Random thoughts

The weather here has been text book perfect. Daytime highs in the upper 70's and night time lows in the upper 60's. I love the air along the oceans. Up north the air has a dry harsh quality to it but down here in the spring the sea air has that soft, cooling feel without making you feel a chill. The Great Recession has hit south Florida much harder than I was aware of. When we went to Boynton Beach to visit with my son we stayed at a Hampton Inn which was located next to a good sized strip mall. Half of the spaces were empty and for rent. The waitress told us how she bought a home back in 2007 for $325,000. She and her husband both lost their jobs in 2009 and they finally let the house go back. The latest appraisal on the house was $138,000. Wow! The guy that made the service call on the RV told a similar story. They had bought a house for $250,000 back in 2001 and lost it in 2009 when they couldn't make the payments. The bank still has the house 3 years later. We took a hit in South Carolina but nothing like this. There seems to be less traffic than there was back in the salad days so I guess a lot of people have left.  In any event we are having a good stay and a good visit. Thursday we start the trek to Fort Walton Beach where we will spend a week. After that Natchez, Mississippi for the Spring Flower Festival.

A whole lotta Lillie manhood here. This is my son Mike.

Sandy Hook interior decorations.

Mary's sister and family.