If you are lucky enough to be at the beach ...

.... you are lucky enough.

On Peanut Island - 

An afternoon at Peanut Island with Sue, Angie, Jim & Don aboard Captain Joe's shuttle boat.
View of the Black Diamond (converted ferry boat into gambling ship) coming in from the ocean, with the
dredger still working away in the inlet. And a Gray Nickerbean Vine (name thanks to Sue's research).

Bryan came for a 5-day visit - 

Don & Bryan at the end of the Palm Beach bike trail and pier. I rode a bike while they bladed.
Don and Bryan at the Sailfish Marina - first-morning tradition!

Julie came for a 3-day visit - 

Julie & I on the WPB Clematis pier after shopping at the Farmer's Market,
and touring the Breakers.

A reef is born

My next door neighbor in NJ is here visiting me for a few days and we're having a great time.
Today as we had breakfast on the balcony, we noticed a little parade of boats out in the water.
Turns out the one boat was about to be sunk just off shore to create a reef. I'm sure we'll hear
more about this as divers enjoy the emerging reef for years to come.  

Subject: The Danny McCauly Reef  A 71-year-old, 110-foot tugboat is sunk to make an artificial reef for divers in memory of Danny McCauly  who died a year ago today. http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91082&sitesection=sesunsentinel&VID=24468570

Christmas 2012

Yes, this is a tad out of order but so what ... :)

Christmas 2012 was sad and wonderful for us. Sad in that we missed my Dad, and wonderful in that we were all together for Christmas with my Mom. We have not all been together in a long time - maybe at Mom's and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary dinner - so about 7 years ago. We had a chance to all share our memories of Dad and past family gatherings. He was definitely with us in spirit!

On Christmas day we gathered at the hotel where all of us were staying for appetizers and cheers, and a little gift exchanging. Then we went on to dinner at the Airport Marriott, which was very nice.

Mom surrounded by her grandchildren

Vicki & John

Cathy & Stunned guy

The next day, Boxing Day, we all went to the Air Canada Centre to see a Toronto Marlies game, with a little pregaming at the Real Sports Bar & Grill. What a great time on a freezing cold day! Even Kathy, Adam & Brandon came into town to join us for the game and dinner afterwards.

We also celebrated Christmas with the Gill family, enjoying a fun day with everyone at Kathy's home.

The Gill side of the family! 

Barb & Doug

Cathy, Kathy & Barb

The boys bashing it out - Eric, Michael & Bryan

Paps & Daughter - Don & Carolyn

Brandon, Erin & Adam

We were home in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with neighbors and boyfriend (Carolyn)!

Raindrops

Sitting on the balcony today, listening to the rain, and thinking of my Dad who always loved to be outside with the pitter patter of raindrops.

Singer Island Firsts

Since Don and I have become official condo owners, just over a year ago, we have often remarked on how "the ocean is different every day," which I put in quotes because it sounds like something my parents probably said but I didn't pay too much attention to at the time. (Sorry, Mom.) So I thought I'd start a new Label for my own purposes to start to track some of these "firsts" or "never seen befores."

To play catch-up, here are the firsts noted to date:

• bait fish so thick that they literally fall out of the water leaping over top of each other (Sep 2011)
• hurricane Sandy storm surge damage (Oct 2012)
• sailboat washed up onto the public beach (Oct 2012)

This boat slowly broke up after days of being pounded by the surf.

• search and rescue mission for a swimmer lost in a rip tide current at the inlet (Feb 2013)

Very sadly, a group of us watched a search and  rescue attempt on Feb 9 (Sat.). The swimmer, a 44 yr old man,
disappeared after saving an 11-yr old girl. He was not found. I'm in this photo with Marsha, my neighbor, which appeared in the Palm Beach Post. I feel so badly for the family and friends of this man who were waiting and
watching with us. Who thinks that when they wake up in the morning, today will be their last. :(

• pipe repair barge in the inlet (pipes carry sand to keep the inlet at its required depth) (Feb 2013)

Several tug boats surround this massive barge.

• Toby in Florida (Jan/Feb 2013)

Toby watching the birds soar  between the condos.
As Vicki said, he just needs a 'Kittini' for cocktail hour!

I know there are more firsts but this gets me started.

Thanksgiving 2012

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice again in 2012. We went north for Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October where we had a good visit with my parents - my Dad was still at home, still himself in every way except his limited mobility - and had a meet-halfway lunch with Kathy and her boys. (Wish I took a pic or two.)

Then Hurricane Sandy (previous post) where I was "stuck" in Florida for a few weeks, then back to NJ for a week, then a drive down to Florida to meet our kids for U.S. Thanksgiving … we had already planned to be together in Florida so we kept to the plan.  

Thanksgiving dinner at Sue & Jeff's in Palm Beach Shores

Catching rays by the pool

Late afternoon view

A week later Bryan drove back with us, while Carolyn flew back to see the last PSU football home game of the season. (PSU had an awesome season – BILLIEVE!)