Volunteer with MLC to help adults with English conversation skills
I’ve done a lot of volunteering over the years. It’s always been one of those “extra-curricular” activities I’ve enjoyed.
For the past few years, however, my volunteer efforts have been a little hit-and-miss. Sometimes, I’ll sign up for something and there are so many volunteers that it ends up I’m really not needed. My last volunteer work before Covid was at an event where my “job” was to show people where the elevator was! And then my Red Cross deployment was much more work than I’d expected.
I finally found a volunteer opportunity at the Manatee Literacy Center that was Goldilocks perfect. Not too easy, not too demanding.. just right!
I’m just about through with the training required to be a tutor and help adults with their English conversation skills. I’ve already met with my “learner,” a delightful young woman from Colombia, as well as my mentor, who has been super-friendly and helpful.
There were quite a few steps in the training process including reading materials, videos, participation in weekly Zoom conversations with students, and a 4-hour in-person training on April 5th.
Over the summer, since I’m heading back to Colorado, I’ll be meeting with my learner and attending other events remotely — it’s nice that that’s now an option, thanks to Covid. And also, by the way, it looks like Zoom has added a bunch of cool new Marketplace apps for virtual teaming! Can’t wait to experiment with those.
I especially like working with someone who has Spanish as their first language. I now realize how difficult it is to become fluent in a second language! As I said in yesterday’s blog post, it takes a lot of practice, especially with speaking and listening! And even though we’re supposed to stick to English during our tutoring sessions, I can’t help but hope I’ll have an opportunity to speak a little Spanish with my learner, too, once we get to know each other better.
After all my work at learning Spanish, it’s interesting to look at it from the other perspective — through the eyes of someone who doesn’t have English as their native language. I see just how difficult English can be, full of irregularities in pronunciation and spelling anomalies.
Even though I’ve only just begun the actual “work” of tutoring, I can see that this opportunity is right up my alley! I love communication, learning about languages, and getting to know the learners, other volunteers, and everyone involved! I’m really excited!
I’m on Day 1137 of my Duolingo Spanish Streak. Yes, that’s over 3 years, and no, I’m still not fluent. However, I am improving.
I was reminded of how far I had to go when I was in Mexico last November with my friend, Nancie (who is fluent) and she remarked, “I would have thought you’d be a lot better by now.” Gee, thanks, Nancie.
Though, I was a little put off by her bluntness, it did remind me that I needed to do more than the minimum of a quick Duolingo lesson every day. I really needed to practice my conversation skills!
Microadventure #27: Spanish Conversation Class
As it turned out, Carlos, the man I was sitting next to at the TEDx event I went to in early March, teaches Spanish Conversation classes at the local library!
Microadventure #27: Spanish Conversation Class
I’ve been attending Carlos’s class for the past 3 weeks and I really like that it’s for all levels! It’s a very informal class and fun that I’m not only getting more exposure to Spanish, but getting to meet others who are interested in learning Spanish!
Carlos talks a lot about culture, particularly of Latin American countries and one of the things I really appreciated is that he handed out a document with local-area restaurants and markets where we could practice our Spanish with native speakers!
Microadventure #28: Colombian Point Restaurantwith Carlos
As soon as I got the list of markets and restaurants, I was on a mission to go to as many as possible! I told Carlos that I was a blogger and asked if I could share his list and he gave me the thumbs up!
He also asked if I’d want to go to Colombian Point Restaurant in Sarasota that weekend. Heck, yeah! It was so nice that Carlos asked ME to do this excursion instead of the other way around. Even though I’m proud that I’ve kept up with my microadventure resolution all winter, it’s still out of my comfort zone to ask someone new to do something.
As it turns out, Carlos and I chatted for over 2 hours! It was all in English, I’m afraid, but he has some very interesting stories and skills, including public speaking (something I always want to try and improve in.) He was interested in my skills with blogging and social media, so maybe we can help each other. And I did get some Spanish practice in with the waiters and felt very good about it!
Microadventure #28: Colombian Point Restaurantwith Carlos
Microadventure 29: Palmetto Flea Market with Coach Bill
Though it wasn’t on his spreadsheet, one of the places Carlos mentioned that I might want to practice my Spanish was at Mr. G Flea Market in Palmetto, about 30 minutes from my new condo in Bradenton.
