Sporting bright red curly wigs, the boys paraded into Happy Hour en masse. I swear, I could not stop laughing/crying for at least half an hour. Don't let this secret get out, but.... I love those knuckleheads! Yes, it was a great evening in Mo-Town.

Even those of you who visit only occasionally are acutely aware how special our Green Parrot family is, so you can imagine how bittersweet it was to head off on my new adventure. So, to all of my great friends who come from around the corner to those from far away lands, let me quote the Grateful Dead here: What a long, strange trip it's been. I mean that in the most heartfelt way.

And considering I've been hanging out at The Parrot for 26 years, working here for over 9, I consider it a minor miracle that I depart with my liver intact. Oh, so many things for which to be grateful.

I'm going to keep this page up for awhile, for anyone who's interested in what kind of ruckus I'm causing at my new residence (or during visits back to Key West). I can't call it my new home town, because Key West will always be HOME.

As Dorothy sings in The Wiz, "When I think of home, I think of a place where there is love overflowing."

My CD, "Mighty Red - Vicki Roush & The Redheaded Blues Band," continues to be available right here on the Green Parrot website, would make a wonderful gift or great addition to your own collection, don't you think!? (Must warn you, though, there's one song with extremely explicit lyrics - a real "CD seller"!)

Come on down,

V.

After 26 years in Key West, I feel qualified, and yes, even obligated to offer our visitors a little advice. Here goes:

I came to Key West on a whim, and have been thankful that I acted on that whim.

Things have changed a lot over the years, like everywhere else, I suppose, but one thing that remains constant: there’s still a bunch of nuts down here! Goofy, crazy, endearing, border-line, lost and found souls, really great characters. Some you like, some you don’t, some you just tolerate, and most you really care for in spite of themselves.

If a goal of your trip is to experience the local’s lust for life, please at least think about the following recommendations:

1. Stay in the old town area at a hotel or guesthouse.

2. Park the G.D. car! Rent a bike (not a scooter - too many folks have spent their vacations in the emergency room) or just hoof it. You’ll get to see lots of neat stuff as you walk. Heck, the island's only 2 x 4 for cryin' out loud.

3. Skip the obvious tourist traps at all costs.

4. Plunk yourself down on a bar stool at the Green Parrot first thing.

Advice is cheep at the Parrot (pun intended). I ought to know. The other bartenders and I dish a lot of it out. You're gonna make some friends. The only notes you need to take now are: when you get to town, taxi or walk to the Parrot immediately. THEN, think about what you might want to do later. Don’t make any other plans. Be spontaneous!

Heck, if I wasn’t spontaneous back in ‘79, I’d still be up in Michigan having to wear panty hose to some stupid job.