Some Catching Up......

I thought it was about time to catch up on the blog....with lots of shots with the new camera (which is either a blessing or a curse because I now carry it with me everywhere) and shots from Travis and Shannon on Dakota's second birthday I have an abundance of new stuff to talk about....this is just me in front of the Coffee shop...last day as a Pirate...as of today no more patch...the bubble is still there but it has retreated to a little below half of my vision in my eye..I can look over the top and see things clearly...just have to ignore the fact that my vision is like looking through a half glass of water....


Visited some friends in Cape Coral recently and in addition to having a great time at a birthday party for a very special friend ( who remain anonymous at her request ) took lots of pics of the party but I shall honor her wishes...did go out boating with a little side trip to fish just before sunset...had a great time...only caught one small snapper but got to see a great sunset and spend some time with some very nice people...





Here is Jay's dog "Xena"...she is a real ball of energy...and of course wanted to be upfront the whole time...even when I was fishing off the bow...which by the way is pretty hard to do with only one eye...did everything but actually fall into the water...Xena however was right at home...I don't think Jay realizes it yet but I believe Xena is a Fish Pointer...looks like she spotted one in this pic...I knew a Bass fisherman once who swore that his dog came on point when a bass was lurking under lily pads...got so into it that he would not fish unless the dog was along....I was in a fishing club at the time and when it got to the point that he was winning almost every tournament we had...we banned the dog from all tournaments....he made believers out of us...he did have a good argument however...he claimed that any depth/fish finder did the same thing...but we still banned the dog....we could all have fish finders but no one else had a fish finding dog...hey....can't blame us...after all...we wanted a level playing field...


On our sunset cruise we passed by this burnt out house on the canal....the story goes that an older couple lived there and one day while his wife was out shopping ....the husband went outside by the canal sat down and shot himself...he started the fire before he left and made sure the cat was out of the house....nobody knows the rest of the story...sad ending to what looked like the perfect retirement...






On a lighter note....for those of you who don't know....there is a lyric in one of Jimmy Buffett's songs that goes..."Lets set sail with Captain Morgan, and never leave dry land"......this is what happens when you set sail with Captain Morgan and you do leave dry land....




I've done a little "land sailing " with Captain Morgan myself over the last few weeks and had some very good times with good friends at Will's Honky Tonk...it's hard not to have a good time with friends like Ingrid and Valery ..(new friend and bar tender at Mokies).. and music from my favorite local band...Smoked Mullet...of course Brian.... my kindred spirit and Kayak fishing fanatic and proud member of The Yard Dogs..remain my favorite non-local, Swamp Music Band...


Ingrid, Valery and I had a great time dancing up a storm...ended up walking home ....In case your worried...I never drink and drive...and Will's is only a few blocks away....I could have had a ride home but I went outside for air and just kept on walking...it was a beautiful and cool night and I really needed the walk and the cold air...I apologized to the girls after for not saying good-night...nuff said?...




Had breakfast and coffee as well as a great conversation that lasted a couple of hours with Ingrid and Suzie one morning....this is just before the latest cold snap ...haven't had much of a chance to sit outside the last few days with a cold breeze blowing most of the day...this will be the last cool front we hope....the old Coconut Grove is going to be opening up again with our good friends Merrill and Tony back in charge and the warm weather is right on time for some good music and dancing in the back courtyard....can't wait ... will fill you all in on the next blog....



Went back to Mokies Bar to hear Kenny Rose play again...he is going to be there every Tuesday for a while...looks like that will be the place to hang on Tuesdays....saw "Dancing Debbie" and friends...looking good and dancing up a storm with Bob...also known as "Dancing Bob"...they are with out a doubt the most energetic and talented dancers on the floor when they dance together...one of these days I'm going to get a video and post it on the blog...but for now just take my word for it....they are good!!!.....

















Here is my latest creation from art class...once again I make no apologies...the idea that I could produce even the smallest amount of artwork that would resemble anything...still amazes me...it ain't great ...but it's mine...I'm loving these classes...

















I've been experimenting with the new camera and have found the Macro setting...took a few shots of some of the great flowers that are blooming around my friends house in Cape Coral and I'm kinda liking the results...almost as pretty as some of the great sunsets I've been getting...I'm thinking about trying to reproduce some of these shots in water colors or pastels...we'll see...



















Shirley and Flo are doing another opening act for "Red"....he liked them so much before that he wants them to go on tour with him...Shirley said "No thanks"..but she will be going to Texas this month to perform at a big Blue Grass Jamboree....they even got there pics on the new poster for Red's visit to Englewood Elks on Saturday the seventh...I'll be there will you?




I have been trying to do some fishing during this cold snap....got this Spanish Mackerel within the first few minutes of a trip to the fishing pier...then went two more hours without even another hit...that's the mystery of fishing...it also goes to prove that the best definition of fishing is..." A jerk on one end, waiting for a Jerk on the other end".....at least it was warm in the sun out of the wind....and that fish sure looked bigger before I took the picture...must be the camera...






One fisherman I met caught a Puffer fish and was trying to show me how to cut out just a small area behind the head that is a delicacy in Cuba where he was from...I said I would pass on trying that...because if you cut out the wrong thing...you Die!!









As I mentioned...Dakota had her second birthday and it looks like she really got into this one...her Mom says that the trip to Chucky Cheeses was the most fun she has ever seen her have....Dakota was just thrilled with all the excitement...







Of course when she got home there was even more surprises and her favorite gift ...the motorized four wheeler...







She got to blow out the candles and kisses to all her friends and family for the first time this year...last year she needed a little help...











Dad had to read her the cards but she loved all the pictures...especially if they were anything to do with any of Disney's Princesses...her favorite characters...











I'm sure Callie had a good time as well...she just won't remember it....she is getting to be a little darling herself....

















One last thing....My new book comes out this month in hardcover...here is a comp of the cover...it can be pre-ordered from Barnes and Noble if you so desire...I will be having a book signing at the Village Gift Coffee Shop on the second Saturday in April if all goes well.... I love that cover...








I leave you with a great series of shots of the same sunset that I captured just two days ago on the dock behind the house...it never ceases to amaze me on how many beautiful and different ways the good Lord starts the journey into night...





That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk