See Ya' Later, Alligator! Maybe I Won't Go Fishing Again January 16, 2013

See Ya' Later Alligator!

Maybe I Won't Go Fishing Again

 

January 16, 2013

 

    

     On my way home from work, I stopped at my favorite park on the Little Econ River to sit awhile and watch the ibis, lots of ibis, splashing and walking around in the water.

 

     I parked my car, walked a few yards across a bike/jogging path to sit at a picnic bench near the bank of the river.  I've done this lots of times and have written about it.

 

     Today, I looked across the river, about 100 yards wide, to see if other ibis were on the other side, as they usually are.  Nope.  No ibis.  So I sat and relaxed, and enjoyed watching, just watching.

 

     After about 15 minutes, I stood up to leave when something caught my eye across the river.  There was a long, long alligator swimming slowly upstream, right next to the bank of the river.  I could see its huge head, its curved back, and its long tail moving slowly, slowly.  Finally it slid under some overhanging cypress branches.  Then it just waited, its 12-foot long dinosaur body just waited.

 

 

This link shows a short video of a large gator similar to what I saw today. 

 



      This gave me pause for thought:  Do you suppose this huge alligator sometimes swims on the side of the river where all of the nature lovers hang out?  I think I already know this answer.  Yes, of course.



 

     So, I'm thinking that if that gigantic creature is part of my nature dream, I may have to rethink my dream.  Maybe I'll do my fishing from a very large boat next time. 

 



 

 

Click on this link to see my pinterest interests. Look at my "Animals, Just Animals" board. No alligators.

 

    

Best Holiday Week--Now I'm Going Fishing December 29, 2012

Best Holiday Week

Now I'm Going Fishing

 

December 29, 2012

 

     It's been such a lovely week, and only week one of my Christmas holidays vacation.  There are still eight more days of vacation before work calls again.  I do hope everyone had a happy Christmas or Hanukkah.

 

     With all the little pleasures of meals and casual evenings with friends and family, I have thoroughly enjoyed this week.  For the past two days I have just enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels, watching nature from my picture window, and relaxing.

 

      One of my little pleasures was making winter bird feeders to hang in the branches of shrubs near my bird feeder.  Here are the directions, so don't laugh:

 

      Take a toilet tissue roll, coat with creamy peanut butter, roll in birdseed, thread a string or ribbon through the roll, tie a knot, and hang outside for the birds.  You can also just put it through a bare branch like the photo above. Squirrels and birds love these and I am going to continue to make these all winter. 

 

Click here to see how to make the bird feeder. Cute website.

 

     My relaxing involved watching hours and hours of the original version of "Upstairs, Downstairs" on my computer.  Click here to watch one of the episodes.   

 



 

     While I really only listened to the episodes, I spent hours on pinterest.com, read news stories, and played lots of computer card games.  This must be what retirement will be like.  Nice.

 

     Now it's time to go fishing in the park at the riverbank I wrote about weeks ago.  Today, although it is lightly raining, I shall put my fishing tackle in some kind of container, complete with that knife for protection from alligators. 

 

     But first I have to attach a hook and weight to the brand new fishing rod I bought.  I've got to find a way to attach that rubber lure to the hook, because I'm really a salt-water fishing person.

 

     I'm borrowing my neighbor's canvas camping chair, complete with drink holder.  I'm packing a light lunch and a few bottles of water, probably 4 bottles, in case the fish don't bite and I have nothing to do.

 

     Since I want to absorb all the nature in the park, I'll be bringing my camera this time out, and will keep binoculars close at hand. 

 

      But wait, there's more:

 

     Yesterday, while driving through my neighborhood, I saw a turkey vulture (with the red face) feasting on a rather gruesome meal in someone's driveway.  It appeared to be a squirrel, but I'm afraid it was a cat.  Yum-yum.  

 

     Here is a turkey vulture.  Click here to learn more about turkey vultures. Ewwww.

 





 

     So, off I go to commune with nature and torture the fish.  Happy New Year  2013 to everyone.

 

Click here to view my pinterest interests.

 

     

The Official Activities List--So Far December 11, 2012

The Official Activities List--So Far

 

December 11, 2012

 

     Thank you to everyone who has read some or all of my posts since I began this blog in early November.

 

     I just viewed each post, around 30, and now you can see the activities I believe may keep my attention after I officially retire next year.

 

     I am adding a Number 15:  writing more thank you notes to people who make my life happier and more enjoyable by the little things they do.

