Fencing the Chattahoocheee

 A recent, quick, 24 hour camping trip to the country found this fence.

Beyond the flowers and the rails, on the edge of a town called Fort Gaines, is a hillside...

At the bottom of the hillside, is the Chattahoochee. You can't see much of it, but it is there.

Go fence jumping...just click above.

Smiles!







Memory Nudgers

I started today with my simple spider and web head piece and stockings with glued on roaches (I had on regular clothes too, I promise) and headed to work. My decorations were subtle, but those that noticed smiled and seemed to just enjoy the playfulness of the day. Only a few of decorated ourselves for this 31st day of October.

I took a few minutes to check out a favorite site, and a recent post touched on a memory.

Picture from TheKitchn.com

Tootsie Rolls!!!

These are homemade, you can check it out at TheKitchn...

My Grandfather's birthday was October 31st. I remember tootsie rolls being among one of his favorite candies (and butterscotch).  I still have a tootsie roll cardboard bank that he gave me when I was a child.

Halloween was always spent trick or treating the neighborhood, followed by a quick treck to my grandparent's house at the end of the evening - just a mere four blocks away.

My brother and I would always go to the door, ring the bell and get to giggling at the thoughts of "tricking" my grandpa, by him not knowing it was us.  I am sure he always knew, and I am pretty sure we were always the last. And we always received the count - many times in the 100 visitor area. Our neighborhood was rocked with door to door candy beggers.

We would visit for just a bit, after collecting our candy. Then headed home, many times in the first flurries of the first snow for the season.

Tonight, as we prepared our plates at Wednesday night supper (in the South, many churches still have Wednesday night supper followed by a quick presentation), they had a dessert table set up. Ice Cream and toppings. I usually skip on the ice cream, but just could not as I noticed the caramel topping.

Another memory nudged of my Grandfather. Really, of my Grandparents - Grandma did the fixing, but I truly believe that Grandpa set the structure: ALWAYS vanilla ice cream and ALWAYS caramel topping.

So today, an easy day to remember to remember, had some subtle memories nudged beyond that of costumes and tricks and treats.

It was a good day and the vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup hit the spot!

My brother and myself, probably 1978ish...

My Grandfather, many years earlier, on a vacation to Texas

Hopes For Others

I have been working on a project lately. It is another blog. But not a blog for me.


A couple months ago, I shared the journey our niece and her son are on (and his dad – they divorced quite a few years ago, and I don’t want to come across as disregarding his part and his pain in this journey, but I notice I mainly refer to my neice). You can read that post Here or you can read his story here.

In reading online one day, I came across a foundation. Noah’s Hand’s of Hope. How beautiful some people are!!

They, too, are traveling this road that Leigh’s Syndrome is taking them down. In the process they have set up this foundation. In addition to accepting volunteers and donations, one can submit a child’s name. They support the family in many ways. From the child that is fighting the disease, to their siblings and to the family as a whole. Prayers, cards, calls, gift certificates. This foundation really touches suffering families in every corner of their lives.

I submitted Curt’s name and received a quick email from Kate. What a sweet person she is! One item was missing from the form though: a blog or a caring page or some way for the committee to verify Curt does exist and that his condition is real and this journey is true. A way to protect the foundation from being lied to.

It is sad that there are people out there, that will spend so much of other peoples energy scamming groups that are doing a wonderful act of reaching out to others.

The blog is up and posts are being made. Writing a post as if from a 6 year old is not all that easy. Our niece is busy with caring for him and two jobs and dealing with all the emotions that come with this journey, so extra time for her, well, needs to be spent loving on her Super C!

And while it has been a little odd and hard to post another's journey, there has been an award, other than having a way to share Curt’s story with distant friends, but in a way I would not have considered.

His mom told me she looks daily to see what is new with her and Curt.

Now I don’t share anything she has not approved or provided, but it seems that seeing the pictures and reading your story with someone else’s words can work. Can maybe give you another perspective? Maybe...

Another friend of the family said she had read it and oohed on how much more positive it was than the bits of a story here and a bit there.

