Hard to believe, but yesterday, we went down & explored the beaches south of Venice.  We started in Englewood, where we'd found a QUILTER'S CORNER store (oh, was I in heaven, as they were also a Babylock dealer and TAUGHT CLASSES and had open sewing & embroidery club meetings...oh, could I ever drop a bundle, given the opportunity).  Good thing Sunny was waiting in the truck & it was hot - kept me focused on our purpose — getting my machine tuned up & checked out.  Got lots to do, now that we have so much TIME OFF!  Anyway, did our business, then hit the road.  Went a few miles, found some home-grown star fruit (kinda sweet-tart, best eaten with strawberries & kiwis) and 'maters (mmmmhmm, they were good), then went on to some fabulous shelling beaches (Boca Grande, Manasota Key, Gasparilla Island).  Found bunches of fossilize shark teeth, just walking along.  Water was CALM and WARM, and CLEAR.  Wished that we had a sitter for puppy and had brought our suits, but settled for just wading along, shelling as we went.  Was surprised at the number of shells, and how UNpopulated the beaches all were. 

The entire day was sunny, clear & hot, but in the afternoon, all of  sudden, clouds started rolling in, and they got darker by the minute.  Along the way home, thunder rolled and we went right into a roiling storm.  Even had to wait it out parked at the Walmart.  We haven't seen rain that hard in many many months. In fact, cannot remember last rain that hard.  Probably last time we were here!  haha.  Didn't last long, tho, and we were on our way again in about 10 minutes.  Rained some more during the dinner, but nothing so hard as earlier.  Then it was really cooled down and I had to wear a jacket again.  Bummer.  Oh well, wasn't anything like the cold of GA!!

Speaking of not being like GA, can you believe it??  Today marked our 2nd day of work, and we've already been here SIX!  Ahhh...I feel guilty!!!  To make up for it, I am planning to go in a bit tomorrow, just to get some practice on the software, as we got 3 reservations after we'd closed out the register.  Since all charges are applied at time of reservation, we decided to enter them tomorrow.  Jose has power washed all the deck chairs by the pool, and the deck, and we don't know what's next in store for him, but we do know it won't be after-hours propane pumping! 

Well, doggie's waiting to go out, and I'm getting urge for popcorn...just wanted to say hey & let you know what's up.  Keep collective chins up, dancing feet happy.  Be good & safe travels to all..
k