This past weekend we attended a book
and cafe. It's the kind of charming
neighborhood bookstore we would all
want to spend hours in every week. .
My friend
David Bethel from
waaay back
in high school had written another
page-turner,
Blood Moon, a crime story
based on a famous South Florida case.
He was speaking, along with
Ed DuBois, the
investigator that handled the case. Ed also
attended our high school, different class.
Small world indeed.
Side note: The actor Ed Harris played
Ed DuBois in the movie. All-in-all
there were 8 "Red Raiders" at the event.
That's a 50-60 year friendship for some!
After the book signing we were invited back
to David and Carol's beautiful home in
the Grove for a celebration lunch.
I wasn't planning on posting about this
day so my pictures are not blog-worthy.
But I will share what I took with my phone.
Their house is open, rustic-tropical, and filled
with collected art and treasures from their
many travels. Wood vaulted ceilings
and wood floors are a feature.
Driftwood mirror leans against hall wall.
Hall light fixture
Hallway leading front to back of house.
Family room/Florida room have wood floors,
white pained wood vaulted ceilings, and
are surrounded by large windows.
Their house is very energy efficient with
the installation of enough solar panels that
have reduced their electric bill to $25 even
in the summer with the AC on all the time.
The back patio is beautiful, but I too busy
enjoying it to take pics.
This is the front entry of the house.
Living room on left, dining space on right.
There is another patio in the front of the
house and that's where we're headed for
the party.
David with one of the pups. Yes, that's an
armoire on their patio. It's teak wood.
David treats it with teak oil twice a year
for protection. It's been there through years
of Florida heat, humidity, and storms.
Carol and David.
Carol is a sommelier and gourmet chef
Books and wine, a great combination!
Here I am with 2 of my high school girlfriends.
It's amazing to all of us that we have so many
friends that keep in touch. Either through
Facebook or local get-togethers for those
that still live or have returned like I have.
After lunch we were led through winding
secret neighbor's paths by Carol to
explore the gardens.
This opened to an impressive garden space
that accommodates many of Carol's
wine and dine events for large groups.
A Monet inspired garden.
An evening under the palms.
The beautiful garden at night.
A canopy of flowers.
Onward to the next garden.
This is their huge neighborhood communal
vegetable garden.
Carol does all her grocery
produce shopping here.
Large raised concrete and brick beds filled
and maintained by a group of friends, and
occasionally hungry peacocks. Beautiful birds,
but a nuisance to local Grove gardeners.
The pleasure of living in the tropics.
Walking back through their picturesque
Coconut Grove neighborhood on a
beautiful South Florida day.
Cheers!
Frankfurt Am Main Time
