Sunday, Feb.9 to Thurs. Feb. 13

Well, it has been another very busy week at the Hosler Florida Home!  Sunday friends from our church back home, who are here for about 3 weeks, met us at Edgewater Church at 9:15 to attend the service with us.  So nice to have them join us.  After the service, the 4 of us went to our favorite breakfast spot, Hometown Grill, for a delicious, inexpensive breakfast where the waitresses are getting to recognize Ken and I when we walk in the door.  After eating, they followed us back to our condo to "check out the place" and our community.  They were extremely gracious in their positive comments and really enjoyed the walk we took around the grounds!  It really is a throw back to old time Florida with all the large palms and live oak trees with lots of Spanish moss!  We also got to show them one of two resident alligators, but we weren't sure if it was Forrest or Nelson (we live on Forrest Nelson Boulevard)!

They left around 2:30 and by 4:15 Ken and I were on our way to Venice to the Drum Circle.  We had packed some snacks and drinks for our time on the beach.  We did stop at Target near Venice to check out some chairs for our screened porch, but they really didn't have anything that met with our approval!

We were at the drum circle from 4:45 to 6:30 and it was a very pleasant and beautiful evening to be on the beach, listen to music, and watch the sunset.  Ken got to see "feather man" who used to be at the Nokomis Drum Circle but we hadn't seen him for several years.  It was good to know that he is fine and still a part of these special times on the beach!  The beautiful sunset went down to the beat of the drums, which tends to be a spiritual time.

Feather Man isn't a "spring chicken" but he acts
young and energetic!
 

Lots of people there and they have it every Sunday night!

What a beautiful sky!

The pelicans were very busy!

We left there and drove to Rick and Joyce's home to play double deck pinochle.  It was a fun evening even if the men finally won!  We were back home by 10:15 after a rather busy day!

Monday morning we took a walk and I decided to run some errands, returning somethings to Lowe's and then stopping at Big Lots to look at their outdoor furniture - bingo, I found 2 chairs for the porch that I really liked.  So, I picked up Ken and together we went to check them out and make certain they were comfortable for both of us.  Well, we left there with 2 very comfy chairs that are a nice addition to our very small lanai area.  After lunch I went to the pool to do some exercising.

Love this view!

That evening, I had a quiet time at the condo while Ken was at CR.  I had planned on playing pickleball at the campground, but decided I should give my back another few days rest!  I did some crocheting and watched America's Got Talent - what amazing performers.  We were in bed around 10:30.

Tuesday morning, Harry and Carolyn stopped by to visit.  They were part of the group that we went on a mission trip with last year and left Edgewater to attend another church, so we hadn't seen them for almost a year.  It was so good to reconnect. In the afternoon, we went to the clubhouse for a neighborhood watch meeting, but before that started, a sheriff from the Port Charlotte Office came here and registered bikes.  It was great to not have to take the bikes to the Sheriffs Office to get that done!

That evening, Joe and Carolyn from Edgewater came to visit.  We chatted for awhile and then they taught us how to play Farkle.  We had a fun time and by 9:30 we called it a night!  It was another busy day at the Hoslers!

Wednesday we woke to another gorgeous day with the temperature already near 70 and warming up to a predicted 80+ degrees.  We have had that kind of beautiful weather for about 5 days and it is supposed to continue.  Ken went to breakfast with a men's group and I got ready to  go to the beach, packing lunches, drinks, and the beach bag.  He returned around 8:30 (earlier than expected) and by 10 we were on our way to Manasota Beach.  I had invited all our friends from back home, but it didn't suit many of them.  

Doloris joined us and Eddie and Lori Paparo and it was a perfect beach day with warm temperatures, lots of sun, and a slight breeze.  We did a lot of chatting and walked the beach looking for shark's teeth 2 separate times.  Of course, Ken found the most and the largest as per usual.  He has a special eye for shark's teeth!  We were on the beach from 10:45 till about 4:30 and we loved every minute of that time. 

Walking with my good friend, Doloris!

 

We were back to the condo by 5:30 and Ken rested while I made myself a light dinner and by 6:20 I was on my way to Harbor Lakes CG to play pickleball.  I think I positively hit every red light!  I love playing with the group at the CG and there were about 14 of us this evening.  I got to play 5 games and it went fairly well.  I left the courts at 8:20 and went to visit Ernie and Noela till about 9:15.  It was good to chat with them because we hadn't been together since Friday night.  After showering and chatting with Ken it was bedtime and boy was I tired!!!!!