No WiFi

Two dozen steamed last night, harvested right here, or trucked in from Louisiana or Texas? I don’t keep up with the Apalachicola Bay economy anymore, but they were perfect. After my terminal diagnosis I shall again order three dozen raw oysters on the half-shell. Make it five dozen. I can wait, no hurry.

There being no WiFi except outside at the benches on the little riverfront garden, my post will have to go up later, maybe after breakfast. At the moment the east is dark with only the slightest hint of light. Only clear light is the flashing red channel marker maybe a hundred yards from my balcony. Length of a football field, it doesn’t appear quite that far, but it doesn't look to be five miles across to Magnolia Bluff either.

Porpoises surfacing and playing in the river at our feet last evening. This morning, cars and trucks crossing the bridge Mayor Jimmie J. Nichols and I blessed at its opening dedication ceremony, what, a quarter century ago?

Whoever said it was wrong: you can go home again. 

Seagulls squawking, pelicans gliding six inches above the river surface, pinking sky.

We’ve been housesitting maybe once or twice a year the last fourteen or fifteen years, and have favorite places to go, eat, grocery shop. Our places change over time, one was Chez Robert’ (roll the “R” and ignore the “T” and it isn't Chez, it's Shay) an elegant gourmet restaurant where Linda, Paint, Kristen and I had supper the evening before Paint died, August 2001. Trader Joe’s is new in Tallahassee and so is Whole Foods. We learned about WF from Joe and Patty in Winston-Salem years ago, and sought it out in Atlanta in 2004 when we were there for my radiation vacation. WF has an enticing deli and self service food area and a nice place to sit down and eat. The Tallahassee WF has a wide selection of dishes and a large table area. Students were eating, having coffee while reading textbooks and working on assignments. Pleasant. We were there to have a bit of this and a bit of that for lunch on Monday.

Bought a couple jars of peanut butter to try. Also bought a recycled toothbrush. Hey, it was a bargain, probably a lot cheaper than your toothbrush. Looks like it was cleaned up pretty well, still has most of its bristles, and the red handle is quite nice. It even came in a new plastic wrapper. Latest cool and with it “green” - recycled toothbrush.

Death of Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church. What to say about earth’s loss of such a detestable creature? Pray that Rev. Fred didn’t poison too many into following him, and go on with goodness.  

Special week for us and family with their spring break visit to Disney as we babysit their house and cats and do our favorite things in Tallahassee. Also special for a family who’ve been dear to us thirty years. 1984, a tiny girl four years old who, with her two brothers, was a treasure of my church, getting married this weekend. Couple years ago we drove out to Hot Springs, Arkansas for her brother’s wedding, now back home in Apalachicola.

We’re enjoying every minute. Knock wood and bless the Lord. 

No WiFi in the room, but perfect reception here in the red swing overlooking the river.

W+