Hey y’all, yes sir, summer is here... or at least the weather is. I feel like June is a little confused w/April and all it's showers.  Well, we were under a drought warning, so we could use the rain.  We've adopted an egret recently, who has been hanging around in our yard lately. He's finding plenty to eat we imagine, because he's back daily.  he also wanders around in the street in front of our house - so please be careful coming down E. Erie.  If it listened to me, I'd keep it in the yard.  Mentioning roadways, just read that it's looking like Artic Avenue is slated for a reconfiguration w/12' wide shared roadway w/a path on the beach side of the road. Raised crosswalks, w/signals and parking for golf carts and bikes are also in the plan.   The projected change is a part of a Safety Action Plan.  I didn't realize there were that many accidents on Artic Ave., something like 85 a year, that's like 4 a day...  I'm staying off Artic!  Speaking of plans - you can catch us at The Rickhouse for National Martini Day, check the schedule and check their FB page for info.  It might be a three day weekend for some of us.   I see it's also World Martini Day the 3rd Saturday in June, the 21st.  I guess it's counteractive to Dry January and/or Sober October, it might be a four day weekend after all?!  Ok everybody, go outside, it's a beautiful day, see you soon, thanks so much for supporting us, love y'all and keep on keepin' on, ciao'!

And It’s Playing Just for You - Scientists Create ‘World’s Smallest Violin’ - BBC headline

Hey Ralphie!  Police were called to a “busy shopping center” in Kissimmee, Fla., on a report of a man with a gun, “walking slowly” outside, pointing the rifle at trees and other objects. “Officers tried over and over again to get the individual to put the rifle down,” said Police Chief Charles Broadway. “He refused.” When he pointed the weapon toward officers, at least one shot him. Matthew Koutouzis Wagner, 20, was hit, and officers were able to disarm him, render first aid, and get him off to a hospital. Wagner was not immediately charged with any crime pending a mental health evaluation. Once his rifle was secured, officers determined it was a Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB gun. (WOFL Orlando) ...And here we thought the worst thing that could happen with those is putting your eye out.

Florida Man; Florida Woman;  Florida Cop; but Florida Duck? Duck Terrorizes Florida Neighborhood, Sending 1 to Hospital  (WKMG Orlando headline )

If you’re seeing a rock concert-sized line outside of your local Trader Joe’s, it’s not because everyone’s stocking up on cookie butter and Everything Bagel seasoning (though they might be). It’s because the grocery chain’s viral $2.99 mini tote bags are making an Oasis-style comeback. The canvas bags, which first captured the internet’s attention in February 2024, became available this month with straps and the company’s logo in a variety of new pastel hues and sold out within 15 minutes at some locations after bag fans began lining up at 4am to snag them. The lucky few who managed to score the 13x11x6-inch bags probably can’t use them to contain their grocery haul. While some just want to show them off on TikTok, others see them as a side hustle: Several eBay sellers are trying to resell the $3 sensation for $1,000+  (People Magazine)