THE REST OF THE REST . . .

It is winddown time and Hillary and I are taking advantage of all the lounging and food intake that our bodies can endure. After our Safari Land trip and sunning by the pool, we once again began discussing - what else - food!! Paul arrived home fairly early and we all went to the Bonefish restaurant. Leisurely meal of our individual orders of fish ... mine, coconut shrimp ... an absolute fav'. Lots of laughter and tales of childhood adventures on the part of Hillary and Paul ... the roller derby stints with Sheila and Hillary competing in the basement, with Dan Hinchley and Paul as referees, always seems to be retold. How they survived that I will never know!! Wednesday was a "do-nothing" day ... going in and out of the sun; collecting stray items to put into suitcases for the trip home; watching Hill laugh as she checked Facebook comments on her published pictures. The evening was to be spent at Vivian and Mary's house "across the yard" ... dinner and conversation. Paul grabbed a bottle of wine and we wandered over ... a lovely dinner of roast pork with mojo glaze, black beans and rice with a selection of hot peppers and sauces, for those of us who wanted to tweak the taste, and Cuban bread. Once again, a "full" evening in all respects. For our last day, Paul had arranged a spa session at Doral. Hillary had said she would take nothing less than an eighty-minute massage by a therapist she had had before. It was the girl's day off, but she came in "just for Hillary" ... now that's celebrity treatment! We had to leave no later than one o'clock to catch our plane ... we both wished we could have gone the day before and spent more time in the hot tubs and outdoor cabanas ...just "luxuriating" in general. Felt so wonderful and relaxing ... and rich!! Paul was very busy with meetings, but Larry took us to meet Paul's staff. He did, however, excuse himself after conducting an interview; we got to bid him an appreciative farewell. Time passed so quickly. It seemed as though Hillary had just arrived. We made it to the airport in plenty of time. In fact, the plane was delayed for 45 minutes and then we had to wait on the plane for air traffic clearance. Upon our arrival at O'Hare, Ed came to meet Hill and the Drahoks came to get me. Jonferes met us at my house with a few food staples to tide me over AND a nice bottle of red wine. We sat around the table and caught up on some of the news ...Friday, those of the family who could make it, were attending a fish fry at Mack's Golden Pheasant ... many "welcome home" phone calls ... nice to be back! Easter is upon us soon ... that means Spring and warm weather, I think! 'Til I see each and every one of you ... I remain, Marma

"HILLARITY" IN MIAMI

It is a little after the fact, but the Chicago weather is somewhat different from Miami heat (no sports reference intended). More than a week has passed since landing at O'Hare ... pictures have been posted on Facebook with no explanation ... short-sleeved tee-shirts have been traded for sweatshirts ... many want to know what happened when Hillary came to visit. Needless to say, she wanted to wander and that we did! Paul took Monday off work and made eggs benedict for breakfast. (He wanted to test a new egg poacher.) Delicious! We left for an early tour of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on Biscayne Bay. Vizcaya was built by James Deering, an agricultural industrialist, from 1916 to 1918. It is a huge European-inspired estate with lavish gardens featuring statues, fountains, and many piazzas used for entertaining. The main house is fully furnished and still contains much of the original art work. (The feature I liked most were the secret panels opening into different rooms and hidden stairways used by the servants to go to different floors.) There are three expansive stories in the house ... an elevator was to be used only by family and guests! Most of the day was spent wandering about the grounds and taking a tour of the mansion itself. Hillary loved the huge dock where yachts and boats anchored. It was a massive barge carved in stone and coral reef; the obligatory mermaid perched on the front and huge anchor on the back. It must have been at least a city block and a half long ... beautiful! Way past lunchtime ... Hill wanted a Cuban sandwich. We hit the renowned Versailles, ordered the sandwich and a dish called "Imperial chicken" ... yellow rice with different herbs and flavoring covering an abundance of slivered chicken and peppers. Groaning with gourmet satisfaction, we journeyed home. Tuesday, Hillary, Larry and I went to Safari Land where Jason had had his initial brush with alligators. She didn't want to be outdone by her little brother ... she HAD to go see live creatures in their natural habitat AND she insisted on holding the baby 'gator. We took the fun airboat ride and Hill was not disappointed. She loved every minute of it; and, for proof of her bravery, had her picture taken holding her next pair of shoes. Oops, sorry! She opted to return the little tyke to the wilds! Having enjoyed the seafood at Rickenbocker Fish Market when Jen and Jason visited, we took a side trip there and had mahi-mahi with mango salsa, peel-and-eat shrimp and conch fritters. (Sent pictures via IPhone to torment Paul, who was at work.) Home in time to sunbathe by the pool ... sun was hot ... water was cold ... ah-h-h, such is life in the civilized tropics of Miami. More fun with Hill-pill to follow!! Marma

