Friday Meanderings

Let’s start out this week’s post with some over sharing.

I’ve had a rough summer.

First I hurt my foot while working in the yard.  Bad enough that I’m no longer walking my two to three mile daily route.  But not bad enough to actually go to see a doctor. (It’s an overuse injury—it’ll get better) But I finally gave in after ALMOST TWO MONTHS and I have an appointment next week.

Next.  The first time I actually got to swim in the new pool.  The very shallow only 5 foot deep pool.  I scraped my face on the bottom while swimming.  Lovely red rash.

Then.  Last Friday. Was swimming.  Came into the house.  Fell flat on my face.  Guess my feet were wet.  Terry said.  Are you okay?  I said no.  I have two black eyes and a broken knee.  Now, I am prone to exaggeration.  I only have one black eye.  And a bruised knee.

I kinda look like Pete the Pup in the Little Rascals.  And for you younger readers, let’s say the Target dog. (And no, I will not be taking a photo of my face to show you what I mean!)

I have been wearing very big sunglasses and lots of makeup.  Today I was shopping for some furniture and the sales person was very kind.

I know what she was thinking.  “Limp.  Red Rash.  Black eye.  This lady must have been in a serious accident.”

But kind only goes so far.  I did not get offered a discount!

Anyhow.  Terry offered to take me to lunch.  I said, let’s go to Crystal River where I won’t run into so many people that I know and have to explain all of my maladies.

So we decided to go to “The Loft”.  Because I’ve seen a lot of ads in the newspaper plus they won the reader’s choice for the best burger.   And it’s on Citrus Avenue.  Which I assumed was in the “Historic Downtown Crystal River”. Not so.  This place was WAY WAY OUT on Citrus Avenue.  I would call it more like Dunnellon.

And I sure didn’t know anyone!

The Loft
The Loft

You might think this is weird.  But I love the kind of bar where when you walk in the door and it’s really dark and you let in the light and everyone in the place turns around on their bar stools, where they have all been nursing an ice cold beer, and look at you.

To me, that means NEIGHBORHOOD bar.  A place the locals go!

The Loft

Okay.  The Loft is that kind of place.  (The Old Mill Tavern in Old Homosassa is also that kind of place—and everyone local does know my name.)

Neither Terry nor I got the award winning burger.  I went for the Chicken Ceaser wrap with homemade chips.  Terry had 10 wings—Cajun dry rub—with a side of fries.  Yum.

Chicken wings

The Loft

Oh, and I had a Corona.  And when I finished that one the server brought me another.  (And I hadn’t ordered it so I was afraid to finish that one because how many would she bring me if I kept guzzling beer????)

Terry had iced tea.  Cause someone has to drive!

The food was good.  The place was clean. (Even the ladies room)  They not only had a whole lot of different beers but also a full liquor bar.  And the service was very good.

I recommend that you find this place and have a beer.  And some food.

Yes.  I’m back into recommending restaurants and bars!

Besides the Loft, what else have I been doing?

Went to Citrus Pride with my friend Laurel last Saturday.  Met Adam York, the organizer of the event.  18-years-old and running for the Citrus County School Board.  He said that he is the first “Openly gay person running for office in Citrus County.”  Someone standing near said yes “openly gay” but their have been other gay candidates. He did an excellent job pulling Citrus County’s first Pride event together. There was an article about him in the paper the next day.  I’m really excited that young people are getting involved and want to change the status quo.  Us oldies have screwed it up enough!

In Harmony

Also, “In Harmony” performed.  That’s a dulcimer group with guitar and fiddle accompaniment. Other than the lady playing the fiddle on the left in this photo, I’ve met the rest of the group through the activities that Laurel and I have put together at the Old Homosassa Learning Center.  Terry, all the way on the right, is in the Sew Cool! Workshop.  Alfredo and Sally Pena, in the middle, are in the Homosassa Ukers and joined the Homosassa Civic Club!

So what else is going on?  Still haven’t got all the website updates done.  Thought if I paid someone to do it, then it would be simple and quick.  Not so.  Gotta get on the phone and beg for more help!

This photo is for Donna!  At first I thought I needed one of these but then realized it was bigger than the pool.  Never mind.  (Donna is my bestie that feeds my flamingo obsession)

Pet of the week
Calling this my pet of the week!

This weekend.  First.  It’s going to be hot, rainy, and humid.

Here in Old Homosassa there will be about 1000 people trying to find parking for their vehicles and boat trailers.

Once again.  The Key Club will be at the Homosassa Civic Club parking cars.  Last Sunday they only got 15 vehicles because the “local” people that were parking vehicles in their yards were not letting the kids in the queue.

Really?

You are adults.  Retired adults.

You do not need the money.

Not fair. Not right.  These kids are raising money to go to conference.

They are local kids volunteering at summer camp so the learning center can run it for FREE!  Last week we were over capacity at the camp.  22 kids.  Having a fantastic time.  And we can only run the camp because we have all these great young enthusiastic volunteers.

Hate to be a downer.

But.

That’s the way it is.

Hey!  It’s going to be Hot! Rainy! Humid!  But we have A/C!

