11/24

Yesterday was a good day, although it rained all day and through the night.  Villanova defeated NJIT, which humiliated UM in Ann Arbor when UM was highly ranked.  This on the heels of an OT victory over Syracuse.  The Wildcats are undefeated going into conference play.

Soon after we arrived in OBA, J heard that Alabama Public TV was organizing a trip to England, the highlight of which will be a visit to "Downton Abbey".  It was already sold out, but J put her name on a wait list. She received an early Christmas present yesterday - a phone call telling her she is in.  She will be going in Sept, and it will be party time on Cottonwood.

Women down here like long hair, but yesterday I saw one with hair down below her butt.  Not a good look.

12/21

We have had some much-needed rain, to the delight of the locals and dismay of visitors.  Weathermen have been calling it a drought.

Had breakfast the other day at Duck Diner.  In addition to the usual assortment of meats, they also offered fried bologna.  I lived on bologna and cheese sandwiches my last semester of law school (all I could afford),  and surprisingly I still like it, although my consumption is limited to a few times a year.

Big sporting news lately has been USA going to a bowl game.  Down here, USA is University of South Alabama.

12/13

Leaving the restaurant tonight, I stopped to watch the end of the Mich/Ariz game and chatted a little with an employee.  When I told him that I lived in Ann Arbor, he asked if I ever heard of Fraser's Pub.  I spilled a few beers there, and Sherman remembers the night I saw a woman go into the men's room.  So I went in after her.  Anyway,the employee claims that his grandfather and John Fraser started the pub.  World gets smaller every day..

12/8

Life has been quiet here in Paradise.  Lot's of football on Sat and then too much discussion on Sun.  Happy for Oregon and Alabama (J loves Sabin),  Can't stand Ohio and Fla.  But the good news was that my Wildcats won twice:  once on the hardwood against Philadelphia Big Five rival, St Joe, and then on the football field against Liberty to advance in the tournament, meeting Sam Houston next Sat.

11/26

Well, it has been a busy week here in Lake Wobegone.  Friday, the Fahrners stopped by and we had a very nice visit with Norm and Billie.  We chatted with them for a few hours, went out to dinner, and returned to the condo for more conversation and laughter.  J and Billie are 2 peas in a pod, and they claim the Norm and I were separated at birth.

J had a Dr appointment on Monday in Panama City, so we went over on Sun.  Rained all the way, and all day Mon and Tues.  Mon early we were awakened by a fire alarm.  J quickly dressed and prepared to run down 12 flights of stairs.  I said screw it.  The alarm kept going off and on - 5 or 6 times.  Yet another reason why I hate Fla

11/16

The other day, we finally made it to Lulu's aka Crazy Sista's aka Jimmy Buffett's sister.  Much nicer than I thought it would be:  spacious, open, airy, clean, and staffed with lots of friendly people. It is right on the canal, across from Acme. I have commented that many of the people who live and work here were not born and raised here:  Detroit, Brooklyn NY, Georgia, etc.  Our waitress was born in Brazil.  We will return.  Loved the gumbo and burger was great (eat you heart out Singer!)

Speaking of Burgers:  Hardees  advertises a large burger, stacked high with who knows what.  It is held by a voluptuous young woman with lots of exposed cleavage, who invites the viewer to join the mile high club.  I never thought of a burger as part of the mile high club.

Last night we went out for an early dinner.  A wedding reception was being held, and several of the men who were part of the ceremony were out on the  deck for a smoke.  They  were all dressed alike, except one who wore a baseball cap backwards and carried a pistol on his hip.  No, we are not in A2 anymore.

11/14

Yesterday, Paradise took a turn in the wrong direction.  High of the day was 42 and it rained most of the day.  Every joint in my old body ached.  We drove to Pensacola and visited Joe Patti's fish market, but the highlight of the trip was lunch at  small Mom and Pop restaurant across the street.  Buffet of fried chicken, swiss steak, mashed potatoes, collard greens, red beans and rice and more.  Plus iced tea.  All for $9.  Very tasty

11/10

Yesterday wan another perfect day in Paradise.  We made eggs benedict for breakfast and an oyster casserole for dinner.  In the afternoon, I spent time on the deck, enjoying the warm, sunny day, while I watched boats, people walking the beach and a chap who sat on the beach, feeding birds.  And I enjoyed a cigar and martini.  Life is good!

