It's Good to Get Away!

Vacation is good.  It recharges those internal batteries that slowly lose power from too much stress, work, and deadlines.  All the things in our every day lives drains our batteries, even the good times, so it's good to take a break and get away from it all.

That is what we did a few weeks ago to a place where the sun was shining, the breezes were warm, and there wasn't a drop of rain in sight.  That place was St. Petersburg, Florida, or more specifically, Maderia Beach.

Madeira Beach in the Morning

This was taken from our balcony.  What a great view!  It was past the early morning hour, and although the weather was warm, there were few people out.  I guess everyone else was already getting their breakfast [growl].

Sandy Shore Condo

This was our first experience with renting a condo, and it was definitely a good one.  We had a one bedroom unit with full kitchen, 2 TVs, a nice balcony and the whole wall facing the Gulf was glass.  There were assigned parking spaces, and our unit had covered parking.  This was a great choice, and I'd stay there again.  Oh, the heated pool was nice, too.

I didn't see any, did you?

On the trip down, we always stop at this rest area just as we get on I-75 around Gainsville.  This sign has always been there, but I haven't seen the first snake.  Apparently there was one...once upon a time.

A Slimy Alligator

What they don't warn you about is the alligator living in the slimy pond at that same rest area.  Go figure.  An alligator you can see vs. invisible poisonous snakes.  This pond is fenced in...which makes me wonder just how he got in there in the first place. 

Kenny's Korner

St. Pete has been our vacation spot for almost 20 years, and we continue to discover new places and things to do.  Over the years, we've seen places come and go.  Favorite  restaurants have been there one year and gone the next.  One place that has been there for over 60 years, and under present management for over 20, is Kenny's Korner.  It is a small restaurant in Reddington Beach that serves breakfast and lunch. 

Beach at Ft. DeSoto

No trip would be complete without a visit to Ft. DeSoto.  Ft. DeSoto is the largest park in Pinellas County, and is made up of 5 islands.  The fort was used in WWII as a gunnery and bombing range.  Besides the fort, there are several fishing piers, boat loading ramps, long stretches of gorgeous beach, bicycle paths (rental available), canoe and kayak rental, picnic areas and so much more.

One of many "white birds"

When you walk out onto the pier that extends 500 feet into the Gulf, you have a fantastic view, great fishing, and birds...of all kinds...everywhere.

Don't mind me...just warming my buns.

Last, but not least, is lunch at the Palm Pavillion in Clearwater.  It's an open, airy, beach restaurant/bar with plenty of outdoor seating on the deck shaded from the sun by many colorful umbrellas.   This year we had stone crab for the first time.  We pulled big, meaty pieces of sweet crab out of steaming hot shells and dipped them in melted butter.

Palm Pavillion

So much seafood, so little time.  We ate seafood every night except the first night on the way down.  What's my favorite seafood?  Just about anything that swims.
 

Quote of the Week

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Without heroes we are all plain people, and don't know how far we can go. 

- Bernard Malamud

What is a hero?  A hero is defined as one who shows great courage, one who is admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.  

Who do we think of as heroes?  A hero is someone who saves a child or rescues a kitten.  A hero is someone who fights for what is right in a war others don't support.  A hero is someone who doesn't run when he is afraid.  

At any given time, circumstances can make a hero out of anyone. We are all plain, ordinary people until life tosses us the reins and says, "Here, you drive".

Different Views

Photo credit: Naval Historical Center

Said Tall to Small, “I envy you. No one is asking how’s the view? No remarks about basketball, and can you get that for me, Mr. Tall?”

************************************

Said Small to Tall, “It’s the reverse for me. Hello down there, and names like Shrimp and Shorty. I still can’t eat shrimp - not cocktail or scampi.”

Written for Flash Friday 55

Quote of the Week

Another quote from an unknown author.  This relates back to last week's quote.  We may not be able to change our past, but we can make amends if need be, and move on.  Too many times we find ourselves living in the past.  We need to be in the here and now.  That is the only way we can "dream our future".

Dead Men Talking

Photo courtesy of Magpie Tales

It is about midnight on All Hallows Eve...we hear Artie telling about how he came to be...

"Dead, I tell you, I'm dead, deceased, departed life, moved on.  Well, not exactly moved on.  You wanna know why I haven't moved on?  I'll tell ya why.  I was killed, offed, whacked, 86'd, took a swim in cement shoes.  You know...MURDERED!"

"How", asked the man on the next stool?

"OK, here's how it went down.  I was taking my share of our "business" profits, and Louie, my "associate", said I was stealing, that I was taking more than my share.  Now, I'm out there busting my chops, taking all the chances, cleaning things up, and I only get 30%.  I just took what I had coming to me, and he said "oh yeah, well now you're really gonna get what's coming to ya."

The kicker is that when he said he needed to discuss a little problem we were having, I thought he'd found out about Claire and me...Claire is his old lady.  I opened my big mouth to deny the affair, and he said, "Artie, Artie, Artie, I wouldn't kill you for that.  Now, stealing from me...that's different.  So he pulls out his 45 and bang, lights out.  He dumps my body into a ravine, where I was torn to shreds by wild animals.  My sister couldn't even identify my body."

Now Artie looks at the guy who had been quietly listening to his story.  "So what's your deal?"

"The name's Sam, and I'm dead, too." came the hoarse reply.

"Yeah?  How'd you go?"

"I was poisoned by my wife for cheating on her with Gina, my cousin's wife, and then strangled by my cousin for the same offense.  Who could blame me?  She was quite the little firecracker."

"Sam, your Gina..she have flaming red hair...sea green eyes?'"

"Yeah, why?"

"It's a good thing you're already dead, or I'd kill you myself.  She's my sister."

"Hey, sorry man!  I've got a sister, too.  Uh oh, it's almost dawn, I'd better be getting back to my grave.  Til next year..."


A work of fiction for Magpie Tales.