Getting Carded at Florida Grande

Cézanne's "The Card Players", 1895.

Card playing is a thriving pastime for many residents of Florida Grande. Frequently, from 6:30pm on, closet cardies can be seen sidling up to the the clubhouse, slipping into one of those cozy rooms with comfortable chairs and subdued lighting and then plying their arcane skills against each other for the thrill of a win.
Last Thursday was one such occasion. Under cover of the potted painters pandemonium in the hobby room, two card games get underway as the participants eagerly slaked their thirsts for conquest.
For a look into this secret world and to check out some recently discovered bonus footage of another Florida Grande ritual check this out.

Veterans Day 2011

Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. To mark this event, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.

Seven years later, back in the days when Congress actually did something, a resolution was passed causing Calvin Coolidge to proclaim the annual observation of November 11 as Armistice Day. With their usual lack of alacrity it took Congress another dozen years, until May 13, 1938, before Armistice Day was elevated to a legal holiday.
Alvin King, an Emporia, Kansas boot maker proposed in 1953 that Armistice Day be expanded to celebrate all veterans, not just those who had died in World War I. With the help of U.S. Representative Ed Rees, a bill to this effect was signed by President Dwight Eisenhower on May 26, 1954 and, in June of the same year, Congress amended the act, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans."
Ever unable to leave well alone, in 1971 Congress got to tinkering and changed November 11 to the fourth Monday in October to comply with the utterly pointless Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
 Following seven years of confusion, in 1978 Veterans Day was moved back to its original day, November 11, concurrent again with the rest of the world and where, hopefully, it will remain. See local celebration here.

Attitude Adjustment!

In the relentless search for new energy efficient processes, Marty Whitney came across a little known technique which might be described as Alcohol Powered Art. The recipe is simple, a shoal of seasoned citizens, some brightly colored paints, something to paint on and abundant adult beverages to taste. Place all ingredients in a confined space for about two hours and harass them occasionally via a public address system.
Result? A bit like chicken soup; starts off as a pile of unappetizing plant pieces and body parts but slowly melds into a smooth and enjoyable whole. See more exiting action here.

All Saints' Day

Today is All Saints' Day also known as All Hallows or Hallowmas Day. That makes yesterday the eve of Hallowmas which is contracted to Hallowe'en. I don't know if I really care as long as there is plenty of candy!

Anyway, with 57 coaches already in the park, a Fright Night Party was organized which was attended by most current occupants.

Fine dining was redefined when Pizza Hut arrived (or at least the delivery truck did) bearing sacks of odorous cardboard cartons tastefully adorned with large grease spots. YUMMY! Fifteen minutes later, 25 or so of the 30 pizzas were totally gone, replaced by numerous contented faces. Games, desserts to die for and a knockout contest for the evening's best dressed couple followed. For a step by step report of the festivities, click here.