Blog #4: You Know Your Dress is too Short When . . . | kathryn1985's Blog

Downtown Fort Myers, City of Palms, Cinco de Mayo spirit in the air, brick-paved and palm-lined streets. A bit of a breeze coming off of the Carloosahatchie River to cut into the humidity. It's 6:30 and music is already humming from the town square free concert.

My fiance and I have other plans and scoot over to "Yanos", a 'we-are-cool' restaurant tucked away in one of the art deco buildings that were built with a flourish 90 years ago, fell into disfavor, given a lift and cosmetics post-war, fell into disfavor again and reemerged sunny once again in the ongoing renewal of the past five or so years. After two glasses of a chilly chardonnay (one more than my wussy limit), I pecked at a slab of swordfish and finished half; none was wasted after the vacuum cleaner that sat opposite me gave it his attention. 

Plenty of time before our show and we explored the Franklin Shops on First Street . . . two floors of local artists and clever vendors . . .  with all sorts of cute stuff. On the way out and just past the ornate shop front the fiance puts a coral blue and silver beaded bracelet on to my wrist. The $8 price tag still attached. He gets a kiss and a hug but really enjoys the game and my little surprise. How the hell did he . . . ?

A short block walk to the arcade theatre where, as a sign quietly explains, Tom Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone caroused, drank and thought. Ford and Edison, close chums a hundred years ago, shared nearby winter homes that were attached by a walkway. They also, as the guide will say, shared innovative ideas, innovations such as a heated swimming pool, "air conditioning," an electric-powered sauna . . .  and their wives.

We saw a rib-splitting funny farce of a play, "The Mystery of Irma Vep," where two actors played eight roles. Lightning quick costume changes, a story line that included werewolves, vampires, killers, a mummy, a trip to the Egyptian desert, cross dressing galore and lust oozing every minute made it hysterical. 

Oh yeah, you know your little black dress is too short when the eight-year old holding the hands of both parents right behind you on the street says plenty loud, "Mommy, I can see that girl's tushy."

" />