I googled "How long can a fiber optic line be run?"

Ted Kennedy: True Compass

When Ted Kennedy died I was anxious to read his memoir, True Compass. Being born on Cape Cod and living in Massachusetts for over thirty years, I, as many people do, felt a certain "bond" with the Kennedys. I respect them, feel sorrow for their losses, and generally look up to this historic family. When Senator Kennedy died, I wanted to find out more about his life.

Soon after his death his memoir came out. We ran right out and purchased a copy. I have been reading it on and off since late September, and I have quite enjoyed the several pages I read each night before bed. Kennedy is a good writer, who combines fact and humor in his writing. I often find myself laughing out loud at some funny lines that are in the book. It isn't a book that I want to race through and finish, but rather savor, a few pages at a time.

Unlike Steven, who seems to know all the complex interworkings of the Kennedys, I am finding out through this book how all of the large clan came together. And this is one large family! I look forward to continuing my reading of America's "Royal Family".

Joe's Stone Crabs

Yesterday Steven and I took a ride to Miami. It is a 28 mile trip down 95 to A1A and is quite pretty. Once we got off 95 we were riding along the channel where all the cruise ships dock. It was pretty cool being so close. And since we were stuck in a bit of traffic I was able to get a good look at the giant floating hotels. I brought my little camera with us, but I was only able to take one shot before the battery ran out. Oops, note to self: check the battery before leaving the house!

Our goal was to have lunch at Joe's Stone Crabs, a Miami landmark. I had been given a gift card to Joe's last year from someone I work with and we were worried that it might expire if we didn't use it soon. Stone crabs are delicious. They are very sweet and totally yummy. The big thing with them is that they are only available October 15 through May 15, due to regulations. Also, the are only harvested in Florida. And, if harvested properly, the crab can be returned to the water once it's claws have been removed, where it will regrow claws. Per pound, stone crabs are the most expensive seafood sold in the United States!

We parked the car and walked a few blocks to Joe's. It was fun to be walking in an urban area, and we both thought the neighborhood reminded us of Boston (not in an architectural sense, but in a city-living way). Miami is known for Art Deco, Boston not so much.

When we arrived at Joe's we were told that the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. We had no idea they would be closed on a Sunday and we didn't call ahead. Oops. But all wasn't lost. The host told us that their "Take Away" restaurant was open and we could bring that back and enjoy our lunch on the patio. That was fine with us.

We each ordered a lobster roll and we split a bottle of wine and 8 stone crab claws. The total for all this was $75. I am only saying how much it cost because this wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. The lobster rolls were $16, the crab was $27, and the wine was very reasonably priced at $15 (it is $10 in stores - I won't even say what it was because it wasn't good).

After we gorged ourselves on treats from the sea, we headed over to Lincoln Road to check out a store Steven wanted to visit. We were amazed at the outdoor mall on Lincoln Road. It seemed to go on for miles and the people watching was the best we have ever seen. Miami is definitely a city full of pretty people. We both agreed that we needed to go right home and visit the gym. We didn't do that. Instead Steven made corn chowder and we watched Big Love.

It was a great day.