Category: Trella Diaries

Tuesday January 29th
Waffles for breakfast as the Brattons have them every other morning. Peeled papaya that Carl gave me just ripe nicely and so good. Wrote letters to Marjorie, Reigers and Buss Hinklins and cards to Jordan’s, Romines, the shop. Lazy day. Lil called Opal Setterfield Stockman and I tried to call Stafford’s. Viv unloaded the late Empire chest and David and we loaded it with the help of the Berea College representative who happened to buy lunch on the patio again.
Kass called saying Chris is quitting at the end of the week to take job with Recreation Department Crafts in Peacocks got the furnace in Freddy head Merchants Avenue.
About 3:30 headed for Tampa across the I-75 8 Mile Bridge. Shop in the mall at the end of it but $10 pink pants to go with blouse I bought yesterday and dress shoes $31. 8th at Piccadilly cafeteria. Play Boggle and hearts after we got home. David won.
Loaded the Late Empire chest that was in house where Bratton’s bought it. A $300 and Viv will buy a breakfront.

Monday January 28th
Slept late- had lunch on the patio watching the chameleons. Viv washed and David hung out after he got back from baseball. He still plays twice a week. Went to Mrs. Wilson’s on 13th Avenue to see her antiques. Every cupboard and nook and cranny full. Lots of valuable pieces but not well displayed. Shopped and I bought a rose printed blouse for $13.50.
Marjorie Long Ochurst who graduated from Harding in 1932 and Martha way came over for dessert- apple cobbler with the huge apples from Findlay Market and crust Viv maid in processor. Played Uno and Vivian Martha and I got beat.

Sunday January 27th
Breakfast with Carl in the Esther and Carl packed two papayas for me. Left about 9 and drove to the beach south of them. There was fog over the gulf but the waves were washing the shell banks & the fossil shark’s teeth were easy to find. Left Venice about 10:15. Stopped in Bradenton trailer park on business 41 to visit Chester and Isabelle Scott at her mother Mrs. Rodger’s trailer. Isabelle so tickled to see us and made us stay for lunch. Then walked us all over the very clean trailer park. Fog very bad when we arrived but sun out when we left about 2:30 so it was beautiful when we crossed the Sunshine Skyway. Drove out past condos to Fort Desoto- wonderful recreation area- beaches and we climbed up the fort which was built in 1898. At St Petersburg beach was amazed at the big pink Don Cesar Hotel which was slated to be demolished when I was here 10 years ago. Arrived at Vivian’s at 4:50 and so good to see her and David. Dinner and talk.

Saturday January 26th
[ no entry]

Friday January 25th
Up at daylight and after breakfast in room headed for the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve about 2 miles away but had to go to the exit 3 miles further on as the road was being fixed. But I immediately came upon a big lake peppered with ducks, Coots and Grebes. In a cove were the egrets, terns and Ibis. Near the tower gulls and terns blocked the road and shore birds were thick. Had the place to ourselves until we started back out and met several cars. Back at the motel we went to the beach for a last walk- and several perfect shells washed right in at our feet. Checked out at 11 a.m. and headed for Venice. Stopped outside Fort Myers for strawberries, lettuce and corn and tomatoes. Stopped at Thomas Edison’s home and toured the grounds, laboratory and Museum. Walked along the verandahs of the 1885 home and guest house and saw the docks into the Caloosahatchee river.
Got to Rieger’s at 4:45 and they were still at the circus. But found key and went in and started supper before they arrived. Carl had to take me to see the papayas, oranges and grapefruit before we ate. The house was so hot I went to bed at 8:30. (furnace heat)

Thursday January 24th
[ no entry]

Wednesday January 23rd
Check out of Bahi Mar $75 a day for a view of the beach where Bob Cameron and I walked in 1926 with nothing but sea & sky. Headed west on Alligator Alley. By the time we got to Corkscrew Swamp it was raining. Waited half hour and no let-up so left and turned wrong way. Had to pull over for heavy rain. Learned it rained 5” on Pine Island just north of Sanibel. Stopped for groceries in Fort Myers Beach and on to Sanibel Island and Jolly Roger Motel. Should have stayed at The Reef next door. Down to the beach and the waves were 6ft High rolling in nearly to vegetation line. Walked about a mile new experience.

Tuesday January 22nd
Session on advertising. President of advertising agency who handles American Marketing Advertising Council account would like to see every florist spend 10% of their budget for advertising. Have to remember we aren’t selling flowers with sentiment and aim advertising that way.
Afternoon session on plant rental not to pertinent. Lou Costellino and Adamans from Detroit with visual aids. Jim Phillips of Chicago told of decorating Grant Park for Pope’s visit. 15,000 mum plants.
Walked up the pool and found the Philadelphia florist who has computerized his billing- gave me info. Then walked over to beach with fond memories of 1926 – 27 and Bob Cameron who kissed me (my first, I was 11) about here.
Found Kent E. Haycook in the phone book and called and he said he would be right over. But call back an hour later- something came up and he couldn’t make it. He’s worked at Carousel Florist in Pompano for 2 years. Met Marjorie and the girls at Marie’s on 17th Avenue. Nice dinner.

Monday January 21st
Rolls, juice and coffee before session started at 9 with Dr William Mindak, professor of marketing at Tulane University. My first real training in marketing. Feel as if we absorbed a whole college quarter’s learning. Lunch was a fabulous buffet served next to the meeting room. It was tantalizing to see the gorgeous sunshine outside.
Met Marjorie at the Stranahan House at 6 and met Cathy and ?? the two young architects from Jacksonville who are wanting the house evaluating the house. Cathy had spent the day in the 12-inch crawl space under the house and went over the foundation structure for the local architecture student. Fascinating to me. When we were ready to eat found two places closed and finally ate at the Ranch House where the grill was closed so the menu was limited. All six of us ate so didn’t get much talk with Marjorie.

Sunday January 20th
Met Mary Emily in lobby and went to Ranch House on 17th Street for breakfast. She went to her mother’s and I came back to Marjorie’s. Read real estate sections about 40 pages of News Sentinel- condos being built all up the coast. About noon decided to go to Boca Raton and look up Biehlman’s but no answer when I got there so drove to Delray Beach and back down the beach among the sun seekers & expensive real estate. Used I-95 to get to area and back. Back at Marjorie’s- loaded up leaving her a “French Garden” and two copies of Marion County 1979 history. Checked into Bahia Mar room 910 about 5 and shortly Lillian, Mark and Peggy King came. Lovely view of Atlantic and the beach in the marina and a little balcony. Down to register and go to reception cocktail party. First person we saw was Louie the Florist from Cincinnati. Also met Bill Phillips who decorated Grant Park in Chicago for the Pope’s visit. Back to room and ate Marjorie’s zucchini bread and drank orange juice. Watched second half of Super Bowl game Pittsburgh won 31 to 19.