Ahhhh, Florida

I'm back from Naples Florida.
What a trip. What a town. What a time.
The town is the personification of CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION. Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Porsches, Cadillacs.
Fancy dancy people walking their fancy dancy dogs.
$14 martinis. (Coors Lite was only $5.)
My friend's famly purchased their place on Gulf Shore Boulevard back in 1965. To them, a visit to Florida is like a trip to "the Lake" around here.
Across the street, the Gulf Coast, it's white sandy beaches and slightly swaying palm trees are magnficent.
Southern hopsitality is omnipresent. I think the service people, (waiters, waitresses, store clerks, etc.,) are very friendly. Of course, they would be. Any of us might be a gazillionaire and they wouldn't want to burn a potential massive tip.
However, the "common folk" with which I had the chance to chat were very personable and open. They were interested in North Dakota, (especially the cold.)
The big controversy down in Naples was their proposal to ban tobacco consumption on the streets, beaches and parks! Even the blue-noses have blue-noses down there.
There was also a good deal of concern about the number of sea birds being snagged by fishermen as they cast their lines from the shore or docks. I saw two pelicans snagged and a sea gull. The anglers were very concerned about returning the birds to flight with with minimal harm. The birds were evidently going for the bait and/or the catch when they get nailed. Poor birds. Oh well...
Upon return yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the cold, windy weather. The worst we saw in Naples was breezes and high tides. Oh, and THE RED TIDE, to which I had an allergic reaction.
I'm on the way to Mom's house. I haven't seen her in about a week.
Her birthday happened while I was away. Her's and Casey's. I missed them both but hope to make up with them this week. I was so involved in my own glorious time, I forgot them. Well, that's me, I guess.