Happy to be here

 

Happy to be back from an unintended vacation from blogging.  We have been busy and well -- the time away was caused by computer failure.  My poor PC gave up the ghost!   After several trips to the "not-quite-as-Best-as-it-used-to-be" store, my new machine is finally here.  And installed and ready to go,  thanks to the in-house computer person (the one in our household who is not me).

 

 

And now all I have to do is remember how to use it.   I'm thankful to be back and to have new pictures to share.  And very grateful that my old ones were safely restored.  

 

Ruddy Turnstone

 

Except for the memory collage a little way below, the pictures in today's post were taken on Captiva Island last week.   It was our first real boating excursion in over two seasons.   

 

 

We stayed two nights (aboard our boat) at the historic Tween Waters Inn.  It is located on Captiva Island be'tween' Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico.       Click on the sign to read some of its history.  

 

 

It was kind of a bitter-sweet time because we went with good friends who have sold their winter home on the Canal and will not be back next season.  They are the ones who really helped us get to know the good places to boat here in SW Florida.  

 

Brown Pelican

 

We have had so much fun together, boating and ashore, during our twelve seasons here.  We will miss them.   

 

 

 This collage is not from last week, but is just a few memories from past boat trips with these (and other) friends.  

 

 

We didn't let the bitter over-rule the sweet on this trip and we had fun together.   By this time in our lives, we all know that change happens.   

 

Ospreys on historic Tween Waters cottage

Here's to happy times:  Past, present, and to come!

 

More  Sunset from Tween Waters Beach, Captiva Island (Pine Island Sound)

 

LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities.  Thank you to the hosts:

 

MOSAIC MONDAY;  NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS;   TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  FRIDAY  BLISS;  and SATURDAY CRITTERS    

Comments

[Michelle Banks]

Oh computer problems are the worst and it seems that computers are throw away like everything else. My mac is considered elderly at 5 years. I am sorry about your friends moving. I miss seeing people as I have not "seen" my group of friends in 2 years....Michelle

[Shiju Sugunan]

Welcome back! You shared some nice images.

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
I am glad to see you back blogging. Your birds are all beautiful. great sightings. The Pelicans are one of my many favorite birds.
Gorgeous sunset, your boat trips sound like fun times. Beautiful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Greetings and Salutations! Computer problems are NOT fun. I am really glad that you are posting again. Enjoyed the many photographs you shared with us today. Welcome back!

[Peter B.]

Welcome back, and congratulations on your new computer! I have a real love/hate relationship with mine. It's starting to get a little glitchy, although I think it's only about 3-4 years old. I wonder how old that is in computer years??

[riitta k]

Welcome back Sallie! Stunning golden sunsets and happy memories. Great that your photo archives were restored.

[Photo Cache]

Lovely shots as always. HOpe you are liking your new toy.

[mae]

Leaving old friends is definitely sad. Being left behind may be even sadder. I hope you find new friends in your Florida life.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Good orange sky.

[Sami]

Sorry about the computer woes. I had a week off blogging recently as we had internet problems (a mouse chewed an outside cable apparently, lol). Great holidays and photos. It must be sad that your friends are moving, hopefully you will still be able to catch up once in a while.
I'm counting down for my first overseas holiday in 4 years and reuniting with family!

[Beatrice]

Yes, Sallie, it was good to blog visit and find your new post. Admittedly, I do not visit blogs on a daily basis so anyone's absence for a few days goes unnoticed. It's nice that yours was caused by mechanical vs. human failure. I said that because just today I read a blog post from someone who had not posted in quite awhile and she explained "why." Any post that starts out with the word, Sad, included wont be good news. So glad yours had Happy in it. PC failures are frustrating but fixable. Your friends will be missed, but glad you all had a great time.

[Juliet (craftygreenpoet)]

Lovely selection of photos! Glad you've sorted out your computer problems! Sorry your friends won't be there in future seasons.

[DeniseinVA]

It’s great to see you back and so glad you got your computer problems sorted out and are happy with the replacement. My in-house computer expert is also not me :) Loved the beach photos and the ruddy turnstone and pelican, all the birds. Fun to read the historical marker on ‘Tween Water’s Inn, great name. Looks like a wonderful area to spend some time, and I would love to see all those shells. Sorry to hear your friends have moved on, they sounded like good company. Yes, changes do happen but we don’t enjoy them when it happens, as in this instance. But I am happy you’re back posting again and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thanks Sallie, have a continued great week.

[Veronica Lee]

Sounds like a fun boating trip.

Fabulous photos as always, especially that pelican shot.

Happy Wednesday, Sallie.

[Lorrie Orr]

I'm glad you have a new computer and that it's working well for you. Your boating trip looks like it was a lot of fun. Such great bird photos - I like the Ruddy Turnstone. Beautiful views from your corner of the world.

[William Kendall]

Your shot of the pelican is my favourite.

[Villroses hage]

Nice birds and sunsets!

