Author Archives: Sparky
Buckingham Blues Bar
A couple of weeks ago, with Ooma on my arm, I attended the Sunday afternoon blues jam at the Buckingham Blues Bar in (no surprise) Buckingham FL, not far from my RV resort. This joint is Ooma’s go-to place for mellow music. She has been attending these (free!) concerts for years and knows most of … Continue reading
“Fat Vinny’s Forbidden Love” by David Benjamin
Copyright 2021 by David Benjamin. Published by Last Kid Books, Madison WI. First, the usual disclaimer: David Benjamin is one of my oldest and best friends. Also, this book is nominated for a “best comedy book” award by the Independent Book Publishers Association and, if it wins, I will be accepting the award in his … Continue reading
A most unusual spring training game
I attended the last Red Sox spring training game in Ft Myers in this truncated spring training season. It was the most unusual spring training game that I have experienced. First, I got the day wrong, thinking the game was Monday, March 28. But when I texted George, my friend who was buying the tickets, … Continue reading
Introducing Ooma
That isn’t her real name, but that’s the way we roll here; are you surprised to hear that Sparky is not my real name either? Anyway, I have been keeping company with a lovely lady who will be known as Ooma here. She is older than I – by about 10 days – and is … Continue reading
A foggy morning
I will skip the long ode to foggy mornings. I will simply say that a foggy morning in a tropical climate can be downright spooky. This is a color photo, not black-and-white.
“Violets are Blue” by James Patterson
Copyright 2001 by James Patterson. Published by Warner Books, Inc., New York. This is not so much of a review as a rant. WTF is wrong with James Patterson? Why is he a popular author? If you recall I characterized his “Sunday at Tiffany’s” as “dreck.” This, too, is dreck. But this time he can’t … Continue reading
Plans for summer 2022
I have mulled over a lot of different options for what to do this coming summer, including the option of staying in Ft Myers all summer. I think the plans are taking shape. Here is the brief synopsis: The decision to not take the RV north was driven primarily by the lack of a place … Continue reading
1,000 and counting
I just noticed that I have passed the 1,000 mark in the number of posts that I have made in this blog. I believe this is 1,009. Not a big deal, but worth noting. I suppose I should have a drink to celebrate. Maybe several.
“The Promise” by Robert Crais
Copyright 2015 by Robert Crais. Published by G.P. Putnam & Sons, New York. Robert Crais spins some good yarns. His most popular books are those featuring Elvis Cole, the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest detective” and Joe Pike who defies a simple description. Maybe “mysterious mercenary?” He is an iconoclast, for sure, and has amazing skills at … Continue reading
A weekend in Naples
If you have been paying attention, you will remember that I had a very good time on my second Princess cruise (PCL2) in December, due in no small part to my congenial cabinmate, Carl, and the friendships we formed with two lovely ladies from Ft Lauderdale, Bobbi and Patricia. When the cruise ended we agreed … Continue reading