A lesson on size

The trip to the Netherlands helped me get size in proportion. The grocery stores were small, neighborhood stores, although there were some supermarkets around as well. But the grocery store, the corner bakery, the little deli down the street helped me to see examples of our excess in the US. Packages of lunchmeat were about 6 thin slices rather than 2 lb pkgs., a loaf of bread was about 1/2 the size of our normal loaf, cream cheese, honey, ... you name it and the packages were more personal. Now if you had a big family this wouldn't be too economical but for two people, looking to have food for one week, the portion sizes were just right. I can't help but think we would be better off at home if we could find more products packaged for two. There are no bags in the store. You either bring your own or buy one each time you go to the store. Also, since bicycle is the primary mode of transportation, you simply bring your goods out of the store and place them in the basket, no need for a box or bag. It would be easier to carry a few small items rather than the large bags we bring home from the weekly shopping.  Now, I did not do a scientific study but from just general observation the people seemed to be smaller, weight wise at least. They were tall people,  some of the tallest, long legged women I have ever seen in my life.

Roads, at least in the city, were very narrow. Not enough room for two cars to pass either meeting each other or going around each other. And on this narrow street you shared with cars, bicycles, walkers, trucks, and mopeds. The doors to homes were right on the street and in some cases you had to be careful not to fall down stairs since the opening was right through the sidewalk. On one excursion we witnessed two truck drivers battle for space on the narrow street - one driver came in from the north and one from the south. Since they couldn't pass there was quite a bit of horn blowing and gesturing until finally the one from the south gave up and backed out of the street and went on his way.

Stairways are very steep and narrow and are everywhere. Since the land area is so small everything must go up. One guide explained the stairways being so narrow because in early times the people were taxed on the square footage of their buildings and so they made the stairs narrow so as not to take up too much space. The houses and stores were built so that you entered at ground level and most all had what we would consider a basement and then at least two floors above. Out on the farms the multi-storied home acted as barn and home. Since there was no heat in the home, the hay was stacked in the upper level, the family living in a middle level and the animals housed along with them on the middle and lower level. They all lived together to keep warm.

Travel size containers...if any of you have experienced air travel since 9/11 then you know you are limited on size of containers and number of bags you are allowed to carry. Since we were traveling internationally I was especially concerned about sticking to the rules and did a fair amount of research. I found you can pack through creams, gels, liquids, etc but only in 3 oz size containers and each person is allowed only 3 oz of each product and these must be placed in a quart bag (I used gallon bag and combined ours, fortunately we didn't get called out on that). Fortunately, we were not targeted either going or coming for "strip" search to our person or our bags. As most of you know I am of the philosophy that if a little bit is good then a whole lot must be better and I never dreamed I could exist on 3 oz of anything for one week. Boy was I surprised! 3 oz of shampoo will last about 1 1/2 weeks. I would never have thought I could survive with less than a 15 oz bottle. The side benefit is your luggage weighs less which we found to be a huge benefit when we landed in Amsterdam since you are walking with your luggage to your train, to your tram, to your apartment managers office, to the restaurant because you can't check inyet, back to the apartment managers office and then finally to the apartment. I learned you do not need to pack the house to be away for one week - you can get by on less. Who knew?

