Texas Visitors

Vicki, Tyler and Tross on the stage at Sumter Landing in The Villages.  They came to visit during spring break

Tross throwing the ball out back

Tyler catching it

Vicki by the pond watching the boys

Waiting for milkshakes at Johnny Rockets

At the practice range Tross must have hit about 25 buckets of balls.  That's more than I've hit since I moved here.

Tyler only about ten

Vicki watched from a patio table with a drink or two.  The boys did stop to eat a little.  They both eat more in one day than I eat in a week.

The best golfers in The Villages prior to teeing off

Tross admiring one of his shots

Tyler lining up a putt

On the way out to somewhere.  The boys drove the carts all over The Villages

Eating popcorn at the movies the one day it rained

Up until after midnight in a rousing game of dominos.  Way past my bedtime

Visitors from North Carolina

Rick, Sheryl and Maggie (dog) visited us this weekend on their way to Sheryl's parents.  We enjoyed the visit, but as usual we forgot to take many pictures.  We played cards, visited one of the town squares, ate out one evening and talked about not being in the snow.

The following pictures were from Rick's IPhone, which were all taken on the golf course.  We do not have any pictures of Sheryl or Muffin.  Next time we need to do a better job.

These are two of the best golfers in The Villages.  The young, slim, good looking one is my cousin.  The fat, old, bald one is me.

The best driver

The best putter

The best at relaxing after a good round.  We were forced to stop in the clubhouse because the ladies left us for a little shopping.

Old Age

I don't look (my opinion) or feel (most of the time) old.  However, as I "mature", I'm finding we mature people are forced to put up with things we didn't even think about in earlier times.  I have been very lucky to be healthy, and except for a few issues playing softball, I've been able to enjoy an active retirement with only minor aches and soreness.  (As we say here in old people's land, "if we ever get up in the morning and don't feel sore, we must be dead".  Anyway, unlike most of my friends I've also not had to take any "maintenance" pills.  That has just changed.

I've had sore hands off and on for several years and I've taken Aleve to reduce my discomfort so I can do the things I want to do.  Several doctors in Texas and here in Florida, after several tests, could not find anything wrong.  A couple of weeks ago, while Les was here, my hands hurt so bad I had to stop playing golf after about 14 or 15 holes.

I just changed doctors last year and like all the others, after discussing my past hand issues, he told me if it happens again to call immediately and he would see me.  So after Les left the next day, I called and got in to see his PA (almost a doctor).  After an hour discussing my issue (when do you ever see a medical person for an hour?), it was decided to do some blood tests to try to at least eliminate some things.

The following week, I was informed we have a "winner".  It's called Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Since it's only in my hands and not other joints, it's thought to be minor and after another hour discussion last Friday with my doctor and his PA, we decided to use a drug called Plaquenil (the official name is three times as long and I can't pronounce it) at least until I see a Rheumatologist.

So as I've said many times, it's not easy being mature and every time I heard a young person say they can't wait until they get old enough to retire and enjoy The Villages' lifestyle, I tell them it's great here, but I would trade it for their youth in a heartbeat.