SATURDAY SIGHTS

The sun seemed to be brighter than usual; and, quite frankly, appeared a little earlier than the time on the clock indicated. Perhaps my mindset was somewhat stunted. Departure time was scheduled for 8:30 am and that's usually the time I start wondering what to eat for breakfast! It was Saturday; everyone off work and Ft. Lauderdale was the destination. The aforementioned breakfast (and coffee) was uppermost in our minds. We took two cars because Mary's brother, Frankie, was going with us. Occupants of OUR auto had the foresight to make coffee and take some along. Enjoyed the drive along the palm tree-edged highway ... relaxing, care-free and scenic. Lauderdale-by-the Sea, a little city spread along the beach, was our first stop. Our stomachs growling in anticipation of a morning feast, we walked a block or so on sandy sidewalks to Beach Cafe. This neat, open-air restaurant was aptly named. It was built right on the beach. After ascending a few wooden steps, we were seated at the front edge of a long seaside pier. It was a calm day and the oceanside was full of swimmers, surfboard students and children building sand castles. Many fishermen tried their luck along the rails of the dock leading out to the ocean. Very enjoyable! We left for the art museum in Ft. Lauderdale to view a collection of artifacts from the Vatican. Items were intermingled as far as paintings, church vestments, architecture history, altar vessels, etc.; but were arranged by reign of popes beginning with St. Peter. The last section dealt with Pope John Paul II and his journey to sainthood. The entire exhibit was interesting, informative and beautiful. Sunday was a day of preparation ... Hillary was to land, literally, around 3:30 pm and after church, we ran a few errands, went to the store and waited. She came strolling in around 5:00 pm and we began laughing, eating (naturally) and exchanging any news. She was absolutely thrilled with the new pool! We will be spending time there, I'm certain. Tomorrow, however, Paul is taking off work and we are going to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in downtown Miami. A description (probably lengthy) will be forthcoming. Until then ... Marma

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

IDLINGS . . .

Idleness! Pure, unadulterated do-nothingness! Tends to make one feel like a slug; but at this stage of the game, reading and respite readily overcome conscience. Can't believe it's nearly time to return to Chi-town and, hopefully, a taste of Spring. From reading a few Facebook status gripes, it seems that most of you midwesterners are pining for a steady flow of sunshine and resulting warmth ... True dat??

This week has been mostly one of catch-up. Some tiles around the pool have sunken a little because the soil wasn't tamped tightly enough. The men are supposed to come for a re-do; but so far, nothing but promised dates with a "no show". Most of the time seems to be spent making calls to voice mail with no satisfaction. Suppose that's what happens when your paving bill is paid ... no nonpayment threats can be made.

Speaking of phones, Paul and Larry each have new Iphones ... they were waiting for their other contract to end. Talk about distraction! Paul had to transfer all his data and that took a day or two. Larry had a regular
cell phone before, with none of the gadgets; so his time was used trying apps and seeing what all his new phone could do. Each phone is also
equipped for Skype; so Larry had to get in touch with his sister to try it out. Then, both of them discovered the blackjack game and this new
phone has become a part of their anatomy. They are obsessed!

They did take a break long enough to make a leprechaun's leap to Flanigan's Pub on St. Patrick's Day. Thought the place was fairly new, from outside appearances; but that thought was banished as soon as we
walked in. Dark bar room with green twinkling lights and hustling
servers in outlandish garbs of the day. We were shown to another room,
apparently the restaurant side. Strictly pub atmosphere with shamrock decorations, all shiny green foil ... large garlands strung from rafter to rafter above the tables ... each table centered with a sprouting shamrock
"plant" in the same mandatory green foil ... the local Dollar store probably
made a killing when they aided Mr. Flanigan!

The waiters and waitresses went all out for the day. Each had their own
St. Paddy's Day costume ... wigs, large hats. light-up glasses, satin vests
with gold sequins, shamrock-print tights, even a fellow in black who wore no green at all ... he was a walking bottle of Guiness beer and his tall, black
hat had what appeared to be foam jostling around. They were the fun
part of the visit (around 4:00 pm). I can imagine what went on as the day
merged into evening! Paul met us at the pub, resplendent in his pale green dress shirt. We ordered our green beers, took pictures and ate an early dinner ... MINE was, of course, corned beef, cabbage, and boiled
potatoes ... surprisingly delicious, very tender meat.

Weekend days were spent running errands, watching the boys catch up on outside chores (Home Depot had 50% off mulch, so they HAD to take
advantage of that.) I bought another paperback or two; Molson and I
retreated to the lounge area outside and relaxed ... Copper thinks the pool is his alone ... he swims and splashes constantly (he apparently loves the
cold water). Cooked ribs and chicken on the grill ... just like summertime
in Illinois ... except I do miss the dessert, whatever it may be.

Can't shake my Hoosier habits ... been keeping tabs on the NCCA tourney.
Chose my brackets and haven't been doing too badly. Guess the media got
after Obama though ... seems he should concentrate on the problems at
hand and stop wasting time on such trivial matters ... to each his own ... he
could be monetarily betting on the outcome ... THEN they could complain!

