Springtime is my favorite time of year in Florida so we are very lucky that our stay in Gainesville has been prolonged during this season. The sun is starting to have some significant warmth (but it is still cool most nights), sandhill cranes are flying overhead with their creaking calls, azaleas and red-buds are blooming bright pink against the neon greens of the trees with leaves that are just budding-out, and there is the smell of citrus blossoms and other floral treats. Hmmm.... what would be the taste of springtime here? Oh, yes, the early-season Florida strawberries.

We are still enjoying the generous and gracious hospitality of Karen and Bill who are remarkably tolerant of our presence and of the almost daily visits of either the nurse or physical-therapist. We are, however, now saying farewell to these professional and cheerful people because on Wednesday (February 23rd) Randall was discharged from care by the surgeon. The latter was very pleased with Randall's rate of recovery, took him off two of his heart-medications, and released him from most of his restrictions, such as not being able to drive. However, Randall will wait a bit longer before taking advantage of this. Although he was able to drive the pick-up truck (which Nancy has so kindly loaned to us) around a few blocks in the neighborhood, he did not find appealing the possibility of having to turn the steering-wheel in a hurry because this would create serious discomfort in his healing chest-muscles. He can now lift up to 20 pounds of weight (9 kg) and start putting his hands above his shoulders, unless it hurts. The physical-therapist also recommended light house-hold chores...so we can certainly accommodate that.

Randall is scheduled to see his (new) cardiologist in a month's time, so we will be staying in Florida at least until the beginning of April. Quite how soon after that we will set-off on the "It's Good to be Alive Tour" remains to be seen. One factor will be when his sister, Martha, is given a date for her hip-replacement surgery. If possible, we plan to go to San Jose, CA, to assist her while she gets back on her feet. So once we have some idea of when that might be, we will start organizing our other travels around it.

Even as autumn and winter approach in the southern hemisphere, we feel very comfortable with Tregoning's location in Whangarei. We have hired someone to keep an eye on her and run the engine every month so that is reassuring. In the meantime, we are thoroughly enjoying the company of our many friends in Gainesville and we soon plan to start visiting as many of the city's nature-parks as possible since brisk-paced walking will remain an important part of Randall's continuing recovery.



Northern cardinal

Many friends have generously brought heart-healthy meals to the house for us (and often for Karen and Bill) and Randall has even ventured out to a couple of evening gatherings. We have shared reports of our eight years of cruising experiences with the local yacht club and we have waved good-bye to a dear friend, Doria, who is moving to Washington DC. Luckily for us, her husband will not be leaving for a little while so we can enjoy his company for a bit longer. But once they find an apartment in the nation's capital, you know that we are going to be among their first visitors...