So, when “Coach Bill” texted and asked if we could do a microadventure before we both went back to our respective summer places, I suggested the flea market!
I met Coach Bill way back on my very first Microadventure, a hike for Positive Thinkers in North Port. He introduced himself as “Coach Bill” and I’ve called him that ever since to distinguish him from another Bill I met around the same timeframe.
Coach Bill happily accepted my suggestion (he is, after all, a Positive Thinker) and we had a great time checking out all the wares at Mr. G’s.
Microadventure 29: Palmetto Flea Market with Coach Bill
Of course, one of the objectives was to practice a little Spanish, and I had that opportunity with the lunch place that was on site, Taquería Lolita.
We both ordered “Sincronizadas” which I’d never even heard of! It turned out to be a much richer dish than I’d bargained for. (And, by the way, if you ever order a drink here, be aware that they are supersized! I never order sweet drinks, but I wanted to see what the “limon” drink was… uh… it was a big, big, way too big, cup of lemonade.
So, yeah, I didn’t learn a lot of Spanish, but I got a little lesson: Figure out what something is before you order it. And actually, I really liked the Sincronizada, but it was probably demaciadas calorías.
Bill was busy coaching girl’s volleyball all winter and North Port (where he was living and working) is a good hour from Bradenton, but he made the trek up again to Bradenton on Easter Sunday to hang out with me and some other friends.
I feel so lucky for the people I’ve met during this wonderful Snowbird adventure! I already can’t wait to come back next winter!
The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is recognized as the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the Nation!
Some of the things I like best about Microadventure #26 is that it was completely different, unexpected, unplanned by me, spontaneous and suggested by a new Bumble date, Mike. (Maybe that makes it a “Mike”roadventure!)
I’d been casually chatting with Mike and asked if he’d be willing to join me for a Microadventure, sending him a link to this site so he could see what I was talking about. I was very impressed that he read enough to pick out the perfect, quirky excursion to Sarasota’s Classic Car Museum!
The first “classic car” we saw was straight from the “Flintstones” before we even entered the museum! I’ve been channeling my inner-Wilma since last year (was part of a Flintstones foursome) so had to get a pic with me in the Cavemobile!
Yabba Dabba Doo!
Though classic cars were the main event, the museum was filled with a variety of antiques. In fact, I’m just realizing that the museum housed antiques of items that reminded me of everyone from my family of origin: An old sewing machine (for Mom), cameras (Michele) a piano (for me), pinball machines (Chris), Porsches (Dad), and, well, all the other cars (Neal!)
Sewing Machines – a love of Mom’sCameras for MicheleAn antique piano for me – guests are invited to play!Antique Pinball for Chris.. A Porsche for DadNeal, too many to list for you. You have to come see for yourself!
I asked Mike to pose by his favorites. The first he picked is one that was very much like a model he’d made when he was 12 and laid up in the hospital for three months with two broken legs:
1929 Model A Ford (Mike’s was a 1930 of the same color)John & Mabel Ringling’s 1922 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
I couldn’t really pick out a favorite myself, but I did like this recreation of Lincoln’s Hearse:
Lincoln’s Funeral Hearse
And this car, though more Bohemian than my own Carpe Diem Car, gets points for its purple color:
After the classic car tour, we headed to the Honey Tree Cafe for a delicious breakfast for lunch! The wait staff were all super-friendly and the atmosphere was very homey and comfortable.
Delicious meal at Honey Tree Cafe
Overall this was the quintessential microadventure! Interesting, unique, and fun to share it with a new friend. I really appreciate how Mike, not only was super-easy to talk to and get to know, but how he tapped right into my personality and created such a memorable experience!
Since Scotty was visiting last week, I took the opportunity to introduce him to his adopted “flamingBRO”!
I told Scotty that when we got to the flamingo area there would be a lot of flamingos and we’d have to check their legs for the #38 tag. (Sadly, I am not able to pick Kazi out in a crowd without his tag. I only visit him once a year. I know. Not great Flamingo mothering.)
Well, almost as soon as we entered the park, a flamingo, very much removed from the flamingo area, comes roaming up to us, and guess who it is? You got it! #38 – Kazi!
When Scotty tried to give him some of our newly purchased flamingo food, he turned up his nose at it!
