A NEW HOME

         I've been writing "The Grove Guy" for decades in community newspapers, the Miami Herald, and  on this blog. It's always been about my experiences in my home of forty-five years, Coconut Grove.
      Francesca and I recently moved to Gainesville, Florida. When some ask, "Are you now the Gainesville Guy?",  I tell them I have no idea. The blog name isn't a big deal. I'm just a guy who likes to share stories. 
    I was wondering though, where they would come from after I landed here. Now I've learned they're just down the street no matter where you live.

I LOVE A PARADE
     Four days ago I heard a commotion in the distance. I rode my scooter south to see the University of Florida's homecoming parade passing by, the one I was in fifty-two years ago.  The local volunteer grave digger guild marched with shovels chanting, "Hey hey, ho, ho, we dig the hole and in you go!"

They'd be perfect for the King Mango Strut.

    A few minutes later Florida's Miss Watermelon
smiled and waved. My day was complete.









LOST IN A BOOK 
     The next morning I encountered The Shirtless Reader. In his early eighties, he is a neighborhood legend. While his mind seems lost in a book his feet seem to know where to go. If he starts out early he'll have a book-aimed flashlight stashed in his armpit.  If he ever pauses between chapters I'll try to introduce myself.

RHYMES WITH "DADDIO" 
     Last Saturday a neighbor set up a front yard table as if preparing to sell lemonade. Susan told me her house was a part of the town's annual "Catio Tour". After she handed me a brochure I  learned these are backyard feline palaces.
                                                     Mowgli
Francesca and I followed her to the back of the house see where her cat, Mowgli, spent his afternoons. The fenced-in cat patio included a stairway, a cat cottage, and a sunbathing area. If Sue's house was a cat prison, this was its rec yard, safe from wandering dogs, occasional coyote, and curious grove guys.

 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

     I play softball twice a week in the local senior league.  Three weeks ago I attended a presentation of one of my team-mates, Dr. David Shoup. He's got a new book out about UFO's.  The retired University of Florida engineering professor has had multiple encounters with extraterrestrials and even worse, menacing government officials trying to cover them up.  

 Me with my buddy, Dave. His book is available on both Amazon and Kindle.


While UFO sightings might seem strange, consider this; last month- for the first time- the U.S. Navy admitted its pilots have seen and photographed flying objects "not of this world". The subject makes many of us wonder but Dr. Dave is certain that we are "not alone".
      My wife and I are not alone in Gainesville either. While missing our old South Florida friends our new ones are keeping life interesting. Also, I'm planting a small grove of fruit trees in the backyard so maybe I can still be a grove guy.
                       ___________________


Hot Tip:
  The Tom Petty birthday celebration comes to town in two weeks. Thirty bands, craft beer and free music.