 

 

Official List of Retirement Activities December 11, 2012

1. Treasure hunting with a metal detector

2. Bowling

3. Bus trip with others to visit Mt. Dora, Florida

4. Take ballet classes

5. Joining in activities at my local Senior Citizens Center

6. Getting a job, part-time--Cancelled

6a. Helping the homeless, in a small way

7. Reopening my business, "Set The Table--Vintage Tableware and Linens," on eBay

8. Meet and greet the dolphins at Sea World--Cancelled

9. Bike riding in the greenway/park, having a picnic--tried it and it was wonderful!

10. Bagging and redistributing 40 bags of clutter in my home. (Tried it; too depressing)

11. Having laughter-filled meals with friends or family

11a. Go somewhere on a train

12. Visit a kennel where greyhounds are born and raised.

13. Go fishing in a river at the greenway/park

14. Accept all invitations for social events

15. Send more written thank you notes

     There you have it:  the list.

     May I be perfectly clear in saying this is not a bucket list!

     If I keep this up, let me do the math, I will have approximately 150+ additional possible retirement activities in the next 10 months. 

     Now it's time to go do some laundry before I go to work. 

Click here to get to my pinterest site. That's where I spend way too much time now.

 

 

I'm Going Fishing--For Free!

December 8, 2012

 

 

 

     A few days ago I wrote about seeing someone sitting on the bank of the Little Econ River, just casually casting his fishing line into the water.  I had added "go fishing" to my list of activities for retirement.

 

      I researched fishing this morning, and lo and behold, I can fish for free, without a fishing license!  Here is the rule/law that affects me.  Yay for being old!!

What does a senior license certificate cover and where do I get it?

Florida residents age 65 or older only need a Florida Driver License or Identification Card to prove residency and age. They are not required to purchase the following recreational licenses and permits:

• Saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing and hunting licenses
• Snook, lobster, deer, management area, muzzleloading, turkey, archery, crossbow, *Florida waterfowl, and migratory bird permits.

You can get a complimentary senior card at the county tax collectors office, but it is not necessary. You can find links to the county tax collector offices at $taxcollectors.
While a license is not required for resident seniors, they should keep proof of age and residency in their possession while participating in these activities.


     That means that I can rush to my nearest Target or (where would I go around here?) somewhere nearby to purchase $50 worth of equipment to fish for free.  Seems logical. 

     Remember, this Wednesday, the Golden Ticket Day, I get my first  SS check.  That means I will have some "recreational funds" to try out my retirement activity. 

     I was sitting at a picnic bench on the bank of the river when I saw the man fishing.  I didn't see any DisneyWorld safety rails or fences to keep alligators from just strolling up the bank to eat me, however.  Oh, heck.  I didn't see an alligator strolling up the bank to eat the fishing guy either.



      Definitely going shopping for a fishing rod, a big knife to kill any gators, snakes or serial killers, a comfortable camping chair to relax in, a pair of work gloves for when I have to hold the fish to remove the hook before I throw it back in the river, and a picnic lunch from Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Oh yes.  I'll need bait.  What do freshwater fish like to bite off of a hook?  Hope it's not worms. 



     If they only want worms, then I'm going bowling instead. 

Follow me on pinterest while I'm "gone fishing" this morning. Just click this link to get there.

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Practice

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Try My Retirement Activities

November 17,2012

 

     With my school holidays starting, I am heading out with my beautiful new bike to ride to my heart's content.  But wait, there's more.

 

     When I was forced to take a detour on my way to work a week ago, it sent all traffic through a beautiful greenway/park I didn't know existed.  So for the past week I have taken that detour to and from work.  Immediately upon turning into the park, I become one with nature.

 

     There appears a flowing river,  a wide bike/running/walking/dog walking/stroller-pushing concrete pathway along the entire bank of the river.  Hundreds of migrating birds circle overhead.  Egrets are busying themselves along the river bank across the river.   People are strolling with babies, dogs, walkers, bikers, and I should be there.  Oh, and don't forget the people quietly fishing the river.

 

     Professional size soccer fields, two playgrounds, and one gigantic exercise center are also on the property, safely fenced from pathway traffic and the winding road for car traffic.  Who forgot to tell me about this treasure in Orlando?

 

     So, to add to my retirement activities list, a year ahead of when I'll need it, I'm loading up my bike and heading to that park for some peaceful riding.  I will not have to look for cracks in the road or traffic that might squash me.

 

     Number 9 (or is it 10) on my list is now to head to the park and ride my bike for awhile.  I might even pack a little snack in my bike basket.  Pictures later today.   This practice run will confirm its place on my list.

 

     Have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal, and please help those who need one.

 

 

 

 www.pinterest.com/mimihylton