“A Week at the Beach”

As I write this I am sitting on a balcony on the third floor of a condominium in Panama City, Florida. The sun is shining brightly and the ocean is sliding up on the beach. The water is as blue as I have ever seen it and the people at the beach and around the pool are in danger of getting burned. Up on the balcony I am safely escaping the sun but am enjoying the ocean breeze.

Me being at the beach is a miracle, or something like that. I do not like vacations and getting me to the beach for seven days – well it took an act of congress or the threat of my wife being angry with me forever. Plus our good friends the Borahs own this condo and they generously offered it to us for the week. My son, daughter in law and two grandkids also decided they wanted to come. My older son and his wife couldn’t make it, but they were invited.

I am having a good time but I miss my routine life in Perry. This morning I went out looking for a “USA Today” and thought I would never find one. I came back and worked the crossword puzzle and proved my mind is still working. I have already read one book since we arrived and have three more I want to finish. I have plenty of reading time as the rest of the family loves the beach and pool.

Yesterday afternoon I took everyone to the movie. There is a new theater near here called “The Grand.” I bought several large cokes and large popcorns for the group. When I asked if these included free refills (like they do in Georgia) I was told no. The girl selling the goods said I could send a complaint to their website if I was unhappy. A simple I’m sorry would have sufficed.

There is a large crowd of people here in Panama City this week. I have talked to people from Illinois, Tennessee and Rhode Island. Everyone appears to be in a good mood and all appear to have money to burn. I am always amazed by how affluent vacationers seem to be.

Tomorrow night we are all going to gather around the TV set as my son is doing “color commentary” for an All Star Game for the Southeastern Independent Baseball League. He is excited about doing it and we are all excited about seeing him on TV. If anyone knows everything there is to know about baseball it is my son JJ. He has never wanted to do television before but does seem excited about this opportunity.

JJ is the Managing Editor of “Baseball America” and has used his baseball knowledge in his job there. Now he can relate some of the inside stories he knows in order to make the baseball game on television more interesting. Who knows, this could lead to a full time job on the air.

A movie here and there, some good books to read, the cool ocean breeze blowing, and lots of good food to eat – this week might be pretty enjoyable after all. But believe me this time next week I will be back in Perry, Georgia happy as a clam. I will be following my routine and living my life to the fullest.

A week at the beach is a lot of days but maybe I need a little variety in my life from time to time. As long as it doesn’t happen too often.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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