Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ben

My friend, Ben died.

Damn.

You will be missed old partner...

Stephen

As Evening Approaches

We strolled and ordered pizza and took a long walk and admired the locals and flowers and I snapped a couple of pictures and it was good.

Above - the news on our arrival.

Hemingway at work.

Across from our condo - the old and now abandoned Captain's Table restaurant...a sure sign of the times.

My day in a simple picture.

She went and shopped...asked my opinion and of course I liked it.

For kymber. A variety of Hibiscus not familiar to us...and here's another....

Sweet Wife really likes this variety, said, "It's a really neat one."

Above, this is a famous landmark here on Cedar Key. It's called the Honeymoon Cottage. We've watched it deteriorate for close to twenty-nine years....I don't believe it was ever used as a 'honey moon' cottage. I think its just an old fishing shake the locals used as a tourist gimmick and the local artist jumped on the band wagon and have painted it to death. I still remember when the walls stood tight and straight.

******

 For my friend, lotta joy. We stay at The Island Place. This is a group of privately owned condos for either purchase or rent. As far as I know only two are presently on the market. All are open to rent on either a daily or weekly basis, if not in current use by the owners. I highly recommend the Island Place. Each unit has a kitchen and most can accommodate two to three adults and a couple of rug rats. Each unit has a kitchen, normally fully equipped, a small washer and dryer, dish washer, television (if you insist on the distraction) and a land-line telephone. The office transmits a wi/fi signal, but don't depend on it. Cell phone service is very irregular. Cedar Key is located at the end of a chain of small islands connected by a causeway. It's a long way from any major town or city.

Most  visitors to Cedar Key walk. Many use golf carts. If you must drive and waste gas it'll be a short trip. Many of the local tourist traps have gone out of business. This depression has really been felt here in this small fishing village. There are two or three very fine restaurants, and one really great pizza joint.  There is but one grocery store on the island...its called, The Grocery Store. Prices are high. They do stock a fine selection of wines and other silly high end items. Shop inland and use a cooler for your milk and other perishables. Trust me.

The locals are friendly and helpful. They know on which side their breads buttered. Other than tourists the main money maker for these good folks are clams. Fresh clams can be purchased in several places along with smoked mullet and dip.

There are consignment shops and dress shops and other silly tourist clap-trap to wear you out if you can't read and relax. There is a fine world class fishing pier for the man of your life.

You may contact The Island Place at 352-543-5307. Ask for 'Gulf Side' condos. You'll want to see the water. Ask for condo 109, 108 or 107. Any above those are fine too. They also have a web site...just Google it. Reservations are highly recommended.

Stephen

Island Time

I again must make this as quick as possible. My connection to the Internet here is tenuous - fleeting as the wind and I never know how long I'll have to work. So, I shall make an attempt to post pictures while I have the time, and if the God's allow, write a few words.

I'll try and answer your comments, too, but if you don't find an answer please understand I shall reply as soon as we arrive back on the mainland.

My friends, meet Hemingway. Hemingway is a six-toed cat, a direct descendant of the writer Hemingway's family of cats born in Key West. Our cat Hemingway lives here at the condo. He refuses to leave and while we're away is cared for by the buildings staff. He's coal black, and if you look carefully at his front feet you'll notice his sixth toe...see the right front foot under his belly. When we arrived he came in, jumped into my lap and gave me a good rub down. Then to Sweet Wife. He's a very nice old cat. About seven years old. He's eaten one bag of food since we arrived...just eats and sleeps. He has many friends....





Hemingway's friends arrive not long after chow is provided.

Random shots of the condo...

My office. Cover shirt in foreground.

The Storm. Notice the leading edge of the clouds, the roll. This shot is to the south and west. Its headed our way. Mere moments after I took the shot lightning forked. Wish I'd caught it on film...



View from our deck.






Another, the waters edge.

My Sweet Wife reading the menu for her birthday dinner. We had a fine meal. The chief is a three time world champion for his clam chowder.


Enough pictures. I have three novels to read and my time is limited. We made a stop on the way here and I got carried away and bought three John Sanford Prey novels. I somehow missed the last three and this weekend hope to correct my oversight. 


As I glance out I see the clouds are gray, the winds light. At the moment, life is good. Sweet Wife just left for an afternoon of shop browsing....Lord help me. So, please excuse me while I make another pot of coffee and return to the deck with my book.

Take care.

Stephen