Margo and I like to celebrate milestones, even as the numbers keep on getting bigger. January is always momentous as it is the time when we celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries. However, when it comes to March it kicks off the start of almost two months of celebration as the rest of the family catches up. It is my sister Judy who is the outlier, celebrating her birthday in February but we love her all the same. Alright, yes, this post is more than just celebrating anniversaries and birthdays as it is about the “one more house” we have always thought we just had to build. We did not know how and where or indeed, when, but creating a new home is so much fun! It truly flexes what little braincells we have left. As we come to terms with our new home town, we have come to understand that there are many miles to cover and where, at times, it seems we have crossed a state line at some point. Anyone who looks at a map of Florida will soon realize that up in the panhandle, not only...
Thunderous explosions awoke us early in the morning as a fast-moving storm descended on us. Shortly after the first clap of thunder, alarms started blaring on our phones. A tornado was imminent in our area so I quickly arose, grabbed my wallet, keys, watch and headed to my phone. And no, I don’t sleep with my phone handily within reach in our bedroom. As I looked outside at the predawn gloom, the skies looked wicked and it was hard to ignore that perhaps something terrible would unfold right in front of our eyes. It lasted the better part of an hour. Distant rumblings continue as the storm headed further east. Fortunately, the rains have begun to ease and for Margo and me, that’s quite a relief. Hard to believe that after breaking ground October 21, with not quite four months behind us, our new Florida home is having landscaping done – our home is now locked awaiting appliances. Hopefully, this storms appearance doesn’t play havoc with our builders’ schedule. Our final walk through i...