COMFORT LEVEL

Living in Florida provides several comfort bonuses. My enjoyment of our new residence comes quite often from just sitting on the back porch.

There, I secretly keep busy making pictures out of the raw material provided to us in those Florida ever-changing "huffy-puffy" clouds.

Also satisfying is listening and observing the various species of birds attracted to our red blossom Bottle Brush tree. This is complemented by the peaceful and comforting sound of the fountain located in our side yard island.

All of these activities are sure to increase anybody's comfort level.

For a guy who has always enjoyed the sight and sound of water, whether it's source be fountain, stream, creek, river, ocean or the Gulf, I am in "Hog Heaven". Actually, the only water I rule out is that stemming from a faulty overflow system in the toilet.

Several of our favorite restaurants are near or on the water and have good plumbing.

Still, Florida is not perfect. It's different.

It's also relaxing, "most" of the time. When questioned as to whether we miss family and old friends, we readily admit we do. However, we're adding new friends.

Besides, at last check, starting a new family at our age is perhaps a little too ambitious for us. Phyl's two sons are definitely doing their part in this endeavor as they add to my nine grandchildren and Phyl's one.

We truly miss old friends whether due to distance or death.

Fortunately, as reported in an earlier blog, I have acquired NBF's -"New Best Friends". Let me share my discovery.

Just this morning I received an offer to enjoy the use of a Jet, 24hours a day. Nothing was mentioned as to whether or not bags fly free - so I failed to explore the offer any further.

There were also invites today to "Review and rate pretty women's profiles" or even "Have a great date with an Asian single."

I resisted both. I enjoy my wife's profile and in the latter case am clueless as to whatever happened to WW II propaganda expert, Tokyo Rose.

Some offers leave me befuddled. Part of that is due to my poor reading habits and a misapplication of my Evelyn Woods speedreading training.

I sometimes misread the letters in caps that are included in the offers. Some I do not see and others I add to.

I quickly deleted these two: "A great BMW deal in your area" and "Find courses to prepare you for your PMP certificate."

My bowel habits are manageable and I'm much too old to try to organize and supervise a string of "ho's"

Still - my BNF's persist. They wish me to further my education - but; I lack the energy.

Therefore, I'm reluctant to "Learn a new language in 10 days", "Study to become a nurse practioner" - or "Defuse bombs easily" should the latter invitation become available.

Even the constant invite to "Secretly spy on your kids" no longer is of interest now that I've acquired OoVoo - which admittedly, I have yet to totally figure out.

Still, the fact that I have been singled out to receive such gifts from my NBF's is tempting at times - except perhaps for that one announcing:"Grab all the lint that passes your lint screen."

Again, it's "Thanks - but no Thanks" and, "Thank you for thinking of me".

I've learned to live with lint. Failing vision makes that less of a problem since my retirement.

My compromised eyesight also contributed to my decision not to follow up on: "Smooth new skin in just 10 days."

Let's be honest here. Who, among our aging friends, would notice the change? Definitely not Phyl nor myself.

But, again, what a blessing to have so many "new" friends concerned for my welfare. More importantly, they're just a few keystrokes away.

"Methinks, I'll be content to lift an occasional glass of Pinot Grigio with our newly acquired "real" friends and revisit "my magic kingdom in the backyard" on a regular basis in order to reach my ultimate "comfort level".

Might be worth a try for you as well. It doesn't have to be in Florida.

If the backyard exercise doesn't work for you, Pinot Grigio is available almost anywhere these days - and also may enhance your "comfort level."