27-58.561N
082-49.477W
Docked
Clearwater Municipal Marina
Clearwater. Florida
Saturday, April 2
As we witness the major events of our time, such as the death of Terri Schiavo
a few miles from here, and the death watch for John Paul II several thousand
miles from here, we more appreciate the wonders of our circumstance and the
opportunities before us. While Chichi fights Meniere's disease, we still
have time and energy for fun, such as a day with The New York Yankees and
The Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies hold spring training in Clearwater,
at a stadium similar to Victory Field in Indianapolis, small, intimate, holding
perhaps 9,000 people. As we entered, Yankee short stop Derek Jeeter
was signing dozens of balls for kids lined up below us near first base. We
could have touched him. In 2002, we saw The Yankees at Yankee Stadium
(while anchored at the 79th Street Yacht Basin) from seats above the atmosphere.
We could not see the ball from there. Still, it was a great day,
our first time in The House That Ruth Built.
A day at the dog track also was fun, a first for Chichi, a third or fourth
for John. We placed a $50 bill in John's shirt pocket before the race
1, and left with $49.60 after the fourteenth. Prudent gambling has
been fun for us, perhaps once every five years or so. At this track,
the buffet meal was one of the best. However, on telling the story
to daughter Cindy, we were reminded that Greyhounds are not treated well
when they are injured or too old to race. We noticed that the track prominently
advertises a Greyhound adoption program, but we doubt that the demand from
foster parents is sufficient to handle all the available animals.
Chichi has had one gentamycin treatment, with another scheduled for April
5. After that, we will evaluate our plans. Our tentative plan
is to leave for Mexico about mid month.