Walking the dog with some Tulip Time ranting!

Took my boys for a walk this morning down Tulip Lane.  Sad sight actually as the tulips have just about met their peak.  Our TulipTime festival  or celebration of Dutch Heritage, doesn't begin until the the 5th of May and runs through the 13th.  TT follows on the heels of  Cinco de Mayo often over Klompen the Mexican festival. I personally would rather hear a good Mariachi band and eat good Mexican food than the Dutch crap. (OK,  I know I am  prejudice against Holland and it's conservative, 'i want to tell you what to do' ways.)  Actually for many, many years the motto at our local High School was 'You ain't much if you ain't Dutch'. What does that say to our very large Hispanic population not to mention the Asians and other minorities as well as other people of European ancestry? Our Superintendent finally said that would no longer be the motto.  Good for her.

TT actually does boost our economy a bit, while exploiting the children of our local schools to march in a 'Children's Parade' and brings visitors from far and wide to hear the likes of Lawrence Welk Music shows and eat traditional Dutch foods such as Pea Soup and Pigs (saucijzenbroodjes)   in the Blanket.  Hummm... anyone ever been to Amsterdam? Members of our Dutch community frequently forgets that they are not really Dutch other than by blood lines that go back to VanRaalte because they left the 'liberal, we like all people' country of the Netherlands.

I know I should give the community a break as I love everything German and it's OK to be proud of one's heritage, but don't use it to exclude anyone.

Home again, home again, jiggity jog!

Well we arrived home safely. The last leg of our flight was a good one. Had a little rain but not much turbulence.  Can't believe I left 80+ degree weather to return to frost on the pumpkin.  Got all the laundry  finished, suitcases put away until June, groceries bought and the lawn mowed. Now it's time to get back into my routine and my imaginary trip.
Traveling to Greece for the next month or so with Laure Ferlita in the Imaginary Realm. I love these WC sketching classes. 

Hazelhurst, GA

Left Marathon today. Had terrible head winds and moderate to severe turbulence.Al keeps telling me to die quietly. LOL! Needed to stop for fuel and decided to spend the night in Hazelhurst.  A town of 3400 people, very nice "suthern" people. Took a while to locate a restaurant that was still open for dinner and it is a dry county with the exception of being able to buy beer at the local Walmart...yikes!  The waitress offered to go get me one. Not sure that was legal.

The guys at the FBO aka Municipal Airport were very helpful and friendly. They loaned us the airport car...of course they only have one, put the plane in the hanger for the night and didn't charge us anything.  Gotta love those Good ole boys.

Rooster of Key West

Need I say more? These beautiful animals are everywhere in Key West along with the feral cats that are related to the six toed Hemmingway kittys.

My View...of the world!

This happens to be my view of the world today as seen from my couch in our condo.

Oh No, it's raining in paradise.

We are having some pretty heavy thunderstorms today and they will likely be around all day. I'm glad I have my paint box and my smart phone. It's pretty cool to watch thunderstorms roll across the ocean from the safety of our balcony.

Crab Claws

Having a very good time. My water activities have been put on hold for a while as the winds have been 10 - 15 mph but life in the keys is wonderful. Stone Crab Claws are very popular and very expensive. We had these for dinner to the tune of 13.95$ pp...but hey, when you are on an island in paradise what can you do?

The fisherman only take one claw from the crab and return it to the ocean. Interesting fact: If a predator, fish or human, takes hold of a claw, the stone crab can simply "release" it and continue on its way. Over time, the claw will grow back, so that's why it is not unusual to see a crab with one claw larger than the other.

Bear is staying the the cool of the AC because of his fur he gets too hot but we have a lovely ocean view and he's enjoying himself immensely.

WhooHoo! At the Beach

Arrived at the Beach Tuesday pm about 8 hours flying time. We had some pretty rough turbulence over the mountains but it was worth every minute of it to be here in paradise. We are at our usual place in Marathon and will be here for about 2 weeks. I rented a kayak for a week and have been out and about several times. The mangroves are just teaming with wildlife and make for some great paint opportunities. I have got to find a good camera that I can use in the water.

On the road again and other musings.

Well, yet another month plus has slipped by and I haven't written anything here. I will use my usual excuse...I've been busy...with what? Well finished the obligatory winter project of knitting a sweater...

I've been painting quite a bit thanks to the wonderful online classes that I discovered. I have virtually traveled to the beach and am currently in Ireland in County Clare (very appropriate) visiting the Ring of Kerry and painting up a storm.  I will be traveling for real to the beach next week....Yeah! and will also be taking an Imaginary Trip to Greece.

We will be leaving for our annual migration to the FL Keys. Yes, while others in the colder climes travel to FL in  Dec-Mar. we prefer to go in late March or early April and stay for several weeks.  The water is warmer so I can get some kayaking and snorkeling in and Al can fish some.