Reformed Florida-basher (and now resident) Blonde and lifelong Florida-booster, Brunette, knew Naples would be featured in one of our "Places We've Loved" posts the moment we began to slobber into our bowls of smooth, creamy gelato from Barbatella's. Naples is the Kate Middleton of Florida: well-bred but not pretentious, pretty, smart and fun. Marco Island is Pippa but with … [Read more...]
TTD in Florida
When we travel Brunette is often afflicted by Temporary Travel Deafness (TTD). Hers is caused by flying. The air pressure changes appear to extract the sense from her ears which leads to many humorous exchanges. Our classic favorite is from a flight to Athens. The cart for meal service was coming down the aisle and Blonde heard the flight attendants ask each passenger "chicken … [Read more...]
Our Marco Island, Florida Everglades jet ski adventure with Captain Ron’s
Brunette has always enjoyed Florida and has migrated here for at least a brief period of time every winter for nearly 20 years. Blonde saw Florida as consisting of the Disney crowd of bed wetters or the Codger crowd of bed wetters. Then last summer Brunette and her grumpy hubby purchased a condo on Marco Island in Florida. Blonde thought they were nuts. (She still thinks … [Read more...]
Sushi for (some) one in Marco Island, Florida
Many days the thought of coming up with new content for the blog is so taxing that the stress can only be alleviated by consuming chocolate and wine. Today our blog topic was figuratively dropped into our laps and literally dropped into our swimming pool. The way to recognize that good fortune turned out to also be with chocolate and wine but with a celebratory, not consoling, … [Read more...]
On the Geezer Express to Florida
Several months ago Brunette and her enjoyably much maligned husband, Blonde's brother-in-law, bought a condo in San Marco, Florida. This would provide a place where Brunette could go to escape Pennsylvania winters and her husband. (He was only informed of the first part of that value proposition.) After spending two weeks there with his bride the hubby/b-i-l had flown home the … [Read more...]
A New York (City) State of Mind
A blonde WASP, a brunette Jew and a bald woman of unknown religious affiliation in a wool cap walk into a bar in New York City and.......hang out with one of the handsome young stars of a Broadway play. You didn't see that one coming did you? Blonde recently went on a quick trip to New York City with a longtime friend (Jew with hair, aka Renee) and her friend (bald woman in … [Read more...]
Lessons learned this year……Part 1 in a series: Other species
For many people the end of the year is a time for reflecting on the previous twelve months and making well-intentioned resolutions relative to the next twelve months. They realize that material possessions don't bring true happiness, that aging naturally is beautiful and that there's more good than bad in most people. They resolve to be leaner, nicer, healthier and to finally … [Read more...]
Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate
Take, Break but don’t Stake: Horses in Vieques, Puerto Rico
On our recent trip to Puerto Rico we used many forms of transportation; big planes, tiny planes, shuttle vans, taxis, rental cars, ferries, kayaks, swimming, feet, elevators, escalators and funiculars,. We did not at any point use a horse. (The last time we rode horses Blonde came home in a neck brace so for Blonde horses are on the equivalent of her personal "no fly" list.) … [Read more...]
Kayaking Collision Course in Puerto Rico
Blonde and Brunette promiscuously enter travel contests. We enter contests as often as Hugh Hefner wishes he entered all of those silicone-breasted 22 year olds who litter his mansion. After years of entering contests Blonde recently won a free trip for two to Puerto Rico. One of the included activities was a kayak tour of the Nature Reserve of Las Cabezas de San Juan’s … [Read more...]