LAST XMAS IN THE FROZEN NORTH?

I can’t believe that I actually traded this

 for this.

 When we left Ft Pierce, we had the A/C on.  We had to turn the heat on when we got to Kentucky.  The drive itself was easy, if long.  Christmas with my Mother and my brother and his family was wonderful.  Kathleen was welcomed immediately.  Then, on to Columbus and Kathleen’s family—lots of sisters and then her grandkids, Ashley and Kaitlyn. 

  Christmas with family is good, even for a “Bah humbug! Scrooge like me.  I can do without the white stuff though.

            But the presents are always great!  We never seem to tire of giving and receiving.  I was very lucky this year.  Eat your hearts out, boys!  I was the proud recipient of a . . .

New lamp shade.  OK, so Kathleen thought the old one needed to be replaced.  What was wrong with the old one?  I thought it had character befitting its antiquity.

  So guys, eat your hearts out, I got a new lamp shade for Xmas!

            Xmas has been nice, but it’s time to get back to the pool!

Another Lousy Day in Paradise

             Fort Pierce never fails to please.  Lots of activities, diversions and friends guarantee a good time.  The farmers’ market on Saturday is one of the best.

 There is much more to it than produce and other farm products.  There is music, two groups performing on opposite ends of the market; and arts and crafts and street food—gyros, tropical smoothies, breads, Caribbean rotis and . . . yes! conch salad.  I figured I might as well get an early start.  It was good, but not as good as in the Bahamas and certainly more expensive.

            The dock 6 crowd carries on the Happy Hour tradition.  Don, Ann, David and Lori, and newcomers Barbara and Manfred (s/v Balimara) make F dock at Harbortown the place to be!

            Naturally, the annual Xmas boat parade and dockside party are de rigueur for anyone who is anyone.  This year’s parade was not as long as last year’s, but there were some spectacular boats and the party was terrific with crab boil, baked ham and a smorgasboard of other goodies.

             We had to go to Mangrove Mattie’s for the champagne brunch.  They set one of the most extensive brunch buffets I have ever seen.  There are raw oysters, moules marinière (one of my faves), smoked salmon with all the appropriate garnishes, roast beef, omelets, desserts, and so much else.  Of course, one can’t forget the bottomless champagne flute!  It’s definitely a two hour occasion.

           One of the most pleasant things to do is to sit in the cockpit with a drink and watch the mullets jumping and the pelicans dive for fish.  I'd rather be on the boat with a drink on the rocks than in the drink with the boat on the rocks!  Ah,  another lousy day in paradise!