Podcasts about Key West

00:00:00 - Topics00:01:52 - JP goes into more detail about his experience inside a biodome first discussed in Update #34 released on June 6, 2024. https://youtu.be/Lcr9DzQKI_I 00:03:41 - U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna says she was shown information inside a SCIF about “interdimensional beings” that connect to ancient texts removed from the Bible, like the Book of Enoch https://x.com/NightSkyNow/status/1997078086156947514 00:06:24 - An independent analysis of a leaked pair of Cassandra images of 3I/Atlas show they have similar morphological features to images released by amateur astronomers. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/199747310595909267700:09:03 - Dr. Michael Salla. JP Army Insider Dani Henderson GSIC. Frequency Wars. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1997853831703765098 00:10:12 - Bosnian Pyramids, ET Communication and Miracle Healing https://t.co/FwaGByfWgZ 00:11:47 - NHI needed “Meat, biological resources and blood” and they negotiated with USSR too. Agreements continue with Russia today https://x.com/i/status/1998090992860168479 00:12:55 - Met with Tyler Kiwala and Aaron Kuhn from Journey to Truth and went on a Kayak adventure through the mangroves of Key West, FL. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1998313075582406722/photo/1 00:14:17 - Dr. Horace Drew makes an important about leaked Cassandra photos. If they are fake, how were they able to accurately depict how 3I/Atlas would look like in recent Dec photos? https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1998315993832071582 00:16:43 - Jared Isaacman is on the verge of confirmation as NASA Administrator. Will he reveal what NASA knows about UFOs and visiting extraterrestrial life? https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1998317287124635937 00:17:53 - Lily Nova on Seed Vaults, Starships & Secret Landings https://x.com/i/status/1998542831523103191 00:22:13 - The Society for UAP Studies wants to make UFO research "a recognized academic field rather than merely a frontier science." https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1998687990323769528 00:24:27 - Interview Teaser: Deep State tracks starseeds and begins disruptive activities at very young ages to prevent them achieving their potential. https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1999029590816337974 00:26:23 - Connecting with the Higher Self is Key for Genuine ET Communications https://t.co/TFU7tefmg9 00:28:11 - My interview with Tyler and Aaron of Journey to Truth on the State of UFO Disclosure, JP ET contacts, James Rink, Exopolitics, etc. https://youtu.be/aP2yk6tGhM4 00:29:02 - Leaked photos of 3I/Atlas dating as far back as Jan 2025 were likely taken by a classified telescope and released by insiders. https://x.com/RedCollie1/status/1999233739474501908 00:32:24 - Here's a very interesting breakdown of the different ET starseeds incarnated on Earth and how these relate to UFO sightings associated with different ET visitors. https://x.com/Kabamur_Taygeta/status/1999272994351513706 00:36:01 - Russia's past holds deep historical ties to the Tartarian civilization, a culture known for advanced energy systems, telepathic communication methods, and scalar-based technologies https://x.com/MichaelSalla/status/1999480586675618039 Join Dr. Salla on Patreon for Early Releases, Webinar Perks and More.Visit https://Patreon.com/MichaelSalla/

This week we are telling you fun gift ideas for the Key West lover in your life!!Use this link for Key West Candle Company as it helps our business grow!https://keywestcandleandbathco.com/?sca_ref=10180270.TmLt7VW8dUBYq66&fbclid=IwY2xjawOluQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeAgXHL0i4t5oSGOio21bioRZ_CHjo2ngzO1F464VLGa8knd3Gt80RgN28YZw_aem_wel0M0ciI2Hg99452PcYdgGo join like and follow our new Facebook page dedicated to all things local Key Westhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584085645145

