Carl's 80th, and we celebrated with an informal gathering of close friends and anyone else who was wandering by at the time. Yes, it was his birthday, but more than that, we were celebrating his return to us after unexpectantly being away for 2 weeks. It just wasn't the same without hearing his voice as he greets everyone on his way down to the beach for his daily swim, seeing him and Dana ride their bikes at 7:30 every morning, and enjoying the sunset on the deck in the evening. Our internal time clocks were just all screwed up while he was gone. And now, we are so thankful, blessed, and just plain lucky that we have him back at The Cay. So welcome back, Carl, and please don't leave us again in the middle of the season unless you have a very good reason. We can't live without you!

LOOK OUT! Portuguese-Man-of - War on the beach! The wind switched around last night, and now it's out of the south. That means lots of seaweed on the beach and also Portuguese Man-of-War. I took this photo this morning about a half hour after they raked the beach. They look innocent, but their 30 foot tentacles can give a nasty sting. I see not even Carl swimming in the ocean today. Smart!
The south wind also brings in Cuban rafters. Last week the new commander of the Navy in Key West stepped out his front door to find 18 of them sitting peacefully in his front yard waiting for someone to process them. Wet foot/ Dry foot law. If you make it to shore, you are free to stay. They came over in an old boat. What happens more often, is that wealthy Cubans pay, what I hear to be between 10 and 20 thousand dollars each for a go-fast boat to bring them over. This of course is illegal, but quite a money-making venture if you have a fast boat, and want to take the risk of getting caught. Last week two groups of 20-30 Cubans were dropped off close to shore in the early morning hours. One group came in on Sombrero Beach, and the other at Coco Plum. Maybe one morning it won't be just the Portuguese Man-of -War greeting me on the beach. "Habla Espanol?" Does all of this have anything to do with the uncertainty of the political situation in Cuba right now?
The talk in Little Havana is all about celebrations that are planned for the impending death of Castro. There are plans for a big blow out at the Orange Bowl, with dancing and partying. The city of Miami is trying to keep out of it, but says they will provide security if there is an event. Is the death of a much hated person a cause for celebration? I don't know.
Wet foot/ Dry foot, Marange or Mourn? All I know is I'm glad I speak a little Spanish. I may be in the minority down here sooner than I thought.

Field Trip!

Last week we went to Homestead to KB Orchids, the orchid farm! We picked up a dendrobium, two phalaenopsis, and a bromiliad that looks like a big orange and yellow flag just waiting for an iguana to take a bite! We keep them indoors. They don't like the direct sun, don't like the varying temperatures outdoors, and don't like air-conditioning...picky, picky, picky. But they sure are beautiful. It's a long ride, but worth it to see all the choices, and then struggle to pick out only a few. Hopefully these will last us for the season. If you've got the time, it's a great trip. Steve or Bill can give you directions on how to get there.

Now THIS one is getting just too bold!
We watch the iguanas walk around on the beach as if they own the place, and we know they enjoy spending their early afternoon in the sun and then marching past us to get to their favorite palm for a late afternoon nap, and that's OK with us. We can tolerate them on the beach, but our porch? Our porch on the second floor? Right next to our sliding glass door and our living room? Now that is an invasion. We draw the line at the bottom of the stairs, and when they cross it, we feel that we have a right to claim our territory and call it trespassing. This is a warning to all iguanas big and small, "If you come up on our porch again, it will be an ice water cocktail for you! We will have no mercy, even if it forces you to bail out from the porch to the ground, we will not be responsible for broken legs or necks, you have been forwarned."

Yes, this is Key Colony Beach, and not Athens. It seems that there are almost no vacant lots left on the island, so...time to start taking down old homes and building new, bigger ones. This house was on 1st street. Someone has plans for a big- foot palace with a view of Bonefish Towers across they way. We live on an island, but we can't seem to escape "progress".

Happy New Year from The Cay!

It's almost Christmas Eve here at The Cay, and the halls and courtyard are decked. There was no official balcony decorating contest, but if there were, a most probable winner would be the Enger/Collins corner with a very complimentary upper and lower level light display. Yes, some people went all out...but who knows, everyone isn't here yet, and sometimes the across the courtyard competition can get fierce. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted as the spirit of Christmas continues to grow here at The Cay.

Snowbirds are flocking to The Cay, and just in time for the holiday season! The new sod is down, the Christmas lights are lit. As soon as the sun pops out, they'll be heading down to the beach to catch the rays, and dry their feathers.

They have faithfully guarded, day and night.

Watching for ships or a seagull in flight.

Quiet and pensive are these three.

Weathered by storms, sand and sea.

But, now they are gone! We don't know where.

Perhaps they've retired to be without a care.

Maybe they are on an extended leave.

And will return some day to watch the dolphins at play.

