Another House Guest

This is Teddy.  He's a soft-coat Wheaten Terrier who spent a long weekend with me while his parents attended a wedding in Key West.

My friend Ralph dropped Teddy off last Wednesday afternoon.  I know Teddy well and he's been to my house numerous times so I didn't expect any problems.  I was correct - Teddy was a great houseguest, although we had a difference of opinion about where he should sleep.  He assumed he was welcome in my bed, I preferred he enjoy the comfort of his own bed, which I'd put near my mine.  Teddy won that battle and slept on the foot of my bed.

Most of the time Teddy was there, I was busy on the computer.  I'm busy ferreting out the next adventure and while I found it interesting, Teddy clearly did not.

He wasn't totally bored.  He did enjoy watching the squirrels that run along the wall behind my house.  And, he became a small game hunter, happily chasing lizards around the pool.  Never fear, the lizards were never in any danger.  

This is a view of the back of the organic veg tent.  I took photos from the periphery since it was a  bit challenging to take pictures while holding the leash of a very excited Teddy.

Lots of natural shade at the market, which helps in the summer heat.

On Saturday morning, Teddy and I took a break from the computer and lizard hunting and headed to the nearby Lake Mary Farmer's Market.  We got there at 9:00 a.m. when it opened, to avoid the heat of the day.  Time of day didn't matter, though.  It was only in the low 80's but so humid that I was dripping within a few minutes.  Teddy was excited about the people and new smells and was panting like crazy, but one of the several vendors selling dog-related items had a bowl of water out, which Teddy enjoyed.

The market is small but the setting at City Hall is lovely and the people very friendly.  I talked to several vendors who said that they got into selling "insert product here" because they either lost their job or saw their income decrease significantly during the recession of the last few years.  They decided to follow their passion and seem satisfied with their choice.

After the market we headed to the Sanford Dog Park.  It was the first time for both of us to a dog park, but we both enjoyed it.  Teddy did seem more interested in the humans but he liked the dogs, too.  The park is lovely, with lots of amenities for both dogs and humans, including a doggy mister to help them with the heat.  Next door is a do it yourself doggy bathing station, which I probably should have used.

We got up early on Sunday morning.  While I was putzing around the house, Teddy was chasing lizards by the pool.  That's when I heard a splash and went running for the pool.   Teddy was paddling like crazy toward the side of the pool.  I don't know if he fell or jumped but both of us were surprised.  I scooped him out and dried him off.  I was concerned he would be traumatized but minutes later he was zooming around the pool chasing the lizards.

We headed back to the dog park for an hour of me chatting with humans and Teddy racing like a mad dog with the other dogs.  On our way home, we took the scenic route, through some areas that were built up while I was in Samoa.

The weekend gave me an opportunity to reconnect with Lake Mary and to be reminded of what a beautiful place it is.  I've been gone long enough to be able to look at my own community with fresh eyes.  There are friendly people, physical beauty and all the conveniences I could ever need, including shopping, restaurants, parks.

While I'm busy looking toward the next adventure, which may take me half-way around the world again, I'm enjoying being home.

Near City Hall they have food truck events, Wine/Art walks, concerts and outdoor movies for families.

Parking near the market and some of the shops and restaurants.

In front of City Hall - that's the main street, Lake Mary Blvd., in the background.

Lake Mary is beautiful but not without a bit of danger.  Some of these hawks hang out in my yard and they are BIG.

This is his favorite position.  And the one he was in, horizontally across the bed, the first morning we woke up together.

Teddy is proud to be a Detroit Tigers fan.

I'm Gonna Miss This

Want to really appreciate how good your life is? Apply for the Peace Corps.

Long before I hit the "enter" key to send my application on November 26,2009, I researched and thought about how my life would change. Putting aside for a minute all the enormous emotional, psychological life-changing stuff that will no doubt come from living in a different culture, let's think about the small things we take for granted. Or, perhaps I'm the only one who takes for granted all the creature comforts most of us have.

Yesterday, I put my laptop down so I could toss a load of laundry into the washer. Took another load out of the dryer. Walked back into the cool, clean, quiet family room where my computer was still connected to the Wi-Fi.

A bit later, stepped outside to turn on the gas grill. Threw some ribs on to cook, then turned on the stove inside to sauté some fresh sweetcorn. Took salad fixings out of the fridge - romaine, strawberries, blue cheese. Tossed on a few almonds for good measure. Poured a glass of pretty good red wine.

Later, put down Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" and turned out the light. Stretched out on clean sheets, with the temperature/humidity perfectly controlled. The silence was so loud I could hear it.

After a great night's sleep, I got up early this morning and headed out for a walk. I saw ducks and a great blue heron. Enjoyed a view of the lake while talking with a friend on my cell phone. Avoided getting run over in the crosswalk by an impatient young woman who ran a red light.

Got home and took two tons (ok, maybe a few hundred lbs) of trash out to the curb. Between the walk and hauling out all the stuff I'd cleaned out of my garage I was really feeling the heat/humidity. Took off my sweaty clothes and dropped them in the washer. Walked through the house and hit the pool for a short, refreshing swim.

Back in the house for a hot shower. Then, hopped in the convertible to head to the store to stock up on groceries. After work today, I'll be getting a massage.

I have a very, very good life. I'll miss all the creature comforts that I've taken for granted for most of my life. Having electricity at the flip of a switch. Clean water at the turn of a faucet. Air-conditioning. A flush toilet and hot shower. A huge variety of food. Control over my environment and schedule.

I'll miss all that. I won't miss dodging impatient drivers in cross-walks.

Six months from now, when I'm whining in this blog about mosquitoes, humidity and roosters, feel free to tell me to suck it up and remind me that I chose to leave my cushy life in Florida. I'll be working on focusing on the bigger and more important stuff so I don't notice I don't have a flush toilet.


Photos were all taken near City Hall in Lake Mary, FL.