A rough ride home and the plane was two hours late. I spent all day today unpacking and grocery shopping. But a great trip, great weather, lots of botanical gardens, hikes, various beaches, museums, music at several places, a visit with my brother, and so much great food. Highly recommend Sarasota. The theater and music scene is excellent, so too the beaches. I am thankful I was able to get away for three weeks. Because of the hectic pace, any longer would be too exhausting. Whew!
So what about you?
20 comments:
Glad it was fun, and just enough for now. Nothing like an irritating flight to make one aware the vacation is over. I haven't taken a vacation for more than a decade...15 years?
https://archive.ph/GGhJT gets one past the paywall: "Books
What do Minnesota bookstores do when authors break bad?
From taking Neil Gaiman titles off shelves to lessening Alice Munro’s presence in displays, there are a variety of responses.
By Chris Hewitt
The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 5, 2025 at 12:30PM"
I'm so glad you had a good trip! It sounds as though you really enjoyed yourself, and that's what's most important.
Too many authors misbehaved. And yet the worse misbehavers are all cabinet members.I did indeed, Margot. Thanks.
Glad you had a good time. You sound like my cousins, who have to squeeze in a few visits with us among all their daily activities. They always seem to be going somewhere, doing something, whatever. By coincidence, they spent a couple of days in Sarasota last week (they have an apartment in Delray Beach), and had an earlier trip to Naples. This week it is Vero Beach. We're happy spending our three months here relaxing, reading, eating, walking, and watching television.
Actually, we did do something unusual this week. Friday we met my cousins for lunch at Jackie's favorite Japanese buffet in Boca Raton, then we drove to the Marriott Residence Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. We had tickets that night for The Coral Reefer Band, who backed the late Jimmy Buffett for decades, now trying to "keep the music going" a little longer. They were at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, for what turned out to be a very entertaining evening. They did most of Jimmy's familiar songs, talked about him and showed pictures and videos. His older daughter Savannah was there, and led the crowd singing "Fins." They will be opening at 19 concerts for The Doobie Brothers this summer, and we have tickets to see the latter at Jones Beach in August. And Jackie got to spend an hour in the horribly smoky casino playing video poker before the show.
I don't recommend the British KIRI (2016, Acorn), a 4 part downer of a show about a social worker (Sarah Lancashire, underused here) who allows the title character, a 9 year old, an unsupervised visit with her paternal grandfather, only for her to end up murdered. The ending was very unsatisfying.
We watched the last two episodes of ZERO DAY (Netflix) too last night, and while there were some decent performances, I didn't love it. Matthew Modine, looking his 65 (!) years, was an all but mustache-twirling villain as the Speaker of the House and head conspirator.
R.I.P. HENRY (PBS Masterpiece) is a Norwegian series about yet another obnoxious House-like doctor, who discovers (and, so far, hides) that he has an inoperable brain tumor and probably a year to live. I'm not sure I want to continue with this one.
We have two REACHER episodes to go (they drop Thursdays), so will finish it before we leave. Sonya Cassidy, who is British, really lays the Boston accent on with a trowel. It's somewhat surreal seeing Brat Packer Anthony Michael Hall as a gray-haired 56 year old.
We have the second series (on MHz) of the French MISMATCH (FACE A FACE there), about the two half sisters, one a homicide cop and the other a judge, who just discovered they were related at the beginning of the series. Their relationship is much better now, with the judge having divorced her cheating husband (the cop's boss last season, but he has moved on out of the show) and getting into boxing and her new, psychologist-cop, boyfriend.
DEATH IN PARADISE, series 14, is teasing the forced retirement of the Commissioner, but I'm positive it will all come to nothing in the end. The new Inspector (played by Don Gilet) this year is particularly obnoxious to pretty much everyone, but he's a smart cop too. It's on Masterpiece, I think.
A fair amount of reading lately. Jackie has been reading Ashley Poston and now Emily Henry for escape. I read the latest Ken Bruen Jack Taylor book and I'm now reading a fast moving (if improbable) thriller, THE MAILMAN by Andrew Welsh-Huggins.
Haven't heard much about Bruen lately and wondered if he was sick. Yeah, if I were there for three months, I would take it easier too. I don't have ACORN or MHZ. I might have to get Peacock again to watch POKER FACE.
Marriott Renaissance, not Residence. The lobby looked a little old to me, but clearly the hotel has been/is being renovated. The room was beautiful. Breakfast, meh. We were on the Concierge Level (as Jackie is a Permanent Platinum member), but the lounge is closed on from Friday night to Sunday morning, and reopens for Sunday evening, too late for us.
I'm not sure about Vegas, but even Harrah's in New Orleans had a No Smoking area. But the Hard Rock was smoking everywhere, and it stunk of it.
Spent a quiet, uneventful week. The most exciting thing I was visit the podiatrist to have a minor procedure done; I am now able to walk without pain, so that's a plus.
The weather report this weekend was pretty dire, with the possibilities of large hailstorms and tornados (probability 60 to 80 to 130%, depending on whom you listened to) and the likelihood of all ocean-going ships sailing of the edge of the world. None of the happened, of course, but with DOGE trying to eliminate NOAH (as well as any helpful government service), I expect many more inaccurate weather predictions. the warnings were dire enough for Jessie and Christina to postpone their monthly Sister Day to next weekend.
My niece Becky from Indiana is scheduled to come by this Thursday. We don't see enough of her and I am looking forward to the visit.
