Turtle Killers Go To Hell

Well, I'm in Bradenton now, staying at the mobile home on Sarasota Bay owned by Dave's parents. But I don't have any pictures of Bradenton yet because yesterday we were sorting out practical matters like trying to figure out the mysterious internet connection at their retirement home. They have institutional WiFi, but they also have their own WiFi for their unit, plus a router that we can't sign into at all. That third router -- why it's there and who's paying for it -- is the real mystery.

Anyway, all these pictures were taken yesterday morning before we left Lutz. I got in the habit of taking a long-ish morning walk near my stepmother's house, which got me some exercise after the daily self-harm I committed by eating a Boston kreme donut at Dunkin'.

The good news is, I should have better internet access here in Bradenton, so I'm hoping I'll be able to catch up somewhat in blogland! I know I'm way behind!

Dave and I drove down yesterday over the Sunshine Skyway, the very high bridge over the mouth of Tampa Bay. The day was sunny and we got spectacular views. I was prepared for hellish traffic, since it was a weekday, but of course no one was going to work on the Friday after Christmas so it was smooth sailing the whole way.

We met Dave's sister at the Cortez Cafe, our favorite diner in Bradenton, where I had the multicultural combo of a Greek omelette and grits. Then we went to see his parents at the retirement center, and stayed with them all afternoon. I only popped out for a Starbucks and to run a rather bizarre errand -- Dave's mom wants to give his dad a jar full of pennies for Christmas, because he's apparently a coin enthusiast and she thought he'd enjoy sorting them all. Getting hold of enough mixed pennies to fill a quart jar turns out to be a bit of a challenge. The first bank we went to gave us four rolls, but they're all fresh pennies from the mint -- so of no use for sorting. The second was a jackpot -- I got 20 rolls of pennies rolled by customers, which was above the teller's usual maximum but she said she was loaded down with them so was happy to sell them on. Problem is, that only fills half the jar.

That may have to suffice. We can get more later, if Dave's dad takes to this gift at all.

Last night we went to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar for dinner -- a cobia sandwich for me, along with two weak martinis. Which is just as well because I was driving.

Doesn't this look like one of those "ugliest dog contest" photos? This is Pinky, my stepmother's lone surviving chihuahua, who is mostly blind these days and also has no teeth. Remember how insane she and her erstwhile companion, Manny, were ten years ago? Manny is no longer with us but Pinky, of indeterminate age, is hanging in there. Fortunately her fierceness has diminished along with her vision.