Laurel Oak stump

Laurel Oak removal
At one time there was a grove of Laurel Oak trees across the vacant land behind the Parkview Baptist Church, but when houses included ours were built – several were removed. We had one in the back corner of our land. Unfortunately this one has termites. It also was in a hard to get at position, near power lines, fence lines, and our arbor.
First the power company came and shielded the power lines, and then the tree company came and cut down the tree. We are left with a 6 foot high stump. What should we do? Carve figures in it? Paint it? Seal it up with marine varnish? Let the termites finish eating it? Any ideas?

For pictures of the tree removal go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=145960&id=617928368&l=de75f174de

Luncheon at Prairie Creek Ranch

Today Sharon and I hosted a luncheon at Prairie Creek Ranch. The 750 acre ranch has a 5 bedroom, multi-rooms, decks, etc lodge, horse stables, out-buildings etc. ATC http://alachuaconservationtrust.org/ Alachua Conservation Trust recently purchased the ranch. Much of the land will be sold to the state of Florida and will enhance Florida State Park Paynes Prairie http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/ and some of the land will be retained.

I am involved with a group that will buy 78 acres of the 750 acre ranch that we will turn into a Conservation Burial Ground. The group called Conservation Burial, Inc. http://www.conservationburialinc.org/ is made up of concerned citizens from the area. Today Sharon and I invited some of our Bahá’i friends to come look the property for the first time and give us their impressions. It was much fun and a great day to take a walk. The land needs to be cleaned up from non-native plants. We will do that and begin planting local plants as soon as all the money has been raised and all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed.

For a few photos from today’s adventure go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144814&id=617928368&l=5f2735f981

Sharon got a new Bug!

Today she took possession of a 2010 VW New Beetle. The old bug held up for 9 of its 10 years but was a money pit this past one. The new one has several nice features that didn’t exist back in 2000--nice cup holders, a 6 disc CD player, leather seats, heated seats (which, believe it or not, are useful at times here in north Florida), and a cool pale blue color. It is not diesel as those won’t be made again till 2011. It drives great and is a fun ride!

Pictured her car on the showroom floor, then driving out the door.

New Wedding Ring

When Sharon underwent surgery in November they had to cut-off her wedding band. We shopped around for a new ring and this is what we chose. It is white gold, as was the old one, but the new one has a raised herringbone pattern. They ring has the same inscription as the old one.

Interestingly the ring was made in Turkey.

Also included for your viewing pleasure pictures of Chole and Aja, the real owners of our house.

Indian Shores Beach & Volleyball Finals

Well, our latest adventure was time spent following the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. In 2005 we traveled to San Antonio, in 2007 to Sacramento-Lake Tahoe, and this year it was Tampa-St.Pete. Each year we had hoped to see our favorite women’s team, the Florida Gators, play in the finals. This year they were knocked-out by the eventual winner, Penn State. We saw awesome volleyball, especially the Finals - Penn State vs Texas.

When we were not attending the volleyball matches we stayed at a resort on Indian Shores Beach. Indian Beach is a large beautiful beach located on Tampa Bay. It is north of St. Pete Beach and south of Clearwater Beach. There are many casual and some upscale restaurants located on Gulf Blvd. and we sampled a few

The photograph on the album cover was taken as two weather fronts came together over the bay. The weather was unusual—at the beginning of the week the fog lasted well into the afternoon. At times we couldn’t see across the intercoastal. We had almost no rain. The last day was absolutely beautiful but the wind was 20-30 mph. The surf was up and dozens of surfers were out in their black body suits looking like seals bobbing in the Gulf. Some people were using kites to pull themselves around in the Gulf while balancing on small surf boards.

Each day brought long walks on the beach and it was a very restful week—perfect recovery mode for Sharon. . So you can see some of the beach pictures and some volleyball pictures go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130457&id=617928368&l=d79c664c6b

Headed to Indian Shores, FL for the week

Leaving today for a week of R&R and Volleyball -- NCAA Final 4 Division 1 Women's Volleyball will take place in the St. Pete Times Forum Thursday and Saturday. Pictures to follow:

Allan & Sharon (Sharon is on the mend)

Sharon’s Medical Adventure

On Friday the 20th Sharon had a follow-up visit with her physician who informed her that her biopsy showed endometrial cancer and it was stage 3! Her doctor had already called a surgeon and they had scheduled surgery for Tuesday morning.

This all happened early Friday morning and Sharon still had to drive to Jacksonville Airport and pick me up from my return from New Mexico. She told me as I drove out of the airport. I lost track of where we were for awhile, but we drove on home to face a long weekend.

Prayers and well wishes began to roll-in like wave after wave. Monday’s meeting with Dr. L. Morgan, gave Sharon great assurance that she would be under excellent care. The wait until the surgery prep Tuesday morning was very emotional, but we employed one of the greatest tools in healing, laughter and joy.

Sharon went under the knife around 10am. I went home and my two sisters Cindy and Beth joined me at my Gainesville home. Cindy and Beth had flown down to Florida to visit my mother and have Thanksgiving with Mom, Clint, Sharon, and I. It was wonderful that they could come over and stay with me until Sharon was in recovery.

Sharon was admitted to the brand new Shand’s Cancer Hospital. This hospital opened November 1 this year and Sharon had helped open it. She is working on the non-trauma orthopedic cancer floor 6 West and she was admitted to 6 East. Therefore, her friends and coworkers were around and helpful.

Many people sent flowers and messages. Thanksgiving Day Dr. Morgan and Dr. Mock came to visit us at Sharon’s bedside. Well they had been able to get all the lab results and the surgeon was positive that the surgery had removed all the cancer and it was in no other tissues!! No radiation, no chemo required, just regular follow-up visits. What a great Thanksgiving Day. Sharon barely ate anything that day and I faired on left-over’s.

Her are some pictures - She is at home and on the road to well being.