12 Oakdale

We drove to Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland to met up with Kristina and her family who are visiting her in-laws for the holidays. Peg came over with Robert, Patten and Ryann drove up, and Stephanie, Kyle, and Clara joined us. An early Christmas picnic lunch in this brand new park. After sandwiches, my deviled eggs, a salad Peg made from veggies picked at Robert’s school garden, Patten’s 7-layer dip, and way too many cookies, at least on my part, we walked around for a while. (6,283 step according to my phone, but who’s counting?) I hadn’t realized most of my cookies were white and chocolate, until I put together plates to give away and bring to the picnic. Definitely need to plan better there.  Baking them is another project I must spread over more days. Trying to mix and bake on the same day is too much. Plus my attitude towards fancy decorating goes way down. I’d thought I’d make many-colored iced sugar cookies; they ended up all white. N the other hand, the pink and green pinwhe...

Bee Balm Bill Frederick Park    We have developed/fallen into a routine that brings us pleasure. I am usually the first up, around 6:00 AM, so I do my RPM*, make coffee, and feed the cat. Annie would prefer the order reversed. Meanwhile, Grant often has arisen, but maybe not. When he does, he dresses in bike kit and goes off for his bike ride. I work in the yard with my phone nearby, just in case he needs a pick up. So far only once, when he got a flat tire. When he returns, we swim, eat breakfast, and decide on our day’s project. Sometimes house maintenance for him, paperwork for me. Other times working in the garden for us both. Maybe a nap if we feel the need. Annie always votes for that.  Thursday’s, after my EarlyBird Toastmasters meeting ends at 8:30 AM, we rush to Costco to make old people’s hour which begins at 9:00. We’ve also supported Total Wine’s over-60 time from 8:00-9:00 when we can’t get something in an online/pick up order, like margarita salt. So far the...