It is so easy to hear the hurdles and miss those simple blessings that get lost in the less positive aspects of any day.

So while I struggled with the “should I have started it this way” I was encouraged to keep the pace.

You can visit Curt’s Corner here to read his story and maybe follow along with them. And if you will, include them in your prayers?

Also, there are few links on the side bar. One is Noah’s Hand’s of Hope, what a wonderful example of reaching out to others during one’s own time of crisis.

Another is the Tiny Sparrow Foundation. I stumbled upon it one day and was amazed by the photos. This not-for profit recruits volunteers that set up photo sessions with families whose children are terminally ill. Amazing pictures that will tug at your heart.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

He gently leads those who have young

~Isaiah 40:11

Fences: Andersonville

Living in the Deep South means many Civil War sites that can be visited. Not too far from our town is Andersonville. An area dedicated to the a part of Civil War history, to one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. The prison was only in operation for about 14 months, but during those 14 months, such saddness, such inhumane conditions. . . more than 45,000 prisons came through this site, around 13,000 died in this camp.

Now, it is Andersonville Village. A state park with so many accounts and history of that time and that spots dark details. But they do a great job and sharing history that was beyond the fences of this one prison. There are battle reinactments, but there are also reinactments of what life was like during this time. There military funerals, still today. And many ceremonies honoring various aspects of our military history.

We visited on a quiet day, walking with the boys through the sections and stories of the once was prison. Reading about the hunger, the loss, the desperate attempts of escape. Realizing how different our world is, in some ways at least.

Joining in with "FENCES"

Thank you Jan and Jer

http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

TP 214: Grounded

Grounded. Now that is a theme...not grounded as in grounded for life, but grounded as in the ground beneath our feet, or I suppose our back. Now that is an idea, lying on your back, watching the stars, getting stove up if you happen to be over the age 40. Or maybe I am just not in good enough shape. But now I am off on a tangent. I need to stay "grounded" here ...

In honor of our first fall like weather, here is my "grounded."

Visit Carmi here:

Smiles!!

Fences: Upon The Suwanee River

I enjoy going back through my picture files and seeing how the kids have all changed and grown over the years. I am not sure I like that I have grown thicker and older. But, hey, such is life. Glad to be here.

I also realize how many quick trips we do take. This particular one to was to visit family in Florida. As we drove through Suwanee, could not resist the stop. And the oldest was in a silly mood and actually had some fun with picture taking along that green fence. Who knew a few years later that would be watching a reality TV show about loggers on that particular river?

"Fences" is hosted by:

Jan and Jer

TP 211: Weathered and Worn, The Last of It's Kind

Several years ago, a true vacation was just not possible, so we did a couple day trips.

Not a true staycation, because we did leave town, but not the state.  This particular adventure was to check out some sights listed in various Cuirosities of Georgia type books.

About an hour from home, was the last remaining wooden confederate flag pole- dubbed "Old Woody" in the books. Now, I am not that into civil war and am not into flag poles, but thought that we would include that stop in with several other stops.

As we drove around the small town's square, I was unable to locate the flagpole that the book was describing. I parked the car the my sons and a nephew got out to walk around the old courthouse.

How hard could it be to find an old flag pole?!?

No luck, so we entered the courthouse to ask one of the employees.

Funny thing, they had no idea!  Had never heard about it and did not know their town square was listed in several books. I guess we were the first to show or the first unable to figure out a wood flag pole from a not wood flag pole.

As we talked to the ladies in the office, someone walked up that did, indeed, know about the pole and explained why we could not find it: it's encased in concrete to keep it from rotting!!

We headed out to find the pole on the corner. We had walked right by it before and had missed the marker covered by the holy shrubs next to it.

As you can see, my oldest was none to happy to have to pose for a picture by "Old Woody."

While it remains the only standing wooden flag pole from the confederacy, it has only stood the test of time by the casing of cement covering the wooden core. Guess it was getting too weathered and too worn and just did not stand up to the newer aluminum and steel poles used now.

Our trip was not quite complete though, that was just a silly stop along the way.  We continued our journey to find the Cohelee Bridge: the most southerly remaining "kissing bridge" (covered bridge if you will).

