Sunrise, Back Bay, Fort Myers Beach, FL
“Sunrise, sunset. Swiftly fly the days.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze.”
At our wedding, some 33 years ago or more, a soloist fervently sang these poignant lyrics. Sunrise, sunset.
Switfly fly the days.
One season following the other. Laden with happiness and tears.
Here I am with my parents in Florida, poised to attend the wedding of a grandchild/nephew this upcoming weekend in a yet-undisclosed “destination wedding.”
We pause here in Fort Myers Beach before we fly further south on Thursday.
We walked along the beach this morning, sipping lemonade three miles later at the Outrigger under a tiki bar. We ate my mom’s “signature salad” for lunch which included romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, fresh mozzarella, almonds, artichoke hearts, who knows what else? drizzled with Joanne’s honey-balsamic dressing to-die-for.
I lounged by the pool and eventually tip-toed in with new bathing suit, swimming ecstatic laps before swirling in the hot tub.
Dinner at South Beach. Parmesan-crusted tilapia.
Walked home toward the condo in the approaching dusk.
Is this the life, or what?
What is snow anyway?
I forget.
I conveniently forget.
We have one more day of this before traveling to Miami and heading further south.
I have no idea when I shall next blog for you. Tomorrow night before we go? I would like to show you palm trees before we go. Friday night? Next week?
Do not fret if a blog refuses to appear. While traveling one must await for proper timing. The Universe shall announce when it’s time to post the next entry.
Do not worry! Even if I cannot post for a while, I shall later post exciting entry after exciting entry (unless the camera fails) telling you all about the Exciting Wedding after return to the snowy and fierce Upper Peninsula of Michigan next week. (At least ONE exciting entry, that is.)
Here are some clues for the Destination Wedding:
1) It is in Central America.
2) I have never ever been there before.
3) Pelicans.
Stay tuned. Either this week or next. You shall hear more, God willing. If I have time, I will show you palm tree photos tomorrow. If not… hasta la vista, readers! Until we meet again!
Sunset. My mom, as we say goodnight over the Gulf of Mexico.
P.S. It only involved nine inches of new snow, a two hour delay and two missed connections to get out of the Upper Peninsula yesterday. No need to be a scaredy-cat!
Lake Superior Spirit 
Wiggle your toes in the sand for me Kathy.
Enjoy every minute — there will be time enough for Blogging when you get home.
Don’t forget your sunscreen !
Hugs, Sybil
Sunscreen packed! Thank you, Sybil. Hugs, back…
Bravo! Hooray! You made it!!
Have a great time!
Linda, thank you. You’re right, I made it. Having a lovely lovely time with Mom and Dad.
What a beautiful song! And the sky looks so soft. So warm. And maybe there were garbanzos in your Moms wonderful salad? If that’s what you were asking.
Wishing you a magical time Kathy 🙂
No garbanzos, Colleen, although your suggestion made my mom pause and re-consider it for next time. We had a second salad for lunch today to use up the ingredients. Magic abounds–always!
It is so strange to see all the high-rises in Ft. Myers Beach, my having not lived there since the late 60s/early 70s (visits home from college) … can you imagine only one or two tall-like structures? Sigh ….it remains lovely in its “feel” though … and I’m glad you’re there for another day before the BIG ADVENTURE. Any place with pelicans has got to be fine. Your mom’s salad sounds divine and the day’s doings peaceful and much deserved! May you sleep deeply and peacefully this night. Lovey blog, dearest.
Susan, I’ll bet it does look different to you. There are high-rises everywhere. There are also places where you can sit quietly next to the beach and watch little birds flutter and land. I am excited to show where we’re going!! I am excited to go tomorrow…we’re off at 6 a.m. YAY!
Have a *wonderful* trip, Kathy. I won’t fret if there are no blog posts for the next while… maybe I’ll be more concerned if there are *lots* of posts forthcoming when you should be vacationing and relaxing to the max. 🙂
Oh that salad sounds so good! I’m sipping on a Green Smoothie while reading and commenting on blogs this evening, but I could really go for a big salad, too.
Ha ha, Dana, I have been known to blog excessively during vacations! Guess what? We are not allowed to eat a Big Fresh Salad where we’re going. That’s because salads are fresh veggies which are washed in water which is not allowed. Wish us luck!