Some other patrons came by and told us to “Watch out for that one! He’s mean!”
MEAN? My adorable adopted flamingo? My parental instincts fired up, I was tempted to tell those people THEY were the mean ones! How dare they judge my innocent Kazi.
Then I went into guilt mode. How much of this is my doing for adopting him and then completely neglecting him? I know my biological children can understand that my neglect is done with love.. and also because they’re all grown up.
Maybe Scotty was the problem. Could Kazi be jealous? I just wanted him to meet his human brother.
It was clear that Kazi was not warming up to us. We went on to visit with the other more sociable flamingos. They were quick to gobble up (in a kind of slobbery way) the food we’d bought.
A much better reception from these flamingos
We enjoyed the rest of the park, but I still had a heavy heart that my own adopted flamingo did not want to be with me. I tried to chalk it up to flamingo adolescence and vowed to make one more attempt to connect before we left the park.
As we were exiting, we saw Kazi, still separated from the other flamingos, in line — get this — to have his picture taken with an exotic bird!
Kazi in line to have his picture taken with an exotic bird
Maybe this was the problem. Kazi was jealous of all the attention these pretty birds were getting. Or could it be, he had an identity crisis and thought he was in the wrong species? I knew I shouldn’t have read “The Ugly Duckling” to him. It’s bound to mess with a bird’s psyche. Or, maybe, he had a crush on one of the colorful exotic birds.
“Don’t look now, but I think that pink flamingo likes you!”
I just hoped that the birds would all be kind and not bully him for his pink feathers or long neck. It’s gotta be tough on an adolescent orphaned flamingo with an absent adoptive mother.
Good mother-flamingo talk
I told Kazi that I would always love him no matter what. If he wanted to be with a different kind of bird, that was cool. “You do you, Kazi!”
Once he saw that I was not going to force him to hang out with his own kind he took the flamingo food that I’d saved for him from my hand. Yeah, it’s probably just that he was hungry, but I like to think it was our talk.
Even flamingos need to know that their mother loves and accepts them, regardless of their quirks.
I’m proud that I’ve brought Kazi up to have a mind of his own. He doesn’t feel the need to conform to what others view as “normal” flamingo behavior. He ignores the taunts from those who call him “mean” or any bullying squawks from the macaws.
You make me proud, Kazi! I hope next time you’ll join Scotty and me in a family picture:
Kazi: “Does she know she’s NOT a flamingo? Why couldn’t I have a normal adoptive mother?”
Starting on Friday last week, I had a series of Microadventures! Each of them deserves a lot more than one photo and a quick writeup, but I want to hit the highlights while these are all fresh in my memory.
For those who’ve been following along, my Microadventures have 3 parts: 1) Do something fun 2) With someone else and 3) Blog about it. Being an introvert and away from my Colorado home, the “with someone else” requirement is often the biggest challenge. However, it is absolutely the biggest reward!
Each Microadventure ‘Buddy’ has a superpower that I admire and can learn from.
Tim and Amy
Microadventure #20: Lunch at Crabby Bills in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
My series of Microadventures started at a “Go With Us” event that was posted on Facebook. Amy and Tim of Go With Less! – Nomadic Lifestyle fame were in the Tampa area and sponsored this event.
Amy and Tim are personal friends with my friend, Adam and he told me about their popular group, knowing my plan to have a nomadic winter.
I am in awe of the community of travelers from around the world that they’ve built. Amy and Tim are so outgoing and friendly that it’s not surprising that people are naturally drawn to them and want to be part of their community. They have thousands of subscribers to their YouTube channel and in their Facebook group!
I was amazed that they had a large group of 16 people who gathered at this event when they’re just visiting here!
As we all went around the table giving introductions, most people talked about how easy it was to make friends while traveling.
However, when it was my turn, I revealed that making friends when traveling was hard for me.. that I had to specifically make it a “goal” to meet people and that it was awkward for me to talk to new people.
Well, I guess that helped break the ice, because at the end of the event, several people exchanged contact info with me! I feel like I have a whole new group of instant friends!
Tim & Amy’s Superpower: Connectors! Friendly and welcoming, these two are able to create and foster community.
