Update

Robin, you are right I have had a few things going on and I am slowly climbing out.  My son lost a friend, a fellow officer last Saturday.  Fortunately he called me because he knew this would be on the news.  I am aware that his job is dangerous and misunderstood.  A correctional officer is a necessity and the men and women that work in a prison are just people like you and me doing a job that few would do.  My son took this job with eyes wide open and he takes pride in his work.  I am not going to tell him to quit because I am concerned about his safety.   I know he can take care of himself.  I just didn’t know what to say when he told me what happened in the chapel.  I didn’t know how to console him when he told me he and other officers carried her out.  I just wish I was there.

I love that quote you sent me, Robin.  It did bring a few tears.  I miss having a dog.   I shower a lot of attention on the dogs I meet in the parks and spoil my grandpuppies whenever I can.   I still miss Surely Not.  There is so much comfort and joy when sharing your life with a furry friend.  I am so happy I had almost 18 years with her. 

Mom and I are in LaBelle Florida again.   We have housecleaning and van maintenance to do.  We are going to head back to Fort Pierce for two days and then slowly start back to Missouri.  I get to meet my new doctor the first of March.  Anna F.  it better not snow and I am going to bring you some Florida sand.  I also plan to stop by and visit my friend, Carol.  She is doing better and hopefully she can come home this year. 

After Miami we headed back to Collier Seminole State Park and then back on the Keys.  We stayed at a Passport America park, Jolly Rogers for 5 nights in Marathon.  Absolutely loved it there.  We met another van dweller from Alaska and shared a lot of information with them.  The day before we left we met another van dweller that will be in a 40-foot motorhome before Christmas.  He loves it and she HATES it.  To crowded, not enough room, and you have to unhook to buy milk.  I didn’t tell her to plan ahead because she was on a rant.  It is good to vent.  On the way to laundry I heard from her husband about the wonders of van living.  Yeah they will be in a motorhome. 

After we left Marathon we went back to Miami for two nights so we could take an airboat ride and visit Shark Valley.  I took a lot of photos.   I saw a lot of birds and photograph 3 rare birds.  Shark Valley is a definite place to stop.  Mom and I took the tram and had a wonderful guide that explained the Everglades National Park very well. 

I will leave you with pictures I took while in Marathon Florida.