My book has left the library…
I just hope it’s being enjoyed. Maybe given a place in the shade.
Peace, people!
Update on Little Free Library
Tag: Tallahassee Florida
Something Good
I spent several hours this afternoon wandering around the Word of South festival, Tallahassee’s annual celebration of music and literature. I’d planned to go yesterday, but the weather wasn’t great and I opted for warmth instead of music. Besides, I thought Rickie Lee Jones was scheduled for today and I really wanted to see her perform.
Since dates and times are my nemeses I totally screwed up everything. Got to Cascades Park a full hour before any acts were due to go on stage and then realized Rickie Lee Jones had performed the night before. I guess I’m destined to never see Chuck E’s in Love performed in person. Darn it.
But I was determined to have a good time, so I strolled around the park until I heard some music that made me smile. A quick look at my program told me the band playing was called DOUBLECAMP. Even the name made me grin. I spread out a blanket, gingerly eased this 65-year-old body to the ground and enjoyed every minute of their set.
A better music reviewer would have remembered song titles and such. All I remember is bobbing my head to every tune and savoring the sweet, clever lyrics and honest vocals.
The band is made up of members, Joe Neary and Jordan Burmeister. They had a drummer along today, but I can’t for the life of me remember his name, so I hope he’ll forgive me if he ever happens to read this. He was really great to watch, though.
And DOUBLECAMP’s tunes? Fun. Upbeat. Pop with soul. Just what this day, and this old woman, needed. Give their song, All My Friends are Strangers, a listen. I think you’ll like it.
Peace, people!
Lunch Companion
Most days I dine alone at lunchtime. If the weather is nice I find a picnic table at Sweet Pea Cafè in Tallahassee and read while munching on one of their delightful vegan meals. Today the skies were slightly overcast, making it the perfect day to dine outside.
As I approached my favorite table a flash of motion caught my eye. A little lizard scurried away from me and I was quick to reassure him that I meant no harm. Now, this scenario has happened before. Every time, though, the lizard of the moment has totally ignored my words and gone skittering off to safer pastures. Today, though, this lizard remained for the entire meal.
I felt a bit like Disney’s Cinderella as the lizard kept me company. I wonder if it might be inclined to stitch a ball gown for me if were in need of one?
Peace, people!
A Picnic for Ants
A revelation
Issued an invitation
To all hungry ants
Disturb not my lunch,
I’ll provide a crust of bread
Instead, to tempt you
Nibble and carry
To the depths of your abode
Tell your queen my name
Covid has resulted in the addition of many al fresco dining opportunities at local restaurants. My favorite place, Sweet Pea Cafe, in Tallahassee, serves up terrific vegan food and guests are invited to dine on picnic tables scattered about the outdoor area of the premises.
I dislike eating in my car, so even on the hottest days I gravitate to one of the shadiest tables and read as I eat. There’s only one problem: Ants. The ants also love the shady tables and they were interrupting my reading as I continually had to shoo them away from my food.
Rather than fight for my right to enjoy an ant-free lunch I decided to encourage the little guys to focus their attention elsewhere by providing a small bit of bread placed on an adjacent slat of the table. Now their antics provide a dinner show as they gather round the bread, sharing their information up and down the line, and taking pieces of their discovery back to their nest.
Once I’ve finished my lunch I carefully relocate the bread, or what’s left of it, to a space a few feet from the picnic table, hoping the attached ants will inform their brethren of its new location. Call me crazy, but it’s worked every time. I can read as much as I want while also getting a wonderful performance.
All pictures were found on Pinterest because I keep forgetting to snap photos when I’m there.
Peace, people.
Name This Flower!
I snapped a photo of this pretty yellow flower yesterday. It was found growing wild at my favorite Starbucks in Tallahassee. My go-to local flower expert had no idea what it was, so I’m appealing to my blogging friends. Please, someone, tell me what this flower is called.
Until someone provides an answer I’m calling her Arlene.
Peace, people!
I Spy…Mayhem!
One of my favorite Tallahassee bookstores, aptly named “My Favorite Books,” stocks both new and used books with a special section featuring local authors. Imagine my delight to find my first novel, Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort displayed on the store’s shelves! It was quite a rush.
Here’s hoping these copies go to good homes where they’ll be nice and warm on these cold winter nights.
Peace, people!
Normal
I’m sitting in my car under the shade of a tree, eating lunch. It’s become my new normal. The cafés I frequent don’t offer seating nowadays. Instead, one orders at a window, waits in an approved area, picks up one’s food, and departs.
