First date via Summer

“Brrr… it’s cold” I complain to my friend Nicolita.  Dressed in my jeans, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt and heavy jacket, I must look ridiculous.  Although it’s January,  a sunny slightly breezy 68 degrees feels chilly.  I prefer 80 degrees personally, but I’ll settle for 75.  As we struggle to make our way through the throngs of slow-moving crowds on Main street in Dunedin, I notice Nicole’s longing gaze directed towards the art work at almost every stand we pass by.  Once again, Main street is blocked off for an art show, something that seems to happen every weekend from fall until spring.  I’m hungry and in a hurry to walk down to the marina for some fresh fish tacos, raw marinated tuna and juicy oysters on the half shell.  I may complain, but I do love the festivities, the warm, sweet smell of roasting kettle corn, the throngs of locals and tourists alike crowding into artfully decorated stands selling everything from custom made jewelry to nude paintings of full-figured women.  We arrive at Old Bay Cafe and Fish Market, a tiny deck and bar overlooking the marina.  Amidst lively conversation, we feast on fresh oysters and in that moment there is just friendship intermingled with the taste of the sea and a hint of sand, for what is an oyster without a bit of sand?