Waldo E. Sexton would have been proud of me to draw 79 paying guests for my lecture, mostly about him from my point of view, at the McKee Botanical Garden on March 27. It was meaningful to me to have an audience interested in my topic and I hope it was meaningful to them to share in a unique experience that celebrated Waldo, Vero Beach, the McKee Botanical Garden and me. My lecture ended with a short bit on my novel, The Cooking Class in San Sebastian and pintxos and wine served by the Sealantro Garden Cafe. As the clever Japanese say, “Ichi-go ichi-e,” which translates sort of as “one meeting, one moment in your life that will never happen again.”

The management at McKee was thrilled to take in almost $2,000 to carry on their mission. In my presentation which I include at the link, I expressed the garden’s value as wholesome entertainment for all ages as well as inspiring all to feel the beauty in nature — and in this special spot on the planet. Vero is unique and the Botanical Garden is unique. Waldo’s hands in creating both express his uniqueness.

This wasn’t the only event of the week. Several happy hours occurred all over town. Two classmates, Diane Resch and Kathy Smith, marvelous cooks, artists and entertainers, organized a magic happy hour in Smith’s amazing garden attended by 30 women who graduated with me from Vero Beach High School. It was surreal to see so many of these faces I hadn’t seen in so long and we had a great time!

Happy chums at happy hour! I made the Hemingway Daiquiri. Everyone brought a dish to share. The food was great.

Smith’s Garden could charge admission but doesn’t. The happy hour here included 30 high school chums who all brought food or wine.

The happy hour at Waldo’s at the Driftwood Inn is usually rocking even in broad daylight with a band on Saturday afternoon.

It was a meaningful week for me in every way. I look forward to being with all these old friends again next year. There’s rumor of a significant reunion in 2020 that’s not to be missed.