If I lived a little closer to Tallahassee, or weren’t so impatient, I’d take my lunch home. Yes, I could make lunch for myself, but I crave interaction with others, even if it only comes through a window during the ordering process.
The young woman at Sweet Pea Cafe asked me how I was doing today. Her question touched me. I even remembered to ask her how she’d been. Some of the niceties of human contact have almost fallen by the wayside, but we salvaged them, at least for today.
Once I’m finished with lunch I’ll make a quick stop at a store to buy pepper. We don’t really need pepper, but will in a week or so. I could put off the trip until I needed to buy more from the store, but maybe the person who rings up my purchase will comment. I’ll respond, and it’ll almost be normal.
Peace, people.
Tell Me Something Good
This pandemic is rotten, and it’s not going away anytime soon. I’m prone to dwelling on the heartaches. “There’s a Tear in My Beer” could’ve been my theme song, except it’d be a pity to water down a good beer.
Yesterday I was feeling low. Not depressed, just low. And then I made myself think of ordinary day-to-day good things about life right now, things that might NOT have come about had it not been for Covid-19.
One of the best is a group on Facebook called “Tallahassee Foodies.” It was started by a woman who wanted to call attention to good, locally owned eateries. It’s an overwhelmingly positive place for members to ask about specific types of foods available and to share information.
Here are a couple of sample posts from the site:
“This page makes my heart swell when I see it supporting people who need it (fried Oreos, peterbrooke) especially during these hard times of closure, lower capacity, etc.
SO… If you own or know of a good business that is struggling to survive right now, please list them below so we can help them.
So many restaurant, franchise, and bar owners put it all on the line to start their businesses, I want to do my tiny part to help…
Thanks!”
“Y’all. This is probably 5000 Weight Watchers points, but I’ll eat soup the rest of the day so I can eat this. Bacon jam, avocado, and egg melt (added tomato)! Look at those layers of deliciousness! First time I’ve had bacon jam. It had a little kick and now I have to figure out how it’s made.”
I absolutely love this site and all the good vibes the members are putting out. Any negativity gets shut down quickly. It’s a happy place for me.
What’s happening in your world that’s positive? Something that might only exist because of COVID? Maybe you’ve taken on a role that you’d never considered playing before. Tell me something good.
Peace, people!
This Close
Today (Thursday) I was sitting outside Sweet Pea Cafe waiting for my to-go lunch to be delivered. As is my custom, I perched on the end of a picnic bench and read while I waited.
A sound startled me and I quickly looked up and to my right, where less than 50 yards away traffic was flowing up and down Tharpe Street. Somehow my brain got the impression that I was in jeopardy of falling off the bench, and I yelped.
The only other customer, sitting well over six feet away from me, looked up at my exclamation, ready to come to my defense. I smiled beneath my mask, shrugged and said, “I thought I was falling off the bench.”
He looked at me and where I was sitting, held up his thumb and forefinger and said, “You were this close.”
We both laughed. He cautioned me to be extra careful before taking his meal. I told him there were no guarantees. Again he made that sign with his fingers.
And laughed.
I wonder if there’s a way to make money for all the entertainment I provide? Probably not.
Peace, people.
Marching to Target
We have a relatively new Target store in Tallahassee. While it was being built I was so excited. The two existing Targets are clear across Tallahassee, one way out on Thomasville Road, the other on Apalachee Parkway, both at least a twenty minute drive from Doright Manor. This new Target would be on MY side of town, nearer the universities, and along with it would come several new eating establishments. Yay!
When this Target opened its doors for business, though, I was disappointed. It was much smaller than a regular Target and everything in it seemed to cater to college kids on a budget. It did have a Starbucks, though, so that was a plus.
As I’ve become accustomed to this particular Target, I’ve become fond of it. It’s easy to get to, and I’m not as tempted to buy things that are “wants” instead of “needs.” They stock lots of healthy foods and have a decent wine section. And, did I mention the Starbucks?
One thing they don’t have these days? Hand sanitizer. As far as I can, tell no one in Tallahassee has any in stock, though, so I can’t complain. I’m sitting in the Target Starbucks typing this on my phone as I sip on my grande decaf coffee Frappuccino with almond milk. Yes, I’ve become one of those people.
I worked on my book before lunch and will return home to type some more this afternoon, but the weather is lovely and I thought a march, okay, a drive to Target would provide a nice break.
Peace, and march on, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 