Quick Post

Jim, Wanda, Jay and I just returned from a fabulous trip to the Netherlands. Spent five days there and two days traveling. I'll post more details in the next couple of days. For now we are just trying to catch up on some rest and get everything put back together from being gone. I took so many pictures I don't know if  I'll ever get through editing them. Thankfully they are digital and I don't have to pay to have them all developed and then discover 1/2 of them are not any good. I played with the camera settings some to try and get some night shots. I don't think I got any "wow" shots but I figure if I keep at it I'll get better with composition. I think I'll post several times about this trip dividing into different segments since I have so much to say one post might get way too long. I will say if you ever get the opportunity to travel outside the US do so - it will truly open your eyes. Fortunately, we traveled to a country that welcomes Americans and most everyone spoke English well enough for us to understand them and fortunately they could understand "Sumter County" English.  US currency is very weak compared to the Euro, it cost us about $1.60 for every 1 Euro. We learned how to get around the area pretty rapidly and the currency is very similar to ours. They use more coins than we do but they were easy: 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent; 1 euro; 2 euro; and then paper currency at 5,10, 20, and 50 euro. If an item totaled 1.98 they just rounded to 2 so there was no need for 1 cent. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and helpful. There is a natural beauty about the country but not what is considered classic beauty. The buildings are ancient and the architecture awesome. Everything is built multi-story because the land area is small. Buildings generally touch and most having common walls and this will go all the way down a block. A lot of the buildings are leaning or slumping in the  middle and at first you are not sure what you are seeing is true. Main transportation in the city of Amsterdam is by bicycle. The large parking lots are for bicycles and at Central Station there was a multi level parking area just packed with bicycles. Parents have seats on the front and back of the bike and for the little ones who can't sit up on their own there is a long basket on the front. This basket is also used to carry goods and is used as a delivery type vehicle. The cars are smaller and the streets are extremely narrow and only one way - there is no way two cars can pass on any street. The bicycles have the right of way (or take it) and no one goes slow on either bicycles, mopeds, cars or on foot. Their mass transit system is very well organized and we used the tram to get around most of the time. On one of our trips a bicycle rider ran into our tram. The driver stopped and talked with the person (no one was injured) and then just drove off. Seemed like a pretty routine event for both parties. It was definitely interesting. The other major form of transporation is walking. I was talking to a security guard and commented on the bicycles, he said most Americans are in awe of the number of bicycles. I think it is because we don't walk or bike anywhere. We get upset if we can't find a parking place just outside the front door of a store. Now the people over there that drive cars and trucks do drive on the sidewalk - can't help it because the streets are so narrow. An individual must very diligently watch for wheeled vehicles or be run over - they don't stop or yield to a pedestrian.

Enough for now - another installment to follow.

Wonderful Day

Yesterday was absolutely one of the most perfect days I have ever experienced. Mama and I got to spend the whole day together!  We left her house around 8 am and didn't return until 5:30 pm. We both had doctor appointments to start out, Yuck!, however, they were both just wellness checks and soon over so that we could really start our girl's day out. We left the last doctor appointment and headed to the mall. I haven't been to the mall in quite some time. I usually avoid it like the plaque but it was the day to resume the visits. Amidst all the dread of going to the mall I have forgotten what a pleasure it could actually be occasionally. I think we'll have to return. Of course it helped that we could go on a weekday morning and that certainly kept the hustle and bustle out. First to JC Penny where Mama was able to find some of the items she was searching for and then on to the shoe store where I was able to find what I was searching for and then on to Sears where we both found items on our list. Mama won the bargain of the day award - she found a blouse at Sears regularly priced at $38, beautiful and just her style (one of those items that just looks like Mama), on clearance for $14.99 and when the clerk rang up the purchase an additional discount brought the price to $4.99. You go girl! We were fortunate that almost all the items were discounted in some fashion, the shoes I bought for Jim were Buy one get one 1/2 price!

When Mama and I go out we try to choose restaurants and foods that Mama likes but Daddy doesn't. Daddy happens to be a very "man" eater and doesn't care for too many or too much spice. So the girl's day out is the perfect time for Mama to indulge her taste.  This day she chose Olive Garden and oh such a good choice.  We were able to sit down, be waited on, and enjoy great food. We chose salad, breadsticks and shared an eggplant parmesean. Perfect portion size to share. The food was great and the time spent talking and visiting was super. From there it was to the book store and then of course no shopping trip is complete without a trip to Wal Mart. After all that heavy shopping we had to stop for a soda and more great talking and did we ever giggle. We had some real serious conversation which was good and stuff that needed to be discussed and at the same time we talked some funny stuff and laughed and laughed and laughed. I hope you slept good last night Mama, I know I did.

On the way home I was reminded I had agreed to help Sarah with Micah at basketball practice and if I didn't get a move on I would be late. I jumped on the motorcycle and about half way to  Bushnell the rain that had been threatening all day finally arrived. It wasn't too bad as long as I was moving but when I started having to stop for traffic lights, I got wetter. All during practice it rained and rained and I knew I had to take Micah from the Youth Center into town to meet his mother and we were going to get wet. He was excited when he found out I had actually come on the motorcycle but a little anxious about getting in the rain. We were both real troopers and the rain cooperated a bit by slowing down long enough for us to get back to town. Micah loved the ride and I can't say I didn't agree. A new experience. When I left Bushnell and got closer to home the rain came harder and harder. I got home safely and in the house where I could dry out. Totally exhilarating ride. I know you all think I am crazy for enjoying a ride in the rain but it's one of those things you have to experience to appreciate  or be a motorcycle junkie.  It really was the crown on a perfect day.

