new implant tooth I will be a new man.

We have tried to keep up with some old friends.   An old workmate was in South Florida and we were able to meet up for a fun afternoon.  We were also able to visit Chris and Marie’s cousin Jackie for an afternoon.  Chris’s Swiss cousin Charles keeps us updated on the Europe front.  Cousin Walter is still skiing with his Alpine group and we saw some beautiful pictures of that.

Marie has headed back to New Mexico,  MJ is here for Spring break.  We try to enjoy the blessings that we have been given.  We hope Easter brings you blessings and a wonderful year ahead.

Being near the water has its benefits

Passing boats keep us entertained

Golf keeps me entertained, even if I can’t lower my score

Someone peaking out of the pool

I probably could not make it!

Walter is in red and blue

Chris, Jackie and Marie

You would think when you stay home most of the time you could get a lot done.  But it seems the time keeps rushing by me, and I have not done an update for awhile. My daughter has been here several times and Marie is in Florida and doing well.   Another week and we will get our second Covid shot which we are looking forward to.  We have not visited many of our favorite spots, still doing take out and a little outside dining.  We do have almost weekly gatherings with the neighbors to share some grill out and good conversation.  And doing my best to get some golf in, but it seems I can’t find the secret to making my golf game any better!

January was cool for south Florida with lot’s of days in the 60’s and low 70’s, but we did manage to survive.  Our association pool was closed a number of months due to some repairs and then issues found in the seawall on the intercoastal.  That became more annoying as the weather warmed up but eventually a contractor was found to do some repairs and the city finally gave its blessing to move forward.   Now the pool is open and happiness has returned.  The repairs are short term though and in the next 5 years a plan will be needed for some very expensive repairs.  I do like to have repairs done before they become critical so we have put in a new AC unit, south Florida salty air takes its toll on rooftop units and ours was over 10 years old, which is the average life span of the units.  So we won’t have to worry about that while we are not here during the summer. Other than that no major projects this winter just small ‘tinkering’.  I did have a broken tooth extracted and now have an implant in place that is healing, a couple of more months to having a tooth.  Chris had started seeing a chiropractor for her back in Oshkosh, and found one down here that has helped her a lot.  With some exercise she is seeing him once a month and feeling better.  So life remains very good.  We kept track of the cold days up north and had no desire to experience it.  We will continue to live the ‘good life’ and see our Wisconsin friends at the end of May!

Get that gator off the tee box

Super Bowl

Man O War

the intercoastal, we are on the left

Neighborhood Grill Out

Merry Christmas to all!  This year especially we celebrate Christmas giving thanks for our blessings, which are many.  We have no worries about our jobs and payments.  Our health is good and for our age our problems are minor.  MJ had Covid and is still recovering but overall came through pretty well and has come to Florida for Christmas.  So as we get ready to celebrate Christ’s birth we count those blessings. And our prayers are for you all to have blessings this Christmas and for 2021.  God bless us everyone.

Sailing on the ocean

Grilling out with friends

Breakfast at the Diner

Happy Thanksgiving all.   We pray you are well and will continue that way.  It has been a crazy year.   But we are closer to the end of 2020, the election is over, the political ads are off the TV, it has to keep getting better.   Chris and I came through Covid well, her taste and smell is still coming back slowly but neither of us had serious side effects so we were blessed.  After quarantine we packed up and left Wisconsin,   after I had to scrape ice and snow off the car.

 We took a leisurely trip although not as much as we would like.  We took a couple of days to go to Detroit to visit MJ and John.   From there we headed south and stopped in London, Kentucky.  Hurricane Zeta was just in front of us, so we scrapped plans to go through the Carolina mountains and stayed on wide open 75 through Georgia.  Less chances of trees and scrap down on the highway.   While it started as a very rainy day it turned out fine and we made it to Cordele, Georgia.  We carried snacks and cheese to snack at night or got take out.  The hotels did a good job of cleaning and distancing, so all worked out well.   From Cordele the next day was to home in Florida.  Then unpacking all we brought and finding a place for everything, so a few days later we started relaxing!  Florida had a hot rainy fall and was that way when we arrived.   Good to keep the fires down!   November has gotten drier and cooler.  Presently around 80 with breezes, next week a major cold front and only getting to around 70.   The winter coats will be out.  We are enjoying it.   I have planted some flowers and catching up with some small landscape work.  Not many people here for the summer and with the heat the landscapers are here less often, so a few things to catch up on.  Just enough to keep busy.

