What a difference 2 years (1 year?) makes

Two years ago, we started the worst two year period of our lives, but we survived it and hopefully are better for it. Two years ago tomorrow, we wre scheduled to go to Disney World, but settled for the Palatka Hospital. One year ago we were beginning the rehab from the final operation, resulting in a whole new knee replacement.

Today, we are working on the construction of our new 10 x 12 ft barn roofed shed, which will give us a tremendous amount of additional room, which will enable us to sort through our stuff and be better organized. Today, we completed installing the last of the custom made trusses. Now we have to align, brace and complete tieing them all together and then the roof and finally the door. I can go up and down the ladders, etc, but after a few hours, my legs and knees are sore, so we try and space it out and combine fun with work.

The weather is much more co-operative this year. Last year, during December, Jacksonville had 17 frosts. This year, NONE, so far. We went out on the boat today, with 77 degrees, and a beautiful sunny day. Only 6 alligators, but they were big ones.

Last week, we went to Sea World on Tuesday, Busch Gardens on Wenesday, and Clearwater Beach on Thursday(Winter, the tail-less Dolphin) lives there. Visited with Dick Diamond and toured Clearwater Beach a little. Dick was my college roomate for all four years at Grove City College during 1959-1962. Neither could remember when we last saw each other, but it was fun to get together again. Dick is presently suffering from back and other injuries suffered in a bad fall several years ago.

The story on Winter is that she got severly caught up in a lobster trap rope, and was damaged in the process. Her tail section atrophied and fell off, leaving her unable to swim normally. She was 3 months old at the time and rescued by the Clearwater Museum. The museum worked with some specialty prothesis company and they developed a special tail made of carbon fiber, which has worked, and they are now on #18, because Winter is now 4-5 years old, and continues to grow. A 3-D movie was made (Dolphin Tales) and the DVD was supposed to be released today.

Anyway, Winter has proved to be an inspirational model for numerous children and war vets who have lost limbs and are using different protheses to regain mobility and face life. Winter has proven to be a million dollar dolphin as her story spreads and more and more people come to see her. I was originally unimpressed, but now I believe everyone who comes to the Clearwater area should come and see her.

Tomorrow is my Birthday and we are going to the Deland Flea Market, possibly Alfies for fish and if time, work on the shed.

Like everyone else, we will be busy during the next week. Normas' grandaughter Jessie is supposed to arrive Thursday sometime and Norma wants her to have a boat ride on the famous St Johns, and this is scheduled for Friday(weather permitting). There is also a possibility of going to Sea World again (with Norma and Jessie?). It looks like we are going to be with Jane on Christmas Day?

On the 29, 30, and 31st of Dec. we will be in Jekyll Island, Georgia for an indoor Bluegrass Concert, and may go to Savannah for New years day.

Lester and Sue are due back about the 3rd of Jan, and there are nunerous events going on later in Jan and early Feb.

Heidi wants more pictures, but I have to work at this, so be patient