PACKING IT IN

That title has two connotations. . . . 

"Packing it in" implies getting ready to go.   But it also implies cramming a lot into a small space.   Both of those apply to me this coming week.

A week from this morning I will be waking up in Key Largo with the intent of driving to Key West and back.  My swan song for Florida Winter 2013.  And I have to say I'm looking forward to that.

But I have to decide all that I want to do this next week.  Goodness knows I don't want to have left anything undone!

After a memorable night last night with my family, Chip and Sue, and nephew Ryan, the coming week is practically full to bursting.   We met here at my house for wine and laughter, followed by a walk to town for sushi.  No need to go into detail about how much I loved that!  And then a stroll across the street for coffee and dessert.  That is something I rarely do!  I will miss the ability to stroll into town with nothing but a light jacket, the moon and stars shining, the sound of music from a local restaurant where everyone is eating outdoors, the lights strung on the streets.  It's pretty wonderful.

But here's the agenda so far for my final week, expanded considerable last night by input from Chip and Sue!  Today (Sunday) I'll go swim my mile late morning.  At 2:00 I have a ticket to see the play You Can't Take It With You at the Asolo Theater, a venue I have not yet enjoyed.  Afterwards I plan to drive out to Siesta Key for their Drums at 5:00, where people gather on the beach for drumming at sunset.  I'm pretty sure that no one in Afton is gathering at 5:00 outdoors for drumming this evening.  But I could be wrong!

On Monday Sue and I are going to meet after our respective exercise and go to Selby Botanical Gardens.  She and Chip were married there, and I want to see where that happened.  We may have to stop at the famous Nancy's Bar-b-que for lunch prior to that.

As it turns out, I found out that the famous high wire guy, Nick Wallenda, is walking a tight rope over route 41. . . and easy walk from here, on Tuesday!  Are you kidding me? I'm going to get to see that?  Live?  Sue will come down and join me for that not-to-be-missed extravaganza.

Which then puts me in the mood for the circus.  So on Wednesday,  Sue and I are  hoping to be able to go to the Sarasota Circus which is in town for a month. . . featuring the Wallenda's and hopefully Nick who will have survived the previous day's antics.

On Thursday I have a ticket to the play The Heidi Chronicles back at the Asolo.

Friday will have to be devoted to packing up.   I'm going to get a big plastic container and leave a bunch of my newly purchased Goodwill clothes here at Chip and Sue's so I don't have to keep packing up to come down here.  

Saturday I will pack the car, stop by breakfast club and head south to the Keys.

If I'm able to climb out of bed that morning. .. . . 

I'm packing it in for sure.