With retirement comes the opportunity for new experiences.
Debi has a passion for music, singing, theatre, and travel. With her BMEd and MEd she had an extensive career which included elementary music education, performing, vocal instruction, choral conducting, musical theatre directing, and clinician work. She has, for the most part, retired from this very successful music career. But really, does one ever retire from music? I think not. So now the stage is set for the next act: interweaving her love for music, travel, and whatever else comes her way.
Wherever her travels take her Debi shares her exploits: musical adventures, local interests, historical sites, local cuisine, the journey there and back, plus whatever life sends her. She'll share the hits and the misses, the successes and the failures, as well as any helpful hints she discovers along the way.
We love it there. There’s a cute little French Quarter.
and this is where we had lunch.
Richard had the French Quarter Burger and I had the House Roasted Turkey panini. Guy Fieri showcased this on his tv show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Shoestring fries were great. Panini wasn’t anything to write home about. Toasted too much for my liking and tasteless. I had to add mayonnaise and mustard as I couldn’t even taste their garlic aioli.
There’s so many unique boutiques, great eateries, cafes, and for Richard, a record store. The buildings architecture is exquisite – feels very Spanish.
As we walked around these were some of our sights.
“April” is dedicated to ‘the child in all of us’.
What a wonderful day!
I hope your day was wonderful too.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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Tonight I saw two items on the tv that I just couldn’t believe would be allowed to be shown. I apologize in advance for them but I had to share my indignation.
On the 5:00 news from Mobile pictures of the Mobile Mardi Gras Parade were shown. For the most part it looked like fun.
Except.
One sign from the parade that they actually showed on the news said, “Difference between illegal aliens and ET? ET learned English and went home.”
Did no one preview the clip prior to it being shown? Unbelievable.
The second item was a political advertisement. It runs quite often. It begins with him saying, “ I’m Chris Pringle. I know how to build walls, so in Washington, I’ll help President Trump build his,”. At the end of the ad the man says, “Because I’ll build whatever wall it takes for America to stop illegal immigrants and stop these radical socialists.”and then under his breath says, “Commies.” and he walks away as the nameplate on Pelosi’s door falls to the ground with an accompanying shattering noise.
Really?
This is allowed?
It blew my mind.
In case you can’t believe this political ad, I found it online.
Though I have to admit that sometimes in the sleepy, bleary eyed early morning, just for a split second, I think the sand is snow. Funny isn’t it. Guess my mind is preconditioned to that way of thinking.
Yesterday was a rainy day. Of course we did our normal yoga and gym. I really appreciate the large number of classes offered at the David L. Bodenhamer Centre. It allows us the opportunity to discover our favourites. Turns out we both enjoy different yoga classes. Great to have choices.
It’s small and sooooo busy. What a popular spot. It was good. We think we’ll try it again for breakfast. Supper wasn’t needed as we were still full. Worked for me.
Today is Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Mardi Gras Day or Shrove Day. It is a day when people eat all they want of everything and anything they want as the following day is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a long fasting period for Christians. In addition to fasting, Christians also give up something special that they enjoy. SoFat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for the long Lenten season.
The day is celebrated with festivities and parades. Today was the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras parade and it’s history dates back to 1978 when a group of locals decided Gulf Shores needed a parade. Those locals formed the Pleasure Island Players and thus Mardi Gras began in Gulf Shores. A year later the Mystic Order of Shiners joined the Pleasure Island Players to become what is now the oldest parading order in Baldwin County.
The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These are said to have been chosen in 1892, when the Rex Parade theme “Symbolism of Colors” gave the colors their meanings. According to mardigrasneworleans.com, Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872. The 1892 Rex Parade theme Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to the colors. Purple Represents Justice. Green Represents Faith. And Gold Represents Power.
A big tradition is wearing Mardi Gras beads and giving them to others. My yoga teacher gave each of us beads this morning. How sweet.
After today’s workouts we had lunch with a woman we met in our yoga classes. She, Richard, and I like to set up our mats in the same area of the room. We all have our little idiosyncrasies, don’t we. My dream is to be as fit as she is. She’s amazing.
