Our excellent Floridian correspondent, Ken, has clarified the "Manatee/Manatea" issue for me, and in view of the fgeneral interst (?) I feel it should be shared. Note that Ken reports the ManaTEEs and set upon by aggressive and surly speed boaters, and are in danger of extinction as a result. Barb M. must then be concerned that there will be a terrible shortage of ManaTEA, which evidently is what keeps her functioning out there in California. Personally, the idea of drinking *anything* made from these rather repulsive looking critters turns me off--sorry Barb. I doubt that even honey and a LARGE cinnamon stick would make them palatable--sorry, Gerrit ! Take a look at Ken's post, below, and decide if these "docile and friendly creatures" really should become a *beverage*" (as an alternative--would Palmetto bugjuice do?) Kewn wrote : >Camilla, you KNEW I could not resist commenting, right? Well the Manatees are >really nice critters, and are getting close to extinction, due to boaters and >the propellors of the boats cutting them up. This is sad, as they are docile >and friendly creatures...(The Manatees, NOT the boaters, who are often >aggressive and surly!) >The Flying Roaches are called Pallmetto Bugs and they do not all fly, just the >ones that seek out tourists! They are not as large as the Manatees, but some >are as big as the boats that run over the Manatees! Actually, they are >usually about one to two and a half inches long, but if you find one in your >food it SEEMS larger! (The Palmetto Bugs, not the Manatees, boats, or surly >boaters!) The weather here is not too bad, but it did go under 70 degrees >today, and I was looking for an overcoat! >I HATE cold weather! I sit and look at my pool, which is too chilly to swim >in at this time of year, but we are still able to repair it, clean it, add >chemicals, and pay for the power to run the pump, even if only Palmetto Bugs, >Manatees, and tiny insects get to enjoy it! SO, if anyone was thinking about >making a trip to Florida, please remember our slogan: "Come back to Miami, We >Weren't Shooting At YOU!" > This Tourist Advisory was NOT brought to you by the Florida Tourist Advisory >Board, >or the Chamber of Commerce! > P.S., I have lived in Florida since 1958 and I really do love it, and it >really IS a nice place to visit! (My check from the Chamber of Commerce just >arrived!) >Ken PBS Becker. > >PBS=Palmetto Bug Stomper ---just for fun!........ Camilla <[log in to unmask]> http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm Laughter-- :-) :-) the best medecine !