Bridge Engineering: Part 2 Why is my mom here? Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. I awoke to the sound of Lizzie's bathroom door opening and closing, and the girls' footsteps moving around her bedroom. I laid there for a minute then reluctantly pulled myself out of bed to splash some water on my face and slip on a pair of flannel lounge pants and a t-shirt. I emerged from my bedroom and looked down in the great room to see the girls standing by the sofa looking at Stefani as she slept. Toni heard me coming down the stairs and asked, "Why is my mom here?" Lizzie followed that with the accurate but impolite assessment, "Her makeup is all smeared." Before I could say anything, Toni shook her mom's shoulder and loudly inquired, "Mom! Mom! Are you ok?!" Stefani stirred, stretched her legs under the blankets, and drowsily answered, "Yes honey, I'm fine. Mom just had a really rough night." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni and Lizzie went into the pantry and started lining up cereal boxes while debating the merits of each selection. By that time, I was also downstairs and gently offered, "Good morning" to Stefani as I went about rekindling the hearth. She moaned as she sat up on the sofa and said, "I'm so embarrassed. I can't believe I came here like that last night." "I'm glad you did. I don't know what that was all about, but I was happy to know you were here and safe." She gave a muffled "Thank you." while she hung her head and cradled it in her hands, then mumbled to herself, "I can't believe I thought he would be any different." Toni must have had one ear tuned into our conversation and interjected in an annoyed tone of voice, "Is this about a man?" Lizzie looked at Toni, then at me and matter-of-factly said, "She should go sit on the bridge." It was an unquestionable truth in Lizzie's mind that time sitting on the bridge would fix whatever was bothering Toni's mom. I smiled and said, "Lizzie, I think that is a great idea." She puffed her chest proudly and went about pouring a bowl of cereal. I finished adding logs to the fire and suggested to Stefani, "There's a half-bath by the kitchen, or you're welcome to use my bathroom upstairs if you would like a shower. I'll pull together some fresh clothes for you. When you are ready, I think we should go for a walk;” then in a slightly louder voice added, "away from little eavesdroppers." "You really wouldn't mind if I took a shower?" "Not at all. I'll get you some towels and toiletries." The corners of her mouth turned upward in a small smile of gratitude and, for the first time that morning, Stefani looked me directly in the eyes and offered a very heart-felt, "Thank you." She stood up, pulled the hem of her dress down, and followed me up the stairs in her black legging covered feet. At the top of the stairs, I reached in the linen closet and handed her a stack of two bath towels, a hand towel, and a washcloth. My hands then sorted through some of the miscellaneous toiletries stored in the same closet and added a toothbrush, toothpaste, and stick of pre-teen girly deodorant. I apologized as I set the brightly patterned container on top of the towels, "Sorry, you're stuck with this unless you want to use men's deodorant." Returning to our inventory of toiletries, I started checking labels on bottles of Lizzie's 2-in-1 bodywash and shampoo, "Ok, looks like your choices are strawberry, cotton candy, or bubble gum." She chuckled and said, "I think I'll go with strawberry." "Good call." We proceeded into my bedroom where I motioned her toward the ensuite bathroom and said, "Make yourself at home and use whatever you need in there. I'm pretty sure the door locks. To be honest, I've never used it." She surveyed the bedroom and its contents on her way to the bathroom and I walked the opposite direction toward my walk-in closet. "I'll find some clothes while you are in the shower and set them on the corner of the bed." She softly said, "Thank you." while walking into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her. I proceeded to rummage through my closet looking for things that might work. I knew my clothes made for a 6'-3" tall man wouldn't fit her properly, but they were the only option available. My hands methodically moved across the wall rack, sliding each hanger a bit so I could examine the respective article. After a few minutes, I heard the sounds of Stefani turning on the shower, opening the glass shower door, and then water sporadically splashing against the tile and glass enclosure. My mind came to the awareness that there was a completely naked woman in my shower, just on the other side of the door. I couldn't help but think of how her intimate features must look as the steaming spray trickled down her body. Realizing I was standing there inappropriately fantasizing about a woman in a questionable emotional condition, I snapped myself out of it and continued thumbing through hangers to arrive at a pair of heavy flannel lounge pants. They were a much too small Christmas gift from years past, but I figured they would work for Stefani if she rolled the pant legs up a little. A t-shirt and sweatshirt seemed like the obvious choices for her upper half given a lot of women like relaxing in oversized men's clothes anyway. Organizing my selections, I noticed there weren't any undergarments and shrugged it off thinking she would just have to re-use what she had on, or go commando, but then had a last-second thought to grab a pair of boxer shorts. I folded everything neatly, set the items in a pyramiding stack on the corner of the bed, and closed the bedroom door behind me on the way out. About 30-minutes later, the girls were in Lizzie's room and I was sitting in the great room when Stefani padded down the stairs in bare feet wearing the lounge pants and the oversized t-shirt that was slightly moist around the collar from her damp curls. The t-shirt clung a little to her moist torso and gave evidence of her unrestrained tits jiggling under the fabric. She smiled as she reached the main floor and softly said, "Thank you. I really needed that." "You're welcome. Are you hungry?" "Not really, my stomach is still turning a little from last night." she said as she sat next to me on the sofa and folded her legs beneath her. "I'm so sorry for the drama. I wasn't thinking clearly and I'm thoroughly embarrassed I showed up here like that." "Please don't be. Like I said earlier, I'm just happy to know you're safe. You seemed pretty traumatized." Stefani replied, "Traumatized is probably a little strong." before seemingly pausing to consider if she wanted to offer any more information. She exhaled loudly and hesitantly continued, "I've had some; let's call them; rocky roads in my personal life, and last night was just the latest example." I sympathetically offered, "I'm sorry." She shrugged her shoulders and introspectively recapped, "I've worked with him for several years and thought he was a nice guy; and he was until he started drinking. Dinner was enjoyable, but by the time we all got to the dance club he was pretty buzzed and started getting handsy. When I rebuffed his advances, he got belligerent and more forceful." Stefani's eyes were beginning to swell as she recounted the previous evening's events in her head. My own head was filled with questions and concerns, but I sensed she had more to say and didn't want to hinder her in getting it out. "Thankfully, my coworkers saw what was happening and interceded. He took off and that was the end of it." She paused for a moment then tearily continued, "It's not just him. Last night wasn't the first time something like this happened. I seem to be a magnet for jerks and losers. At least this one wasn't married; that I know of." "I'm sorry." She quietly repeated to herself something she had said the previous night, "Why can't I escape it?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity, "You said that last night too. What do you mean you can't escape 'it'?" She answered coldly through her tears, "Alcohol," before pausing for a few quick moments to gather herself and continuing, "It ruined my marriage. It robbed Toni of a father. It turned my coworker into a creep last night. Etc, etc;” I took her hand in mine and said, "I'm sorry. I understand." She abruptly pulled her hand from mine and argued, "I appreciate your compassion, but please don't say you understand." I stood up and said, "I think we should go for a walk outside." I didn't really give her an opportunity to say no and walked to the mudroom to get a jacket. I put mine on, then handed one to Stefani as she followed me. We both slipped on a pair of my fleece lined muck boots. The boots and jacket were both too large for her, but they would suffice. I shouted to the girls that Stefani and I were going on a walk, then we stepped outside. As we strolled away from the house and into the woods, I inquired, "Please tell me about your ex-husband." "Well, we met in college and he was wonderful. I thought he was everything I wanted in life. His drinking wasn't an issue then. I mean we both went to the typical college parties and had too much to drink, but it wasn't a problem. We married the summer after we graduated and started a typical newlywed life." Our boots crunched through fall leaves on the forest floor as Stefani continued, "After we were married, he occasionally went out with friends or old college buddies and came home drunk. Again, it wasn't frequent and wasn't anything concerning." We reached Lizzie's bridge and both sat on the edge dangling our feet over the water below. "Over time, and after Toni came along, his occasional nights out evolved into several times a week and he became defensive whenever I would say anything about it. Eventually, alcoholism; let's call it what it was; completely overtook him. It wasn't just going out with friends anymore. He always had a drink in his hand. Commitments were meaningless to him and he would show up hours late, if at all. Toni's birthday parties, family holidays, dates with me; it didn't matter." "By the time Toni was three, he lost his job, which only gave him an excuse to be drunk all day. I constantly begged him to get help, but that would only agitate him and cause a fight. That continued for about a year until his agitation turned into physical abuse. That was my breaking point and I told him I wanted a divorce." Stefani was now talking through streaming tears and I took her hand in mine as a show of support. "The night I told him, he went out to the bar and never came back. After a couple weeks, I realized he was never coming back and I hired a divorce attorney who, in turn, hired a private investigator to track him down. It took a few months, but they eventually found him in Key West where he could find work as a day laborer on fishing charters and beg enough money and free drinks from tourists to get by. He demanded a healthy ransom to sign the divorce papers but, at that point, I would have paid anything." With that, she fell silent and leaned to rest her head on my shoulder. We sat quietly listening to the gentle breeze in the trees, punctuated occasionally by Stefani's sniffles. After a few minutes of building courage, I sighed and started talking, "I think I told you that Lizzie and I lived in Indiana before moving here, right?" Stefani answered softly with her head still on my shoulder, "Yes." "Well, I grew up there, in a very small town in the southern part of the state. When I was younger, my dad was a functional alcoholic. He was the best heavy equipment mechanic in the area and ran a very successful business, but came home and drank himself to blackout every night." Stefani raised her head to look at me as I continued talking, "He wasn't an angry or abusive drunk, and was never drunk in public. He was just basically an absent parent. He worked all day then came home, sat in front of the television and drank until he passed out." "My mom did everything for us and held the family together until she got sick when I was in 8th grade. The ovarian cancer had already metastasized throughout her abdomen when she was diagnosed, and she was gone a few months later." My hand had held Stefani's while she was talking and now she reciprocated by interlacing her slender fingers with mine. "Even though he didn't show it, my dad loved her deeply and her death sent him into a tailspin. He turned into a full-time drunk and lost everything; the business, the house, the cars. There were many mornings that I would wake up for school and find him passed out in the living room or, worse yet, already starting the new day with a drink in his hand. When I was in high school, it was common for me to get a call from the Sheriff saying he was drunk or passed out somewhere around town. The Sheriff was a family friend and just called me to come get him rather than arresting him. Looking back on it, he was just an enabler by letting him go." Stefani squeezed my hand in hers as I spoke, "I worked odd jobs around town and managed to earn enough money for my dad and I to survive in a tiny apartment above the hardware store. Between poverty status and my good school grades, I managed to get a full scholarship at IU in Bloomington." "I was concerned about how my dad would take me leaving for school, but it turned out I didn't need to worry. His only question was if I would have a job and keep paying the bills. I did and continued doing so even after Julie and I were married." Stefani leaned against me as we sat on the bridge and offered, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You do understand." "Yes, unfortunately I do." She cautiously probed further, "If I may ask, is your dad still around?" I had repressed this part of my past for years and wasn't sure I wanted to dredge up those memories. My head hung and watched the bubbling water below. After several minutes without a response, Stefani squeezed my hand and prompted, "David?" "He's in prison." She dug deeper when she realized I wasn't going to elaborate on my own, "Why?" I continued looking into the moving water and softly said, "Julie and Lizzie were hit by a drunk driver." It took a second to register in her mind, "Oh my God, it was him." "Yes." She took her hand from mine and, instead, wrapped both arms around me in a sympathetic and understanding hug. We sat in each other's arms for quite some time before I said, "We should probably go back inside and see what the girls are doing." Stefani agreed and we slowly made our way back through the woods toward the house. As we walked, I said, "Lizzie doesn't know any of that stuff about her grandfather. I'll tell her someday, but probably not anytime soon." "I understand. Toni was young enough that she doesn't remember her dad and didn't know why he left. I avoided the topic for a long time, but eventually I had to tell her." "Lizzie knows that she and Julie were in a car accident. She just doesn't know the part about my dad." Stefani stopped walking and pulled on my arm for me to stop with her. She pulled me into an embrace and said, "Thank you." I returned her hug, then kept one arm around her back as we finished walking to the house. Stefani, Toni, Lizzie and I spent most of the afternoon playing board games by the fireplace and enjoying the time together. As we did, I found myself becoming attracted to Stefani, both mentally and physically. The cold, guarded person I knew faded away and a new sunny, alluring personality emerged as she smiled and laughed. I stole glances while she wasn't looking, enjoying the simple way she sat with one leg folded beneath her and the other pulled up so she could rest her chin on her knee, the way she twisted curls of hair in her slender fingers when she thought, the way her neatly-painted toes flexed when she reached for the board game pieces, and the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Later in the evening, Stefani and I collaborated on preparation of an impromptu taco dinner, before we all said our goodbyes. Still in my borrowed clothes as they left, Stefani gave me one more hug and whispered in my ear, "Thank you again for taking me in." before giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. Uniting. Play dates continued frequently for Lizzie and Toni over the following weeks, both at Stefani's house and at mine. However, unlike before, Stefani would invite me to stay and I would do the same when at my house. Sometimes we would simply sit quietly in each other's company working on our laptops. Other times we would chat casually about a wide range of topics, getting to know each other and exploring our commonalities and differences. During one of those discussions, we found ourselves talking about balancing life demands as a single parent; children, work, cooking, cleaning, etc., and how it left very little time for personal interests and pursuits. I joked, "Ha, sharing the work is definitely a strong argument for having a partner!" Stefani looked at me and very seriously asked, "Have you dated since Julie passed?" "I've been on a few dates, but I wouldn't say I've dated. A couple years after we moved here, some of my friends started trying to set me up with people. The ladies were nice enough, but I wasn't ready yet and it just didn't feel right. After a few dates, I decided it was best to just decline their attempts" She probed further, "How long ago was that?" "The last one was maybe 4 years ago." I answered before returning the question, "How about you? Have you dated?" She groaned, "Hmm, my dating history isn't any better than what happened with that guy from my office. I've met a few guys, but they've all turned out to be jerks. I tell you, I'm a magnet for them. One guy that I really liked and went out with for about a month, turned out to be married. The others weren't that much different than the guy from work, and it became obvious on the first dates that they were only looking for sex, not a relationship." "I'm sorry." Neither one of us said anything more on the topic and we moved on to other subjects, but there was an unspoken understanding that we were both exploring the other person's openness to a relationship. Friendsgiving. The week after Thanksgiving, Stefani and I sat on stools at my kitchen island tapping away on our laptop keyboards while Toni and Lizzie played upstairs. I was answering emails, and Stefani was filling out what looked to be a very complicated accounting spreadsheet on her screen. After an hour or so, Stefani sighed and announced, "I need a break from these numbers." She extended her arms straight above her head and arched her back as she stretched. The motion served to thrust her tits outward, stretching the fabric of her thin button-up blouse and revealing the intricate texture of a lace bra beneath. It also caused the bottom of the untucked blouse to rise upward, exposing a flat, toned midriff and cute belly button. Having been caught looking, she just smiled knowingly and asked "How was your Thanksgiving?" "It was good. Lizzie and I went over to George and Linda's house for a 'Friendsgiving'. There were about ten people there, plus a few kids. We stayed for most of the day, then came home and roasted some marshmallows in the fireplace. How was yours?" "It was stereotypical," she replied as she continued in a mock monotonous tone, "We went to my parents' house, ate dinner, and all the men fell asleep watching football while my mom and sisters harassed me to find a husband. You know, all the usual things." I said sarcastically, "Sounds delightful." then asked seriously, "I take it that is a topic of conversation at every family gathering?" "Yes, they think they are being funny about it, joking about how they should set me up with this guy or that guy, but it gets annoying really fast. Especially since I know they really aren't joking. At least I won't have to hear it at Christmas. My parents decided to go on a Caribbean cruise over the holidays, so my sisters are all going to their husbands' sides of their families." I processed that for a few seconds, then asked, "Have you made any other plans? Would you and Toni like to spend Christmas here with us?" Stefani sincerely replied, "I would love that. I know Toni will too." We went on to plan out the details and decided that Stefani would bring their gifts over on Christmas Eve so she didn't have to transport them Christmas morning. That discussion evolved into Stefani bringing some of her family's traditional Italian dishes for dinner, then further into a more formal Christmas Eve dining event. She thought it would be fun for the girls, and I certainly didn't object to the idea of seeing Stefani in a nice dress. Holidays. On the Saturday two weeks before Christmas, Lizzie and I went to the local Rotary Club tree sale. Lizzie carefully inspected every tree on the lot before running back to one of the first trees near the entrance and declaring, "This is it! This is the perfect tree!" The Frazier Fir was a little big and a little expensive for my preference, but I acquiesced and paid the man standing next to me with a perceptive grin on his face. After strapping the tree on top of my Jeep, we climbed in and I asked Lizzie, "Should we see if Toni wants to come help decorate it?" Lizzie bounced in her seat and squealed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Stefani, "Just bought tree. U2 want to decorate tonight?" She replied back almost immediately, "Yes, I'll bring chili." When we got home, I untied the tree in the gravel driveway and did my best to shake out any loose needles. Before taking it in the house, Lizzie and I decided on a location off to the side of the great room fireplace and shifted furniture around to accommodate the tree. I then dug the tree stand and some boxes of decorations out of the basement. After all the preparations were made, I brought the tree inside. Lizzie steadied the empty stand while I placed the base of the tree and held it upright while Lizzie tightened the stand's handscrews to secure it in place. With it tightened as much as Lizzie's little fingers could muster, I crawled under the tree and made little adjustments while Lizzie gave me left or right straightening instructions. When she was satisfied, I gave each of the handscrews a final tightening. We stood together admiring our work and congratulated each other on the job well done before she went get a container of water for the tree. I spent the next couple hours on household tasks that I hadn't accomplished during the week, then decided to get cleaned up a little before Stefani and Toni arrived. I washed up, applied some fresh deodorant and cologne, then changed into a pair of casual khakis and an ugly but festive Christmas sweater. Decorating. Stefani and Toni arrived soon after I changed. Stefani carrying a crockpot of chili and Toni carrying a bag full of accompaniments. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door and unloaded their hands as they shed their coats and shoes. Stefani laughed at my sweater as she slid her coat off her shoulders, "Seriously?" I feigned ignorance and replied sarcastically, "What?!" With coats hung up and the crock pot plugged in, the four of us found our way over to the unadorned tree and began discussing how to decorate it. I opened the box containing light strands and said, "We have some multi-color lights and some white lights, which should we use ladies?" The two girls discussed it for a moment then answered in unison, "All of them!" I chuckled and started untangling the light strands and stringing them around the tree as Stefani and the girls explored the other boxes of decorations I had brought up from the basement. I couldn't help but admire Stefani as she picked through the boxes and watched me wrap lights around the tree. She was wearing a loose-fitting cream color corded sweater, black leggings, and cream color fuzzy socks that matched her sweater. I'm sure she intended it as a comfortable lounging outfit, but it complimented her long, toned body very well. I finished the last strand of lights and took a seat on the sofa while Toni and Lizzie continued unwrapping ornaments and laying them out on the floor. Stefani had found a tree skirt in one of the boxes and asked, "Should I put it on?" I answered, "Sure. There should be another one somewhere in the boxes if you want to see it, but I think the one you have is the best." She said, "This one is nice." then crawled over to the tree. She unfolded the skirt and reached under the tree while on her hands and knees to pull it around the trunk. Gravity slid the bottom of her oversize sweater above her hips and a few inches up her back as she leaned and stretched to adjust the skirt, presenting a wonderful view of her perfect heart-shaped rear. My gaze was fixed on the sensual, womanly curves that were only slightly veiled by the form-fitting legging fabric. Stefani pulled the skirt edges outward and tried her best to smooth any wrinkles before asking, "How does that look?" Still staring at her ass, I rallied courage to suggestively answer, "It looks incredible." Curious about the overly enthusiastic response, Stefani looked back over her shoulder and saw me looking at her rear, not the tree skirt. She smiled mischievously, subtly wiggled her ass, then spent a couple more minutes unnecessarily straightening imaginary wrinkles in the skirt. The girls were unaware of the adult exchanges and Lizzie innocently asked, "Can we start putting ornaments on now?" I came back to reality and answered, "Sure, go for it!" as Stefani moved to sit next to me on the sofa. The girls formulated a plan for shorter Lizzie to decorate the bottom of the tree, taller Toni to hang ornaments on the middle section, and Stefani and me to get whatever they couldn't reach. Stefani nestled against my side as we watched the girls make trips back and forth between selecting ornaments laid on the floor and choosing the perfect location for each on the tree. Their happiness being together and sharing in the festive atmosphere was infectious, and I sat there feeling emotions I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was very comfortable to have Toni and Stefani there with us. It just felt right. With those thoughts swirling in my head, my hand reached to find Stefani's and our fingers intuitively interlaced. My heart swelled as Stefani snuggled further into me. When the girls had their portions of the tree sufficiently loaded, Stefani and I finished decorating the upper portion and I added the crowning star. We all stood back to admire our work and I flipped the switch for the grand lighting finale. The girls cheered with delight while Stefani and I each put an arm around the other's back and shared a side-hug while appreciating the tree. After sharing a few moments, Stefani moved on to serve dinner while I cleaned up the empty decoration boxes. We all shared conversation over the meal at the dining room table, then played some after-dinner card games. I felt a pang of emptiness when it was time for Stefani and Toni to leave, and really didn't want them to go. That evening I felt a sense of family that I hadn't felt since Julie died. I didn't want to scare Stefani with the heaviness of my thoughts, and understatedly said, "I really enjoyed spending the day with you. I hope we can all spend more evenings like this together." Stefani wasn't as subtle. As they were putting their coats on and heading out the door, she gave me a goodbye hug with the girls looking on, and whispered in my ear, "I didn't see mistletoe hung anywhere. You should get some." Holiday Break. The week before Christmas was a whirlwind, filled with school holiday activities, Christmas shopping, and end-of-the-year accounting for my business. There wasn't time for play dates, but we did all see each other at the school holiday play and concert. Both girls had parts in the play, Toni as an ice skater and Lizzie tending a chestnut roasting cart. Stefani and I found each other in the crowd of parents entering the auditorium and enjoyed the show side-by-side. I didn't know how she felt about the two of us being friendly in public, so I sat next to her playing the part of a plutonic acquaintance. It was Stefani who reached over and placed her hand on the top of my thigh, which I covered with mine and gave a squeeze of affection. We all went to the downtown sweet shop after the concert where the girls both ate mountainous ice cream sundaes while Stefani and I sipped on decaf coffee. We shared another goodbye hug when we parted ways at the end of the evening. This time it was my turn to whisper in Stefani's ear, "We need to find some time alone." She inhaled sharply and shuddered a little when I discreetly placed a kiss just under her ear. The Big Event. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Lizzie and I made some final preparations for the big event, including retrieval of a formal set of china and crystal stemware packed away in the basement. We washed all the china and stemware before turning our attention to the table by spreading a white linen tablecloth, arranging the china and crystal place settings, and creating a centerpiece with some fir boughs and velvet ribbon. The crowning element was a forest of candles randomly spaced along the center of the table. After finishing, I steered Lizzie up to her room to change clothes before doing a quick final clean of the kitchen and great room, then heading upstairs to freshen up and change. I opted for a slightly casual look with a sport coat and open collar button-down shirt. Lizzie went for an all-out, over-the-top look in a way only a third-grade girl can, with a long lace dress, heels, and an abundance of costume jewelry. I heard gravel crunching under tires as I was complimenting Lizzie on her dress and looked out the window to see Stefani and Toni's car coming to a stop outside. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door. Lizzie with squeals of excitement for Toni, and me with a hug for Stefani. With a long overcoat still on, Stefani said, "Presents and dinner are in the trunk of my car. Would you mind?" "Of course not." I didn't bother putting on a coat and swiftly walked out to retrieve hot trays of food covered in aluminum foil and packed in boxes. Toni held the door open upon my return to the house and I complimented her attire, which was on par with Lizzie's style for the evening. I entered to see Stefani standing in the kitchen wearing a floor-length, deep burgundy satin evening gown. The off-the-shoulder cut drew attention to her lithe neck and sensually exposed collar bones and shoulders, while the deep-V bust line and her pendant necklace pointed directly to the shallow valley between her modest tits. The torso of the dress was neatly fitted to her narrow waist then flared outward over her hips into the pleated A-line gown. It was the perfect dress for her body and she looked absolutely amazing. My admiration grew even more when she shifted position to purposefully reveal a long, toned leg through the full length slit in the side. "You look incredible!" I praised while placing the boxes of food on the kitchen island and making a show of looking at her from head to toe. She feigned a shy, "Aww, thank you." and humbly said, "I wear it once a year for the company holiday party." I turned to make another trip to her car and on the way out the door, I replied, "You should wear it more often. You make that dress look really good." I made several trips schlepping boxes of food and Christmas presents. When I returned and put the last couple boxes on the kitchen counter, Stefani had begun unpacking an assortment of homemade Italian dishes, including chicken piccata, fettucine with clam sauce, an antipasto salad, and an assortment of other side dishes. I exclaimed, "Wow, this looks and smells fantastic!" as I moved to steal a small clam off the top of the fettucine. She swatted my hand and playfully disciplined, "You need to wait, mister!" The girls tasked themselves with lighting the numerous candles on the table as I dimmed the house lights. Meanwhile, Stefani finished plating the last few items and carried them to the table. We dined by the soft glow of candlelight talking about good memories of Christmas, with Stefani and I temporarily ignoring the painful ones from our respective pasts. At one point, as the girls were consumed with a conversation of their own, Stefani commented, "This china is beautiful. You have good tastes." I didn't want to kill the mood, but I also wanted to be honest. "Julie picked it out for our wedding registry. She had an eye for the finer things in life." "Oh my gosh, I'm so, so sorry! I should have known!" "Please, it's okay. I wouldn't have used it if I wasn't ready to talk about it. I figured it was time to dust it off for a special occasion." She meekly asked, "Is this the first time you've used it since?" "Yes." Her beautiful blue eyes looked warmly into mine as her long slender fingers mindlessly twirled a lock of hair above her right ear. She spoke with layers of meaning, "I'm understanding more and more that Julie knew how to choose the finer things." We shared an extended gaze across the table that was only interrupted by Toni asking, "Can we have dessert now?" Stefani and I chuckled and she answered, "Yes, you may." before standing up to clear the table of dirty plates. I offered in my best butler voice, "I will service the table, madam, if you would like to prepare the next course for the Ladies of the Court." The girls thought that was hilarious and started practicing their own stuffy accents, which only intensified as consequences of the sugary tiramisu and cannoli took hold. When we had all finished, I announced in my Lordship voice, "Thank you Ladies, the food was remarkable and so was the company. Shall we retire to the parlor for after-dinner amusements?" The girls looked confused, so Stefani clarified, "He means games." after which they scrambled out of their chairs to explore the cabinet housing our selection of card and board games. Stefani and I cleared the table and generally tidied up the kitchen while the girls debated which games to play. We worked efficiently as a team, sharing a lot of unnecessary and 'accidental' touches as we moved about. The girls finished their game selections and we played several games of 'Chutes 'N Ladders' before moving on to 'Sorry' and, finally, a very long game of 'Monopoly' in which they eventually lost interest and asked if they could go watch a movie in the basement. Stefani started to object, "It's getting late. We should probably be going." before I gestured for the girls to go on downstairs. They didn't wait for Stefani's response and took off down the stairs. She looked at me quizzically as I stood up and motioned for her to follow me. We trailed the girls down the stairs where Stefani silently absorbed what was before her. I had set up two twin beds in front of the downstairs television and created a makeshift tent out of some decorative tree branches, tulle fabric, and twinkle lights. It was a perfect sleepover paradise for two third-grade girls. I put my arm around Stefani and whispered in her ear, "You're right, it is getting late. Maybe you should just spend the night." She put her arm around my back and whispered back, "Umm; sounds nice, but;” as she nodded toward the girls. I responded not to her, but to Lizzie and Toni who were sitting on one of the beds scrolling through movie options on the DVR. "Girls?" When they both raised their heads to look at me, I announced, "We've decided to let you have a sleepover tonight so that we can all be here together for Christmas morning;” They cheered and hugged each other before I continued, "; but there are a couple rules; first, you can watch a movie, then you need to get ready for bed in the bathroom down here and go right to sleep. The pink gift bags on your beds are special Christmas Eve sleepover kits with pajamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a few other things." Lizzie and Toni scurried to check out the gift bags, but I interceded, "Wait a minute; the second rule is that you can't come upstairs until 7:00 tomorrow morning;” I said motioning to Stefani and I, "; we need a decent night's sleep. Do you both agree to the rules?" They eagerly shouted in unison, "Yes, Yes, Yes!" "Ok, we'll see you on Christmas morning!" Before we could turn to leave, Toni asked, "Mom, where will you sleep?" I anticipated the question and interceded with a little white lie, "She'll sleep in my bed. I'm going to sleep on the great room sofa so I can make sure you two don't try to sneak upstairs to look at the presents." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni simply said, "Okay, goodnight mom." To be continued in part 3. Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts, for Literotica.

