The used key is always bright.—B. Franklin
And necessary to start up many adventures.
Many years ago, we were surprised when my brother-in-law invited us to a resort where he had once been a groundskeeper, in the upper Keys in Florida. I had never been in this area before. During one day there, my mother, D, tiny baby L, and I drove all the way down to Key West. A revelation at the end of US 1. It seemed like a piratical version of a New England town. Bikes and chickens. A sign: Warning! Marine life beyond this point.
D and I returned to Key West another year (with L, who got around in style in a stroller), and in fact couldn't leave because of a snow- and icestorm that covered most of the East. It turned very cold one day, a record I think. Could it have been 40 degrees? It seems that it was, and a restaurant or bar had a fireplace stoked. It was a very strange, liberating feeling, knowing we had to stay somewhere we really didn't want to leave.
A map key is useful, especially in another country entirely . . .
A keystone is key; otherwise, the entire enterprise might crumble.
Postscript:
Just as my fingers on these keys
Make music, so the self-same sounds
On my spirit make a music, too.
—"Peter Quince at the Clavier," Wallace Stevens
18 comments:
That reminds me of the olden days when going places and doing things was fun.
I like what you did here.
I would love to visit the florida keys some day.... but why would they post a warning about marine life?
and I love ALL the various keys in this post!
do you know why they call bottle openers church keys?
I just realized I should have included something about pennsylvania - I wonder when it became known as the keystone state.... ah more things to research! it never ends does it this quest for useless information!
I like the Wallace Stevens quote; since I love music, it holds the "key" to my heart :)
oooh i like this post. clever and fun to read.
Very nice I do not have anything key to add.
I sure have learned a lot about keys. I forgot how much I liked map keys when I was a kid--I used to make these fake maps with really silly keys. I wish I still had some of those!
I have a big bunch of keys... all kinds, all sizes,... no idea what, or who, they belong to, but I hate to throw them away, just in case.... you know......
Key West is definitely my favorite key! :)
These elements, quotes and thoughts could work into a nice poem. ;) Very appealing blog!
I love Wallace Stevens - and - I could actually have written about keys this week. Or any week. I love keys.
This was lovely.
how about being "keyed up"? (which has just occurred to me) - i spose thats to do with the "opening up" anticipation, unknown...
i'd like to visit the florida keys.
maybe one day
:-)
My son and his family made a trip to Key West this summer only to evacuate with the Hurricane. They ended up having a good time somewhere else in FL.
Hey, ain't that sea cow/manatee country..?
Keys have special meanings and special stories each one!
I should sometimes take a photo from our oldest keys, they are very heavy and big ones.
But I am smiling because of Shammickite`s comment, I have also tens of old keys just in case as she is saying :)
Thank you for your visits my blog, Beth!
Loved your story about Key West. I've been there a few times, including my honeymoon - one of my favorite places. I can't imagine being there in 40 degree weather.
I remember this poem from 2nd grade:
"A Bunch of Magic Keys is mine
To make each day with gladness shine.
Good Morning is the magic key
That unlocks every day to me"
We have spent many a vacation camping in the Keys. Love the place.
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