FLORIDA EXCURSION POST MORTEM

We made our annual FEB-MAR trip to Lois' sister Kathy in St. Petersburg, leaving on FEB 7, returning on MAR 2. We were concerned that my injuries from my car accident would prevent us from going, but I got the green light from both my trauma surgeon & hand surgeon, so off we went.

SIDE TRIPS:  We traveled to S. FL with Kathy, Lois' sister Anita, brother David, & his wife Carmen, who also happens to be my first cousin. While we were there, we took a boat trip in Biscayne NP, a tram ride in Everglades NP, where we saw gators & exotic birds, a visit to a beach in S. Miami, along with stops in several state parks; also a stop in Key Largo for lunch at the legendary Mrs. Mac's Cafe. [More on that later.]

FOOD:  As usual, we feasted on a plethora of FL cuisine. My choices included:

* Lobster bites, fish bites, & fried fish at the aforementioned Mrs. Mac's.

* Blackened mahi mahi tacos at Joanie's Blue Crab Cafe on the way back from Everglades NP.

* The appetizer platter at the Havana Cafe, back in St. Pete.

* Gyros at the Neptune Grille in Gulf Port.

* Shrimp tacos from the St. Pete Tacolady food truck in St. Pete.

* Clam chowder, fried oysters, & fried clams at PJ's Oyster Bar, a local seafood restaurant that Kathy took us to in Gulf Port.

* A gourmet, vegetarian pizza, which the girls picked up at the world famous Mazarro's in St. Pete.

* Fresh seafood from the seafood market in St. Pete, which included lobster dip, salmon for the girls, & shrimp for me. Once again, I my offer to purchase octopus was refused.

* Key lime pie, although I was only allowed miniscule portions, for reasons I will divulge later.

OTHER EXCURSIONS:  Lois & Kathy made it to the Ft. DeSoto Beach--our favorite beach in FL--once. All 3 of us made it to Passe Grille Beach--probably our second favorite beach--also once. The girls made it to an outlet mall. [I chose to stay home.] And we visited the Gulf Port Market, where I savored a latte', which I got at a quaint coffee shop that I discovered last year.

MOVIES:  We watched a movie just about every night we were at Kathy's. My favorites were classic Humphrey Bogart movies, but I surprisingly enjoyed ONE of Lois' choices:  "Where the Crawdads Sing."

WEATHER:  What can I say? I don't think it ever got below 61, & it never got warmer than the mid-80s. We were able to exercise in the pool at Kathy's more than once.

CHALLENGES:  For reasons probably exacerbated by meds I was taking, along with too many carbs, my blood sugar spiked so high that I was in danger of renal failure. Fortunately, I saw Kathy's doctor, who put me on insulin & eliminated any of my pills that contained steroids. My blood pressure also started plummeting, especially after I got up in the morning, which caused me to fall several times & start swaying when I stood up. The solution seemed to be drinking litres & litres of water. My blood sugar seems to be stabilizing, as long as I take my insulin & watch my carbs. I'm still having some BP issues

But enough about me.

ADDICTION TO SCREEN TIME *

* Source:  Omaha World Herald

"Similar to tobacco, alcohol or drugs, screen time or video games can become an addiction. Some symptoms could include":

> Having intense urges for screen time or to play video games, & these urges block out other thoughts.

> Spending money on video games or screens, even though you can't afford it.

> Cutting back on social or recreational activities because of preference for screen time or video games.

> Continuing to play video games or participating in screen time, even though you know it's causing problems in your life, such as poor performance at school or work.

> Displaying signs of irritability, anxiety or anger when forced to stop playing, even for short periods of time.

> Lying to others about the extent of your use.

> Needing more screen time over time to get the same level of enjoyment.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA . . . 

"Lacrosse practice interrupted after alligator takes the field at FL high school." Fox News Online

LIKE CALIFORNIA

"Californians announce discovery of strange new season 'winter.'" Babylon Bee

"Southern CA covered with 6 feet of global warming." Ditto

MORE TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news

"Report:  Disciples cast lots to determine who will set up chairs for Sunday morning service."

"Ohio-area turtles develop sudden interest in pizza, martial arts."

"Hunter Biden heads into Georgia forest in search of cocaine bear."

"Bible experts determine Goliath died of COVID 19."

"Miracle:  Coronavirus passes over houses with Chick-Fil-A sauce smeared on door posts."

"Fauci jealous as China getting all the credit for creating COVID."

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

One of these days I'm going to do a post that consists entirely of shameless jokes. I promise!