MC on the Circle … St. Armands Circle!
If you’re looking for something to do today … come on by Circle Books on St. Armands Circle and say hello! Circle Books is a great little bookstore located at 478 John Ringling Boulevard, St. Armands Circle; pretty much right across from the Foxy Lady boutique. (941.388.2850)
I’m doing a book signing event there today, for my book Sideways in Sarasota from 1 to 3 p.m., and hope the weather doesn’t mess up my careful coif (major blow-out)!
Circle Books, in case you haven’t been there — is a wicked charming book store. The kind that used to be ubiquitous in cities and towns everywhere. Books stacked floor to ceiling. Book sellers who know many of their customers by name and remember what books they bought the last time they were there … it’s that kind of place. The only thing they were missing was the standard mouser — large tabby sacked out in a sunny window waiting for nightfall and mice-chasing. They’ve got a wicked good Sarasota-centric selection of books as well.
Even if you’re not interested in Sideways — or my signing — you should swing by Circle Books sometime, it’s worth the visit.
MC’s troll memories makes it into the Tampa Trib
A nice Christmas present from the editors at Tampa Trib — they picked up my Christmas Troll Story.
If you missed it, and are interested … just click here: Tampa Trib Christmas Troll Story December 25, 2008
My hot date for New Year’s: life!
This time of year, it’s not unusual to find yourself spending more than a little time navel-gazing, head-scratching, and tossing back an extra glass of Cab in pursuit of the answers to the mysteries of life. It’s easy, in the hustle-bustle of gift-giving and party-going, to find yourself wondering at odd moments, “Is this all there is?”
And New Year’s Eve, suffering from the weight of the philosophical import of one year ending and another beginning, is one night I don’t think anyone really wants to face that question alone. (more…)
Santas — yes, that’s plural! — visit Sarasota!
Yesterday, throughout the day, I was visited by many Santas — dropping off messages via email, phone calls, blog postings. Everyday Santas from the lower 48 who’d read yesterday’s Dear Santa column and who had one overriding message — MC, you do believe! … maybe not in Santa, but in yourself and in people … otherwise, many of them pointed out, you wouldn’t be writing and sharing your thoughts in the first place.
And you know what? Maybe they’re right!
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Dear Santa
Dear Santa,
I don’t think I ever really believed in you. Sorry. If I did, I’ve long since forgotten.
But, if I did believe in you way back in the day, who could have blamed me?
After all, what do little girls believe in? Fairy tales, knights in shining armor, glass slippers, cuddly kittens, Daddies who love them, and good grief, on occasion, even unicorns.
Santa wouldn’t really have been much of a stretch. (more…)
Teach a boy how to fish …
Last week I had dinner with some folks who were — hold on to your hats — native — Sarasotans and Floridians. It was such fun to hear their stories of “old” Sarasota — a place called Byrd’s (hope I got that name right) that used to be a great place for a burger as you headed over to Longboat Key. Smacks — a drive-up restaurant downtown that used to be the absolute in spot for anyone and everyone. Old-style, hand-crank drawbridges; half-built buildings (was it going to be a Ritz?) out on St. Armands where, for years, kids got into a little … and a lot … of trouble; stories of young kids rowing out to the islands near the North Siesta Key Bridge … camping out, drinking beer, and torching up dead palm fronds … just sounded like a simpler, slightly naughty, but somehow more real, time in Sarasota’s history. (more…)
An All Faiths update
All Faiths let me know that they won’t have the final tallies on donations until possibly just before New Year’s. Sorry! I’m going to wait until then to do the drawing and finalize that column. It’s a good thing, though, because they said they’re so busy, they just haven’t caught up with all the donations in general. That’s a great problem to have! So, stay tuned and I’ll update the Reality Reader drive next week.
Troll-house memories
Here’s wishing you all a fantastic Christmas — or whatever holiday you celebrate — or even just a fabulous end to a memorable year. I hope you not only remember the good times of the past, but make new memories to remember in the future!
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When I was little, I wanted a troll for Christmas. It wasn’t just me; my brothers wanted one too. Only problem was our Mom hated trolls; she thought they were ugly and pointless. And, in the lean years after her divorce from my father, I’m sure she thought trolls were a luxury in a household constantly in need of new shoes and mittens and hats for three growing children.
One Christmas, though, our mother relented. (more…)
A junkie by any other name
Hi. My name is MC, and I’m an addict. (more…)