Bridge Engineering: Part 2 Why is my mom here? Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. I awoke to the sound of Lizzie's bathroom door opening and closing, and the girls' footsteps moving around her bedroom. I laid there for a minute then reluctantly pulled myself out of bed to splash some water on my face and slip on a pair of flannel lounge pants and a t-shirt. I emerged from my bedroom and looked down in the great room to see the girls standing by the sofa looking at Stefani as she slept. Toni heard me coming down the stairs and asked, "Why is my mom here?" Lizzie followed that with the accurate but impolite assessment, "Her makeup is all smeared." Before I could say anything, Toni shook her mom's shoulder and loudly inquired, "Mom! Mom! Are you ok?!" Stefani stirred, stretched her legs under the blankets, and drowsily answered, "Yes honey, I'm fine. Mom just had a really rough night." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni and Lizzie went into the pantry and started lining up cereal boxes while debating the merits of each selection. By that time, I was also downstairs and gently offered, "Good morning" to Stefani as I went about rekindling the hearth. She moaned as she sat up on the sofa and said, "I'm so embarrassed. I can't believe I came here like that last night." "I'm glad you did. I don't know what that was all about, but I was happy to know you were here and safe." She gave a muffled "Thank you." while she hung her head and cradled it in her hands, then mumbled to herself, "I can't believe I thought he would be any different." Toni must have had one ear tuned into our conversation and interjected in an annoyed tone of voice, "Is this about a man?" Lizzie looked at Toni, then at me and matter-of-factly said, "She should go sit on the bridge." It was an unquestionable truth in Lizzie's mind that time sitting on the bridge would fix whatever was bothering Toni's mom. I smiled and said, "Lizzie, I think that is a great idea." She puffed her chest proudly and went about pouring a bowl of cereal. I finished adding logs to the fire and suggested to Stefani, "There's a half-bath by the kitchen, or you're welcome to use my bathroom upstairs if you would like a shower. I'll pull together some fresh clothes for you. When you are ready, I think we should go for a walk;” then in a slightly louder voice added, "away from little eavesdroppers." "You really wouldn't mind if I took a shower?" "Not at all. I'll get you some towels and toiletries." The corners of her mouth turned upward in a small smile of gratitude and, for the first time that morning, Stefani looked me directly in the eyes and offered a very heart-felt, "Thank you." She stood up, pulled the hem of her dress down, and followed me up the stairs in her black legging covered feet. At the top of the stairs, I reached in the linen closet and handed her a stack of two bath towels, a hand towel, and a washcloth. My hands then sorted through some of the miscellaneous toiletries stored in the same closet and added a toothbrush, toothpaste, and stick of pre-teen girly deodorant. I apologized as I set the brightly patterned container on top of the towels, "Sorry, you're stuck with this unless you want to use men's deodorant." Returning to our inventory of toiletries, I started checking labels on bottles of Lizzie's 2-in-1 bodywash and shampoo, "Ok, looks like your choices are strawberry, cotton candy, or bubble gum." She chuckled and said, "I think I'll go with strawberry." "Good call." We proceeded into my bedroom where I motioned her toward the ensuite bathroom and said, "Make yourself at home and use whatever you need in there. I'm pretty sure the door locks. To be honest, I've never used it." She surveyed the bedroom and its contents on her way to the bathroom and I walked the opposite direction toward my walk-in closet. "I'll find some clothes while you are in the shower and set them on the corner of the bed." She softly said, "Thank you." while walking into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her. I proceeded to rummage through my closet looking for things that might work. I knew my clothes made for a 6'-3" tall man wouldn't fit her properly, but they were the only option available. My hands methodically moved across the wall rack, sliding each hanger a bit so I could examine the respective article. After a few minutes, I heard the sounds of Stefani turning on the shower, opening the glass shower door, and then water sporadically splashing against the tile and glass enclosure. My mind came to the awareness that there was a completely naked woman in my shower, just on the other side of the door. I couldn't help but think of how her intimate features must look as the steaming spray trickled down her body. Realizing I was standing there inappropriately fantasizing about a woman in a questionable emotional condition, I snapped myself out of it and continued thumbing through hangers to arrive at a pair of heavy flannel lounge pants. They were a much too small Christmas gift from years past, but I figured they would work for Stefani if she rolled the pant legs up a little. A t-shirt and sweatshirt seemed like the obvious choices for her upper half given a lot of women like relaxing in oversized men's clothes anyway. Organizing my selections, I noticed there weren't any undergarments and shrugged it off thinking she would just have to re-use what she had on, or go commando, but then had a last-second thought to grab a pair of boxer shorts. I folded everything neatly, set the items in a pyramiding stack on the corner of the bed, and closed the bedroom door behind me on the way out. About 30-minutes later, the girls were in Lizzie's room and I was sitting in the great room when Stefani padded down the stairs in bare feet wearing the lounge pants and the oversized t-shirt that was slightly moist around the collar from her damp curls. The t-shirt clung a little to her moist torso and gave evidence of her unrestrained tits jiggling under the fabric. She smiled as she reached the main floor and softly said, "Thank you. I really needed that." "You're welcome. Are you hungry?" "Not really, my stomach is still turning a little from last night." she said as she sat next to me on the sofa and folded her legs beneath her. "I'm so sorry for the drama. I wasn't thinking clearly and I'm thoroughly embarrassed I showed up here like that." "Please don't be. Like I said earlier, I'm just happy to know you're safe. You seemed pretty traumatized." Stefani replied, "Traumatized is probably a little strong." before seemingly pausing to consider if she wanted to offer any more information. She exhaled loudly and hesitantly continued, "I've had some; let's call them; rocky roads in my personal life, and last night was just the latest example." I sympathetically offered, "I'm sorry." She shrugged her shoulders and introspectively recapped, "I've worked with him for several years and thought he was a nice guy; and he was until he started drinking. Dinner was enjoyable, but by the time we all got to the dance club he was pretty buzzed and started getting handsy. When I rebuffed his advances, he got belligerent and more forceful." Stefani's eyes were beginning to swell as she recounted the previous evening's events in her head. My own head was filled with questions and concerns, but I sensed she had more to say and didn't want to hinder her in getting it out. "Thankfully, my coworkers saw what was happening and interceded. He took off and that was the end of it." She paused for a moment then tearily continued, "It's not just him. Last night wasn't the first time something like this happened. I seem to be a magnet for jerks and losers. At least this one wasn't married; that I know of." "I'm sorry." She quietly repeated to herself something she had said the previous night, "Why can't I escape it?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity, "You said that last night too. What do you mean you can't escape 'it'?" She answered coldly through her tears, "Alcohol," before pausing for a few quick moments to gather herself and continuing, "It ruined my marriage. It robbed Toni of a father. It turned my coworker into a creep last night. Etc, etc;” I took her hand in mine and said, "I'm sorry. I understand." She abruptly pulled her hand from mine and argued, "I appreciate your compassion, but please don't say you understand." I stood up and said, "I think we should go for a walk outside." I didn't really give her an opportunity to say no and walked to the mudroom to get a jacket. I put mine on, then handed one to Stefani as she followed me. We both slipped on a pair of my fleece lined muck boots. The boots and jacket were both too large for her, but they would suffice. I shouted to the girls that Stefani and I were going on a walk, then we stepped outside. As we strolled away from the house and into the woods, I inquired, "Please tell me about your ex-husband." "Well, we met in college and he was wonderful. I thought he was everything I wanted in life. His drinking wasn't an issue then. I mean we both went to the typical college parties and had too much to drink, but it wasn't a problem. We married the summer after we graduated and started a typical newlywed life." Our boots crunched through fall leaves on the forest floor as Stefani continued, "After we were married, he occasionally went out with friends or old college buddies and came home drunk. Again, it wasn't frequent and wasn't anything concerning." We reached Lizzie's bridge and both sat on the edge dangling our feet over the water below. "Over time, and after Toni came along, his occasional nights out evolved into several times a week and he became defensive whenever I would say anything about it. Eventually, alcoholism; let's call it what it was; completely overtook him. It wasn't just going out with friends anymore. He always had a drink in his hand. Commitments were meaningless to him and he would show up hours late, if at all. Toni's birthday parties, family holidays, dates with me; it didn't matter." "By the time Toni was three, he lost his job, which only gave him an excuse to be drunk all day. I constantly begged him to get help, but that would only agitate him and cause a fight. That continued for about a year until his agitation turned into physical abuse. That was my breaking point and I told him I wanted a divorce." Stefani was now talking through streaming tears and I took her hand in mine as a show of support. "The night I told him, he went out to the bar and never came back. After a couple weeks, I realized he was never coming back and I hired a divorce attorney who, in turn, hired a private investigator to track him down. It took a few months, but they eventually found him in Key West where he could find work as a day laborer on fishing charters and beg enough money and free drinks from tourists to get by. He demanded a healthy ransom to sign the divorce papers but, at that point, I would have paid anything." With that, she fell silent and leaned to rest her head on my shoulder. We sat quietly listening to the gentle breeze in the trees, punctuated occasionally by Stefani's sniffles. After a few minutes of building courage, I sighed and started talking, "I think I told you that Lizzie and I lived in Indiana before moving here, right?" Stefani answered softly with her head still on my shoulder, "Yes." "Well, I grew up there, in a very small town in the southern part of the state. When I was younger, my dad was a functional alcoholic. He was the best heavy equipment mechanic in the area and ran a very successful business, but came home and drank himself to blackout every night." Stefani raised her head to look at me as I continued talking, "He wasn't an angry or abusive drunk, and was never drunk in public. He was just basically an absent parent. He worked all day then came home, sat in front of the television and drank until he passed out." "My mom did everything for us and held the family together until she got sick when I was in 8th grade. The ovarian cancer had already metastasized throughout her abdomen when she was diagnosed, and she was gone a few months later." My hand had held Stefani's while she was talking and now she reciprocated by interlacing her slender fingers with mine. "Even though he didn't show it, my dad loved her deeply and her death sent him into a tailspin. He turned into a full-time drunk and lost everything; the business, the house, the cars. There were many mornings that I would wake up for school and find him passed out in the living room or, worse yet, already starting the new day with a drink in his hand. When I was in high school, it was common for me to get a call from the Sheriff saying he was drunk or passed out somewhere around town. The Sheriff was a family friend and just called me to come get him rather than arresting him. Looking back on it, he was just an enabler by letting him go." Stefani squeezed my hand in hers as I spoke, "I worked odd jobs around town and managed to earn enough money for my dad and I to survive in a tiny apartment above the hardware store. Between poverty status and my good school grades, I managed to get a full scholarship at IU in Bloomington." "I was concerned about how my dad would take me leaving for school, but it turned out I didn't need to worry. His only question was if I would have a job and keep paying the bills. I did and continued doing so even after Julie and I were married." Stefani leaned against me as we sat on the bridge and offered, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You do understand." "Yes, unfortunately I do." She cautiously probed further, "If I may ask, is your dad still around?" I had repressed this part of my past for years and wasn't sure I wanted to dredge up those memories. My head hung and watched the bubbling water below. After several minutes without a response, Stefani squeezed my hand and prompted, "David?" "He's in prison." She dug deeper when she realized I wasn't going to elaborate on my own, "Why?" I continued looking into the moving water and softly said, "Julie and Lizzie were hit by a drunk driver." It took a second to register in her mind, "Oh my God, it was him." "Yes." She took her hand from mine and, instead, wrapped both arms around me in a sympathetic and understanding hug. We sat in each other's arms for quite some time before I said, "We should probably go back inside and see what the girls are doing." Stefani agreed and we slowly made our way back through the woods toward the house. As we walked, I said, "Lizzie doesn't know any of that stuff about her grandfather. I'll tell her someday, but probably not anytime soon." "I understand. Toni was young enough that she doesn't remember her dad and didn't know why he left. I avoided the topic for a long time, but eventually I had to tell her." "Lizzie knows that she and Julie were in a car accident. She just doesn't know the part about my dad." Stefani stopped walking and pulled on my arm for me to stop with her. She pulled me into an embrace and said, "Thank you." I returned her hug, then kept one arm around her back as we finished walking to the house. Stefani, Toni, Lizzie and I spent most of the afternoon playing board games by the fireplace and enjoying the time together. As we did, I found myself becoming attracted to Stefani, both mentally and physically. The cold, guarded person I knew faded away and a new sunny, alluring personality emerged as she smiled and laughed. I stole glances while she wasn't looking, enjoying the simple way she sat with one leg folded beneath her and the other pulled up so she could rest her chin on her knee, the way she twisted curls of hair in her slender fingers when she thought, the way her neatly-painted toes flexed when she reached for the board game pieces, and the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Later in the evening, Stefani and I collaborated on preparation of an impromptu taco dinner, before we all said our goodbyes. Still in my borrowed clothes as they left, Stefani gave me one more hug and whispered in my ear, "Thank you again for taking me in." before giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. Uniting. Play dates continued frequently for Lizzie and Toni over the following weeks, both at Stefani's house and at mine. However, unlike before, Stefani would invite me to stay and I would do the same when at my house. Sometimes we would simply sit quietly in each other's company working on our laptops. Other times we would chat casually about a wide range of topics, getting to know each other and exploring our commonalities and differences. During one of those discussions, we found ourselves talking about balancing life demands as a single parent; children, work, cooking, cleaning, etc., and how it left very little time for personal interests and pursuits. I joked, "Ha, sharing the work is definitely a strong argument for having a partner!" Stefani looked at me and very seriously asked, "Have you dated since Julie passed?" "I've been on a few dates, but I wouldn't say I've dated. A couple years after we moved here, some of my friends started trying to set me up with people. The ladies were nice enough, but I wasn't ready yet and it just didn't feel right. After a few dates, I decided it was best to just decline their attempts" She probed further, "How long ago was that?" "The last one was maybe 4 years ago." I answered before returning the question, "How about you? Have you dated?" She groaned, "Hmm, my dating history isn't any better than what happened with that guy from my office. I've met a few guys, but they've all turned out to be jerks. I tell you, I'm a magnet for them. One guy that I really liked and went out with for about a month, turned out to be married. The others weren't that much different than the guy from work, and it became obvious on the first dates that they were only looking for sex, not a relationship." "I'm sorry." Neither one of us said anything more on the topic and we moved on to other subjects, but there was an unspoken understanding that we were both exploring the other person's openness to a relationship. Friendsgiving. The week after Thanksgiving, Stefani and I sat on stools at my kitchen island tapping away on our laptop keyboards while Toni and Lizzie played upstairs. I was answering emails, and Stefani was filling out what looked to be a very complicated accounting spreadsheet on her screen. After an hour or so, Stefani sighed and announced, "I need a break from these numbers." She extended her arms straight above her head and arched her back as she stretched. The motion served to thrust her tits outward, stretching the fabric of her thin button-up blouse and revealing the intricate texture of a lace bra beneath. It also caused the bottom of the untucked blouse to rise upward, exposing a flat, toned midriff and cute belly button. Having been caught looking, she just smiled knowingly and asked "How was your Thanksgiving?" "It was good. Lizzie and I went over to George and Linda's house for a 'Friendsgiving'. There were about ten people there, plus a few kids. We stayed for most of the day, then came home and roasted some marshmallows in the fireplace. How was yours?" "It was stereotypical," she replied as she continued in a mock monotonous tone, "We went to my parents' house, ate dinner, and all the men fell asleep watching football while my mom and sisters harassed me to find a husband. You know, all the usual things." I said sarcastically, "Sounds delightful." then asked seriously, "I take it that is a topic of conversation at every family gathering?" "Yes, they think they are being funny about it, joking about how they should set me up with this guy or that guy, but it gets annoying really fast. Especially since I know they really aren't joking. At least I won't have to hear it at Christmas. My parents decided to go on a Caribbean cruise over the holidays, so my sisters are all going to their husbands' sides of their families." I processed that for a few seconds, then asked, "Have you made any other plans? Would you and Toni like to spend Christmas here with us?" Stefani sincerely replied, "I would love that. I know Toni will too." We went on to plan out the details and decided that Stefani would bring their gifts over on Christmas Eve so she didn't have to transport them Christmas morning. That discussion evolved into Stefani bringing some of her family's traditional Italian dishes for dinner, then further into a more formal Christmas Eve dining event. She thought it would be fun for the girls, and I certainly didn't object to the idea of seeing Stefani in a nice dress. Holidays. On the Saturday two weeks before Christmas, Lizzie and I went to the local Rotary Club tree sale. Lizzie carefully inspected every tree on the lot before running back to one of the first trees near the entrance and declaring, "This is it! This is the perfect tree!" The Frazier Fir was a little big and a little expensive for my preference, but I acquiesced and paid the man standing next to me with a perceptive grin on his face. After strapping the tree on top of my Jeep, we climbed in and I asked Lizzie, "Should we see if Toni wants to come help decorate it?" Lizzie bounced in her seat and squealed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Stefani, "Just bought tree. U2 want to decorate tonight?" She replied back almost immediately, "Yes, I'll bring chili." When we got home, I untied the tree in the gravel driveway and did my best to shake out any loose needles. Before taking it in the house, Lizzie and I decided on a location off to the side of the great room fireplace and shifted furniture around to accommodate the tree. I then dug the tree stand and some boxes of decorations out of the basement. After all the preparations were made, I brought the tree inside. Lizzie steadied the empty stand while I placed the base of the tree and held it upright while Lizzie tightened the stand's handscrews to secure it in place. With it tightened as much as Lizzie's little fingers could muster, I crawled under the tree and made little adjustments while Lizzie gave me left or right straightening instructions. When she was satisfied, I gave each of the handscrews a final tightening. We stood together admiring our work and congratulated each other on the job well done before she went get a container of water for the tree. I spent the next couple hours on household tasks that I hadn't accomplished during the week, then decided to get cleaned up a little before Stefani and Toni arrived. I washed up, applied some fresh deodorant and cologne, then changed into a pair of casual khakis and an ugly but festive Christmas sweater. Decorating. Stefani and Toni arrived soon after I changed. Stefani carrying a crockpot of chili and Toni carrying a bag full of accompaniments. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door and unloaded their hands as they shed their coats and shoes. Stefani laughed at my sweater as she slid her coat off her shoulders, "Seriously?" I feigned ignorance and replied sarcastically, "What?!" With coats hung up and the crock pot plugged in, the four of us found our way over to the unadorned tree and began discussing how to decorate it. I opened the box containing light strands and said, "We have some multi-color lights and some white lights, which should we use ladies?" The two girls discussed it for a moment then answered in unison, "All of them!" I chuckled and started untangling the light strands and stringing them around the tree as Stefani and the girls explored the other boxes of decorations I had brought up from the basement. I couldn't help but admire Stefani as she picked through the boxes and watched me wrap lights around the tree. She was wearing a loose-fitting cream color corded sweater, black leggings, and cream color fuzzy socks that matched her sweater. I'm sure she intended it as a comfortable lounging outfit, but it complimented her long, toned body very well. I finished the last strand of lights and took a seat on the sofa while Toni and Lizzie continued unwrapping ornaments and laying them out on the floor. Stefani had found a tree skirt in one of the boxes and asked, "Should I put it on?" I answered, "Sure. There should be another one somewhere in the boxes if you want to see it, but I think the one you have is the best." She said, "This one is nice." then crawled over to the tree. She unfolded the skirt and reached under the tree while on her hands and knees to pull it around the trunk. Gravity slid the bottom of her oversize sweater above her hips and a few inches up her back as she leaned and stretched to adjust the skirt, presenting a wonderful view of her perfect heart-shaped rear. My gaze was fixed on the sensual, womanly curves that were only slightly veiled by the form-fitting legging fabric. Stefani pulled the skirt edges outward and tried her best to smooth any wrinkles before asking, "How does that look?" Still staring at her ass, I rallied courage to suggestively answer, "It looks incredible." Curious about the overly enthusiastic response, Stefani looked back over her shoulder and saw me looking at her rear, not the tree skirt. She smiled mischievously, subtly wiggled her ass, then spent a couple more minutes unnecessarily straightening imaginary wrinkles in the skirt. The girls were unaware of the adult exchanges and Lizzie innocently asked, "Can we start putting ornaments on now?" I came back to reality and answered, "Sure, go for it!" as Stefani moved to sit next to me on the sofa. The girls formulated a plan for shorter Lizzie to decorate the bottom of the tree, taller Toni to hang ornaments on the middle section, and Stefani and me to get whatever they couldn't reach. Stefani nestled against my side as we watched the girls make trips back and forth between selecting ornaments laid on the floor and choosing the perfect location for each on the tree. Their happiness being together and sharing in the festive atmosphere was infectious, and I sat there feeling emotions I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was very comfortable to have Toni and Stefani there with us. It just felt right. With those thoughts swirling in my head, my hand reached to find Stefani's and our fingers intuitively interlaced. My heart swelled as Stefani snuggled further into me. When the girls had their portions of the tree sufficiently loaded, Stefani and I finished decorating the upper portion and I added the crowning star. We all stood back to admire our work and I flipped the switch for the grand lighting finale. The girls cheered with delight while Stefani and I each put an arm around the other's back and shared a side-hug while appreciating the tree. After sharing a few moments, Stefani moved on to serve dinner while I cleaned up the empty decoration boxes. We all shared conversation over the meal at the dining room table, then played some after-dinner card games. I felt a pang of emptiness when it was time for Stefani and Toni to leave, and really didn't want them to go. That evening I felt a sense of family that I hadn't felt since Julie died. I didn't want to scare Stefani with the heaviness of my thoughts, and understatedly said, "I really enjoyed spending the day with you. I hope we can all spend more evenings like this together." Stefani wasn't as subtle. As they were putting their coats on and heading out the door, she gave me a goodbye hug with the girls looking on, and whispered in my ear, "I didn't see mistletoe hung anywhere. You should get some." Holiday Break. The week before Christmas was a whirlwind, filled with school holiday activities, Christmas shopping, and end-of-the-year accounting for my business. There wasn't time for play dates, but we did all see each other at the school holiday play and concert. Both girls had parts in the play, Toni as an ice skater and Lizzie tending a chestnut roasting cart. Stefani and I found each other in the crowd of parents entering the auditorium and enjoyed the show side-by-side. I didn't know how she felt about the two of us being friendly in public, so I sat next to her playing the part of a plutonic acquaintance. It was Stefani who reached over and placed her hand on the top of my thigh, which I covered with mine and gave a squeeze of affection. We all went to the downtown sweet shop after the concert where the girls both ate mountainous ice cream sundaes while Stefani and I sipped on decaf coffee. We shared another goodbye hug when we parted ways at the end of the evening. This time it was my turn to whisper in Stefani's ear, "We need to find some time alone." She inhaled sharply and shuddered a little when I discreetly placed a kiss just under her ear. The Big Event. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Lizzie and I made some final preparations for the big event, including retrieval of a formal set of china and crystal stemware packed away in the basement. We washed all the china and stemware before turning our attention to the table by spreading a white linen tablecloth, arranging the china and crystal place settings, and creating a centerpiece with some fir boughs and velvet ribbon. The crowning element was a forest of candles randomly spaced along the center of the table. After finishing, I steered Lizzie up to her room to change clothes before doing a quick final clean of the kitchen and great room, then heading upstairs to freshen up and change. I opted for a slightly casual look with a sport coat and open collar button-down shirt. Lizzie went for an all-out, over-the-top look in a way only a third-grade girl can, with a long lace dress, heels, and an abundance of costume jewelry. I heard gravel crunching under tires as I was complimenting Lizzie on her dress and looked out the window to see Stefani and Toni's car coming to a stop outside. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door. Lizzie with squeals of excitement for Toni, and me with a hug for Stefani. With a long overcoat still on, Stefani said, "Presents and dinner are in the trunk of my car. Would you mind?" "Of course not." I didn't bother putting on a coat and swiftly walked out to retrieve hot trays of food covered in aluminum foil and packed in boxes. Toni held the door open upon my return to the house and I complimented her attire, which was on par with Lizzie's style for the evening. I entered to see Stefani standing in the kitchen wearing a floor-length, deep burgundy satin evening gown. The off-the-shoulder cut drew attention to her lithe neck and sensually exposed collar bones and shoulders, while the deep-V bust line and her pendant necklace pointed directly to the shallow valley between her modest tits. The torso of the dress was neatly fitted to her narrow waist then flared outward over her hips into the pleated A-line gown. It was the perfect dress for her body and she looked absolutely amazing. My admiration grew even more when she shifted position to purposefully reveal a long, toned leg through the full length slit in the side. "You look incredible!" I praised while placing the boxes of food on the kitchen island and making a show of looking at her from head to toe. She feigned a shy, "Aww, thank you." and humbly said, "I wear it once a year for the company holiday party." I turned to make another trip to her car and on the way out the door, I replied, "You should wear it more often. You make that dress look really good." I made several trips schlepping boxes of food and Christmas presents. When I returned and put the last couple boxes on the kitchen counter, Stefani had begun unpacking an assortment of homemade Italian dishes, including chicken piccata, fettucine with clam sauce, an antipasto salad, and an assortment of other side dishes. I exclaimed, "Wow, this looks and smells fantastic!" as I moved to steal a small clam off the top of the fettucine. She swatted my hand and playfully disciplined, "You need to wait, mister!" The girls tasked themselves with lighting the numerous candles on the table as I dimmed the house lights. Meanwhile, Stefani finished plating the last few items and carried them to the table. We dined by the soft glow of candlelight talking about good memories of Christmas, with Stefani and I temporarily ignoring the painful ones from our respective pasts. At one point, as the girls were consumed with a conversation of their own, Stefani commented, "This china is beautiful. You have good tastes." I didn't want to kill the mood, but I also wanted to be honest. "Julie picked it out for our wedding registry. She had an eye for the finer things in life." "Oh my gosh, I'm so, so sorry! I should have known!" "Please, it's okay. I wouldn't have used it if I wasn't ready to talk about it. I figured it was time to dust it off for a special occasion." She meekly asked, "Is this the first time you've used it since?" "Yes." Her beautiful blue eyes looked warmly into mine as her long slender fingers mindlessly twirled a lock of hair above her right ear. She spoke with layers of meaning, "I'm understanding more and more that Julie knew how to choose the finer things." We shared an extended gaze across the table that was only interrupted by Toni asking, "Can we have dessert now?" Stefani and I chuckled and she answered, "Yes, you may." before standing up to clear the table of dirty plates. I offered in my best butler voice, "I will service the table, madam, if you would like to prepare the next course for the Ladies of the Court." The girls thought that was hilarious and started practicing their own stuffy accents, which only intensified as consequences of the sugary tiramisu and cannoli took hold. When we had all finished, I announced in my Lordship voice, "Thank you Ladies, the food was remarkable and so was the company. Shall we retire to the parlor for after-dinner amusements?" The girls looked confused, so Stefani clarified, "He means games." after which they scrambled out of their chairs to explore the cabinet housing our selection of card and board games. Stefani and I cleared the table and generally tidied up the kitchen while the girls debated which games to play. We worked efficiently as a team, sharing a lot of unnecessary and 'accidental' touches as we moved about. The girls finished their game selections and we played several games of 'Chutes 'N Ladders' before moving on to 'Sorry' and, finally, a very long game of 'Monopoly' in which they eventually lost interest and asked if they could go watch a movie in the basement. Stefani started to object, "It's getting late. We should probably be going." before I gestured for the girls to go on downstairs. They didn't wait for Stefani's response and took off down the stairs. She looked at me quizzically as I stood up and motioned for her to follow me. We trailed the girls down the stairs where Stefani silently absorbed what was before her. I had set up two twin beds in front of the downstairs television and created a makeshift tent out of some decorative tree branches, tulle fabric, and twinkle lights. It was a perfect sleepover paradise for two third-grade girls. I put my arm around Stefani and whispered in her ear, "You're right, it is getting late. Maybe you should just spend the night." She put her arm around my back and whispered back, "Umm; sounds nice, but;” as she nodded toward the girls. I responded not to her, but to Lizzie and Toni who were sitting on one of the beds scrolling through movie options on the DVR. "Girls?" When they both raised their heads to look at me, I announced, "We've decided to let you have a sleepover tonight so that we can all be here together for Christmas morning;” They cheered and hugged each other before I continued, "; but there are a couple rules; first, you can watch a movie, then you need to get ready for bed in the bathroom down here and go right to sleep. The pink gift bags on your beds are special Christmas Eve sleepover kits with pajamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a few other things." Lizzie and Toni scurried to check out the gift bags, but I interceded, "Wait a minute; the second rule is that you can't come upstairs until 7:00 tomorrow morning;” I said motioning to Stefani and I, "; we need a decent night's sleep. Do you both agree to the rules?" They eagerly shouted in unison, "Yes, Yes, Yes!" "Ok, we'll see you on Christmas morning!" Before we could turn to leave, Toni asked, "Mom, where will you sleep?" I anticipated the question and interceded with a little white lie, "She'll sleep in my bed. I'm going to sleep on the great room sofa so I can make sure you two don't try to sneak upstairs to look at the presents." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni simply said, "Okay, goodnight mom." To be continued in part 3. Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts, for Literotica.

