Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

As some Sticks readers may know, I was one of the first volunteer Community Columnists for the Tampa Tribune (2005-2006), writing opinion editorials for a year, and in December 2007, I wrote another op-ed which was so kindly accepted.

My experience with the Editorial Staff, and responses received from readers, was nothing less than an extreme pleasure.

So, although I was not a paid employee, I am sorry to see the Tribune layoffs happen. First and foremost, sorry for the Tribune employees’ sake; but also for the fact that having the experience of touching fingers to paper, be it in newspapers, magazines or books, I fear will soon be a long-lost sensory delight and loss of choice.

When I first came to Tampa over 20 years ago, things were still as they were when I was a little girl. I went to the Tampa Public Library to search for something on paper cards in tall card files. I loved going through the cards, making the discovery of what I searched for and then being able to find the books on the aisles.

Now, we sit down at a computer, that can have all sorts of uninvited stuff on it, and we stare at a screen to find what we want. Is it my imagination that the smell of the library is even different?

As people read more and more online, instead of spending the very small price for a newspaper, we see that jobs will be cut. Eventually, will all newspaper publications close down?

With the advent of e-books and “e-zines”, what about printed books, magazines, bookstores and libraries? Will children soon not even know what they were? The feel of the pages, the smell of the print, the satisfaction of turning the last page - will it all soon be gone? Will it be replaced by even more tired, bleary eyes from endless hours staring at a screen?

I know we all got used to 8-tracks, videos, cassettes, and then CD’s instead of records, and then DVD’s, and now i-Pods and MP-3’s. And it’s great that you can listen to a whole book in your car. But I don’t want to think about the day when all printed material will be a thing of the past.

Plus, what about older people who just don’t want to buy a computer at their age? My mom and mother-in-law don’t want to start that now, at 76 and 80!

I think we are coming to depend on computers way too much, and I also think that the powers-that-be know that. I keep thinking of George Orwell’s book “1984″ and then the movie. The less we have in our hands or at least in our possession, the less we have access to without assistance from some huge monopolizing organization, the more controllable we are.

The main character in 1984, Winston Smith, had to retain a lot of information in his head. Stuff he wanted to know that was ripped from his grip. The possibility of the Tampa Tribune one day only being online, where we don’t have the choice of buying the newspaper on the street, reminds me of all the times people have tried to burn books, especially the Bible. There may come a time when this verse needs to be very true for those of us who believe:

“Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11, NKJV).

We’d better start memorizing what we want to remember of books, because eventually, our search on the computer might be limited by the economy too, especially if we ever start being charged for the Internet by the click, as has nearly come to pass several times.

Hi y’all, I know I’ve been missing for a while, and I had just gotten started here at Sticks, but this is why:

Have you all seen the new Master Card commercial where the SNL (Saturday Night Live) cartoon buffoon Mr. Bill goes flying off the back of a treadmill? Yeah, well don’t try it at home… or at the gym!

For all you younger folks who don’t remember Mr. Bill, the hilariously ill-fated floppy doll, you can jog your childhood memories or get new ones at YouTube, where they have this and several of his other misfortunes (YouTube has everything!). But I digress…

So I was up in Chicago visiting the family for Mother’s Day, and my sister convinced me to get up two hours earlier than we needed to and go work out at her gym. We get on the treadmills, and set them for 40 minutes.

“These are powerful. Whatever you do, don’t let go,” she says, and I laugh because I’ve been on treadmills many times before. But, of course, with only 5 minutes left out of 40, I proceeded to let go because I’m such a well-balanced sports pro (ha-ha). All of a sudden, my left foot caught the side, I was whacked over into the handlebar, and I heard this crack. Then, before she could get to me to turn the machine off, I tumbled first onto my back and end up on my stomach. Not pleasant, and very humiliating! The place was packed with people!

In immense pain, I figured I broke a rib, but told her I was fine - resisting every impulse to make her feel guilty as sin for dragging me there.

Next day, the pain was so bad I got up really early, figuring I’d sneak off to a nearby emergency room before meeting up with the family again. I called my insurance company for a network ER. They sent me to a hospital, I drove there, and found out it is now a public library!

So, I thought, “I’m going home in 2 days, I’ll live with the pain.” They don’t do anything for broken ribs anyway anymore, it just has to heal naturally. I figured as soon as I get back to Tampa, I’ll go get X-rays and see how bad it really is.

But one day after returning, I found out my husband’s brother, suffering with a glioma brain tumor just like Ted Kennedy’s for two years, was finally near the end of his pain. We left for South Carolina for a sad but also relieving ending to a long road. He believed in God and looked forward to a better place. During the wait at the hospital (4 days), I did stuff for his side of the family like go get take-out and sundries. My pain was minuscule compared to theirs.

Long story short, I finally got X-rays and did have a broken rib. It hurt pretty bad for 3-4 weeks - no treadmills or upper-body exercise for me - but then started clearing up suddenly. I haven’t been able to sit really comfortably at the computer until last week.

And so, that is my story and the moral is - don’t let go of the handlebars. And I hope everyone’s family is OK this summer.

(For more hilarious treadmill terrors, see this video, or this one. I’ve been getting them from everyone!).

Here is a reminder to Tampa Bay residents who are interested - Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer. Although the day was established using the tools of the Judeo-Christian faith, anyone can pray - however you pray - for our city, state, country, government, families, businesses, schools, etc. etc. etc.

I believe the freedom to pray (or NOT pray!) as we prefer is a choice Americans should value, that people in other countries are restricted from doing under threat of punishment.

