LEZLIE, what did you do on your birthday?

Thank you for asking! It was a Saturday, no work. My two youngest grandkids had their first T-ball practice today, so I was there watching 4 and 5 year olds chase the ball.

My bike needs brake pads replaced. I took off toward Old Town Key West to the bike shop. Since I was so close to Flying Monkey Saloon, I treated myself to a frozen adult beverage... because it's my birthday!

Just a few sips in, I was feeling the adult part of that drink. The cruise ship was in and all it's passengers had flooded Duval Street. I found a quiet bench to sit and enjoy my beverage.

On my way back home, I followed the music to a mariachi band. Upon learning it was my birthday, they played a song just for me. When I was home, my daughter and her family had cake and gifts for me. And.... another "Happy Birthday" song.

Being the party animal I am, I spent the whole night watching movies, playing with Legos and sipping water. Yep, that's me... PARTY ANIMAL!!

10 DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

What do you do on a Friday night when you have no cable or internet? You hop on your bike and go look at the Christmas lights. It was nice weather, just needed sleeves. I took off in our neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. As I was riding along, I heard music and laughter. It sounded like a party, complete with lots of lights. I was still a block away, but it was loud, and sounded like they were having a great time. As I approached the intersection, about 30 decorated bicycles started down the street toward me, from this house. Most were wearing some sort of Christmas costume and the bikes were glowing with colored Christmas lights. I fell in behind them and followed for several blocks. They were having a great time in their own little parade.

I turned around and headed downtown to go tourist watching. I usually stop at the Flying Monkey Saloon and get a frozen White Russian. Tonight was no different. This was my first stop! Yum!

The lighted boat parade was tonight. I saw the very tail end of it. These two boats were very impressive.

Here is another decorated house I saw on the way home. Very shiny.

Christmas is just around the corner. As usual, I've waited until the last minute to do my Christmas shopping. It never feels like Christmas when the temperatures are in the 70's. Luckily, this year, we've had a cooler week. But, I hear it's suppose to be back in the 80's next week. However, that is one of the things I love about living here... it doesn't get cold enough to wear a coat!!!

LITTLE SANDY KEYS

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own island? I have.

The other day, I picked up a paper and was thumbing through it, when two little works jumped out at me in the real estate section... 3 ISLANDS. My first thought was, "How can you own a group of mangroves?" Because, I lived on Geiger Key for 2 1/2 years, I've been in that bay a hundred times and never saw 3 islands. A lot of mangroves, but I didn't think they were islands.

Little Sandy Keys. I looked on Google Maps. Sure enough, there are three islands labeled.

After IRMA, I wasn't sure if there was any island left. I had to see for myself. My friend, Sheri, said she was up for an adventure, so we made plans to go exploring. We sailed there, anchored and hopped into the water. 

We started walking around the island looking for an opening to a trail. We passed by something stuck in the mangroves. It was high tide, and what looked like a duffle bag or backpack was just above the water. I think IRMA deposited it there, and I was going to go see what it was. I pulled it out and low and behold, it was a scuba buoyancy compensator. And in my size! I had to evict the little tenants and remove all the organic matter. I found only one small barnicle. 

All I need now is weight belt, a tank, regulator..... oh yeah, and get certified!

Sheri and I found where there once was an opening to a trail, but the mangroves have taken it over, and it was too dense to get through. We could see that there was a small open area where the posted sign was, we just couldn't get there. 

We made our way back to the boat, climbed in, raised the sail, and we were off again. We took the long way around to get back to the launch and enjoyed a nice sail.