It's cold here in Florida but it will be warm again soon!

Hi,

Love it here in Florida until it gets cold. But it will warm up tomorrow so I can get back to the links.

I lost a good friend this past Christmas eve to a blood clot . He went home an told his wife he was tired and wanted to lay down. She went in to check on him but he was gone. Autopsy today to find out for sure. He was our club pro and was trying to change club culture. Very ethical and just got back his amateur status after being a PGA pro. Nice guy and very personable. RJ is going to be missed by everyone who knew him. Sadly we at Polo will not see his future vision for the club. His past few years have turned the club around and made many friends here. Politics will win over again and someone will be selected to run things down to where it was before. Sad! I have known a few PGA professionals in my life and RJ is one of the better ones. He is in heaven now with the rest of the past Pro's and will be sure to meet the greatest. I will miss him and the times with him on the links. I am losing too many friends these days but I do realize it is the way as one gets older.

We are talking about making Florida our permanent residence. My wife mentioned that this evening. I have been thinking about doing that for sometime since our Illinois Governor wants to tax our retirement income. I only kept our home in Illinois because of my wife's family. She is very close with her sisters. Most of mine are long gone. We should not be penalized because of our decisions 40 years ago to invest in our future retirement. We own our homes in Illinois and Florida but my wife wants to sell both to get a bigger place here in Florida.

We sold our farm to down size and move to town. I agreed but now I would like to get a place with some acreage here in Florida. I like some peace and quiet with solitude but she wants a place in another 55+ community. I like having people around but I do like to have someplace that I can find some quiet peace and invite people over. If I can get my home with access to a Golf course and party when I want then that would meet my needs. Decisions will have to be met but I will not close myself in again. Compromise will be the way to go but I am not sure she will want to be in the boon docks again but I would like the isolation so we can do as we please.