March 20th: Friday Focus

Good Friday (and happy weekend), friends!  I took some time off to enjoy my guests over the past few days.  I have a big 4-day photo-dump, so thanks if you make it through them.

I posted last Monday that blogging friend Mari and her hubby, Bob, arrived safely from Michigan.  Mari blogs at My Little Corner of the World, and she took many more photos than I did.  Please visit her to see her fabulous photos from in and around Lakeland.  I had such a good time showing them "MY little corner of the world" while they were here.

We just chilled on Sunday afternoon.  I had baked ziti and meatballs for dinner, along with salad, some garlic bread, and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert (local strawberries).

On Monday, after Mari joined my walking buddies for our morning walk, my plan was to show them around Lakeland.  We visited Bonnet Springs Park first.  The trolley wasn't running yet when we arrived, so we walked.  It was a pretty morning, and the cold front hadn't arrived yet, so the weather was perfect for walking (but a little windy!).

From there, we stopped at Lake Morton, known as "the bird lake" to locals.  It is populated by swans, pelicans, wood storks, Ibis, several kinds of ducks, and many other waterfowl.  I had some swan feed in my car to attract them to us, and it worked!

Mari's photo...

Mari's photo...

The art museum isn't open on Mondays, so we had to bypass it.  We also couldn't explore Hollis Gardens on Monday.  We did visit Lake Mirror, though.  Again, Mari took lots of photos, and I didn't.  

We were "downtown," so I drove them through our beautiful "old" Lakeland.  Mari loved seeing the many murals and snapped a few photos.  I asked her to share this one with me (wonder why?!)...

I introduced them to my favorite downtown shop, Scout & Tag.  Mari found some things there to have for the grandkids when they get home.  We had a quick lunch at The Purple Onion.

We left downtown, and I drove them out past Tiger Stadium, where the Detroit Tigers baseball team does their Spring Training.  Lakeland has been their home for spring training for over 85 years.  There was a game on the schedule, and traffic was backed up both ways, waiting to enter the park.  It took us a bit to get past all of that.  Since we were out of the way, I went farther out of the way and drove them past where I had my part-time job, after Joe died.  I worked at the Teneroc Public Use Area with Florida Fish and Wildlife for three years.  It was such a great job for me, and I made a few life-long friends there.  Danon and Mali are coming for dinner next week, as a matter of fact.

Mari asked where Joe's ashes are interred.  Since we would be going right past the cemetery, we did pay a visit to his remains.  We all know where his soul resides, but his ashes are well placed, and mine will join him there one day.  (Yes, my legal name is Teresa.)

We had leftover ziti, and both Mari and Bob said they were happy with leftovers for dinner.  Even after we ate it again, I put three meals in the freezer for me to have another time. We social media-ed, watched some TV, and went to bed a little early because we had reservations for an airboat ride on Tuesday morning.  Overnight, however, a cold front blew in, and it was in the low 40s when we woke up, with wind blowing from the northeast.   

We all dressed accordingly (Mari borrowed a sweatshirt), but while we were eating breakfast, the folks from Grape Hammock Fish Camp called to see if we could move our ride to 3:30.  YES!  We were hoping it would be a bit warmer and we would be able to see more wildlife if it wasn't so cold (including us!).

Downtown was calling us, so we took off for the art museum.  After we toured there (Mari took lots of photos), we went back to Hollis Gardens so we could walk through there.  It was lunchtime, and I was happy to take them to lunch at the Garden Bistro, just next to Hollis Gardens.

 

The "grotto" at Hollis Gardens

We went home in time to prepare for a very cold airboat ride.  Neighbor Susan was going with us, so we picked her up and took off for Lake Kissimmee.  I've been enjoying airboat rides there for 17 years!!  I searched my photos for the first ones I could find from there, and this one came up...

2009 - that's Joe in the blue shirt next to me, and Jim and Elaine are in the front row.
(Don't know the other two guys.)

And here we were on Tuesday last...

Bob and Mari in front, Susan and I in the middle row, 

and we don't know the two me in the top row.

Mari's photos (next two)

Our driver.  He sees the gators and wildlife before we do and points them out for us.  He stops so we can catch photos of gators (there were a lot of them seeking sun on that cold day).  We saw eagles, deer, cows in the water eating grasses, lots of waterfowl, and more gators than usual.  Again, Mari got lots of great photos, and I am sure she will be sharing!

For dinner, Tuesday night, Mari and Bob treated me at one of my favorite restaurants, Gosh, Asian Bistro.  We didn't take one picture, but I think we all enjoyed the food.  I know I did!

Wednesday was a special day!!  Mari, Bob, and I drove up to Ocala to meet up with two of our mutual blogging friends, Pamela from Closed Doors, Open Windows, and Barbara from Journal Memories.  They brought their hubbies along so Bob would have some company!  What a great time we had!!  There were some gifts exchanged and lots of talking.  Lots of talking!!  Did I say lots of talking?!!  Of course, we can't be at Cracker Barrel and not also do some shopping!  It was such a fun afternoon!!  Thank you, ladies (and gentlemen), for taking the time to join us on that fine day!!

L-R:  Mari & Bob, me, Pam & John standing, Barb and Gary sitting...

We got home, mid-afternoon/early evening.  Pizza was suggested for dinner, so pizza it was!  We all ate well at Cracker Barrel and didn't need much for dinner.  Mari and Bob spent some time packing and organizing their suitcases for the trip home.  Their plane was to leave at 7:00 a.m., so we had to do the drop-off at 5:00 a.m.ish.  The week went much too fast, and I threatened to keep them another few days.  We went to bed early and were up in time to head out the door a little before 5:00.  The airport is only a few minutes away from my house.  No pictures of our goodbye hugs, but hug we did.  Maybe some tears were also shed.  I sure hope they will come again!!

I will stop there.  Thanks for making it this far!!  I'm doing laundry and sitting at the kitchen table typing this blog.  Wishing you a restful and blessed weekend!!

Peace and Hugs!

All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!