Hi Kathy! I am so glad you arrived and have been enjoying your visit with Mom and Dad. Gosh your menu today sounds delicious! Especially the salad!! Please…don’t fret about us here. Like Sybil said…there will be time enough to blog when you return. 🙂 Relax, and totally immerse yourself in each luxurious moment ♥ Thank you for the beautiful words and pictures….sunrise sunset ♥ Godspeed my friend! Sending you love and hugs and warm happy thoughts ♥
I am immersed in the moment, Brenda, for sure! I am loving this time with Mom and Dad…almost time for dinner…which is sage-infused wild mushroom ravioli and parmesan-and crusted pankle topping. Wow! (I never want to go home, ha ha!)
oh my….I’m drooling on my keyboard! 😀
I’m glad you made it out safely, even if it was an Ordeal. Have a great time, and soak up enough sun for when you return 🙂
Soaking up sun and clouds and more sun! Oh Heather, you would love it!
Enjoy your vacation from the snow. Have a safe and fantastic trip 😀
Jessica, I am thrilled to see you! I am hoping for a safe and fantastic trip, too!
Ahhhh – relief that you got to the first leg of your trip to destination wedding. You didn’t mention if there was a little umbrella in the lemonade so I’m guessing not. I think they’ll have them in Central America though. Be sure to ask. I’m dying for a photo of one, Kathy. Safe trip for you and your parents.
I have told my mom that an umbrella drink is a Necessity. Because of Barb from Colorado.l Ha ha! Can’t wait to have one!
Ahh, well done on making it through the snow to Florida, Kathy – what a different landscape it is down there.
Hope you have a fabulous onwards trip to your mystery destination! 😀
Hi there, Reggie, you will soon discover how DIFFERENT the United States landscape can be! Thank you for your lovely well-wishes.
I’m not jealous, really I’m not. I love the freezing cold of winter, the grey drizzling days of January. You have a wonderful time, and I won’t envy you one jot………..!!
Lynne, I would be envious. I would. I would be REALLY envious! **smile**
I’m with my friend Dana with regard to the salad–sounds AMAZING!
So glad to hear you have arrived at your parents and are enjoying the sun and sand. Sara and I were in South Beach last February for a weekend break away from Haiti, so I know just how lovely the weather is in South Florida this time of year.
Maybe we will hear from you again from the “undisclosed location,” and that’s all I’ll say about THAT!
Hugs,
Kathy
Oh my goodness, Kath, it is so cool! I feel so grateful. So very grateful. I appreciate you so much!
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh sun over water and well it feels warm cause i wish it to do so!! 🙂
Hi Elisa! I wish you could wiggle your toes in the sand. (Even though I haven’t yet wiggled toes in sand. The Teva sandals prevent such behavior, you know!)
Kathy – you almost got snowed in at home. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll get sunned in in Florida and you’ll have to extend your visit 🙂
Laurie, maybe I’ll never come home. (However Barry would not appreciate this, ha ha, I am sure!)
The delights of a warm evening… have a wonderful time.
It is sooooo warm and lovely, Dawn. You would love the magical feel of it, I know you would.
We will all be thinking of you, Kathy, and waiting for your report. The trip sounds delicious! When you tell about it, be sure to explain why the wedding is taking place in Central America! And if, by chance, the country is Panama, say hello to the landscape from me. We have friends who have retired there.
P.J., I shall tell you. The reason why they are getting in Central America is that the bride has dual citizenship. The bride and groom met at Michigan State University, fell in love, and have decided to marry in…well, I shouldn’t reveal until the Official Announcement. It is not Panama. Fairly near!
So glad everything is going smoothly now! How I wish I could be there right now, feeling the warmth of the sun, walking through the water, enjoying the sunrise/sunset views!! We don’t have any snow here right now, but it’s still COLD! Try to capture some of that beautiful weather in your camera and bring it back with you, will ya?? 😉
Holly, sweetie, I would give anything that you were here in the Florida sun and warmth. You would love it. I will try to capture some photos from the camera just for you…and look out! Warm weather will surely be coming to Michigan soon!
I think to get to warmth and son with people you love, delays and missed connections are but a small obstacle.
Being with our loved ones is so worth it, isn’t it, Carol? I adore being with my parents…so glad for this special opportunity…
Nice shot above. It’s good to get out of the snow sometimes. Have a great time.
Christine, how lovely to see you. I love the snow, and I love the warmth. Such wonderful juxtaposition! Thank you for your well wishes.
Taking advantage of every opportunity that life presents us with is a certain recipe for a life well lived. Enjoy as you are making memories that will be with you for the rest of your life. Have a safe journey …
Don’t we love it, John, when life offers us un-imagined opportunities? I know I feel so grateful and delighted! Loving being with my parents, more than words can share. Thank you so much…
What a beautiful sunrise!
Oh that sunrise was lovely, indeed! Thank you…