Wonky Cat's condition became so grave that she had to be put down -- a heart-wrenching decision for Amy, who has decided it sucks to be a grown-up. Kaylee's S.O. turned 23 yesterday with many huzzahs and hoorays. I still have not met Amy's S.O., whose greatest talent appears to be avoiding our family; despite any indications to the contrary he appears to be a real person. Our living room is getting crowded, as Erin keeps storing furniture for her new apartment pending her move next week; wishing her and Trey the very best as they take the next step into the wonderful world of adulting. County schools are closed this week for Spring Break so everyone will be able to sleep a little but later. Hard to admit, but Newcat may be getting fatter.
Watching the Michael Gambon MAIGRET (1992-1993). It's always interesting to watch the old shows to see who else pops up in the credits; last night's episode had Minnie Driver and Brenda Blethyn. Still picking away at John Nettles' BERGERAC (1981-1991) and am only on the second season. Also this week, DEATH IN PARADISE, FATHER BOWN, HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, and the late night comics.
Books read this were David Morrell's SCAVENGER, a thriller that did not hit ll the marks for me (and my FFB), and two by James Lee Burke: WANDERING STRANGER and ANOTHE KIND OF EDEN, the last taking on a bit of possible fantastic edge that is sometimes seen in his Dave Robicheaux novels. In the chute for this week are books by Daniel Kraus, Charles L. Grant, and the second Holmes, Marple, and Poe novel from James Patterson and Brian Sitts (although the series appears to be changing its name to "Holmes, Margaret, and Poe.'
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day I had a bowl of Lucky Charms this morning, except it was Rice Krispies. I also am wearing green, except it is brown and black. but I'm sure good intentions count for something, right?
May your week be filled with shamrocks and pots of leprechaun gold, and may you not trip over any shillelaghs in your many travels, Patti.
Glad you had a great time in Florida!
My sister in Clearwater told me the media there are covering the story of Canadians who went to Publix to buy a cake. When the Canadians requested a Canadian flag in frosting on the cake...Publix refused. Apparently, the owner of Publix is a big Trump supporter.
Western NY weather gyrates up and down this time of year. Over the weekend we had a 70 degree day. This morning...30 degrees. While the weather was warmer, Diane and I washed the windows on our house to get some of the Winter crud off. We have a team of window washers come out in the Spring (next month) and the Fall (usually October). In between, Diane likes to spray the windows with her hose.
Like the Meyersons, I'm enjoying REACHER on AMAZON Prime Video. I'm also enjoying Season 3 of THE WHEEL OF TIME.
I have four more boxes of books ready to go to various used bookstores. I'm using the criteria of "Am I ever going to reread this book?" If the answer is NO, the book goes into a box headed for a used bookstore or Library Sale.
Stay safe!
I haven't seen that Publix story down here, but the owner's family members are certainly Trump supporters. Still, I wish we had Publix in New York. It's a great store, with friendly, helpful workers. You will NEVER go into a Publix without seeing several employees stocking shelves and straightening everything up. Also, they are known for hiring people who have trouble getting hired - the handicapped, seniors, etc.
Our Publix store was good . No competition except Aldis and Whole Foods.
Patti, it is good that you have returned from Florida safe and sound. I am glad to hear you had a good time, with so many places to visit.
We have been watching ELSBETH more regularly, and it is improving. We have added a new show to the mix, RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER (with Maria Doyle Kennedy, on Acorn), and started watching Season 9 of SHETLAND. Glen is almost done with CSI and then we will watch more MCDONALD & DODDS episodes and then move on to CSI: NEW YORK. I got a new set of the Nero Wolfe series with Tim Hutton and we will be rewatching those.
Glen is reading THE LAST TRAIN by Michael Pronko, a mystery series set in Tokyo. The book has been on his TBR pile for seven years, and now there are six books in the series. He is about 1/3 of the way through it and liking it a lot.
Last week I finished RACHEL'S HOLIDAY by Marian Keyes, the second book in the Walsh Family series. It is set mostly in Dublin. Rachel is the third daughter in a family with five daughters. In her late twenties, she has been living in New York but she overdoses on drugs, almost dies, and her family brings her home to Dublin to go into a rehab center. I enjoyed it except for the length (570 pages). On Saturday I started THE MINISTRY OF TIME by Kaliane Bradley. I am liking it a lot too. A time travel book with a difference, and even though I have read 100 pages I can't tell where it is going. I have stayed up too late reading it two nights in a row.
I have tried Severance again and I really don't get it. I also started Adolescence, which is terrifying but very good.
Sorry about Wonky Cat.
I do like time travel books. If I ever finish Martyr I will look for it.
Forgot about Reacher.
Jerry, I am glad you got an appointment with a podiatrist and your walking is improved. I am sorry to hear about Wonky Cat. And you cheered me up with your description of your St Patrick's Day eating and dressing.
Todd, thanks for that link about Minnesota bookstores. Very interesting article.
You're quite welcome. Ruth Berman made her fellow listmates aware of the article.
Well, they have to audition Somehow. Pam Bondi called Drumpf Bestest Pres Evah yesterday, I believe it was. Another means of auditioning.
Brown and black could be construed as "black and tan"...avoid Fenian parades and Sinn Fein bars in those colors...at least on this day...
Further condolence for poor Wonkette...and, indeed, congrats on successful surgery!
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