Birthday

 

Last week was Jim's birthday and I had several surprises ready for him. I started the day out with a sort of gag gift. Earlier in the month I had gone to Cracker Barrel restaurant with Marge for lunch and they were serving diet coke with black cherry syrup (actually all flavors this just happens to be my favorite) in a 40 year anniversary commemorative glass. When I got home with my glass Jim was disappointed that I had not purchased him one as well (long standing joke that we get too many commemorative coffee cups and glasses built up in the cupboard). Then the day before Jim's birthday Tiffany and I met Jamie and Susie (Tiffany's cousing and aunt on the Brown side) at Cracker Barrel for lunch and I just had to have another diet coke with black cherry syrup in a commemorative glass and told the girls why. Later in the conversation it came up that the next day was Jim's birthday and Susie who had ordered the same thing gave her glass as a gift as well. So as we checked out I realized I now have three and one more trip should complete a set. I guess I'll just be forced to go back.

So thanks Susie, Jim loved the glasses. Then throughout the day I left presents on his chair consisting mainly of clothes. Now, clothes are nice but are they really presents?? He liked them all but was really exicted when he unwrapped the denim jacket. Sarah, CJ, and Micah came over for cupcakes, lemonade, and fireworks. Then just before midnight I gave him the final gift, which was a gift certificate to Forever Florida for the Zipline Safari and today (11/4) we went on the zipline. What in the world is a Zipline Safari? Well, in this case the setting is Florida pasture land and woods way down past St. Cloud outside Holopaw. On 4700 acres deep in the Florida woods Forever Florida has established eco tours by swamp buggy, horses and zipline. A zipline is a heavy duty cable strung between platforms mounted high up in the air on very large telephone poles. You then strap on a harness that makes a "seat" like in rappelling from rock faces, climb the towers, hook to these cables by carabineers, step off the platforms and zip through the tree tops to the next tower landing. Kind of like parachuting just without the plane and the parachute is the cable. I can't remember how high the first tower was but the guy said we were up to speeds of 17 mph. If you have any phobia about heights just climbing the first tower is almost overwhelming...the feet tingle, the nerves jangle, don't look down! and then you are there.  That first step off that platform was a bit scary and exhilarting at the same time! And totally fun sailing through the tree tops.

The second set of ziplines started with climbing a tower five stories high and zipping down the lines at speeds up to 25 mph and having to cross two "rope" bridges! We almost lost our courage at the bridges but we persevered, faced our phobias and made it across.

There was another couple on the same tour celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, Ray and Elma from outside Seattle, Washington. Elma has been on a zipline in Juno, Alaska but for Ray, Jim and myself this was a first. We can hardly wait to go again. During the trip on this property we saw turkey, deer, alligators, horses, hawks, turtles, and the ever present buzzard. There is also a small zoo like exhibit with a Florida Panther, Macaw, Parrots, alligators, porcupine, and several other type animals.

If you are interested in seeing the "True" Florida check out Florida Forever.

Check out additional photos

Camping etc...

