a conch holiday

This bit of poetry found it's way to me the other day.
I'm not sure who wrote it but it's pretty cool.
Enjoy. . .

T'was the night before Christmas and all thru the house,
Came the aroma of black beans, baked pork and souse!

The lawn was so green, no snow on the ground,
Just an old plastic snowman stuck in the sand mound.
The stockings were hung on the palm trees so green
In hopes that St. Nick would soon make the scene!

The table was filled with tropical fruit fair
Such as oranges, tangerines and avocado pear,
In the center of the table was Florida holly placed
Around bowls of punch, some Cuban-rum laced.
But the best of all was the Conchs pride,
The world famous homemade Key Lime pie!

The children were cuddled at night in their bed,
Remembering what mom and dad had said:
“ So we don’t have the chimneys with snow all around,
Santa will still find our Key West Conch Town!”

Then about midnight, we heard a motor sound,
We rushed to the verandah, when our sleepy eyes found
The full moon was shining upon a bright red jet ski
Led by eight tiny dolphins swimming merrily!
Santa’s white beard flying in the tropical breeze,
Wearing his muscle shirt with red Bermudas above his knees,
The Conch of the Republic Flag draped around his neck,
As he landed near the umbrella on the patio deck!

We heard the HO! HO! HO! And a bell-ringing noise
When we spied the big sackful of colorful toys!
We muffled a sigh so Santa couldn’t hear
We saw the fishing rods, snorkels and dive gear
Along with the water skis floats and bikinis,
Instead of sleds, snowshoes and thermal skivvies!
Which we all readily agree is so very fine
For the folks north of the Mason-Dixon Line!

Just let us celebrate with only the summer seasons
Because as Santa dashes away, he has his personal reasons
For Saying, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
So sorry to leave, wish I could stay here,
And enjoy all these holidays in “conchy” Key West,
On the porch, sipping Margaritas and rocking with the best!”

Then silhouetted against the moon and much to our surprise,
The jet ski and dolphins became sled and reindeer
before our eyes!
So don’t get upset when you hear some complaints
About no seasons and Christmas, it ain’t!
When we know very well, we are happy to be
Here in the sunshine and Key West by the sea!

parrotheads

Just when I thought it might be safe to get back in the water, the ParrotHeads have come to town.

ParrotHeads are the faithful followers of the legend of Jimmy Buffet and they're here in Key West for their 18th annual, four day "Meeting of the Minds".

It's a four day congress of colorful coconuts, complete with I.D. badges, a scavenger hunt and 5k walk/run, class clown and silly hat competitions, a street festival, lots of libation and live music (that mostly sounds suspiciously like "Margaritaville") and, of course, the Golden Coconut award.

Behind all the fun, an anxious under-buzz energizes the faithful like Christians waiting for the second coming. . .
"Is Jimmy coming?, When's Jimmy coming??, Jimmy's coming!!!"

. . .and the truth is, sometimes Jimmy does show up.
(gives the ParrotHeads a better batting average than the Christians, aye?)

Now me, I'm not big on signing up, sing-a-longs, silly hats and secret handshakes. . .

. . .but I'll admit that I allowed a Jimmy Buffett album to swing my decision to move on down to Paradise and, tune by tune on a scale, the weight of the Jimmy tunes I like, weighs more than the ones I don't.

So I won't, chime in and pile on with the ParrotHead detractors (and I know a few) wailing "get a life!" from the wings.

After all, they're just looking to have a little fun and at the end of the day, it's only rock and roll but I like it.

jesus & the burglar

I thought I'd try some something new and completely different. . .