What the weather and age has not done, artist have.

No more wooden bridges these days, and I don't believe we need covered bridges to go "kissing" in either. I am glad it has remained. I am glad it shows the workmanship of days gone by, when people built and made things that were to stand the test of time.

And just so you know, I did not make the boys JUST looke at a flag pole and an old "kissing bridge," after burgers we checked out some Indian Mounds too.   

Now that is something that they don't make anymore . . .

Thank you to the host: Carmi!

TP 210: Parrellelism at the St. Pen

The curves and the arches and the old and the flaking is what I am sure caught my eye in the picture. We were moving my step-daughter to Philly and decided to take a tour of the St. Pentitiary. A very intersting trip.

The arches, while curved, also offer the parrellelism that is the theme this week.  I guess you could say it represented a parrellelism in life too. This site once housed beings in this cramped space. While it was dark and a spot of transgressions, well, look at those arches! Towards the bottom center of the picture, are some sort of cabinets. I am sure in their day they were beautiful. The stone work and architecture has, for the most part, stood the test of time. As have some of the stories and lessons from this structure.

And think, at one time, behind those doors dotting the walkway, lives lived in the confines of this building, stifling and tedious and not always warranted.

Meanwhile, outside the doors, the walkways, the walls, there was a parrellel life being lived. Kids playing, adults working, games being played, laughter and most importantly freedom.

I guess life is always full of parrellels...

Hosted by CARMI, go by and check out his site.

Smiles!!

Isaac and Our Little Corner

I have a weird pleasure. I enjoy bad weather days. I don’t want a bunch of them. But sometimes I just need them. I have stipulations though: No tornadoes, no flooding, no homes or people hit by lightening. All that in check and what a glorious day that can be.

Meanwhile I know people that freak out with the slightest breeze. Rain is ok, but they tremble at the thought of lightning and thunder.

So I watched Isaac churn his way north, and waited to see if he would come East or go West. I did feel some guilt over my desire for a tropical storm, knowing East or West it was going to come in where people least needed it. And yet, there are areas that need the rain so bad, that kind of rain can’t get there without coming ashore.

As the first feeder bands came through, there was a spring in my step and I thought about why and what I enjoy about bad weather days. The first reason I have always known:

Appreciation

 Appreciation for the rain that is needed to keep things going. Appreciation for the sunny day that preceded or will follow.

Change in Pace would have to be another reason, slows things down, or in some cases, speeds up the step, if you are in the rain and wind.

This thought led to something else, and I saw it unfolding. A change in temperament. People hold doors,  speak more, and seem more helpful. I was having this thought as I was heading into work. I noticed some moving of large moving bins by one of the warehouses, as I came on base. I noticed a couple sitting in odd spots but did not think much about it.

At my desk, I began opening my email and one was an all user notification, letting us all know there would be visitors soon. 

4,800 was the count.

4,800 individuals that represent the Marines, Air Force and the Navy. The largest sector, of the group, being the Marines.

The email suggested that employees that normally use the gate closest to that warehouse consider one of the other gates or at least be mindful of the increased foot traffic that would be about the next day.

At the end of the day I headed home, taking my normal route to the back the gate, past that warehouse.  What hustle and bustle. All the doors of the warehouse were open, revealing a clean, spic and spanned floor of that very large warehouse.  That strangely placed container that I noticed earlier, had its doors open too, exposing mini shower stalls inside. As I made my last turn, a row of 20-30 port a potties stood, that were not there that morning.

4,800 people would be sleeping and showering and conducting their days around this warehouse. Granted it’s a big one, but can you imagine?  In a huge room with that many folks?

The next morning my curiosity over road the suggestion (ok, ok, the request) that we employees use another gate. I was not the only one. Our cars filed in in a single file line. As I followed the detour that did not take us RIGHT in front of these visitors temporary dwelling, I was glad to see those tan containers had been lined up blocking the potties and giving some privacy to the women and gentlemen displaced by Isaac’s arrival.  As I meandered through the new path, I looked over and in front of that warehouse was row after row of tan /camo clad beings standing at attention. Perfect.