Faye and Cyd
Microadventure #21: Faye and Cyd – Sun City Center Performance
I went right from Crabby Bill’s to Sun City Center, FL to attend a performance of the Pelican Players. About a month ago, on Microadventure #8, I’d seen Cyd Charrow sing “Gimme, Gimme” on stage with the Pelican Cabaret Singers. She’d invited me to a play titled “National Storyteller Championship.”
Even though Cyd, along with the others in the play, were actors, they all told stories, and even competed to win a prize – a pelican statue! Cyd’s story was one of an unusual dream, and included some very entertaining interpretations!
Cyd’s sister, Faye, was visiting from Colorado, and sitting next to me in the audience. She was my talented voice teacher when I sang on stage last summer!
Both Faye and Cyd are wonderful stage performers! They even hosted a special Livestream Performance, Faces of Love, on Sunday with a 3rd sister, Janice.
Cyd and Faye’s Superpower: Performers! These sisters have a natural command of the stage and musical theater.
Scotty
Microadventure #22: Exploring Historic Downtown Melbourne, FL with Scotty
On Saturday morning, I headed to the East Coast of Florida to meet up with my youngest son, Scotty. He was out in Florida with some friends for Spring Break and tacked a few days on at the end of his trip to spend with me.
I’ve shared countless priceless adventures with Scotty over the years. One of the best parts of sharing an adventure with him is his amazing flexibility. He is always up for doing whatever I suggest. However, on this trip, when we found ourselves in Melbourne, Florida, he was the one who suggested roaming historic downtown to see if we could find all the city’s murals.
I just loved this simple Microadventure. I’ve explored so many cities with Scotty over the years, and we often do something just like this — a sort of scavenger hunt of the city’s iconic spots. He reminded me of one of our first trips after my divorce: Thermopolis, Wyoming, a trip that he had planned himself!
With Scotty, it doesn’t matter what we’re doing. I always have fun. He’s always willing to play any game I come up with or come up with his own for us to play. Most of our adventures have included road-tripping where we’re in the car together for hours, singing and talking.
We can talk for hours about almost any topic and I appreciate how we can look at it from all angles, and even if we disagree, still see each others’ point of view.
Microadventure #23: The Fish House in St. Augustine, FL with Patsy, Bruce, Bonnie, & Scotty
My next adventure is with the family of Chris Blakeslee in St. Augustine, Florida. I’d met Chris’s Mom, Patsy, and his sister, Bonnie, last September when I was visiting Chris in St. Augustine.
I have to say, I was totally enamored with Patsy from the moment I met her. We became Facebook friends and she always finds the time to put a thoughtful, sweet comment on my posts. I’m just so impressed how tech-savvy, sharp, and vivacious she is. I’ve been interested in healthy aging since I turned 60 and Patsy is a great inspiration and an example of ageless beauty.
It was also fun to get to know Bonnie and her husband, Bruce, a little more during this short visit, too. I told Bonnie that I liked to write and she friended me and took the time to read some of my writing. She told me about the writing she does – Christian children publications! Now that’s something to be proud of!
Of course, what would have even made this visit better would have been if Chris had been there, but he lives in Bali, and doesn’t have a trip back home planned until May, when I’ll be back in Colorado.
I’m just grateful his family welcomed me with such kindness and didn’t think it was too weird that I was visiting and asking them to be part of my “Microadventure.”
Patsy, Bonnie, and Bruce’s Superpowers: Kindness, Generosity, Grace
Tony
Microadventure #24: Flamingo Trail at Tony’s Newberry, FL beautiful home
My final microadventure of this short Florida road trip was at my “cousin” Tony’s house in Newberry, Florida. Though he’s not really my cousin, he was married to my cousin many years ago and, thanks to Facebook, we’ve become good friends.
Our visit started with Tony’s Marvelous Margaritas. Even though I’ve been giving up alcohol for Lent, Sundays don’t count, so I took full advantage and had two margs!
Tony has been a very gracious host to Scotty and me in the past. Since the last time we were here (2 years ago) Tony has continued to make improvements to his beautiful property.
He’s building a big barn structure and has all kinds of plans for a pool and a loft – so much room for all his grandkids (he has 5 right now), kids, and friends to enjoy. He has a big fire pit where he hosts bonfires. Sitting on one of the stumps and looking out through the trees at the setting sun was such a picturesque scene.