Thanksgiving will be quiet, not like the old dinners with family or traveling for weekends in Michigan.  But we will have one friend over and enjoy the day.  Whatever your day is this year we hope you can count your blessings and look forward to a better time next year.

Back home in Snug Harbor

Time for golf, but I need more practice

new lights on the palms

Walk to the ocean

Pushing 3 months since my last update, things have gotten away from me!  I am pretty sure this getting older thing makes it easy to lose track of time. August was time back from Door County, unpacking, winding down.   We had plenty of things going on to keep us busy.  We had rented a new apartment, but because of Covid could not tour the actual apartment.   We were told we could look after September 1, and they woud have September to renovate the apartment with us moving in Oct 1 (which is when we had to be out of the present apartment).  So we started packing!   We also have discussed upgrading our car, since we do spend a fair amount of time traveling.   I liked the thought of the new safety features available on today’s cars, I realize that age does affect our reaction time.   What we did not anticipate was even though we were ready to spend a lot of money it would be hard to buy a car.  Apparently with Covid a lot of people have decided to spend money upgrading their car and we found that most dealers do NOT have the cars that they show on their website.  An older salesman told me he has not seen a year like this in over 20 years of selling Lexus.  We had decided to stick with Lexus and our secondary issue was that the cars the northern dealers did have access to centered around the 3 or 4 different blacks that Lexus produces.   Not at the top of our list for a Florida car.  But 90 miles south we were able to find someone who had a line to a car that fit our wants.  So we ended up committing on a car we did not see (like our apartment) and I didn’t know you could qualify for a loan on line and have a blank check overnighted to you.   So that project helped keep us busy in August!  By Labor Day we still couldn’t see our apartment and our car hadn’t arrived, so we headed to Detroit to see MJ and John.  We had a nice long weekend and then back to Oshkosh.   Things started to fall into place.  We did get our car, and we viewed the apartment and were able to have access to our garage early.   So before the end of the month I was able to move a lot of our things to the new campus and have them ready to move in when we received the keys.  We had movers move the large furniture, everything went smoothly and the young guys did a tremendous job.  September was better weather than we have had in Wisconsin for several years,   I was able to continue golf and we spent time outside.  To start October we planned to take our annual trip to Door County Wisconsin with friends, out on the island.  A number of people canceled out and the owners said our group would be the only ones at the resort, they shut down any other rooms.  So we felt good going up, and had a wonderful time with friends.   Some biking, hiking, and lots of food and drink.  Nice to have a private resort.  Unfortunately something went wrong with the plans, as most of us have now tested positive for covid.   We feel fortunate we all seem to be coming through without serious complications. Not comfortable but getting through it and Chris and I will both be cleared by next week.  Good thing, it is cold here and snow flakes close by.   Our plans would have had us in Florida already, so retooling our plans. Unfortunately, there will be no sightseeing on this coming trip, so a pretty straight trip south.   But we will limit our hours in the car and make it as enjoyable as we can.  Florida has been wet but we look forward to sitting out in some sunshine.   You all take care and be safe.  We have known people who have gotten very sick from the virus so don’t take it lightly.

This summers skies were marked by smoke from western fires

our small resort group

Hike along the water

cornhole tournament!

We didn’t go out for Island tradition so replicated it ourselves

Yes!

car ferry rides to the island

sunset at Sunset Resort

June and July were fun and we are doing well.  There was some very hot weather but July has finished very comfortably.  Some very rainy days and the corn fields seemed full grown by the start of July.  The corn loved the hot wet weather.  We have been out to a local Winery in Ripon several times and gone past the farm fields.   Sitting in the vineyard with a glass of wine is very enjoyable.  We are still doing some take outs and visited a few restaurants.  Ruby Owl here in Oshkosh is a good example of one we feel comfortable with.  All employees wear masks, some tables shut down, half the bar stools taken away.  Staff is disinfecting tables, bar, stools and chairs each time a customer leaves.  And downstairs from us Cranky Pats is only open Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  But also doing a good job of cleaning and we are enjoying the pizza or Italian sausage sandwiches on weekends.   I have been trying to get some golf in, usually a couple of days with old friend John, and have added some 9’s with Mike and friends on Fridays.  I am playing OK, I would like to be more consistent, but that’s golf!