4,800 representatives and reminders that there are many who have chosen a path that requires them to be willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us.

Willing to go where they are told to go without question. Not an option of how’s or what times or what gate they will choose to go to work or go home by, but by what they are ordered to do. By which they adhere to a discipline many of us would shake our heads at. 

The past couple days have had increased foot traffic. Small groups of tan camo and blue camo clad bodies dotting the installation. I did not notice the blue’s and tan’s mixing. I suppose each unit stayed with their comrades.

This morning as I entered, there was a pick up on energy. As I made my turns, I looked to see the troops stand at attention but what I thought I saw, in the dim light of dawn, was the troops sitting. As I made another turn and was closer to their area, I realized what I saw was not sitting troops, but their packs and pillows all lined up.

While our area has been blessed with only Isaac’s feeder bans, and rain (still has not lessened our -13” deficit), I got to enjoy all those things that bad weather gives me.

Thoughtful and prayerful: So many have experienced with this storm the parts that no one wishes to experience. Fear, loss, unknown.  And yet, it is moving so slow more will suffer – praying for those still in Isaac’s path.

Appreciation: For the rain and for the visitor’s reminding me how glad I am that I have more than 20 sq ft to call home tonight.

Gratitude: Grateful to be reminded of our freedoms and the price many have paid. Thankful to be able to watch the bans move through, seeing the grass green back up, thankful that sirens are not ringing and the water is far from topping it’s banks here.

Enjoyment of the simple pleasures: a smile, a “hey, it is about to pour,” a sit and visit until the rain passes. The Frisbee’s and football’s being tossed in the air while Marines, Airmen, and Sailors waiting to see how long they will stay here, or how quickly they will head back “home.” I did not see the first disgruntled face. It was enlightening to see many work to provide a safe haven for those that fight for us to have our safe havens.

 Two nights, and now with their bundles, they will load up on buses. Marines, Air Men and Sailors, heading back to Pensacola.

TP 209 - From Behind

Maybe behind the eight ball...

An early dinner of raw oyster, and a game or two of pool, on a quiet night in a fishing town.

On The Road and From Behind: TP209

So the theme with Carmi, this week, is "from behind."

I have to say, I have quite a few to choose from already in my files.

No need to go snap any new ones.

And I might have enough to post several under this theme.

It seems that there is always an opportunity, driving down the road,

to snap a picture of two...

While the road above is a paved highway, the touch of country fit in just right.

And below, a dusty trip down a dirt road into, hopefully, a simpler, slower pace; at least for a day or two.

And sometimes, one is before the behind (hmmmm...)

And one thing that is necessary to get the "from behind" shot,

 is someone behind the camera behind the shot!

Happy Tuesday All!

Click HERE to follow check out some more

Fences

I came across a meme, that had pictures that made me smile - fences.
Who would have thunk?
So I am playing too!

A fence I fancied at one of my son's cross country meets...

"Love your neighbor as yourself, but don't take down the fence."

Carl Sandburg

Check out Jan and Jer here:

http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

Fences and barns and macros, oh my!

The Journey...continued

Funny how life can be hoppin’ at times and it is GREAT when life is hoppin’ with the good stuff, rather than troubles.

After I had posted the Journey post, I received a call from a friend. The church had some stacks of extra  bibles and she was picking them up for A Place For Hope.  Unable to find a custodian to help her with the bulk of the piles, she came across Demolition D (I think he is going to like this college schedule with long breaks between classes).

As he helped my friend move the Bibles to her car they chit chatted away. Somehow the story of the tablet came up and he shared the story with her. When he finished the tale, she said she asked him, “Is it like really overwhelming to receive that kind of gift?” She said his answer was, “that is not what overwhelms me, what overwhelms is realizing how much God loves me.”  With that, she said they both parted ways both with tears in their eyes.

He  is seeing, he is absorbing.

On another note, Hubs received a call from Ocho. He moved almost two years ago, but did not have a place for his desk/hutch. He had forgotten about it until he was picking up some other items recently.

