We "planted" 624 flags

Every once in a while you do something that turns out just right and is also very enjoyable. Yesterday was one of those times for me.

This year on Veteran’s Day I wanted to honor those who have served their country.  I thought this should be something that would illustrate those feelings of patriotism  here in our community.

 2019 celebrates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. There couldn’t be a better time to really show our patriotic spirit.

I had the idea to “plant” a flag garden in front of our country club in honor of veterans on this special day. The club has a dance planned in honor of veterans and I thought the “garden” would be a great accessory to that celebration.

In anticipation of planting several hundred flags, I sent out a request for volunteers. Eighteen people volunteered and one grandmother brought her three wonderful grandchildren. It was fabulous and, very much a fun time. We planted 624 flags.



We started small and worked our way around the flag pole.

The three grandchildren really worked hard. They were so cute.

The dance being held at the country club will start off with an honor guard from Patrick Air Force Base. There will be the National Anthem and the live band will play the service songs for all the branches of the military. Distinguished veterans who are members of the club will give tributes to veterans and specifically WWII Veterans. And, then there will be lots of dancing.  I can’t wait.

As every one arrives for the dance they will be greeted by our “flag garden” and hopefully they will realize that all the volunteers who worked on “planting” the flags tell them thank you for all the sacrifices they have given and their families have given so we can enjoy our freedom. 



The first video was taken of the flags waving in the breeze. We chose the smaller nylon flags because they looked so good when they all waved in the breeze. If you are reading this in an email, you will need to go to my blog page to view the video.  https://brendahyde.blogspot.com

A golfing friend of mine sent the second video. It was taken looking out of the windows of the club house. It is a really nice video.

Elmer Davis once said, “This Nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” We have so much to be thankful for and it is because there are brave people willing to sacrifice for us.

Happy Veteran’s Day.
Cheers,
Brenda

Halloween is not just for the kids.

One of the goals in locating in Florida was to have a close connection with our daughter's young family. BSB married a 3 generation Floridan and they live only 7 minutes from our home. It has been more rewarding than I could ever tell you. Being close to some of your family is a truly wonderful and glorious experience that enriches our lives more than we could have ever expected.

Halloween was only a night for kids when I was growing up but here in Florida everyone gets into the act. Hubby D and I embraced the holiday with yest! At our Country Club we had a halloween party for adults and a separate party for the kids. It was a hoot!

In preparation for the big night BSB had a pumpkin carving party at her house.

After the big night of carving, Hubby D did not even make it to the bed before he fell asleep.

On Halloween night BSB, her husband and LW came over to "golf cart" trick or treat. First we stoped off at good friends TG and NG for a "Trick or Drink" and then we hit our neighborhood where waves of kids with parents following behind in golf carts were going door to door for chocolates, sweet tarts, twix, candy corn, skittles and other goodies.

Last year LW was an astronaut.

This year BSB outdid herself and LW was a very authentic fighter pilot. WOW!

Our next door neighbors had a spook house inside their garage. LW must have gone inside 10 times showing everyone all the moving parts. He was enthralled by it.

In the end, like every child, he surveyed his haul. (His dad and Hubby D assisted in "sorting" out the best.)

It was a super fun holiday and made even more fun having LW lead the way. Life is good.

Cheers,

Brenda

LE made this for us on Grandparents Day.

Fall comes to Florida

Welcome to October. Fall is arriving here in Florida and they say you know it is fall when the colors on the license plates begin to change. For our neighborhood in Suntree that is so true. Many friends are starting to return to our wonderful fall weather.

Although we had a close brush with a hurricane earlier this summer, we have been very lucky and have had no bad storms this year. Hopefully we will remain hurricane free through November.  But, it has been a full summer and the beginning of fall is also very busy.



Grandson LW’s classroom held a special book day for grandparents to celebrate Grandparents Day.  I took a book about construction equipment that made noise. He loved it. It was a terrific event.

Earlier in the summer, LW spent a week with me while his school was closed. We were very busy and I was exhausted every night. But it was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC.

This is a space ship (tent) and LW has on his astronaut uniform.

He was a really big help blowing the leaves and grass off the driveway.

And, of course we washed the golf cart.

Papa gave him swimming lessons

And, they went hunting for tree frogs.

At the end of the week, I needed to go to Vero Beach to do some work at our beach condo. LW went along with me and we spent part of the day digging in the sand, chasing crabs and playing in the waves.

Today, October 9, I am back at the condo with my oldest daughter, ASJ. We arrived yesterday to spend the week together celebrating her birthday here on the beach. On our way from our home in Viera to Vero Beach we decided to drive along highway AIA taking our time on the scenic route.

At the Barrier Island Sanctuary we walked out to the dunes. This habitat center would be a great day trip with LW.

Finally we arrived at the condo just in time for a big rain storm to pass over us. However, it soon cleared and we had a beautiful sunset.

This morning I caught this view of the sunrise from our balcony.  It is going to be a great week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ASJ!

It was a full summer and is starting out to be a busy fall.  And I thought retirement was gong to be easy . . .  LOL

Cheers,
Brenda

The news is all good.

Good morning from not so sunny Florida.

All is good here.  Although Hurricane Dorian will go down in history as very distructive, it did not do very much damage at the Hyde house.  We have one poor palm that was knocked over but not even a drop of water made its way inside the house.  Yea us!

During the evening last night I was a bit worried, but I think I just let the news people get to me. My oldest daughter who lives in Jacksonville, ASJ told me she was not even watching the news for this storm.

Unfortunately the storm is headed her way but she assures me she is buttoned up and secure.

During the evening the winds were coming from the north.

Early in the evening, it wobbled and turned east. I could hear all our family and friends singing, Turn! Turn! Turn!

Friends of ours were returning from Virginia and sent us this picture of heave evacuation traffic as they entered Florida.

For dinner, Hubby D fired up the grill. We opened a bottle of bubbly wine and had our own little hurricane party.

This morning when I got up, the wind had shifted and now it is coming from the west. We still hear howling as it comes in through our screens on our lanai, but the wind is not severe.

Our condo in Vero Beach looked like it might have significant damage. The hurricane came very close to that area before it turned east. The Weather Channel was broadcasting from in front of our condo buildings for a long time. 

Our condo is located in the tall building seen over his right shoulder.

It appears the worst is just some damage to the board walk and erosion of the sand.

I want to thank all of our friends and family that sang along with the Byrds, Turn! Turn! Turn!  It definitely worked and we dodged the worst of the storm. Hopefully this will be the end of the 2019 hurricane season.

Cheers,
Brenda