REGRETS
By Duncan
Television had a story about “Regrets.”
I took a few minutes to watch the story. It was about a woman who was “regretful” about a lost love. I wondered if there are other kinds of “regrets?”
It is often said that we regret not taking action in our lives. What’s the old phrase, I woulda, coulda, shoulda?
And, of course, we can always come back with, “Well, if something hadn’t intervened. The meaning here is we had no control over our wants, needs, and desires. Really?
We might all ask ourselves, “If today was the last day on earth for you, and you knew it was your last day, what would you do with it?"
As Satchel Paige said, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
How do you pronounce “Like?”
How do you pronounce “Bike?”
How do you pronounce “Nike?”
And we all know what Nike says, “Just do it!”
So, as I’m on the road in North Fort Myers, staying with a dear friend, Tom Morrokian, I have been asked to schedule lunch and dinner with other friends today before I leave North Fort Myers tomorrow.
Tom’s living room.
My life is pretty simple. I sleep, have breakfast (only if it’s a cup of coffee), or maybe enjoy lunch with friends, have dinner, drink a cocktail, travel now and then, and write about it occasionally. Oh, and thanks for riding along on these trips.
I was asked several weeks ago to join Ken Schirmuhly for lunch at the Magnolia Landing Clubhouse if I was going to be in North Fort Myers. So we set a date. I was to meet him after his round of golf. I was unsure if he expected me to show up, and I didn’t call ahead; I decided to show up and surprise him.
Ken Schirmuhly - Pink Shirt
As I walked into the Clubhouse dining room, the hostess, who has been a pivotal part of the dining room forever, noticed me and gave me a great smile and a hug. Wow, I felt like a million dollars. It always feels great when I’m recognized, like the “Cheers” television show, where everybody knows your name.
I looked around the room and didn’t see Ken sitting at the big round table with his friends. Suddenly, he jumped up from his table and yelled my name, “Duncan, come over here and have a seat. It’s great to see you.”
I wrote a story about a chicken restaurant in Martinsville, Indiana, a while back. I may have gone a little overboard regarding the quality and flavor of the chicken, but don’t get me wrong—it was really good.
One of my Personal and Very Close Friends, Chuck Stuart, and I were having lunch at Gray Cafeteria in Mooresville, Indiana. I had ordered the fried chicken at Gray’s. Chuck leaned over and whispered, “You like fried chicken?”
I leaned back and said, “Duh! Yes.”
Chuck Stuart - Duncan - Jim Kittle - John Etchison
Chuck told me about a fried chicken restaurant (Sargent Pepper Chicken) that is out of this world. The best-fried chicken he has ever had. So, naturally, I had to give it a shot. So, I invited Chuck and a few other freinds who had read the story to sample the place. Jim Kittle, and John Etchison.
Ken had read my glowing remarks about Sargent Peppers Chicken and decided to drive from North Fort Myers, Florida, to Martinsville, Indiana (on his road trip to his home in New York State) to sample the joint. I met Ken for lunch. Now, that‘s the kind of guy who will take the opportunity to enjoy life.
Ken travels all over the United States and has family scattered from coast to coast. It’s not uncommon for him to be on the West Coast visiting family, and then I find him visiting the East Coast. He’s a traveling machine.
Ken driving his two-seat fire engine red hot rod.
Castle Pines Court
As I left the clubhouse, I decided to walk by the home I used to own from 2014 to 2019. It’s still there. Do I regret selling the place and moving back to Indiana? No, I don’t think I have any regrets. It served the purpose for the time I was there.
Tonight's dinner is at the Mexican restaurant Habaneros Mexican Grill. Tom and some of his buddies eat out regularly—once a week or something like that. Anyway, they invited me to join them, and they could not decide where to go for supper, or is it called dinner in Florida? Each suggested several places. I got to laughing when, at the last moment, they decided it would be Mexican.
The hostess said Habaneros Mexican Grill has been open in North Fort Myers for about six years. The place was clean, and as dinner hour approached, it was packed with family—more young people than I normally see in Florida.
It’s much like most Mexican Restaurants in the United States. Chips and Salsa come to the table quickly, and there is little joking or conversation with the waitstaff. They want your order and are trying to get the food to you as soon as possible. They have the system down to a fine science. The food is acceptable and hot. I only wish I didn't have a mouth full of food when the waitress took the snap.
I will move to Cape Coral tomorrow to spend a few days with Jim Tsareff. Then, I will visit Nancy Bailey in Sebring, Florida, and Erik Lopez (The Cop) in Tampa. Ride along if you like; I can put the top down on the “Mean Yellow.”
Regrets? I don’t think so; I have lived a pretty good life. I can move around the country and enjoy going places and seeing things. Yes, I guess Frank sings it best,
“Regrets, I have a few.”