Tony took Scotty and I on a tour of the property (with Scotty taking Tony’s dog, Cooper’s, spot in the back of the golf cart.)
He even created this super-cool and lovely “Flamingo Trail” through his acreage with little flamingos strategically placed. Mark my words, this property will make it to the Tour Books and Travel Sites as a “must see.”
New friend, Madeline and I, at the Sarasota Open Fine Art Show at Phillippi Estate Park
Today’s microadventure was fun both for the event and the company, which, of course, is always the goal. However, since it was the first time I’d met Madeline, and the only thing I knew about her is that we had a mutual Facebook friend, I wasn’t quite sure how she’d like being my microadventure-buddy. I’m happy to say she very happily agreed to not only joining me for the event, but enduring my photos and questions with good humor and interest!
Actually, when she told me she’d recently bought a Winnebago and was traveling only with her dog, I was in major awe of her bold spirit! I just love her sense of adventure and felt bonded with her immediately!
There were so many beautiful and unique works of art. Every time I go to one of these events, I’m so tempted to buy something special for myself. Maybe it’s a good thing that there are just too many special things that it’s hard for me to pick out just one! There’s also the fact that I don’t even own a place out here (yet). However, when I’m settled in my Bradenton condo (April!) it will be fun to find some special art pieces to decorate the place and make it feel like mine.
After perusing to our heart’s content, Madeline and I took a walk around Phillippi Estates (where the event was held).
Then we grabbed some lunch at this Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck! (Michael B., I just sampled the goods here with lobster bisque, but waiting to really pig out (or would that be Lobster Out?) with you!)
It was a little chilly outside, so Madeline invited me to her Winnebago to enjoy our soup and talk. Her van was so pretty and clean and new with lots of coziness to accommodate both her and her dog.
She shared a beautiful purplicious quilt that she made with the help of a friend. She had never made a quilt before, but her experienced friend taught her how and now she has her own special work of art for the ultimate in coziness.
Madeline’s colorful cozy quilt!
A colorful and vibrant day with a colorful, vibrant new friend!
Exploring Sarasota’s downtown Farmers Market and Mattison’s City Grille
Corner of Main St. and Lemon in Downtown Sarasota
As usual, I’ve had so many wonderful microadventures, that it’s difficult for me to choose one to blog about.
I’ve been meaning to check out the Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota for some time now and last Saturday was the day! I texted, Bill, someone I’d met when I first got to Sarasota, to ask if he’d want to join me, and he gave me the thumbs up!
The Farmers Market had a variety of booths with plenty of produce, food vendors, art booths, and knick-knacks of every sort. It was a party-like atmosphere with music and colorful displays. The sun was out and being the frequent “observer of happiness” that I am, I could just feel the positive energy all around me. I thought about what a contrast my life is to what’s happening in Ukraine right now. I felt both gratitude for my life and sadness for what’s going on there. Not wanting to take any of it for granted, I savored the sights, sounds, and smells on this lovely day.
I found a bunch of yummy fruits and vegetables as soon as we arrived and filled up my bag. I saw a crepe place (one of my favorite foods!) but I’d already eaten AND I’m trying to eat healthy again in March. (I ate very healthfully in January. February? Not so much.). Maybe I’ll come back for a crepe in April!
Bill, who knows a good food when he sees it, regardless of the month, stopped to buy a kettle cornball. He just went traditional, rather than trying one of the flavors of the week.. Dill Pickle or Black Truffle Sea Salt. Yeah, that sounds pretty “cornball” to me!
After we’d walked the full length of the Farmers Market, we stopped at Mattison’s City Grille for a drink and to talk. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite places in downtown Sarasota! Mostly because there’s almost always music playing! Bill and I had been there earlier in the week for dancing and I loved it! There were such a variety of songs that ranged from oldies to rap and everything in between!
I was going to expand this post to include other cafes and restaurants in downtown Sarasota. The streets are filled with quaint coffee shops and unique restaurants. I’m really enjoying exploring!
But those stories and photos will have to wait for another blog post.. another microadventure!
A few weeks ago I was exploring the beautiful Selby library in downtown Sarasota and saw an item on the bulletin board that advertised this TEDx event. The event itself was free, but you needed to fill out an application to be in the audience, I guess because they needed to limit the number due to Covid.
