Wednesday was a great weather day for a trip to the beach. Before our arrival, the Venice weather had been unbearably hot, like it was during our Tulum week. But since we’ve been here, the temperatures have dropped a little to the mid-to-upper-70s so it is much more comfortable. Every trip to visit Deeny we’ve had a beach day near the Venice Pier, and this visit was no different.
It was lovely, and sunny, and a little breezy. We set up close to the water and really enjoyed ourselves. The gulf was very calm.
Deeny at the beach 
Beach day!
I took a long walk on the beach, always enjoyable. We have bowlfuls of shells at home collected over the years, but who can resist picking up a few more to take home. When I got back to our spot Christine was in the water and so I joined her. It was lovely, but I wished there were some waves. I really enjoy jumping waves. But nevertheless, swimming in the Gulf was great. Christine stayed in the water for quite a while and was chatting with someone. Christine always strikes up a conversation with someone wherever she is. Another pleasure at the beach is watching children play in the sand and along the shoreline. We watched some very active children and could feel ourselves smiling and enjoying their play.
Venice pier 
Sandpiper 
Under the Venice Pier
At the land end of the pier is the famous Sharky’s Restaurant. Although we didn’t have a meal there today, we will before we leave next week, always a favorite place.
For Thursday Christine arranged a visit with a friend, Meryl Blackman, who lives about 90 minutes north of Venice in St. Pete’s Beach. We drove up late Thursday morning, going across the beautiful Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance 
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
We stopped and picked up fabulous deli sandwiches from La Casa de Pane, a real Italian bakery and deli. We arrived at Meryl’s and had a wonderful visit and lunch with her and her mother Sally. Christine and Meryl’s connection is via the American Dance Asylum and they have known each other since the mid-1970s. They were involved with the ADA with Bill T. Jones, Arnie Zane and Lois Welk. It was funny to hear from Meryl that just coincidentally she got a phone call from Lois this morning. Must be the dancer’s ESP that told Lois that two other dancer friends were getting together today. Christine and Meryl reconnected a few years ago when the ADA had a reunion in Binghamton.
Meryl moved to the same condominium development as her parents a few years ago. She was in the neighboring building. Her father died in 2019, I think, and so she has been helping her mother. Sally had a health event that caused her to need additional care so Meryl asked her to move in with her, so they sold Sally’s apartment. They are both happy with the arrangement. Meryl also has a very cute dog, a Havanese, Maya.
Meryl and Maya 
Sally 
Meryl and Sally 
Maya 
Christine with Meryl 
Us with Meryl’s mom Sally
Meryl has a beautiful apartment with a wonderful view. Deeny said she’d never get anything done if she lived there; all she would do would be look out at the view. I’d be the same. Meryl said they often see dolphins playing out across the bay.
View from Meryl’s 
Gorgeous view from Meryl’s balcony 
One of the pools at Meryl’s
It was really great spending some time with Meryl and Sally. Meryl is such an interesting woman. She’s been an activist and community organizer for many issues and is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about so many things. Deeny enjoyed meeting Meryl and we hope that they will stay in touch.
After our drive home, I was ready for a little walk so Christine and I walked around Deeny’s community. I had heard some birds cackling and, thinking that they might be sand hill cranes, we set off in search of these birds. All of a sudden we saw this huge bird fly close by and it had a fish hanging down from its talons. I was shocked to see that the bird was a bald eagle. I never in a million years would have thought I’d see a bald eagle in Florida, but there it was. Unfortunately, cellphone zoom photos aren’t very clear, but here’s a couple of photos.
Eagle with fish in talons 
Eagle
We watched the eagle for a while as it had its snack. Eventually, I think it was bothered by me being close to the tree, it moved off to another area. It was quite an incredible sight. Later, Deeny said that she one saw an eagle in her yard while she was sitting in the house which shocked her.
We did see a group of 4 sand hill cranes fly but I didn’t get a photo. We saw a heron sitting on a neighbors roof.
We also noted a type of palm tree that fascinated me. Upon returning home I did a little research and learned that it was a Christmas palm. What makes it so striking is the huge bunches of fruit that it grows. This fruit turns bright red in the winter, looking like a cluster of red bulbs. And Deeny showed me that she has a Christmas palm near her front door. In the past Deeny has lopped off the bunches of fruit while they were green because the fallen fruit causes a mess. Now that she knows that the fruit will turn red, she’s going to leave the fruit clusters on the palm this year and hope for a nice Christmas decoration.
Christmas palm 
Christmas palm fruit
It’s been a lovely 2 days. Friday’s forecast is for rain, so I think we may be having a lull day and not plan any activities.