All weekend we played Mexican train dominoes, teasing each other, laughing, joking. And we did a puzzle. I came in as one got up from the table in disgust – the light blue and white stripes had did her in.
I sat down and immediately pushed them aside – she was right – and worked on other pieces. Have to start getting a feel for the puzzle and then it’s fun. She came back and was stunned at how well we were doing. I pointed out that the stripes were still undone – she had the hard part.
Still I can visualize pieces and see where they fit pretty well I guess – the others were stunned.
When we were taking our 15 pieces – one had been mixing the dominoes up face down. At one point, oddly a group was a bit separated from the pack. I turned to the gal across from me and said there are your 15 pieces.
They all counted & looked at me stunned – that I could see the correct number so quickly. Taking in a visualization so quickly.
Me (not kidding): What – can’t you all do that?
Apparently not. Wonder how I can put that talent to even more productive use?
Early July 4 morning – I went for a long hike on Venice Island and the guys went frogging – jigging away. We ate the fruits of their labor for lunch – gourmet frogs’ legs. Tastes like chicken. 
Early evening, we did a boat tour 1000s of boats, although not as many as last year, due to the economy.
We stopped at the barge from which the fireworks would be launched. They each, all law enforcement, thanked me for bringing Gen Yeager on the boat to say hello. They truly honor him.
We watched the gauntlet – a channel through a group of boats which would hose you down with water! We had already all taken our showers for dinner so bypassed it.
A new member had the motto: Please like me, I’m trying so hard. One of the ironies of life. If he stopped trying so hard, we might like him more easily!
I asked how his wife and he had met. “In college” was the answer.
I asked, “Were you a frat boy?”
Him: No, I’ve only had this weight for about 5 years.
As I looked confused, his wife said to him: She said “FRAT boy’, NOT “fat boy”!
I guess he was a little self-conscious (I can’t imagine asking someone if they were “a fat boy”.)
But he brought caviar so he was certainly pretty okay in my book!
We sure enjoyed the fireworks that night at Venice Island. Great fireworks with great patriotic music. Gen Yeager and I watched the fireworks in a couple of chairs on the lawn just outside our room. Lotsa ooh aahs. And then the finale. Wow. Great weekend!
c. GCYI