I arrived back from Florida late last night. I got to spend quality time with my parents, my nephews, my sister and her husband. My old friend from childhood, Peggy, came to dinner at my parents and we had a wonderful visit. And of course, my parents’ cat, Nella, and my sister’s dog, Max, were there for me to spoil.

Max is the sweetest, most sensitive boy. I am crazy about him and miss him terribly when I have to come home. He gets depressed when I leave. He wouldn’t even wag his tail for me when I said goodbye.

I am not a cat person, but I am in love with Nella. She has wonderful markings, don’t you think? She is 11 years old and doesn’t look it. I should ask her for some beauty tips. As she has matured she has become more affectionate – we all like that!

Tropical storm Fay left her mark on the beach:

My sister (that’s her in the photo) tells me that the beach is normally missing all this seaweed.

The water was very choppy and it stormed off and on all week.

My nephews are terrific swimmers. They swim for the Clearwater Aquatic Team. Do you notice anything about this scoreboard?

Yes, there are two scoreboards (both donated by my sister and brother-in-law) one named after our parents and one named after my brother-in-law’s parents.

All in all, I had a lovely time but am happy to be back home. I start a new coaching job this week – doing a little work on a production of Sweeney Todd. Love that musical.

More later.

Hello from unsunny Florida! I was hoping for some dramatic hurricane pictures, but Fay passed us by and headed inland. It didn’t even rain on Tuesday. I was disappointed – I didn’t want an all-out hurricane, but I was totally ready for some big weather. Schools were cancelled, my brother-in-law (a chiropractor) had to cancel office hours, and what happened? Nothing. By yesterday we started to experience rain and wind. Today is just plain rainy.

I am having a good time with my family. Mom and Dad and I played board games yesterday like old times – lots of fun and for once, I won several times! We went to the beach yesterday for lunch. The water was very choppy and there were big piles of seaweed everywhere – courtesy of Fay, my sister tells me. Today, my sister and brother-in-law took off for Chicago and I am in charge of the kids. First assignment: drive nephew to school. Mission accomplished. I will also pick him up, bring him home, feed him, drive him to swimming practice, wait while he swims many, many lengths of the pool, bring him home, make sure he eats, etc. I am also spending time with the other favorite dog in my life, my sister’s golden retreiver, Max. Love him.

For now, I must go and take care of Auntly duties. I will fly home Monday. More later