Sunday, July 29, 2007

This Week on the Island 07/29/2007


'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.
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The picture this week is a spiney lobster.

The book this week was 'Moby Dick' by Herman Melville.

The Weather: HOT, you would think it was July or something.

Sunday was an interesting day. Jo's friend, Susan, was still in town and we went to Schooner Wharf to listen to Michael McCloud. A couple we know from Chicago was there and we pulled a couple tables together. Another couple from Iowa chatted with us for a while and brought a small present from the state of Iowa. They are readers of This Week On the Island. Nice people. They left before the rains came. Anyway, It poured rain and we all got soaked. Michael played again after the rain quit and we got dry again. After the band quit, Carl took us for a sunset sail on the 'Island Bell', his schooner. We motored out of the bight and then raised the sails for a quite beautiful sail. The sunset was wonderful.

Monday, Linda, a friend dropped by to deliver 6 nice cigars. Nice lady.

Tuesday, Gavin, another friend dropped by with some cleaned and filleted fresh fish. Nice guy.

Wednesday was the start of the 2 day mini-lobster season. This is two days where individuals can catch lobster (bugs) before the commercial season starts. Lots of tourist in canals and under docks and on private property catching undersized lobster. Most locals (except the hotel/motel business) do not like mini-lobster season. Some Keys have laws that state that you must be a certain distance from land to catch lobster, others state that you are not allowed in the canals or under private piers. Undersize lobster and private property are always illegal.

Thursday, ' What lobster again? Didn't we have that last night?' A friend dropped by Wednesday to bring us some lobster which we have eaten for the last two nights with corn-on-the-cob and little red potatoes.

Friday, for the last two days people have been on the water (mini-lobster season). Now everyone is in Key West. The place is packed.

Saturday was 'The ReMARCable Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Fresh Fruit Social' at the MARC House (Monroe County Association for Retarded Citizens) on Southard Street. The fruit comes from the Fresh Market on the Bight and the ice cream comes from Ben & Jerry's. Fruit Cobbler was supplied by Pepe's, banana bread & ice cream by Blue Heaven, and Strawberry shortcake by Louie's Backyard.

Because of the water restrictions and in the hopes of saving water, a sign has been posted in some public restrooms: 'Let it mellow until it's yellow. Don't flush it down until it's brown.' My wife, Jo, said the sign is not in the women's restroom.

Key West, You have got to love it
'Meet me at the end of the road' - Conky Tonkin'- Jimmy Buffett
Doug Bennett
Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W
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