Lake Dora
As often as we fly down to Florida or elsewhere - at least once a year - you might think I would by now be used to the routine of very early rushed trips to the airport, the hassle and apprehension at the security lines and the cramped quarters of the metal coffins we squeeze into to enjoy perhaps a cup of weak coffee and an embarrassingly small bag of pretzels as we wing south. But no. I heartily dislike it and my dislike grows each and every time we fly. This month we chose to fly out of Canada for ten days in Florida rather than drive into New York and leave from Plattsburgh. Our Air Canada Rouge was a smallish Airbus that took only 3 hours to get to Tampa where we rented a Nissan Versa and headed north to spend a few days with Lyn and Don and time with Dad. It could be the last time we see him or he remembers us. He is in the early stages of Alzheimers and, although physically he is doing well for 91, his short term memory is going fast and he is more of a danger to himself than ever before. Consequently Lyn and Don decided to help him look for and buy a trailer to live in on their property near the house where they could keep an eye on him to ensure he remembers doctors appointments, takes his medicine and refrains from driving. Marie and I went out to the dealership the next day after arriving and checked out the trailer for leaks, making sure the awning, fridge, air conditioner, heater, stove and slide-outs all worked before Don arrived with a friend to pull it home. I helped Don and Shawn the following day to construct a small deck and ramp that leads up to the trailer door so Dad need not climb stairs anymore.
 |
| Marie checking out the trailer at dealership |
 |
| Shawn and Don |
The next day Lyn and I drove up to Springhill to the ranch where she takes her riding lessons. It was a cold and windy day and I was glad I had brought down my leather coat, sweater and long pants. Central Florida can be chilly in February as I have learned over the years. Lyn enjoys her time with horses, as she has now for the past forty years, and is like a little kid around them. It is good to see her still so enthusiastic and able to forget her aches and pains and the hectic life she lives in Brooksville.
 |
| one of Lyn's orphaned pets |
The next day the four of us, and Brenna, Shawn's four year old, drove over to Mount Dora, a charming, one-hundred year old historic village in the heart of central Florida on the shores of Lake Dora. We stopped off at a German pastry shop in the town of Yahala on the way to enjoy some strudels and coffee. Mount Dora is best known for it's many antique stores and art galleries which we poked about in for a few hours. Before heading home we walked down to the lake, stopping to watch the town's old wood burning steam powered tourist locomotive chug by, the sky now gray and the wind picking up, reminding us again this was still winter.
Brenna
Mount Dora, Florida
Brenna and I spent some time together the following day before Shawn came over to pick her up. She is beautiful little girl, articulate and loving, and we always get along well. Shawn brought with him an amazing drone that he demonstrated for us out in the front yard. What a fabulous machine! I had seen pictures and videos of these things but never one up close before. These expensive toys are highly evolved from those remote controlled helicopters and model planes that I always wanted as a kid. Because of the rise of smartphones a lot of important components like gyros, batteries cameras and GPS modules suddenly got a lot smaller and cheaper. And voila - the drone. The fact that you can use it as a HD aerial camera really excites me and what great fun to have one out at our place in the mountains! Imagine the videos and pictures I could capture....
 |
| Marie, Shawn and Brenna with the Drone |
It was time to say farewell to Lyn and Don for a few days as we had promised Richard and Rosie that we would visit with them in Lake Worth, a good 5 hour drive away. They were in the process of selling their condo at Lake Clarke Estates and it would likely be the last chance we would have to see it again. We have been there more than half a dozen times over the years when Leo and Elenor, Debbie's parents, first moved in back in the 80's. Besides we needed to follow the sun south to the warmer tropics and have at least one swim in the Atlantic before returning to the Great White North! gws