Or be here for the egg toss on Easter Day.

Manatee Show on KCB A family swam up to the dock at Sunset Beach Condos next door, and once Doris called everyone over here, we all went over to see the show. So cute! Such entertainers! They played in the hose spray, floated on their backs, and the baby tried to eat from the chum bag. So very, very cute! There were three in the family, baby swam close to mom, and the third member may have been a teenager. He/she seemed smaller that the mom. They seemed to be so happy to be around, they stayed over there for most of the day. Just one more family having a great time at Key Colony Beach.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !



Where ever you are, whoever you're with...we all have one thing in common, we are thankful for family and friends.

GO OHIO STATE !

Those Buckeyes sure know how to throw a tailgate party! The deck was the place to be if you wanted to do a little partying before the big game today. Shrimp, dogs, dips, adult beverages and buckeye cookies, who would want anything more? We had a few cheers, and an Ohio State song or two. We had a baby Buckeye, mama and papa Buckeye and lots of grandma and grandpa Buckeyes, and there were a few Wolverines in attendance, just to round it out. The bets have been made, everyone is back in their condo watching the game, can OSU hold on to that lead? We'll see. May the best team win, and hopefully they will be wearing maize and blue.

She's back, and she brought her man with her! She brought hugs for everyone and loving tales of little Naomi and the Jersey grand girls. She's all unpacked and ready to catch a yellowtail or two, party on the deck, pizza on Friday night, and get a visit now and then from her kids and grandkids.

What's Up? Are they digging for gold? Has anyone else here been startled by the sound of what seems like an exploding toilet in their condo? They've been digging all day, and have succeeded in totally closing down the main drive into The Cay. At first I thought it was a one day project,but now I don't think so. At 7 PM, Ron Sutton ( our city commissioner who lives in the big house on Coury Drive with all the Christmas decorations) was still out there with the front end loader moving dirt around. What a guy! Let's vote him in again! The water is on again here now, but who knows? If it's out again in the morning, let's all meet at the pool with a bar of soap!

They're Back! A beautiful November day at The Cay and the best news of all is that people are arriving daily. They come to see diamonds on the water. They come to feel the warm sand and hear the ocean breeze. They come to fish, to swim, to golf, and bike. Most of all they come to see friends that they have missed over the summer. I see them quickly walk down the sidewalk to get to the beach. They stop and take it all in before even stepping onto the sand. What is running through their mind? Memories of a party on the deck, a time when their family was here and spent the day on the beach, or friends that have yet to arrive, and will make it down soon for another great season of laughter and fun. Those of us that spend most of our time here are reminded of what a special place this is to so many people who come down for a week, a month, a season, and realize that they really have found paradise. So...if you're not here yet, get your butts in gear, and let's fill up those beach chairs! The water won't stay warm forever, but we will be here to greet you, whenever you arrive.

NEW DOG ON THE BLOCK...
But this one's legal at The Cay because he's of the papier mache variety. After he checked out the Sable's pelicans, he went back upstairs to take off his sweater. But this is a reminder that cooler weather is on it's way.

Is this the Keys? No, I got "off the rock" for a while, and this is near my sister Sue's home in the upper lower peninsula of Michigan. The colors are fantastic up there right now. I spent 4 days with our son in Ferndale, the weekend with both sisters near Alpena, now I am in East Grand Rapids staying with my nephew while my brother and his wife are on seperate business trips to China and Vietnam. I got to go to my nephew's water polo game last night. He is captain of the team and we are very proud of him. Of course, I blogged the game results last night on my family blog page so my fam could read all about it where ever they are. This internet stuff sure is amazing, and important when your family is all over the place. On Thursday I drive back to Detroit and then fly home on Friday.

There alway No Diving in our pool, but this week there's no diving AND no swimming. They started work on Saturday and are working on it again today, Sunday. Steve says it will take about a week. While it's empty, you can really see that it needs a lot of work.

I've been so wrapped up with my newest job that I've been too busy to blog! This week I have been doing "Dibels" testing over at Stanley Switlik Elementary. I've met some very nice teachers and the nicest students. On the right are Daniella and Paco, aren't they cute first graders? And they are also pretty good readers. Yes, they even come smaller, I started out testing the kindergarteners, and will test again next week. Every student K-6 takes this reading assessment test 3 times a year. It's been fun testing over there, but not having all of the responsibilities of being a classroom teacher.

Got a minute? Check out my new hobby on my Papier Mache Gallery of Fish at http://www.papiermache.co.uk/exec/cms-gallery/p-artist/id-231/. Yes, I've made a mess of the kitchen counter every night, but I've found a great way to use up about 5% of Bill's ever expanding glass collection. It's been fun, it keeps me busy, and who knows what project I'll be into next week?