At the time, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) warned that “Robert Bork’s America (“Originalist” or “textual” interpretation of the Constitution) is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, Blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens’ doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is—and is often the only—protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy….”

 “originalism,” the idea that the Constitution should be interpreted only as the framers had intended when they wrote it, an argument that focused on the creation of law at the state level

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Our interest in local matters is waning. We’re very close to having exhausted all that we wished to have accomplished. Precisely three weeks from tomorrow we’ll be headed back to Canada. As the crowds begin to erupt here the proximate environment is increasingly less brookable though admittedly we’ve been spoiled by enviable serenity throughout the winter. It is what we anticipated would be the case.  Frankly I’ve become preoccupied instead with the domestic agenda which awaits and which has by design incrementally mounted over the past several weeks.  There are objectives which can only be fulfilled on home turf. As well we spoke today with a dear friend in Toronto and have begun planning a get-together in the middle of the summer. Our projection is now predominantly forward-looking.

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Almonte, Canada
Avocado toast

There is always a hearty welcome upon arrival at Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café. The staff are universally pleasant and cheery. The coffee is good and strong. We start with Avocado Toast – a singular recipe matching anything as far flung or exotic as Australia which boasts its own special native supply of avocado pear. Whatever follows – in our instance French toast and Atkins Diet stuff (eggs, bacon, sausage and cheese) – is invariably tasty and fulfilling. The restaurant is located adjacent a yacht club and marina so there is a lovely nautical flavour to the place. Dress as you are, relaxed atmosphere. Tripadvisor

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Unequivocally I had intended to spend time at the pool today.  Last night, in recognition of my advanced age and associated (incremental) decomposition, I had resolved to “take it easy”. That meant, lounging by  the pool and swimming.  Swimming was the alternate to bicycling. And because the weather was predicted to be favourable – mostly sunny with some cloud beginning early in the afternoon – it all bode well for my project.  Afterwards I would entertain my photography hobby by attending the yacht basin on the other side of the condominium.

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Things began accelerating precisely at 7:30 am this morning when after a night of rambling reflection I sprung from bed determined to begin the day. It was a half-hour later than usual but with some application I knew I could meet my eight o’clock deadline for the car wash. Nor was I far off the mark. It was 7:59 am when putting on my shoes after having showered, shaved and dressed. With the recent time change I am back to coping with the rising sun directly in my eyes as I head out in the car along Lighthouse Road to Plantation Drive past Lawton Stables and Sea Pines Forest Preserve to Greenwood Drive and then the roundabout.

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The much touted sea breeze is not to be diminished.  Although the wind today was from the southwest (that is, from Sea Pines Beach Club towards Coligny Beach Park), I chose to cycle on the beach in the opposite direction with the wind in my face, not at my back as I would customarily have done.  It was a brilliantly sunny day and the sea breeze of 8 km/h was welcome and relieving.

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The “Great American Songbook” is the canon of the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century that have stood the test of time in their life and legacy. Often referred to as “American Standards”, the songs published during the Golden Age of this genre include those popular and enduring tunes from the 1920s to the 1950s that were created for Broadway theatre, musical theatre and Hollywood musical film.

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I ousted myself from bed before eight o’clock this morning and did thereafter all that is customarily entailed. Breakfast was at its customary time. The only event which prolonged the performance was a welcome communication with a retail supplier with whom we’ve lately had some controversy. By the time I cycled to Coligny Beach Park shortly after noon the crowds had already begun streaming off the beach homeward bound. They and their beach wagon contraptions laden with umbrellas, towels and foldable chairs were cluttering the bicycle paths in the vicinity to the point of obstruction. The blue sky had been overtaken by an uninteresting grey map. The beachgoers vanish like gnats when Sol disappears from view. There lingered groups of shirtless young men playing volleyball or other beach games. But the serious sun worshippers had packed it up.

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Barefeet Rentals is located in the upper Florida Keys. Our Key Largo vacation rentals are situated just a short drive to Islamorada and surrounded by beachfront views of the azure waters of the Atlantic and the calm waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, known locally as Florida Bay.

It has started already.  The emails from Barefeet Rentals.  I’ve subscribed to their general mailing list.  But most importantly it reminds me of our upcoming contract at Buttonwood Bay condominium beginning next November 1st. We first introduced ourselves to the property manager in the winter of 2020. At that time we had a look at the property where we’re going to stay next winter. While the complex is from my initial look at it more than satisfactory (boat slip, beach, multiple pools, gym and library), my primary interest is the “azure waters of the Atlantic and the calm waters of Florida Bay“.

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The crowds have multiplied on the beach and the bicycle paths!  Everywhere there are young people, students and families. It signals that it shall soon be time for us to leave this treasured island retreat for another year. Not to mention the people who have yet to arrive early April for the PGA RBC Heritage golf tournament. To my discredit it was only today that by chance I saw for the first time the logo on the iconic lighthouse in the nearby yacht basin!

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