First, the ebb tide rushes in, plants a kiss on the shore . . . hey, ebb tide to me is just a reminder of the Elongated Ball Bag that dangles where magnificence once reigned. It's June, man, back when school lets out and tittops appear but here we are in the land of Howard Hughes and Hunter Thompson, who once parlayed notoriety with aplomb and I did them one better -- I found H E R. OK, so it's been dicey for a while with all the virus crap but I'm looking at splendor from a front-row seat by the pool, and I just expressed gratitude the old fashioned way - - by toasting life, love and H E R.

The 25 and hooch are the preferred level-setters here and so far, so good. Life without fear is so fine and even the wobblies yesterday are no signal to change. The rolos (Sailor Jerry, ouzo and OJ) were mighty but we've settled in on a less propulsive combo; this makes the flash point less assured.

So they open up the place - - yea!! ???? Gotta have a horse in the race to make opinion relevant but perpetuating the lull makes full sense to this participant. Hats off to Harry and the play 'em if you got 'em crowd.