SEGMENT 1: Arrival in Key WestA. Early morning flightGroup of 15 guys, 10 sharing an Airbnb.Arrive around 9 A.M., Airbnb not ready until 4.Solution: Backpacks on, bar-hopping begins immediately.B. First impressionsLocals keep asking: “Are you guys coming or going?”Group: “Just got here — ready to have a good time.” SEGMENT 2: The House & The GroupA. The Airbnb situationSurprisingly not trashed despite 10 dudes.Only casualty: leaving behind a fridge full of beer.B. House logisticsSome guys in hotels, most in the house.Doing headcounts each morning to make sure everyone survived. SEGMENT 3: HIGHLIGHT — The Guinness Chugging LegendA. Irish Kevin's barOne of the best bars in Key West.Guests go on stage to chug Guinness for time.B. The challengeWoman does it in ~5 seconds.Another contestant: ~4 seconds.The bachelor, Marshall, steps up…C. Marshall's moment of gloryChugs a full Guinness in 1.94 seconds — breaks the posted record.Group erupts. Marshall becomes instant celebrity.D. Return trip to check the recordLater that night: record still standing.A huge “corn-fed” bachelor challenges Marshall to a chug-off.E. Round 2 showdownIrish Kevin's performer says he's “betting on Marshall.”Whiskey poured into Guinness as an extra challenge.Marshall crushes him again.Wins bragging rights, possibly a shirt or free beer. SEGMENT 4: Poolside MishapsA. Saturday morning roll callEveryone accounting for themselves.Suddenly spot Ryan passed out next to a pool chair.B. The consequencesRyan: “I was comfortable all night.”Reality: Wakes up covered in massive mosquito bites.Only guy who slept outside the entire weekend. SEGMENT 5: Travel DisastersA. Sunday departuresGroup splits: flights to Tampa and St. Pete.Most are home by noon.B. The delayed flight guyOne friend's flight (Allegiant) gets delayed repeatedly:9:30 → 11:30 → ???No one hears if he ever actually left Key West.Group assumes they are “down one man.”C. The guy who missed the flight on the way thereOversleeps, runs to airport… realizes he forgot all his luggage.Had to take a later flight.Spent the weekend in basically two outfits anyway. SEGMENT 6: The AftermathA. Marshall loses his voiceAttempts to call fiancée but sounds like a broken kazoo.She was also celebrating with her own event back home.B. Return to realityHost shows up to work Monday, surprisingly early.Co-host expected a “I'm wrecked” text that never came.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Key West is supposed to be paradise—sun, sand, great food, and all the tropical cocktails your liver can handle. But for Mandy and her friends, one weekend escape turned into four nights of creeping dread inside a condo that looked perfect online… and felt wrong the moment the doors shut behind them. It started with a boy—small, silent, standing at the foot of the bed in old-fashioned clothes. Then came the footsteps in the hallway, the rattling doorknob, the shadow in the mirror, and the phone sliding across the nightstand as if an unseen hand wanted attention. Everyone in the group lost sleep. Everyone felt watched. And by the fourth night, one of them was running inside with a sudden nosebleed—and the overwhelming sense he wasn't alone by the pool. When the group finally left, the pressure in their chests lifted instantly… as though something in that condo stayed exactly where it belonged. Some vacation rentals promise ocean views. It seems that this one came with a ghost. #RealGhostStories #HauntedRental #KeyWestGhost #VacationGoneWrong #ParanormalEncounter #GhostChild #HauntedCondo #CreepyEncounters #GhostStoryPodcast #IslandHauntings Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

