Here it is, another beautiful day on the beautiful Gulf Coast. As I walked along the bayfront, I looked across the water, and saw one lonely sailboat making its way over the waves, and I recalled all the happy years and good times my husband had with his various sailboats. (I also remember his complete disdain for 'stinkpots' aka motorboats.)

Whether he had a boat on the Jersey Shore, on the Chesapeake, or here in a local marina, sailing was a lifelong passion.

We had just moved here when he and a new neighbor decided to trailer his boat from Gulf Breeze to the Navy base to put it in the water there. They hitched the trailer to the car in a hurry, and took off quickly as they wanted to get across the Three Mile Bridge before the lunch hour traffic build-up.

As they approached the bridge, the trailer started to separate from the car, which ended up on the bridge while the trailer remained far behind on the approach. Traffic was already increasing as they struggled to back the car back up to the boat, and things were becoming difficult for them and for the other drivers.

Naturally, quite a few choice words were flung in their direction. My husband often afterwards said if you want to enlarge your vocabulary of swear words, you could get a great head start in a place where most of the men are retirees from the military.

Well, finally they got the trailer and car back together and got on their way. Just like the Navy, they always did the job at hand right, and, oh yes, colorfully.

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Did you know that, in this area alone, caregivers are currently serving 10,000 clients, and have many more on the waiting list? To maintain the service they now provide, they deserve a more realistic wage. There has been no change in their wages since 2003, and many average less than $8 per hour for work that is difficult and stressful. The workers need an 10.5 percent adjustment just to keep up with today's consumer price index.

Competitive wages are necessary to retain good workers in today's difficult economy. As a Senator in the Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, I intend to present a bill this year that will address the issue. I would appreciate your thoughts and endorsements.

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Can you believe this year's Senior Follies was the tenth anniversary performance? The performers spend weeks in preparing every year, and the costumes are incredible. So here's a snappy salute to this year's show. Hard to believe there are so many talented people in our area. No wonder we're called the greatest generation.

If you missed it this year, put it on the front burner for next year. Look out, American Idol, here come the seniors!

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Gulf Breeze has its own Toastmasters' Club, meeting Wednesdays at noon. This group helps develop polished speakers and is perfect for meeting new friends and learning to feel at ease when called on to speak in a public setting. They meet at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze on Fairpoint Drive, and you are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch along. To learn more about the group, contact Linda Wasserman, 206-4608, or Evelyn Livermore, 316-8685.

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Quotable quotes of the financial sort:

You're stuck with your debt if you can't budget. (groan)

A lot of money is tainted - 'tain't yours and it 'tain't mine!

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

See you next week.