Happy Valentines Day

  I apologize for not posting for so long but we have not been doing much. So let's see what has been going on since January 21? I have been playing some golf; about three times a week. I have my usual group on Mondays and Wednesdays. Mostly guys from the this end of the community. Then I usually get a round in using GolfNow on the weekend. I didn't join the club so I just pay the regular $48.15 green fee Monday and Wednesday and then I try to get a discounted tee time on Saturday or Sunday using GolfNow. I can usually get it for anywhere from $18- $28 plus their booking fee. I also hit a lot of balls at the driving range and get time in on the putting green.

Might as well get my money's worth on that. It hasn't really paid off as far as my scores go. I just have not felt comfortable out there. These guys are in their 70's and shooting in the 80's. They just get up there and whack the ball but I don't know the nuances of the course like they do. They have been playing here for many years and my regular routine has been all screwed up. They play for one dollar and you would think it was $100. Last round I was lining up my approach into the 18'th hole about 190 yards out to a green guarded by water almost all the way around. I said to my partner "I'm going for it. This is right in my wheel house for a 5-wood." He says don't do it, we got a chance to win this thing if we par or bogey. I laid up and made par but what fun is that?
This is a shot of the 18'th green facing back towards the tee box.

 so we ending up winning by one stoke. The haul: $16 for the group. I played by myself today (the weather was gorgeous with azure skies and a nice breeze, about 70 degrees) and I was able to get back into my routine, playing two balls every hole helped me get into a rhythm.
A shot of my "home hole" #3 par 5. I cut through here to go get my mail:

 

Last week we went to a flea market about half an hour away. It was quite interesting. Sort of like Zerns and Green Dragon but with a circus and other attractions:

Pony rides for the youngsters:

 

Petting zoo for those that like to feed animals with the fresh strawberries I just purchased:

And the most bizarre thing there: alligators kept in shallow pools where for $1 you can feed them with  piece of hot dog dangling from a stick.

Even though there was sign stating you cannot possess alligators. They say these were captive bred.

 

I finally made it over to one of the pools last week as well. It was a deceptively sunny day. By that I mean I didn't realize I was getting sun burned. I spent about four hours out there and I got cooked.

 

Lastly, we went out yesterday for Valentines Day. Our first stop was a combination brewery/ winery in Plant City called Keel and Curley Winery and Two Henrys Brewery. They occupy the same property. We opted for the beer tasting. Our first flights consisted of; The Standard, a chocolate stout; Runaway Locomotive, a black IPA (my favorite); Snowbird winter, a seasonal amber ale; Fletcher's Drool, a wheat ale; and Florida Orange, a pale ale. I think there was another IPA that I don't remember the name. Basically all of their brews were sampled by yours truly. After that we had to soak it up with some good ole' pork barbecue from the food truck stationed right outside the place. From there we headed back to Lakeland for dinner and a movie at Lakeside Village. We opted for the fish City Grill.

The food was fresh an unpretentious. Plus it was quick service. No farting around here. Appetizer, entree, check. Thanks. After that we stopped for a cigar and a beer before going to see Lone Survivor.
I gotta say that it was a graphic, raw, gripping movie. Obviously the title tips you off that only one of them is going to make it back to base but the ordeal they all went through is still amazing. The ending will have you reaching for the Kleenex. This is the kind of stuff that gets me all choked up. I highly recommend Lone Survivor, but be prepared for gore, so if you are squeamish this might not be for you.
  Lastly a report on the cat. Asia is a bundle of energy in this house. She will get into everything if you let her:

Sometimes I don't know how she gets into spaces that you would never think she could:

The clearance between the ceiling and the top of the cabinet is only a few inches and she jumps from the cabinet nearby. I don't know how she doesn't give herself a concussion jumping up there. She also has her perch out on the lanai where she can watch the bird feeder that I put up attract everything from Sand Hill Cranes to opossums. She will let us know when it is play time because she will stare you down and give out a bellowing "meeeooow" or start trying to climb the mini blinds in the kitchen.
  I hope you all are staying warm and keeping the driveways clear. I feel bad that PA is getting smothered with snow. I know it becomes tiresome after so much shoveling and driving in it everyday is tedious for those that have to work in the center or the institution. I tip my hat to you folks. My biggest commute problem now is knowing when to time my trips to avoid rush hour because Florida can be nothing but traffic at times. Stay safe.