That was a quick trip to the beach, complicated by a brake caliper freezing in Hattiesburg. We fortunately made our way easily to a mechanic who righted the problem in a couple of hours.

We only had two full days, so didn't even pack swim suits.

In the shopping capital of Alabama I purchased these glamorous items: a new toilet seat (through maintenance), two king-sized pillows, two oven mitts, four pot holders, a mat for the patio door, a set of flatware and a key rack.

The key rack is a brass affair with five dolphins standing on their tails. The tails hold the keys. Will guests figure out what it is? Maybe I should have bought the raw piece at Wal-mart that was a wooden cut-out of the word 'keys' and spray painted it. We'll see.

There was some wicker unweaving at the foot of one of the dining chairs. I worked on that.

On Wednesday night we ate at Grazzi, an Italian restaurant. They serve a spinach salad with bacon, tomato, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette that I want to replicate at home. It was delicious, or I was hungry, or both.

The drive home was easy. I tried to teach Lucy to say "Lyman, are we there yet?", but she was having none of it.