Catch Up - Nov 04

Monica: Wilbur Hot Springs

Catch Up - Oct 6

(Monica)

Catch Up - Sept 24 - Andrew

(Monica)

Catch Up - Sept 21

Catchup - Sept 4

Evelyn: This is one of my favorite cookies. I haven't bought any in years. However, if one happens to come my way... 

Got My Back?

Evelyn: [Monica's picture] All I can gather is that they are headed back to Wilbur...

It's A Colorful Life

Evelyn: I am headed to Gulfport with Andre... a storm is on its way and the sky is spectacular.

Waiting

Evelyn: We eat out a lot. Pito comes out to visit and we hit the Ozona Pig for a delightful dish. We wait, entertaining each other with banter and stories and rubiks cubes.

Sense of Community

Evelyn: I pick up Andre, his first time back in FL since he stayed as a teenager. We jump into laughter and food and a sense of family right away.

[Monica (by Evelyn) The land is burning near Wilbur. The residents have been evacuated as teams of State and Community firefighters work to save the property and residents livelihood. I can only imagine the sense of cohesion and community as they all move through their experience together, balancing life with some time fear and concern. This is how family is built.]

Greens

Evelyn: Dinner with a friend who cooked an unexpectedly different and delightful meal. I felt appreciation for the care he took, the organization of his efforts in a one-ass kitchen as I plugged away at Javascript lessons. Conversations over papaya salad and steak... 

Coming & Going

Evelyn: Morning beach walk, and for once I went to the pier. I paused to stand, just as she did, to take in the meditative lull of the waves moving along the pillars.

Small Crowds

Evelyn:  This little crowd of red flowers bloomed in my patio - which to me is always a miracle, since I don't know much about gardens, dirt, or making things grow. I do, however, love the plants to grow in spite of me.

A Bit Playful

Evelyn: Buddha has been staring at my laundry room for weeks. He's a tiny figure, and yet, when I see him and get close, I love his happy face, arms up to receive and take in all the blessings that tumble through our lives - even the laundry getting done.

Big to Little

Evelyn: One of the parting gifts from the shower was a little plant with yellow flowers. I have been enjoying how they open and shut like California poppies.

The Current Pace

Evelyn: Today was Jamie's wedding shower. One thing I love about Jamie are the fabulous shoes she chooses. We have tried going on shoe adventures, but my feet are too rustic and finicky and adhere to the belief that the closest thing to naked, flat, and grounded, the better. But, she is my little shoe goddess.

Monica: (Evelyn writes...) So, I understood that Franklin's retreat burned down today after a late day conversation with Monica. Of course, as remote as they all are, and so close to state lands and miles of dry nature, a parade of firefighters from the local casino and towns were very busy over the next few days. I was sad to hear that flames were adding to the stress of acclimating to Wilbur. Regardless, I also heard the depth of gratitude for the firefighters and their diligence.

Fluming

Evelyn: Monica and I got up early to spend some time in the flumes. The morning sun slowly burned off the steam. The mornings here are nippy, and the flumes hot and relaxing. The logo for Wilbur are a pair of feet on the edge of the flumes, and since we were the only two, other than Oscar who was cleaning down below, we took some amazing pictures of the flumes under the morning light. I have been joking that I have spent so much time in the flumes I smell a bit like a cross between an old egg and hippie dust.

Caught

Evelyn: It was one of those late working days... one of those late nights to catch up on all the rest of my life that isn't work related. This was the only light on downstairs, illuminating the stacks.

Monica: Walking to work this morning, I passed what appeared to be an odd-shaped stick in the parking area. Upon closer inspection, I saw it was a salamander, encrusted with frost and apparently frozen in place on the gravel. I was able to get right up next to him for a little photo shoot. The poor thing got caught outside on a cold night and hadn't quite thawed out yet.

Is It Time?

Evelyn: Gizmo is notorious for letting us know when it is time for bed. He sneezes at you, and stares back at the bedroom or bed until you "get the picture" and join him for "nite nite." If you neglect listening, eventually he crawls in without you.

Favorite Things

Evelyn: I am tempted to snap the 12 days of Gizmo, a certain lap dog who enjoys being up high with us people. He can keep an eye on things, determine if we are headed out for a "ride", assess what is being made in the kitchen, and attend to well deserved belly rubs.

Monica: One of my favorite things about the hotel at Wilbur Hot Springs is the veranda that wraps around three sides of the building. It reminds me of the old houses in the south where you might sit in a wicker chair sipping iced tea and chatting with friends. Right now the veranda is winterized with glass windows. When the weather warms up in spring, the windows are replaced with screens so you can sit on the porch and feel the warm breeze blow through as you sip your iced tea and chat with friends.