For July 4^th we were in the Detroit area with MJ and John.  We try to be there for MJ’s birthday, this time doing grill outs and some take outs.  I helped with some projects and we had a fun week.   We headed home the northern route after struggling through Chicago traffic on the way there, it was much more relaxing.  Then home and unpacking and start to repack, as we kept our annual trip to Door County for 2 weeks to finish July.  There are lot’s of outside venues in Door so we felt comfortable keeping our reservations.  MJ and my niece again joined us sharing a motel room while Chris and I had a small condo.  We had a very fun but very different time this year.   We did get to briefly see some old friends which was worth the trip.   We wish it was more time but this year just feels so different it didn’t always feel comfortable to be out.   Again we did more grilling and inside condo eating than usual for us, as there are many good restaurants we enjoy.  Door County was still very busy and we spent less time in the towns especially on the busy weekends.  Chris mentioned she had thought that 1 week may have been OK to go up for, but the 2 weeks went by quickly and she was happy we did.  What was the same is that I am sure I ate and drank much more than I should have!  I will try to cleanse a little this week, with some planned golf and dentist appointment.  We were tracking the hurricane heading to our condo and friends and were very happy to see it weaken and head north.  It will be more than OK to see the storm season slow down.  We had made a decision to move from our downtown apartment this year, we love it and the location but are paying a premium for a place we don’t spend a lot of time at.   So we have spent a fair amount of time searching.  We had decided on a complex as our first choice but had to join a waiting list and wait a couple of months, but while we were on vacation received a call that a unit opened up that matched our specs so we took it.  We will be moving to Havenwood Heights on the west side of town.  By the time we are moved in October we will be thinking of leaving for Florida.  So even if we don’t like the apartment thoroughly, we can deal with that next Spring!

We hope you are staying safe and healthy!

view of Ephraim from the Peninsula Park course

Denise on the green

Hugel Haus dinner and German beer

MJ and Denise

Fox River into Lake Winnebago

Well we are back home in Oshkosh.  The travels went well, we held to around 6 hours in the car per day.   First day to Valdosta GA.   I had a call from old friend VW who happened to be on his computer when I mentioned Valdosta, and he was anxious to take a trip anywhere and was just looking at Valdosta.   He picked out a local brewery so when we decided to leave Boynton he decided to meet us.   More like a couple of hours from Jacksonville for him.  The brewery was open only with outside seating which was perfect.  Good beers and we had a pizza delivered while we got caught up.   We had had rain most of the day through Florida but Valdosta was dry and it was nice sitting out.   The next morning back in the car and off to Tennessee.   Most of the day traveling Georgia then headed West to Murfreesboro.   There is a National Park there we will get back to at some point but missed it this time.  One of the bloodiest most decisive battles of the civil was took place near there.  We had a very nice room in a Hilton Garden which had just opened their restaurant.  So after a little relaxing we went down to the restaurant, we were two of just a few people there and the only ones sitting at the bar so it was fine.   The bartender was also the cook (apparently they did not expect a lot of people) with a limited menu, but everything was tasty.    The next morning on through Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois stopping in Champaign Urbana.   A college town so rather quiet, staying at a Home2 Suites which was a multiple room suite.  Right next store was a Harvest Market (think Whole Foods)  which we picked up some dinners to go from the deli and had our own dining table in the room.   So another night of rest then on to Oshkosh the next morning.  Lot’s of heavier rain for that ride, but luckily not for too long an extended time.  All the hotels usually had  a buffet style breakfast and now feautured prewrapped grab and go in the mornings.  So we would get something to take back to the room, eat and have some coffee, then shower and hit the road.  Along the way no issues with gas or rest stops.   We like Love travel stops so I had mapped out a few along the way.  Generally clean and large restrooms. 

