TwoGether

Tuesday 2/21/12.  Today was run around doing errands.  Of course at stop at K-Mart found several new ladies shorts and tops and a hot-off-the-shelf Rummikub game.

Wednesday 2/22/2012.

We were invited to Casey and Barb’s for lunch at their tropical paradise home, as I like to call it, and Casey describes as “Disney World without the mouse”.  If I have the story right, the house previously belonged to a German business man who would entertain clients there.   The amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, canal with a boat lift, view of the Caloosahatchee River, room, room and more room.  The greatest part is even though the setting is rather formal, your feel at home as soon as you go through the front door.  Of course Casey and Barb treat us like family.   Then there is Brutus, an English Bulldog, Bandit, a Boston Terrier, and Taz, a Pug.  I don’t think any of them knows a stranger. Evening found all of us (humans) at Nestor’s Restaurant.  They specialize in Greek cuisine.  Linda enjoyed broiled scallops, and I had a new treat; Almond, Honey, Crunchy Grouper. After dinner a hot game of Rummikub ensued.  

Thursday 2/23/12.  This morning found us in the car headed northbound for Lake Wales, FL.  Linda wanted to see Bok Tower (also known as the Singing Tower). We were there for our 5th anniversary and really enjoyed it.     Since that time the Gardens have acquired the Pinewood Estates (the Buck Mansion) which is next to the Bok Tower Gardens. There is also a beautiful visitor center/museum with a movie about the building and operation of the tower.

 

The Tower houses a 60 bell carillon in the upper third of the 205 foot high structure.  The carillon is operated with a clavier (keyboard) which is more like a handboard.  The keys are levers moved by the carillonneur (person who plays a carillon).  The whole thing appears to be rather cumbersome and complex but the music is beautiful.  We arrived just in time to hear the bells ringing out “How Great Thou Art”.

Edward Bok was born in the Netherlands in 1863 and arrived in the US at the age of six.  He became a Pulitzer Prize winning writer/editor and was best known for his work as editor of “Ladies Home Journal” from 1889 to 1919.  He dedicated the tower to the American People for them to enjoy.

 

The seven acre Pinewood Estates was originally called “El Retiro” and was the winter retreat of C. Austin Buck, VP of Bethlehem Steel. The 20 room Mediterranean style mansion was built in the early 1930 and was lived in only six to eight week a year in the months of January and February.  Some of the unique features are…Every one of the thirty-some doors in the house are different. Every room contains ceramic tile, but each room has a different design.  A circular staircase leads from the music room directly up to Buck’s bedroom.