That Holiday Letter
Happy HaPPY HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
We are four years in Southern FLorida! And we have never been more appreciative. Treetops glisten with morning dew on walks in OUR winter wonderland. I’d have to say the best part of our decision to move to the tropics is the weather. Admittedly, even I am done with the snow and cold. Gerard is the happiest and most content person I have experienced in our ten year relationship. Yes, married 10 years this past September! We’ve been blessed in retirement. We still create jewelry, playing mostly with commissioned pieces. Neither of us have been in the space to market and sell. Maybe it will take on a life of its own and show us the direction to go. Still, there is not a moment of regret about leaving the northland and I do my best to stay in gratitude for our way of life.
I love kayaking and being in the pool almost daily. I’m trying to learn how to grow food in this heat. So far not too successful. I have beautiful zucchini plants, but no zucchini! Tomatoes and herbs are doing well. Hoping to have a good sweet potato crop. This year we have really become plant-based with our eating. I have grown to love to cook. I think that is because I’m retired and have all this time. We still eat seafood occasionally, and we will eat meat that others have prepared for us, but a vegetarian way of life fits us best. We are thrilled to experiment with produce and the abundance of it that we have here year round–Farmer’s Market twice a week!
Gerard keeps the grounds impeccable and is a voracious reader. He is the champion for my travel adventures. Being on the road is just not his thing. He is happy and content to be home with the kitties.
Moscow
Kole and Chino
We still have three. Kole, Moscow and Chino. Sitka is now 13 and age is not being kind. He had a horrific bone infection and we are still fighting it. The vet first diagnosed it as cancer, but he has survived. His spinal stenosis and arthritis are sure taking its toll. And now we are dealing with seizures called fly-snapping syndrome. I know our travel days are numbered. I don’t think there are any more long road trips in his future. It is our honor and privilege to care for him at this stage in his life. He is the best dog ever.
However, we did have a fabulous trip this past summer. Sitka and I left early on our journey to find cooler summer temps. We spent time in northern Georgia and then headed for the mountains–Smokies, Cumberland, Allegheny, Appalachian and the Blue Ridge. In the next few months, I hope to take Sitka on close overnight trips here in Florida to give him changes in scenery and new smells. Old Florida has wonderful hidden treasures to explore.
There is so much to look forward to at this time of the year. I was able to bring all 6 grandkids together a couple of times this past year. Now, it’s their turn to be here. Chaz, Britta and the girls (Halyn-10, Myla-8, Elidy-6) arrive the 27th of this month. We have airbnb guests all of Februrary. Our friends, Steve and Corine will be here in March. My sister Margie and my nieces will spend a week in March with us also. My mom still winters here at her condo in nearby Naples. Hoping Erin, Ryan and the boys (Reed-8, Trey-5, Levi-3) can make it this April. Lord knows they need a break from the Minnesota winter. And we need more time with them...they all grow much too fast.
The most difficult part about our move to Florida and for our prospective guests is that we have found ourselves in the middle of an ecological disaster. The details of that don’t belong in a holiday letter. If interested in knowing more, I am happy to share information. We can use all the help we can get. We vacillate between selling now or digging in to the issues and doing what we can to help save Florida and its wildlife. All of us can make a difference. I wonder what our next year’s letter will read. I can only have hope.
For now, our house is decorated for the holiday... glistening lights and seashells. Holidays in SoFlo don't look the same as we once knew... palm trees not pine. We do get a few cool days and enjoy sitting by the fire. We wish for you the love of family and much joy in the upcoming year.
Catherine and Gerard