I am back in Toronto and it is the first week of May. It is spring, and delightfully warm and sunny. A perfect Toronto day. The buds are pushing out and becoming leaves, and my daffodils are flourishing. It was a good winter in Florida. I wrote about Christmas there and our wonderful cruise. However, the stress level of being in the United States was palpable. The news was not good, especially for Canadians. We felt uncomfortable as we listen to Canadian Broadcasting on the radio each day, watch the news, and read. Many Canadians are not visiting the US, something like 900,00 cancelled flights in March, and many have put their homes up for sale. We are waiting to see what is what. We adore our home and friends in our small Florida town of Howey in the Hills. We love sitting on our lanai and having a sun downer looking at the sunset, and going to dinner with our troop on Fridays. Golf is good, and the camaraderie is special. But, if crossing the border becomes problematic then we will give a good hard think to our future winters. Enough said.

Our winter was filled with wonderful events. I still find it hard to imagine that we can walk across Hwy. 48, and in five minutes be at a world class music series. The Howey Mansion Music series is the site for this extraordinary set of concerts. Whether on the lawn outside for jazz or inside for a chamber concert with world class musicians, I never tire of delighting in these concerts. And I feel exhilarated after.

We hosted our favourite friends, Coralee and Robyn from Dunedin for a few days. We have such a good time with them. I even got silly trying a bunker club outside on our hill in the dark. It was fun, and Sheila, my good friend, and neighbour joined us.

The girls after dinner: Sheila, Robyn and Coralee

It was Charles’ big 80th birthday in March. He is finally catching up to me, and I planned a surprise. Our dear friends, Liz and Wouter came for an unexpected visit. Unexpected for Charles. The three of us had been planning their trip for almost a year. I decided to have a wee surprise party for him as well. His birthday fell on a Friday night so I invited our Friday night Boondocks group. Originally, I thought we would go to the restaurant, but working it out the logistics just didn’t make sense. So instead I invited our buddies for Oakwood Barbecue catered at our home. Charles loves their ribs and beans. Of course keeping this a secret was challenging as we talk all the time, and I kept wanting to update him on the event. I knew I could handle 25 people that included the gang and our friends from Toronto. I had plates, glasses, cutlery for 25 and much of this was hidden at neighbours as well as the wine, beer and pop. I needed extra chairs, and Pam had those. Sheila provided a small bar table with ice cubes for chilling drinks. Sheila also offered to make an appetizer of her fabulous Gravlax, Cathy, her sister-in-law, and our longtime friend, made a delicious scallops app, and Pam put together cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese skewers. Sue helped with all.

The Arrival; so exciting

Happy birthday boy

yummy car cake

Everything was organized, but the best was the arrival of Liz and Wouter. I think Charles had a sense something was afoot, as he wandered into the laundry room and saw napkins and plates on the washing machine. Hmm.., but he certainly was surprised when the door bell rang, and Oscar barked excitedly, and there they were, our best friends holding up a bottle of champagne, just off a flight from Toronto. What fun! We had some time before everyone else was expected, so we caught up. Much better than our weekly Saturday night dinners on Zoom.

The party was a success. Great to have my sister and Charles’ sister attend. Wish I could have invited all our dear Mission Inn friends. Food yummy, and lots of it, and a late evening for our Howey neighbours. Last left at 11:30 which was terrific. The next day the four of us went to Mount Dora for lunch to celebrate Wouter’s upcoming birthday, and had a wonderful time sitting outside on the front terrace of 1921. The food was simply delicious and the atmosphere unique. At night about 6 of us went for oysters at Tiki West; fun and casual. It was a very active and exciting weekend and celebrating Charles’ big event in Florida , on the actual day was special. I have planned his gift in the UK, a flight in a Spitfire, a dream of his. We head overseas on the 29th of May so I will tell you all about it next blog.

Chuck/Charles birthday a few years earlier

The best friends

lunch at 1921 we are very pink and blue accidentally

In early April, our grand daughter, June, came for a visit. This was very special because she flew by herself from Quebec, her first solo voyage. She is fifteen. It was so exciting waiting for her inside the airport. I saw this tall very confident young woman, and it was her. Hadn’t seen her since the summer. The Orlando airport is about an hour from our place and we were all hungry and headed to Boondocks outside on the patio. Sunday afternoons there is music on the deck and we also had Oscar along to meet June, and enjoy the outdoors. Our week was filled with shopping. I enlisted Sheila, who is a good shopper to guide us to the best bargains. We had lunch outside on the way home. June loved the pool and spent a great deal of time in the warm water. My sister took us to a fun restaurant for lunch one day, Ski Beach. Charles and I took June to a chamber concert at the Mansion, probably her first classical music event. She was terrific to have with us, and I believe she had as good a time as we.

June looking lovely before the concert

June in the chilly Atlantic

outside for dinner with my great nephews, their dad, and my sister. Terrific boys

A few weeks after that, our BC kids came for a visit and a much anticipated Disney Cruise. We spent a few days at our place in Howey. The pool is terrific for kids, nice and warm, and Pam, our dear friend, gave us the code for her garage that had many pool toys, water pistols, and a coveted barbie doll. We even celebrated a mini Passover Seder for the girls complete with special children’s Seder colouring books. As Christians they had never experienced a Seder with matzo, and gefilte fish. It went well and we enjoyed ourselves. I have a huge store of toys and they were brought out for the girls to enjoy.