Jim and his best bud Michael have been camping at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest for at least eight years. They enjoy a "Two Guys" weekend and some of the stories they come up with about their adventures are worthy of a book. I would like for them to write a book but so far it hasn't happened. So with the turn of seasons (although it is hard to tell that in Florida) and a little bit of cool in the air a camping trip was planned. See the guys only camp in the cooler months because Florida heat is so oppressive. The difference? Last week I got to go for the first time. No, I didn't horn in on the guy time, Jim and I went up a day early, set up camp and enjoyed the balance of that day and night and part of the next day then I left and later Michael came to camp. I spent the balance of the day shopping my way home. Then Michael stayed two nights and days and I came back to camp. Then Jim and I spent the night and came home the next day. Sounds complicated but it really wasn't. Juniper is absolutely beautiful. I had not been to Juniper since I was a kid and then I only remember going to swim for the day. Swimming is still allowed at the springs and there is also canoe rental available. There is a nice board walk for a short hike and springs, springs, springs. The water bubbling up leaves the bottom sand perfectly white and then the water contrast is perfectly blue. Hard to describe I just recommend you all take the time to visit. I took several pictures of the tree's reflections in the water. The time of day, weather and water conditions were perfect for reflection pictures.  I saw a fern just beginning to unfurl it's leaves and had never seen that early stage before, a cobweb glowing in the sunlight, and the sunlight filtering through the trees in the early morning was just spectacular.  I did get off the path (even though instructions said not to do that) and I have paid the price with red bug bites. Jim had a few because he picked up pine cones and straw for fire starter but I got the worst. We had a fabulous fire each night and I caught some good photos of the fire, however I will not post them because they are hard to see. Jim talks about the fire flames licking up as words and the sparks as after thoughts. There was lots of talking going on in that fire ring.

Now you all know the Ocala National Forest is home to lots of wildlife. There are signs all around not to feed the racoons and to be aware of bears. The rangers hand out flyers about keeping food locked away, out of your camp, how to dispose of garbage, and other ways to keep bears out of camp. So you can only imagine I was on hyper alert. The first night we were very peacefully sitting around the fire when I heard the big central camp garbage can being rattled. I assumed it was a human putting garbage in the bin but it just kept on rattling and rattling until I had spooked myself into thinking it was a bear and said so to Jim. He assured me it was not a bear because the garbage bins are secured with chains and slide doors and are virtually bear proof. Apparently, the human was having difficulty as well because he sure made a lot of noise but as it turned out Jim was right, it was only a human. We had just settled back into the peacefulness of the fire when the bushes to my left started to rustle pretty violently. I screamed and very loudly said, bear, go away bear (as though that were any protection). Jim calmed me down and said it was only racoons, although how he knew that without seeing them is beyond me, and said the bears would not come around our fire and since we had no food out they had no reason to approach. OK, whatever...I still was on bear alert. In the past Jim and Michael have seen and photographed bear and bear cubs out in the forest. Fortunately or unfortunately (the nature lover in me would love to see one, just not in my camp), on this trip we made it the whole time without seeing any bear. The racoons came back to visit a couple of times but never showed themselves.

We really did have a great time and I look forward to our next trip to Juniper. Click for additional photos

Weather in Florida

An absolutely glorious morning for Florida - 64 degrees, light wind, looooooooooooow humidity, no dew. Sat out this morning had coffee on the deck, watched the purple martins and the wrens fight over the bird bath. It will most likely be 100 degrees by noon but we sure enjoyed what was offered for the morning. It was nice to be able to relax on the deck, drink coffee, watch the birds, and everyone else having to rush around to work and school. Yep, just had to rub that one in.

Forgetfulness

Have you ever left some of your groceries at the check out counter in Wal Mart? Well I did and didn't discover it for three days. The four items were non perishable and not items I needed right after the shopping spree but when I did need them I couldn't find them. Double checked the pantry, the car, and all points in between, no items. The whole time I am searching I am telling myself I remember taking the items off the shelf, didn't I? Or did I just think I did? Then dig out the receipt to discover I did indeed purchase them but somehow they didn't make it home. So on my next trip to Wal Mart I asked the cashier if there was anything I could do about my forgetfulness since I had no way to prove I left them in the store. She informed me that cashiers are supposed to take any bags left at the check out to customer service. Customer service then records the date, the items and their UPC codes in a little notebook. They then place the items back on the shelf. Then when you discover your forgetfulness simply go back to Wal Mart, re-collect the items off the shelves, take them to customer service along with your receipt, admit how forgetful you are, and when they have verified all the information they bag your items and you are on your way. This works for perishable items as well but since my items weren't perishable and I didn't need them right away I didn't discover them missing in action for a few days. Hopefully you would discover perishable items missing a lot sooner and if not I truly hope they were left at the store and not in the car. I heard about one lady who left some meat in the car and a few days later couldn't understand why the buzzards were flying around her garage and when she went to investigate discovered her forgetfulness. Thought some of you might be interested to know you haven't lost your money and your product. I now have one of each of the items in stock because I didn't find out the process until I had repurchased the goods. Oh well, live and learn! Happy shopping.