We aren’t doing anything touristy on this little vacation. We’re mostly hanging out, either at the beach or at my sister’s home. Low-key, with a large dash of sun, sand and breezes. Don and I had breakfast in Dunedin yesterday, then we walked around the downtown area, ending up at the marina – where we saw this guy.
He’s a sly one. He hangs out here waiting for someone, who might happen to be fishing off the end of the pier, to catch a fish. Then he swoops in. His efforts were foiled yesterday – at least while we were there.
We had a late morning ice cream cone. Shocking! Then we took another walk along the beach.
Back to Mere’s and fun with Little Z. He keeps us on our toes.
Out to dinner – our treat – and some more time with Z. Gosh, I can’t get enough of him. He’s always trying to get my iPhone, which is a no-no, and I am continually impressed by the different methods he uses to try to persuade me to hand it over. He is a master. I am on to him, however, and have not fallen prey to his adorable schemes.
My other favorite dog – Max. I love this boy.
I’ve been feeling a little edgy emotionally and I think it comes down to the fact that it’s the first time I’ve been here without my parents living down the road. Every time I drive in the entrance to this large community, I pass by the road I took to my parents’ condo. Every time I drive down the main road, I pass the nursing home where my mother died and the hospital where my father died. There are memories everywhere.
It’s to be expected. But it isn’t easy.
Happy Tuesday.
What a treat to see that pelican!! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one in person.
It seems natural to me that emotions would be inescapable considering the things you mentioned. Truthfully, I felt emotional for you as I read. But I think it’s definitely a good thing to me at your sister’s house, and to enjoy the ocean (though nothing beats the Pacific Ocean in my humble opinion) ;) I’m glad you and Don have gotten away, and how fun to get to spend extended time with Little Z!
It looks like a lovely vacation. And you are getting some nephew time (Z looks like a sweetie), and some doggie time. You both need it! And no jackets and boots!
Claudia, Sending hugs to you. I knot easy seeing those places that hold memories. I am glad you and Don are having a relaxing vacation…I like those kinds of trips. Little Z makes me laugh , when you say how he tries to be tricky. Max looks like he’s an aged pet…but such a sweet face. Bless your heart Claudia. xoxo,Susie
Hanging out is the best kind of vacation! No must do list to follow. I’m sure Florida is busy with Spring break travelers all hoping for some sun and sand, so being able to not have too much structure is surely an advantage.
Do you have a plan for when you head north again? Enjoy taking one day at a time!!
That pelican is cool! Florida just by itself is beautiful….without all the tourist traps! Enjoy! ;)
It is hard to go back when things have changed so dramatically. Next time will be easier, but never easy. Little Z just cracks me up. The little ones love a phone. Scout had mine the other day and put her tiny little finger on the screen and made things move around. She has watched the adults for sure. Enjoy the sun and sea. Healing is a long process.
hugs,
Linda
Pelicans are one of my favorite birds. I see them a lot in my area, especially playing/gliding on the breezes above the bridge that connects my neighborhood to the main island. I was wondering if your parents’ condo and other places were near Meredith’s. I know how difficult seeing these places and facing the memories head-on are, but, Claudia, that has to be done. One has to test one’s mettle constantly. And you have Don, Meredith, Little Z, and Max to give you the flip side of joy and fun.
I can relate. When I got my own place after college, I passed my parents’ home – where I had lived for 22 years – EVERY DAY going back and forth to work. For nearly 20 years. But because I often stopped in after work for a quick chat, or when my Mom called me afternoons to tell me to come for supper, it never really seemed like I had left home. Even when I just drove by, I knew my parents were there. It was still MY house – our family home. And I well remember how weird, and how hard, it was to drive on past that house after my mother died [16 months after Dad] and I knew neither of my parents was there any longer. “A bit adrift,” as the Brits say, is the best way I can think of to describe it. One of my brothers ended up buying the place from my sibs & I, so we are lucky in that sense. We still go there occasionally and don’t have to cope with the idea of strangers in “our” house. But it was still difficult to drive past knowing that if I stopped in, I wouldn’t find Mom in the kitchen or Dad all burrowed into his suede recliner, watching Turner Classic Movies or CNN. So I can commiserate. You just feel “off” – things are not as they should be, not as you want them. And that is really difficult. Sending a big sqooshy hug.