Well, he signed up for classes at the local college! He was calling to ask if he could get the desk soon (I have used it to collect STUFF – a.k.a. the catchall; so it needed the “stuff” moved first). Way excited to move my stuff and help get his desk moved to his now abode.   Maybe the last couple years have just been a rest, now it’s time to take a new step, maybe discover a new direction.

TP 208 - Grey

A color theme this week: GREY...

 Decided to skip the dark grey skies

 and opted for a different scene of grey ...barnacles.

Are they grey? or are they blue?  To me they are grey.

At least for today.

How about a fish or two?  I think that grey will do, too.

Wanna play? Wanna surf through the thoughts and images of other's playing in the grey?

Visit Carmi here . . .

The Journey

I do believe the best part of parenting might just be watching the growing that our children experience. I do not necessarily mean physically.

I mean the mind and the spirit.

My husband I were talking, probably 3-4 years ago, about the kids. I said that it would be fun to see who they would be in 5 years. I think it will be fun to see who they are in 10 years. While I realize there will be moments in those years, that maybe we will not like what we see, I think if it is part of a growing of their character, or their spiritual life, it will still be interesting.

We have watched Traveler take on traveling at a completely new level and pace. We THINK we see her trying to fit in as much as she can, because she is getting tired. Maybe a desire for a more even paced life? We see her not being satisfied in her customer service based job and her seeking something else, and what appears to be, maybe, her figuring out a little more who she might be – not just being different than where she came from, but what her passions may be. Or at least what they are not?

Ocho, at 22, has settled into a pocket of life that we had not thought he would. And that pocket, while none of our business, leaves us wondering if he will wake up dissatisfied with life and feeling cornered in. He had always been well rounded with his interests in the past and now he is in a routine of work and home and local playing and partying – but no exploring, not appearing to pursue or live his passions or utilizing and building the strongest parts of his personality.  At the same time, his life has an easier pace than Traveler’s and maybe he is saving up his energy for the next phase.

The Man has had a busy summer. He continued working on yards this summer and seemed to come to the decision, a few days a month in the heat and decent pay, was better than working 5-6 days a week, stuck inside, earning the same as the day a week. He turned 16 , started his Junior year of high school and has started driving. He has settled nicely into the independence so far. We will see what challenges will arise as far as time management goes – that seems to be a struggle for him. While he has always seemed to spin, in his lucky go manner, where ever he is, I have noticed, he is much more aware of what is happening around him then he has ever let on to. He is much more aware of the dynamics in relationships than I would have thought. And he just might be a little more head strong and sure footed in his decisions than I would have given him credit for before. I think I had him pegged  being a little more innocent and naïve – I am watching and listening and learning.

And then there is Demolition D. . . 19!! He just turned 19. He has always been my strong willed child. He has challenged parenting – not necessarily in rule breaking, but …obstinate, stubborn, argumentative, arrogant. And yet, he has taught me so much, that I wouldn’t change a thing (I think). While he was rather closed off with me, he wasn’t with others. He seemed to take in much of what my husband (his step father) offered as a role model; the Youth leader at church; and many others.

He had an amazing thing happen the other day…he works part time at church as an audio/video intern. Taking care of the sound, uploading sermons to the website, and I don’t know what all else, but there is more. His boss told him he needed to check his office box Sunday morning between services, that it could not wait – said with a certain level of sternness that left Demolition D a little nervous. In his box was a thin box and a note , saying to read the note first.

An anonymous note, typed, other than the one sentence on the outside – that handwriting being a woman’s writing and a little shaky looking.

Inside, a typed note, "Dear . . . .I saw you the other day and God [told me, nudged me, laid it on my heart] to do something nice for you."... "I have learned over the years to listen [and act]"

What a lesson, someone KNOWING God’s nudge.

Someone following through with the nudge.

Note,"I have asked around and have been told that young people like these...I will leave the receipt in the Church office if you wish to take it back or exchange it."

In the box was an Apple I-pad (4 maybe??)

My child hugged me with tears. He is not a hugger.

In his personality, this was seen as a gift because “someone saw what his does around church.”  No, dear son, this is gift because someone felt God speak to them. God speaking about you. 

