[Iowa Granny]

Did you get a chance to see Gov. Bush? He was at the resort on Sunday.

Jeb was at our luncheon on Friday. He introduced the keynote speaker. (Having a senior momment here,,, can't remember the Cabinent Member's name). The keynoter was the HUD Secretary. A Hispanic guy from Florida.

[Iowa Granny]

Friends, let me tell you about our Big Wave Betty.

What a delightful gal! She's just so gracious.

I am very guilty of attaching an image of people related to their screen name. I was expecting a robust, jolly person. BWB is NOT robust. She's slim and trim and drop dead georgous! She's one of those folks who put you at ease immediately. We talked and talked,,, didn't waste a single minute of our short time together.

What a treat and delight to meet this wonderful gal!

[BigWaveBetty]

Awwww, IG! You say the sweetest things.

The keynoter was the HUD Secretary. A Hispanic guy from Florida.

That would be good ole Mel Martinez.

[snip] Before he came to the Department, Secretary Martinez was the elected Chairman of Orange County, Florida, in Orlando, and served on the Governor's Growth Management Study Commission. He previously served as President of the Orlando Utilities Commission, on the board of directors of a community bank, and as Chairman of the Orlando Housing Authority. Born October 23, 1946, in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, Martinez fled to America in 1962 as part of a Catholic humanitarian effort called Operation Pedro Pan that eventually brought 14,000 children to this country. Catholic charitable groups provided Martinez, who was alone and spoke virtually no English, a temporary home at two youth facilities. He subsequently lived with two foster families, with whom he remains close. He was reunited with his family in Orlando in 1966. [snip]

If you have another visit down here I hope it's in Winter and that we can spend more time, there's just so much to talk about. Welcome home!