Random Thots Upon Returning Home

Linda and I have been home for a couple of days now, being welcomed by cloudy skies and rain accompanied by temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s. It is the equivalent of weather shock when compared to what we enjoyed while in Florida for nine days.

When I asked her, Linda said that one of her favorite parts of our vacation was the time we spent fishing. Frankly, I knew that would be her answer before I even asked the question. Aside from that, her second favorite was our walks together on the beach. That was gratifying in spite of the fact that I got second chair to a fish!

My favorite memory from the trip will be that of watching her stand on the beach surrounded by gulls and pigeons. One cannot walk on to the beach with food in hand without being swarmed by the sea birds and pigeons. There she stood, surrounded by perhaps as many as 150 sea gulls and pigeons on the ground and another dozen or so hovering in the air just inches away from her and above her head. She had some bread in her hands and was breaking off small pieces and tossing them into the air. I found it remarkable to see how agile the birds were and how cat-like their reflexes were as they unfailingly snatched the bits of bread out of the air, not allowing any of them to hit the ground. Noticing the poor pigeons at her feet, she began dropping bread down to the ground so they could have some as well. What fascinated me about the entire picture was the smile on her face and the little girl-like laughter. I will always remember that!

For my part, I enjoyed the pre-dawn walks on the beach at the water’s edge while listening to my audio Bible program. The exercise was good and starting the day by listening to the Bible while walking was much more preferable to doing so while sitting in my car.

I came home with 10 more pounds on my frame than I left with so there must have been something else I liked as well!

We wished that we could stay in Florida … I seriously could live there. We need, however, to find a way to get the Muffin family to move with us! (Hint, hint).

It was good to get back to LYFT driving, though … I did miss it just a little. Yesterday I reached a pickup destination and hit the button to let the rider know I had arrived. The phone rang almost immediately:

Me: Hello

Rider (a young woman): You are at the wrong location, I’m at xxxx Raven Oaks Drive.

Me: Yes, I know and I am here.

Rider: No, you are not. You are on Marywood Drive, I’m on Raven Oaks Drive.

Me: No, I’m sitting in the parking lot in front of xxxx Raven Oaks Drive.

Rider: No, listen to me … I know where I live and you are not there.

Me: Honey (yes, I did say that), The app says xxxx Raven Oaks Drive, the number on the building is xxxx and I am on Raven Oaks Drive. I’ve picked you up here before, I know where I am and I am here … just look out the window.

Rider: I’m outside and I don’t see you because you are on a road a block away.

Me: I’m sitting in a parking lot with a row of yellow garages on one side of me, and a yellow apartment building with brown balconies and the number xxxx on the side. I’m not moving … I’m here … you are here …. just look and you will see me with the hazard lights on.

Rider: (after a pause) OK, I’ll be right out!

Me (to myself): Welcome home, Tim!

🙂