She’s from Minnesota (Pelican Rapids if I remember correctly) about an hour from Fargo, North Dakota. How many of you saw the movie Fargo? I did. As she’s heading back home the end of this week we decided to meet up at Happy Pappys Coffee House. Remember I told you about it a few days ago? My latte wasn’t nearly as good as last time. It was barely lukewarm. Plus they served our drinks in disposable cups instead of real cups. That was disappointing. Little things mean a lot.
Part of the joy of being down here is meeting wonderful people. We look forward to seeing her again next year.
Hope you enjoyed your Fat or Shrove Tuesday.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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After being on the beach for a beautiful sunrise Richard cooked such a delicious breakfast. Afterwards I worked on adjudication preparation.
It was so sunny and warm that around 9:30 I sat on the deck reading and drinking tea. Heaven.
This afternoon it was 18C. Walked on the beach in my bathing suit. Unbelievable. Even saw a man catch a huge fish. Sorry I don’t know what kind. Not up on my fish species.
Went to supper with new friends we met from PEI and then joined them for an evening of gospel music at First Baptist Gulf Shores. They have a 120 member choir, orchestra, grand piano, and organ. Big sound.
Imagine this. Richard sat next to a woman from Moncton, New Brunswick. Small world isn’t it.
What a glorious day!
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below.
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below.
So when I left you in my last post we were looking at places to rent for next year.
Here’s why.
At home I seldom get sick. Both years here I’ve been sick. This year worse than last. Very wheezy and a terrible cough. I discovered this week that it’s mostly when I sit on the couch. As soon as I stopped that my cough dissipated. So that’s one reason for the search. Plus Richard would like to try a condo. Thus the hunt. Wow. Things move fast here. We chose a fantastic condo but early Wednesday morning we found out it had already been booked so back to the drawing book with more possibilities from the agency.
After the gym on Wednesday we went to De Soto’s for lunch. Awful. I had Creole Chicken. Couldn’t eat it. The chicken didn’t taste like real chicken breast. Very rubbery. Richard had the special, Chicken ‘n Dumplings. He ate it but said it wasn’t very good. We won’t be returning.
Spent Wednesday afternoon online looking at the possible condos for next year. Found a really nice one and we’re headed to the agency Thursday morning to book it.
Oh my. Got there Thursday at 9:00 to find out it had already been booked. Sat with the rental agent and looked at more. Finally booked one till the end of February 2021. Crystal Shores. We like it.
Today, after yoga and the gym, we found a super coffee shop named Happy Pappys.
We loved it. Super service. The best Chai Latte I’ve had in a long time plus a delicious gluten free brownie. Yum yum. We will be back.
Had our wonderful neighbours over again for super. Love our weekly get togethers. Richard cooked really tasty blackened chicken breasts with grilled peaches in an apricot sauce plus rice and green beans. A great evening of eating and conversation.
That’s all folks.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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It was overcast so as it’s cheap seat Tuesday we went to the movies after the gym.
I chose the movie “Just Mercy” based on the novel of the same name written by Bryan Stevenson.
I read the book last year when I was down here so was looking forward to it. It’s based on a true story. Scary thought that these things happen.
Here is a brief synopsis I found online.
“After graduating from Harvard, Bryan Stevenson heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or those not afforded proper representation. One of his first cases is that of Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite evidence proving his innocence. In the years that follow, Stevenson encounters racism and legal and political maneuverings as he tirelessly fights for McMillian’s life.”
I enjoyed it. Well as much as one can enjoy a movie based on these atrocious events.
One problem for me was a packed theatre. And as we only got there five minutes before it started (due to my yoga class) we had to sit in the front row. Talk about nausea. Neither of us could continuously look at the screen. I can never do that again. My stomach stills feels queasy. 🤢
Earlier in the morning we went to see some condos in anticipation of next year but I’ll keep you in suspense and tell you all about those another day. 🤐
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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“Rocket Salad is a salad made of rocket leaves. Rocket Leaves, also know as arugula, are a cruciferous vegetable that works well in all kinds of salads that are dressed with a vinaigrette.”
