Suzanne had the opportunity to address a large group at Unity of The Villages recently, and about 90% of the attendees had never heard her speak. She gave a two hour talk on her background and how she had transitioned from a career naval officer to her new life as an intuitive, medium and spiritual teacher. She then shared quite a few examples of the kind of hard-core evidence from the other side that has turned her and many others into believers in a greatly expanded reality.
One of the surprises that day came when Suzanne noticed a lady holding a copy of her latest book, In the Silence, which we had only just received the day before. How did she get that book so fast? Evidently Amazon had them a few days before we received our shipment; what a shock! 
As we were finishing up our delicious dinner, we chatted
with Mel, a Dutch-Italian beauty with runway model looks who plans on moving to
California to continue her education. Meanwhile she is working hard at Mezza Luna, and if you’re heading there
for some great Italian food, please ask for Mel. She is a delightful young
woman and will take good care of you.
On Thanksgiving, we were invited (along with Suzanne’s
Lovely Mom Ruthie) to Jan and Bob’s for a feast, along with Jan's mom and dad, Rita and Frank. They provided the turkey,
stuffing, wine, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, asparagus, and three pies (pecan
[MLB’s favorite] apple and pumpkin). Ruthie brought her Famous Baked Pineapple,
and I made oyster dressing.
We tried to maintain some semblance of moderation
at the feast, and apparently succeeded… no wheelbarrows were required to
transport us home! (Although I have to disclose that MLB was mumbling in her sleep that night... something about "Can I please have another piece of pecan pie? Please, please, please?") 
We had about 4 hours to let our food settle when My Lovely
Bride said, “Mount up, Sailor, we’re going shopping!” I asked, “What are you
talking about? It’s Thanksgiving!” “It’s a new tradition, Black Thursday! Move it!”
So off we drove to Belk to get a new comforter set for The Coach. We arrived
promptly at 2000 (8:00 PM) to find about 1,000 of our new best friends waiting
for the doors to open. I have never been shopping on Black Friday, but I had
heard of the mass hysteria, shouting, pushing and karate chops that American
women thought was normal for the event. So I went prepared with my Darth Vader
helmet, complete with loud wheezing. People seemed to avoid us for some reason…
we were in and out in 15 minutes, and MLB got her new comforter at a great
price. It was an experience…
Friday saw us preparing The Coach for a trip to MacDill Air
Force Base on Tampa Bay. Suzanne was scheduled to do a book signing on Saturday
and speak at First Unity of St. Petersburg on Sunday. We picked up The Coach
from the storage area and took her home for loading. While packing books and
audio-visual equipment in the belly, I noticed two stowaways – small frogs clinging
to the door frames. They had apparently been transported the seven miles from
Oxford to our house, and were looking pretty surprised by their new environs. I
lifted one carefully and transported it to the yard, then picked up the second
and called for Suzanne to grab the camera. Here he/she is on my wrist, just prior to making
the leap to freedom in a new county.
Suzanne was giving a reading in the afternoon, so we didn’t
get underway until 1600 (4:00 PM), arriving in Tampa just after dark. As we approached
the MacDill AFB gate, only one of the four lanes was open (Lane One), and it
was a narrow car lane. Normally, big RVs and trucks enter through much wider
Lane Four. Suzanne said, “Don’t you want to go over to the far lane?” I
replied, “Naahhh, that will cost us too much time, since they’ll have to lower
the barrier and send a guard over there. We can make it… remember, I taught shiphandling
and relative motion at the Naval Academy. This will be a piece of cake.” (This
may not have been the brightest decision of my life…) As we approached, one airman
jumped out of the guard shack saying loudly, “Oh my God!” The other gate guards
(all armed) stood in silence as we rolled up with a line of cars behind us,
with our side mirrors on both sides a scant two inches from mounted security lights
on the guard shack and opposing wall. After checking our IDs, one airman said, “Sir,
could you use the truck lane next time?” I replied cheerfully, “Why, certainly,
that would be great!” Suzanne muttered, “That was a bit close, wasn’t it?” I
replied, “Hey, we had six inches on each side… well, maybe four inches… okay, would
you believe two inches?” I wanted to fist-pump and shout, “The Navy has
arrived!” but decided that I’d better not press my luck with the junior birdmen.
We arrived at the FamCamp in the dark, and while I
disconnected the car and secured the towbar and electrical wires, My Lovely
Bride recon’ed the Ville. Almost all of the full hookup sites were occupied, but
she found one empty spot with all the amenities. The Snowbirds have definitely
arrived. One neighbor, Bill from Michigan, is down for the whole winter. (Let’s
see, in the U.P. that runs from Labor Day through Memorial Day, right?) He
watched as MLB directed me on a walkie-talkie, and we backed smoothly into our
space. Five minutes later electric and water were hooked up and I was pouring Cabernet
into our new Indestructo stemless
wine glasses, gifts from fellow Villagers Gayle and Bill Hancock. (I think
Bill, a retired Navy three star admiral, would have approved of our arrival at the
MacDill front gate. He was a hot shipdriver too.)
I am sure you have put ships in tighter spots than that gate. We are planning a special trip to Mezza Luna for dinner and bet your life we will ask for Mel!
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