Jesus and Coffee

We drove Doug's mom back to her house after Thanksgiving and have been busy doing chores, including raking and burning huge quantities of leaves. 

Being a good Southern Christian woman, she has her priorities straight, as seen on her coffee mugs. 

Cold Water Swim

Brrr. The water was a brisk 69.6 degrees fahrenheit for my swim in the Gulf yesterday morning. According to the internet: Statistics for 21 Nov (1981–2005) – mean: 75 °F, range: 73 °F to 78 °F

So, not only was it chilly, it was record setting chilly.

When we told our Florida neighbors that we were bringing our hot tub, they said they couldn't imagine ever using a hot tub in this climate. I am here to testify that there is no better way to stop shivering after a cold swim than to soak in our hot tub.

 

DIY

Our first-ever visit to IKEA saw us purchasing a bedroom suite of furniture. Daunting though it was, we persevered and are quite pleased with the results. 

Werner Boyce Salt Springs

It turns out our backyard is criss-crossed with paths, as well as the canals of which we were aware.

Doug's favorite line in the signs scattered through the park is: "Do not swim with alligators." He seems to think that warning is rather obvious. I think that it impedes on my right to swim; but I will obey the signs, for now.

 

Dali

Doug and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg this morning. The collection was well balanced, although it seemed to have more works from his earlier and later years than from the period most of us are familiar with. 

Costume Swim

Clearwater's Open Water swimmers gathered on the beach this morning to celebrate Halloween with costumes and, despite the rain and cold, a swim. Thankfully, the sun broke through the clouds as the swim wound down.

It was also an opportunity to remember those we had lost over the past year.

 

I Will Be Back

I discovered the Starkey Wilderness only five miles from my house. It felt great being away from civilization, and I only saw one other person in the two hours I spent hiking there. I will be back - and soon.