Don’t go looking for the Denny’s Seniors Specials on Anna Maria Island. Anna Maria is located 10 miles north of Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Years ago, when the rest of Florida got the message about condos, high rises, chain restaurants, and mouse paraphernalia, Anna Maria was entirely too busy picking sand out between her toes to notice. Now, she lives in some kind of magical time warp, consisting of funky cottages and restaurants, small-scale motels, and a popular vintage mobile home park alleged to have been built to be the winter housing for the Ringling Brothers circus employees.
My two co-authors/close friends live on Anna Maria. Jean, a recovering attorney, has reinvented herself both as a model on Home Shopping Network and the newly elected Holmes Beach City Commissioner. Joyce started a personal chef business and is now the President of her mobile home community, as well as a member of the Bradenton Beach Zoning and Tax Commission. If Anna Maria Island were Manhattan, Joyce and Jean would be the Golden Girls version of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, only with more brains and less clothing.
Armed with my trusty pal Judy, I boarded a plane at BWI Airport, outside Baltimore. We sat at the gate for about 20 minutes, with no explanation given. Finally the pilot got on the speaker and announced “The technical problem has been solved temporarily, and we will now take off.” Since the first flight was two hours long, I contemplated the meaning of the word “temporarily.” Judy took the announcement in stride. Since she flies no more than once every ten years, she was far too busy turning the overhead light on and off and latching and unlatching her seat tray to be concerned about the pilot’s potentially ominous words.
Highlights of the trip included:
Dancing with Mary, a 90-year-old, at The Flying Dog. After Mary managed to dance both Judy and me into a stupor, I told Mary’s daughter that her mom was a hoot. She said, “You have no idea.” I decided that remark could be taken several different ways, all of which were scary.
Meeting Nancy, a fellow blogger, who lives near AMI and writes the super-popular and inspirational blog, Spirit Lights the Way. Nancy, who shares her deep understanding of the meaning of serenity and of joy with her fans, was also willing to assist me in trying to run various drivers off the road, all in the name of book sales. I seriously admire that.
Meeting Jose of Jose’s Real Cuban Food, where you can get the best Cuban fare this side of Havana. Jose’s has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Jose’s is firmly in the last category. This place has the ambiance of a bus station rest room. It ain’t fine dining, just great dining.
Meeting Laurie, the friend of my daughter’s father-in-law, Sande. Laurie is visiting Sande in Bradenton. She follows my blog, and adds her hilarious comments. Before I ever laid eyes on her, I felt that she was a long time friend.
Eating my weight in food.
Getting reprimanded by the flight attendant on the return flight back to BWI, when all Judy and I did was to watch the silent video of me looking like I was verbally assaulting prospective book purchasers outside the store, instead of listening to the instructions for an emergency water landing and subsequent shark attack. Our out of control laughter was interrupted by a personal visit from Attila the Flight Attendant who said, “You kept your cell phone on throughout the opening monologue (or whatever they call it). That means you weren’t listening.” Judy, who was born and raised on Long Island Etiquette, responded with, “Bite me.”
K.L.Richardson
January 30, 2012
I, in the middle of a Midwestern winter, am extremely jealous! Sounds like a great time was had by all. Would love to know Mary’s secret to all that energy….
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Mary was a demon on the dance floor. I had to take a nap after watching her.
Kathryn McCullough
January 30, 2012
Love the Long Island ettiquette! Judy sounds like she invests her words where they count–in opposition to Gingrich-esque Flight Attendant nonsense.
Kathy
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Judy is a hoot: teeny, tiny with a big sense of humor.
gojulesgo
January 30, 2012
What a fabulous trip!! “Bite me” – that is awesome. Did she have anything more to say (the flight attendant) after that??
I also have to tell you I, at first, misread “…only with more brains and less clothing” and had a really fun time imagining what that could look like.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Judy said more, but the flight attendant was out of range. Otherwise, we would have been ejected from our seats.
nrhatch
January 30, 2012
I don’t know whether to say, Welcome Back! (to the blog business) . . . or Wish You Were (Still) Here. 😀
Great post, Renee!
Glad that you and Judy had such a FINE TIME on AMI this week.
Hurry Back!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Thanks, Nancy! It was such a fun trip. Next year….
k8edid
January 30, 2012
Next visit let me know ahead of time so I can arrange to get my tush up there….I love the parts of Florida (and there are still a few) that haven’t been ruined by progress. I’m glad you didn’t make the news with your refusal to turn off the cell phone and pay attention to the garbled nonsense that comprises the flight instructions…
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Yes, yes, yes, you must come to AMI the next time I’m there! Re the cell phone on the flight: I was laughing so hard at the video of me, I thought I’d puke. I wish I knew how to post videos on my blog.
pegoleg
January 30, 2012
Attila the stewardess would have had the last laugh if the plane went down and Jaws showed up for lunch. Everybody else onboard would know the secret, shark-repelling signal and you and your friend would have been on the menu.
Sometimes, Renee, I just get the feeling that you’re lacking just a teeny bit of respect for authority – don’t know why, just call it a hunch.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
I used to get “C”s in Citizenship in elementary school for talking and fooling around in class. Now, as a mature adult I have dealt with this by never attending meetings or taking classes.
