Enjoying the Fall Days in Florida

I've been staying in McIntosh, spending time with my church friends,

Listening to the call of the Sand Hill Cranes that winter here also.

Smiling at the notes of many songbirds...this a Common Yellowthroat, I think.

The lake has dried up so much I can walk way out. This is looking back at my site.

On a lazy day I enjoy the little things like bees and butterflies on wildflowers that grow by my site.

This fellow stopped to visit on Bandit's tent.

There aren't as many wading birds this year...not as much water to wade in I guess.

1890 Days brought the usual large crowd to town.

I spent a weekend with my grandson, Ben, on a Boy Scout outing at Florida Fun & Sun. Lot's of aeronautical events. Yes, he was tall enough!

So serious...

And he got to fly in the real thing too!

He built a rocket...and set it blasting off. Lots of fun in the sun.

I paid a visit to my favorite state park at Silver River. Will come back in December to get my river fix.

It was a beautiful full moon this month.

Friend Sarah says it's a Beaver moon, according to Farmer's Almanac.

And we had our first frost of the season. Back in the 80s now though.

Another relaxing afternoon to birdwatch.

Cardinal in a tree.

Bunches of birdies in a bush.

Bandit likes to watch the birds too.

Just some colorful fall wildflowers.

My pair of red-shouldered hawks.

And the gorgeous blue sky.

Some of McIntosh's vintage homes.

Locals call this the "Pepto-Bismol" house.

I helped out with other volunteers at "Ocali Days" at Silver River State Park.

Where costumed re-enactors took us back to the days of Florida Crackers. 

 Squeezing sugar cane.

 And boiling to make cane syrup...which was for sale.

Seminole Indians were represented. 

These girls enjoyed the candle-making activity. 

There was live music by Backintyme and other groups throughout the weekend. 

When things got slow at our booth we were entertained by the non-human visitors. This is a Magnolia Jumper...so says my knowledgeable friend, Ev.

 We didn't figure out the name of this red-eyed fly.

 They seemed to like the warm green T-shirts.

 This interesting fellow fell out of the tree.

 From the front....ferocious looking, isn't he?

People watching is fun, but even more fun is dog watching. A couple came in with 4 dogs, all with special needs. This Dachshund had a wheelchair.

THe other small dog had just 3 legs. 

But their seeming limitations didn't limit them at all! May we all enjoy our lives as much as these dogs were.

Remembering Roe

Don't cry for me because I'm gone. Instead remember my life when I was with you. People say I was a good dog. I don't know about good, but I was a happy dog.

And I was a lucky dog. I don't remember much about my first owners, but I know I loved them. And I remember the day I was dropped off in the street in front of the Cocker Rescue place. I couldn't understand why I was left. But I guess it was so I could be rescued and go to my forever home.

Remember me in the things I loved to do. I loved to travel.

My mom was always taking pictures of the sights. 

I preferred to sniff the new smells.    I traveled from the East coast:

                                                               Plymouth, MA                      St. Augustine, FL

 

to the West coast.

 

From Maine,                             to the Gulf of Mexico,                       to Alaska,
            

From the red rocks of Utah,

To the mountains of Colorado.

Remember that I loved to hike.

On the Appalachian trail,      in the White Mountains of NH,

 

In Florida with my best human friend, Joselyn.                                In summer heat in Utah,

Or summer cool in Alaska.

 Remember how I loved people, especially children, and people who love dogs..

 

 
And I loved spending time with all my fur friends:
    Tips                                        Labradoodle                          Bandit

 My best friend Maggie         Me and Bandit                      It's important to let your best friend win.

 

I liked puppies and balls.     Peaches and me in AK       Herschel and crew at my house

 

Sophie and me in TX           Bandit and me ready to go.      Molly and me in NY

                
 The gang in PA                    Nicky and me at Sarah's in AL

 
 Bear and me on the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Spinner and me at the swimming hole in PA.
                                    

 Eddie and me, and there were many more...

I loved to roll in the grass,     and swim in oceans and lakes.

 

British Columbia Lake            A glacial lake in AK                     Atlantic Ocean
       
 I liked to ride in the kayak.

Remember I was almost always happy. Probably the only times I wasn't happy was when I got left behind................................................................or Mom made me dress up for Christmas.

               






So as you remember me, remember too to always look forward to what's around the next bend.

Keep climbing to new heights.

Cherish your friends.

Take time to stop and smell the roses.

Have faith in God,

And keep on dreaming new dreams.

With love from Roe.