My haven

One of the secrets to keeping me happy while on the road is to allow me to escape from shopping. I love coffee shops and everyone has more fun when I can visit a local shop as an alternative. Today's visit was to Amavida Coffee. A plaque on the counter declared them winner of the Reader's Choice award (coffee category) in Saint Andrews, FL, for 2015. What you see here is my usual (when available) - Cafe au lait (pretty much regular coffee with steamed milk). 

There do not seem to be as many coffee shops in Florida as I usually encounter, but there are some different items on the menu. I decided to try an Espresso Cubano in addition to my regular drink. This turned out to be a double shot espresso pull over raw sugar. Very good. Several of their espresso drinks have a "southern influence". I am about at my caffeine limit for the next several hours so I will wait to try something else until another day.

Stereotypical old folks

Why does being called a snowbird annoy me? I went to barbershop today and the barber made some comment about the cold weather. I explained that I was from Minnesota and I did not think 50s and 60s were that bad. The barber then said that I must be a snowbird.

I guess I do not think of myself as a snowbird. I know this is one of those terms that describe older folks from the north who come down to the south for the winter. I guess we are doing that but we are not spending the time in a rental or parking our rig in one place until it warms up in the northland. In contrast, we are taking a winter vacation. We intend to move from place to place exploring whatever we can find.

What would we be called if we did the same thing in the summer? I was visiting this exact location last summer (we took our extended family to the theme parks). Who can live with that heat and humidity? If winter visitors are called snowbirds, summer visitors should be called idiots.

Having said all of this about stereotypes, I must also admit that I have some stereotypes. However, my stereotype regarding snowbirds (those who move into one location for several months) is that they play golf (using carts) and shuffle board. Sure enough. Most of the sites around us sport a golf cart in addition to whatever car, bus, or truck moved the snowbirds here. We have had rain for several days, but today was a nice day. Again, just as the stereotype would suggest when I headed off for my morning shower the shuffle board courts (if that is what they are called) were already packed.

I wonder how much skill is required to be good at shuffle board. Do you have to spend time in the minor leagues to prove yourself before you can move up to participate with the serious players? Do they always heckle each other like that and are they placing side bets or are the league standings sufficient to maintain their intensity?

I have many questions about retirement.

[Panama City, FL]

Not a role model

Lots of rain in Florida so plenty of time to sit and write.

Charles Barkley (a pretty decent basketball player in his day and now a television personality) once responded to criticism of his behavior by arguing that he was not a role model. He was not trying to excuse his behavior but pretty much trying to argue that he should not both be criticized for his behavior and also failing to be a good public model for others. The push back kind of suggested that the dual criticism comes with the territory. If you are in a field that requires public observation to exist (no fans, no money), you must accept the expectation that you present a positive public image

In this time of great attention to political figures, I was thinking about the Charles Barkley argument as it might apply to political candidates. Are the behaviors of these public figures the behaviors we admire and want imitated by our children? Who do we assume should be allowed to behave in this manner - our clergy, physicians, teachers, store owners, neighbors?

Consider the difficult job of educators in an election year. Educators are expected (required) to develop in their students certain characteristics - tolerance and acceptance of differences, honesty, a sense of responsibility for those who are less fortunate, and effective communication skills. While political correctness has probably gone too far in many settings, what has become common political rhetoric would be far beyond the pale in most classrooms.

John - make sure you study your spelling tonight. Remember we have a spelling bee tomorrow. We want to be ready to kick those students in Mrs. Smith’s class asses.  

Sue - could you get your mother to come to see me, She needs to know what a loser you have become.  

Sam - I know you are a sophomore and all, but could you try to use shorter sentences and avoid any word longer than 6 letters. You need to learn to avoid acting like you know something.  

I cannot think of a scenario in which “carpet bomb them into oblivion” would be used in a school situation and I apologize for this. There are just some situations in which my creativity fails me. 

Anyone ever happen upon a "pro wrestling" channel? You know the guys who yell into the microphone about how they have been wronged and what they are about to do to their opponent. Much political rhetoric reminds me of pro wrasslin. I guess these pretenders do draw crowds. Wait - I do remember a "pro" did become governor of Minnesota.

How might we place a label of “I am definitely not a role model” on some political behavior? What might encourage us to step back and try to imagine how certain behaviors might be viewed by others? Who welcomes many of the behaviors being exhibited as predictive of being an effective learner?

I sometimes think people with money or who have long been in a position of power confuse what they themselves can do with what they can use their authority to have done. The physical braggadocio of some of these characters strikes me as humorous, but a little bit scary as it might be interpreted by others. Are we really willing to support bullying?

Introversion is not a character flaw

I appreciate all who have contacted us to indicate that you have followed our trip and enjoyed this blog. At first, I was concerned by this praise and felt some pressure. I have a three-hour class on Thursday evenings (tonight) and it takes me a good amount of time to prepare. Should I keep working on my class notes or work on a blog post. I decided to treat the decision like a vote. How many contact me with positive things to say about the class versus how many contact me with positive things to say about the blog? You can see that I generated a post and you can guess at the vote totals for the week.

I have a reputation in the family for my wedding reception speeches. I have two daughters and I was allowed to say something on the occasion of their weddings. Let's just say that I have a little different style than most and folks seemed to enjoy my comments. Part of their reaction, I think, was that many had never watched me function in this type of situation. After hearing the comments offered at the wedding of my oldest daughter, my mother-in-law approached me, said she really enjoyed my speech, and added that this was the most she had ever heard me talk. She had a way of saying things like this - things that at first seem like a compliment and then when you think about it a little more, you are not sure. My first reaction was - you have known me for 25 years and you must know I speak weekly to hundreds of people at a time. What is it you think I do for a living? Then, I understood. People have different ways of evaluating people and form opinions about them from circumstances familiar to them. My mother-in-law mostly knew me from family gatherings. I rarely play games. Therefore, I did not sit around playing Scrabble and chit chatting about this or that with the relatives. On her turf, doing the things that were common there, I suppose I seemed a bit peculiar. I might sit in a room with other people and read a book or look at my computer. Introversion is not a character flaw. It is just another of those characteristics that make each of us unique.

I do enjoy sharing stories and this is what I try to do with a couple of my blogs. If one of my stories seems funny, it is because the things I observe and comment on have captured something that we both find to be amusing.

Time to work on the content for tonight's class.

Tight Fit

We have made it a point to try out all features of the camper so we become more confident. The camper has all of the conveniences, but on a smaller scale than one might expect. I think there is a television program about these people who live in very small houses. Imagine that show, but the houses are on wheels.

There is a point at which miniaturization becomes an issue. Here you see me in our combination toilet/shower. I admit I could drop a pound or 30, but I can do nothing about my height. Other folks with more hair would have to be careful to remember not to turn on the exhaust fan. That might qualify for a law suit. I have been taking showers in the pool dressing room. Really, how is this supposed to work. Yes, I suppose I could use the toilet and take a shower at the same time. Efficient, but just because my imagination is capable of such images does not mean I should act accordingly.