More Country "Hang Outs"

Where do you hang out when most "places" are closed for the summer or are a good 20 minutes drive away? Well, let me catch you up on the "hang outs" in Highlands County.

ROSERIOS PIZZA: This is almost directly across the street from the church. Roserios Pizza could be called "Cheers" because it's definitely where everybody knows your name. Darrell, the woman in charge, can connect people like no one I've ever seen. One days I was eating the pizza (which is good, by the way -- I recommend the cheeseburger pizza -- EAT MORE BEEF! ya know?!) Anyway, while I was eating I was listening to Darrell. She's from Boston and has the accent and everything (didn't I say this place was Cheers?) Darrell asks a couple where they are from as she pretty much knows everyone who comes in. Turns out there from some suburb of Las Vegas and have just moved within the week. She welcomes them and then connects them to another couple 2 tables down who just happens to be moving to the same suburb of Las Vegas in the next 2 weeks. The people connect immediately and soon the table of 2 becomes a table of 4. I'd say this was coincidence except it happens CONSTANTLY in there. It's so much fun to watch. She has a gift, ya know? I was waiting on my pizza there last week while being stressed out about the lack of wedding know-all and working on the homily. She comes by and within minutes I'm feeling better about what I have to do because she has so much good stuff to say about the bride and groom because, of course, she knows everybody. The only draw back for this place is that it is only open Wednesday through Saturday and they close for a month every year. Oh, and did I mention they also rent DVD's from the closet?

THE WATERING HOLE: This place is the hang out "in town" (that's a 20 minute drive) that is known for their bar. I can't say I've been there for that reason but I know many people who consider their bar the best place to meet singles. To be perfectly honest, I don't know what people in Highlands County look for in their couples if they are there to pass out (which seems to be the chief end of things -- not a nice buzz but literally to make themselves sick . . . to each his own, right?) Though, from what I've seen, people are mostly looking for someone who drives a gas guzzling truck -- if it's been jacked up, even better. This is, after all, redneck heaven. But I'm not nay-saying the Watering Hole. They boast some of the most incredible steaks in the state of FL (EAT MORE BEEF!) and, for entertainment value, they have a live alligator in captivity (with an interesting past life) and a host of peacocks. It is pretty impressive for the Middle of Nowhere, FL.

AFFINITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: My favorite non-eating hang out is Affinity Health Professionals. It's a chiropractic office. Initially I went because my husband went, but before long I learned that the staff is ALL my age or younger. In other words, it's one of the only places in the county that is not aged. Even the doctor is a couple of months younger than I am. I've experienced great health through chiropractic and acupuncture and even the massage there so I am a "regular" in their office. But really, what drew me, was the social life. (I know, too funny! KT discovers her social life at the chiropractic office!) I feel like I'm part of their family. They expect me when I get my stress headaches around funerals or church business meetings. And I offer my services in the sense of being available to offer people help with spiritual wellness. It is well worth your time if you're ever in the Arbuckle Creek area.

So that's the news for today from Arbuckle Creek -- where all the women drive golf carts, the men are blatant carnivores, and the children watch for alligators in their backyards.