In this bonus A Way with Words minicast, Martha and Grant explore the ways foreign place names transform on official maps and in local slang. Discover the stories behind names like “Picketwire” and “Key West,” showing how history and mishearings reshape the names we give our world. Hear hundreds of free episodes and learn more on the A Way with Words website: ⁠https://waywordradio.org⁠. Be a part of the show: call or text ⁠1 (877) 929-9673⁠ toll-free in the United States and Canada; elsewhere in the world, call or text ⁠+1 619 800 4443⁠. Send voice notes or messages via ⁠WhatsApp 16198004443.⁠ Email ⁠words@waywordradio.org⁠. Copyright Wayword, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

this week on Delusional Diaries, Halley and Jaz kick things off with absolute chaos: from navigating the most unserious New York notary experience imaginable to selling a house, demolishing walls for a bed that simply refuses to fit, and surviving the stress of home renovations. they get into holiday plans, solo Thanksgivings, and why Thanksgiving food might just be the most overrated meal of the year. plus, Halley shares the full story behind adopting her fourth dog, the emotional rollercoaster of rescue life, and an unexpected escape-artist pup.the girls dive deep into your questions about dating, long distance, and the fear of being single forever, especially in big cities. they unpack why effort actually matters in love, how to enjoy single seasons without rushing the timeline, and why people are allowed to change their minds even when it hurts. from imposter syndrome and career confidence to cutting people out of your life without dragging things out, this episode blends brutal honesty with real-world advice you can actually use.they also tackle controversial wedding dilemmas, stay-at-home dad dynamics, tricky in-law boundaries, and what it really means to protect your peace as you level up in life. whether you're navigating relationships, career doubts, friendships that no longer serve you, or just need a comforting listen that feels like FaceTiming your best friends: this episode is raw, reflective, funny, and painfully relatable.Timestamps 0:25 - So New York 10:42 - The holidays 14:08 - Key West 21:21 - Questions from our followers 36:06 - Stay at home dads and imposter syndrome 47:15 - Monster in law advice LinksCashApp: Download Cash App Today:https://click.cash.app/ui6m/8u4300cq #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosuresClearstem: use code DELUSIONAL at checkout for 15% off clearstem.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We catch up with Myrick and Ray as they discuss their experiences at the 2025 Key West Offshore World Championship, the racing, the parties, and the shenanigans that makes up the time in Key West. Myrick Coil is the driver for the National Champion Monster Energy / M CON Pro Class 1 team, Speedboat Magazine Test Team Driver, lead shop foreman at Performance Boat Center and a dedicated family man and father of 5.  Ray Lee is the publisher of the national/international publication Speedboat Magazine, where nine high quality issues are printed each year with global distribution, and popular social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.  With all of the "Bros" experience, knowledge, and friends and colleagues in the industry and sport, this podcast is sure to entertain, enthuse and educate the powerboating community. 

