What a fun time today talking with the children’s group at Naples United Church of Christ. These two groups of pre-K through fifth grade were all about learning about Bogart and Kindness. The two certainly go hand-in-hand as Bogart is a great way for kids to view the world through his eyes. Thank you very much to Nancy Van Fleet the director of children’s education at this church. She rolled out the red carpet for the two of us. We are looking forward to a possible visit in the near future.

The Kiwanis all throughout the country are doing wonderful things for community, primarily children’s groups. I love talking to these men and women it’s as if I am “preaching to the choir.” They really rolled out the red carpet at the Northside Naples Kiwanis Club. I could not have been more honored when I was approached after my talk to come back to Marco Island in August to talk to one thousand Kiwanis throughout the state of Florida.

In a short few days, my schedule has started to completely fill during the remainder of my days in Florida. Between school visits, church visits, business organization talks and two week-long Kindness celebrations there is little rest for the weary. I love it that way, it makes me feel as if I am accomplishing all that I can.
Leanne Hope from Tommie Barfield Elementary School tracked me down and invited me to the Tour de Marco in late February. Lots going on. Love it!

I have been spending a lot of one-on-one time with Bogart over the past couple of weeks and now that we have arrived back in Florida, he realizes I’m gone for a good part of the day. No matter where we stay, he seems to position himself in front of the door, patiently waiting, until I arrive back again. He acts as if I’ve been gone for months, when he spots me heading his way.

With Christmas over, it is time to start heading south to Florida. You have to admit the Kindness Bus looks much better with a backdrop of palm trees, blue skies and white cumulus clouds. Riding the Kindness Bicycle is much more enjoyable in the warmer weather and a lot less icy as well. Bogart prefers the warmer weather too because he knows that a lot of long walks are in store for him in the not too distant future.