11/6

We lost TV reception for a while yesterday.  Perhaps some democrat tired of hearing about the elections.  As we were leaving, we ran into the rant-a-cop who was helping a little old lady move her belongings.  He complained about the TV and said he lost it after the press conference.  I told him I missed it, and asked what BO said.  His only answer was "That lien' piece of crap"  Then the little old lady  chimed in with her negative comments.  No Toto:  we are not in Ann Arbor any more.

11/5

Well, we survived the celebration of J's Natal Anniversary.  Weather cooperated.  We had lunch at Cobalt (first visit this season), where j got a nice salad topped with grilled shrimp, and I enjoyed flounder.  For dinner, we visited Fishers, which we wanted to try last season, but never got around to it.  It is a very nice "special occasion" type restaurant.  For apps, we had pork cheecks and pork belly. Then we shared some gumbo.  J had grilled oysters and I had red snapper. J had pineapple upside down cake and I had a scoop of ice cream for dessert. And of course we washed it all down with a nice bottle of Chenin Blanc.  For lunch today, I will fix a turkey sandwich.

11/4

Happy birthday, Jacqui!!  The major decision today will be:  where to dine?  The one thing I know for sure is that it will include a nice bottle of wine.

It is also election day which means that we will stop being deluged with campaign ads.  It seems that down here, every candidate will protect my right to bear arms, and many of them proudly state that they are supported by NRA.

11/2

Just when we were getting used to Central time, they changed it.

I skipped breakfast yesterday and went to Acme Oyster House in early afternoon.  It is a branch (corporate store) not a franchise.  Three dozen oysters, a cup of gumbo, and a small shrimp poboy.  It was breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We found a new favorite spot!

I have always known that high school football is a big deal in the south,  but Friday night, the late news was 10 minutes of the usual and 20 minutes about dozens of games, including video high lights of many.them.

As usual, the locals are complaining about the cold weather - until we tell them about Michigan's snow on Halloween

11/1

We went exploring yesterday, looking for Lulu's Bar.  Lulu happens to be Jimmy Buffet's sister.  In the process, we discovered Acme Oyster House, which seems to be affiliated in some fashion with the original Acme in downtown New Orleans.  Have to try it today.

Mullet Wrapper reports that the FloraBama bar hosts a Tues evening Worship on the Water service in the No Judgement Zone.  Could they be part of the Church of What's Happening Now?

10/31/14

Greetings from warm and wonderful OBA, where nothing is coming from the sky except sun!  We arrived around noon yesterday, checked in at the rental office and went to the Oyster House Restaurant for lunch:  2 dozen oysters, fried green tomatoes, and key lime pie, washed down with iced tea (I remembered to ask for unsweetened).  And so the attack begins - although at $13 a dozen, I don't know if I can afford it.  Staff said they are having trouble getting Trigger Fish.

We got a late start last Sunday, and made it only as far as Fort Wayne, where we found a nice restaurant with very good prime rib.  Another day we had a scare:  J keeps 3 credit cards and her driver's license in a small container, which she could not find.  Eventually she did find it between her seat and the console.

3/19

Home again, home again!  Yeah!  We rolled in around 3 yesterday and were pleased to see that the condo was still standing and the water damage was less than I anticipated. Spending lots of time sorting mail and getting ready for tax day.  Also unpacking. Slept in our bed last night and bathed in our shower.  Ah, the simple pleasures of life.

3/16

How about those Spartans, beating UM!  Sweet!  And Villanova is a #2 seed.  Now it is time to stop talking and begin the games.

We did not travel far today.  I slept poorly last night.  It was 38 and raining when we got on the road, and the temp lingered around 30-32.  And it was windy.  We are spending the night at Effingham.  No, I am not making that up.  It is at the intersection of I-57 and I-70, About an hour west of Terra Haute.