“Yes, I know, but it is nice to that someone see’s what I do.”  Still not seeing, this is not about “earning” and “doing” on his part. This is about God’s whispering to someone to reach out, to demonstrate a form of giving, on giving and loving, but not giving to be seen, giving to follow God’s direction, to share God’s love.

“I guess I see what you are saying”

He continued to bubble over with words and in the middle of jabbering away, he asked me what I was thinking. I told him I was just wondering,  that at 19, could he see this as an expression of God’s love?  Of God’s community? Would the ability to recognize that come later? He thoughtfully cocked his head and said he was not sure. I smiled. I understood completely. I was able to share with him, that there were many times God ‘s love and care had touched me and protected me over the years, but I did not recognize it until just recently, and what a wonderful feeling, when my eyes opened to see all those gifts of love given over the years. Not always were the gifts or the love material or monetary . Many times it was just the presence of someone following God’s direction. Someone saying a kind word or just listening. Sometimes someone was guiding me through a very dark time.

 I am amazed that it took me that long to knit together all those moments and touches and see the wonderful path God has led me down, but our sight is sometimes funny like that.

I feel privileged to have been able to see this gift and see his reaction. I wish opportunities like this for each of our children. Maybe not necessarily in the material way, but in any way that touches them to their very soul. That they see the true gift is from God and that when we follow God’s nudging, we are a part of such wonderful world of love.

Our sermon, on this same day, was titled, “Who do you say I am.” For me, God is my mainstay, my guide, my challenger, my comforter (especially when I miss the next step or am in the midst of a storm), a light, my guide.  May each of our children have the experiences that allow them to answer that question too, who do they each say God is to them...

Sunbeams

“May God grant you always...A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you. Faithful friends near you. And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.”

Off The Grid

One full week for vacation. A complete week away, not just a day two. This is the first full week we have gone away in a couple years. I am not sure what the first day back at work will be like, but what I remember from years ago, it will be busy and might make me think I need another vacation.




Our vacation was more than just a vacation from work and home. It was also a vacation from the news and regular TV.



See, we kinda fall off the grid where we stay when at the beach. We visit the hotspot to check the weather and email, and that is pretty much it. We have a TV and VCR – oh wait, DVD player (Yikes!!). No cable or local stations. Only DVD’s.



So lets add to the list:



No Internet/Cable – means: no Facebook, No online streaming, no reality TV, no NEWS, no Olympics (first time I have not watched the opening ceremony in I don’t know when).



We have resurfaced having missed most of the media pressure pushing whichever side of the Chic Fil A issue they happen to support. Apparently, based on some pretty strong Facebook comments by my step-daughter, we have missed some new news on the birth control issue and women’s rights.



I still have not turned on the news and turned Faebook back off.



The thing about 2012 that has me most puzzled is this:



The haranguing of those on one side of an issue, against those on the opposite (or appearing opposite) side of the issue.



Each side of any issue seems to think that hurling names and accusations or insinuations questioning the intellect of the other perspective is ok. While they put down the “other” side for hate comments and an inability to consider another viewpoint, they are in turn spewing hate in the other direction and holding as firmly to their side too.



In what little bit I have kept up with the Chic Fil A issue, there is a point that scares me the most: freedom to have one’s own beliefs.



I think it is ok to hold firmly to your belief, especially if you are NOT hurting and harming another in words or action. I believe that if you do not hold the same values as another, you can choose to disagree and carry on, or part ways if the issue causes you to falter.



I remember in my teen years, the Southern Baptist Convention calling on it’s churches to boycott Disney. I know I had classmates that attended churches that boycotted the parks and what not. That was their prerogative to not financially support Disney. That was fine. That was good if that was their conviction. Our family did not join in. My mom is COMPLETELY against tattoos and sites a verse or two in support of her belief. I, on the other hand, do not really have a problem with them. I don’t have one because I don’t really want to go through with the needle thing, and I know I would get tired of it. While tattoos and same sex marriage are not the same, it still boils down to an individuals choice and their calling and spiritual walk.



