A SHOW IN CAPE CORAL...THEN DINNER AT GEO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Today, several of us headed to Cape Coral to the Cultural Park Theater for a presentation of "The Odd Couple...Female Version" which was written by Neil Simon.  The show was funny....absolutely delightful...with lots of laughs.  The door prize was won by, Lynn Long, one of the ladies in our group...the number on my ticket was "one higher" than the winning ticket. The prize was a basket full of a variety on items.

After the show, we went to Geo's Italian Restaurant for some good "italian cuisine".  I had Fettucini Alfredo with Broccoli...delicious!  They give you so much food...that I have some left over for lunch tomorrow...in fact, all of us did!

Me, Linda, and Gretchen

Pat, Lynn, and Marge

Carly, our waitress!

A DAY IN PUNTA GORDA...

Linda and I took this morning to do some browsing and shopping in Punta Gorda...about an hour north of Pine Island.  On the way, we stopped at the Pottery Express Bamboo Farm to look at all the beautiful pottery.  They also had a gift shop and I bought a new necklace. 

They also had lots of other beautiful items...

This lady was walking around with her parrot on her shoulder...

In Punta Gorda, they were having a Farmers Market...and we browsed all the tents...and sampled some delicious cooked sausage.  There were lots of artists showing their artwork...and several were set up and painting.  

Lots of folks had their dogs with them...this little dachshund was a cutie...she posed for me!

Then we headed to Fisherman's Village which is a like a mall...well, actually, we called it a tourist trap.  It was full of shops and restaurants...and most of the shops were kind of pricey.  We ended up eating at a restaurant on the way home.  

We went to the Laff Out Loud shop.  Linda was looking for some items for her Mah Jong game here.  

Lots of the buildings here have beautiful scenes painted on the outside.

We had a fun day...but we were both tired and glad to get home for a restful evening!

A BUSY DAY AND AN ENJOYABLE EVENING...

Today, Linda and I played Mah Jongg with a group of regular players.  I went to watch them play so I could learn more about the game...but after watching a couple of hands, they insisted that the only way to learn to play is to "jump right in and do it"...so I did.  I played three times...and won one!  Yeah!  ....makes you feel good to win...but it just may have been "beginner's luck".

This is my excellent teacher, Marcia Thurston!

Notice that we're wearing beads...when you win, you take some beads and wear them...that way, you

can look around and tell how many games

each person has won!

Gene and Tilmon fished while we played...but it was too cool and they didn't stay out long.  No fish caught today!  

THURSDAY NIGHT...EAT OUT AT WOODY'S RESTAURANT!

Woody's, a local restaurant within walking distance, is one of our favorite "eating out" places...especially on Thursday nights!  There's usually live music entertainment, but last night, the performer was a "no show".  We had some cool weather yesterday and last night...not too many folks eating at Woody's last night and that may have been the reason he decided not to play.

A sign on the wall as you enter Woody's!

Me and Gene (down here they call him Butch)

 A couple we met there...but I can't remember their names  :(

 Linda and Tilmon Keel

THE BEAUTIFUL "SALSA HOUSE"

My friend, Linda, is an artist...and artists love color!  Linda's house is a prime example of her artistic abilities.  It's colorful...warm and inviting...and she told me it's been called the "Salsa House".  From these photos of the inside of her house, I'm sure you will agree.

Photo of one of her doors that she painted last winter.

Notice the beautiful artwork by other artists that she has collected.

Bathroom Mirror

Guest bedroom definitely says "Salsa"

Master Bedroom

WEDNESDAY FLEA MARKET IN FORT MYERS

Last night, we had severe thunderstorms with lots of rain, wind, and lightning.  I had gone into Cape Coral to play music, but when the rain started...I turned around and head back to the island.  When I got up this morning, it was clear with nice weather...no rain and temps in the high 50's.  Linda called early and told us to get dressed and head their way...that we were all going to the flea market.  About the time we got to the flea market which was close to Ft. Myers, it was beginning to sprinkle rain.  Linda bought a box of tomatoes and some Florida Sweets (onions) and then the rains really came down...so back to the island we headed...but it soon cleared up and the rest of the day was very nice.  You won't believe how good the tomatoes and other fresh vegetables are down here...none of those NC "hot house" tomatoes with no taste!

Tonight, we went over to Linda and Tilmon's for a ravioli and sausage dinner prepared by John Nichols...who is here on vacation from Edenton where Linda and Tilmon are from.  This dinner was delicious...and the "mango key lime pie" for dessert wasn't so bad either!  

My Afternoon...Learning to play Mahjongg

They say that Mahjongg is a game that is difficult to learn...but lots of fun once you master it.

The only "mahjongg" I've ever played is on the computer...and it's a simple game of matching two "like tiles" to clear the board.  Well...believe me...mahjong is NOTHING like that...it is a tile game that requires a lot of concentration and thinking...which to me sounds like good "brain exercises for older folks".  Four of us met at Linda's house this afternoon and two of her friends came over to teach and help us learn to play. After a l-o-n-g lesson explaining the basics...then we began playing.  After all...you learn by doing.

Marsha (on the left) giving us the basic rules.

The others are Judy, Sandy, and Linda.

This is Mary, our other teacher, helping Linda.

Closeup of my hand and the rules of play 

And while we played mahjongg...Gene and Tilmon watched a movie.