March 5, 2010: Another nice, sunny day that was chilly whenever the wind blew, which was often. Jeff was out early to play 18 holes. Toby, Marian, and I left about 10:30 and didn’t return until around 3:30. First stop was a shoe store where, finally, I found a place that carries Trask shoes and bought a pair. My transaction took about 5 minutes; the girls poked and lifted and tried on stuff (not buying anything) for another 20.
Our main destination was Venetian Village, an upscale shopping area with some good restaurants. We wandered into and out of stores there. We lunched in the sun overlooking the water. I will mention one particular food item, since I have left all food to be viewed rather than described. They had a lobster, shrimp, and calamari pizza which was one of the best pizzas I’ve had. Big pieces of lobster, very large shrimp (our favorite oxymoron), and lots of squiggly calamari. Tasty!
We returned to our usual pursuits back at the condo. I’m making significant headway with my Cormac McCarthy novel.
Around 6:30, we headed out south for ribs and BBQ at Michelbob’s. Good stuff. Then, as if we hadn’t gorged enough, stopped by for ice cream at a “chain” we had never heard of before: Emack & Bolio’s. Very nice flavors, some unique.
So, another lazy day. The four of us fit well, I think. We fall into familiar habits and conversations easily. And it’s so nice just not being in St. Louis, regardless of the cold weather here.
March 6, 2010: Today is the day to go to Costco to see about getting stone crabs as our Oscars night dinner tomorrow. Well, no stone crabs at Costco. After wandering around and getting other stuff, we headed over to Total Wine, a usual stop for us down here. Got a mixed case of wines, mostly stuff we like but cannot find at home. Publix became our source of stone crab claws. They’re only mediums. Seems like the cold weather has really hit the stone crab business with finding them few and far between. Back home to unload and eat lunch from supplies hunted and gathered this AM.
It got a bit warmer, high 60s. We drove down to Barefoot Beach (mind you, dressed in long pants and with jackets and big towels). It was really nice for about an hour. Then a steady cold wind came in from the gulf. Even covered with an extra bath towel, wearing a windbreaker, I was chilled.
We went to Buffalo Chips for some wings. Liquor license there had been suspended since they raided it a few nights ago and arrested some kitchen staff that were dealing drugs. But the wings were really good and we called our children to tell them they could see us on the webcam there.
Back home, I finished “The Orchard Keeper.” An interesting slice of east Tennessee life in the mountains prior to WWII. Fascinating to read McCarthy’s first novel and to know where his later ones led him. If you’re a McCarthy fan, it’s fun to start at the beginning.
Went over to the house of some transplanted St. Louis folks, Susie and Rick Sokolik, had wine and some goodies, and then the six of us went to Sea Salt downtown for dinner. Very nice restaurant, although a bit loud for us older guys and gals. Very nice evening.