Satisfy my Soul...

It's been a busy week here in the sunny Keys.  The Sloth, Indulgence and Debauchery tour rolls on as my first wave of guests left the same morning that my second wave rolled in.   With fresh sheets on the beds, more friends joined us for boating, fishing and happy hour(s).  I have a few days to regroup before my third wave sweeps in.  Whew!  I should be exhausted but actually I am grateful that we are blessed with such wonderful family and friends in our lives.  I enjoyed each and every one of our guests and the diversity they bring to the table.  Never a dull moment as we discussed movies, books, kids, social media and even aging.  I truly love it and I think these connections and support are what brings a rich shade to our life.

Happy Birthday to my brother Steve and friend Luis.  Another trip around the sun!

Prayers and hugs to my friend Mario, who is enduring the hardest thing a parent can do.  xo

Whatever Makes You Feel Like a Rockstar...

Our much anticipated St. Paddy party started early.  Bloody Mary's and grouper reuben's are our Keys tradition and provide a good base for later reveling.  As a surprise to the party, Randy and I arranged a private plane to drop us in Key West for the night.  Somehow, we managed to get our little leprechaun's fed and in their finery and out the door by 9:30 ayem.  Much like herding cats, it almost took an act of congress to accomplish this AND keep the secret.

Arriving at Marathon airport, The Aviation North plane and pilot Dale (nice name!) was at the ready to escort us across the tarmac and load us up.  As we soared above the Keys, for the short flight west, we were treated to a view that was incomparable.  Crystal clear waters of aqua, turquoise, emerald and teal colors left us all a little slack jawed with the natural beauty.  The sun cast a mesmerizing silver sparkle over white masted sailboats and islands.  All too soon, we landed at the Key West Airport.  Upon arrival, Niece Nicole remarked that people were wondering what kind of 'shit show' was trotting across the tarmac. Rock Star status-firmly in place. Shamrocks and kilts secured, we were ready to rock.

After settling into our rental house, the day went off with all the usual shenanigans.  We laughed, ate, drank and observed.  Some of us may have done a jig....And Dale was there to pilot us back home the next morning.

Thanks go out to my brother-in-law and sister (the true Rockstar's)  for providing the air transport that made for this amazing day.  I can fully recommend them, and Dale for all your private plane needs.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!  XO

Make Way...

Well, it's official.  My brother is here along with 3 other revelers due to arrive tomorrow to kick off our 17th. annual Sloth, Debauchery and Indulgence Tour!  Don and Shannon and niece Nicole arrive to join the party and celebrate St. Paddy's Day.  Erin Go Bragh!  Brace yourself for pics next week!

Also, I would like to extend a warm welcome to 'Ernest Hemingway' the puppy our friend Tony has adopted.  Ernie is an adorable, cuddly mushball with tons of extra skin to grow into.  And he is  sporting the perfect puppy breath!  I am so happy for Tony and his little buddy.  Tony and I both have a soft spot for all things 'Ernest' and I had to feature him as I hang out in the land of Ernest Hemingway!

The past two days, I have been struggling with flu-like symptoms (hence the late blog!) and that's just all wrong!  After escaping Michigan without so much as a sniffle, I am laying low and trying to get well before the mayhem here ensues.  Wish me well and please send me some white, healing light.

See you all next week!  xo

It Runs Through Me...

Greetings from the sunny Keys where I am definitely NOT frozen stiff!  After our usual journey I am now on Keys time where everything moves soooo much  slower-even me-hence a later than usual blog post! 
Driving down, I was amazed to see the re-opening of various restaurants and resorts that have gotten back on their feet since hurricane Irma.  I mourn the 'death' of some of our favorite places that are just holes in the landscape.  Detritus and such that were in giant roadside piles on our last visit have been (mostly) cleaned up and hauled off.  Foliage shows new green (mostly!) and is starting to fill back in, but I miss the colorful Bougainvillea that used to add such brilliant color.  As I went for a morning walk, I noticed that you could scavenge just about anything if you wanted to pick through the mangroves.  I noticed a tee shirt hanging in a branch and someone's beat up jeans.  I appears some poor soul actually gave true meaning to the unfortunate 'blew out a flip flop' as I saw a random one. Dog dishes, lawn chairs, coolers, etc. were all visible as that stretch had not yet been handled by the vigilant, but overworked road crews. 
And my heart goes out to dear friend Rose, who just recently lost her nephew a boy who's life ended tragically and premature.  His family is heartbroken-a pain I understand.  But as I see the Keys gradually coming back to life, I realize that nature perseveres and survives the unthinkable, somehow.
Time will never truly heal and nothing will ever be exactly the same but we must live and trust that the sun will come out and our souls will rebuild-slowly but surely.  Peace to that family who will live in their own hell for some time. 
Have a wonderful week, stay warm, and count your blessings.  xo