Alone in Hollywood

pic by Nan, Hollywood Beach Florida July 2012

Earlier this month I took my Mr7 on a short trip to Florida. 

First I dropped off Mr7 at his father's house (that was the whole purpose of the trip). Then I drove to this public beach near Fort Lauderdale, called Hollywood Beach. I was there around 5 or 6 in the afternoon and found it delightfully quiet and downright serene.  The picture you see above is a walkway from the parking lot toward the beach. I paused there for a moment and fantasized I was on my private beach behind my house. *sigh* 

pic by Nan, Hollywood Beach Florida July 2012

As you can see, there were very few beach goers there. I laid out my beach towel near two older Spanish women who were obviously sisters. We nodded to each other and they smoked cigarettes and drank home-brewed coffee from a little jar.  

I swam in the water and had to pinch myself a few times because I thought I was in Heaven. I've been to more beautiful beaches elsewhere, but I think I loved this experience because the sun was setting and I was enjoying a cool, wind-blown evening. 

Bliss! 

SPF 80

 That's a cloud behind my hat! LOL

pic by Nan, Ft. Lauderdale Florida

My view from under a beach umbrella.

pic by Nan, Ft. Lauderdale Florida

     Last week when I visited Florida, I treated myself to some solitary time on Fort Lauderdale Beach and on Hollywood Beach. I had to pinch myself a few times because I thought I was dreaming. 

I can't remember the last time I had quiet time.  Ahhhh!

     When I was in my 20s, I worshiped the sun. I would tan and tan and tan some more. I stopped all that in my mid 30s. Now it's all about sunscreen, ugly hats, and beach umbrella rentals. I really don't care for premature wrinkling and skin cancer. What do you think?

Platform Shoes Anyone?

Pic by Nan: Madison Avenue April 2012

Check out these platform shoes! I don't know about you, but I'm old enough to remember wearing platform shoes when I was in high school in the early 70's. Nothing new under the sun!

I remember one day, I was still in high school, I was taking driving lessons. I showed up for my lesson wearing my platform shoes, and the instructor (one grumpy old man) threw me out of the car. "You can't drive wearing those shoes!" he roared at me.


 Haaaaaaaaa. Teens are always so crazy!

Dominican Divas Experience

http://www.wpclipart.com/legal.html

I'm not Dominican, and I'm not a diva.
You see, I am a woman with very simple needs. I wash my own hair. All I require is a hair cut every 8 weeks.
Every now and then I treat myself to a visit to the hair salon for a shampoo and blow dry.
You see, this week was especially tough on me. Holiday angst, mom's cancer care, and taking care of Mr6 can unnerve even the strongest of women.  
So I treated myself with a fierce shampoo and big blow-out by the awesome Yoseline.
It's generally accepted in NYC that Dominican hair dressers (namely Yoseline) are the best.  
Yoseline is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to hair care.
She is not afraid to use her nails when scrubbing my scalp clean.
She is not afraid to wield her blow-dryer like a blow- torch. 
My only complaint is the hair-drying can get a bit scary. I honestly thought Yoseline was going to burn my ears to a crisp.
The image of chicharron comes to mind.

photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_rind

*sigh*
It was wonderful.
When I returned home I had real pretty hair and BOTH ears intact.