Mardi Gras (No I Will Not Show You My Feathers)

I love a nice excuse for decadence as much as the next guy, and Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday - certainly does provide a nice excuse. With all the traveling I've been doing this year, I was sort of half hoping I'd fall asleep on my perch and wake up in my box en route to New Orleans. That didn't happen. But you can't blame an owl for dreaming.

So no Bourbon Street for me. I didn't even start the day with paczki. Or donuts. That's okay, really, because the whole idea behind Fat Tuesday is to indulge in all the treats you'll be missing out on during Lent. Since I won't be actively sacrificing during the Lenten season, I suppose it would just be excessive of me to overidulge today. Still - there is something to that mass mentality. If today is a day of decadence, by Zeus I want to be decadent, too!

The day is not over - indeed, it's just begun. Perhaps an opportunity to let my feathers down may yet present itself. Now throw me some beads, mister!

Another Day, Another Beach

Okay, I gotta tell you. I like this placement a lot. I have been in this house less than two months and I have been to the beach twice. I really like the beach.

This time we went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

I told you about my beach romance. But there was more.

I hung out with some frogs.

I saw the Statue of Liberty. (I always thought she'd be bigger. And in New York.)

I went to the Ripley's (Believe it or Not) Aquarium. (With Shelby and Olivia)

And the KISS Coffeehouse.

And hung out with a pirate. AARRRRR!

I found some hieroglyphics that looked like they might have been based on distant relatives.

And I ate a lot of Salt Water Taffy.

I got my feet wet watching the sun rise over the ocean. It was cold, but still pretty awesome.

I had a great time in Myrtle Beach and I can't wait to see what future adventures await me! I am having the time of my life! Whoot!

Met a Gnome, Cute as Could Be

I spent Valentine's Day in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where I made the acquaintance of the handsome gnome you see pictured above. Isn't he dreamy? Now before you bother to tell me, "Pink, don't get carried away, it was just a beach romance", let me remind you that I have been around the block more than a couple few times and I think I know how to keep my heart under control.

Let me tell you, also, a little something about beach romances. Grease? Based entirely on a beach romance. Summer of '42? Beach romance. Also one of the first cougars represented on film. Just sayin'. A Summer Place? Please. I'm using these examples (and with a little thought I'm sure I could come up with many more) to illustrate the fact that "just" has no place in front of "a beach romance".

Do you recall a beach romance of your own? If you do, I'd bet dollars to donuts you're smiling right now just thinking about it.

Pink's Excellent Island Adventure

When they started wrapping me up in my box, I'll admit, I was a little confused. Generally I only go in the box when it's time for me to be traded to my next family. Now I know sometimes the passage of time is difficult to judge, but I was pretty close to sure an entire year hadn't gone by already. Imagine my surprise when the box was opened and I felt warm island breezes blowing through my feathers! I had been taken on vacation!

I found myself on Goodland Island, a small island next to Marco Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Here are some photos of me on my most excellent adventure. I hope they warm you up a little bit, if it's cold where you are!

Putting on sunscreen before the boat ride to the beach. If this is my natural color, can you imagine what I'd look like with a sunburn?


Heading out of the canal and into the Gulf

Soaking up the rays


Buried in the sand


Minding my conch farm.


The full effect of the farm


Riding a golf cart around the island. Like the sign behind me says: You can't make this S$%# up.

I really like margaritaville...


Headed for home.

What an exciting adventure indeed!