You can find our The Lost Biker Stories book, tool rolls and stickers https://www.thelibertatia.com ______________ Please do leave a comment and share your thoughts. If you've got a story, insight or pictures to share, you can also email hi@tuesdayatdobbs.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/@tuesday_at_dobbs My other YouTube channel: @FreddieDobbs For all of your motorcycle charging requirements, you can check out CTEK's range of products here: https://www.ctek.com ______________ Time Stamps: 00:00: Libertatia 03:00: Used Motorcycle Prices? Are We Expecting Too Much? (Triumph Scrambler 900) 12:15: Hero Moto XPluse 200 15:30: Bike of the Week purchased: Harley Davidson Sportster 18:15: Negativity 21:30 Adventure Motorcycle Wraps (Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE, Honda Transalp) 26:15 A Honda Gold Wing in Key West, Florida 28:18 Bike of the wee: Triumph Bonneville

Hurricane season is officially over, and in true Key West fashion, we celebrate by literally burning the hurricane warning flags at the Truman Waterfront Park. In this episode, we share the story behind this quirky, emotional, and deeply local tradition — from its beginnings after a brutal storm cycle to the modern-day ceremony that brings the whole island together.We talk about what the end of hurricane season really means to locals, the history of the Conch Republic's Schooner Wolf and Admiral Finbar, and why November 30th feels like our own island New Year's Eve.Zero hurricanes this year, a flaming flag, music, rum, and a big collective exhale… we made it!!!

Key West is supposed to be paradise—sun, sand, great food, and all the tropical cocktails your liver can handle. But for Mandy and her friends, one weekend escape turned into four nights of creeping dread inside a condo that looked perfect online… and felt wrong the moment the doors shut behind them. It started with a boy—small, silent, standing at the foot of the bed in old-fashioned clothes. Then came the footsteps in the hallway, the rattling doorknob, the shadow in the mirror, and the phone sliding across the nightstand as if an unseen hand wanted attention. Everyone in the group lost sleep. Everyone felt watched. And by the fourth night, one of them was running inside with a sudden nosebleed—and the overwhelming sense he wasn't alone by the pool. When the group finally left, the pressure in their chests lifted instantly… as though something in that condo stayed exactly where it belonged. Some vacation rentals promise ocean views. It seems that this one came with a ghost. #RealGhostStories #HauntedRental #KeyWestGhost #VacationGoneWrong #ParanormalEncounter #GhostChild #HauntedCondo #CreepyEncounters #GhostStoryPodcast #IslandHauntings Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Tom Margaria, a retired FDNY firefighter, set out on January 1st from Key West to hike the 5700 mile Eastern Continental Trail. On the way, Tom met up with–and joined–the "Over the Hill Gang," the group including Dave Santi, one of my Mighty Blue Class of 25 this year. Tom, a man of deep faith, would ask people he met along the way how he could pray for them. This kind request came with a variety of answers, though Tom always saw the positives. He made it to the end, and reflects upon his mammoth journey with Steve. Also on the show today, is Tayson Whittaker, owner of Outdoor Vitals, an interesting gear company with an impressive business model and an equally impressive boss. Check out their website at https://outdoorvitals.com/ Finally, we hear the latest entry in my accountability blog, with big decisions being made over gear. I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, "I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell." You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . Additionally, you can join our membership at Steve (Mighty Blue) Adams. It's worth checking out what is on offer for you there. If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, 3821 Milflores Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can "Zelle" me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or "Venmo" me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Steve talks about how the ABV Network got started going to Key West. TBD music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).   Important Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theabvnetwork Our Events Page: bourbonpalooza.com Check us out at: abvnetwork.com. The ABV Barrel Shop: abvbarrelshop.com   Join the revolution by adding #ABVNetworkCrew to your profile on social media.

Heart Life Music is a love letter to the journey: all the places I've gone and how we got here. This book takes you on the ride.Knoxville. Moscow. Myrtle Beach. The Virgin Islands. Plentywood, Montana. Holmdel, New Jersey. Key West. New England. The Road. No Shoes Nation. Beyond.We've had a lot of fun, a bunch of challenges, a few moments of wondering "what the hell?"-and more love than any artist deserves. You're gonna meet so many people, some you'd never expect to see crossing my path, whether it's the Wailers, Willie Nelson, John Madden, or Grace Potter. Maybe you won't be surprised at all. I just know this: A whole lot has happened.For anyone who's found a piece of your life in any of my songs, this is for you. Open a cold drink, get out on your deck or your boat or wherever your happy space is, jump in, and live them along with me.And if you've got dreams, whatever they are, know they don't always come easy. But if you believe, do the hard work, and keep coming back, you'd be amazed at what can happen. I'm a pretty average guy, so look at this-know you might could do it, too.It's been a helluva trip around the sun.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.

Living in Key West is amazing… and also totally weird.This week we're talking about the everyday stuff locals deal with:• Things are crazy expensive even though there's literally a road to us• Amazon Prime taking 5 days• No Target, Walmart, or Costco• Having to go to Miami for real medical care• All the strange little island quirks that make Key West… Key WestIf you've ever wondered what real life at Mile Marker 0 is like, this episode tells it exactly how it is.Share this with your friends who dream of moving to the Keys

The Bros caught up with Extreme Sports Superstars Travis Pastrana and Jim York during a small break in-between races at the RWO Key West Offshore World Championship, as they returned to offshore powerboat racing after a four year hiatus. Special thanks to Anna Frazier and Tad Whitten of Mercury Racing for providing us the coolest sound stage in all the land—"Black Betty", the famed Mercury Racing Tour Truck. Listen as the duo discusses their triumphant return to the sport to compete for World Championship glory in the hyper-competitive Modified Vee Class in the Dixxon Flannel / Channel 199 Lilly Sport Boat competitor, as well as their previous experiences in the cockpit together. Also, they talk about their wild and crazy stunts they've "passed/not failed" with, and the countless other shenanigans that are on their already overflowing plates—including work with industry powerhouse Mercury Racing.  Pastrana and York are hilarious, personable and riff off each other seemlessly—like Lewis & Martin, Cheech & Chong, or Key & Peele. It's no wonder that all of their on board racing videos go internet-viral, as well as the rest of their extreme land and sky adventures.  This is Travis Pastrana & Jim York Myrick Coil is the driver for the National Champion Monster Energy / M CON Pro Class 1 team, Speedboat Magazine Test Team Driver, lead shop foreman at Performance Boat Center and a dedicated family man and father of 5.  Ray Lee is the publisher of the national/international publication Speedboat Magazine, where nine high quality issues are printed each year with global distribution, and popular social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.  With all of the "Bros" experience, knowledge, and friends and colleagues in the industry and sport, this podcast is sure to entertain, enthuse and educate the powerboating community. 

French seaplane owner and pilot Derry Gregoire joins Steve on this episode of the Water Flying podcast to discuss a seaplane event like no other: the Rassemblement Internatinal d'Hydravions de Biscarrosse.Held every other year on an historic freshwater seaplane lake just a stone's throw from the Atlantic Ocean on France's southwestern coast, the International Seaplane Meeting Biscarrosse combines history, seaplanes, aerobatic routines, military fighter demonstrations, historic flights and so much more, all for a massive celebration of hydro aviation—water flying.It's a little-known fact that the very first seaplane flight took place in France, and Biscarrosse played an important part in France's aviation history. Tune in for an enjoyable exploration of now-historic seaplanes that were developed in this small beach community with a Key West vibe, sand dunes, and some of the world's best wine and oysters.Though seaplanes no longer are manufactured in Biscarrosse, the community now hosts one of the largest seaplane events in the world. It is a spectacle featuring seaplanes from across all of Europe. Visitors get to enjoy seaplane formation flights, a night airshow, a drone show, fireworks displays, concerts, food vendors, a dedicated seaplane museum, and so much more. It is a bucket-list event for seaplane enthusiasts especially, but also anyone enamored with aviation of any kind.Get ready to be surprised when you learn about a thrilling example of a vibrant and hugely popular international seaplane event and the many adventures awaiting you in Europe. Learn more about the Rassemblement Internatinal d'Hydravions.Learn more about the Seaplane Museum in Biscarrosse.Learn more about the Aquitaine Hydravions Seaplane AeroClub and School.

What does it really mean to design your own destiny? In this episode of Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Donzel Leggett—former Fortune 200 executive, author of Make Your Destiny Happen, and founder of Destiny Development Delta whose career has spanned three decades of transformational global leadership.  From his Key West roots to the pivotal moment he walked away from professional football, Donzel shares how he turned missed opportunities and painful kicks in the butt into clarity about his calling. With warmth and honesty, he opens up about the weight of expectations, the courage to challenge them, and how a life plan created at 24 has guided everything since—including losing 90 pounds in four months and bouncing back from a million-dollar business failure that shaped his next chapter.  Together, Cathleen and Donzel explore the difference between change and transformation, why spending time with yourself is the most radical act of leadership, and how his Destiny Development Delta model helps people stop leaving life to chance. This conversation is for anyone ready to lead themselves with intention, passion, and purpose.   Episode Timeline: 04:49 Growing up in Key West: lessons in diversity and strong women leaders  07:41 College football and missed opportunities to lead teammates  10:12 Creating a life plan at 24—and what destiny really means  15:11 Challenging expectations: when others' dreams don't match your own  23:34 Walking away from professional football and the emotional fallout  30:36 Three pivotal moments: football, fatherhood, and finding his calling  36:14 Recognizing your calling: the feeling you can't ignore  40:45 Why 90% of people can't answer where they want to be in 10 years  47:06 First steps to self-leadership—even when life feels overwhelming  52:19 Getting back on track: losing 90 pounds and finding balance  55:44 The restaurant that failed—and the million-dollar MBA  01:01:20 The Destiny Development Delta model: A-Attitudes and iLead Change  01:04:23 Change vs. transformation: chameleon or butterfly?  01:09:05 Transformation as an iterative journey through life's shifts  01:13:32 What's next: spreading hope around the world   Key Takeaway: Creating Your Own Destiny: Donzel challenges the idea that destiny is predetermined—it's something you design by getting clear on what you want, building a life plan, and taking sustained action.  Leading Yourself First: Leadership isn't about titles or hierarchy—it's about taking charge of your own life, whether you're an executive, a barber, or a stay-at-home parent.  Transformation vs. Change: Real transformation means becoming something different (like a caterpillar to butterfly), not just making adjustments—and it starts with spending time with yourself to uncover what you truly want.  The Power of a Life Plan: Donzel created his life plan at 24 and has followed it for over 30 years, showing how vision plus intentional action creates both success and fulfillment.  Learning from Failure: From walking away from football to losing a million dollars on a restaurant, Donzel shows how reframing failure as learning and taking accountability fuels growth and resilience.   About Donzel Leggett: Donzel Leggett is a global operations and leadership executive with over 30 years of experience leading large-scale teams and operations in consumer products companies, including a 28-year tenure at General Mills. He is the Principal and Founder of Destiny Development Delta, LLC, where he coaches executives and teams to unlock their full potential and build inclusive, high-performing cultures. He is the author of Make Your Destiny Happen, a transformational framework for designing and living a purposeful life. Known for driving exceptional results while uplifting people, his leadership approach centers on authenticity, accountability, and helping others take charge of their destinies. Donzel's mission is to inspire people globally to transform their leadership, envision their future, and take sustained action to make it reality.   Connect with Donzel Leggett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donzelleggett/  Facebook (Donzel Leggett): https://www.facebook.com/donzel.leggett.9/ Facebook (Destiny Dev Delta): https://www.facebook.com/destinydevdelta Instagram (Donzel Leggett) https://www.instagram.com/donzel_leggett/ Linktree: https://li nktr.ee/destinydevdelta YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DonzelLeggett Make Your Destiny Happen Petite Podcast: https://feeds.captivate.fm/make-your-destiny-happen/ Website: https://destinydevdelta.com/ Make Your Destiny Happen Book: https://www.makeyourdestinyhappen.com    Connect with Cathleen O'Sullivan:  Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/    FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.

Cuban Link is more than just a name in hip hop—he's a storyteller, a survivor, and an artist with a legacy rooted in both pain and perseverance. In this raw, unfiltered episode of I'm an Artist, Not a Salesman, host Luis Guzman sits down with Cuban Link to trace the incredible journey from escaping Cuba as a child during the Mariel boatlift to becoming a lyrical force in the Bronx during the golden era of hip hop.At just five years old, Felix Delgado—known to the world as Cuban Link—boarded a crowded boat from Havana to the U.S., escaping political oppression alongside his family. That harrowing journey, filled with danger, violence, and even sharks in the open sea, became the foundation of a life built on survival. From a chaotic refugee camp in Key West to the gritty streets of the South Bronx, Cuban Link's story unfolds like a movie—but it's all real.This episode dives deep into the moments that shaped him—as a man, an artist, and a loyal brother to the late, great Big Pun. Listeners will hear how a chance meeting on a Bronx basketball court sparked one of hip hop's most iconic friendships. Their bond went beyond music—it was a brotherhood forged in shared dreams, competitive spirit, and lyrical respect.From their days freestyling in the streets to forming the Full Eclipse Crew, Cuban Link and Big Pun sharpened each other's skills long before the world knew their names. Eventually, their talent caught the attention of Fat Joe, leading to Cuban's involvement with Terror Squad. But as fame rose, so did tensions. Cuban Link doesn't shy away from discussing the public fallout with Fat Joe, the internal politics of the industry, and the personal heartbreak that came after Pun's death.You'll also hear about:Cuban Link's early rap name (Phil Ski) and his musical evolutionWhy his dad's criminal past actually saved their family during the Mariel exodusHow growing up in Puerto Rico and then the Bronx influenced his voice as an MCHis academic life—graduating with an 85 GPA and even going to college—while living a double life in the streetsThe real story behind the verse he gave to Big Pun for “Still Not a Player”How he went from working overnight shifts to quitting on the spot to appear in his first major music videoThis episode is a time capsule of 90s hip hop, Latino culture in America, and the tension between art and industry. Cuban Link opens up about the joy of early success, the bitterness of betrayal, and the pride of knowing he never compromised his pen. From cracking jokes with Pun at funerals to being name-dropped in some of the era's most iconic verses, his stories are vivid, emotional, and unforgettable.Whether you grew up blasting Capital Punishment on your Walkman or are just discovering the depth of East Coast hip hop history, this episode is required listening. It's more than nostalgia—it's a meditation on what it means to stay true to your art, your story, and your roots.Want to support the show or get involved?Follow I'm an Artist, Not a Salesman wherever you get your podcasts.Leave a rating or review to help others discover the show.Connect with host Luis Guzman and stay updated on future episodes by visiting our official site or subscribing to our newsletter.For behind-the-scenes stories, guest updates, and episode extras, join our mailing list and follow us on all major platforms.This is not just another hip hop podcast. It's a space where stories matter—and this one hits deep.

