My Siesta View, St. Petersburg, Florida March 2020

Until I received clarification from the sheriff about the county-wide beach closure I avoided my beach for an entire week. Considering that the beach was the main reason I moved here and that I only live two blocks from it, it was quite a challenge.*

On the plus side, the rule forced me to explore some nearby areas that I had been ignoring. Thankfully, I discovered a sweet little spot on Boca Ciega Bay where I could hang my hammock and relax (while practicing safe social distancing). My view of the sky reminded me of a Jimmy Buffett song…

“From under my lone palm I can look out on the day,

Where no bird flies by my window,

No ship is tied to my tree…”

* Please note, I am not making light of COVID-19. And I sincerely hope that you and all your loved ones are well.

Treasure Island, Florida March 2020

This is the view on the beach that is two blocks from my house (and the camera on my phone doesn’t do it justice, trust me). Right now it is exceptionally blue and stunning but even on its less vibrant days it is still beautiful. I’m really happy to be here (in other words, this doesn’t suck).

So even though I have to work, living here feels like I’m on a permanent vacation. Which happens to be a line from one of my favorite Zac Brown Band songs, Knee Deep (featuring the original beach bum, Jimmy Buffett).

“Mind on a permanent vacation,
The ocean is my only medication…”

I like this fun romp by Caroline Jones for a few reasons. It was written by one of my favorite artists, Jimmy Buffett (with Mac McAnally), her backup band consists of Jimmy, Kenny Chesney, and Lukas Nelson (two more of my favorites), it mentions some places along the Gulf Coast that are special to me, and it just feels like a little bit of summertime.

“I love Pensacola, and Apalachicola, and Tampa, St. Pete…

…Cause I’m a gulf coast girl, partial to the warm winds and the salty water…

We can surf Boca Chica and Galveston Bay, ride horses on the beach in South Padre.

No, we’re not in Kansas. Hola, Port Aransas!”

Todd Snider, Centro Asturiano de Tampa, Tampa, Florida January 2020

I recently had the Good Fortune* to win tickets to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Todd Snider. I was introduced to TS when he opened for John Prine in Tucson over a dozen years ago and immediately fell in love with his laid-back vibe (he’s often barefoot on stage) and his self-deprecating lyrics. The trick is, Todd is an optical illusion. He comes off as a simple, stoner dude but his words carry the sharp bite of a keen intellect that sees through bullshit.

I’ve caught a handful of shows over the years but it had been five years since my last one. So I was over the moon to get this opportunity (especially since it was on my birthday weekend). TS didn’t disappoint! In between songs he wove in stories from his life as a traveling troubadour: which often involved late nights, a bit of trouble, and a cast of unruly characters (many of them fellow musicians – looking at you, Jerry Jeff Walker).

I highly recommend catching a show when he comes your way!

*Another excellent TS song.

Sunset, Playa Carmen, Costa Rica October 2019

I ran in the rat race for a short period of time when I was younger. I dropped out when I realized it wasn’t making me happy, just exhausted. My needs are simple and I prefer to focus my extra time and money making memories with friends and family.

So, for me, this Kenny Chesney song isn’t a revelation but rather an affirmation. I think it’s especially fitting since I’m staying in the Playa Carmen section of Santa Teresa (I have no way of knowing if this is the Playa Carmen he’s referring to but I like to think so).

“In the best broken Spanish I knew, I said I make a good living

back home where I’m from, He smiled and said “amigo me too”

He said I fish and I play my guitar, I laugh at the bar with my friends

I go home to my wife, I pray every night, I can do it all over again”

It’s well worth a listen, amigos!

Talking about wearing out my Discover card yesterday reminded me of the Bruce Cockburn song, Pacing the Cage (though I’m partial to the Jimmy Buffett version myself). There’s a melancholy to it that I can relate to.

“I’ve proven who I am so many times
The magnetic strip’s worn thin”

“I never knew what you all wanted
So I gave you everything”