What a lovely, light salad. It was delicious. The Parmesan cheese added a sharp flavour plus the dressing gave it a nice tang. We’ll definitely have this again.
I made a few alterations. Richard doesn’t like raw onions so I omitted the red onion. I used red pear for my salad and bosc pear for Richard’s. Since I already had a lot of pecans I substituted pecans (non-candied) for the candied walnuts.
The last few days we’ve basically just been doing our normal routine with a couple of exceptions. On Saturday I did a little shopping on my own while Richard listened online to his Nottingham Forest soccer team’s game against West Bromwich Albion. Although I didn’t buy a great deal it was lovely just taking my time looking at so many things.
On Sunday we went looking at possible condo options in Orange Beach and Perdido Key for next year – just looking at them from the outside, (we’re going to take an indoor tour of one tomorrow morning) and then had brunch at Craft Farms.
As quite often happens it didn’t seem as good as last year but I’m glad we tried it again. We both agreed not to return there next year. Hope we remember. Lol 😂
If anyone has salad recipes that you enjoy I’d love for yo7 to share them.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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We had tried going to Woodbridge for their lunch special of soup and 1/2 a sandwich but they ran out of soup. What! Worked out well because we really like it at The Wharf. As it’s Valentine’s we ordered a drink (an IPA beer🍺 for him, Riesling for me) with our meal. Richard had lasagna with a side salad 🥗 and both were delicious. I ordered an Italian sandwich with fries and a 🥗. I really didn’t like the sandwich (only ate half of it) but the rest was good. We passed on dessert and instead went to the ice cream shop Kilwin’s. I had my fav chocolate peanut butter ice cream and Richard had vanilla.🍦 Yum Yum 😋
The best part of the day was when we got home and went out on our deck.
For about fifteen minutes we watched over a dozen dolphins 🐬 swim, play, and jump in front of of us. What a sight! I was squealing like a little kid. This made for a wonderful day.
Happy Valentine’s everyone. I hope you enjoyed your day.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
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I know this is difficult to imagine but I took today off from the gym and went shopping instead. Such a hardship. Lol.
First stop Marshall’s. Well actually the first stop was the library but that doesn’t count.
Last year Marshall’s had lots of Dooney & Bourke purses. This year I’ve been checking Marshall’s every week and haven’t seen any. Disappointing. I’ll keep trying. But I did find a cute little summer dress so I’m happy with that. Plus I found Hippeas, organic chickpea puffs, reduced to $1.00 a bag that we usually buy at Starbucks for more than that. Score one for me.
Then off to Starbucks and, ha ha, only had to buy drinks.
Afterwards we went off to our own shopping destinations at the Tanger Outlets, to meet in an hour at TJ Max.
Coach was first on my agenda. I always hit the back of the store first as that’s where the extra deals are. And I got a great one. Sweet little flats reduced by 70% plus an additional 20% off. They cost me $30. What’s not to love. What do you think?
There was also a snake print pair that I liked so I may return on Saturday and see if they’re still there. I went in looking for a new tote but ended up with shoes. That seems to happens to me quite often.
Second store was Michael Kors. I tried on some dresses but nothing wowed me. Again looked for a new tote but no luck. Guess I’m fussy.
Third store was Kate Spade. Again no tote hit filled all my requirements. But I was able to buy a few gifts. Love when that happens.
Meeting spot was TJ Max. I was late. Oops. Time got away from me.
Again I tried on some dresses but I didn’t buy. Richard bought socks and a gym T-shirt. He loves his gym wear.
Big indulgence next.
We went to Pizza Hut. We both have separate but equally wonderful nostalgic memories about this restaurant. I had to have a pepperoni pizza but I only had a personal pan pizza. And I did have the salad bar to include a few veggies. Not dessert. Yay for me. I couldn’t count the number of times the kids and I had their pepperoni 🍕. When it was in Ch’town as a large restaurant we often had family get togethers there with my mom and my brothers family. Great times.
One good thing about eating in the middle of the afternoon is there’s no lunch or dinner to make. Suits me.
Hope everyone had something to make you feel happy today.
Nite y’all
As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.
I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below.
Debi's Junket Journal 