Alas. The Staycation is at an end, and I didn’t even get around to blogging about all the fun stuff that happened. Besides attending the concert by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and visiting the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, there was some shopping involved. Precious little, I might add, because I hate shopping. But everywhere Fakesister and I went, I found some little something for less than $10.
At World Market, I found Mocha Java coffee (once again, thanks to Anarchist for the tip) for maybe $8. However, it should be said that any savings there were nullified by having to buy a grinder ($11) at Publix. At the Museum Shop, I bought a set of “Knowledge Cards” for $5. These particular cards are called “Howling at the Moon–A Quiz Deck on Animal Communication”. Sample question: Do wolves really howl at the moon? Fakesister and I are big on trivia and are using them as a daily braintease. That $5 was 50% off, because the Museum Shop is going out of business. Another small business bites the dust. These days I’d say that if you aren’t selling necessities, your future is bleak.
At Tallahassee Nurseries, I bought a $4.99 bottle of Tupelo honey in their Christmas store for my friend Judith, who I observed was using cheapo honey from Publix in her hot tea. At Kohl’s department store, I bought a pair of slippers (Isotoners, even!) for $11, and a hat/scarf/glove combo for $15–both 50% off. Deals like these don’t really count unless it’s something you need–I mean I could buy a Ferrari for half-price, but how smart would I feel about it? The slippers were an absolute necessity, since Tallahassee has decided to pretend it’s January instead of November, and it’s so cold that the flip-flops weren’t working for me any more as early-morning attire. Ditto the hat/scarf/glove set. I doubt I’ll ever wear the gloves, and I’ll wear the scarf only when I have an urge to look fashionable (almost never), but as far as I’m concerned you can never have too many toboggan-type hats. I simply cannot function with cold toes and ears.
There was also a lot of food involved, capped off by dinner Wednesday night at The Melting Pot, a chain fondue restaurant that is so overpriced and over-ambienced they charge you for opening up the menu. Well, not really. And yet…I love it! Still, you know you’re about to get hosed when a glass of their cheapest Pinot Grigio costs almost as much as a bottle of the same brand at Publix. We had their cheddar cheese fondue, which comes with bread, apples, and veggies (cauliflower, celery, and carrots). Note: no meat. Then we had chocolate fondue for dessert.
On the nature front, we also paid a visit to Maclay Gardens, which is a state park smack in the middle of urban Tallahassee. It was once the winter home of a gentleman from New York named Alfred Maclay; at his death, his family gave the house and grounds to the State of Florida. Just as it was a bit late to catch the Monarch butterflies at St. Marks, it was too early to catch the spectacular display of camellias at the gardens, though a tiny few were blooming. By January, the camellias will be in full bloom, and the best part? A month later, it will be Spring! I leave you with an image of one of them to look forward to. Meanwhile, keep your toes and ears warm!
