Even thought I live in a city that is a peninsula in state that is a peninsula, I never get to the beach. Unless my sister is in town. So today we went to the beach and it was scrumptious. My jeans made me hot, but the water is icy. I drank two big Cokes . . . unheard of for me. Ate smoked fish sandwich at Ted Peter's, a St. Petersburg landmark. The sunset was VIVID. Saw fun friends. I'm telling you, my sister's vacation is killing me -- not used to all this much fun.

I didn't want to wear my new B, B & B Diamond Dust Dots to the beach where abrasive sand and salt might dull them, well, at least the part that's not DDD. My sister thinks I'm crazy. I also didn't want them stolen out of my house while we were gone all day, so I hid them in what I consider a very brilliant spot. But if I blab it on my blog, then it won't be so secret anymore. But I was very self-satisfied with this stroke of ingenuity.

As far as Dead Sea avoidance, CDW has this to say:

I am so glad you are having a lovely time shopping with your sister. Man, I am jealous. I would love to have a sister here to shop with. But, little missy, if we ever get to shop together...I will show you how very easy it is to pass the Dead Sea people...marching, looking them square in the eyes as you say with determination in your voice and a smile still on your face, "No thank you!" Easy as pie, my dear little baby cakes. :) You are too nice and I am too mean...probably. smiling wickedly.

So, CDW solved that one. I was planning on collapsing with a heart attack the next time I passed the kiosk, to distract the Israelis from their mission of extraction . . . extracting all my money off my person, that is. Actually, I've tried CDW's method, but these little laddies and lassies persist, they follow you down the mall talking a mile a minute. Then what, CDW? But see, CDW has presence. She is tall and gorgeous, she can make them back down. One cobra smile from her and she sends them packing. I am merely Flat Kathy, having been rolled over by steam shovels millions of times and then rerolled. When Dead Sea sees a flat person walk by with averted eyes, they POUNCE! When you are a flat person, you are an automatic target. It's so distressing.

Does anyone know what I am trying to say?

2009 and the world, parting ways,
KEM