Still Blooming

Reason enough to live in Florida ... the palm and the yellow poinciana (neither native to Florida, but then, who is?). The older the tree, the more intensely it will bloom (at last ... some good news).

Blue

The Gulf of Mexico is a fickle body of water ........................ sometimes blue, sometimes green, and

any number of shades in between. On my birthday a virtual palette reached across the sky down into the sea below, creating an awesome rainbow of blues. What a gift!

Just the Two of Us

Now that the world's most adorable globe-trotting grandchild has returned with his parents to that large island on the other side of the world, we are left to our own devices and must wander around parking lots waiting to have our picture taken by total strangers (all of these tourists are just so happy to be in the land of sunshine). As you can see, we're just all smiles to see them too. Not to worry that we couldn't get a waterfront table at one of our favorite restaurants where we are regulars and had to sit in a dark corner..........

Just the two of us for dinner at another of our favorite restaurants. My Lord ....... do these people never eat at home? Hmm........ not if we can help it. Did I mention that stone crab claw season ends May 15? Anyway, here we managed to score a waterfront table and...

.........a great parking spot. Oh, wait, that's not our car.

Are you sure?

It's My Birthday ...

Ah, how did that song go? Leslie Gore, I think ... it's my party, and I'll cry if I want to ...

Today is my birthday: no party so no crying ... no cake so no candles ...

I think it's all those blazing candles that make us feel old. Why do we have to include one for every year - and an extra one to grow on? I say - key lime pie for everyone.

At any rate, it was a perfect day in the land of sunshine, and this birthday girl went to the beach and waved to the dolphins. And yes, I'll smile if I want to.

Tea Party

We mailed our annual donation to the IRS early this year, but April 15 is never a day to celebrate. Nevertheless, this crowd (estimated at 3000 people) gathered in Centennial Park to protest the flying away of their tax dollars. And speaking of flying ..... these eight AT-6 planes piloted by a group of veterans participated in a flyover in support of the event.

No tea was dumped in the harbor .... as far as I know.

Rain Dance

You do remember that we live 21 stories up - the view is great, but emergency evacuations and window washing ... not so.

We noticed the ropes swaying in front of our windows ......... rather mesmerizing actually ..... like a snake charmer or that hypnotic pocket watch on a chain. However, I digress. We have been peering out through dirty window panes lo these many months, and voila today the daredevils arrived to bedazzle us with their aerial skills. In an instant we were gazing through a crystal clear expanse, and with a wave and a hearty laugh, the acrobats fell from sight.

And then ... the rains came.

April Flowers

These are a few of the blooms we see on the short two-block walk to our neighborhood Publix (supermarket for you non-Floridians). What a lovely month April is - especially here in the sunshine state, although you pesky tourists do insist on crowding us during "spring break." Aren't the tulips and lilacs blooming on the upper peninsula?

Windy Weather

Some days flights are grounded due to weather conditions. Today the pelibirds are forced to fish from the runway. Is April supposed to be this windy?

Just Desserts

You know if key lime pie is on every plate ...... you must be in Florida.

We had to smile while the server took our photo, but it was no forks barred after she left.

Sometimes one just has to go with the chocolate.

This rhubarb upside down cake does not look as delectable as the other choices, but it was very healthy with whole wheat flour. What's that you say? If you wanted to be healthy, you wouldn't order dessert?

Hmmm......... well then, I won't give you the recipe.