Pecan pie, an afternoon walking the beach and hunkering down for tomorrow's thunder, lightening and rain!

I know for sure I am down south now! There are Waffle Houses every few feet--or so it seems.  Bud and I stopped for a lunch at one yesterday and I decided to treat myself to a small 99-cent piece of pecan pie.  The waitress asked if I would like it warmed (sure), then asked if I wanted butter on it. Butter on pie! This has to be a southern thing, along with grits and sausage gravy! I said no thanks...and the 99-cent slice looked to me like a $5 slice. (Yes, I ate it!)

The weather here has been delightful. We spent the morning connecting with the post office to make sure we would be getting our Premium Forwarding service (no problem) and picking up provisions at the local Winn-Dixie Supermarket. We shopped the same chain in Florida, and picked up a rewards card there--which also works here and saved us a bit.

I say provisions because the nasty weather up north that's coming seems to be spinning off some severe weather down here as well (OK, not as bad as up north, but still). It may well be a day to hunker down, make some beef stew and read.

We also explored the dog-friendliness of the area. Our rental is a dream--fenced yards, wonderful shade--Maggie is right at home.  But unfortunately, a quick fact-finding visit to the local Humane Society revealed that the Gulf Coast has a ways to go to be as dog-friendly as the Keys.  There are no dog parks at all...none! The idea of a dog-friendly restaurant hasn't hit yet--though we stopped for a bit at the local Checkers chain (hamburgers and such) which has outdoor tables, and Maggie was a hit. No problem. We'll explore more.

We had been waiting forever to walk this long beach, and (on advice of some locals)decided to defy the no-dog signs and take Maggie. We walked the one block from our house to the beach and found a fog bank had rolled in.

It gave the beach a silvery, surreal feel, but still was just magnificent.  Sugar white sand, water actually warmer than in the Keys--don't ask us how!  Bud and Maggie were playing catch with her favorite green ball in a nano-second.

At one point a Harrison County truck roared down the sand and we cringed--Maggie was flipping and flailing around in a very fun-loving and obvious way. Would we get busted? But the fellow just smiled and waved and rolled on by.  How happy are we? Happy!!

Here's how we plan to spend a bit of every single day (weather permitting).