Bonfires and Rain

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day, sunny and mid 70's(F), so after we got the morning's task completed I got out for a short ride. After that I decided to build a nice bonfire for us to enjoy as the sun started to settle off in the horizon. Well OK as the sun set behind the forest, since we can't really see the horizon from here! ;-)

So for those less talented at starting fires than I am, here is the easy 4-step method that I use:


1) Kindling - It's important to use small very dry twigs, branches, leaves, paper, cardboard, etc. as your base









2) Build a Tepee type structure with the medium to large sized branches, leaving plenty of room for air to flow in to keep feed the fire from the kindling.






3) Light the kindling using a long handled lighter, same as for lighting grills.










4) Kick back and enjoy!














Today we finally got some much needed rain. The temperature was still nice, in the mid 60's(F), and I thought I'd grab a couple of pictures. The Forrest takes on a little bit of a different look when it's raining, but it's beautiful just the same.



















While I'm writing this the rain is easing up and clearing off, so we should have another star filled sky tomight. Tomorrow looks to be dry, sunny and mid 70's(F) again. We'll see what that brings!

He's a Lumberjack and He's OK....

So we decided to smoke some ribs for dinner yesterday! No problem, except I don't have a smoker/grill, no charcoal either, hmmm. Let's see I've got a clump of dead trees right over there, dang, my chainsaw isn't running. OK what did they use before chainsaws? I don't have an ax either, just a splitter, ah ha I do have a cross-cut bow saw!

That's how the day started yesterday. I was able to get a couple of the dead trees dropped and had them cut up by 10:30AM. So I gathered up some kindling and got the fire started so it would be ready for cooking in time for dinner.



Making the drop angle cut












Conquered that one














Building the fire








































Just add meat









The payoff, complete with spicy potato salad and a killer rough cut slaw provided by Lightnin













It's fun living back in the woods!

It Takes a Lot of Clams!

We decided to locate one of the seafood markets around us to get something to cook for dinner the other day. We ended up going to the highly recommended Rick's, in Cross City; where we were able to purchase some huge shrimp and a 10lb bag of clams.

Ten pound may sound like a lot, but it's mainly the weight of the shell because the local clams are tiny, tender, and sweet! If you've ever had the little tins of smoked clams or oysters then you know what size these little clams are, but amazingly packed with flavor!

So what to do with them, well for an appetizer I steamed about half of them in a garlic, herb, and white wine sauce which held us over until the min event was completed. For the mian course I whipped up a Sicilian style red sauce which we served over spaghetti.

Both dishes came out fantastic! The steamers didn't make it through the night, but we stretched the pasta sauce out for several meals after!


10lb bag-o-clams








Steamers








Main event













What happened to the shrimp? Well that will just have to wait for another post now won't it! ;-)

Morning in the Woods

It's been warm enough that we've been able to get into the routine of having the first cup of coffee out on the deck. Here's a glimpse of our wake-up view.


I never get tired of looking at our palms!









One of the trails I'll try to keep clear







If you look close in this one you can see the post that marks the southwest corner of the property










Unfortunately we do have some nosey neighbors. They're actually rather comical to watch. Mostly they try to stay hidden in camouflage, and behind objects, but when the sunlight finally comes out bright enough they can't help but expose themselves!





Our nosey neighbors, The Anole's!












They're probably the closest thing we'll have as far as pets down here, at least for now. We are really enjoying the freedom of getting out whenever we feel like it, at the drop of a hat, and if you have pets you have to make preparations for them to be properly cared for.

We'll also get around to some new picks of the house in the future. Right now it's still pretty much in disarray, as I mentioned we're only tackling one task on the list per day. Once we get it presentable we'll share! ;-)

Which Way Do We Go?

So Saturday morning after breakfast we thought we might get the bike out and head over to Cedar Key. We've shown excellent restraint so far, being here for an entire week and not going over there, so we thought it was time.

We ran into a few new friends who had mentioned another possible destination for us: "Scooter Haven". So we thought about it and decided: "Hey we can go to Cedar Key anytime, why not give it a try", so we did.

It's a pretty nice campground/biker hangout, located just north of Inglis, and I mean just north!




First impression












Nice decorations









The temporary jail, if you get out of hand










The clubhouse














So then yesterday we thought we'd get the little car out and finally did head over to Cedar key. The weather was fantatic, mid 70's (F) and plenty of sun. We grabbed lunch of fried oysters, boiled shrimp, and steamed clams all good stuff! Then we walked around the shops for a awhile and then took a little sceneic drive around the island before heading back to the woods.



The tide was in, usually I just get to see the bare mud flats.











Lunch!











Sunning like a gator on the river bank to get my batteries recharged.









I could get used to this!

Yesterday's Task (updated)

So here it is:

















If you recall I mentioned that we're picking one task on our list and working on it in the morning and then basically goofing off the rest of the day. Well this was my task yesterday:




Can you guess what it is?











Maybe this will help:

Hectic Schedule

Since we left Cincinnati in a whirlwind it was now necessary to unpack and put things away in the new home. So we decided logically that the place to start would be the place that the house is centered around, the kitchen of course! We adjusted the shelving in the cabinets and rearranged the stuff that we had previously brought down and now the kitchen is functional at maximum efficiency!

