It’s 5 o’clock everywhere...

It’s hard when the good ones go. It seems like it’s been happening too often lately. But there are some folks who leave a hole that can not be refilled…Jimmy Buffet is definitely one of those.

Years ago, I took a group of students on a trip to Europe. We were soaking in the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, the remnants of the wall in Berlin. The trip was magical. But one of my best memories was our train ride. There were other students. Some with guides and some traveling alone with friends. I remember once upon a time being one of those kids myself…so I made the decision to find a separate place to park myself so they could talk about life with each other…without the fear of a grown up hearing their conversations. Only 30 minutes or so had passed when I heard the entire group singing from their cabin, “wastin away again in margaritaville”. It (and he) was a message that spanned the globe.

Jimmy Buffet was a poet, a musician, a pirate- the son of the son of a sailor. But of the many things he was, a community builder is my personal favorite. Much like Jimmy, I have so many ideas for where and how My Gnome on the Roam will grow. Jimmy started with music but he grew his brand into so much more….campgrounds, restaurants and an entire community called Parrotheads. But through all the growth, his message has remained true. Be who you are. Enjoy this beautiful place and the beautiful people around you. And when it is sometimes too much…there’s always a beach and it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

I’m working on a Jimmy Buffet gnome unless someone beats me to it. Hawaiian shirt is not optional! And I’m going to continue to dream about the community of Gnomies we are building here and around the world.

Three cheers to the life of the party and to one more cheeseburger in paradise.

Fins up,
Team Gnome