Ed Simon is a seasoned travel and tourism executive with over 30 years of experience in the industry. In June 2025, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of Visit Florida Keys & Key West, where he leads sales, group meetings, events, and long-term partnerships. Prior to this role, he served as Executive VP for Visit Lauderdale and held senior sales positions at Destination Hotels and Remington Hotels, and earlier worked for Hyatt. He holds a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management from Penn State University.

Coaching Call with Kevin O'ConnorOn this episode of Coaching Call, Sifu Rafael welcomes Kevin O'Connor, a passionate storyteller, educator, and advocate whose life's work celebrates connection, legacy, and love. Kevin has spent decades chronicling the stories of families and friends through genealogy, writing, and photography—capturing the essence of human experience across generations. His body of work includes personal letters, professional articles, dissertations, anthologies, and presentations delivered at conferences and seminars nationwide.Beyond his literary pursuits, Kevin is known for bringing people together—organizing family and class reunions, performing in theater, and participating in meaningful causes. As an active member of SMART Ride, he cycles annually from Miami to Key West to raise funds and awareness for HIV education and treatment. His leadership extends to the classroom and beyond, having served as a teacher, principal, professor, and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois, and Florida from 1973 to 2020. In his final educational role, he focused on training and advocacy in areas such as LGBTQ support, sexual health, and family life education.Kevin lives in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Together, they share a beautiful family of five sons and seven granddaughters. His story is one of deep compassion, community, and purpose—a reminder that true impact comes from nurturing connection.Sifu Rafael is a master instructor, professional speaker, and the founder of Speaking Prowess, Sifu's Mind Body Method, and the NYC Mastermind Experience, where he combines expertise in communication and leadership to help individuals unlock their full potential. As a solutions expert and executive coach, Sifu Rafael guides clients toward clarity, purpose, and success. His mission is to make the art of effective communication accessible to all, empowering personal and professional growth. His vision is clear: to enhance communication worldwide, one individual at a time.This episode is brought to you by Sifu's Mind Body Method, a 90-day lifestyle transformation blending movement, mindset, nutrition, hydration, fasting, journaling, and faith. Learn more at www.sifurafael.com/smbmWatch on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Subscribe at https://www.youtube.com/@sifurafaeltv?sub_confirmation=1

Heart Life Music is a love letter to the journey: all the places I've gone and how we got here. This book takes you on the ride.Knoxville. Moscow. Myrtle Beach. The Virgin Islands. Plentywood, Montana. Holmdel, New Jersey. Key West. New England. The Road. No Shoes Nation. Beyond.We've had a lot of fun, a bunch of challenges, a few moments of wondering "what the hell?"-and more love than any artist deserves. You're gonna meet so many people, some you'd never expect to see crossing my path, whether it's the Wailers, Willie Nelson, John Madden, or Grace Potter. Maybe you won't be surprised at all. I just know this: A whole lot has happened.For anyone who's found a piece of your life in any of my songs, this is for you. Open a cold drink, get out on your deck or your boat or wherever your happy space is, jump in, and live them along with me.And if you've got dreams, whatever they are, know they don't always come easy. But if you believe, do the hard work, and keep coming back, you'd be amazed at what can happen. I'm a pretty average guy, so look at this-know you might could do it, too.It's been a helluva trip around the sun.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Jessica Wachs, the creator and artistic director behind "This Blows" – a musical comedy show that doesn't suck! Written for locals, by locals, and starring locals, This Blows is Key West's newest annual show that mashes up stand-up, sketch comedy, and live music into one big, ridiculous, heartfelt island experience. Jessica pulls back the curtain on how the show came to life, what it's really like building a hometown production from scratch, and why Key West is the perfect place for a comedy musical that doesn't take itself too seriously. They talk concept, casting, collaboration, and the beautiful chaos of putting real people (you might recognize) on stage at the Key West Theater. If you love Key West, comedy, live music, or just supporting local creatives doing cool sh*t, this one's for you. Featuring an all-star local cast including: Commissioner candidate Christopher Massicotte YouTube's Patty Mayo Grammy-considered Trenton Chandler Aubrey Urban Jessica Wachs Steve Crane Elliot Sammartino Curtis Grass Sherry Ivey Jones Laurie Thibaud Theresa Chiechi Piano by James King Venue: Key West Theater 512 Eaton St Key West, FL 33040

In the first hour of the Chase & Big Joe Show, the guys are back in Nashville from Key West. Later in the hour, Chase & Big Joe discussed the coaching carousel in college football. Who is the hot name to hire? Listen to hear more.

We went to see Kenny Chesney's book tour and wow what a night! From his stories about island life and before he was famous to the moments that made me say.... "Wow Kenny... I feel this". This episode dives into what we learned about him on and off the stage.Tune in to hear Why I totally resonated with his messages, our personal story with meeting Kenny in person, why you should never meet your idols, hear about my imposter syndrome moments (Sorry about this one) and does Keith FINALLY like Kenny hahaHit play and make sure to share with your Kenny loving friends and of course share to your Key West friends.

In this episode, Alicia recounts Dotson Rader's story about the time Truman Capote met Peggy Lee. This one contains all kinds of spiderwebs including Key West, Jimmy Buffett and Doris Duke too. It is a tiny tale that says a lot - but that is not the only delight in this one! The legendary Peggy Lee is being celebrated with two brand new coffee blends from ⁠Breakfast at Dominique's⁠ and we have a few bags to give away! Included are all the details for how to enter to win a bag of this delicious coffee! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Alicia recounts Dotson Rader's story about the time Truman Capote met Peggy Lee. This one contains all kinds of spiderwebs including Key West, Jimmy Buffett and Doris Duke too. It is a tiny tale that says a lot - but that is not the only delight in this one! The legendary Peggy Lee is being celebrated with two brand new coffee blends from Breakfast at Dominique's and we have a few bags to give away!  Included are all the details for how to enter to win a bag of this delicious coffee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In hour three of the Chase and Big Joe Show, the guys speak with John McClain about the Texans' crazy comeback win over the Jaguars, the upcoming game between the Titans and Texans, and which head coach opening is better between the Titans and the Giants, with Brian Daboll being fired. The guys discuss the state of the Nashville Predators and what is the cause of their early-season struggles. The guys close out the show from Key West with their usual celebrity birthday competition. 

Welcome to the Earl Stewart on Live Stream! Call 877-960-9960 or text us at 772-497-6530 during the show. You can also submit your questions/comments anonymously at www.youranonymousfeedback.com. Today's Mystery Shop from GMC of Key West.To purchase Earl's book, "Confessions of a Recovering Car Dealer", go to www.earlsbook.com. This will forward to Earl's Amazon page to complete your purchase. All proceeds from the book go to Big Dog Ranch Rescue. For more information or to adopt one of their other dogs, visit their website at www.bdrr.org.

This episode features Mike Zaccheo and Angie Sparks diving deep into the world of credit card statement credits and how to maximize them. The episode begins with a highlight post from member Karen, who detailed her inspiring solo round-the-world trip at age 60, showing how miles, points, and determination can unlock life-changing travel. In news, the hosts cover Flying Blue's November Promo Rewards offering discounted redemptions from North America to Europe, a 20% Capital One transfer bonus to British Airways, Wells Fargo adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, and a major announcement that Rove Miles will soon support Lufthansa's Miles & More—its first European transfer option.Angie shares her latest booking spree, spending 1.3 million points to plan a Switzerland and Istanbul trip, while Mike talks about arranging a Key West getaway for family. They also discuss their travel plans for Chicago Seminars weekend. The main topic focuses on using all available card credits—daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual—across popular cards like the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, Hilton Aspire, and Chase Sapphire Reserve. They break down credits covering everything from Uber, dining, and streaming to resort stays, airline fees, and portal bookings, emphasizing that these perks can dramatically offset annual fees when used strategically.Links to Topics DiscussedFlying Blue Promo RewardsCapital One to British Airways Transfer BonusWells Fargo to JetBlue Transfer BonusCredit Card Statement Credit ListingWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026 Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

We're heading to Africa! Over the years we have taken the 3 Books podcast on the road many times ... from recording in ​Judy Blume's bookstore​ in Key West to to the ​back of Jackie's Uber​ in St. Louis to ​Jonathan Haidt's kitchen​ in New York we've gone where the stories take us. And for the first time we are going to the 55-country and 1.5 billion person continent of Africa. I am so excited to share the first of three chapters of 3 Books recorded in Nairobi, Kenya. I landed there and went whizzing down busy streets with colourful stalls, wandering goats, people pulling carts full of eggs, women carrying baskets on their heads, endless whizzing bodas (motorcycles). I visited the lovely home of novelist and professor ​Peter Kimani​ — where he lives with his wife Anne and their two boys. Peter is a huge mind and talented writer whose work spans New York Times Notable novels such as '​Dance of the Jakaranda​' to writing a poem for Barack Obama's presidential inauguration. Peter has studied at the University of Iowa—the Harvard of writing schools, perhaps!—and earned his doctorate at the University of Houston. He was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature, Kenya's highest literary honor, and is a professor at Aga Khan University in Nairobi. Let's sit down outside in his backyard garden, near the mango and orange trees, below the calls of the Pied Crows, and discuss normalizing abnormalities, decolonizing our minds, The Hardy Boys, writing as an extension of living, whitewashing conservation, Peter's 3 most formative books, and much, much more... Let's flip the page to Chapter 154 now...

In this episode of The Best of LKN Podcast, Jeff returns to one of his favorite places on Lake Norman — the Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club in Cornelius. Joining him are General Manager Kathy Dishner, Assistant GM Nikole Maust, and Marina Manager Harry Smith to share what's new at the club.They introduce the exciting new Boat Club, a member-only amenity giving social members access to the lake without owning a boat. Harry details the fleet — six brand-new boats, including pontoons, a Nautique surf boat, and a sporty Key West center console — plus training to keep members confident on the water.Kathy and Nicole discuss fall favorites like wind-down cruises, wine and cheese outings, and a full lineup of holiday events, from the Santa Brunch to the elegant White Gala. They also highlight the popular Kids Camp, led by longtime staffer Katherine Armitage, and the club's eco-friendly initiatives, including aluminum bottles and recycled dining ware at the Outrigger Pool Bar & Grill.Whether boating, dining, or relaxing by the water, Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club continues to be a home away from home for its members — and this episode captures that spirit perfectly.

Episode 300 – Johnny Lange: 17,000-Mile NSX Road Trip from Key West to the Arctic CircleJhae welcomes longtime friend Johnny Lange (@NSXPlore) back to the Hard Parking , first time in-studioJohnny is mid-epic solo road trip: 17,000+ miles in his white 1st-gen NSX, camping almost every night, from Key West, FL to the Arctic Circle via the Dalton Highway, through NSXPO in Tacoma, and now looping the Lower 48 visiting friends.Chapters:01:36 – Johnny Lange Enters the Studio (First Time!) 05:37 – Who Is Johnny Lange? Nomadic NSX Life & Trip Origins 09:01 – 17,000-Mile Route: Key West → Arctic Circle → NSXPO 18:06 – “No Coincidences”: Viral Alaska Fame & Serendipitous Meetups 32:32 – Dalton Highway Survival, Damage, & Close Calls 47:42 – Guerrilla Camping, Food on the Fly, & Hiking Highlights 01:13:28 – What NSX Ownership Means + Wrap-UpOther Johnny Lange articles:Some lunatic drove his NSX to the arctic circle and backhttps://www.autoblog.com/news/some-lunatic-drove-his-acura-nsx-to-the-artic-circle-and-back North Carolina man has driven his Acura NSX from Key West all the way to the Arctic Circlehttps://supercarblondie.com/north-carolina-man-acura-nsx-key-west-arctic-circle/ Meet The Man Who Just Drove His NSX From Key West To The Arctic Circlehttps://www.theautopian.com/meet-the-man-who-just-drove-his-nsx-from-key-west-to-the-arctic-circle/ Main Show Sponsors:Right Honda:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://righthonda.com/Right Toyota: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.righttoyota.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arcus Foundry: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arcusfoundry.comAutocannon Official Gear: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.autocannon.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Hard Parking with Jhae Pfenning: email: Info@HardParking.com Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.Hardparking.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/hardparkingpodcast/Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/hardparkingpod/YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@HardParking

