Report from Florida

Thoughts on birthdays and aging.

Hi friends.

Greetings from the west coast of Florida, where I’m in town for a few days to celebrate my father’s 81st birthday. I had fully meant to get a good night’s hotel sleep and then get up and write you an inspirational letter about writing, but in every hotel room surrounding me horny people were having sex all night long. In fact, as I am typing this at 7:30 AM one couple is coupling yet again and did I just say sort of loudly, “Give it a rest?” Maybe.

Anyway, onward. At least the breakfast bar was good.

Whilst in Florida I have learned the term “linner” which is what you eat at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. (In New Orleans we might just call it day drinking, but I’m not sure.) At his party, amidst platters of barbecue and surrounded by his loyal friends, my father gave a charming toast to all the bald men in the room. And when I looked up there were indeed multiple men with gleaming pates seated next to each other, except for the gentleman next to me, who gave a small, satisfied smile as only a man who has successfully kept all his hair can.