Recently, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation; I was in the men’s section of a local department store buying pants.

In my mind, I am still that young man whose leg length is greater than his waist girth. So, I head to the changing room with two pairs of pants, one pair that agrees with my illusion, the other that I know I am going to purchase.

It’s summertime and those pests are back.

No, I don’t mean the tourists, and shame on you for thinking about our valued guests that way! I’m talking about the bugs, the mosquitos and all their hungry friends, who now lie in wait just outside your door.

“It’s a win-win arrangement,” Jack’s mother said enthusiastically to a friend.

A party to their conversation, I nodded my head in agreement and added, “It sure is!”

My wife is still unable to drive, so our daily commute adventure to her work in Gulf Breeze continues. I drive, she takes in the sights; not a bad arrangement – for her!

My wife does not miss anything – her observations skills are off the charts. She sees and delights in the smallest details. She should have been a cop.

“We locals call it ‘our Basket Full of Diamonds,’” said the guide as our tour boat glided past the lighthouse in Jupiter, FL in the diminishing light of evening.

My wife and I, both locals, gave one another an incredulous look and mouthed, “We do?” Many of our friends were long-time residents, including a man whose father had been the lighthouse keeper.