Back Home in Florida . . .

Well, I'm back here in the hot and humid Florida panhandle and wishing I was back with "drf" in the West End of Vancouver . . . . . We talk a couple of times daily and he is still enjoying the pleasant, cooler temperatures of our future home. Living where we are now in the late summer and early fall is unpleasant - and that's without an active hurricane threatening your door. That event just adds additional stress to an already uncomfortable situation . . . . . We've already been through that more than a few times in our five years of living here.

The last evening in Vancouver was spent at our next door neighbor's ("G") having a wonderful dinner she prepared. Also in attendance were our friend ("K") and another new friend ("K") all from our building. The food, company and conversation was all wonderful. Both "K"'s are Ex-Pats from the States who have lived in Vancouver since the 90's and thoroughly understand our desire to relocate there. We have many photos of the evening, but for the sake of web-anonymity will not post here . . . . They have been shared with everyone and will remain in our "memory box". Here is a photo of that night's sunset over English Bay from her window, however:









I was fortunate (??!??) enough to have the opportunity to fly internationally on the first day of the new security measures instituted at all the airports. I left our small strata at an hour so early I didn't check the news and was totally unaware of what was going on. After disposing of my toothpaste - as I was not keen on checking any bags with a very tight connection in Houston - I opted to retain my other "products" (As the "Queer Eye" guys would call them) and made it though the screening process intact. All of the Vancouver-based personnel were as cordial as possible under the circumstances and I was fortunate enough to get a US Customs Agent who was not the usual surly type. Alas, as I was boarding the plane there was another two-person security check prior to boarding the plane. Needless to say my "products" are now probably adorning some homeless person - at least I hope that's where they ended up.

Many calls and emails that evening from friends and family who were aware of my flying that day and were concerned if I made it home on time or at all . . . Nice to feel their concern, but all was well and I made each flight, if by only moments in the last case.

Got up early the next day and retrieved our little girl for the ride home - only barked at one squirrel, so she was on her best behavior. (It seems like that is the case after her being away from home for a while - Like all of us it seems she likes her own surroundings best - can't wait 'til her surroundings are in Vancouver!)


The past few days have been consisting of basic chores: Mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, filling bird baths and feeders, etc. Not anything exciting, but they have to be done . . . .

Now I am eagerly awaiting spending US Thanksgiving in Vancouver . . . . Looking forward to it, as you can imagine.

Cheers!