Woke up at 6:55 today – early for me and luxuriated in bed for 20 minutes, then got up and put on a pareo. I walked into the Buddhist garden and climbed into my hammock and began reading. I feel young today like I was in my early 20’s – happy, relaxed, contented – at peace with the world. Cuddled Mick and remembered every Irish Setter I’ve ever loved.

Michael, Mick and I walked to the farmer’s market a few blocks away – what a treat. It’s small, maybe 20 booths but a dazzling variety of wonderful things. We bought beautiful handmade pastas, mango pepper sauce, organic dog treats and yummy luscious empanadas (chorizo & cheese and spinach). They were wonderful and filling. Michael bought banana bread with blueberries that I can’t wait to toast up and smother with cream cheese.

Lots of lovely fruit and veggies – a number of things I’ve never seen before. I asked their names but promptly forget them. I’ll need to write down the names next time AND remember to take pictures. I’m sorry I didn’t record the empanada and pasta stands, they were so beautiful.

Walking to and from the market, we passed some of the famous chickens and roosters that roam freely around Key West.  Originally people kept the birds caged for cock fights but the town passed a tax on the kept birds so people just let them out of the cages and let them roam free – problem solved.  Then, when a fight was scheduled, they just scooped up their favorite bird and went along their way.  Now chickens roam all over Key West.  They are everywhere; parks and backyards as you might expect, but also all over the streets, at gas stations and strip malls, etc…

I don’t think these guys ever have to fight anymore.  The trolley narrator said there are very few mosquitos around because the birds eat them all.  Not sure if this is true, but I do notice there are generally very few bugs of any kind here.