Roosters & Magic Wands

I've spent the past few days mulling over how to categorically describe my new surroundings.  After a long productive nap, brain cells peacefully recharging as I succumbed to the charms of the tropical breezes, the realization finally came to me.  I can't.  The kaleidoscope of color, vibrancy, and diversity that greets me at every corner continues to surprise me.  And as an island rookie, I suspect it will for a long while ahead.    


When I finally opened my eyes this afternoon, two thoughts demanded my full attention.  First, I'm actually on my sofa inside my air conditioned house because it's too sizzling hot to contemplate a catnap in the hammock.  Second, the hammock is still tightly rolled up in its original plastic and neatly propped against the new sail shade ... also still in its original packaging.  Yes, even paradise comes wrapped in plastic! 

Roosters.  Seems that these island natives have stories of their own, and I suspect I'll be hard-pressed to find a day when their cocky souls (har har ... couldn't resist that one!) don't impact our lives in one way or another.  Here's a little diddy the other morning.  I'm naming him Charley. 

Make yourself at home, Charley!  Note:  I think he was posing just for me.  Now, common rooster folklore is steeped in symbolic meanings that deal with watchful vigilance against evil (think folksy weathervanes on top of pristine white church steeples), many other cultures embrace the rooster as a solar symbol - a sign of illumination.  With that in mind, I'm fairy certain - positive, in fact - that this is the feathery rascal that wakes us each morning at 5:30 am.  And just a side thought as I ponder some more ... there certainly is a superabundance of roosters hangin' among the dead folk in the Key West Cemetary (sic) at any given time.  Brrrr, that's actually kind of spooky.

Speaking of spooky.  Two of our new friends here in town, Donna and Magic Tim, own and operate two very interesting businesses.  First they are the proprietors of Key West Ghost & Mysteries Tour - one that Chop and I intend to check out as soon as we find the opportunity.  Though one of several in town, rumor has it that Ghost & Mysteries is geared toward a more personal, intimate experience.  Keep your minds out of the gutter, people!  What I'm sayin' is that there is nothing commercial or scripted about their storytelling.  To each his own, but I like this couple and will unabashedly promote them at any opportunity.  Booooooooooo!  If chills and thrills aren't your cup of tea, check out their Trails and Tales of Key West instead, a casual 2-hour stroll through the republic's more colorful and entertaining bits of island lore.  This tour likely will be one of our next explorations, as high-energy conch boy will be well-rested for the 4pm meet-up.  Not to mention that the tour conveniently wraps it up at Margaritaville just in time for a pre-dinner refreshment.

Magic Tim is a .... drumroll please ... MAGICIAN!  Did ya think?  Tim Glancey is the president and director of operations for Magical Arts & Design and has been a master magician for more than 30 years.  I've witnesses his illusions.  I'm tellin' you ... he performs the impossible.  Impossible!  We have had the pleasure of his company and magic on several occasions, but his Parlour Magic Show at the beautiful Victorian-styled Porter Mansion (decorated in detail by Donna herself) is supposed to be quite spectacular.


P.S.  For all of you Parrotheads out there, be jealous.  Tim traveled with Jimmy Buffet for 14 years as his opening act.  And ...

...that's all I know (wink, wink).

 
So, with all that said and done, what's up with the magic wand?

Here's my classroom in it's current state.  I can assure you, it's going to take more than a little island magic to pretty up this room over the next two weeks! Seriously ... doncha wish you were me right now??  ;)