But now back in the apartment, we were anxious to get back even though we were enjoying Florida a lot.   But weather is good here now. A great day today and lot’s of people out biking and boating.   Most bars/restaurants are open to some degree.  Cranky Pat’s downstairs still just for takeout but a limited opening next weekend.   We met a few friends at our favorite bar Oblio’s on Friday night.  Their first time out also and we were all a bit tentative.   But not crowded and we were able to be on our own while we got caught up.  I picked up some groceries and am surprised at the number of people not wearing masks while in stores, but this area has been relatively few in the number of visrus cases.   Our bedroom TV gave up when we tried to get it working again, so a new one on order.  Best Buy has large TV’s in stock but not small !    And the next day when we tried Netflix in the living room we found Netflix has stopped support because that TV is too old.  So it looks like a fire stick to fix that.   The Jeep needed a tire pumped up and a jump start, but the landlord helped with that and everything else working OK.   Chris and I are determined to do some more downsizing of what we have,  so we are already at work on that!  No grilling yet because of the birds nest with eggs inside the grill (can I turn it on for breakfast?).  And we will give the bird some time to finish(better hurry).  Weather looks good this week as we work on settling in, so will try to get some walks in and I will get my bike tires pumped up.   Hope you all take care and find a way to enjoy life!

Another month flying by. Florida is getting into the warm rainy season.   We keep finding ways to keep busy.  We had new tile installed on the lanai this month and are very happy with it.  So that should be the last of our tile projects.   And I redid the guest closet, cleaning painting and redoing the shelves.  We have kept up with our happy hours but they keep getting smaller.  Marie went home this week and it sounds like her flights went well.  Dan and Christy left this week, and Chris and I are thinking of leaving Memorial Day.  We will watch the weather, right now it looks like we may hit some rain next week but if it is not steady thunderstorms we will be OK.  If we need to delay a day or two we can do that too.  As usual we do not want long days in the car, even though we won’t do much sight seeing this trip.  We are thinking 4 days to get home, starting to lay out some tentative plans.   Hopefully in the fall we can add the sight seeing, but who knows.  For now we will get to see Oshkosh again and get a feel for what our summer plans will be.   We are still planning on Door County in July, and considering moving apartments since we are gone more than we are there.  But one day at a time.  Everyone stay safe, and see some of you soon.    

New Tile

Closet Work

Happy Hour

Another Happy Hour

Isn’t life interesting?  Nothing in our life has affected so many people at the same time. You would think that would get us past the politics, but obviously that is not true.  The good news is that it seems like a lot of the country is starting to show positive signs of the virus declining.  Of course until there is a lot more testing being done there is still a lot of guessing.  But science is learning a lot at a rapid rate and I hope we will listen.  Remember that we need to learn from this and plan for the future.  In the meantime we take joy in little things; sunny days,  birds singing, a package of toilet paper at the store. 

Friday April 28, 1978.   I worked a half day then tried to kill time waiting to go to church.  We had a small ceremony and close group out to dinner afterward.  We have had fun times and quiet times, always keeping it interesting.   I was blessed with Chris and Mary Jane coming into my life and still putting up with me (for the most part!).  We have lived in different homes but have always had family and good friends to fall back on.  We still treasure those folks even when we don’t see them often.  We can never be sure what the future holds but enjoy today.  42 years and counting.

Bauer Family

Biegel Family

Well a lot keeps changing for all of us.   Life is full of adventures that you don’t see coming.  We are good, still in Florida and still enjoying our life.   Not quite the same but overall probably better than most, so we are blessed.  We have a good group of friends here and we do still socialize, happy hours go on.   We have minimal contact with the outside and try to keep some distance for the most part.  But socialization is still important for some of us.  The weather has been average or above so being outside in fresh air and getting sunshine is a positive.   I had been golfing with some neighbors until Palm Beach county shut down all golf courses.  4 hours on a golf course is pretty much social distancing, and exercise is good for your immune system.  But that is done for now, so I took the clubs out of the car and cleaned them up.  Since our pool and common area is closed some of us in our buildings have added a grill to our courtyard.  It took some negotiating with the Association board but we got it done and we think it looks great.  Many of us do enjoy the BBQ.   I also took our car in to get some maintenance done, even though we are not putting many miles on these days.   But the dealer did a good job of sanitizing the car before and after they worked on it, and now that is out of the way.  Chris made us some masks to wear when we go out now, which is not much but groceries and fresh food are still important.  We try to do some purchases with the local bakeries and restaurants and hopefully can play a part in helping them through this tough time.  Some of our neighbors have worried about getting home and being closer to family so our group here has gotten smaller.   Our son-in-law John has been asked to help out in other areas of the hospital since occupational therapy has been cut back, but we know he will take the precautions to stay safe. 

The same for all of you, do what you can to stay safe.  But stay sane and treat others well. 

Home sweet Home

Pat, Larry, Frank in the old days, 2 weeks ago

Happy Hour

I told Chris maybe next car…..

or maybe not

John work prepared