Honeybells

This time of the year, one of our favorite treats ripen in Florida. They are called Honeybell Oranges. They are different than your typical oranges in that the juice that flows through them is very abundant. In fact, bear with me, but the best way to eat them is leaning over the kitchen sink with towel and running water. This is certainly nothing to serve to company!

They make excellent juice also. The only problem is that the time they are available is short-lived, only during January, and they are a little more expensive than regular oranges. We bought 1/4 bushel which turned out to be 16 oranges for $7. Not too bad for this once a year treat. I wish I could toss one to each and every one of you.

My good friend

In all my years, I have experienced many thrills. But when it comes right down to it, the greatest gift or thrill is a true friend and I have that with my friend, Connie. We grew up in the same town, were in Kindergarten and graduated high school together. She was actually my maid of honor at my wedding. We raised families and were not in touch frequently for a few years, but now as we have come to those special years, we are reaching out again and it feels very, very good. I never had a sister and neither did she, so maybe this is our compensation.

Tonight, Connie and I Skyped each other and it is so much better than a phone call. You can see your friend's face and expressions and know where they are coming from. Even several years ago, I could never have imagined connecting with someone with such technology.

Today it was announced that the US postal service will possibly cut delivery to 5 days a week. Thinking about it, I rarely write letters anymore. I e-mail because it is quick and certain and easier. I don't think that will make much of a difference for me. Our bills are paid with the assistance of the computer and it seems 90% of the mail we receive goes immediately into the rectangular file.

Connie and I can keep in touch with our computers on a daily basis. I can only imagine what our grandchildren will be doing in 20 years. Our country is amazing. I really love this technology, and I know some friends have not yet accepted this approach to keeping in touch. Perhaps they will someday, perhaps not. But as for me and Connie, this is a good thing and we are getting closer because of it.

Near our home

One morning this week on our walk, I decided to take the camera. It might be surprising that living in our retirement community, we do have some farm life around us. We have long-horned cows right behind our fence, an occasional buzzard looking for something (hopefully not me), orange trees and grapefruit trees hanging heavy with fruit. I love the early mornings, because you hear roosters crowing and trains from tracks nearby. Because of our frost last week, all of our neighbors lost lots of flowering shrubs. They'll come back quickly though, because this is the tropics and we can plant anytime to replace.

In my childhood home, I lived near train tracks, and I remember the soothing sound the train made as it passed by all hours of the day and night. Like a Grandfather clock in the house, soon you do not even hear it because it is so routine. Sometimes we need to silence the clock in our home when we have guests because it is too loud for them. At Christmas time, I told our grandsons how to tell the time if they wake up in the night (as if young boys wake up) because our clock chimes at each quarter hour and then on the hour. (Yes, those are mice on each side on the top of the clock ;)

We are also near Tampa and the big Super Bowl weekend. Yesterday while on the 15th hole of the golf course, we looked up and saw a cargo plane flying low with a Arizona Cardinals emblem right over us. We will not be there, but at our neighbors watching on TV like most of the states.

This is our home and I am very comfortable here. I have met wonderful neighbors and made lots of friendships. Having lived in many places since our marriage, this feels comfortable and like home to me.