Do beach bars create beach bums?

There's something about the Florida sun, the beach and the tourist attractions that cultivate an atmosphere of vacationism behavior. You know what I'm talking about. When you say to yourself, "I'm on vacation so why not order dessert?" or "We're on an adventure, let's let loose and act wild?" Just check out this fun-lovin' sign from an outdoor bar across the street from from the beach. But I'm suggesting that this vacationism behavior doesn't affect natives, who are far and few between, just transplants. Like me.

Except that I've gotten it backwards. For those of you that know me this will come as no surprise. But for those who might not - surprise! I moved down here in 2008 and was, at best, conservative. Not too many drinks at the bar, bouncing my head to the music. Calm. Quick trips to the beach to avoid sun overexposure. Cool. Now? Occasionally on a Friday night I have - gasp! - gotten up to dance on the dance floor. FINALLY I've realized how close I live to the beach and have actually gone and - OMG - gotten sand in my hair doing yoga and then jumped into the water. I have a beach umbrella ... with a sand anchor so I can hang on the beach.

Yes, Florida is infectious. Some people get a little...okay...a lot...out of hand. I can't see myself getting out of hand, but it sure feels good to enjoy the joys of the warm Florida sun, the beautiful beaches, the hot-tub-like summer pools and, yes, those ridiculous bars with outrageous tourist entertainment!

Iced, Icy and Cubed

There is something beautiful about a sparkling glass and my glass of iced tea at a recent luncheon was no different. I am infatuated with the distortions that are created and the crispness of the colors. What I don't usually like are ice cubes. It's a longstanding preference that has eased a bit since soaking up summer in Florida, but lingers like odors on a heavy, humid days.

It's one thing to come back from a bike ride hot and sweaty and sit down to savor a glass of highly iced water. It's an entirely different story to have a glass of iced anything in most establishments in Florida in the summer. Whilst people are frying their eggs on the pavement, the typical temperature inside is kept to the 60's. Which might feel refreshing for about 10 seconds (or an hour if you ask my husband). But as the luncheon speaker talked on, a chill began to sink into me. Sipping iced tea was no help and I was shivering a bit before the end of the presentation. At least my closed-up car felt deliciously hot when I got in to drive home!

Hopping faces

 

Hospitals are funny places and you can find many faces there. I was taking a dinner break while my daughter was laboring in labor and I noticed this eye. It's an extra eye to help prevent people from colliding in the hallways. Never blinking, but pretty.

 

Then I went to visit the newborn little peanut a few days later at his home and guess whose face was peering up at me from the railing? This grasshopper! It's not too often that I come across such a large and beautiful specimen.

Faces in Places

It's not terribly often that I'm sitting in the back seat of a car, but there I was the other day and I couldn't help but wonder at the seriousness of this face watching me. Really? I guess she just didn't realize we were on a fun trip out for lunch with friends.

It may not be often that I'm in the back seat of a car, but I find myself in public bathroom stalls far too often! And then I got a little giggle at the ridiculous face my pocketbook was making. Maybe she's tired of hanging about in places that make the nose wiggle a little?

It's fun when faces find you everywhere. Where have you seen a funny face?

Welcome Mason Christopher!

We welcomed Mason Christopher into the world on August 3, 2010 at 10:43pm. This is him the next day at the hospital. He was wide awake and curious. Being a new grandma is like standing under a big waterfall - I'm overwhelmed and soaked with excitement, love, happiness and joy!

Part of what makes his arrival particularly thrilling is that his parents are so ready for him. They have been waiting and working and now that he is here, they are both so in love with him. You wouldn't believe how kind they were during the labor and delivery. Jon stepped right in and provided just the right amount of comfort and encouragement and Jakki remained unbelievably calm and pleasant. She was still saying "please" and "thank you" in the midst of pushing for two hours!

If I get any more proud I might burst! Mostly I'm just in  awe.

All Keyed Up

Rich had a conference in Key West and I got to run around and play! WOO HOO! So I rented a bike with a big cushioned seat and saw the sights. This is a picture of a tourist shop packed with reminders. It was a glorious day - hot and sunny.

On the second day I had to return the bike so I wandered in and out of the art galleries on Duval Street. Inspired and air conditioned.

But before my time ended I roamed Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. I've always enjoyed climbing on the rocks but wasn't feeling to inspired to take pictures. Until I found the perfect muse to photograph. Tee hee! Timers are ever so tempting.

Coffee Conferences

June isn't just for weddings. Conferences abound during the month too. Rich and I drove south to Boca Raton for my fundraising conference and stopped to visit a friend he first met while teaching in Prague. Would you believe she lives a mile from where my conference was held? I was even more lucky to be invited to stay with her while Rich continued driving down for his conference in Key West.

You can see my reflection in the window as I sat outside one morning preparing for the day with a cup of coffee and my laptop. My hostess was delightful and fascinating and her house came complete with a cat and a dog, Pepper, who likes to play fetch in the pool.

The most inspiring part of my trip in Boca was the lounging lady at the end of the pool. The kitchen looked out over the pool and there she was, every day just as relaxed and loving life as she was the day before. Me too! I want that to be me too!