In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we shift gears—literally and figuratively—to explore a different kind of endurance adventure. Our guest is Tyler Stancill, a passionate bikepacker who pedaled more than 6,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Newfoundland, Canada along the newly established Eastern Divide Trail.His journey captures the same spirit that fuels every adventure racer and explorer: resilience, curiosity, and a deep love of the road ahead. From the logistics of a months-long solo ride to the mental highs and lows that come with such an undertaking, Tyler's story will strike a chord with anyone who's ever wondered just how far they can go.Join us as we talk about bikes, backroads, and the beautiful intersection between endurance and exploration. Whether you race, ride, or simply dream of big journeys, this episode reminds us that adventure comes in many forms.Shownotes: The Eastern Divide Trail - https://bikepacking.com/eastern-divide-trail/Sponsor Links:Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle - www.nuataaq.comShenandoah Epic Adventure Race - https://www.adventureenablers.com/Adventureware Shop - https://adventureware.shop/

• Bart Marek Team ad; listener Mike's testimonial • Bart and Crystal's experience, communication, and professionalism • Bart fixed an underpriced listing; guided buyers in a slow market • Thanks to listeners who use sponsors; long-term client relationships • Brightline to Fort Lauderdale; checked bags due to size limits • Bags sent to Miami; staff confusion; no clear protocol • "Uber plan" to deliver bags to specific cruise ports • Doubts about entrusting unsupervised luggage to random drivers • Miscommunication on port; HR contact "Priscilla" looped in • Bag arrives three minutes before departure; board with relief • Key West stop; Sam's crawl with custom tattoos; Firehouse Museum • Bum Fardo legend; vanished firefighter/drug dealer; local merch • Torrential rain; closures; listeners helped with rides • Bimini by golf cart; beaches, local lunch, Nate's Bimini bread • Family argument inside Nate's; still bought bread • Accidentally in funeral parade; intense, awkward moment • Note on Bahamian funeral customs; "bad-luck orb" continues • Cruise trivia dispute over a cheating kid; tempers flare • Observations on cruise fights and ship disorganization • Karaoke room chaos: tech issues, unprepared host, random walk-ins • Emotional show endings; hugs; goodbyes • Ongoing Twitch: "Sipping with Sammy"; gaming with Travis • Plan to make music again using a new electronic drum kit; Sweetwater follow-ups • Dan chooses Pierce the Veil with Max; Turnstile skipped • Max sings every song; joy through his son's excitement • Concert bits: band-shirt norms, TikTok resurgence of songs • Outfit drama: black tie sent to Miami; painted nails; chain wallet • Venue bans chain wallets; security hassles; older fans react online • Personality talk: fixed traits vs growth; therapy and taking initiative • Halloween segment: define "spooky" (murder, ghost, mystery, supernatural) • "House of Horrors" (Calcutta): father Aurobinda, son Partha, sister Debjani • Neighbors report smoke; father found burned; suicide note discovered • Home in filth; nonstop Joyce Meyer sermons playing • Debjani's dressed skeleton; dogs' bones; months undiscovered • Partha dines beside her remains; claims nightly visitations • Notes everywhere; sister coherent, brother obsessive and erratic • Father plans property split; family mental-health collapse • Partha institutionalized, later self-immolation like father • Dyatlov Pass (1959): tents cut from inside; calm barefoot escape • Bodies with burns/trauma; radios/radiation; lights reported; Bigfoot-like photo • Theories: avalanche, infrasound, animals, Cold War secrecy • Pascagoula abduction (1973): Hickson & Parker; blue craft; paralyzed, examined • Hidden police recording of terrified talk; consistent stories for decades • Polygraphs/hypnosis/toxicology passed; no fame motive • Note on unreliable eyewitnesses despite multiple witnesses • Roast recap: News Junkie event at Dr. Phillips; Pinkman, Sabrina • Moe Dewitt praised; video intro highlight • Tuddle introduces C-Lane, not roasting; chaos ensues • Tuddle rants on modern radio; challenges Ryan Holmes to "stunt off" • Belt off; demands whippings; storms off; audience stunned • Radio's wilder past vs now; jokes about missing "fun" • Close: thanks to Samantha; plug "Sipping with Sammy"; tease Halloween special at Seth's; seagrass poison mishap gag ### **Social Media:** [Website](https://tomanddan.com/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/amediocretime) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive) **Where to Find the Show:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mediocre-time/id334142682) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2FtZWRpb2NyZXRpbWUvcG9kY2FzdC54bWw) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Mediocre-Time-p364156/) **The Tom & Dan Radio Show on Real Radio 104.1:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-corporate-time/id975258990) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Fjb3Jwb3JhdGV0aW1lL3BvZGNhc3QueG1s) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Corporate-Time-p1038501/) **Exclusive Content:** [Join BDM](https://tomanddan.com/registration) **Merch:** [Shop Tom & Dan](https://tomanddan.myshopify.com/)

Zada just returned from her vacation to Key West, and boy, does she have some wild stories to share. From dealing with choppy waters and snorkeling mishaps to a surprise rooster invasion and a visit to Hemingway's house, this episode is packed with hilarious and unexpected moments. Big Al also dives into his own adventure of a near BBQ disaster and shares a divine encounter at HEB. Plus, get ready to hear about the new Broken but Blessed podcast featuring Big Al and his buddies talking life and faith. Don't miss out on this one—like, subscribe, and share the fun!

So many stories and simply not enough time. Trish chats with Chef, Author, Consultant, and teacher Norman Van Aken about his culinary journey. Dubbed "Florida's Culinary Icon" by the Jacques Pépin Foundation, Trish learns how Norman went from a short order cook in a diner to creating an American regional cuisine. Norman talks about watching his mother and grandmother cook, but never really thinking he'd ever be a chef. He hitchhiked to Key West at 19, a place that would steal his heart as he found himself going back there a few times in his life. In Key West, he learned not only to cook, but he was introduced to so many flavors, cultures, perspectives, and he calls it a pivotal time for him. He's written several books, won countless awards, and has helped grow non-profit "Get Cooking," which helps food insecure families in Florida. This interview is full of stories - Norman's adventures, the people he's met, and at the heart - his passion for cooking.

What was supposed to be a sunny Florida getaway turned into one couple's terrifying brush with something out of the grave. In May 2017, Michael and his wife checked into a historic five-star hotel in Key West—a building that had survived centuries of storms, smugglers, and whispered pirate legends. The first night felt like paradise… until 1 a.m., when she awoke to fingertips caressing her hip and the bedcovers sliding off onto the floor. Moments later, invisible knees pressed toward her, as if something unseen was crawling across the mattress. Her husband thought it was a nightmare—until he woke up screaming that something was crushing the life out of him. They fled the next morning, only to discover the hotel's third floor was infamous for hauntings. But the horror didn't end there. Before leaving, she caught a glimpse of a rotting, tan-skinned pirate with yellow teeth who exhaled death across her face. Was this the ghost of a long-dead buccaneer, or something older haunting the island itself? In Key West, paradise and purgatory often share the same room key. #RealGhostStoriesOnline #HauntedKeyWest #TrueHaunting #PirateGhost #HauntedHotel #Room312 #ParanormalEncounter #FloridaHaunting #GhostAttack #SupernaturalStory #HauntedVacation #RealParanormal Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

In this episode, Michael Benatar and J DAWG discuss their recent trip to a wedding in Key West, sharing insights about the local culture and their experiences with NFL fans. They delve into the performance of the Buffalo Bills, the gambling culture surrounding sports, and the identity crisis of Josh Allen. The conversation also covers the surprising success of the Pittsburgh Steelers, strategies for survivor pools, and predictions based on a betting model they are developing. The episode wraps up with a discussion on upcoming NFL matchups and the importance of trusting their model for betting insights. Chapters 00:00 Key West Wedding Adventures 02:52 NFL Insights from Key West 05:52 Airline Experiences and Travel Tips 08:47 Buffalo Bills Performance Review 11:42 Gambling Culture and Sports Farms 14:44 Josh Allen's Identity Crisis 16:38 Celebrating Wins and Analyzing Teams 18:43 Betting Strategies and Survivor Picks 21:35 Model Predictions and Game Analysis 28:26 Survivor Pool Strategies and Team Evaluations

Its almost the HOLIDAY SEASON!!!! This week we are telling you all the fun things to do in December in Key West!! The weather is so pretty, come on down! Give us a call to set up fun things to do in December!!

Send us a textIn this episode, we dive deep into a conversation with Mark Longenecker, a seasoned tattoo artist with over 30 years of experience. Mark talks about his journey in the tattoo industry, his passion for kava ceremonies, and his love for yoga. He shares some fascinating stories about living in Key West, working for Jimmy Buffett, and living a true tropical lifestyle on a sailboat. Mark also opens up about his time on Ink Master and the intense challenges he faced on the show. Join us as we explore the world of tattooing, the importance of evolving in the industry, and the unique experiences that have shaped Mark's career. Don't miss out on this insightful and entertaining episode!Support the show

This week on the HowToBBQRight Podcast, we're fired up to welcome back our good buddy Dave Williamson — AKA Meat Dave — for another mouthwatering episode (00:14)! He's got big news: Dave just opened a BRAND NEW restaurant (01:10)! Now that he's running the show, we had to ask — is Dave still out front slinging BBQ like the good ol' days (11:43)? And what's it really like selling BBQ in a bar setting — is it harder or easier (15:35)? Dave also drops his famous Mac n' Cheese recipe, and it was passed down by a good friend of ours (22:15)! When it comes to seasonings, Dave knows his stuff (27:26). We talk about why the Primo Ceramic Grill might just become your new favorite backyard cooker (33:40), and how Malcom and Dave's lunch at Bain's BBQ was straight-up deliciousda (34:23). Dave also traveled down to Key West to defend his BBQ festival title (40:01), and yeah… Peanut Butter Jelly RIBS are officially a thing (45:06)! He's cooked on all kinds of smokers, but RecTeq is still Dave's go-to (49:13). We also dive into the current state of the California BBQ scene (52:58), and we wrap things up with a look at how Dave is balancing comedy with the restaurant biz (57:17).  

October's new music round up is for those experiencing end-of-summer woes. Experimental jazz hits from the mad genius world of Mad Keys and Kaelin Ellis on “Citrus Punch” and Russo & Co.'s country cruisin' song “Key West of the Midwest” are two tracks that will give your Fall 2025 playlist a fresh summery vibe. Musician and artist development coach Muhammad “Mvstermind” Austin, producer and music show originator Miya Norfleet, and host Elaine Cha break down their top picks in this anniversary edition of new music by artists in or from St. Louis. Check out our “St. Louis on the Air” Spotify playlist here: new music round up playlist.

Greg is jet setting to Key West for a wedding featuring small animals // Wiggy makes the case for the Pats in the playoffs // Ninko's running late, Coco defends Bill O'Brien //

It's unanimous: Lebron has jumped the shark // On opening day, Scheim begs the Bruins for a competitive season // Courtney thinks Belichick backing out of doc is a horrible look for UNC // If Stevenson has a costly fumble moving forward, Curtis puts it on Vrabel // It's clear the Bruins are going to have problems scoring goals // The News With Courtney: Not a good PR week for the "safest city in the US" Greg is jet setting to Key West for a wedding featuring small animals // Wiggy makes the case for the Pats in the playoffs // Ninko's running late, Coco defends Bill O'Brien // Hill Noters weigh in on bossman Ken sliding in for Greg tomorrow // Rob Ninkovich shows up! Says you gotta keep feeding Stevenson the rock // Nink promises to show up on time next week //

Is Robert the Doll really haunted, or something even stranger? This week on The Paranormal Podcast, Jim Harold welcomes David L. Sloan, the man who literally tends to Robert the Doll in Key West. As Robert's longtime “doll tender,” David shares chilling firsthand encounters, new historical discoveries, and the mysterious energies surrounding the infamous artifact. OCTOBER SPECIAL: Get a 14 week free trial of Spooky Studio Plus on Apple Podcasts ONLY: Sign up on the Apple Podcasts app or go here: https://apple.co/spooky From his discovery of Robert's origins to reports of people who mocked the doll and suffered strange consequences, Sloan reveals how Robert's legend blends verifiable history with eerie modern experiences. You'll hear about: -The real story behind the “permission curse” myth -Why Robert may contain multiple spirits or even a portal -The shocking experiences that nearly drove Sloan to quit paranormal research -How a trip to Germany connected Robert to ancient tree spirits and the Black Forest -What happened when famous YouTubers Sam & Colby challenged Robert Whether you think it's folklore or genuine supernatural energy, this one will make you think twice before saying, “Robert, can I take your picture?” Learn more: https://hauntedkeywest.com David Sloan's book: Robert the Doll: The True Biography of Key West's Haunted Doll at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KG8HQ0 Thanks David! --This post contains Amazon affiliate links that benefit Jim Harold Media when you make a qualifying purchase. Thank you for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in this week to hear about a lot of events in October and November in Key West! Get your pens and paper ready and hit slow mode because we are going fast!!!Dont forget to check out Theconciergegirl.comandhttps://thelocalsideofkeywestadventures.com/

Fresh off of their trip to Key West, Amy Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are back to recap everything from their Florida adventure. On today's Bless Your 'Hardt, Amy and Dale share stories of questioning the airplane landing gear, eating cupcake sushi, and their most embarrassing memories from Key West over the years. With National Hunting and Fishing Day right around the corner, the two share their favorite fishing experiences from their childhood, where Dale reveals his too good to be true fishing tale that made it all the way to the Statesville newspaper. Plus, in #AskAmy, they give the fans advice on being first-time parents, things they used to believe as kids, and much more. The two also team up in their own version of Family Feud that can't be missed.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key West drug traffickers, God's Own Bad-Ass, flying bullets, and the billion-dollar business of escape. Jimmy Buffett wasn't just the “Margaritaville Guy” – he was a hustler, a ham, and a near pirate who turned a hangover into an empire. For a full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET THE NEWSLETTER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (formerly Twitter)  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Fan Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices