an exceptional anniversary gift

Our good friend, Jack Smith, has been working with me on the repairs of our home. Clearing out old pieces from around the house, I had offered Jack, my old Fenwick fly rod - he loves to fish.

Well, being such a sweetheart, and knowing that it was our 39 anniversary - when Sandy and I had eloped down to the Glades - Jack had kindly listened to my quirky story on how I caught a large Snook on a fly while canoeing through the mangroves, on that special day of our long ago, "Swamp Marriage" at Monroe Station.

So yesterday, Jack showed up with a 5ft long wooden sign which he had crafted while using my old fly rod, and presented this gift.  A nearly forgotten time and place.

a family visit, turned into a house project

The Balaban's annual visit sadly coincided with our major exterior house renovation. Too bad, cause I had hoped to have all the work completed before their arrival. And, disappointed that it took away from my time with the grand kids - with that funny Dustin & sweet Neve.

Balaban's shoes left at the doorway

After clearing out the darkroom, utility room and the work shed - a week into painting the entire exterior

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Though, on their last Sunday in town, the Balaban's invited us to join them for an epic day trip up to the Crystal River area, to "swim with the manatees".  And there, in the Three Sisters Springs, the Balaban family got that once-in-a-life-time chance, to swim among so many.