Don't know about Irish day photos ... most of the fun was taken with the Iphone and may end up elsewhere ... check out Facebook from time to time ... that could be the "elsewhere" !!

O'Marma

THE WEEK THAT WAS!

Actually, I guess I'm still on vacation ... just not in the Bahamas! This week has passed very quickly. We arrived home around 5:30 pm Sunday
evening; unloaded our suitcases and ordered take-out from Macaroni Grill for our dinner. We watched a little TV and turned in for the night.

Mundane duties, such as laundry, mail-check, (both cyber and postal) and grocery shopping took up time our first day or two home. However,
Wednesday hung before us with ominous dread. Ceremonial ashes were an outside reminder of days to come; but both Paul and I are ALMOST
ready to forego our "give up" ... sweets and their associations! Why is it that ads on TV, the cooking channels, news programs - all of them - place
emphasis on the construction of desserts and show them, close up, in all their technicolor splendor? Satan forever at his job ...

Saturday was Costco day plus a side trip to a view plants at a nursery. The boys have plantings in mind for strips along the fence surrounding their yard; but they change back and forth between types. Do they go with low tropical plants or floral bushes such as gardenias or both? Have a little time to decide; still waiting for that final pool inspection before they can finish tiling closer to the fence.

Sunday, we ate breakfast at home, for a change. The Doral golf tourney was in its final hours and we had passes to go watch for awhile. (Tiger had a 12:30pm tee-time.) Plans change, however, and we went on a "window
shopping" tour of furniture warehouses in an off-road area. Oriental, Bahamese, Morrocan - many types and styles; mostly antique-looking pieces but much, much lower in price than retail. I enjoyed looking at
the accessories and accompanying small items. Saw a couple of things I'm sure Kristin would have been interested in ... cutest little, worn-looking set of table and two chairs that would have suited Henry and Millie for a year or two. Perhaps when they have larger quarters ...

No purchases! We moved to another district and a handsome storefront building called Victoria's Armoire. Now this was more like it ... beautiful furniture for every room, moderately priced to expensive ... wandered between two floors and three or four rooms for some time ... purchases WERE made here!

Vivian was our escort ... she has clients who give her the lowdown on where to get interesting things at interesting prices. She was looking for bookcases for her home office ... she bought four dark wood units, with a
movable ladder attached to a high rod for cohesiveness. Will fill an entire wall in her office ... looks like a small library, with that ladder (which I suspect is only for show!) Absolutely loved it!

In the showroom, sitting by the bookcase, were two large statues. Vivian and Paul each bought one. Their shape reminded me of a dressmaker's form ... no head, arms or legs ... resting on a rod in the center of a black base. They were very dark brown, almost like molten lava rock. Couldn't decide if they were sculpted or molded ... very heavy. Could have been a
mixed-with-color cement poured into a mold ... interesting, rough texture.
Vivian's statue was a female form and Paul's male; but they had scant
clothing that I would describe as Aztec. Really cool; difficult to describe.
(Maybe pictures later.)

Of course, my purchase was obscure compared with theirs ... a James Dean paperback book with many photos and scant text. Easier to carry home than a handsome statue! We were near Coral Gables so Vivian
introduced us to a new shopping mall, Merrick Park. Nestled among
newly-built condo buildings, it had two levels and was more like a park than a mall ... absolutely beautiful! Many stores arranged on the two levels, but all similar in looks. Even the new condos had to conform to the
Spanish look of Coral Gables. Large trees, flower gardens and large planters, fountains, benches and tables - some shaded by yellow or orange
market umbrellas. Just beautiful! Even had concealed escalators as a choice from stone steps. Restaurants in Nordstrom and Nieman-Marcus, as well as two larger eateries with indoor or outdoor dining. We opted for
Villagio, apparently Italian, but ate inside as there was a forty-minute wait
for oudoor. The four of us shared two large pizzas (homemade crust) with very fresh ingredients ... filled us to capacity ... even had a little left over.

That concluded our wandering weekend. I checked the news to see who won the Doral tourney and reported to Paul ... didn't want him to be embarrassed when he returned to work Monday morn not knowing the
winner!

Now, let's see ... Hillary's birthday the 14th ... St. Paddy's on the 17th ... a weekend comng up that Paul said "things HAVE to get done." We will see
what that entails; especially if more interesting invitations are submitted.
Nothing like procrastination ... as my blogs have indicated.

Until "the devil gets behind my back" ...

Marma

(APOLOGIES FOR FORMAT)

After posting my blog and turning off the computer, I just go about my business and don't check out the post all of you see. Today, I noticed how erratic the format is ... how sentences break in the middle or a new line appears a full space down. I corrected this problem in editing, but guess it didn't "take" when posted. Just want you to realize it wasn't set up that way and, hopefully, won't occur too often. Not a techie ... mea culpa!!

Marmaduke