St. Augustine

This Tree is one of the oldest oaks anywhere its massive.

 So we did a day trip down to St. Augustine. Tim, my brother has told us about it for a long time. Has a shrimp place he raves about, Steen's. Well we didn't make it there, but really enjoyed getting an overview on this trip to the oldest settlement in America of the new settlers/explorers in Florida.
  We opted for the trolley tour to save our feet, and see as much as we could in 4-5 hours there.
Was not disappointed. I love history as you know, and learned of a chap named Flagler, that I never heard of before, who in 1880s thru early 1900 really built St. Augustine and surrounding area with his own money and efforts.
I have not had time to study him yet, But he had to be worth as much as Rockefellers or Actors or Carnegie. The guy built or bought everything  he wanted or needed.  The railroad wasn't here. So he built it to come to St. Augustine, then down the rest f the way to Miami, then to Key West. Hurricane wiped it out a few years later, no sweat. They used the pilings for RR for the highway to Key West later.

 Ponce De Leon. statue. He was 4'11".

Yes there is much about Ponce here. The "fountain of Youth" he tried to find, and some say he did. Average age of people back then was 40-45. He drank of  the spring water from the Ticuan tribe, because they were living to 70-80s. He thought it was there spring water. If he wasn't wounded and died from a battle with another tribe in his late 50-60, He would have lived much longer. Hence the idea that he found the Fountain of Youth.

 Below is the fort that never was taken by battle. We didn't tour it, save it for another day. But it has amazing history to it. Look forward to learning of it.

Here is a sponge, that always fascinated me. I mean its a sponge in the ocean. How cool is that?

So as we toured around, we got off at just the 1 stop by the Fountain of Youth. There were lots more too see. But the talkative conductor on trolley had so many facts about this guy Flagler. He built or bought, then converted several old buildings to hotels. And if you wanted to rent a room from his hotels, you paid for 5-6 months rent up front. If you left early didn't matter. the well off, and millionaires wanted to stay there. He started Flagler college. many hotels. When a rich millionaire decided that Flagler needed competition in the hotel business, Flagler warned him not to build, it was a bad idea to compete against him. The man spent 7,000,000 bucks to finish hotel. only had enough left o furnish like 3 rooms. No one came to stay there, Flagler just lowered his prices at his other 4 hotels, The man went bankrupt after 1 season, Flagler bought his hotel for 380,000. And renamed it, It was a gorgeous place that rivaled his on opulence. He got it on the cheap. But in other things he over spent, but it didn't matter. So I just want to know, Just how much $$ did he have anyhow did he come by it? Henry Ford stayed at his hotels, and all the muckitymucks. Last president was Lyndon Johnson. Very interesting fellow.

Attended Baymeadows Congregation Sunday, then had CO, Bro Fain and wife serving, He gave a nice service talk, that was very direct and effective. Basically addressing those who tend to be complainers. Or feel they have been hurt, slighted, or offended by some"brother". He likened them to someone who had admired a mountain range full of beautiful trees in the fall. From a distance, they watch the scenery and are in awe of the beauty and majesty of the forest, with all their colors, size, and enormous variety. But as they get closer, and become a witness, they find themselves in the middle of the forest, and now they see, dead trees laying fallen down, stuck by lightening, or fallen to disease, The forest floor is layered with dead lies, some dead trees leaning against other trees, being pushed over by the fallen tree next to it. So he told them they need to step back, remember what attracted them to truth in the beginning, and never to forget how beautiful Jehovahs people are, when compared to the majority of people in the world, serving false gods, worshipping in a false way, mislead about the real reasons that the human race is suffering, and who has the real answers. And then to get on their knees and ask forgiveness of the Father for looking at his beautiful creation of the spiritual paradise, and the people He has drawn to that paradise. And he added that all of us at times can fall victim to that perspective if we aren't careful. What a beautiful picture he painted in that illustration.
There is about 160 publishers in the con. with 14 elders, if I remember right. Several approached us warmly and inquired of us.
Went in FS Sat am, but guessed the wrong time, went at (;30 out of habit, but Baymeadows met at 9, so we joined some friends from the other english cong, Atlantic and went with a couple who was from? Where else, Dayton Ohio, Elaines old hometown, And who knew Charlie Stevens well. They started in Dayton in 1978, so Elaines folks had left and were pioneering or in Circuit work by then, and her family had moved away.

Elaine is returning to St. Louis to pack up the condo things, and bring what we want here to Florida next month. Hopefully 1 of the boys will drive her down in rental truck with our things. Tim & Jane told us about an airline that flys out of Belleville area airport by Scott AFB, that flys down to Orlando for $54 to 70 1 way. So that will be very nice. Ill drive her there thursday,morning to catch er flight.

Weather is very nice, temps are in low 70s in day, 40s at night. But they have a string wind by ocean and you still need a jacket or sweatshirt on. Here is our view from 2nd floor apt. we enjoy.

So no buildings behind ours, nice too wake up to.
Love to all. And soon we will be ready for guests.
Tom & Elaine.

So went to new job Monday, and then today did inspection on some structural frames.  Job was about 50 miles south, drove thru some fog on way down. Finished up and headed back. Past several fresh fruit/veggie stands, but didn't stop.

