Yesterday was friday. It was a good day.

It began for me at 5:30 in the morning. I was up and completing research for the day’s blog. Finished around 8:30. Decided to hold off writing until after I had my morning Monkey smoothie fix. It was off to Date & Thyme. Returned 20 minutes later and went to work. Blog finished and published at 11:30. 

A quick light lunch at home.

Decided to go to the beach. A big deal for me. The last time was pre-COVID. As it took me a long time to start going out evenings on a regular basis following COVID, I still had not gotten into the beach routine again.

I needed a beach chair. Lisa gave me one of those big blue ones that only sits upright last Christmas. I no longer can use a sand or lounge chair. Once down, I cannot get up. Lisa’s gift was perfect.

I packed it into the car together with sun tan lotion and lipscope I had purchased earlier in the week. Even bought a new baseball cap to wear in the sun.

It was off to Higgs Beach. Set the chair up at the far end by the wharf that runs out into the ocean. Next to the Casa Marina.

Did not bother oiling up. Though warm, it was overcast. Stayed 1 1/2 hours. Felt good being out there. It was comfortable, the ocean beautiful, the smell of the ocean familiar.

Very few people where I set down. There was a woman about 10 feet off to my side going towards Salute’s. Striking I thought as I set down.

Fifteen minutes later she spoke. Asked me to watch her purse and chair as she wanted to get another glass of wine. Asked if she could get me one or a beer. I declined. Assured her I would not run off with her purse.

When she returned, we spent the next hour chatting. One of those fortuitous meetings. Her name Terri. She is in the process of moving to Key West from Ocean City, Maryland. Attractive, 50ish. A fine dining waitress there. Hopes to get similar employment in Key West. I told her, as I am sure she was well aware, no problem. Key West restaurants are crying for dining room help.

She has already rented an apartment for herself and her two labs.

She returns to Ocean City today to finalize the sale of her home there and other matters. Returns January 15.

Enjoyed Terri’s company. Would enjoy running into her when she returns.

Showered, shaved, etc. and was off to Brady’s Irish Pub and Carola. Pierogi night and Irish sconces baked by Carola.

Met a couple at the bar from northern Ohio. Here for a wedding. The service at St. Mary’s By the Sea, reception at the Hemingway House. They last visited Key West 20 years ago. I told them to read up on the Hemingway House on the internet last night before attending the wedding and reception. So much history with the Hemingway House. It would be a shame to miss any part of it.

Carola gave me two Irish sconces in a plastic bag to take home. Told me to heat and butter up before eating. I could not wait to get home to try one. Microwaved it for 20 seconds and then melted butter on top. To die for! The other I will eat later this morning for breakfast. This one with jam.

Settled into bed to watch a movie. Selected Mama Mia. A terrific musical comedy starring Meryl Streep which hit the movie houses in 2008. Saw it back then. Besides Streep who I greatly admire and enjoy, the site of the film motivated me to watch also. A Greek isle. I am a Greece fanatic. Love the country which I have visited many times for stays as long as two months.

I was not disappointed. The movie had its emotional moments which caused me to shed a tear or two.

My day could not have been better.

Hopefully today will be as good. I started today’s blog at 5 this morning. There will be no time for a Monkey smoothie fix. I have to be at Jack Flats by 11. Syracuse plays Georgetown at 11:30. Want to get a good screen and bar seat.

Should be a good game. The rivalry goes back to 1979. Jim Boeheim and John Thompson the coaches. They literally hated each other from 1979 forward. A real dislike. Not sure exactly why, but it existed. 

Both teams entered the Big East which was formed around that time. I watched most of the Syracuse home games at the new Carrier Dome from 1980 forward, plus games in the Big East end of season tournament for years in Madison Square Garden and NCAA tournament games at season end.

Thompson was so distrustful of Syracuse that when Georgetown played at the Carrier Dome he began the practice of setting up chairs on the court itself during time outs to talk with his players. The message was clear. Syracuse was a cheater.

The bad blood continued for 20 plus years till after Thompson retired. Boeheim and Thompson met at at college basketball coach conference, chatted privately and were bosom buddies from that day forward. The two men literally loved each other.

Thompson died in 2020, Boeheim now retired.

Not sure what else I have on the agenda for today following the game. May do the beach thing again. Everything stored in the car ready to go.

Enjoy your day! Hopefully as much as I enjoyed mine yesterday!