Those of you interested can read the history and objectives of the National Day of Prayer.

When’s the last time you took a leisurely drive down Bayshore Boulevard and ate at the Colonnade Restaurant?

It’s been said that people often see less of the attractions in their own home town than tourists do. I know - it’s hard to think of just driving down a street with beautiful houses and stopping at an area restaurant in your own home town as an “attraction” - but try this sometime on a Saturday or Sunday evening just before sunset. When the need for a vacation crops up but isn’t possible, this will help.

Or, maybe you live on the Clearwater/St. Pete side and don’t know about this.

Head south on Bayshore starting from downtown Tampa. On your right are blocks full of spectacular, sprawling houses ranging in design from Victorian to 1960’s ranch-style homes. Drink in the rainbow range of colors, textures and landscaping (the only unfortunate thing is the skyscraping condos going up inbetween. Try to ignore them!).

To the left is one of the longest walking and jogging paths in the United States, and beyond that the gorgeous waterfront view looking back at downtown, with its pink and smoked glass buildings glistening in the late afternoon sun.

Securing the path from the waterfront is an elegant white stone architectural wall, about waist-high so as not to block the sightseeing. For Civil War tourism buffs, it’s all very reminiscent of Battery Row in Charleston, South Carolina, with its antebellum mansions strategically placed to overlook the water as the ships would come in. 

Just when it seems this mini-tour is coming to an end, you’ll spot a rustic looking restaurant on the right called The Colonnade. PULL IN! You are in for a treat. Mentioned briefly in a 2007 Sticks column by Judy Hill, the Colonnade Restaurant has been a Tampa mainstay for the last 70 years, yet seems to remain a secret from many residents who don’t live in that particular area of Tampa.

The Colonnade boasts fresh seafood daily and another unbeatable waterfront view from almost anywhere you sit, although the window tables are to die for. And if you arrive there by 5:00, it’s a good bet you’ll get one. Sitting here, you can almost imagine being on someone’s yacht 10 miles offshore in the Gulf. In fact, you may see some skimming by. When it’s a clear day, the sun shimmers on the water like diamonds.

If there’s a wait for a table, go into the long hallway leading to the seating and look at the pictures of Bayshore Boulevard’s historical past.

Be very hungry or plan on taking boxes home! A favorite special of mine, often featured on the Colonnade menu, is the unique almond and corn flake-coated grouper with outstanding coleslaw. But on a regular basis you can get fried catfish that doesn’t taste like catfish anywhere else. The batter recipe is unique to this establishment, and the fish is smooth and mouth-watering. To me, the sign of a good piece of cooked fish is whether the leftovers warm up well the next day, and this certainly does. Try the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer or side.

The best part is that many of the Colonnade’s entrees are very reasonably priced, almost at rollback prices, and still served with a salad at no extra cost – a practice many restaurants are now charging for. And the service is excellent, too.

Before leaving the parking lot, grab that camera you keep in the glove compartment for impromptu shots, and stand your party against the walkway railing with the city and the water in the background. It’s a keeper. 

Haven’t had enough? Drive back toward downtown and you are 8 minutes from Channelside Bay Plaza, one of Tampa’s latest rejuvenation projects. Have a coffee and dessert, stroll the shops and boutiques,  listen to music outdoors and scope out a restaurant for next weekend’s dinner. 

Or, head the other direction and check out coffee in the South Howard area now known as Tampa’s own “SoHo“. 

You’ll go home wanting to start a vacation scrapbook.

Hi - My middle name may as well be “addicted to writing”. But I was a late bloomer. It all started with an editorial submission to the St. Pete Times in 1997 that ended up winning a national writing award! With several more SPT editorials after that, I thank the editors for their encouragement to pursue writing as more than a hobby!

So this is my 11th year of freelance writing. I also enjoy ghostwriting (sorry- no school papers!). If you’re in a pinch for a writer, see my freelance website at http://www.writefromtheheart.net/.

I’ve lived in Tampa for over 20 years, but was born and raised in Chicago. Couldn’t stand the winters anymore, so I escaped! But still have family there and go back often when it’s warm. I miss the pizza.

I’m grateful and honored to join Sticks of Fire! Thanks for a great website, Tommy! Here, I will probably be writing mostly about things to do, eat and see in Tampa and area; you’d be surprised how many things us “locals” miss that tourists see! Maybe I’ll do some local politics and events, and will spotlight interesting people of Tampa Bay.

I was on the Tampa Tribune’s first “Board of Community Columnists”, (2005-2006), surprised to be selected as one of only 22 writers out of 800 applicants to write opinion editorials on topics of our choice as “fresh voices” for Tampa. Unlike fellow Sticks writers Bob and Judy, I never actually worked for the Tribune, but now write occasional freelance articles for them. Keep an eye out for links!

You may have previously seen my articles around town in 3 area-targeted Style Publications Magazines (Westchase, New Tampa, or North Pinellas Style) or the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Nationally, Light & Life Magazine has me doing a bi-monthly interview column. That’s fun - I interview “everyday” people all over the country who are faith-based “movers and shakers” in their communities.

My other writing interests include Politics & U.S. Government, Life & Family Issues, Jewish/Christian relations, Alternative Health vs. Traditional Medicine and more!

However, I am also a confessed addict of TV shows like “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars”, and love movies and music as well.

You can see my thoughts on many of these assorted issues at my page on AssociatedContent.com.

I have a great husband (24 years as of 2008), one fabulous stepdaughter, and a deep belief in God and Jesus with a sincere love and respect for all people.