Got up to 81, no wonder I was feeling it at work.

After cleaning up went to apt that Elaine wanted to see, we had visited the place before. But couldn't see this one at that time. 2nd floor, but has a nice lake directly behind. 2 br- 2bath.

We will see if it works out. Moving at our age can be a little challenging. Like why do this now? But there are many reasons. Most involve our health, and the desire to be in warmer climate allowing us to be more active, and try to address some issues. Mine of course is weight, and the issues that accompany that. Mobility, habits that seemed difficult to change or stop in the routine I found myself in. By changing our environment we hope that will enable us to put into practice, and make new habits that are healthier and beneficial for us. Elaine's desire to be around beaches, ocean, and less structured life, allowing time for the exercise, and relaxation to destress. There is schools of thought about digestion, that indicate there may be better results in this climate and life style. She helped my desire to serve where need was greater, sacrificed much to follow my dream there. So it is time for me to do the same, and at same time it may be just what is needed for my long term health.

Of course there are downsides, our kids & Grandkids, its much easier for us to travel than them. So will try to do that. Hopefully some friends will enjoy visiting us here, more than in St. Louis. Its not something we can't reverse if the need arises. My pension will help us reduce need for working as much as I have had to. But want to stay simplified as we have done, and not get entrenched in stuff, to debt. Branch has really helped us to see the benefit by doing that, if possible.

So we shall see how our new situation will develop, living and new spiritual surroundings.

Tom

Florida- our new Adventure begins!

So we arrived at our destination, Jacksonville, Fl. Came in from St. Louis Thursday afternoon. Had reservation at an extended stay, for a week to allow us to check out area. Goy up today and looked at several apt. around area. 1 had caught my attention when looking for a place here, it was about the only short-term, meaning 3 month lease I could find.

With the new job, inspecting for an energy company in Jacksonville, 1-2 days a week, I wanted us to not be locked in to anything to soon. See if job works out, they like me, etc. So need some time for that to develope. So the question is; how do we accomplish that? Short term is of course more expensive, about 30%. But being stuck in a 12 month lease; w/o knowing anything about area, neighborhood, kingdom hall, where work is, traffic etc etc.

So after looking at several apt options, and visiting the short term place, which was really nice, safe, clean, we thought about it, and decided to ask the extended stay, what there long term rates were, for a month. That would allow us time to explore, not tie up finances in a long lease, and see if job works out. And we have done that before when we have been out of town on work assignment before. The difference this time is; Elaine will have to put up with me 3-4 days a week more! The rate was less than the short term apt, they have 1100 units. unfurnished. The hotel has a full kitchen, 2 beds, and living room, plus its furnished, cable, etc. No extra $ for those items apt would require.

So we have decided at this point to try the 1 month here, give us time to explore, check out, see traffic patterns, and look in local paper/online ads for a place. The main thing is to see how long project is, and do we want to stay in area after the project is over? Being this far north, its not as warm as we like, as in Jupiter/ Port St. Lucie- but also it will not be as hot during summer months. The beach is the beach- the benefits are equal, either place, it appears. If you aren't living within walking/biking distance, then it is the same. drive there, carry chairs, towels etc,m and lug back. On beach or very tangential, is too expensive for our budget/retirement. I can find work now, but will I want to work more just to live closer to beach? Good question. If we get a place a little farther, we can get an extra bedroom for company, you all to come & visit. So many things to weigh in on.

As we have moved here for our health & lifestyle betterment; started our effort at eating cleaner- healthier; eliminating easy carbs, processed food, sugar, etc. I know what you're thinking, "no way Jose, Tom can do that" but I did in 2006 after heart scare/ and stent. stayed off all those things for over a year. Lost 40 lbs, got down to a 40 waist, felt strong, and lost all that craving for the Bad. 10 years later, I hope to do it again.

Leaving our wonderful family & congregation isn't easy, but is necessary if we want to achieve our goal. This system is temporary we know, but we have 5 grandchildren, 2 small ones, that we would like to see for a long time.

 Nothing man plans is definite or permanent; But the Bible also tells us to learn lessons from the ant, planning, work hard, prepare for the future. Thats what this is. Our plan when we moved to Mexico, was a 4-5 year plan. Economically live in an area that allowed us to pioneer, serve, etc until we had a better financial situation. when my pension kicked in. That got derailed with new heart condition, afib, so we had to adjust. Got to be around grandkids and kids extra 4 years. Now health issues dictate to try to destress, eat right, exercise and enjoy a less rigorous schedule. Will it work? Unknown. But is it allowed for us to try? Absolutely. Jehovah lets us serve him in any way we want to. He accepts our worship, no matter where we are. When we can take the long-range view, it can help us to work good even to ourselves. At least thats the goal.

So our 1st official meal tonite was this:

Spaghettis squash, cold, with parmesan, butter, tomato sauce, heated on top. Then I had something called; Tile Fish, fresh caught at 400-600 ft, similar to grouper. lemon, butter, salt & pepper to taste.
Fish was great, Elaine only had a bite of fish, spaghetti squash, was ok for me, she loved it.

So after a 4 year hiatus, I may try blogging some. If you don't like it, or takes too much time don't worry. File 13, or tell me to take you off blogger list.

Love to all,
Tom & Elaine.