And now she has flown home after five glorious days of fun in the sun. As much as she was dreading the temperatures in the teens back in Indiana, I couldn't really feel smug this morning when I was greeted with temperatures in the low 40's! But I still have bright sunshine, palm trees, and the promise of a high in the 60's by this afternoon.
Joan and I quickly established a rhythm for our 5 days. We did our own thing in the mornings. My "own thing" was a daily morning workout at the Y - merely 10 minutes drive from my house. When I returned, she had either had a lazy morning of coffee and reading, or a walk to town and surrounding neighborhoods. By about 10:30 we were ready to create our adventures together.
The first afternoon of Joan's arrival we walked all over town and had a mid-afternoon lunch at Mattison's. This was necessary since Joan's maiden name is Matteson. Close enough. Our shared grouper sandwich and salad was sufficient to make the salads we bought later at Whole Foods unnecessary. That night we attended August Wilson's play "Jitney" at the West Coast Black Theater Troupe. . . about 10 minutes from the house. There we ran in to my dear friends Carleen and Dick Payne from Northern Virginia! What a treat!
Sunday included CBS Sunday Morning, a walk around St. Armands Circle with lunch at Cha Cha Coconuts as per a recommendation from an old high school friend via Facebook, a short walk to the historic Burns Court Theater for the movie Hyde Park on the Hudson, and dinner at the condominium home of my nephew Ryan and his girlfriend Whitney which overlooks Sarasota Bay.
Monday was Ringling Day and we loved the time spent at the Ringling Mansion and Circus Museum. The museum harkened one back to childhood, and there I was with my childhood friend. We tried all the "participatory" activities like walking the "high" wire and perching on the rump of a pony in a circus pose. Fabulous lunch at the restaurant there.
Miniature circus display. . . was massively extensive and completely charming.
Later we drove up to Bradenton Beach to have something called a Land Shark at a place on the Gulf called The Beach House. Again on the recommendation of said Facebook friend. Turns out a Land Shark (which I figured must have a little umbrella in it) was instead a lovely citrus beer. The bar-tender talked us into "loaded" Land Sharks. You sip out some of the top and he pours tequila into the mix and adds a lime. I gotta tell you. . . it was delicious!
Probably won't find these in Afton! Too bad!!
Tuesday was beach day. After a shopping spree at the Women's Resource Center, a magnificent consignment establishment, again right around the corner from my house, we drove to Siesta Key Beach. .. touted the #1 beach in America. And no wonder. . . the immensely wide, sugar sand beach was a vision in the January sunshine. We walked at least a couple of miles along that wonderful beach, the Gulf of Mexico lapping at our toes. Lunch at a bay-side restaurant rounded out the morning. Outdoor eating. . . can't beat it. And speaking of outdoor eating, when we were at The Beach House the day before, we realized that people come up there to eat and watch the sunset. So on the advice of the waitress, we drove back up there for dinner, scoring an outdoor, practically water-side table for dinner and "the show." And the sun did not disappoint. Right as the sun was setting (and the sounding of the gong at the restaurant) a couple of dolphins started frolicking in the water in the orange glow, and a couple of pelicans began hair-raising dives into the ocean for fish. What a spectacular sight. I needed another Loaded Land Shark. . . and got one!
Wednesday was antiquing day. Joan and I have antiqued the width and breadth of many locations. Back when I lived in a bigger house, I bought a good share of antiques. Our adventure on this day involved, again, miles of walking in Sarasota, and the discovery of new neighborhoods and districts that were so charming and begged for a return visit. We ate dinner that night at the Fish Camp which was next to the Burns Court Theater. Again. . . . .a short walk from home. This location I'm in is so perfect!
And that brings us to yesterday. .. the final day of tropical friendship for 2013. We decided that the perfect end to our time together would be to walk (less than 10 minutes) to the Hollywood Movie Theaters to see a 10:30 showing of the movie "Cirque de Soleil." I had not even heard that they made a movie. But after our tour of the circus museum we both said how we were in the mood to see Cirque. . . and then here was this movie. And it was a spectacle of daring and beauty to be sure. Taped from several of their performances. Amazing to see on the big screen and with cameral angles that give you a perspective you would never get from being in a live audience! We walked home through Towle's Court, an artist colony 5 minutes from my house. Had a delicious lunch at a little restaurant there.
To round out our visit, we ended with a game of Yahtzee. ..our favorite game from childhood. Then I drove her to the airport. As luck would have it the temperatures were dropping and it was on the verge of rain. And in the airport I accidently tipped the bar maid $16 for 2 glasses of club soda. Didn't realize it til I was leaving the parking lot. I hope it made her day!
Our friendship has endured and continues to thrive into our senior years. No words can describe what my friendship with Joan means to me. The house is quiet this morning but my "default" setting of operating solo is always right under the surface. So I will bask in the memories of the time spent with my friend, and look forward to an even longer visit from her down here next winter.
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