So glad you are there. Max looks very happy! Give Mere and Z hugs from me. and Max, too. :)
I still go by my folk’s house anytime I am in their town and always go by their home. I freaked out one day when I went by and they had painted the outside of the house blue. I told John – my mom hated blue, her house should not be painted blue. He reminded me that it was not her home anymore and I curtly told him it would ALWAYS be my parent’s home. He never brought the subject up again. LOL The people in their little town still call it the “Smith house”.
I know that your sister and family are so enjoying your visit. Max and LB certainly are! Enjoy your time and relax,
Love,
Judy
So glad you’re having a good time with the little Z. Max looks pretty happy to see you too. And I have never seen a pelican that close! He looks like he’s giving somebody the evil eye!
I have a very similar situation when I go home to visit my family. Both my brothers and my sister live within six blocks of the house I grew up in and that my parents still lived in when they passed away. I think my siblings have adjusted and gotten used passing it by, but for me it’s always a shock because it’s rare that I’m back home. I’m thinking of you and praying for you Claudia.
Blessings, Betsy
Your losses are so very recent, Claudia. I can certainly understand the edginess, with the still-fresh reminders. I can see where it would feel eerie, sad; off kilter. Poignant.
I live in the same town where all the loved ones before me were, since the 1920s. They’re all gone now; I’m the only one who remains. I never intended to come back here…and here I am. I’m acutely aware that my grandma’s house was bulldozed to make room for a newer home. I never NOT notice it when I turn down that avenue to get to the main drag. I remember when hers was the back house and an old Victorian was at the front.
And, this morning, I saw the children tossing a ball in the kindergarten playground…and, 50-odd years ago, that was me, playing on that same grass at that very school; little has changed, which is often the way of small towns.
Our aging “shopping center” had a W. T. Grants, like a 5&Dime and, when I was a little girl, my frugal mom and I, hand in hand, would walk over there and just putter among the goldfish in tanks, the fabric bolts, coloring books, embroidery thread, construction paper and velvety pipe cleaners. In summer, it’s where we’d buy new flip flops and a sand bucket for the beach. It’s where we’d get our blank-page scrapbooks, the occasional inexpensive picture frame or the old-fashioned photo albums (where you’d moisten the little photo corners and attach your black & white snapshots to the paper page). I guess there’s a certain symmetry to it…but it’s a dollar store now [not a bad one] with similar items although Grant’s had much better quality and wasn’t so darn big. And I could walk the store aisles without smelling bad plastic and PVC. Anyway, I’m still shopping there, in that building, even after all these years. Hundreds of reminders of my past, good and bad, where I live, each and every day.
We adapt, don’t we…have to; what’s the alternative? I used to practice avoidance with a lot of things until I had to acknowledge that I was just restricting/constricting and limiting my life ‘way too much. I hope for your next Florida visit, a little of that edginess can be dulled. I applaud you for digging in and making the most of your getaway. It must be so soul-filling to be around a precious, smiley, loving child! Stockpile those hugs!
(Wow; cool close-up of a pelican!)
I think Little Z could cheer up most anyone…I bet he giggles a lot..lol…
What a great photo of that pelican! I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Florida.
I can certainly understand the feeling, Claudia. After my parents died, I just could not bring myself to go home for Christmas. It was too tough. So after years of driving home at Christmastime, we forged new traditions and invited my in-laws plus other family and friends to come be with us. I knew it would be way too sad to do otherwise since I felt like you do now when I went home at regular visits. I wanted to remember the joy of the holidays with all the ones we loved so. Now we have new traditions, and we flex to meet new changes. It’s all good.
xo
Sheila