As our Country has moved through the post 911 days, and many in the nation have expressed concern about the Muslim community, how many heard Chicago, or any other large city, deny a practicing Muslim the right to open and run a business? Many Muslim's do not believe in homosexuality or same sex marriage - that is a strong belief in their religion and even justifies honor killings if in a country that allows it.



But we are in the United States of America where we have the basic right to believe what we want to believe. I will not claim to understand all sides (I believe there are more than two sides on this one) of same sex marriage or try to figure out why this is such a major political issue day in and day out, and I will not judge those that do. I find great discomfort in what appears to be a leaning towards that of controlled thoughts and beliefs in this country that was founded on religious freedom. The more the government makes moral issues a platform, the more we invite history to repeat itself, not the history of the United States of America, but that which I was taught, that the Founding Fathers wished to leave behind.



Maybe all sides need to reconsider the Golden Rule and apply that measuring stick to our choice of word and actions.

• I love my family! They are all great - even with differing opinions and view
• I love not having the news rule my life
• I love that my Wednesday Morning Woman's group begins this week. Everyone should have one of these
• I love vacations
• I love chocolate, everyone should
• I love being able to read. Having access to books from more than one perspective
• I love a healthy passion for a cause that is filled with kindness
• I love kindness and being able to choose quiet when the other can't be reached
• I love all the venues in our community that provide a chance for us to reach out to one another

Thematic Photography: Series

Part 2

for this week's theme.

The beach might have been a wash, but the sun

was out last weekend.

And it was hot!

107 degrees  means fun in the water...

For  more on the "series" theme, check out Carmi's page . . .   SMILES

Thematic Photography 202: Series ~ TS Debby

This week's thematic challenege was not a challenge this time.

I have a tendancy to snap a many pictures in a row.

We finally found a weekend to visit the beach.

We knew Debby was churning way out in the Gulf, but all weather reports

didn't have her showing any signs of arriving until the afternoon we were

to come home.

We arrived on Friday.

On Saturday, her feeder bands started showing up.

After four attempts of sitting and reading on the shore,

I gave up!

But we still had a great time!

 Sunday's bands of rain brought heavy winds.

(Not one correct weather report was found on this one.

She kept 'em guessing!) 

Where we stay, has a yard full of pine trees. Watching them sway was amazing.

Jumping each time a limb broke and landed on the roof, was a little nerve wracking.

Transformers popped, but not the one we needed. So thankful.

  We rode to the next town over to get out and see the rest of the bay.

Our beach spot is Mexico Beach, which is at the mouth of

St. Joe Bay.

The water was practically flat.

But as we drove through the rain and calm waters of the bay, we passed the

road that leads to the point dividing the bay and the gulf.

Within in quarter mile the calm turned into these pictures.

 I have always been curious about being at the beach when a tropical storm came in.

And I had my chance that weekend.

It was amazing.

As I loaded the bird photos, I came across a second series of that day.

I have to share, the waves were amazing:

Click on them to see a larger view, the sea mist is pretty cool

TS Debby was quite a character to meet!

Wanna see more in this challenge? Check out Carmi's site: Written Inc.

Toothbrushing and Love

I remembered that I had used the Andy Griffith Show as part of a post, once upon a time, a long time ago (2008). Thought I would share seeing how we lost someone that was such a part of my childhood, and really even my adult life - thats to the availability of reruns... thanks for letting me visit the past for just a bit...

I was thinking the other day about something DH and I have noticed over the years – we have to explain and reiterate a lot more than our parents did, or maybe we really don’t remember well. But the more we talked and reminisced, we KNOW there were many things that did not have to be beat into our heads.

We came to a conclusion though: our generation had The Waltons, or Little House on the Prairie or Leave It To Beaver or The Andy Griffith Show . . .show that encouraged good character. Integrity.






Today the evening news is followed by Entertainment Tonight or

I guess if we had new versions of The Andy Griffith Show, it would be more like this:



I sure am glad that I can watch all unbeeped shows on Netflix, for hours and hours. Sure do love Andy Taylor marathon afternoons.

Smiles!!

Which is What

Wanted to do one more post for

the 200th addition of

Thematic Photograph.

Smile!