Erica De Mane

Here’s my aunt Filomena on vacation in Key Largo, I would guess around 1952 or ‘3.  She’s got herself a flying fish. Not sure how exactly, but there it is. The guy who took the photo, Nick something or other, became so upset by her “haughty” attitude, owning that fish (which she soon threw back in the water),  he left her stranded in the Keys, with 15 bucks but with a much clearer outlook on life.

So here’s a rule, be you man or woman, or landing someplace in between: If a potential date can’t deal with you on tiptoes, dressed in hibiscus, and proudly posing with a gorgeous force of nature, that person is not worth the trouble. And what happened to lovely Filomena? Well, she opened the most influential trinket shop in the Keys, stocked with sand dollars,  fishing nets, dried seaweed, bug spray, and maps of Cuba. She was a charming delight and hosted many memorable parties for local fisherman, even creating her own signature drink, the Salty Miss, a blend of gin and sea water, garnished with an anchovy-stuffed olive.  Several  worthwhile lovers, bolder and smarter than that idiot Nick,  took photos of her with various fish, including a giant squid ( all on display in her shop),  up until the day she passed peacefully, from sun stroke,  at age 68. Good show aunt Fil.