Trick or Treat

Who doesn't love Halloween? You never can tell how many cute guys you might find hanging around the bar (I know. It's a curse. I can't avoid those puns - they just sneak up on me.) ...

..or dropping into your web of intrigue.

I am sure that this is the pumpkin that turns into a coach...

and whisks you off to the castle for the big dance. Heck, yes -- they're doing the monster mash.

Sailing into Winter

Oops! I spoke too soon. Seems we too are experiencing temperatures in the 40s. In fact, today was the coldest October day here - ever. Hey, it's still the sunshine state - just a little brisk. At least it's not snowing like it is for some of you. What's the story with this whole global warming thing? Hope Al didn't get it wrong, and it's really global cooling. How awful would that be?

Meanwhile, I don't think it ever gets too cool to go out on your sailboat...........if you've got one. Even if you don't, you sure wish you did.

Weather Report

Betcha wish you were here, dontcha? Be truthful.

What kind of number is 41?

Oh, and you think being at a football game makes those temperatures seem okay?

Not this weekend it didn't.

Tampa/St.Pete

If we lived here, we would probably be considered more cosmopolitan. Maybe we'd have tickets to the World Series. Of course, last year we were in New Zealand so the World Series could have taken place on the moon for all we or any of the Kiwis cared. Nevertheless, you must admit that Tampa's October temperatures are a lot nicer than Philadelphia's. We won't even mention November. After all, how many other teams play inside because it's too hot?

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-10-23-voa65.cfm



This is the waterfront district - kind of gritty, but a lot going on. Definitely a great place to be if you're 20 or 30 somethin'. The brick building would be my choice - quite a view. I had forgotten how ginormous some of those cruise ships are.

Moving up to the million dollar homes with a view of the bay. I think the older folks live in this neighborhood.

Who else would be happy drinking wine out of a jelly glass? Food was good though.

October 15

Yay! It's the beginning of stone-crab-claw-season. I could eat this delicacy with a glass of sauvignon blanc for every meal - followed by key lime pie, of course. In fact, several years ago when we were in Key West, I did.

However, for the hapless stone crabs 'tis truly the ides of October. They are not killed, but they are yanked out of the depths, only to have their claws torn off, and then, tossed back to regenerate another so that the scenario can be repeated again next year. One really should protest such cruel and inhumane treatment. Yum.

http://www.joesstonecrab.com/today/catch.html

Following the Sun

Although the sun is still making a spectacle of itself in the evening, it does seem to be setting farther down river. Guess it won't begin the journey back until the December equinox. In the interim, we may just have to resort to binoculars in order to witness the event in its full glory. However, we should be thankful that we get even a glimpse of a sunset instead of experiencing the almost complete darkness that accompanies winter in the North. Of course, we are still a long ways off from winter...............aren't we? I fear we may lapse into the mindset of the Florida natives who insist that temperatures in the 70s constitute a cold snap. And speaking of cold snaps - hey, AA......what's up with the Wolverines? Don't make me come back up there.

Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star

Oh, wouldn't the World's Cutest Oceanographer love to find this star under the sea? Must be the time of year that the little ones are going back to school (!) because I've found some that are no bigger than my fingernail. They must hate being plucked out of their habitat, but they are just so darn cute that you want to pick them up and pet them. Then you want to pat yourself on the back for spotting them walking around on the ocean floor, busy doing whatever it is that starfish do. (I wish someone would pick me up and pet me on the way to the grocery store. As it is, I have to settle for a mochachino in order to distract myself from the tediousness of that chore. ) One must always put sea stars back in the sea or else they'll be very, very unhappy, and who can afford bad karma when the world is spinning around so fast?

Surfin' Bird

Was it something I said?

I love these birds. I may have to take up fishing because if you are fishing in the surf, inevitably a great blue heron will stand patiently next to you while you cast your line. However, if you reel in a fish, he will most certainly steal it from you.

I wouldn't mind.

Back @ the Beach

Bye-bye to Big D and back to the beach.............and my beach buddies. These little guys behind me are Terns and, yes, we are dancing on the sand. Did I mention that I've watched Chicago three times this week on television? I think this photo was taken right in the midst of a rousing rendition of Razzle Dazzle 'em.

My friends, the Seashells, were also out in large numbers (it was low tide) to welcome us. I want to take them all home with me, but I try not to be greedy. In fact, I've been bringing some of them back so they can be picked up by other admirers.

I'm never quite sure whether a walk on the beach is a walk on the wild side or simply a respite from "a world too much with us."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_world_is_too_much_with_us

Either way...........................it's all good.

Texas Bar-B-Q

I don't care what you say.................it's an extraordinary mother who produces a son who knows his way around a rack of lamb....... or two. (Okay. Okay.................................with a little help from his wife.) All those years of dabbling in the culinary arts have finally paid off. Of course, he's no longer living at home so I have to get on an airplane in order to simply observe the slaving over the hot stove......or grill, in this case. Wisely, I offer no suggestions (not that I'm asked). I rest on my laurels of that Christmas Eve dinner I once concocted - a little something with caviar and a raw egg. Hmmm.......where did I put that recipe?

Here & There

How many of you recognize this intersection? You are correct..........it's Downtown Dallas in front of the original Neiman Marcus store. And to think that a complex of high-end luxury high-rise apartments is being completed in the next block. What could be more dangerous or more wonderful than living there?

Back in Fort Myers at the local shopping mecca, we must be content with Saks and no new high rises nearby. Sigh. We manage.

Cooling off by the fountains in Big D (still looking across at Neiman's), but definitely feeling the big city vibe. In fact, I'm the only one in sandals, except for a throng of girls in school uniforms. It's not as busy and crowded as NYC, but then what city is?

Ah, back at the mall with the Florida fountains. Not as much hustle and bustle, and everybody wears sandals. Of course, now that the bail out has successfully passed: there might not be any more shopping at Saks or NM, and we'll be lucky to own a pair of sandals at all.