Well, it wasn't all that dramatic. But I did drive to Tampa the other day to have lunch with sticks of fire guru Tommy Duncan.

We ate at Kojaks, one of Tampa's most renown eateries.
It's funky, fun. The food is good, too.
Most of all, it was delightful seeing Tommy.

The drive there was not without reverie and more than a little irritation, however.

The reverie was fun. Now that I don't have to make the drive from Northeast St. Petersburg to downtown Tampa unless I want to, I can enjoy the view. Even at noon on a Thursday, Brown Water Beach along the west side of Gandy Bridge was a popular spot. Lots of people and their dogs. I particularly love watching the dogs chase around in the water.

Note to beach-goers: Watch your step.

The irritation comes on the east side of Gandy. 

If you haven't been on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa recently - particularly the area west of Lois - avoid it. Road construction makes the route no damn fun.

I did see a bumper sticker while stopped in traffic that made me laugh: "Smile," it commanded. "It confuses people."

Anyway, Tommy is great. A kind, funny, wise guy.

We talked about this and that and I promised, PROMISED to renew my contributions to sticks.

Now that I've taken the year off that I should have committed to in the first place, I'm feeling a little more "talkative" again.

So maybe I'll see you on sticks of fire.