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Published: February 12th 2018
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You just never know who you might see up on Rt.192. Some you know, some you don’t but still worthy of a picture. The other evening, Sam, Sandy, Cory & I decided to walk up to Logan’s restaurant for supper. As we crossed the big highway (192) we passed by two homeless women who had made their camp on the short wall at the corner. How do they accumulate so much stuff? Over time, they come and go (to where?) and move all this stuff with them each time. It must look like a rolling landfill ball when they decide to relocate. Anyway, we proceeded onward to the restaurant. They have shelled peanuts for you to snack on while waiting for your meal. The shells get tossed onto the floor. Makes for a crunchy carpeting. We enjoyed our meal. Sandy and I grabbed two bags of nuts when we left.....to feed to our neighborhood squirrels. Our return journey took us past the homeless women again. This time I studied them and their stuff closely. I found myself looking straight into the face of the older woman. Without hesitancy I asked her if she liked peanuts? “Oh, yes” she quickly replied. She
Nancy & Jimmy
A great couple was appreciative when I gave her my bag of nuts. Sandy gave her bag to the younger woman. She was grateful and said she could make peanut butter from them. Really? I’m sure they devoured the nuts before even thinking about crushing them for PB. Sorry squirrels.
On another day, we traveled by car up on 192 to go to the grocery store, Publix. After a brief jaunt around the store, we headed out to their parking lot. Yikes! Half way across the roadway a car horn was honking madly at us. I jumped a mile....wishing I had on a pair of Depends! Who was doing this? We could see waving hands inside this noisy vehicle. Now we could see happy faces looking at us.....they belonged to Nancy and Jimmy Reidy. This great couple used to stay at Tropical Palms....now they are located across 192 in the Vacation Villas. We got to know them on one of the cruises we took with a group from Tropical Palms. They sat with us at the same dining table. What a small world it is! Years and years ago, Jimmy and Cory worked at the same steel plant in Buffalo, NY: Republic
Steel. They worked in different areas of the plant so never knew each other but could certainly relate and share stories. Cory worked in the open hearth when we were first married and while he was going to college. He worked so hard in those early days to provide for our little family. Thank you, Cory, for all that you did for us.
We greeted Nancy and Jimmy in the Publix parking lot. So good to see them again. We miss them and sharing good times and hearty laughs. They said they would visit us at TP....fingers crossed, breath held and the light is on. Please come see us!
Another Deja Vu. Yes, we went here last year and knew we would return this year. Sam loves going here and we knew you wanted to go again, too. We left at 7:30 Saturday morning......it was foggy! We headed towards Tampa, went on to St.Petersburg and landed at the Wagon Wheel Flea Market. We picked a good day. Lots of dealers and many buyers. It was packed. Sam disappeared quickly on his scooter....like a winning Olympian in scooter racing. Cory and I moseyed up and down the outside rows
while Sandy sped away to get as many walking miles in as she could. We went inside the crowded pavilions....a respite from the hot, beating sun. Lulu took advantage of the various spots to take a meaningful picture. Sometimes, I can’t even keep up with her but she can never run away....no legs. Once through the multiple pavilions, we were back outside wandering through an adjoining market called the Mustang Flea Market: several rows of “stuff” followed by many rows of produce. We never got to the produce aisles. Met up with Sam & Sandy under a pavilion that provides live music to its foot stomping audience. Of course, Lulu can’t be classified in this group: no feet to stomp. We dragged ourselves back out to our car. Oh, how I wish I could sit on Sam’s lap. My knees were yowling. Lulu is the only one who gets to ride with Sam....and she doesn’t even have any body part that can become painful.
Our day was not complete. Our ritual visit includes a stop at a delicious restaurant called Po’ Folks. Excellent home cooking...comfort food. And we needed comfort. Yum. When we left, we all felt fat and
full. Swallowing air would put us over the limit. But where are stopping on our way home? Guess.
Unbelievable....we are going to another famous and special eatery: Parksdale Market....home of the famous strawberry shortcake. Remember this place? It’s located in Plant City, Florida. You all have been here before and completely devoured their monster size berry delight....’member? How can we do it! The short drive getting here helped in digesting some of our comfort food....but we weren’t even close to that starving mode. But who knows when we will back so we have to do it.....we have to....no and’s, if’s or but’s. Cory & Sandy stood in the Disney world length line....weaving in and out. It went fairly fast because the servers work in assembly line fashion. Sam and I found a table amongst the greenery and gaudy decorations. We sat close to the photo area so Lulu jumped (best she could) at her chance to be a Strawberry Queen. Our special treats were delish as always but full stomachs made us leave some scraps behind. No take out cartons here. It’s eat it or leave it. We gave it our best shot.
We made it back, through
heavy traffic, to Tropical Palms. Dave sent a notice he had lit his fire. He and Linda frequently host a beautiful bonfire for friends to stop by and enjoy. Their hospitality is as warm as their fire. We were Iike moths seeking the flame. Cory and I loaded our golf cart with our chairs and drinks and headed toward the glowing embers. A nice group gathered to enjoy the dancing flames and camaraderie. Thank you, Dave & Linda.
Two events are coming up this week. First, we wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. The second event you are really going to like. I was going to surprise you but we need for you to get ready.....time to pack your bags again. Why you ask. Because we are going places and seeing new things. Where you ask. Happy days are here again.....we are going on another cruise! A cruise through the Panama Canal! Can you believe it? This is going to be a great experience. We are going on the Princess Cruise Ship. Balcony room so we can sit and experience this passage right from the comfort of our stateroom. Yeah! Life is good. This is a 10 day cruise
so we’ll have lots of time to live it up and enjoy the high life. Of course, Sam and Sandy are our experienced sailing partners. We would be lost without them. Another couple are joining our foursome. Sam & Sandy met them years ago on one of their many cruises and have remained good friends since. That’s what makes for faithful friends. They all have done this cruise before but then they went through the original Panama Canal. Now they have built a new Canal and this is the one we are going through. I think this cruise coming up is number 40 or 41 for Sam & Sandy .....unreal! True devoted water wanderers. Lucky folks! We are leaving on Friday so plan accordingly. We’ll talk some more before departure. I’ll be posting the full itinerary for you. Excited? You betcha!
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Nancy Reidy
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Photos
Sandi, could you email those pix you took of us to my email, please. I couldn't save or share them from your blog.