The Snowbirds Fly

Lots has happened since my last post. I’ll get you caught up on our doings here in Hudson, Florida. I had a typical “man encounter” on the golf course when Hubby and I went to play one afternoon. We were paired with a single gentleman (I’ll call him that for now). While we were waiting to tee off, the starter mentioned something about golfing with a woman that looked so stylish (that was me in my new golfing garb). The single looked at me and said, “Fine, as long as you don’t talk or giggle when I’m hitting.”

Hubby immediately ducked behind the golf cart because he knows how angry I get when men say things to me that they wouldn’t say to a fellow male. Usually the comments infer that I don’t have the ability to play with the big guys, but this yoho was questioning my etiquette! I lasered him with my best “teacher look” and replied, “Fine, and men can’t fart or burp when I’m hitting.” He got the message as did the starter who nearly fell out of his cart trying to hide his laughter. I glared at his shocked expression for a few more seconds to underscore the intent. Mr. Golfer hit his drive low, left, short, and off the fairway. I hit one of the best drives of my life straight, long, and dead center in the fairway. ‘Nuff said. I hope I see him again after I finish my golf lessons with Ray Cisbani at The Links course. He’s a great teacher and has been selected as The St. Pete Times and Tampa Tribune’s “Golf Coach of the Year” three times.

One of our first stops was the USA Flea Market in Port Richey. It’s like the market in Rogers, Ohio, only it’s all indoors. This market has everything and anything, also. I bought a silver and turquoise bracelet.

We daytripped to Tarpon Springs, just south of us, twice. If you are ever in the area, take time to visit this town known as the “Sponge Capital of the World.” It was originally established in the 1880’s as a winter resort for wealthy Northerners, but the arrival of the Greek sponge divers in 1905 changed everything. By the 1930’s, the sponge industry was generating millions of dollars a year, and as the industry grew, tourism evolved with it.

Lining narrow Dodecanese Avenue in the Sponge Dock District and connecting streets are over 100 shops, restaurants, and sweet shops featuring French and Greek pastries that required all my willpower to pass. Dining options range from authentic Greek to French, Italian, and seafood. We ate Greek. I had spanokopita which is like a lasagna, but made with Phyllo dough, spinach, feta cheese, onions, and dill. The portion was delicious and too much to eat in one sitting.

My wilted Master Card was evidence that I had a great time shopping. I bought a vase (to add to my collection), olive oil base lotions and soaps, and a dress, all made in Greece. A vase sponge, shells and air plants I’ll use to create a unique planter for my son’s girlfriend. My granddaughter gets a Greek Evil Eye bracelet. The mati (ìÜôé), Greek for eye, is supposed to protect one from someone else casting a glare of envy or harm your way. By wearing an eye, the superstition is that the eye turns away or repels the envy or harm, taking away bad luck and bringing you good luck.

I couldn’t resist a vegetable ivory earrings and necklace set to add to my unusual jewelry collection. Tagua or vegetable ivory is the seed of the Ciclantacea Palm that grows in South American rain forests. The nuts used in the set I bought came from Equador.

Homemade soaps were also my weakness. My personal favorite is a honey, oatmeal, and goat’s milk bar made by Nina and sold in her tiny shop. The suds taste sweet! Hubby keeps telling me he smells a goat in the house.

I bought a Sacred Winds CD that features the pan flute, which is a traditional Native American instrument. With piano and orchestra accompaniment, it is truly the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. It’s music that “touches the heart and heals the soul.”

More Things to do in TP: visit antique shops and artists’ galleries; tour St. Nicholas Greek Othodox Cathedral; take a walking or trolley bus tour of the city; taste wines at the 1820 Castle Winery; walk, hike, bike, or roller blade the Pinellas Trail for 38 miles between TP and St. Petersburg; canoe and kayak, fish, or go to the beach.

Next we headed north to Crystal River in Citrus County, at the heart of the Nature Coast of Florida. When I was researching this area and making vacation plans, I decided that I was going to swim with manatee. We went during the Manatee Festival so there were hundreds of craftsmen and vendors. Instead of swimming with the manatee this trip, we opted to rent kayaks and encounter them from the perceived safety of a watercraft. This was our first kayaking experience and Hubby is hooked. The manatee were plentiful in the little inlet and canal we paddled which was rather unnerving for me. These mammals are huge! They swam beside us and underneath our kayaks in clear water 2-7 feet deep. Several surfaced next to Hubby’s craft, and he scratched their backs. I tried to get a photo, but I got so flustered I forgot how to take a pic with my phone. Hubby is yelling, “Don’t lose that phone! It’s our Internet connection.” I’m fumbling with the phone and the paddle in a rocking kayak when a manatee surfaced and blew water from it nostrils at me! It was scary, but a thrilling moment. Never did get any pix. We will definitely go back for another close encounter with these gentle giants.

At the craft vendors row, I bought a CD called Saxual Healing, featuring Mark Maxwell on the saxophone, one of my favorite instruments. I added a unique, handmade, quartz-bead bracelet and a silver and gold crab pendent necklace (my Zodiac sign) to my jewelry collection.


We headed southeast to the Seminole Hard Rock Resort Hotel and Casino in Tampa one day. Many of you know that I’m a semi-reformed casino junky so you’re not surprised. The casino is 90,000 sq. ft. and obviously doing well because it is hiring 3650 dealers. Its sister casino is in Hollywood, FL. Best have lots of money if you visit this establishment. The lowest limit blackjack table I saw was $15. I saw some tables where patrons were plunking down $150 a hand or more. Most of the slots were connected to some sort of progressive jackpot that effected your bonus spins whether you played the progressive game or not. The bonuses didn’t result in much money most times. I played one machine for hours and never figured out how the progressive option worked (no instructions). A guy sitting next to me tried to explain, but I don’t think he had a handle on it either. I won $100 on the bandit, but put it and more back in. Our next casino visit will be on the Sun Cruz Line (a ship) in Port Richey. Hopefully, I’ll do better at sea.