3/15

Getting tired of checking into another motel each night.  Anxious to get home, even if it is cold and covered in snow.
Dinner tonight was a treat:  Ruby Tuesday is not great, but it is sit-down, with a waitress, and silver ware.  And J could get a drink.  We sat next to a family with 4 young children.  They are headed to Gulf Shores AL  J was telling them about attractions, including the zoo, which got the attention of the youngest.  She still had pictures on her smart phone, so she invited the youngest over to see them - which gave his mother a chance to eat.  J handed him the phone, and he promptly found Angry Birds and started to play it.  He is 3 years old.
Shooting for Indy tomorrow.

3/14

Greetings from Little Rock.  We arrived in Houston last Friday and left Thursday.  We had a nice visit with Emily and Ryan, and Em and J  did lots of "girl" things.  We had 2 special meals:  Underbelly, which is fairly new and features lots of pork dishes that are small enough for the 4 of us to share. Very good.  Then in the process of driving around, I spotted a Smith and Wollensky steak house.  I have always wanted to try it, but thought I would have to go to NY.  Did not realize they had establishments around the country.  Expensive, but worth the money.  Dry-aged steaks were superb.  J had steak tartar as an app, and the 3 of us shared tomato carpaccio and raw tuna served on a Himalayan salt block.  Sides were creamed spinach and sauteed mushrooms. If I had ever had a better meal, I don't remember when or where.

3/5

Bad news.  Our friends inform us that the roof of our condo leaks and there is damage to the interior.  Now I have to deal with the assn and management company long distance, as we will not be back until the 20th +/-
Bummer!

J stayed up till midnight last night watching the ball, wherein the courts of Rex and Comus meet.  Very stylized, with lots of old money.  People down here take Mardi Gras very seriously - not just a bunch of the world's worst jelly doughnuts.

Off to LA tomorrow and Houston on Friday.

3/4

Lazy day, thanks to the weather.  Rain, with temps in the 30s.  We watched on TV a plethora of Mardi Gras parades:  NOLA, Mobile, Biloxi, Gulf Shores AL and Orange Beach.  Felt sorry for the participants and spectators.  I expect that some of them warmed themselves with an adult beverage.  Tonight is the ball from NOLA.

3/3

Greetings from Long Beach MS.  We arrived Sat PM.  Friday night we watched a Mardi Gras parade in front of our condo.  Horses and riders. police and fire vehicles. marching bands, floats and beauty queens - of the female persuasion.  Oysters and red beans and rice for lunch today.  Everything will be closed tomorrow.  We leave Thurs, arrive in Houston Friday.  Emily has taken off Sat, Mon, and Tues.

2/26

The clock is ticking!  We leave OBA  Sat AM, and will return next Nov - the Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

The plan is to spend a few days in Long Beach MS - right on the Gulf and just west of Biloxi.  And no, I will not visit the casinos.  When I was working, I gambled every day when I walked into the office, and over the years I won more than I lost.  No desire to give it to the tribal nations.

We will be in Houston from 3/7 to 3/12, visiting Emily and Ryan.  Then up to Fort Worth for a few days so J can visit the museums.  Then we head for home.  I think we will head to St Louis, then east to Indy, and north to Mich.  Hopefully, the state will have thawed out by then.

2/17

Ate lunch today at Doc's in Gulf Shores.  They have a large sign over the front door:  Best Fried Shrimp in the Entire Civilized World.  I am not a fan of fried food, but I had to try it.  Don't know if it was the best, but it was very good.  Batter was very light and shrimp cooked perfectly.  And 15 shrimp for $15

2/16

A first for me!  On Thurs I visited my cute young barber who cut my hair and gave me a shave.  I was a little nervous about the shave, remembering that in my long lost youth there were several women who would love to get that close to my neck with a sharp razor.  She did a nice job, without spilling any of my blood.  Not only is she cute, she is a single mom, works 2 jobs, and goes to school to become a nurse.

Friday we had Valentine's dinner at Cosmo's.  J had steak with fois gras butter, and I had red snapper.  Both meals were superb.

Sat we drove up to Mobile to visit the art museum.  It is a nice manageable size, and I especially enjoyed the wood and glass works of art.

2/11

Yesterday we visited Fairhope, which is about an hour north and west, near Mobile Bay.  Visited there last year and wanted to return.  Town reminds me of Petoskey/Harbor Springs.  We visited the Happy Olive, a wine and cheese store, and a cigar emporium.  Ate at Panini Pete's.  When we returned, the lock on our condo unit malfunctioned, so the rental agent was introduced to an Irish temper.

