Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  As we were coming back from our laundry and grocery shopping chores, it was 83 degrees.  Blue skies, turquoise waters, and gentle breezes.  Another perfect day.  After putting everything away, I sat outside and finished my latest book, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”.  This book made me so angry and ashamed of the arrogance and greed of Americans who unabashedly brought our indigenous peoples to near extinction.  Unlike the way Indians are depicted in the old westerns, they were for the most part gentle and peaceful people who just wanted to be left alone to live their lives as they always had. But the Americans wanted their land.  When they couldn’t swindle them out of it or force them off it, they found a reason to slaughter them with alacrity—men, women and children.  And they would take their beautiful Indian ponies and slaughter them too.  How pathetic. 

Pictures from our party on Sunday night.  There sure are a bunch of talented musicians/singers in this park.

Beautiful day at Lazy Lakes

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Our usual Monday.  Mike went over for donuts in the morning and shoes in the afternoon.  I got the cleaning done and then just relaxed the rest of the day.  Another gorgeous one.  We’ve had such a great winter down here this year. Over to the KOA for happy hour tonight.  

Doors of Key West

Doors of Key West

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Up pretty early again (for us) and headed to the Galley Grill for breakfast.  I had bacon, eggs, and ciabata French toast (yum!).  Mike had steak and eggs.  Our hunger sated, we continued on to the flea market in Big Pine and I stocked up on spices.  And we bought a few books, which we shouldn’t have done since we have a lot of books with us.  Oh well.  Later on we walked over to drop off some things I printed for Gerald and stopped by Charlie and Johanne’s.  Blabbed with them for a while and then Esther and Gerald showed up.  We’re going over to the clubhouse tonight for the Sunday party.  The park is providing the food and beer.  Charlie, Gerald, Jerry et al will provide the entertainment.

Cute little cottage across from the cemetery.

Jewish section of the cemetery.

A little cottage on Olivia St. (I think).

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  This morning we headed to Key West for breakfast at Blue Heaven.  Mike dropped me off and then went to find a place to park.  I put our name in and was told a 50 minute wait.  Waited and waited for Mike to show up.  He finally did and had to park at the Eco Center which wasn’t a bad walk at all.  We decided to go to Azur instead since Blue Heaven was slammed.  Had a great breakfast washed down with a couple of mimosas and then parked by the KW cemetery and explored around there.  Back home and Richard wanted to know if we were going to Finnegan’s Wake in KW tonight to see Fiona.  Not sure if we’ll go or not.

Key West Cemetery

The Key West cemetery was founded in 1847 after the original one was destroyed by a hurricane and reflects the cultural diversity that is Key West today.  There is a Catholic section, a Jewish section, the USS Maine plot, and a section for those who fought in the 1868 Cuban revolution.  In addition to these defined areas, interspersed throughout are African Americans, Cubans, and Americans--both rich and poor.

A little baby I guess.

This is where Captain Outrageous is interred.  Would have liked to have met him.

The USS Maine section

The oldest grave in the cemetery--that of James Johnson who died in 1828 at the age of 60.

An unknown from the USS Maine

Fri, 2/8/13:

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another beautiful day today.  Went over to Esther and Gerald’s in the afternoon to practice our song, “Hallelujah” we’re supposed to sing at the party on the point on Sunday.  Went okay.  Gerald is quite good on the guitar.  Gerald suggested we order pizza for dinner, which we did.  Then played a Canadian card game with them.  Gerald and I won.  Home early tonight.

Not sure if this is a brigand or a sloop

While in KW we saw this guy walking this huge dog.  It's a bouvier des flandres.  She was really well behaved.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  A perfect day today.  At the dinner last night, Gerald informed me he wants Esther, Johanne and I to sing the song “Hallelujah” while he accompanies on the guitar.  This is the Leonard Cohen version made popular at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  A beautiful song, So I downloaded the sheet music in the key of C and started fooling around with it on my keyboard.  This is to happen at the party on the point this Sunday.  Not sure how this song will go over with this raucous group. Took Sally to play miniature golf today and then to lunch at the Wharf after.  A great afternoon—perfect weather and was great fun.  

Sally teeing off

This miniature golf course is beautiful with lush vegetation, streams, and waterfalls.  And when it's hot, they turn on the misters.  They also have a full bar, which can make miniature golf a lot more interesting.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Got out of the shower this morning and Charlie and Maple were here.  Told Charlie he was in luck—I was just making my smoothie and would he like some?  No thanks, he said.  They don’t know what they’re missing.  Sat outside reading the book Karen lent me, “The Kitchen House”, which is about plantation life and the interaction between slaves and plantation owners.  It’s very hard to put down.  I’m almost finished with it.  Went for a walk after lunch and picked up trash along Johnson Road.  It was very hot in the sun.  Came back and made Mexican lasagna for the dinner at the clubhouse tonight.  Opened a bottle of wine in readiness.  Around 80 today I think.

Orchids at Villa Paradiso--Key Colony estate