McDill AFB
Tampa FL Day….um, I forget…

It was not quite as cold last night. We were ok with socks and sweats on to sleep in. If we are planning to do any more wintertime traveling, no matter where it is, we need to find an alternate way to heat the rig without the generator running all the time. I recall on the SKP discussion forum that many full-timers and even snowbirds use catalytic heaters that run from the existing propane tanks. There are several other things I have made a list of to permanently keep in the rig.

After breakfast we tooled over to the Kerr’s where Hank was teaching the eagerly anticipated Peanut Brittle 101 class. Unlike other classes where students have to purchase materials, our instructor provided the butter, sugar, corn syrup and the other ingredients plus he even provided the cooking implements. Such a dedicated man, our Hank. We watched him prepare all his ingredients with the precision of a surgeon, and then looked on in awe as he meticulously measured and stirred his creation, getting ever closer to the climatic end of this very challenging process….the adding of the baking soda. Perfection in a jelly roll pan. I have the recipe and have taken copious notes on the intricacies of the candy-making art. I shall succeed with my very own peanut brittle. No longer will my son and husband scoff at my attempts at peanut brittle….I shall no longer have to pay for replacing a lost dental filing due to the sticky consistency of my pitiful attempts at peanut brittle. I shall if asked, tell them…”I learned everything I know from Hank Kerr, the master candy-maker extraordinaire the very man behind the now famous and well loved candy known as Hank’s Wonderful Incredibly Delicious Peanut Brittle.

Whew, that was really hard to write. It never ceases to amaze me how writers can actually do this for several hours each day. Hmmm, that book I have been secretly writing may now become public. Well, maybe next year.

Paul and I are going to the Body Works Exhibit at the Tampa Museum this evening. From 5 to 9 p.m. there are special admittance prices. We will probably leave early to get to the Museum early then have something to eat in downtown Tampa. Tomorrow, we will be going to the St. Petersburg Pier to visit the shops and have lunch on the waterfront. This should be a great picture taking day. Sunday is still up in the air, but it is supposed to be beautiful here this weekend so maybe we will just relax on the beautiful beach and cook some hotdogs. Grandpa is very anxious to get back home. I cannot understand why. There is nothing waiting for him. Perhaps he has tired of me telling people that I was Gladys and they are my Pips? He has his privacy at night, (he gets the bedroom and a real bed) and his fat little dog to keep him warm. I just don’t get why he wants to go home to the icky cold weather. If I could stay until spring I would. The only reason to go back is for Paul’s surgery on February 10, and then my two meetings at Dr. Chua’s office the 14th and the 21st, then surgery for me on February 29. Can you tell I am not anxious to get home?

Well, I will post about the Body Works exhibit tomorrow.

Later,

dennise