J has been watching the Olympics,  especially skating.  My favorite part is the parade of the athletes during the opening ceremonies.  I like seeing the nations which have sent only a handful of participants, none of whom have a snowball's chance of winning anything.  But they are happy to be there, representing their country, ready to do their best.  My favorite Olympian of all time was Eddie the Eagle, a ski jumper from Great Britain.  He had no talent or ability, and he was so bad that people mocked him.  But he laughed it off, and continued to give it his all.  His spirit and enthusiasm won people over, and he became a celebrity of the games.  That is what the Olympics should be, and I for one don't care how many medals any nation wins.

During what locals call the storm of the century (freezing rain, sleet, snow and temps in the teens and low 20s), we saw 2 or 3 brave souls walking the beach

2/9

It has been a quiet week here on the Gulf, and that's the way we like it.  Last Sunday, we wasted several hours watching the "Super" bowl.  We were not cheering for either team, but hoping for a good game.  Even the ads were disappointing.  Yesterday, I took J on a tour of 5 homes.  She enjoyed it, and I read my Kindle.  We had lunch at Sassy Bass, down by Fort Morgan.  It was recommended by a waitress at Cobalt. It had great cheese grits and crab bisque.

There is a community theater in Gulf Shores.  J enjoyed a play there in January, so she went back on Monday to get tickets for the next production.  Ticket office opened at 10, but she was 15th in line when she got there at 9:30.  This play is put on by the snowbirds, and J would like to volunteer to help next year.  At intermission for the last play, there was wine and snacks for no charge, although they did ask for a donation.

Weather today is predicted to be great, so I think there is a cigar in my future - the 4th since 1/1

2/1/14

Sun!  Glorious sun!  It returned on Thursday, and we were able to get out. The roads were all clear, but the parking lot and walk way had some ice.  All gone yesterday, and temp today is in the 60s.

They spread sand during the storm, but by the shovel full.  No spreaders.

1/29

Weatherman in Mobile says we have 1/2 inch of ice, and he has not seen that here in the 29 years he has been here.  Even if we wanted to get out, the outdoor walk way that connects our condo to the elevator (we are on the 5th floor) is covered in ice.  I'm sure the parking lot and cars are the same.  49 tomorrow and 68 over the weekend.  Crazy!

1/28

If you ever are in the area of Pensacola, I recommend a visit to the Naval Air Museum.  No admission fee.  Well worth the time.

Today Al Gore struck again.  Temp in the 20s all day, and it started to rain around noon.  Ice everywhere.  TV shows cars encased in ice, and we have ice on the railings just outside the condo.  We could get snow. Schools are closed today and tomorrow.  Young adults in the area have never seen snow.  We will not be leaving the condo today or tomorrow.  Temp on Thurs predicted to be in the high 40s, and 60s over the weekend.

1/25

Cobalt Restaurant offers a new regional menu every 2 weeks.  Currently it is Spain, with octopus, quail, stuffed artichokes and pork cheeks.  We tried the pork cheeks last night and they were very good.  Will do that again before they go to a different region.  I have had octopus at Mediterrano, but will also try it here.

Friends arrive Monday and we plan of touring the Naval Air Museum on the base at Pensacola.

1/24

Went to a 4-course dinner, paired with wines, at Zen Restaurant.  Crab salad, pan seared Opah (a fish the chef imported from Hawaii - very good), seared duck breast, and raspberry mouse.  All wines were from Daniel Gehrs, in Santa Barbara.  70 people partook of the event.

One of the young ladies spent the evening carrying around a pitcher of water, and refilling or topping off our water glasses.  I asked her if she felt like Gunga Din, and I got a blank stare.  I guess the younger generation does not read, or even know anything about, Kipling

1/23

J enjoyed a bumper sticker recently:  This car goes from 0 to 60 in 15 minutes.