It's important to point out that we've adopted a strategy to this retirement thing, and that is that we have put together a list of work items that need to get done and we will work our way down that list one item at a time. We will work on each item until noon that day, and if we get it completed early we're done. If we don't get it done by noon then we finish it the next day.

So with our work behind us yesterday Lightnin decided to stay home and read from her Kindle and I leathered up and went for a nice long ride.

The sun was out and the temperature was up to 65F. I decided to take a loop from the OTT to CJ's, then to Bear's Den, and end up back at the OTT. It ended up being a 70mile run and I made it home by 5pm. That timing is critical for two reasons: 1) It gets dark here around 5:30pm and I mean dark! The last thing I want to do is try to ride the bike down our lime rock road in pitch black and 2) It does actually get cold at night here this time of year, and with the extra humidity in the air it carries some impact.

So what's on the agenda for today? I'm not sure I guess I'd better check the list to see!

We're Back Up And Broadcasting From The Cabin In The Woods

So where do I start, let's see: Retired on Thursday, packed up and headed south on Friday (12hr 30min drive door-to-door), unloaded and here we are!

FC and Mrs. FC had us over for a fish fry the next day (New Year's Eve); where we got to see their lovely young ladies, and missed JR because he had to work (Hey we've been there!) We also got to meet some new friends and the food of course was fantastic (Mrs. FC that Chocolate torte was killer!). What a way to bring in the new year!

On New Years Day we went to a pot luck "hang-over party" at The Old Town Tavern (OTT). The menu was: the best black eyed peas I've ever eaten, greens, and several types of corn bread. If this is any indication then it's going to be a good year!

We worked around the house the next day, which means: we finally unpacked!

Then on the 3rd we headed to Gaterville to complete one of Lightnin's "Bucket List" items, to meet her cousin from Brazil who just happened to be on vacation in Florida. It was so nice to meet Sergio and his family! We talked and laughed and he and Lightnin were able to fill in gaps that had been opened years ago, what a great experience! We'll stay connected from here out.

Here we are (from left to right): Their daughter Fernanda, Yours truely, Ligntnin, Sergio, His Wife Anamaria, and their son Theodoro.
















One final good-bye photo (I'm thinking: Hasta luego, Bis spater, or Zaijian rather than good-bye though):
















That brings us to today. Probably boring to most of you, but we went through and rearranged the shelves and contents of the kitchen cabinets, making the set-up more efficient then it was when we first blew in and threw things in their places. Don't get in my way in our kitchen now 'cause everything is in it's place and I can move like a cat in there! ;-) The reward of course was a ride on the bike, a short ride I'll confess, but a ride none the less! Yes, we're having a record cold spell down here this week; and yes, everyone here is blaming me (somewhat joking), but hey the sun was up and the roads were dry so I leathered-up and rode!

So that's about it for now, we'll see what tomorrow brings!

YEEABBA, DABBA, DOOOO!

I think Fred said it best when it came to quittin' time!
Here I am at the ultimate quitting time, retirement; well actually I have a year of paid vacation and then retirement! ;-)

Bye, Bye Ohio; Florida here we come!!!


It may be awhile before we get hooked back up to the Internet, but be patient I'll be back on-line soon!

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Merry Christmas to all!

Just so you know the number is now 2!

I thought I'd take a look at my January schedule to see what things look like for the start of the upcoming year. It looks like its wide open! ;-)

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Happy first day of winter!

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The End is Near!

No this isn't a forecast for doom, it's just announcing that the end of my current career is near. After 30 years of working in the consumer goods industry I'll be calling it quits in a mere 18 working days.

Looking back it's been interesting, sometimes exciting and amazing, but mostly fun. Yes that's right I said fun. I've "met and usually exceeded expectations" (inside joke), made some amazing discoveries, learned from mistakes, laughed at myself and taught others to laugh with me.

I've been fortunate enough to have moved around within my company and learn many different aspects of the business of research and development and production. I've also been lucky enough to have traveled around the world several times and learned how to be comfortable living out of a suitcase for months at a time (for me it was sort of like very comfortable camping). I've learned how to feel comfortable being a stranger in a strange land, and picked up several languages and many, many friends along the way.

I think I'm ready to get off the plane for awhile and just sort of remember what it's like to "be me"! Not me the scientist, not me the singer, not me the cultural historian, just ME. The me that I set aside 30 some years ago. The impulsive me, the silly me, the sit and stare at the woods for hours at a time me, just ME! The "Hey Lightnin, let's hop on the bike and head to the coast?" me, the do something subtle yet silly to get Lightnin to look up from her book and smile (OK I've been doing that this whole time, but there'll be more of that) me, the take all day to cook some extravagant meal me, the watch the sun rise and hang around to see it set in the same day me, just ME! Yes, I'm definitely ready to get off the plane for awhile, and actually unpack all my bags!


Lightnin and I are about to start a new chapter! I'm looking forward to seeing where this new part of the journey will take us. Of course I know where it will start, on a 6 acre slice of oak and palm tree heaven!


Come along for the ride and see what happens next!