OH, MY — the days are short, the nights are cool and each day the sun is a little lower on the horizon. That made for a spectacular sight last week when I drove up the coast for lunch at Fish House Vera Cruz in Carlsbad. The Pacific Ocean was cobalt blue and you could see to Dana Point. I stopped by the San Diego Army and Navy Academy while I was in the neighborhood and gave them copies of the Pacific Beach Historical Society’s November newsletter about the school’s beginnings in Pacific Beach 100 years ago. FOR SOME REASON, I’ve been getting stopped by old friends a lot lately when I leave the post office after checking my mail box. It always happens just as I’m getting in my car. I hear my name, turn to see who it is and find myself staring directly into that aforementioned winter sun. Last week, the voice emanating from the sun was the lovely Darice Westwood. I’m pretty sure she’s still lovely, but then I’m still seeing spots. HOW WOULD YOU like to be a landlord — or landlady? Just sit back and let the money roll in. Oh, wait, you say the college kids trashed the place? What? The place caught on fire because those nice boys were growing marijuana in the garage? The best one yet has got to be the person who’s been notified that his tenant has planted so many bombs in and around the house that they’re going to have to burn the place to the ground. I wonder if his homeowner’s insurance policy is going to cover that. DID WE GET a day off? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure we went straight from a deluge of repulsive political television advertisements right into a bombardment of treacly (look it up) Christmas messages. Oh, well. I know a lot of merchants rely on the holidays to try to survive, so I hope the ads are working. SPEAKING OF WHICH, I have copies of both of my Pacific Beach books in stock, if you’re interested in a stocking stuffer. “Images of America: Pacific Beach” is $26.50, which includes shipping and sales tax. “A Short History of Crystal Pier” is $13. Let me know if you’d like me to autograph the book and ship it for you. — John Fry may be reached at 272-6655 or [email protected].