Key West can "swallow" people. I stated that yesterday but didn't know what the rest of the day would bring to prove just how true that statement is. I guess it could be said that you can take the pastor out of the ministry and transport him 3,000 miles but you can't take the ministry out of the pastor no matter where he is.
But before we get to that, I finally got out on the water yesterday for a couple hours -- about 1 1/2 hours over calm clear shallow Gulf of Mexico water andf about 20 minutes over the much deeper darker choppy Atlantic. Maxed out at about 46 mph on the Gulf. But hit a respectable 40 on the Atlantic despite 3 - 5 foot chop. Saw some dolphins. Raced the cruise ship channel around Sunset Isle with two ships in port. What a great afternoon.
Then I returned to solid ground and to reality. Key West can swallow people. I got informed about 6:30 pm by a mutual friend that a long-time friend of mine here was in trouble. Falling down, throwing up drunk trouble. Remember 6:30 p.m. I had plans for a nice dinner. The mutual friend was working and could do nothing but try to contain our friend until someone came to get him. Hios girlfriend of many years recently left him and moved 1,000 miles away, due to his drinking, devasting him. He's had a falling out with his only family member who is local. So I get called in. Can't take the ministry out of the pastor I guess. I got a hold of my friend, convinced him to turn over his car keys to me and slowly made our way to the other side of the island. Stopped off at Waffle House (not quite the dinner I had anticipated) to get some food into him. Got him back safely to his condo. Called a cab to take me home. When I get into the cab, first thing I find out is that the cabbie is another mutual friend who happens to know the friend I had just limped home. Asked if I'd mind while he ran an errand -- a side business he operates delivering food. So off the wrong direction we went -- wrong from the way I wanted to be going. But after that short 10 minutes diversion (ONLY IN KEY WEST I BELIEVE!) I got dropped off at my "home," finally about 9:30pm, remembering my comment about Key West "swallowing" people. Keep my friend in your prayers. They can only help! I know people were praying for me yesterday, not even knowing the mess I was dealing with here!
As for today, my morning walk told me that it feels like it's going to be warmer and more humid today. I hope to get out on the water again today, then maybe pick up the dinner I hoped to enjoy last night.
Three more full days here till I board my return plane at 4:30 Thursday afternoon, arriving back at LAX at about 9 pm your time.
All for now.