Sunday, Nov 3
Our beach sabbatical began yesterday. We packed the X-Terra on Saturday and were on the road before 9 am. We drove to Evergreen for an overnight at our usual Sleep Inn. Sunday morning we were in no rush. We stopped at Joe Patti's in Pensacola to stock up on some seafood, at the Perdido Seafood Shop for some Gambino french bread and at Winn-Dixie where we bought a rack of ribs. We had a lunch at Fisherman's Corner, also in Perdido. I had fried gumbo salad and Bill had fried shrimp.
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| Friend Gumbo Salad |
Fortunately we were able to check in early at Phoenix East II, 2061. After unloading, we went to the Walmart to stock up on supplies. The 3 BR unit is very nice. The weather is very blustery, so I didn't venture out to the beach. Supper was ribs and salad.
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| First of many sunsets in this beautiful place |
Monday, Nov 4, Wedding Anniversary #52
The wind blew strongly all day. Nevertheless, I ventured out for a morning walk. The clouds came and went during the 30 minutes, making for a variable experience. The surf has carved a steep cliff of sand, making access to the water line difficult. Later, Bill joined me in a short version of our Yoga practice.
We had a perfect anniversary dinner at Lousiana Lagniappe, a favorite restaurant across the highway on the bay. We had a table overlooking the small San Roc Marina. Bill ordered fried shrimp and I had grouper , blackened and topped with lobster and crabmeat. And of course, we had our traditional bottle of Friexenet Brut to commemorate the day.
Tues Nov 5, Election Day: New Year, Day 1
The election this year is momentus and I spent some time reflecting of what it might mean. For my Election Day reflections, go to: https://flowersandfeathers.blogspot.com/2024/11/election-day-tuesday-nov-5-new-year-day.html
We stayed in most of the day, enjoying a quiet morning, reading and watching some TV news talk. Later we did a yoga routine. The high winds kept us mostly indoors, but we did make a short foray to the grocery store. Supper was an amalgum of left-overs from Sunday and Monday. I didn't take any pictures today.
Wednesday Nov 6 (NY2)
For my post-elections reflections, go to :
Today's weather was dreary and drizzly, fitting with the mood of the day. Like so many hopeful and optimistic progressives, I am in shock that Trump not only won the election, but did so decisively. We are now in the Trump/MAGA era, Day 2 of a New Year. (NY2). I started a jigzaw puzzle today. I don't know if it is mindless activity or a meditative activity. I managed just one photo from the balcony. Cooking is entertainment for me. so I made a delicious supper of red snapper fillet baked and basted in lemon-butter and topped with 3 crab cakes. The fillet was large enough that have one piece left over. We had asparagus as our side (and plenty of wine!) I didn't remember to take a picture.
Thursday, Nov 7 (NY3)
We were greeted by another damp and dreary morning. And the internet in our unit is not working. So the morning went: breakfast, shower, calling about the internet and spending time with tech support, working on the jigsaw puzzle (I'm starting to see progress), no morning walk, tech support comes and replaces the router, Yoga, with Bill doing level 2 with me today, lunch. After lunch, we went to Walmart for supplies (and something to do.)
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| It may take me the whole month to finish this one. |
The weather improved as the afternoon progressed, so we went for a sunset walk. The pictures tell the story.
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| From the boardwalk |
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| At the jetty |
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| A pair of pelicans going to roost |
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| Majesty |
I made seafood alfredo using the left-over snapper and crabcake. I added some sauted shrimp and served over pasta with a green salad on the side. Yummy left-overs!
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| Left-over snapper topped with crabcake in lemon-butter |
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| Seafood Alfredo |
Friday, Nov 8
Surf's up again today. Bill was encouraged yesterday. He got some shrimp for surf-fishing but it conditions were not conducive. He has his rods ready though if it ever clears up. Hurrican Raphael churning far out into the gulf will not directly impact us, but is indirectly causing the high surf. Despite the wind, I ventured out for a walk on the beach. I am trying to avoid watching the news. The Senate has flipped to a slight Republican majority but the House is still undecided.
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| About 4 foot surf |
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| For the actual sunset, we have to lean out of the balcony and peek around the building next door. |
Saturday, Nov 9 (NY5)
The world is not getting any better. I am enjoying my priviledge. I have been saying I would walk on the beach, then get in the hot tub and then swim. Today I actually did it!. Bill and I had a good long walk this morning. We sat for a while and watched the surfers. We may not like the high surf, but lots of fellows do. Rip currents are strong, so no one else is in the water, but lots of people on the beach. Lots of people is relative here because it is not crowded at all, as the pictures show.
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| One of many |
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Into the wind
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I decided to make gumbo today so I needed a few more ingredients. We made our almost daily trip to the grocery. I made some progress on the jigsaw before starting the gumbo process - first peeling the shrimp to make shrimp stock. Once the stock was done, I made the roux. Next is cooking down the Trinity in the roux, finally, adding the stock to the roux. Let that simmer a good long time. Add shrimp and crabmeat at the end. Rice, bread and a salad completed the meal. It was a feast for the ball-game. Tennessee played Miss State - great game and great win for Tennessee.
