Hello from Pompano Beach!
January 26, 2007

I have preceded Steve in our relocation to South Florida.  On Wednesday, Steve dropped me at O’Hare, and off I went.  My Dad is 82, and had time for a bit of visiting between his 3 standing golf dates, and prior to the arrival of his honey, my Aunt Sharon. I arrived during the Wednesday “Happy Hour”, which I must say was very well attended.  No walkers or wheelchairs were in evidence, which speaks well for the robust health of the inmates here.  Dad was jolly and glad to see me, but he was tethered to his scotch and triscuits.  It gave me a patch of time to unpack.  Since Dad had already allocated his drinking to happy hour, we had grilled cheese and called it a day.  I think that is a perfect microcosm of my low ambition down here.  I love doing nothing, and I do it well.

Sisters Judy from Park Ridge, and Marie from Royal Oak have also popped down.  Now those two are far more likely to undertake a vigorous walk.  I brought a Curves traveler’s pass, but I have not bothered to find a Curves.  The weather is unseasonably cool, and clouds kept us inside yesterday-inside the flea market!  I am happy to report that no new kitchen gadgets have revolutionized the senior life style.  Due to the inclement weather, there were cars stacked like cordwood in the lot, and hundreds of sad-sack men toting their wives’ tote bags and purses.  It is hard to ignore the palpable misery on their faces, but it is fun to count the times you hear “you don’t need that.”  They should install a strip club or bingo hall for these poor souls; I am sure the women would spend far more if a shopping censor did not accompany them.  Steve rarely goes, but he has a way of finding the expensive items- like his Halliburton suitcase.  There is a new vendor with slot machines and Route 66 neon art, so I will be keeping him at home. I can come home tickled with a good glass cleaner or a fake diamond ring- Steve will find a suite of patio furniture that we need! 

The Festival flea market is proof positive that Jewish and Arab cultures can co-exist.  The stall keepers hail primarily from those demographics, and they are a collegial crew.  My purchases yesterday were limited to sugared nuts and perfume oil, so neither economy was particularly affected by my sojourn.  I resisted the urge to addthe tenth pair of readers or a new 10-buck watch.  If it rains again, perhaps I will return.  Pray that there is no such occasion.  (It IS the best flea market EVER, however)

Today I stocked the kitchen with the bare necessities.  There is pop, cheese, yogurt, milk and some cookies.  I have hidden the cupcakes from myself, but Steve will find them immediately.  He arrives tomorrow, and I believe that he has excused himself from Balance for Life for a week of South Florida cuisine.  Troy is scheduled to pop over for a dinner, so at least that night, we will have to pretend to be health conscious.  But we need our strength as we ramp up to the Super Bowl.  Mary will be producing from Chicago, so the showtime “pick me up” food is my job.  To that end, I added 2 Lean Cuisine paninis to my cart this morning.  I doubt that Steve will be thrilled, but I can say that I provided…something! 

I guess I had ESP when I co-opted this week for a family forum- it jigsaws beautifully with the Bears’ amazing run to Miami.  Ever the master of the BIG gesture, Steve will fly the boys all down to share this moment of history. I will stay back with my Dad, because my nerves do not allow me to relax, and that has a buzz-kill effect on the boys.  Nothing buzz-kills my Dad. 

I packed all my orange clothes, and I will represent Chicago in this puddle of East Coast transplants.   I AM a fan.   I am appreciative of the joy that this team has brought to Steve during the months where all the LA Tanning in the world cannot expunge his misery from living in a cold and gray Chicago winter.  Time will stand still on February 5, but it will only be 2 months until opening day at the Cell.  For now, Go Bears!