More Water, Irish Setters and Cemetaries

Posting pictures this winter isn't as organized as in the past. The dogs and I aren't really playing tourist all that often and mostly trying to hang out here in McIntosh area and staying warmer than up north in Ohio and staying active.  But we still do get to play with other friends that have gravitated to Florida for similar reasons.  And did I mention that walking around the streets of McIntosh waving to the neighbors that carefully pass us each day is like being a part of the small community at least for the winter months.  I can almost hear them muttering through their friendly smiles, "Crazy lade with three dogs...."   

And someone from one of the big cities needs to explain how those dog walkers manage to pick up after their small herd of ten dogs......   Three I can handle most of the time but it peaks my curiosity of how the professionals do larger packs. Just wondering here.

Liz and I introduced another friend to kayaking on the Silver River. Irmi took to it like a pro.

Joselyn, a life long friend of Liz's from Ocala, drove up and joined us out on the water, also.  We were helping to remind her of the possibilities that her upcoming retirement from teaching can hold for her.  (38 years....but she did say that she was ready! :-)  )

Left to right: Irmi, Liz and Joselyn.

The Sunday we went back out on the river was the warmest it had been in several days and the traffic on the river showed it.  Many individuals floating and paddling out for their share of Vitamin D.

Irmi may have to introduce her husband Steve to the kayaking experience next.

Another day back at the campground on Orange Lake, Liz and I got Carol back out in a kayak.  Bringing the second kayak is working out well.  It is fun to introduce kayaking to others.  Meditating out on the water.....

Back on the bus, my little artists continue to add to their "nose art" on the front window.....Sunshine brings out the extent of their talent.

Audrey made us drive her down to Lakeland for another dog show.  She got a reserve the first day and was an also ran helping other dogs have fun the second day.  We meet some English Cocker Spaniels, owners and handlers that don't travel up to the mid-west often.  Again, I offered to take at least two of the dogs home to Ohio with me but was politely turned down.  

One of my friendds from Canada had mentioned on Facebook that she was interested in pictures of Irish Setters.  The nice folks set up on the concrete slab with me have raised Irish Setter since 1969.... This boy was their elder statesman.

This is the view out my front door of the rigs that parked lined up on the pavement of the roadway. The pens were for their Whippets.

Location with shade provided.

There was a picturesque water feature.

The day folks in their vans.....

Margie drove up from her home to take in the dog show and stayed to watch Miss Audrey's class. "Thanks, Margie," said Audrey.

The dog show was located on the Aerospace Museum grounds and a small airport.

The big (Provost) and the small (Casita) park side by side....the dogs don't care what they travel in.

The judge really really liked this girl. Besides giving her Best of Breed, here in the Sporting Group ring she gave her a Group 2.  I had Audrey watch closely so she could capture her flair and style.

My neighbor with his Irish Setter in Sporting Group. (The Golden won Group 1)

Stuart took me for walks around the grounds. Not a lot of planes but several experimental prototypes.

And we can all guess why these reminders now have to be installed in the airplanes.....

The neighbor's youngest....

"Stuart, you still awake?" asks Remi. "This hanging out at dog shows and visiting vendors can sure tire us out, huh"

Stuart spent part of one afternoon, watching the Rally O ring.  "Remember when we used to do that stuff?" questioned Stuart. "It was fun! Face it, if my mom, Blondie, could earn her Rally Excellent, I know that I could add another level. My attention span is several seconds longer than hers and food is not always required, unlike mom" chuckled Stuart.

More friends travel through the area escaping temperatures in other parts of the country (and celebrating a very recent retirement!)  Retirement good......   We revisited Historic Micanopy starting with the sandwich shop.

Diana and Carolyn with her famous camera......doing what she does well.

Spring, spring, spring.....

And we wandered through an old cemetery.....  Notice the dates on this head stone and think about which distant downstream relative is still alive to make the trip to remember Mother?, Grandmother? Great Grandmother?

Many of the head stones are so worn way that they are unreadable.  How many of these folks thought they were "un-replaceable" at work...... No one remembers. No one is left to comes wrap ribbons on their stones.....

We also drove past the Pet Cemetery.......

More pictures collecting on the camera......visits with cousins, exciting laundry days, un-recorded card games and more kayaking.....Florida has begun to warm back up and the activities continue.....

Still not missing the deep snow and wind chills of Ohio.