Moving In

You can tell by the size of this truck that we own way too much stuff. Our possessions were not the only freight heading south from Ann Arbor - there were also stops in Panama City and Jacksonville.
At this point, things don't seem too bad. Items are still neatly contained in their cartons. I'm exhausted and just beginning to realize that the furnishings that seemed oh-so-chic in that former corset factory converted loft in the city of trees doesn't transfer so easily to a wannabe Florida beach house by the Caloosahatchee River.
Boxes and paper - it's almost like Christmas except the temperature is 86 degrees.
End of the day on the other side of the water, looking back at our new condo (far right of the five towers) sitting in an open-air restaurant, right at water level - eating stone crab claws. Who can complain?

Movin' on Up

This is the new space - 21 floors up. We were supposed to move in November 1, but our furniture had not arrived yet so we spent one night sleeping on the floor. One night, and then we headed out to Sanibel and checked in to comfy lodgings on the beach. After several delays, our belongings are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, and we'll be surveying the world from the clouds.

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