Refrigerators - full of choices, full of memories

Coming home from a walk I went to my refrigerator and was faced with the daily decision - should I splurge and have a Coke, or settle for a glass of iced tea? Then I realized just why it was such a weighty problem: Ice tea is 'old hat' - I always have it with summer meals. But Coke has, for me, thrilling memories.

In my early years I was dating two boys simultaneously. One of them, Charlie, never seemed to lack for pocket money for movies and sodas, really anything at all. The other, Howard, was extremely attractive and very smart, but never had enough money for fun things to do. Still, I loved spending time with him more than anyone.

One summer evening I walked to a local fair held several blocks from my own house. I had already spent most of my $1 allowance on carnival rides - the whip and the Ferris wheel - when I ran into one of my boyfriends, who was walking around the fair 'just looking.' When we joined each other I said, without even thinking, "Boy, I am dying of thirst. I need a drink!"

He hesitated a moment and then replied, "Sit down on that bench and I will go get you a drink."

Five minutes later he returned with a five-cent cup of Coca-Cola and handed it to to me. I had never before had one - at that time a lime rickey from the drug store soda counter was my favorite drink. It was love at first sip. It was only many years later, long after we were married, that Howard confessed that the nickel he spent on that Coke for ME was all the money he had for the fair!

So, while wine may be the drink of romance for some people, Coca-Cola, real Coke, remains my all-time favorite.

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Are you in some doubt about the meaning of your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage, but are reluctant or embarrassed to ask about it? Or perhaps you simply don't know whom to ask?

Here are some of the most common questions asked:

Catastrophic coverage: Medicare covers almost all your costs after you have spent $3,600 in a single year.

Deductible: the amount one must pay each year before coverage begins.

What counts as "assets": This includes bank accounts, value of investments, life insurance policies, and "extra" real estate. This does not include your home, vehicles, burial plots or personal possessions, and $1500 of savings set aside for burial expenses.

For further information you can call 1-800-718-5219, or try the Florida Medicare Information website: www.floridamedicare.com

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A recent Sunday found us at the new Versailles restaurant, enjoying this addition to Pensacola's fine dining experiences. Owner Jeff Podojil says he renovated the Barrancas Avenue building, formerly owned by the Fleet Reserve Association, and what a wonderful job he has done! The exterior is upscale, and the interior is a luxurious example of Continental elegance.

The delightful ambiance, bountiful buffet and attentive wait staff were enhanced by the sweet strains of Holly Shelton's voice. Holly, Pensacola's best jazz and blues singer, cruised among the tables chatting and taking requests for everyone's favorite numbers. How does she remain so glamourous, and so friendly at the same time? No wonder she is one of our area's favorite entertainers.

Chef Andrew Selz cooks up a varied Sunday brunch buffet, with many specialty items, and there is a carving station, a decadent dessert selection, and freshly-made ala carte items including pancakes and French toast, my daughter's favorite, are available just by asking your server.

Plan to go soon and treat someone in YOUR family to an extra-special Sunday event. Buffet hours are from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. For reservations, call 438-7776 or 438-7772.

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Spoken like a senior:

"I finally got my head together and now my body fell apart!"

"Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it!"

Well, we seniors can always laugh at ourselves. And don't forget - Having a positive attitude may not solve all of your problems, but it will annoy people enough to make the effort worthwhile.

See you next week!