Laurie Mirkin
January 30, 2012
I had such a great time with you guys….it showed me how important women of our age are to each other and that we have to step out and meet each other to stay connected to that central circulatory system called THE GOLDEN YEARS, or LIFE AS WE NOW KNOW IT. I enjoyed every minute of Jean, Joyce, and Judy. And you too, Janis. The vegetarian chile, Jeans cottage, the commeraderie (sp?) we shared during our vision boards. I especially want to give a shout out to Judy, who is truly Mighty Mouse and a force to be reckoned with. Come back, come back, and don’t wait so long, ok? Love you ALL!!!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Yes, there is something magical that happens when women gather. And at this time of our lives, the magic is even more powerful. I am grateful everyday for the wise, visionary, fabulous,supportive, energizing, and powerful women who are my friends. I’m so glad you could experience that.
Laurie Mirkin
January 30, 2012
Oh- I forgot the amazing cha cha with Jean…what a regal, smart and totally warm human being. I think I wanna be her. Okay bye
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Jean is really something. Her achievements are legendary.
John
January 30, 2012
Looks like another place to visit to add to my list.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
It’s worth a trip. Everyone who goes falls in love with it.
Sande Caplin
January 30, 2012
Hey, I was with you guys too! lol….glad you guys had so much fun. I have more special venues to show you the next time you come into town which I hope is soon.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Ah, but you know you are loved. And I am counting on you to keep ramping up the fun quotient each time I’m there!
ryoko861
January 30, 2012
Niiiice! What a great break from the East Coast winter duldrums! I could go for some Anna Maria Island myself!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
Everyone should get a dose of a place like that every once in awhile.
souldipper
January 30, 2012
Now I understand why and how Nancy is able to live her life as a bare-footed dancer! AMI’s influence must have rubbed off on her. Sounds like AMI is a sister island to mine – way up north on the West Coast of Canada. If we don’t dress “cajj”, we dress “quality cajj” and anyone who is more formal looks hopelessly out of place.
Sounds like y’all had a ball. I’ve been to Cuba and eaten the food that they diligently put together having few imports. I bet any Cuban who loves to cook feels like heaven’s been found when they can buy any groceries they need!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 30, 2012
A ball it was. Wow, I’d love to see where you are (in warm weather season). What is it called? Yes, Nancy gets to live in Paradise year round. I think it does something to one’s brain chemistry and creativity. And I hadn’t thought about the Cuban food thing, but that must be the case. Here, the choices are unlimited.
Hippie Cahier
January 30, 2012
I came for the BLTs. I stayed for the great stories and photos.
Maybe the flight attendant was worried about you because s/he knew what “tempor.ary” meant.
Thanks for the vicarious mini-vacation.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 31, 2012
Hey, good one. I did notice that she was wearing a parachute.
Deborah the Closet Monster
January 31, 2012
This post had me smiling throughout, with one short-lived exception:
Since the first flight was two hours long, I contemplated the meaning of the word “temporarily.”
GAH! My brain would’ve been locked on that question for the whole flight. Well, 50% locked on, with the remaining 50% focused on trying to keep myself calm!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 31, 2012
I was actually more concerned with the volume of food Judy and I had been consuming over the past week. Had everyone on the plane been doing that, the weight alone would have sent the plane spiralling out of control.
Allison
January 31, 2012
“Just long enough” might have been more comforting than “temporarily”. Sounds like your trip had all the elements of a good vacation– good company, good dancing, and eating your weight in food.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 31, 2012
Yes sirree.
Alex-Beth
January 31, 2012
Thanks so much for your great blog… I’m so very desperate to visit Anna Marie Island and your pictures have just certified it. I have never seen water on a beach look so blue and the sand look so clean and white!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 31, 2012
Welcome to Life in the Boomer Lane and thanks for your kind comments. Yes, Anna Maria is a magical place, and the best thing about it is how natural it is. I love the beauty, the residents, and the low key lifestyle.
My Inner Chick
January 31, 2012
–BIte Me.-
Classic.
Your Vacation looks Magical. X
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 1, 2012
Magical, yes.
The Good Greatsby
February 1, 2012
Holding the audience’s attention is the flight attendant’s job. If the audience is drifting off during the emergency landing explanation, she should try telling a joke or an interesting anecdote to regain the listener’s interest.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 1, 2012
At the very least, there should be funny faces painted on the oxygen masks.
Marcia Clarke
February 1, 2012
I am happy to hear you enjoyed your stay in our neck of the woods; I am about an hour south of Ana Maria, in Port Charlotte, with so many choices on the Gulf I don’t get up there often enough but it is worth the trip!
k8edid
February 1, 2012
Marcia – we are practically neighbors – I am in lovely Punta Gorda. When Renee comes back this way I am going to call in sick if I have to in order to get the day off to go visit.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 1, 2012
I’ve never been to Port Charlotte, but I do love the Gulf Coast.
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 1, 2012
Hurray!
melissa
February 13, 2012
I grew up vacationing in AMI (grew up just about 45 minutes north in St. Pete), and love AMI still! The fact that it remains untouched and relatively undeveloped is why we’d leave St. Pete to vacation there. My parents now live in Punta Gorda. LOVE the Gulf Coast. …love your blog, too! Congrats on being FP!
Life in the Boomer Lane
February 13, 2012
Thanks, Melissa, and thanks for visiting Life in the Boomer Lane! AMI was the first place I had been to in Florida that made me think “I could live here.”