Selby Library in downtown Sarasota
I got my acceptance as an audience member last week, but because applications to be in the audience were closed, I couldn’t invite anyone to go with me. Since my self-imposed requirement of a microadventure is that it be with other people, I decided that I’d have the additional challenge of meeting someone at the event.
I introduced myself to the man sitting next to me and it turns out he teaches conversational Spanish at the North Sarasota Library for free! That’s the exact thing I want to get better at! The class is 5 Saturdays starting March 26 which are just the exact final weeks I’m going to be out here for the season. (A very serendipitous meeting!)
The presentations were very interesting and, of course, all the speakers were articulate and seasoned presenters. Giving a TED talk is a very big bucket-list stretch goal for me. I’ve participated in Toastmasters to up my game with public speaking and maybe some day I’ll actually audition for a TEDx event, but for now, I’m much happier to be in the audience.
The theme for the night was “Doing Good.” The presentations were unique with a wide variety of topics from the perspectives of soccer referee to day-care provider to congressman to professor to name a few.
After the talks, there was a meet-and-greet networking opportunity with the speakers and volunteers.
Networking with one of the speakers, Dr. Tom Becker, his wife, and Dr. Giti Javidi.
The natural introvert in me would have just left after the talks were over, but I wanted to challenge myself to meet others, so I joined a table and introduced myself. I met Dr. Giti Javidi, a professor of Cybersecurity and her husband who also taught at the University of South Florida. We were soon joined by another professor, Dr. Tom Becker, one of the speakers at the evening’s event, along with his wife.
The group was very friendly and welcoming. Dr. Becker’s presentation had been about tenure and the pressure it puts on graduates to publish. I remember hearing about that from Matt & Stella.
It was exciting to be in a University atmosphere around students and people like me, who loved to learn. The event reminded me that I wanted to explore the University more and really take advantage of all the wonderful ways there are to be a life-long learner!
Mary and I enjoy Carpe Diem Week with some fun girl time in Florida!
My 2022 New Years Project has been to have at least one microadventure each week with another person and to write about it. And if you’ve forgotten exactly what that means:
A microadventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap – yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing and rewarding.
This week I enjoyed a series of microadventures with my friend, Mary, who flew out from Colorado to spend most of my birthday week (aka Carpe Diem Week) with me, here in Florida!
We found this wonderful little Airbnb in Tampa which served as our home base during Mary’s stay. It was the perfect location, only about 15 minutes from the Tampa airport and close to Tampa’s River Walk.
Microadventure #10: Tampa River Walk on Twosday, 2/22/22
Mary arrived on Tuesday afternoon. After we settled into our Airbnb, we headed out to the Tampa River Walk and enjoyed the colored lights along the walkways in the breezy evening air. We (finally) found a dinner spot, though, clearly I hadn’t done enough planning since there weren’t the many restaurants that I’d imagined there’d be. To be honest, even finding a parking garage was an adventure! But we returned later in the week to explore this area more and I know I could come every day and never get bored.
Microadventure #11: Ben T Davis Beach
On Wednesday morning we made our way to Ben T Davis Beach and walked enough, both to get more than our share of steps, and a couple of well-earned blisters from walking with the wrong shoes. Still, the scenery was pretty and conversation with Mary is always interesting. We dipped our feet in the water to cool them off before heading back to get ready for our evening in Gulfport!
Microadventure #12 Open Mic Night at the The Tiki Bar & Grill in Gulfport
Becky joined Mary and I at The Tiki Bar & Grill for some delicious drinks and dinner. If you look off to the right hand corner of this picture you’ll see there’s a guy playing the guitar. We had “front row seats” to the Open Mic Night performers. Becky knew the lyrics of one of the songs better than the performer herself! Next year, it will be her up on stage!
Microadventure #13: Dancing at Gulfport Casino
After dinner, we headed over to the famed Gulfport Casino for some East Coast Swing dancing! The dance floor was expansive and the experience reminded me a lot of going out dancing at the Avalon in Boulder. The music included two of my favorites: the Stray Cat Strut and In the Mood. Even though I didn’t know this crowd, there were plenty of willing and talented dancers. So much fun! It’s quite a drive from Sarasota, but they have swing dance every Wednesday night, so I hope to make it out at least once or twice a month.
