Second Visit with Leo

Because of the nasty Nor'easter hammering the east coast, Kathryn's aunt and uncle from New Jersey were unable to fly down to Orlando yesterday afternoon as originally planned so, they rescheduled their flight to arrive around noon today.  Well!  Since the aunt and uncle couldn't come in as originally planned (yesterday), Tim called last night and asked if we might meet this morning somewhere between Winter Garden and Tampa for breakfast -- another opportunity to meet my first grandson (Leo) before the aunt and uncle were to arrive today.  I eagerly jumped at the chance to meet them and we did so at the Cozy Oaks Restaurant in Lakeland -- just a little diner in the older part of town.

 What a Great Valentine's Day Present to see them all again and to hold that beautiful little guy again.  Such a wonderful treat to enjoy them all again after the visit on Wednesday.  Too bad that aunt and uncle still weren't able to make it down today and enjoy the slightly cooler weather we're having and to meet with Leo too.  But, what a blessing for me.  I thought I might have to wait until sometime in April before I could see the three of them again and instead I hit the lottery.

There wasn't much, if any, ambiance in the little diner but, the food was tasty and the company was priceless -- a place to remember forever.  Leo would have been happy to eat or at least chew on their menu if us three adults would have let him but, his mom and dad had brought those essentials along for his chewing delight.  A nice long walk in the stroller followed the breakfast and Leo provided lots of grins and smiles -- mixed with a few half and full yawns before he was packed up again in his car seat and headed back to Winter Garden (after being slathered with a few kisses from this old Grandad).

Best Valentines Day in many years for me.

Great Day -- Crash! Bang! Boom!

Yesterday, I got to meet little Leo for the first time and what a treat he was -- after finally waking up from a three hour morning nap.  He is such a beautiful little boy and such a delight to play with -- likes to grab anything and everything he can get his little hands on and loves to giggle and babble.  His beautiful blue eyes light up everything around him and he also loves to stand in your lap (think he will be walking fairly soon judging from his strength).  Lots of twisting and turning too to see everything around him.  He tires fairly quickly though as he burns up all that energy he uses.

Mary and Peter Kelsey (Kathryn's mother and step father) have a beautiful home in Winter Garden, Florida and that is where I met my little grandson.  Thanks to them for letting me to intrude on them for the day and for their wonderful hospitality.  They even gave me fresh prints of pictures taken during the day when I visited there including a beautiful collage of images of Leo.

The "Crash!", "Bang!", and "Boom!" came later when I drove back from the wonderful visit to the Orlando area.  It was almost like Fireworks to end a Great Day -- after the two hour drive in a really nasty thunderstorm (white knuckles most of the way).  As I pulled into the RV resort a huge bolt of lightning flashed across the sky -- like a rainbow arching over the whole park -- followed by an immediate crash of thunder, a huge bang, and then a boom (a few pink flashes in quick succession appeared in the direction I had just driven from).  Probably some transformers blowing up, I surmised.

Thankfully the power stayed on in the park and Tiger appeared at the top of the stairs as I entered the door as if to ask what was going on.  Now!  If only this computer would download those pictures (maybe another time when there aren't so many users).

Ah! Success on the pictures -- at last.

Still Walking and Still Stalking that Big One

Though the stock market has been treating me well so far this year -- and I have been looking over those kayaks (especially the nice Hobie Cats) -- I just haven't jumped in there yet (or on top really).

So, I am not yet paddling around the bays, bayous or passes leading out to the Gulf -- just daydreaming about the possibility and trying to decide when and if to get one (or which).

In the meantime, I have at least bought another digital camera so that I can get pictures of that grandson I am going to meet this coming week.  I am still here at Vacation Village RV Park in Largo, Florida so that I will be close enough to Orlando to make the drive whenever he and his parents arrive and are ready for me to visit.

Still having periods of rain and fog and drizzle so, didn't fish but one day this week (yesterday) and took a neighbor with me (Bob from Cincinnati).  He caught a Ladyfish and I caught a Puffer during the couple hours we fished -- stopped for a beer at the "Original Hooters" on the way back.  Not much action expected until next weekend when the tides get more back to normal (having only two a day for these past couple of days).

May give it a try up at Honeymoon Island tomorrow or Monday whichever is the nicer day -- maybe the one that is shorts or swimsuit weather so I can wash the feet and wade in the waters.

Here are a couple pics from the current campground which includes the super long dorm unit that the circus has parked here -- reminds me of a horse trailer but, longer.  It's definitely a lot longer than my 39 foot Winnebago and has lots more doors -- each a separate entry to another small sleeping compartment, I think.