dateline: ft.lauderdale, fl

Mother and I both arrived safely from our separate destinations. I flew straight here from Memphis, TN. Mother arrived from Colorado Springs via Denver, Kansas City and Tampa. Whew! Quite an itinerary for an 81 year-old!!! Needless to say, she was tired when she arrived, but not TOO tired to go out to eat.

Our wonderful van driver from the Courtyard Marriott, Eric, recommended The Rustic Inn. It was controlled chaos at its best. Butch, behind the front desk, took the names of guests as they arrived and also answered the phone to add still more folks to his growing, multi-page list. As tables became available, he also announced availability to waiting parties. Mother and I watched him in action for about 30 minutes as we waited for our names to be called. (There is no seating outdoors for those waiting.)

Once a table was ready, Hillary escorted us there. How she stayed so perky and friendly in this chaos was beyond anyone's expectations. Our waiter, Freddy, took expert care of us. I ordered a Pain Killer (Parrot Bay Pineapple Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, creme de banana liqueur with a splash of lime juice, grenadine and pineapple juice). It was a great drink - didn't quite kill the pain though! Mother had a frozen marguerita.

For dinner, I had Jumbo Shrimp stuffed with Crab. Mother had the Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs (of course). We both enjoyed our food. The food was good, but not great. The Rustic Inn is really an atmosphere restaurant more than a food restaurant. Every time a birthday or anniversary was announced, everyone pounded their tables with their lobster mallets. What a racket!!! But it was fun. Don't get me wrong - I ate every bite. And they are best known for their garlic crabs. Their website is www.rusticinn.com.

This morning, we have enjoyed breakfast in the lobby and are gearing up to go on over to the cruise port to board the Ruby Princess. Yay! I am sitting at this computer typing my blog entry while Mother finishes her breakfast. I tend to gulp my meals down, eager to move on to the next activity. Mother is the slowest-eater-in-the-entire-universe. No, not really. I am reminded, however, of one of those Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle stories. (I think that was her name. She gave "cures" for common childhood problems.) One of the children needed the "slow-eater-tiny-bite-taker" cure. I think that child grew up to be my Mom. (I'm sure my lack of patience does not contribute to my observational capabilities at all.)

Well, more posts later as we travel the high seas!!!