One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
New Years morning we were up and packing and checking out of our condos on Long Boat Key. Every year we have such a good time down there. We have already booked next year, so it was see ya later to Cabana Beach.
Joe, Britney and I took Mom home to Winter Haven. On the way we stopped in at a Manatee Reserve (along with Jean and Brianna on their way to the Tampa Air Port). We saw lots of wild life along with the manatees.
The little and medium sized fish were eating algae off the manatee's skin. The manatee would roll onto it's back so the fish could clean it's belly too.
Out on the board walk...
we saw lot's of things.
We said our good buys to Jean and Brianna and headed to Mom's.
Britney and I read and snacked out on the dock at Mom's catching a little more of the Florida sunshine and enjoying a bit more time together.
Then it was on the road for a long drive north. We broke it up stopping at a nice hotel in Chattanooga. With another early start Tuesday we were home by 4pm. Unpacking and 3 loads of laundry occupied the remainder of my day and energy.
The first day back at school Wednesday was tiring. Once again, no surprise that 3 of the 4 xerox machines were completely down and in need of repair. I was so thankful I had gotten all my copying done during exams.
After my 2:00 wrist therapy (which continues to be moving at a snails pace) I came home to a warm winter day and caught our bovine and equine friends relaxing in the sun.
Roni tries to get as close to Amiga and Zorro as they will let him.
Thursday was a long day at school. I had forgotten to bring my Flash drive home, so went early to work on the day's lesson. Then I stayed late for a meeting after school that went for 95 minutes. Arriving home at 5pm, I was grateful to see Joe doing all the chores so I took a long hot shower.
The pigeons come to the corn crib, I think on a daily basis, to roost each evening. If I don't see them I can usually hear them. This morning they were sunning atop the cupola.
Later Thursday evening, Courtney and Mike came to pick up their luggage that we had brought home form Florida. Courtney picked horses hooves and I brushed each of them.
Even though it was only a three day work week, I was very glad to see today arrive. I did not sleep well at all last night and drug all day today, including through the grocery store on my way home. It was 58 degrees
though, so late afternoon I made
myself go for a walk. Kaysha always enjoys this time. She was also willing to pose for some of my photos.
I was trying to catch her exuberance,
with her coat color against the dried grass,
and the moon rising in the background.
On the way home, again I used her in the foreground to catch the sun setting west of our farm.
Next on my agenda is to post this Blog, watch some TV and go to bed... even though I need to grade papers and take down Christmas decorations. It is such a drag to see the holidays come to an end.
Sunrise, sunset....
It was also difficult to see Britney off for yet another year in Guatemala... but at least I can now look forward to Daniel's approaching return, even though it is just for a few weeks.
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older.... When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?
Sunrise, sunset...
Sunrise, sunset...
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
I have a feeling we are due for some whopping snow falls these next two
months. But, we
have turned the corner of the long nights as the day length increases and we head for spring. I'll keep the coming of flowers in mind along with Dan's approaching R+R visit. This will get me through the next six weeks.
Looking at your beautiful children and then seeing them as beautiful adults made me tear up! I will hug mine extra tight tonight. :)
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