For Beverly

I got an email today, from a friend up in Canada, who noted I had not done anything on my blog for a good 20 days, which I suppose is most unlike me. Beverly and John live in Nova Scotia and have a home at Cedars Tennis Resort, but reside in/on Cape Breton Island, and like so many seasonal residents of our island here in Florida, tend to stay in touch over the Internet. So, this one's for you, Beverly, and hello to all other readers who may have noticed my absence.

I'm OK, and just very busy - hardly have time to sit in my easy chair with my best buddy Ripley (as shown here). They told me it was my turn in the barrel, so I'm now President of the local Kiwanis Club, and will be until September 30th, 2012, when I hand off the reigns to another Kiwanian. I've been Club Secretary now since 2005, and had that job pretty well figured out, but now I wear several hats. In addition, I'm involved in our BIG fundraising project, the St. Jude Gourmet Luncheon, which has morphed into the Kiwanis Foundation Lawn Party, supporting our scholarship program AND St. Jude Children's Hospital. Am busy selling raffle tickets, for $100, to win either a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, or $20,000 CASH. I've set a personal goal to sell one hundred tickets, and with 30 days left I'm perhaps narrowing the gap between where I am and halfway home. Friends know where to find me, so if interested, I'd be VERY happy to help sell you a one in 400 chance to win. Second prize is $2,000, and there are additional prizes down the line.

Next Sunday we meet in our new church, at 6400 GMD. My wife went inside for choir practice two nights ago, and says it's still got a lot of finish work to do. That included carpeting yet to be laid, so whatever sound they had Wednesday will be a lot different come Sunday with square footage of carpet and fabric seated and backed chairs present. I'll try to remember to take my camera, which will follow up on earlier blogs about the church. Tomorrow we plan to go to the pumpkin patch with the Corvette Club, which will be my first outing with them since the Corvette Weekend several weeks ago up Orlando way. That was a great time, and I had a lot of fun. Elizabeth went north that same week to visit Caitlin, who is expecting our first grandchild (a boy) after Thanksgiving. I posted some pictures of him on FaceBook, until Caitlin asked me not to - he was the "bump" in the pictures.

Besides Kiwanis, I remain active in the many issues that come before me as a Planning & Zoning Commissioner on the island, and yesterday testified in favor of passing an ordinance to allow dogs on our beach, with the proper regulations and restrictions. Dogs become family, and dog owners are responsible people who pick up after their dogs, but our island is one where "I'd like to help you out, which way did you come in" has sadly been the norm and is only slowly changing now that people realize NIMBY is selfishness personified. P&Z is also dealing with cell phone towers, and trying to find a happy compromise while looking to the fact our present ordinances governing telecommunications haven't been reviewed in over ten years. Technology marches on, and we must stay current. Retirement doesn't mean come here to play dead, it means to find ways to maximize your lifestyle, without doing harm to others. Of course, stealth to one person is "in your face" to another.I did manage to wear my stealth bomber jacket to the hearing, and nobody noticed it - so eventually an answer will come, after platoons of lawyers have fought over the field and dollars have been thrown down the appropriate ratholes.

So, a busy Fall season for me, and now you're all caught up. Thank you, Bev - when you get back to Florida, you and John have to come visit the new house in Winding Oaks. That goes for my other friends as well. I'll try to post more often, and thanks for reading Walk on the Wild side.