Monday morning we departed in a large Uber for Cape Canaveral. It didn’t seem like a long trip and I had booked us into the Concierge Level on the ship which turned out to be a very smart thing. We were able to board the ship easily with our little gold labels stuck on our shirts, and when we got aboard there was lunch in an excellent restaurant called 1923. Lobster salad, smoked salmon and the like. Sway who is very outgoing met two girls who were sitting across from us, and spent much of the cruise with them.

Our cabins were connected by a door to the kids cabin and we had a shared balcony. Ours was quite large with a small kitchen and living room, and theirs had bunk beds that were suspended from the wall with a separate sleeping area for Corby and Kate. All good. But the best part of the cruise for us, aside from spending time with Sway and Neve, was the Concierge Lounge on our deck. It was open all day and served breakfast, and after 5pm there were drinks and apps. It was quiet with great views, and a shaded balcony. It turned out to be Charles and my escape away from 3,400 other passengers.

pirate themed dinner

at the cabana

The ship was fitted out like Disney World. Every where you went there were characters, lots to see and so many water features outside. I brought a swim suit and as you know I love my swim, but even in the adult only pool it was not more than a wading area. There were many shops selling not only Disney stuff, but high end jewelry. Some people take their Disney very seriously with stickers on their stateroom door relating to Disney or to how many stays they have had. People walked around with mouse ears and in other costumes. Well you get the idea. This is a fun entertaining place to be with children. Definitely, not a trip for adults, although I did meet a woman on her honeymoon. She and her husband were hard core fans and she proved it by having Disney Tattoos all over her body. She was in high spirits and thrilled with their trip. There are some adult only restaurants, but we never sampled them as we were there to be with our family.

Says it all.. well almost

Speaking of restaurants every evening we were in a different venue, but with the same wait staff. My favourite was the first lunch one, 1923. There was a World of Marvels restaurant that was very interactive with bright lights. Arendelle, where we ate our final night, was enchanting with a stage in the middle of the gigantic room, and a delightful musical show. Our table was right beside the stage and the girls were enthralled when they met the performers. Food was pretty good there as well. The description of the room: “A Frozen Dining Adventure showcases the traditional flavors and ingredients of the Nordic region with a contemporary flair.” Obviously themed for Frozen.

One of the highlights of the voyage was a visit to the private island called Castaway Quay. before the trip I was advised that there were cabanas on the island for rent. Only 21, and if I sent an email on a specific date, Dec. 6, at midnight I could possibly book this. Our trip was in April. So I set my alarm and lo and behold I got Cabana 2. These are only for concierge guests and are sought after. They sit very close to a private beach, turquoise water, beach toys, towels, soft drinks and cold towels, loungers, sofa, a hammock, and most importantly a roof overhead, for the Petersens are fair, blondes and redheads, perfect. It proved to be even more important because I had a Menieres attack in the afternoon. Wonderful! I have told you before about this nasty disease. Menieres clinic TGH.For most of it the kids were in the water, but my darling sat beside me as I lost my lunch and much more. The beach pail became my friend. The concierge staff were in charge of these cabanas and the young woman was spectacular looking after me with cold towels and gingerale. I was ill for a few hours, and on the way back to the ship. We were provided with a special golf cart that delivered us to the hull and we boarded easily. I was embarrassed for the kids, but apparently they were used to vomiting. They did make me a lovely get well card and visited me in my room. Neve kissed my foot to make me better and Sway hugged me. Not sure if I mentioned that Sway is eight and Neve is three. The troop left me to sleep and they went to dinner. I hate this disease, but there is news, as after 6 attacks in April alone, I was happy to see my doctor in Toronto upon our return, and have started a series of shots in my ear of steroids that are supposed to help. Fingers crossed.

One night, Sway and her dad went to the top deck for a dance party. Every day she and Neve visited the Oceaneers Club. No parents allowed. They went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique to get their hair styled and make up applied. I think that three is a bit young for the hair part because as soon as the brush went through a tangle it was game over. Big tears. However, she did come back and get her makeup done and nails polished. There was one very little girl who looked absolutely miserable. For an exorbitant fee you could purchase a princess outfit. Not. Sway got extensions and looked as if she loved the whole experience. I have told you before that I don’t publish pictures of the girls on the internet. You might see a silhouette. Of course I have some great shots.

At the end of the cruise we were waiting for our Uber that was supposed to hold 6 people and carry- on bags, like the one we took to get to the port. They sent a guy with room for four. Charles was not happy when we had to call a second car, and has moved his car ride allegiance to Lift from Uber. We arrived in time for lunch and lots of swimming, and dinner of course. So sad to say goodbye the next morning, but grateful for good times.

always some stories I forget to tell , but images speak..Pam’s adorable daughter, Murphy, and Lily in for a drink

the dock at Boondocks

our lanai at sunset waiting for the diners

As always,

Riki

One exciting event I forgot to relate. When we arrived back in Toronto in late April, Charles was invited to ring the bell at the Canadian Securities Exchange. It was cancer month and as a cancer survivor he was asked to relate his journey and proudly we attended this wonderful occasion. And he rang the bell brilliantly!