Never Too Old for a PJ Party

Here it is – halfway through the New Year, and it’s really very hot some days, but the traffic is still busy! In all my years here, I never remember being this busy this late in the year. My neighbor Peggy was saying that same thing. Our quiet long street is not quiet at all. It’s very busy. It’s changing and the quaintness is disappearing. But we decided we were very lucky to have seen it as it was a few years ago. We’ve both lived here a long time. I’ve lived in my house for 50 years. I’m not sure how long she has been here. But we’re lucky, we’ve seen it small and boring, and we’ve seen it grow and have enjoyed all the new things that have been added. We’d probably like it to stop for a while now, though, to let us catch up, enjoy, etc., before it grows again. Oh, one thing I need to mention: I was trying to push my heavy recycling bin back to the garage, and out of the clear blue, a man showed up and started helping me and actually took over pushing it. I’ve never seen the man before, but he said he was a neighbor and his name is Rick. Wow, that was nice! I hope someone tells him thanks for helping that lady, besides just me saying it. I don’t know how far he had to walk, but I know he doesn’t live on either side of me, so it must be one or two houses over. I hope I can see him again to say thanks again. Nice guy!

* Lately, my girlfriend Nancy and I have been trying a bunch of new restaurants we haven’t been to before because it’s not very busy out there and you can’t go sit on the beach and eat in this heat, so we are giving these businesses a little business ourselves. Last week we tried “Hogfish Harry’s,” and it was great! What fun and great food as well. I hadn’t been there in so many years that the name had changed, and I’d forgotten it was there! The last time I went was when I was a lot younger, and the menu has changed, but the place looked great, and the food was delicious! It’s in the Park Shore Plaza, and a lot of us used to go up there when we were in our younger years. It was a place to meet and greet, and it still is. Nancy and I really enjoyed the ambiance and the presentation. You should try it before all the people get back.  

* The Elk’s Lodge on U.S. 41E had a new event last week: a Pajama Party Dinner at the Lodge with breakfast delights! All the ladies dressed in pajamas, but the men came as they were. There was lots of laughter and silliness, but I think everyone enjoyed the event. The men cooked the breakfast, and the women brought the breakfast sweets. We laughed and ate and enjoyed a great night. Whose idea was it? Good ole Julie and Ray. I think usually they think of fun stuff to do, and we all love them for it, and we love the ideas they come up with. The food was delicious, and those guys really can cook! It seemed every breakfast delight was there. No one left hungry, I can tell you that! Bacon, sausage, and eggs were prepared in a few different ways, and afterwards, the music and dancing followed. We took lots of pictures, and you’ll see a few of them included. When it’s quiet in the summer, you need to find things to do, and we sure did. There is always room for more Elk’s or wanna-be Elks, so drop by and meet us! Also, we volunteer, but we won’t let them leave until we tip them after all their help. And I have a few younger antlers! These young high school men serve us and gather the plates afterward and clean up the place. You might find their pictures somewhere in this writing as well.