Relaxing

Good day. We are each unwinding and selling into "island time." Not Jimmy Buffett's vision, but our own where we relish the complete lack of responsibility that surrounds us while we are here.

We stitched and chatted and made some appointments for next week when we return to responsibility.  Our conversations included the Dallas Cowboys new head coach, how belching could indicate a level of comfort with others in the room, glass-bottom boats or snorkeling for reef viewing, the correct way to use the word recherché, Hawaii or Alaska as a vacation destination, when/why/what transforms a hobby into an obsession, Braille typewriters, female referees and umpires in professional sports, the ideal temperature for a winter beach walk and the efficacy of an all-inclusive resort. We were productive but not stressed. A wonderful way to live.

One thing I learned this morning - do not make an omelette with Honey Baked Ham. It is too sweet, despite liberal use of lemon pepper. I ate my concoction, but will never make it again.

One of the segments of CBS Sunday Morning that we caught the other day explored  the resurgence of rye whiskey in American cuisine. Barbara has never tried it but I recall parental dinner parties with Manhattans.  I remembered this when we went to dinner tonight.

The highlight of today was our 4th annual lobster dinner at Reilly's Bar. The meal remains the same price - $14.95 for a 1.5 pound lobster, corn on the cob, potatoes and rolls.

I began with a Sazerac cocktail (honoring rye whiskey and NOLA). Dinner was its usual excellent repast. Our waitress was named Swish - a first for us. We nixed dessert in favor of Irish Coffees - after all, we had to ward off the chill!

Strolling back to Mary Todd, I was captivated by the holiday lights.

The evening concluded with popcorn and several episodes of National Geographic's Draining The Oceans. Neither of us had ever heard of Baiae, the Roman naval port and "Las Vegas" just west of Naples. It's an underwater Archeological Preserve and a possible visiting site if we decide to "do" the Mediterranean.

Tired in a good way, sleep awaits. We are definitely not party central!!!!

Pleasant dreams.