Tuesday we stopped into Doc Seafood Restaurant in Gulf Shores for the first time.  At 3PM the parking lot was packed, and the place was filled with snow birds.  Turns out they have live entertainment Tues and Thurs - 2 young men who perform both kinds of music - country and western.  The patrons were obviously regulars - many sang along or jumped in at the appropriate time.  In addition to our lunch (we usually eat our main meal in early to mid afternoon, and snack in the evening), we were charged $1 for "Misc liquior"  I thought about asking the waitress about "liquior", but she was not the sharpest tool in the shed, so...

Saw 2 boats today.  "Seas the Day"  and "Mutual funs"

1/20

Two more perfect days in paradise.  Yesterday, J went to a community theater in Gulf Shores.  She enjoyed the play very much, while I enjoyed a quiet day on the balcony.

J bought a tee shirt for me at Ocean Eddies.  She liked the color.  I am color blind, so I will take her word for it.  The bag is stamped "Life is one long weekend"  It is now, but certainly not before I retired.

1/19

Recently I watched a Villanova B Ball game during which the TV people commented on Jay Wright's sartorial splendor.  One of them said that Jay was so cool that even the priests went to him for confession.  A slight exaggeration, I am sure.

1/17

Saw the Blue Angels again yesterday.  They put on  a mini show off the coast of Gulf Shores - a couple of loop-de-loops, in formation of course.  We parked on the shoulder and enjoyed.

Cooking class yesterday featured grilled mahi and dirty rice or risotto.  I always associate mahi with Hawaii, but they say they catch it here in the Gulf.  Very good fish, but I have to talk to the local cooks about preparing it broiled, with no seasoning or sauce.  These southerners like to bread and deep fry their fish.  I like the taste of fish, and the locals are not used to it.

1/15

Sun and Tues were perfect days in paradise:  balmy temps, lots of sun, and no wind.  That's why we come here.  Mon it rained all day, and today is windy.  We have been attending the cooking demos - 2 a week this year. Tapas one day, Chinese another, and farm-raised fried catfish yesterday.  We are exploring other rental options for next year.  My lungs and heart cannot take more construction dust.  The owners and rental agents say there is nothing they can do about it.  Bull Puckey!

1/12

The rain stopped around noon and the sun came out.  Temp in the 60s, so we sat on the balcony and watched the sun go down - with a martini and cigar.

The other day I saw the Blue Angles for the first time - flying in formation from east to west.  J saw them a few times last year, but this was a first for me.  No fancy tricks, but it was still a thrill to see them.

1/11/14

The weather finally broke - for us anyway, if not for you.  But now the rains have arrived.  Not many chances to sit on the balcony with a cigar and martini.  Boo Hoo!

The other day the rental agents organized a trip to the local zoo, and J went.  And she enjoyed it.  Not huge, but it had lions, tigers, bears,peacocks and monkeys.  Sounds like a day at Central Title.

1/8 Part 2

I'm sure that the lying sob in the white house will pay my medical bills with his "affordable" law

1/8/14

So this is what Al Gore calls Global Warming.  The locals are experiencing record low temps - teens at night.  The high yesterday was 30.  They close some of the schools because the kids don't own jackets warm enough for them to venture outside.  We are supposed to warm up in a few days.  One of J's friends says that hell finally did freeze over.

A few days before Christmas, some idiot here in the complex started to use a jack hammer on his floor.  Three days of noise and construction dust.  Same thing happened last Feb, and we were diagnosed with and treated for pneumonia by the time we got to Houston.  I started to cough, wheeze, and experiencing shortness of breath.  Thurs (1/2) we went to the hospital in Foley and they admitted me.  Pills, injections, tests, blood draws and not much sleep.  They finally agreed with my mother, that only the good die young, so they threw me out yesterday.  Hospitals don't serve oysters, so we went to Cobalt for a couple of dozen.  The nurses were cute, and I love the hospital's version of healthy breakfast:  scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and a biscuit.

New Year's Eve was quiet here, as we stayed up and watched the Moon Pie drop in Mobile.  350 pounds descending 34 stories.  Only in the south.  We tried moon pies last year.  Once was enough.

Jan 1 was very nice.  J watched the parade, we both enjoyed the Rose Bowl, and then ended with the Vienna Orchestra on PBS - a  tradition.

I keep forgetting to comment on an employee in the restaurant at the Peabody in Memphis.  He patted his amply belly, declaring that he was "well marbled"