MUNDANE ROAMING

This was a week that materialized without any planning. Monday always seems to be catch-up day ... laundry, emails, errands. One more pool inspector came to give Larry yet another task to complete. It appears that final okay gets farther into the future with each visit. Tuesday, hmmm, work-out time! Keep the ol' body going as long as possible. That gym visit and the daily evening walks with the doggies should help somewhat. The end of the week is nearing and no definite plans. Hillary is coming to visit, however, and that should jolt us from our sofa! Vivian from across the yard called and asked us if we would like to go to a Morrocan furniture place and then to lunch. The answer, of course - yes!

Vivian is searching for a desk for her home office. She has more of an idea of what she doesn't want than an image of the final product. The time spent in these warehouse-type export-import stores is fascinating ... more like a museum. Nothing purchased, our next stop was a fish market and cafe situated along the Miami River.
It was apparent, as we traveled the streets from one side of the river to the other, that we had entered an older section of Miami. Store fronts were from a different decade and badly in need of updating. Smaller shops were nestled row upon row,structure elbowing structure ... rather claustrophobic. Across the river bridge were a number of restaurants and cafes, all with the option of outdoor seating; most with a view of boats and small yachts heading out to larger waters.

Our choice: outdoor seating on the upper deck of a family-owned restaurant that had been around for decades ... well-worn, seaside theme with the smell of fresh fish cooking; small, organized menu with mostly seafood selecton in appetizers, soups, salads and entrees. Beautiful day, delicious luncheon, we left to gander at the fish market next door. Unbelievable!! Beautiful display of fresh fish in large, ice-filled cases; anything you could want just for the asking. Must keep names in mind ... this one, Casablanca on the Miami River.

The next day Vivian asked me to go with her to look for books for her new bookcase. We hit secondhand shops and a supersize Goodwill store. Made a few purcases of nice used books. She then decided she needed a big Atlas and some art publications ... off to Borders! Big purchase of many books here ...

We have all planned to go to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday to view Vatican Treasures at the art museum ... will go early and find a place for breakfast.

Sunday, Hillary arrives! Adventure awaits ...

Marma