[Hazel]

Lovely to have your Blog back up and running. Was concerned you might be ill, not the computer😊

[Heidrun]

Fine,that you are back here with another nice Post. Reading about the problems with the Computer, I remember very well on my own sorrows with this.

Oh, I wished we could be on a boat! I enjoyed your captures.

Happy MosaicMonday

[Soma @ InkTorrents.com]

Welcome back! Lovely photos of your time together with your friends, and the last photo of the sunset with the birds is gorgeous.

-Soma

[Linda W]

Lovely Post. I’m glad you did not lose your photos on the computer crash.

[Lavender Dreams]

How nice to get out on your boat and enjoy seeing so much! And I'm very glad you are up and running with a new computer. I couldn't do it without my hubby's help! But it sure is a great way to share photos. Enjoy your week! It's already getting hot but we don't mind it really! lol Hugs, Diane

[Angie]

Sallie - your bird photos in this post are special - I love the Ruddy Turnstone! What a name! Sorry your friends are moving on, but you have the memories to treasure. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

[Lydia C. Lee]

Ahhh, computer issues. Drive us crazy but it's crazy without them!

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

..computer problems drive me crazy and so does Blogger!

[Jennifer Jilks]

Glad you are back and up! It is such a pain when that happens.

[Sharon]

Happy you are up and posting again! The pics are great. Looks like great fun with great friends.

[Pat]

I was wondering where you were, Sallie, and was hoping you took a nice road trip and not that you had computer problems. Ugh--I know what a hassle that can be! I took a week off blogging after Easter just to catch up with life in general. Today we got rain--blessed rain--so I'm a very happy girl!
PS: sorry this will be the last summer season with your friends--I hope that you will be able to visit them wherever they settle and maybe they will come out to Oregon to see you both sometime.

[Lisa]

I am glad you have a new computer and are up and running again. Your bird shorts are wonderful. I am glad you had a good time with your friends. I'm sure you'll miss them.

[Peter Rainville]

Glad the boat is up and
Running

[Amy Franks]

I was wondering where you had been, good to see you back with another collection of photos. I like seeing in particular the different shells (as per your photo) in each place we visit.

[ellen b]

So sorry about your computer woes. Glad you are onboard again and your info/photos were saved. That is sad to see your good boating friends sell. Glad you could celebrate with them. Love the seabirds and the shells and the sunset, too! Happy May to you.

[Carol]

Time can be bittersweet with memories from the past and knowing that life is based on change in many ways.

[Alan]

Glad you are back!! I love what computers do but I hate the machines themselves.

It looks like you had a great time on your outing. Sorry that your friends won't be back. Like you say change happens and it is best to stay in front of things.

[Su-sieee! Mac]

Hi, Sallie! I was wondering if your absence was due to traveling back to Oregon. So, a new computer, and, best of all, someone to help you get it running. Awesome! I’ve been working on the iPad these days. I miss typing on an actual keyboard. One good thing about friends is that the next time we see them, we yakity yak like we just saw them yesterday. :-)

[somewhereinireland]

It's always sad when good friends move away but the memories will be with you. Glad you got a new computer and are back with some beautiful photos to share. I love the sunset, it is stunning. Have a great week and it's nice to see you back.

[Bob Bushell]

I hope the computer is well Sallie.
Beautiful Ruddy Turnstone and Brown Pelican, two of my favourite.

[Gaelyn]

I love your attitude, perseverance, and photographs. Nice to be with friends. I rather miss the boat camping I grew up with.

[Sondra]

I was beginning to wonder if you had sailed off on a cruise around the world...and hoping if you did you were having a blast. Nothing stays the same wish your Canal friends the best as they go thru some changes...Happy May Day!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Glad you enjoyed Ten Pound Island explanation ~ Xo

[A ShutterBug Explores]

So glad you have a new computer ~ your photos are wonderful ~ lovely nature series and I enjoyed out stay at Tween Waters ~ I have fond memories of Captiva ~ Did you get to Hamburger Heaven? (I think that is the name) ~ Xo

Wishing you love and laughter in your days ~

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Sorry to hear about your computer, and your friends are moving away. That is sad. I am glad to see you back. Your photos are lovely from your boat trip. You know I always love the bird photos. The sky/sunset shot is lovely too. Take care, enjoy your new week ahead.

[NatureFootstep]

glad you were finally able to return to blogland. It is a great place to be when one can´t travel anymore.

Love the Ruddy Turnstone, a bird I like a lot. And the photo of the
Brown Pelican i stunning.
Also I am a bit envy of your travel photos. :) Beautiful sunset.

[Penelope Notes]

It’s a fortunate life, indeed, when you have such fine friends and health good enough to enjoy shared moments in beautiful landscapes. The last photo is breathtaking and does make me think of the last verse of the poem by Gilbert Thomas: The long day comes full circle, I look, I gasp. Once more I stare, like any infant, At sky and sea and shore.