12/12

One of our friends called this area as "Redneck Riviera"  That's fine, except that many of the 'Locals" are transplant.  Waitresses from Toronto, Brooklyn NY, Atlanta, and Detroit.  And the vast majority of people we meet are snow birds from up north.

Went to Joe Patti's fish market in Pensacola today.  But before we left, J did her good deed for the day.  Yesterday she was out and about, and stopped for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, where she pulled a Stan Rhodes, mistakenly leaving a 10% tip.  So we returned, she apologized, and left the other 10%.

Joe Patti's is gigantic.  I asked 2 employees, and both said no one ever asked before and they did not know the answer.  My best estimate is the display case is 30 yards long.  A plethora of fish, and I don't know the names of many of them.  Shrimp of all variety:  heads on, peeled,  multiple sizes.  I bought royal reds - which I had never heard of until last year.  As I understand it, they are deep water shrimp.  Scallops, clams, crab, lobster, oysters.  I think it comes under the heading of:  if they don't have it, you don't need it.  I also picked up some Taylor Pork Roll - a NJ delicacy sold on the boardwalk.  I spotted a block of souce, but passed on that.  Too vinegary for my taste.  So we left with the pork roll, cherry stones, royal reds, bay scallops, and packed shelled oysters for scalloped oysters.  Plus some dips for snacks.

12/8/13

Way to go, Spartans!  Not sure which was more fun:  watching MSU win, or Urban Meyer pout at the press conference.  Sparty on!!

Bought a tee shirt the other day, with a picture of an oyster on the half shell, and caption:  Southern Sushi.  J saw one in MS, with the caption:  Southern Viagra.

Stopped at Publix the other day for lunch meat, and saw that they sold head cheese.  Man behind the counter said they sell a lot to snowbirds.  I haven't seen or tasted any in many years, so I bought some.  Good.  My Dad liked head cheese, souse, and tongue.  I always think of them as Depression food, and I think for him it went back to the days in the 30s when he was working his way through Drexel Univ, with no money.

12/5

Happy Hour at Cobalt Restaurant:  Oysters for 50 cents each (good quality) and house wine (which J likes) for $3  Made me happy last night.

Signs:  In front of a real estate office here in OBA - Peace, Joy, and Real Estate
           At White Cap in MS:  Abnormality is the Normality at this Locality.  Reminds me of my career.

The weather the other day was spectacular, so I sat on the balcony, listened to the ocean slap the beach, watch people walking and playing, while I enjoyed a cigar and martini.  Life is good here at OBA

12/4

We finally have internet access.  Checked into the condo Sun PM.  Not the same unit as last year, but same building, same lay-out, with nicer furnishings.  We rented a PO Box:  3994, Orange Beach AL 36561

Before we left MS, we returned to White Cap, where the shucker is the owner of the restaurant.  I like the way he counts.  A dozen is at least 13, and often 14.

Here in OBA, we are pleased to see our favorite waitresses and maintenance workers.

11/30

We arrived in Long Beach MS yesterday, checked into the motel, and immediately  went to White Cap in Gulfport, where we began our attack on the oyster population.  J had 2 dozen grilled (she can't eat the raw ones) and I had 3 dozen on the half shell.  Felt like home!

Yesterday and today were beautiful:  temp in the high 50s, not a cloud in the sky, and no wind.  We leave tomorrow for Orange Beach - about 2 hours away according to my gps.

J wanted to check out the little shops around Biloxi today.  She also wanted to eat at Mary Mahoney's French Restaurant.  She had soft shell crabs and I opted for prime rib.  Both were outstanding.  They were open for Thanksgiving, so we may skip Lafayette next year and come here.

Thanksgiving

We stayed 2 nights in Pearl.  The rain finally stopped and the sun came out, so we left on Wed.  Temp in the 30s, which reminds me that after dinner with Norm and Billie, the temp was a "balmy" 32 at 9:30.  Yesterday we had lunch in Hammond, home of the carry-out bloody Mary.   I knew we were in the south, when the waitress wrote on out check "Thanks, y'all!"

Today we are in Scott, just west of Lafayette.  We enjoyed a classic turkey dinner at Don's Original.  It was there or Cracker Barrel    She Who Must be Obeyed said NO to CB.  We head east tomorrow.

Monday Nov 25, 2013

Greetings from Pearl MS - a suburb of Jackson.

We left A2 on Wed, 11/20 and had a nice visit with J's Aunt and Uncle on Thurs in Murray KY - home of the Murray State University Racers.  Fri we checked into the Peabody in Memphis.  J loves the place, especially the High Tea, so it is a birthday present for her.  We left Sun and drove to Fulton MS and spent a nice visit with Stormn' Norman Farhner and his lovely bride Billie.  They live on a house boat - about 600 sq ft.  Very cozy, but not cramped.  It rained all day today, and the rain increased as we neared Jackson.  Some of the heaviest rain arrived as we checked in and unloaded the car.  Will stay here tomorrow and then head to LA.