We’re home. I’ve spent the week sorting mail, stocking the larder, poring over all the cooking magazines and New Yorkers that accumulated, getting back on the treadmill (need to undue the effects of lobster and potato chips!) and soaking in the pool. Florida is hot and humid, but I’m reveling in being in our own space!
Old-time Music
We just attended our first performance at the Florida Studio Theatre, a multi-venue outfit with a range of offerings from drama to improv to music. This was The Swingaroos performing in their cabaret space. A full menu was available, but not realizing this we dined at the Bijou Café around the corner, one of our current favorites. I had never heard the term, “territory band,” before but they were small dance bands that toured in the U.S., primarily in the Midwest and west, playing in small towns and night clubs during the 1920’s and 30’s. The Swingaroos are a group of six: one female vocalist accompanied by musicians on piano, drums, clarinet, trombone, and string bass. They gave an energetic performance, but we would have enjoyed it more had more of the music and songs been familiar ones.
Nature Note—Missed Photo Op
A robust thunder and lightning storm the other day lasted several hours. It left puddles galore and, I noted that all the birds that are either in the trees, the sky, or elsewhere during the day had congregated near our pond and on the grass. The white ibises always do this when the weather is threatening, but this time I observed many great white egrets, brown ducks. and also several of the smaller herons. Quite striking to see the bright white birds all poking in the grass or stalking around the pond’s perimeter. I always think there are more birds around when the people population here is down, but that may not be so.
All Star Romp
For some light diversion, we rented “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” While not quite as good as its predecessor, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” it delivers megawatt star power in the form of Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and a distinguished gray, but still very handsome, Richard Gere. Sunny (Dev Patel), proprietor of this unusual Indian hotel where roll is called each morning to see who survived the night, is as exuberant as ever. He is soon to be married and wants to expand his business. And he is sure he knows the identity of the unannounced hotel inspector. Pure fun with a tinge of the poignancy of the last stage of life.
