Decompress

 

June 25, 2022

Decompress

Returning home after spending the majority of the month of May is always a strange time for me. Launching right back into whatever is considered normal is tough enough, but this time was even more disconcerting as we had to pack up a U-haul, emptying out portions of our storage unit as well as a lot of excess stuff in our home to move it out to our home in Colorado.

There is always a build up of stuff for me to do both work-wise and in general and adding the urgency of getting stuff packed, loaded and ready to go made it even more hectic than usual. Kathy was planning to drive the 15 foot U-haul truck along with her friend Stephanie, taking a long. Somewhat leisurely trip across the country that would end up taking six full days, with a number of stops along the way.

Before Kathy departed, we took in the latest Keys Kids production of “Frozen, Jr.” at the Waterfront Playhouse. This production of the Waterfront Playhouse Youth Theatre featured a cast of local kids who had been rehearsing for over a month for the weekend run of shows. As usual there were a number of familiar (to us) faces among the cast as a number of our friend’s children made the cut.

The show was terrific and the quality of local talent on such a small island continues to amaze us. It was a colorful and fun musical filled with fun musical numbers performed with skill and fun by the cast. The audience was enthusiastic as well and we had a fun evening. 

Soon after the show, Kathy was on her way, sending back reports and photos of her road trip West, while I was on my own, taking acre of the house and cats and trying to decompress from what had been a very busy past month.  I found myself on my own with all sorts of fun stuff going on that I could take or leave at my own pace while Kathy headed to Colorado.

She and Stephanie made a number of stops along the way, including a memorable stop in Memphis at Graceland the former home and current museum of Elvis Presley. They had a memorable trip and really enjoyed being on the road, even driving the large truck wasn’t so bad.

Back in Key West, I was taking in any number of fun events including the I Love Stock Island Festival, Mango Festival, our friend Meredith’s 8^th birthday party, our friend Tony Baltimore’s CD release party at the Green Parrot and the first Hometown local political forum at the Tennessee Williams Theater.

Meredith’s birthday was a fun gathering of friends at the event lawn of the Perry Hotel where a local rockabilly band was playing and where food and drinks flowed freely to celebrate the occasion.  Our friends and former Key West residents Jim and Fiona came over from their new home on Florida’s west  coast for the occasion and a grand time was had by all.

At the CD release party, I was able to pick up a copy of the latest release by our friend Tony and also run into friends Effie and Kristyn, neither of whom I had spent too much time with recently, so that was an added bonus. The Mango Festival was held at Bayview Park and featured a vendor village and a celebration of all things Mango.

Some interesting happening with some friends of mine have happened lately as well. First my friend Kali has released her first novel, “Woman of Light”. It comes after her award-winning collection of short stories that was a finalist for a National Book Award and has been equally well-received and is a National Best-Seller. She even made the cover of “Poets & Writers” magazine and has gotten all sorts of great accolades and good press. Check it out if you get a chance.

The midget race team that I am a small investor in entered their first Hoosier Midget Week this month and our talented driver Maria Cofer competed in the entire series of races across Indiana at various short tracks, racing almost every day for a week straight. It was an up and down week, as she had some awesome results, making the A Main most nights, but also suffering a tough flip that hurt the effort somewhat. It is a constant learning experience that you can learn more about by following Abacus Racing.

Finally some sadness as I learned of the passing of my friend and former boss at Hamaker Pharmacy, George Kaczmarkski. George was a friend and mentor during the ten years that I worked my way through High School and College at the Pharmacy and his loss is a tough one to take. Deepest sympathy to all his family and many friends.

https://mangofestkeywest.com/

https://www.kalifajardoanstine.com/

https://www.teamabacusracing.com/