And I invited myself down for a 5-day visit! Now, 5 days in a little one-bedroom trailer at th Countryside trailer park in Clearwater with a bunch of their Canadian friends may sound very boring to all of you...but it was actually quite exciting.
Here's a list of what I did, including some delightful and informative car ride conversations:
1) My mom picked me up from the Tampa airport, on time. She doesn't like to arrive on time at the Cleveland Airport, because she's always sure the flight will be delayed. I've been flying into the Cleveland Airport for almost 15 years, and have been delayed perhaps 2 out of 30 or more flights. But this is what she believes! Anyway, she was more then on-time in Tampa, and was thrilled by the ingenuity of the cell phone lot.
2) Upon arrival, we went to Safety Harbor, and got an iced Starbucks for me! In the middle of February, I got to drink a Starbucks on ice! Truthfully, I don't even like Starbucks that much, but for the purpose of sipping, and walking and dreaming in the sun, Starbucks will do.
3) In the delightful Safety Harbor, my mom and I strolled out to the pier and there were signs about protecting the manatees everywhere "Keep boats at idle, so as to not hurt the endangered Florida manatees." I had the highest of hopes and sure enough--we saw one of those gentle giants! He was right by the wood pier, and showing off for me and the rest of the active seniors on this beautiful Wednesday morning. Bonus--they have a wheelchair station on the pier to allow wheelchair bound folks to fish! Nicely done, Safety Harbor.
4) At lunch, with Carol, Thel, someone else and my mom, I split a half-pitcher of Sangria with my mom. She likes it too! We ate in a converted bungalow, which a lot of places in Safety Harbor have as their business. I love bungalows!
5) Back at the trailer, I learned that my dad refers to it as their little honeymoon cottage. I loved it instantly, especially the car port where you sit outside and read your book and drink jug wine.
6) Thursday was driving range day. My dad was very patient with me, and helped me a tiny bit. He's a great teacher, as it turns out, at golf. For other things, he'll talk talk talk (sound familiar?) but with swing, he just said "Slow, slow slow." And it was good advice for me.
7) Thursday night was Clearwater Beach night. We drove all around---and it's a delightful little place. Then, we parked and I walked into the water! In February! It was cold, but wonderful to be in flip flops. Next, we went to a little beachside pavillion for dinner (hello Coconut Shrimp!) and ate. It was completely foggy and we couldn't see the sunset, but I loved being there with my mom and dad. A true pleasure.
8) Friday was the big golf day! I woke up and thought..."Vacation has only just begun!" We arrived and I shared a cart with my dad. He let me drive it, too! Golf courses in Florida are filled with active seniors, birds of an exotic ilk, and are surrounded by houses with pools covered by screens. I highly recommend them.
9) I won an award for being the most honest golfer! That means that I did the worse of everyone, but I didn't lie about it, so they gave me $2! Sweet! Plus, my mom and dad like the margaritas at the golf course, so for the second 9 holes, we split a margarita up three ways and sucked that down. And, since my pale Chicago skin was burning (loyal readers will remember that I call that "pre-tanning"), that frozen margarita, slushing around in a styrofoam cup, tasted de-lish!
10) After golf, I ate some of my mom's corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and then had too much wine with Ralph and Carol while my dad went to the urgent care clinic to get antibiotics (he had a nasty cold that turned into bronchiotis). Ralph kept pouring me wine, and I stumbled across the carport and home. I truly passed out. Yikes. Need to take it easy in the sun next time.
11) Saturday morning was garage sale shopping! We went to a few places, including the very fruitful larger trailer park "Sunset Acres" or something like that. I got so much, including a tent for $3, the first prop I've bought for the new musical that Amy and I are writing, and 8 books! One is entitled "How to direct a musical: Broadway Your Way". I bought it as a joke book for Andy, our director. But it's actually really helpful! Also on the book table were a bunch of Ibsen plays and Charna Halpern's "Truth in Comedy". Weird. Did some well-meaning Chicago improviser give that book to his Grandmother? Or, did Grandma take classes and buy that book online? Not sure, but I was DELIGHTED!
12) Saturday night was the big dinner dance for Valentine's Day! There were many highlights that evening, but my absolute favorite was the lady who told jokes, because the prime rib was not quite done, and they were still making the gravy. My mom and dad both said "Oh, she's funny" and she was. Her closer was an incense joke, but then it was revealed that the bride-to-be's mother was a slut! You have to look this one up on you tube.
13) Sunday was chill out day--I finished my book, hung out, ran my little program and said goodbye to all my friends. My flight ended up needing a bumper, so I took it and stayed an extra night in the Tampa Bay Airport Mariott and jogged at that airport's few and far between green medians. Oh, what a delight!
Other random highlights:
--I jogged my program "Couch to 5k" in the outside.
--Wednesday night cocktails with the ladies
--My mom met the Trailer Park prostitute at the laundromat
--My dad and mom gave me a valentine's day card on Saturday morning. So sweet
--I read outside every night and wasn't cold
--I wore flip flops, a lot.
--I got really pre-tanned on my arms and chest
I'm thinking of trying to get to Florida again in March!
For now, Chicago will do just fine.