Microadventure #14: Mermaid Show at Weeki Wachi Springs State Park
On Friday, we ventured North of Tampa to explore Weeki Wachi Springs State Park. The “main event” that makes this park so unique is the live mermaid show that’s performed twice a day. We arrived at the park just in time to get in for the first showing. The performance was a little like an underwater ballet performance of “The Little Mermaid.”
Unfortunately, we weren’t at the park early enough to be able to enjoy any of the boat rides and the water park area was closed as they were preparing for the next season. We got to explore Tranquility Trail and the Park Ranger show but I’d like to come back here some time, maybe with Diego and Reneya to get the full experience.
Microadventure #15: Spring Hill’s Nature Coast Garden
On our way back to Tampa, Mary and I stopped at this charming Nature Coast Botanical Gardens located in Spring Hill. I learned about both Weeki Wachee Springs and these gardens from this Only in Florida article. I didn’t really know what to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful themed gardens with sweet settings, benches, and gazebos. I could just imagine a romantic picnic around every corner.
Microadventure #16: Birthday Party at Becky’s
Our final Microadventure was back at Becky’s townhouse in Sarasota where she hosted a very fun birthday luncheon for me to celebrate my 62nd birthday! We had princess decor and pink balloons from Dollar Tree! My favorite! Friends, food, and lots of birthday attention! What a perfect way to spend Carpe Diem day! Even though I was away from my Colorado home, I was happy to receive fun greeting cards and gifts from friends and plenty of texts, calls, and birthday wishes!
It was hard to pick just one photo from each of these microadventures. Each one was filled with moments I want to remember.. music, sunshine, laughter.
There are memories of things that aren’t even part of any of these microadventures…
Struggling to uncork a bottle of wine until the cork finally popped with a bang spilling wine everywhere!
Watching romcoms and still loving a happy ending, even when they are cliché.
Mary and I trying to line up a double-date Bumble lunch and both inviting the same guy!
Sharing cheesecake, red-velvet cake, and maybe a little too much wine
Morning Dance Workouts
All of these beautiful moments (and so many more) add up to microadventures that add up to major adventures that add up to a very happy life filled with love.
Enjoyed the day seeing Our Town at Sarsota’s Asolorep Theater, followed by a meal at Wicked Cantina and a sunset walk on Lido Beach.
Today’s microadventure starts at the beautiful Asolorep Theater for a performance of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play: Our Town.
Becky and I in the audience at the Asolorep Theater for a performance of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”
Becky volunteers at this theater as an usher and she made me aware of this performance which was outstanding on many levels. First of all, Becky’s family actually personally knew Thornton Wilder! Her father and Thornton Wilder roomed together and were friendly enough that she remembers him as “Uncle Thorny!”
Outside of this being a rather prickly-sounding nickname, I think it’s very endearing to imagine Becky, as a child, calling such an esteemed writer, “Uncle Thorny!” I’m almost tempted to suggest an update to his Personal Life of his Wikipedia page with this inside knowledge!
The next unexpected surprise was that the underlying message of the play was the importance of savoring life’s everyday joys — the very same message that I’m promoting with Carpe Diem Day! So often, it’s not until after we lose something (or someone) do we realize how much we took it (them) for granted.
It’s for that very reason that I love having the time to give my full attention to these microadventures each week. I love savoring the experience and capturing memories with photos and the post-adventure blog post. But all of this is especially fun when my microadventure partner is Becky. She fully engages and joins in on my immersive experience, a willing participant in all ways.
After the afternoon play had ended, Becky spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with me, indulging in a delicious Mexican meal and then a walk on Lido Beach, during that most beautiful time – sunset!
Becky regally posing for the camera. Celebrating the day with a wicked strawberry margarita! Post Play Pigging Out at the Wicked Cantina!Getting our feet wet at Lido Beach.. This was before spotting a baby shark close to shore!Getting a walk in on the beach!I never tire of seeing the colorful skies as the sun is setting.
Mother Nature is once again gracing us with sunny, warm days which always gives me an extra boost of happy juju. But that was just the icing on the cake. The play, the company, the food, and the beach.. it’s more Becky’s than mine, but I really enjoyed “Our Town” — both the play, and lovely Sarasota.
