September Summer

 

"Balloon Glow" in Colorado Springs, CO
September 1, 2024

Today's post is titled, "September Summer" because, while many of my blogging friends are posting the very first signs of approaching autumn in their locales, daily temps here in North Central Florida continue to easily register in the low to mid-nineties. There has been some relief with a little less humidity, and believe me, I don't take that for granted. 

While I don't miss shoveling winter snow, I could do with a bigger indication of changing seasons. Ah well.

I have lived in Colorado Springs twice in my adult years (1977-1979 and 1988 - 1995), so one of the thrills that came with Labor Day weekend was the annual hot air balloon festival. Not as large as the one in Albuquerque but still very impressive, the display of lit-up balloons at dusk was a treat. After parking the car, we would walk to the scene and wander between the balloons with the crowds. At that time of evening, all the balloons were securely tethered to the ground but the burners were running full blast, illuminating the scene with wonderful color and even filling our ears with the noisy blast of the fires. I do miss that.

Pikes Peak from the perspective of
Garden of the Gods

Before I leave the topic of Colorado Springs, here is another photo recently posted on FaceBook of a much-loved, familiar scene. Pikes Peak is one of many "fourteeners" as Coloradoans call them (mountain tops at 14,000 feet, or more, in elevation). On a clear day (which is easily at least 325 days out of the year), the city can see the Peak that looks down as if in charge of all that is going on. 

Well, so much for that stroll through some memories. It's been seven years plus two months since we left Colorado in the rear view mirror to retire in a state closer to the grandchildren with a lower cost of living. I have no plans to go back, especially now that the last of my family we left behind have also moved on to another state.

downtown Jacksonville on the
St. Johns River in 2017

A lot of memories have accumulated since coming to Florida, many of them documented in my blog posts. I won't go back to visit them right now except with the insertion of a couple of snapshots.

light house in St. Augustine

My life's destiny has been to relocate to new places (10 states and Canada, 13 schools Kindergarten through high school graduation). I learned long ago it's best to accept what I cannot change and live by the adage to "bloom where you're planted." 

Little Birdie Blessings blog

This Bible verse attests to the benefits of acceptance and has tutored me during the more difficult changes put upon me:

But godliness with contentment

is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.

I Timothy 6:6-7 KJV

wall decor in my last house
(probably from Hobby Lobby)

Thus far the memories I've made in Florida can be described as both eulogy and rhapsody and a lot in-between. As far as it may depend on me, I intend to remain a Floridian because no place this side of Heaven's gate is perfect (and moving is a lot of effort for this retiree).

dead ends at the beach
https://www.floridaforboomers.com/retirement-spotlight-daytona-beach/

We made a pleasant memory this past week when we drove east of here to Daytona Beach. While the town boasts itself as the World's Most Famous Beach, our trip was for a more banal reason: I needed to return a pair of shoes ordered by mail that did not fit well. There is a large outlet mall several miles west of the hard-packed beach that allows car traffic. We got no closer to the ocean than that on this particular day.

(it's amazing what bloggers will capture for their blogs!)

With that task satisfactorily completed, we wandered in and out of several more shops and then decided to find lunch and head back home before traffic got heavy.

Buc-ee's Daytona Beach
on I-95

As one would expect, many of the popular restaurant chains and fast food eateries were represented at the outlet mall. Gary was interested in going to Buc-ee's because he'd not been inside one and we are told our town will be getting one soon. But as it turned out, although Buc-ee's has a lot of great food offerings, there was no place to sit inside the air conditioning and in Florida's heat, dining in our car held no appeal that day.

Gary with one of the eye-catching Fords

As we were arriving at the outlets, I had spotted this place with an automobile theme. Since Gary is definitely a car aficionado, and Buc-ee's was not going to work out this time, decided to suggest we dine at Ford's for lunch.

my plate

Affiliated with the Ford Motor Company, this restaurant franchise was a fun departure from our usual choices. We both had the half rack of pork ribs. Gary ordered French fries on the side and I had steamed broccoli. The food was great. But the decor was fascinating, too.

napkin with napkin ring

This swank place had cloth napkins -- an oil rag with a metal hose clamp for the napkin ring. Car engines and tools were in prominent display, setting the theme very well. 

rest room sink

In the rest rooms, the sinks were tires with a metal bowl in place of the hubcap. The water came out of a gas pump. I will say that the handle to turn on the water, which is not seen in this snapshot, was a test of my ingenuity to turn on. The lady at the sink tire beside me was as baffled as me, but together we managed to figure it out. The rest of the day went very well and since then we have been enjoying the Labor Day weekend comfortably here at home. 

cheese quesadillas

We have been enjoying the Labor Day weekend comfortably here at home. Still thinking about food, my quesadilla maker had been shoved to the back of a cabinet but I happened to spy it the other day. We had a light supper one evening of shredded cheese between the flour tortillas, dipping the wedges in fat free Fage yogurt.

burgers and fries

On Saturday Gary grilled his World Famous Hamburgers with all the fixin's on the buns, and accompanied with potatoes from the hot air fryer.

brownies 

Speaking of things forgotten in the pantry, I came across a box of Betty Crocker Brownie mix. I LOVE to cook with my cast iron wedge pan, so this was the holiday weekend dessert. 

I mixed the batter and after emptying the bowl, I gave it to Gary to finish off. Since he was involved with watching football on TV,  I told him to just call me when he was done. This was his response:

My man knows how to put a smile on my face and a chuckle on my tongue!

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

 

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,[a]

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.

      

Until next time, grace and peace.