September 17, 2014  75 – 87°F.  Stormy weather.  Water temp 87°F.

Just to let you know that every so often we get out and about to check out the local restaurants.  You shouldn’t be surprised to see us at :

It is always busy and we just had to stop at Bubba’s. We hear the ribs are wonderful. Maybe the next visit. I was hungry enough for their 1/2 pound burger.  One of those places where you eat peanuts and throw them on the floor.  No, it isn’t like home and you can’t do that here!!  Will need to go back when we have time to kill and sample one of their steaks and brew.

We also went to Fisherman’s Village.  A typical touristy location with lots of shops catering to the “I have never seen a seashell ever before and now I need a seashell lamp” crowd.  There are a couple of seafood eateries that looked enticing.  We ate at:

Gotta have that fried oysters basket!! yum.  Great place to view all sorts of bikes…motorocycles, that is, a regular hangout for the two wheel folks.  A bunch of boats along the Fishermen’s Village Marina.  The view of “Peace River” just inside of Charlotte Harbor while munching on my oysters was very peaceful.  The servers were constantly scaring away several birds that dared to fly into the open air restaurant and nibble at french fry leftover crumbs.  Next time, we may bring our own paper towels and eating utensils.  Just how clean are bird feet?

THEN…. when I was by myself on the way to that wall store … don’t tell Wayne…. I stopped at a “Used book store”.  I have given away over 500 books to Goodwill and really didn’t need any books.  No room on the boat.  How could I drive by this Used Book store almost daily and not stop by?!?!  It was glorious.  The site and smells of old books.  Like Leather.  <sniff…ah…books!>

The book store had a wonderful sampling of fiction and non-fiction. I was looking around when I spied an interesting arch separating two rooms.

Those are old books all the way up to the ceiling. Two finished columns with the right side unfinished.  I asked the proprietor what books made the cut to become the arch? Old weathered books. Books without their front page. Damaged books.  Books too good to throw away but not good enough to sell.  Yes, I did tug at one or two to see if they were indeed permanent.  Oh dear, can you imagine if they weren’t?  And yes, I did buy 2 paperbacks.  Don’t tell Wayne!  I figure they are small and in no way weigh down the boat too much.  If I am clever enough, I can read them and give them back to the store before he notices. ssshh don’t tell Wayne.