Memorial Day and Duck Duck Jeep!

 I know we all have a heavy heart with the terrible tragedy in Texas unfolding but it's a good time to remember our heroes in the military. We observe Memorial Day to honor the men and women who lost their lives while in service. We have so much to be thankful for living here in the USA! 

And it's always encouraging and uplifting when we can reach out to each other and bring some happiness.

I've had my Jeep for over a year now and I still love it. 

It's been great for driving around on the backroads of Florida on our hiking adventures. (not crowded in these destinations)

When we were at the Gulf Coast, a Willys Jeep did a little circle near me (at the boat dock) and I said Hello, I have a Willys too! (her windows were down of course) 

She grabbed a little rubber duck off the dashboard of her Jeep and handed it to me with lots of smiles all around!

And then on another day, we were at Blue Run Park when I put a duck on the door handle of this pretty blue Jeep.

 

And as soon as I did, this pretty young lady walked up with a smile on her face and we chatted and took pics. 

It's always nice when you can reach out to others and make a connection. 

AND share some smiles!

Have a beautiful week ahead. 

Go for the GOLD!

 We don't usually go on a hike with a purpose in mind.

We just get out on the trails to enjoy nature and stretch our legs! 

But sometimes we get home with our photos and see a theme.

We saw SO many wildflowers in bloom this week.

I decided to start an identification folder on my desktop to put ID flower pics.

Since I forget what they are from year to year, this might come in handy next year! lol

There are lots of yellows colors and lavenders at this time of year.

So what was GOLD?

Oh, that's my new Mac!

I changed the throw on the back of the sofa in the lanai too to declare Fall in Florida!

It's great and I love it. Thanks hubby for the surprise gift! 

Have you seen any pretty colors in your neck of the woods this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

Thank you Marion County Fire Rescue!

I interrupt all regularly scheduled blogging, housework and putting away of groceries to give a 

BIG THANK YOU 

to the Marion County Fire and Rescue.

The crew that came to my rescue in the parking lot of Walmart this morning!

I was walking out of Walmart at 10 am today with a buggy full or groceries and stopped before I got to my car.

I park in the 'back forty' of the parking lot (around the side of the building) because it's easier to get out of those spaces and I don't mind the exercise. My car was all by itself, the store wasn't very busy today. BUT, I looked ahead and saw a man right next to the driver's door of my car. And to add to my distress, he appeared to be undressing.

I'll skip to the end here and tell you what I think was happening in retrospect. I think it was a working man that was taking his shirt off to cool down and his truck was near by. But I didn't know what to think when I first looked at my car....all by it's lonesome with a man next to it pulling off clothing articles. So I stopped in my tracks. At the VERY same time, the Fire and Rescue truck pulled up and stopped and 2 young men got out. So I walked over to them and told them I wasn't comfortable walking to my car because someone was standing next to it. So they immediately said they would walk with me. The man didn't even walk away when he saw us approaching. I popped the trunk and those 2 firemen unloaded my groceries for me and helped me get them tucked away in the trunk....cold items in the insulated bag and all! 

What would I have done if they hadn't been there? Well, I guess I could have gone back inside the store and asked for assistance. But how wonderful to have those nice young men come to my rescue, without a moment's hesitation. 

I even joked with them when I was thanking them and told them it was nice to have bodyguards and I would blog about them! So here I am, sharing an uplifting human experience. I'm not saying I was ever in harm's way. I said I felt uncomfortable. It's OK to speak up and ask for help when you need it. There was no need to say anything to the man that was standing by my car. I'm sure he meant no harm. 

 I'm very glad the Marion County Fire and Rescue men and women are ready and willing to give assistance whenever it's needed....

with a big dose of KINDNESS!

(Wildflowers seen on the Florida Trails this week.)

So much to be thankful for every day of the week!

The Merry Merry Month of May

May has always been one of my favorite months. It has so many good things to enjoy...lots of family birthdays and Mother's Day. It just doesn't seem the same this year but it's still a month of celebrations AND hope. 

I felt like celebrating when our governor Ron DeSantis announced that State Parks will reopen this month. I know some places in Florida have problems with crowded trails and beaches but that is NOT the case in North Central Florida! There are lots of nice trails with very few people using them (during normal times when they are open). So it will be very easy to social distance. 

The weather is absolutely gorgeous now too so I'm looking forward to getting out into nature more. I think it's too early (at least for me) to go to the shops and restaurants but I am VERY happy for the Florida Trails to reopen.

And if Governor DeSantis visits my blog today....

THANK YOU! 

What a wonderful job you've done during this terrible time. I appreciate your care and concern and the many hours you've worked to figure out ways to help our state. And I also appreciate that you have kept us informed! 

THANK YOU, Governor DeSantis! 

As 'senior citizens' we'll do our best to follow the guidelines and STAY SAFE!!!

All photos taken at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, the one trail that has remained open! Thanks to Southwest Florida Water Management District for keeping HTP open (and mowed!) 

I hope things are improving where you live too! 

How are you doing this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

'Playing' at home!

Staying at home? I'm pretty much a home body anyway so I don't mind being at home a little more (as long as I can get out on the trails and hike some too).

I spent a little time in my boxes of Spring decorations and added a few things here and there.

And redressed Noel in a pretty pink dress.

It's hard to feel lighthearted at this time but I'm staying busy and praying for everyone.

Hubby gave me the cutest card for our anniversary this month. I hope you can see it well enough to read it! (the card on the bottom in the center is the one I gave him)

I appreciate my fellow bloggers that are sharing 'stay at home' ideas. What are you doing to stay busy? My husband does volunteer work for our community from home so he has been super busy. Thanks to everyone who's helping to make a difference during this difficult time. Thanks hubby! 😘

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

We've Persevered!!!

Lavender Dreams too is alive and well tonight! I'm trying not to get too excited yet because last Monday night it came back for a few hours. Then when I got up on Tuesday morning it was gone again. So I need to wait a few days before I go crazy posting and celebrating!

We didn't receive any emails this time telling us it was restored either. So we have no idea who is responsible for it's return. But I'd like to give all of YOU credit for that! You really came to my aid in time of need! I'll always remember the sweet comments and emails you sent me. And cherish the friends that took the time to post on their own blogs about what happened to me. I appreciate the blog techs working for us and Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable and Linda at Life and Linda. I don't want to try to mention everyone's name here because I know I would miss someone and I don't want to do that! Just know how grateful I am for your support and encouragement. 

It's been a stressful week for my husband and I both...stress that we don't need! Life gives us enough challenges as we all know.

I have to include one photo but I'll save the story 'behind' it for later! The stories of our lives! How we love to share them!

 I'll keep this short and sweet! And we'll meet back here in a couple of days. If I'm alive and kicking, I'll work on a post for Thankful Thursday. That would be perfect, don't you think?