Yesterday we went out fishing with Joe and Lynn Lombardo on their new boat. We went straight out a couple of miles to 400-500 feet of water. On the way back the dolphin came up and we caught 'em! It was lots of fun. About that time the dark clouds came up too, and we had to head back in a hurry. While we were out, we saw an unusual rainbow that made a circle all the way around the sun. When I got home, I found out that it was a halo, caused by very high altitude ice crystals, and the colors are actually the reverse of a rainbow with red on the inner edge. We spotted ours at noon, a time when you often would not be looking up at the sun. It was beautiful out there, and nice and cool out on the water. When we got back we cooled off with a noodle in the ocean, and the Lombardos came over for a fish dinner. Lynn brought stuff, we made stuff, the only mistake was that we both brought dessert, but we suffered through it.

SPALLING work has started, and lucky us, they started with building 4. So far it is a one man operation, but he is one mean jack-hammerin' dude. Every day "Chipperino" -not his real name, but that's what I call him, climbs the ladder and starts hammering away over our heads at about 8:30, right about when I am in the shower after my bike and swim, you all know how I love my routines. The sound is enough to rattle your fillings, it would make Bill Michener and Bill Kontras take out their hearing aides, and still be deafened. It encourages me to get dressed and out of here as fast as I can for a morning somewhere else. Chipperino says this is the worse part, the next part is easier when they put up the rerod and cement. This picture is over Tom Storey's porch. They had 2 inches of rain in Marathon on Monday night, but here, we didn't get a drop- good thing because from the sound of it, we must have lots of holes in our roof! Don't worry I see they have duct taped some tarps up. I'll keep you posted on the progress. In the meantime, what's that? I can't hear a word you are saying, he's still up there hammering away. "Chip, chip, chippen' away, chippen' at my mansion of love."

MANATEE ATTACK ON OUR BEACH! The water has warmed up to what Bill Cherry calls a zero goosebump state. A week or so ago we both headed out for a late afternoon noodle. My peaceful state of total mindless floating was suddenly interupted when I heard Bill yell, "Holy shi--cow!" (or something like that). A manatee had come up right next to him and was about to get friendly until Bill's yelling scared he/she away. I did not exactly see the manatee up close and personal, but I did see the large hulking shadow of something swim away. I can verify that it took about 30 minutes for Bill's heart rate to return to a normal level. I was right close by, what attracted that manatee to Bill, and not me is a mystery. Could it have been his new bright green and purple bathing suit from Bealles, or that dark brown leathery suntanned skin, or his full-figure shape? Whatever it was, we have not seen the manatee since, maybe he/she has found a more friendly playmate on some other KCB beach.

Jack's beach treasure has inspired us to wonder about it's origin. Some think it may be a square grouper. Others think it could be the homemade seat of " un barco Cubano" that capsized before reaching shore. Others have speculated that it could be the top of a bar stool that floated down from Cabana Breezes, possibly tossed off the dock after a disagreement over who would sit in the seat next to an especially beautiful woman. Well what do you think? Where did this treasure come from?

Mickey and Minnie have a baby! Mickey and Minnie are the two burrowing owls that have been guarding their nest at the corner of 7th Street in front of the post office. This morning I caught a glimpse of the cutest little ball of grey fuzz stretching her legs out and coming out of the drain pipe. I couldn't get her to pose for a photo, she's very shy, and Mom remains quite the guard. As we know these owls don't hoot, they hiss if you get too close to the nest. The Dad is bigger than the Mom, and they are diurnal, how nice for us, we can catch a glimpse of them as we ride or walk by during the day. There are actually several nests on many of the streets right now.

YAHOO! The Chinchars caught WAHOO and they invited their friends to a fish fry on the deck! A great excuse for another party and good food. Dave cooked it up on the barbie as you can see. He had filets and steaks. It was delicious. I made Marie Boudreau's shrimp bisque. Thanks for the recipe, Marie. I think I finally have it down. Here it is for all of you wannabe French cooks:
Marie's Shrimp Bisque
4 Knorr shrimp or fish boullion cubes
2 C water
5 T butter
6 heaping T. flour
Dissolve the boullion cubes in the 2 C. hot water.
Melt the butter and stir in the flour. This is called a roux, now you know French!
Add the dissolved boullion mixture
Add 1 1/4 cups water
10 oz. tomato puree
Blend this and cook it enough so that it thickens a bit, about 3 minutes, don't boil it! Stir constantly
Now add 1 C. 1/2 and 1/2
1/3 C. dry sherry
1/3 C cognac
1/4 t. white pepper
3/4 t. salt
Blend and heat this through, but DON'T boil
Finally add 1/2 pint whipping cream - Hey, no one said it was lo cal.
1 pound cleaned raw shrimp
Simmer about 1 minute or until shrimp is cooked - it takes very little time.
You may add a splash of cognac and sherry right before serving.
"bon apetit!"

Progressive party
Parties on the deck are always fun, but this one turned out to be an added treat as it got progressively larger and larger. We started out with 5 couples getting together to meet our Michigan friends, The Rileys. It's the time of the year when if anyone walks by, we invite them to come on up for burgers and dogs! First we nabbed Lucille and Frank DeLuca who were leaving for home the next day. Lucille was glad to join us since they had no food left in the fridge, and Frank said he would stay as long as there was plenty of wine! No problema!
Then along came Warren, and he was eager for a good meal! In fact he said he will be checking the deck periodically for other events. We partied into the wee hours - 8:30 PM- with some lively rounds of The Alligator Game and LRC. I think they could hear Doris and Dana screaming all the way to Key Colony Inn when their fingers got chomped by the alligator. So next time you hear a lively group on the deck, stop by... you might just be lucky enough to get in on the fun.

Yes, I hear your requests. You begged, you pleaded, please let us know what is going on at The Cay this summer! Well, at least one of you called and pleaded... so I will keep you posted on the daily happenings around here. I'm going to start early in the season while the winds are mild, the ocean calm, the tarpon are rolling, and there are no tropical storms any where near.