This is the birthday of your venerable Captain and narrator. I'm sure that you, like me, remain in a state of SHOCK that this historic moment has STILL not been memorialized with a National holiday. On the contrary, kids will attend school and pay no attention, the postal service will lose your mail, the department of motor vehicles will waste your time...like a garden variety, normal day. Ces't la vie.
Well, actually this year, the Great One's birthday fell on a Sunday, so it seemed as if it were a holiday. Waking in a festive spirit, your Captain is told by the Commodorable that she will treat him to brunch at Tommy Bahamas in Naples. Moreover, they will be joined by our friends Marilyn and Vaughn.
Here's where it gets really cool...Unbeknownst to your Captain, Leslie has ALSO invited about 20 other denizens of Pelican Lake to celebrate with us. Imagine his surprise when your Captain spies 20 of his cherished compatriots happily sipping TEQUILA SUNRISES (This, of course, being a favorite concoction of your faithful Captain).
Needless to say, assisted by the golden tequila, a great time was had by all.
FACTOID:
This Sunday was also Super Bowl Sunday. (The New England Deflators vs the Seattle Seahawks)
FACTOID:
The last surprise party thrown by Leslie for your aging Captain was 27 years ago, also a Super Bowl Sunday. (The Washington Native Peoples vs the Denver Broncos). Note how your sensitive Captain so skillfully avoided the use of the word REDSKINS? This is in deference to those (none of them actual Indians) who find that word offensive.
Not yet mentioned about Pelican Lake is the fact that there are "neighborhoods" here. For example. There are THE HOOD, THE PRESERVE, LITTLE CANADA, THE BACK STRETCH, THE FRONT STRETCH, THE GOLD COAST, and last, but by no means least, CARRIAGE COURT. Any neighborhood unlisted here is due to the Captain's ignorance of its existence. Then, there is at least one group...the Jersey Gang which spans multiple neighborhoods.
A few of the above sects have generously, over the seasons, hosted lavish parties, inviting all residents of Pelican Lake to attend. Ample food and great music are provided by the hosts.
Sometime in January, the resident Pixie of Carriage Court, Wendy, called a meeting of the Carriage Court tribal elders to encourage them to agree to a first annual CARRIAGE COURT PAELLA FIESTA. A vote was held. (Your Captain voted yea, although he had no earthly idea what paella was.) A unanimous decision was made to proceed with the fiesta. Duties were assigned. The Commodorable was tasked along with Marilyn to festoon our cul de sac (Carriage Court) with stuff which looked Mexican. Barry was in charge of barricades and golf cart parking. Wendy was responsible for getting the Paella Man lined up. Dan and Steve would assist the decoration ladies with climbing ladders and such. Rick did something. Rhonda and Mike did something else. Doug and Elaine arranged for the band. Charlie and Nancy did the computations to determine how many gallons of sangria must be prepared. Captain Stan ordered and picked up 16 gallons of sangria in Bradenton, FL. He designed a logo and created invitations for the event. He ordered T-shirts to be emblazoned with the new logo.
Obviously, since we are at Pelican Lake, a nice logo would be a cute cartoon pelican. Despite his best efforts, your creative Captain could not design a pelican that was either cute, or even not ugly. Your Captain therefore, utilizing his newly issued artistic license, opted for another bird instead...
I believe all in attendance for the fiesta would agree that the party was a raging success
Señor Paella. (You would not believe how good this food smelled)
This was the popular sangria station. There was regular and hi-test sangria. Hi-test consisted of enriching the normal sangria with heavy doses of Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila. Hi-test was the runaway favorite of the assembled guests.
Trish, Wendy, Barry and Charlotte
Carol, Gary, Trish, and Dan
Even Mitch, of the Preserve Block Party gang was complimentary in saying that the fiesta was almost as good as the Preserve Block Party and certainly a commendable first effort on the part of the Carriage Courtesans. To which we Courtesans say "Chuck you, Farley ".
In other news, the rear air conditioner in the coach now followed the forward one in taking an early, untimely retirement. "Enough of this crap", says your disgusted Captain. A quick call to our old friend RV DOCTOR and we order TWO new A/C's. (Your intuitive Captain just knew the middle unit would sooner or later follow its traitorous siblings in their cowardly mutiny). New units were installed. Old units were dealt with harshly. Large amounts of the inheritance of our heirs were transferred to the RV DOCTOR. RV DOCTOR is happy. Your Captain and his adorable clan are cool in all regions of the coach. There is peace in our time. Etc., etc.
Now, the Dear Reader wonders, "What else could possibly occur in February? It is, after all, the shortest month and should therefore, have the fewest things happen. Right?" No, no Dear Reader, we are only at the middle of the month.
You will recall with melancholy wistfullness that the Commodorable, in a flash of efficiency encouraged your obedient Captain to part with his baby Boston Whaler. Now comes the next indignity...to wit...a startling, but similar entreaty to sell the Captain's iron pony, his 650 Burgman Scooter.
The Captain's Burgman 650.
A brief discussion with the Commodorable revealed that she had noticed that the Captain had ridden the bike only 3,000 or so miles during his 7 years of ownership. Clearly this was (like the Boston Whaler) an underutilized asset, and must be liquidated. So said she, and so it was. (It should be noted that the Commodorable ALSO owns a Burgman of identical vintage. This scooter has been ridden exactly 1348 miles since new. We attempt to place it with a new owner as well, but have no luck. (More on this scooter later)
Make no mistake about it, the Captain and crew simply love our American Heritage Motorcoach. There is but one wee complaint, namely the lack of lounging space for your 6'4", sizeable Captain. A decision is made to take the coach up to Lakeland, Florida and have the "office space" converted into a sleep sofa, complete with sleep number mattress.
The Office Space consisting of the built in desk with hidden PC station, file cabinet and Euro style recliner with ottoman. This area, once thought to be needed, is no longer useful due to the retirement of the Commodorable.
Ah, the new arrangement. A very large and comfortable custom sofa which hides a queen sized sleep number bed for our occasional guests. Let the lounging begin...
"But", as the Sham Wow announcer says, "Wait, there's more."
Also in February...
The Captain's Angels...Marlaine, Leslie, Nina, and Marilyn
The pride of Canada, Vaughn at a steak dinner...
Annual pet parade.
The Captain tuning up a Tequila Sunrise in preparation for the annual Thunderfest Silent Auction where he usually pays high dollars for things he really doesn't need...
The Captain and Marilyn, our great friend from Canada
The crew back at Stan's Idle Hour for Sunday services.
But, alas, all is not fun and games...
Marlaine breaks her toe while repositioning one of Marilyn's patio umbrellas...she's such a brave trooper.
Where's Waldo? Actually Leslie and Marilyn are in this picture. Can you find them?? They are wearing brightly colored cowgirl hats...
And so we close the epic month of February, 2015. As you, Dear Reader can see this is a full calendar party month with little reprieve.
We'll probably just rest up in March and take it easy...
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