Karen Nichols

We all recall President Bush landing on the navy ship after our troops landed in Iraq and easily took Baghdad. What did he say: The War is Over. It wasn't.

Now, because of a little growth, Obama's announcement: The recession is over. I don't think so. Yes, the bank situation appears to have stabilized and even the housing industry, although there are still foreclosures and short sales coming into the market.

The main problem is the high unemployment rate and the lack of good jobs, at least in Lee County, Florida. I personally know several professional people unable to obtain employment, an engineer for one. Then, there is an experienced, very intelligent Paralegal. She possesses experience in several fields of law, including real estate, probate, estate planning, litigation . . . . but there are very few jobs for her to even send her resume. And, she has a mortgage . . .

I think this current Announcement concerning the Recession is . . . . PREMATURE.

I never knew who Harry was, but it didn't matter one bit. Harry's is, or more accurately today, was a bar, tucked away on Main Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Down Cape Cod Way. Harry's was my favorite bar on earth. When I was 27 or so and going through a "young life" crisis after breaking off a long engagement, I left work on a Friday and on a whim drove down to Hyannis from my place in the North Shore area of Massachusetts, about a two hour drive. I checked into a small motel on Main Street that Friday evening and slept. Saturday I spent walking about the town(a quieter and quainter place than it is today) and the beach and on Saturday evening, thinking that a drink would do me good, I strolled into Harry's. They played albums all the way through on the sound system then when a Blues or Jazz band wasn't playing on the small stage. They loved Sting, apparently, for he always seemed to singing whenever I stepped over the seashell walk and opened the door. For the next two years, I drove down to Hyannis on average two weekends a month. I couldn't wait to get out of work on Friday and begin the drive. I couldn't wait to walk over that seashell walk and be at Harry's I started to make friends in Hyannis. I dated men in Hyannis. I even considered moving to Hyannis. I even began a "flirtation" with one of the then owners of Harry's, Eddie. He was hot. Then, one weekend, the weekend I planned to meet Eddie after Harry's closed for the evening, my boss on the home turf had an emergency hearing to deal with on Monday and requested that I work that Saturday. I couldn't go to Hyannis that weekend. Disappointed, I yet agreed to work and instead of Harry's, I made plans to meet a girlfriend at a local restaurant/pub, Seven Central in Manchester By Sea, Massachusetts. While I was ordering a drink, a man bumped into me. I was not in the best mood, as I was dreaming of Harry and Hyannis and Eddie, so I gave him a pointedly dirty look and turned away. The man took a seat beside me and presented me with a most charming smile in return. That man was Lloyd Nichols . . . my husband.

This past weekend, Harry closed his door. So, goodbye, Harry, and thanks for the two "funest" years of my "single" life. I drink to you tonight. To the salad days.

The news story: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100907/NEWS/9070316

Until you wear socks only to the gym.

Until you park the car in the shade at the supermarket, even if it means a long walk.

Until you order a beer instead of a glass of wine.

Until you go months without wearing jeans.

Until you own way more shorts than jeans.

Until you become cold when the temperature goes below 75.

Until your yearly visit up north is more about eating a cheesesteak sub than visiting the family.

Until during your yearly visit up north, you wonder why everyone is dressed to go to a funeral.

Until you head for the beach for all events.

Until your only winter coat is made of denim.

Until you own more than one red swimsuit to choose from for a walk on the beach at Christmas.

Until you own more than one green swimsuit to choose from for walk on the beach on St. Patrick's Day.

Until you realize that you needn't take those Vitamin D pills anymore.

As everyone around the world has probably heard, we had an unusually cool winter in Florida. I'm glad that it's finally gone to the record books. In its wake, there is a vibrant garden. I've never seen the hibiscus so alive and colorful. The Jasmine are now out. They bloomed a little late this year, attributable to the cool winter, no doubt. Other flowers also thriving in my garden currently are beach sunflowers, blanket sunflowers, bougainvilleas, orange jasmine and a variety of wildflowers.

For those Realtors with listings lacking gardens, pictures are worth thousands of words on contracts.

Living a low stress lifestyle in the tropics is an idea that occurs to many folks. The decision to turn that idea into reality . . . . . . Where to begin? First, choose a tropical locale. May be suggest Fort Myers Beach, Florida, a seven mile Island bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and seven miles of white, crystalline sand. An Island with easy access to the mainland, Fort Myers on one end and Bonita Springs on the other. With a unique town square encompassing restaurants, boutiques and a park. A charming beach cottage or comfortable condo awaits . .. . . you.