2015-2/1 to 2/28 - Still in Paradise

Much to our delight, Laurel & Kathryn drove down for a visit. It's a long drive for both of them - Laurel at least 8 hours, Kathryn, 5 hours. Laurel arrived late afternoon on Tuesday the 3rd.  Jay & Karen joined us for dinner at the Warf. Kathryn arrived on Thursday the 5th in the middle of a cold front with rain & blustery conditions. The weather wasn't perfect but we had a wonderful time together. I made  a pork dinner for the 6 of us.

Not the best picture but you get the gist. Note FOUR dogs

We watched episodes of Ally McBeal, played Skip-Bo & I made our most favorite drink - Limoncello. (water, sugar, zest of 5 lemons & grain alcohol-YUM) Sadly, Laurel had to leave on Saturday night but, before she drove off into the sunset, she wanted to kick up her heels & hear some live music. We got (sorta) dressed up & headed to Ramrod Key & Looe Key Tiki bar for dinner, live music & dancing. 

I am SO blessed to have good friends

Kathryn, me, Laurel @ Looe Key Tiki bar 

Unfortunately, February's weather was similar to January's. One cold front after another - unrelenting wind, temps in the 50's - 60's some days dipping into the 40's. Unpacked the down comforter for bedtime. ahhhhhhhhh

Two shirts, this huge outer shirt, 2 pair of socks, jeans, hat & scarf

                               We also had dense fog which is unusual.

Another great picture by Jay

Finally, it warmed up to the 80's with sun & cool breezes. Great sleeping weather.
Because there were small craft warnings, the pump-out boat is not permitted to service the boats. We traveled 8 miles out into the ocean (3 miles past the reef) to dump our holding tanks...I fished but didn't catch.
One day, the pups were barking, more than usual, while looking down into the water. There were hundreds of baby Portuguese Man O' Wars floating from the ocean towards the Gulf. (Niles Channel, about 10 miles long, connects the Gulf with the Atlantic)

See their tentacles curled up inside?

 

 When adults, they look like this - deadly tentacles (copied from the web)

From Wikipedia: The Portuguese man o' war lives at the surface of the ocean. The gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, remains at the surface, while the remainder is submerged. Since the Portuguese man o' war has no means of propulsion, it is moved by a combination of winds, currents, and tides. Although it is most commonly found in the open ocean in tropical and subtropical regions, it has been found as far north as the Bay of Fundy and the Hebrides.
Strong winds may drive them into bays or onto beaches. Often the finding of a single Portuguese man o' war results in the finding of many others in the vicinity. They must be treated with caution, and the discovery of a man o' war washed up on a beach may lead to the closure of the whole beach.

An adult - beautiful but beware

Several years ago, I was bottom fishing & didn't notice a Man O' War near-by. I also didn't notice that he wrapped his tentacles around my line that was in the water. He then slowly worked the tentacles all the way up to the reel & my hand. The pain was horrible. It's a wonder I didn't drop my pole in the ocean. YIKES!!! Stay away.

We've been watching the Osprey's build their nest on the stacks on the paddle boat...they're very busy & very smart.

The dreaded dentist appointment. Many people, especially in my age bracket, have a noteworthy & extreme fear of the dentist...I'm no different. Let's think back to when we were kids - OMG! Let's not. 
Those who know me are aware of my funky, upper front tooth that always stuck out while the two middle, upper teeth leaned in a bit.

Circa- 2011 - I got worse after this

When young, I begged my parents for braces. Mom said no because she thought it was 'cute'. The 'cute' tooth was on the move & becoming a problem. Thus, the dreaded dentist appointment. That's when I met my BFF, Paula - my angel - my ground-wire - my everything. Just getting a simple X-ray proved to be a feat in itself but it showed almost no bone under that tooth. Plans to pull it .(you're kidding-right?) Consultations, discussions ensued. Bottom line - prepare four upper front teeth for crowns. I had to ask "what does that entail?" Well, we grind down those teeth (what??) then make & put in a temporary bridge until the gums heal- about 4-6 weeks. Once healed, we take an impression for the lab that will make the permanent crown(s). This takes another 4 weeks.You're kidding right?? I'm outta here & going to the Bahamas as planned. Reluctantly, I showed up for my appointment on 2/16.
 I begged for & got gas which made me very mellow. (but I already had a vodka & OJ before I got there) I kept making gestures to Paula to turn up the gas..."It's as high as it goes" she said.  I felt around with my tongue after the grinding - OMG - it felt like something in a sci-fi movie. YUK! There was no way I would look at them in the mirror. The temps were inserted & now I see a stranger in the mirror. 

Since these are boring times, I'll tell you a tale about Wayne. Back story: We don't wear shoes on the boat & sometimes, no clothes...but I digress. We don't wear shoes when we visit on LARGO either. So, Wayne caught a dinghy ride to shore with Karen & Jay & they drove to Key West. Wayne forgot his shoes! I don't know how he walked to the car parked in the empty lot next to the cottage which is loaded with sand-spurs ?  They parked in town & Wayne walked those dirty, icky streets to buy a pair of Birkenstock sandals. His feet were so filthy he had to borrow socks to try on the sandals. 

Another homeless, shoeless Mangrove dweller wandering the streets of Key West