Monday, June 19, 2006

So what are they?

Greetings from the Low Country where the shadows have stretched out from the mossy palmettos on one of the "longest" days of the year. I have been summoned onto the patio of my cousin's matchbox apartment by the siren-like effect of what I call secadas. They are the insects that drone on - usually late in the day - with their lazy whinning...as if they don't want the sun to rest. And I'm with them. Another day down means another day of vacation (time in the South) gone.
But, carpé the day: I have enjoyed time with family on the beach, consumed several quality Pennsylvania beverages, endured a loss, and had more than my fair-share of fried seafood. My subtle buzz is enhanced by the hum of many A-C units just trying to keep up with the demands of the resident condo-commandos that demand a constant 72F inside their habitats. Hell, I'm outside sweating while I can...loving every bless-ed minute of it.
So am I right about they secadas? Have I misspelled it, or are they called something differently entirely? I know I'll hear from y'all.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Even vanilla can be exotic

During the past week, I have slowly descended (literally and figuratively) back to my homeland, and I have been enjoying it tremendously. I have visited Ken-yuk-ee, Hot-lanna, the upstate of SC, Athens, and home. I love the reconnecting with place and people that comes with this annual trek. But it was during Saturday's baseball post-mortem with the boys that I realized that my perspective on certain things have been influenced by being up there 11 months out of the year.
It was a pleasant afternoon for people watching, and I did more than my share. My eyes struck out to a standard issue co-ed, and it hit me: "...and that's B-flat, man." At once flipant and graceful, she flipped and flopped her way into the neighboring coffee giant to meet friends. Though she wore a pony-tail, it was well-coiffed in color and cut so that you knew she cared about how she didn't care. She carried the mantle of the "Classic City" well. The Chamber of Commerce is really doing a nice job engendering return visitors. I'll be back this weekend.