Back at the Beach

Our check in time was 3, but we were about three hours later getting in.  It does take more than 2 hours to get here, but I was giving the cleaning lady extra time as we thought there was a family leaving this morning at 11.  As it turned out, that family had motorcycle wreck troubles and didn't ever make it here, and we encountered a train in Baldwin that encourages neighbors to get out of their cars and visit with each other and smoke.  Even the First Baptist Church electronic sign says, Stopped by a Train-take the oppoirtunity to pray.

We thought about Callahan BBQ for dinner, but they are closed on Sundays, so we setled for Sonny's take out and waited till we were pretty moved in and cooled down.  I had gotten as far as setting up the electronics and couldn't find the wi-fi password.  It wasn't in "the letter" that our landlady sends with the info we need.  I did look on the reciever but didn't see it.  Just as well as it was an excuse to knock on the neighbor's door.  The first responders are always a gaggle of dachshunds and then some time later by Nell.  She came over and suggested look behind the tv and there it was.  However, she stayed and visited for awhile.  Last year she was with her sister, Alex.  Alex had had a leg removed at the hip, but she relied upon herself for whatever.  Sometimes we would find things she left on the front stairs when she would scoot herself up one step at a time.  She was the one who brought us our first piece of Ms Carolines coconut cake.  She died in April.  Nell said that she was at the door of her own house letting the dogs out and just died.  Not a bad way to go.  Hard for Nell and hard for Alex's dog who now lives with Nell and her dogs.

We got several other stories before she left including the new location of Ms Caroline's and their extended hours.  I think she is relieved to have someone in shouting distance or banging distance.  She makes a good neighbor for us as well.

Stella loves the beach-always has.  Shes not as fast, but the smile is the same.  Of course, she remembers the house, but she gave it a good inspection just the same.

We are alnost settled in. It's nice to know where everything is.  I tried to get our landlady to keep my last year's deposit for this year, but she has her system and it doesn't include keeping deposits.  I might just try again to put in for next October when we leave this year.  It's really perfect for us here.  Marcia even found our Penzey's half sharp paprika in the spice cabinet left from last year.  She does have to reinstall the handhell shower head though.

So we are breathing in the salt air.  There is a trip to Publix tomorrow and tomorrow evening a visit from a cousin.  Never met her, but I've seen her genome.

KG