Just A Really Nice Tuesday

 So I worked out with Jonathan in the am, and we talked of music. He told me his band is playing tonight, late, at the Titanic -- a set following a Blues band led by a guy I used to really admire, Chris. Back in the day, Chris played at Tobacco Road, first in the Fat Chance Blues Band, and later, Iko Iko. He was terrific -- and apparently never left Miami, and is now the Dean of local Blues. I recall one night in probably 1985 sitting at the bar with him, and telling him how I loved the Allman Bros cover of "One Way Out." He re-took the stage, and played it -- hoisting a stinger (my drink at the time) to me. Cool night, now 4 decades old.

Well, I may try to summon some yout-fullness, and head over tonight, even though Jonathan's not scheduled to take the stage until near 10 pm. We'll see...

I love Titanic, which was, before I moved to Miami, the Flick Coffeehouse. It's where David Crosby discovered Joni Mitchell, and took her back to his boat in the Grove's Sailboat Bay. Soon after, they left for Laurel Canyon, which became the epicenter of the singer songwriter era of music. Also, it's where Jimmy Buffet was hired to play, but came the wrong week, and instead went to Key West with his buddy Jerry Jeff Walker. Buffet loved Key West, and we all know how that turned out...

When I got to UM, it was K.C. Cagney's, a decent and affordable restaurant where you could take a date for dinner for less than $15.00. It's been Titanic for decades now, with their own brewery. When D1 convinced me to go on PBS's "Check Please," I chose Titanic, and it was featured. The owner saw me and thanked me, but not so much as a free cocktail. Cheap bastard, Patrick.

Yesterday Wifey and I drove to D2's house, and I hung in Jonathan's man cave while they had pilates. D2 and I fetched Little Man, and have him his honey yogurt on the way home, as he made us laugh a usual, telling us his girlfriend Athena "Afeena" left school early because "too many people were talking to her and she got a headache." I SO see why Dr. Barry chose Pediatrics -- kids are the greatest.

D1 joined us with skittish Spaniel Lemon, and we drove Little Man to the skate park for his lesson, and ordered Ironside Pizza.  Both my sons in law were working late, as usual, and as it SHOULD be -- I put in my time as a mule -- now it's theirs.

We played with Baby Man, and ate pizza, and it was delightful. Little Man at 5 is hilarious and adorable and cute -- we're fetching him Saturday for the night -- D1 and Joey are off to Panama City for a wedding of D1's dear friend and former freshman roomie at UF, Chelsea. Chelsea is a Miami Cubana who joined the Jewish sorority at UF -- and now works at UM in the awesome Lynn Rehab Center.

I've always adored her. Her Dad, out of Central Casting for a Miami Cuban Dad, expected she would stay at UM for her PhD in PT. Chelsea fibbed, and said UM had rejected her, but NYU accepted her, and so she got a nice sabbatical in the City. She returned, thankfully, and Barry adores her, too. She's marrying a fellow who splits time between Miami and NYC -- I expect it'll be more Miami now. I met him once but got, to use the LA term, good energy from him.

I called my Cali sister on the way home, as Wifey slept, and caught up with her. She has a singing gig Friday, and is very happy about that. My troubled nephew is doing well, and that brings her much happiness, too. My sister and I both subscribe to the wisdom of the Sam Moore song "If Something is Wrong With My Baby -- Something is Wrong With Me."

Meanwhile, the weather is gorgeous, and I believe a nice long walk awaits. And maybe Blues later tonight -- if I can muster the young energy...