The farm, the gliderport and the park...

Breakfast was delish at John G's...then we dropped off their rental car and headed out to our old farm. After the farming was all done, Dick and Bob dug shellrock off the property (a lot of it was used to make I-95). When they dug the rock out, lakes resulted! This is what we called 'north lake.' Now the whole farm is sprinkled with homes, schools, shopping, play areas...lots of folks are benefitting from their hard work.This is a shot looking across the 'front lake' which was the first lake they dug. Our house was on that point across the water in the middle where you can see a white house. No, that isn't our house. It got torn down :( cuz the developer couldn't use it as a club house. They have a pool and play ground there now. Lots of our family and friends enjoyed skiing, swimming and picnicing here on this lake back in the '70s and '80s before we sold it all and moved to GA.

Marge and Loyal at the pool house where our house stood...this is on the W side of where our house was.

See that big oak tree? Dick moved it back to this spot in about '80 and planted it on the W side of the house near the boat ramp he put in.

We left memory lane and drove W to Willis Gliderport. Friend Lynn was just beginning her morning walk, so we had a short visit with her before riding around the runway. They are finally putting a crown on the grass runway (one side at a time), which it has needed ever since it was built. Dick didn't do the earthwork for that, but he did put in the road going all the way around the runway. We built the first hangar out there in '76, and it is still standing although it is a bit shabby now.

Our tour then took us up to John D. MacArthur Park.

And finally back to the moho for some steaks on the grill with all the trimmings, and a fine visit. Now how is that for a great day? Anyone else want to come visit us? The welcome mat is out.

Monday with friends...

Ohio friends Loyal and Margie are meeting us here at John G's at 10 for a late breakfast. We hope the line isn't this long, even thought the food is worth the wait! They are escaping the frozen nawth for a few days and will share a bit of their time with us.
We met them a couple of years ago on a cruise in France and invited them to go on the Greek Isles cruise with us, and they did, so they are on the blog already for way back then. He flys for a little outfit, flying a 737. That's just a tad bigger than our 182, of course!

We'll show off a bit of Palm Beach County, take them out to the gliderport where we used to fly out of, show off the farm where we lived, and then bring them up to the moho and cook dinner here. It'll be a fun day. I hope yours is, too!

Oh yes, Happy Birthday to Don (brother-in-law) and friend Ginger. I know this day will be special for both of you. Life is good...and it will get even better if you leave a little comment, OK? I love hearing from all of you!!! And some of you have been silent for too long...you know who you are! I may have to borrow a pox or two if Bee has any to spare! Sarge, Dick and I will be happy to go back to John G's any time you and Bee want to go. Just let me know.

And the score at marbles last night? Guys 1; gals 2...gals rock!!!

Sunday review...

After lunch at John G's, the four Bells head N along the beach and stopped at the Little Red School House.

This is the front of it. It was locked, but when we looked through the window, we could see the American flag hanging on the back wall. Dick and Bob's mom made that flag! I didn't know that. Sure wish I could go inside and see more...we'll have to go back. Mom (as we all called her) was a school teacher, so saving this building was important to her. Just a little piece of local history.

This is the backside of the building.

Yesterday was quite windy. We walked across the back of the park and went down and looked at the beach. Didn't take us long to see that only the seagulls were out and even they were hunkered down and not out flying.

Lynne and I cooked supper and took it over to Dan and Joan's house...Joan made a fab cheesecake. After stuffing ourselves, then we got down to some serious marble playing.

Here is the board, handmade by some fella. You can see that cards are also involved. We play guys against gals. Score: guys 2; gals 1. Dang.

Bob and Lynne leave today, but Dick and I are going back over for another marble match tonight, this time with Johnnie and Susan. Everybody root for us gals, OK?

Enjoy your Sunday...we sure will. Life is good!

Saturday stuff...

It is sunny and windy today in WPB. I would also add 'cool' but compared to Mayberry at 42, our 67 is downright balmy! No, this isn't our water fountain, but it is on our road.

Yesterday, I gave Dick the choice of running the vacuum or ironing. Guess what his choice was...the vacuum...and I didn't get around to my end of the bargain but will this morning. I've got to learn to take the clothes out of the washer/dryer when they are wetter so they won't wrinkle so much. I did hear a tip last night that I'll have to try--put two tennis balls in with the wash and your clothes won't wrinkle so much! Has anyone ever heard of this or tried it???

Have a great Saturday, y'all!

Look what we got!

Look at the beautiful gift we got...two huge staghorns!
Dan and Joan came by yesterday with these beauties, and then helped us get them attached to the two trees. Talk about friends! And...Joan arrived with banana nut bread (yummm, my fave!) and brownies (Dick loves those)....and that wasn't all. Hunter Dan provided some venison. Boy, that was our lucky day, getting plants and a nice care package. How cool was that? We love you both!!!

We didn't have anything planned for the weekend and now we do. Scotty B's tonight with Wade and Ginger; Bob and Lynne are coming back Saturday for one night. We'll take dinner over to Dan and Joan's and eat and play marbles. Then Joan is having us and the Tieches over Sunday night to eat and play marbles. OK, y'all can now joke about us finding our marbles! They are at Dan and Joan's house!!! We leave them there for safe keeping...

So what are YOU doing for fun this weekend???

Meeting friends...

BSP sista Diane and hubby Tal let us park the moho in their yard near Ocala after we left the rally Monday. We enjoyed dinner together at Chili's, then Dick and I crashed, plum tired. We met them on a BSP Alaska cruise back in '01 and have stayed in touch ever since. Neat folks.

Tuesday morning, we got up and said our goodbyes, and drove the 'toad' to The Villages to meet Mike and Kay (she and I graduated AHS together a looong time ago) for breakfast (notice how food always plays a part in visiting!). We checked out their new home, then took a spin through town to see a couple of the rec centers and facilities. Mighty impressive, but we don't plan to move!

It's always fun meeting up with friends during our travels. Watch out, you never know when the Traveling Bells will show up on your doorsteps!

It is chilly here in WPB today, but no complaints from us, considering what the temps are back in Mayberry. Enjoy your Thursday, y'all! And a big Happy Birthday to niece Debby!!!

Happy birthday to you...

This is my baby, who had a baby last June...remember Prince Will? And big brother Doodlebug? Yep, those are her cutiepies. And she is ours...and is quite a combination of the two of us. And today is Amy's birthday! Dick and I are blessed to be her parents. She is one fine young woman, and she has enriched our lives immensely. Happy Birthday, honey. We love you very much. Wish we were there to celebrate with you! And it is snowing back in Mayberry right now...what a birthday present!!!

Everyone join in and sing...