AND IT’S MY BABY BOY’S BIRTHDAY TODAY!  39 YEARS OLD!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!

Alan

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

 

 

 

 

Friday Meanderings

I’m baaaaaack!

And where have I been?

First I went to a conference in Orlando.  It was very interesting.  But Orlando is one big traffic horror film. Don’t go there.  Just a word of warning.

Then Terry and I went on vacation.  First road trip without Magster the Wagster.  So we didn’t have to stay in La Quinta!  Friends with cats let us stay with them!  (Maggie did not like cats.  Or kids.  Or strangers.  Or….oh, you get the picture)

Anyhow….

Now I’m going to show you a whole bunch of boring vacation snaps.  If you aren’t into that, you might want to move onto your next blog!

Went to North Myrtle Beach to visit our friends Terry and Phil.  Also the parents of our son-in-law, Andrew.

And you know we went to the beach!

How pretty is this?  While we were there soaking up the rays, a couple got married right in front of us.  No witnesses.  Guess that’s legal in South Carolina!

North Myrtle Beach

We all went to dinner at a restaurant on Little River.  KInd of an upscale version of the Shed!  I had sushi—can’t get that at the Shed!

The whole gang

And did you know that Myrtle Beach is the capital of Shagging? Had to check that out!

Shag Water Tpwer
Those are shaggers on their water tower!
Shag
And shaggers dancing at the weekly Thursday night music!

Shake it!

After a few fun days in South Carolina we headed to Washington DC.  The home of daughter Jessica and son-in-law Andrew.

Jessica's name plate
In case I forget Jessica’s title, I’ve got a pic now!

We toured Jessica’s office and then went to their apartment where we received our itinerary.

itinerary

Of course, we packed for 100 degree weather.  Because that’s what the Weather Channel told us to expect.  Nope.  Cold and Rainy! Terry and I both had to borrow sweatshirts for the Washington Nationals game.  (They lost!)

Washington National

Washington Nationals Stadium

Went to the National Portrait Gallery to see Michelle Obama which was on our schedule.

National Gallery
First we had to get a snap in front of this giant golden thing. There’s Andrew photobombing us.

Stopped by to see Michelle Obama which was on our itinerary.

Michelle Obama

President Obama was NOT on the schedule but we stopped by to visit him, too. Just because.  There was a really long line in front of his portrait for photo ops.

Barrack Obama

Then we went to Union Market for drinks and snacks because it was on the schedule.

Not on the schedule was the visit to a rum distillery.

rum distillery

rum disterilly
We were definitely the oldest couple in the room. Perhaps Jessica and Andrew were the next oldest couple. I wondered out loud how these kids could afford those prices. Seriously, the drinks ranged from $10 – $16! Terry said “they are all attorneys working for the federal government.” Got it!
rum
We were old. But we were happy after our rum visit!

Next up was a dinner party at Jes and Andrew’s apartment.

dinner party
Is this their patio. Or is this a photo shoot for Southern Living?
Andrew cooked.
ukuleles
After dinner the party demanded that Jessica and I entertain on our ukulele’s. Fortunately many adult beverages had already been consumed!

We did a lot more stuff.  Because it’s our family motto to squeeze 10 pounds into a 5 pound sack.

But I didn’t take any photos!  Whaaaaaat!

Okay. Moving on.

The Pet of the Week is….

Dusty

And Blizzard.Terry and Blizzard

Back when I still had dog smell on me these two would not even enter the same room that I was in.  Dusty actually hung out with Terry and me.  Blizzard.  Not so much.

Now the important stuff.

I plan on upgrading my websites this weekend.  Hopefully it won’t take long.  I never know.

And after that, I’m going to post more.  Here.  I’ve been taking photos and have no where else to put them!  So….come back next week.  And–if the website is up–there will be snaps!  And perhaps comments.  Maybe snarky ones.

For the weekend….

Saturday I’m going to Citrus Pride at the Crystal River Mall.  Maybe following that up with Open Mic with our friend Chuck Andrews at the Old Mill.

Scalloping starts on Sunday.  I’ll be helping the Key Club park cars.  Fun.  Right? (No.  It will be hot.  And humid. And sweaty!)

Sarasota Slim will be at the Shed on Sunday.  Besides 10,000 scallopers arriving to get there boats in then back out, there will be 10,000 motorcycles trying to find parking to hear Sarasota Slim.

I’ll be there.  Somewhere in the masses!

If you are scalloping in Old Homosassa, don’t block our streets.  Or litter our properties.  Or pee on our plants.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

 

 

 

Friday Meanderings

Cobia Big Fish Tournament was last weekend!

Cobia Big Fish Tournament

Cobia Big Fish Tournament

Cobia Tournament

Went to dinner at Old Mill Tavern.  Someone had reserved all the tables!  We figured out who it was!  Left him some personal messages!

Old Mill Tavern

Lights are up on the pool!  Woo Hoo.  Now just need to do landscaping, new sod, replace pavers, repair sprinkler……  Maybe I’ll wait until it’s a little cooler!

pool

pool

Have a great weekend!

Kathy