Happy New Year - Welcome 2011!

Photo credit: Mike Gifford

As 2010 prepares to slip away, what can we say to celebrate its passing?  Was it a stellar year filled with exotic getaways, and a new adventure around every corner?  No, it was a year with the normal ups and downs, some good times and some not so good times.  It was a year filled with friendship, love, laughter, and shared moments of both joy and sorrow.  Here's a little bit about what went on in my world in 2010.

Early this year, we were touched with sadness by the loss of several friends due to illness.  My best friend and her husband lost his father to a long battle with ALS, and another friend and fellow wine society member, passed away unexpectedly. 

My cat, Rosie, has experienced several bouts of diabetes this year.  The "fix" that controls it for him is Fancy Feast canned cat food.  No insulin shots is a good thing.  I'm thinking I should buy stock in Fancy Feast.

In spite of the busy year, we had a wonderfully relaxing vacation in Florida, our favorite vacation spot.  Great weather, great food and just chilling out together - could it get any better?

This winter, we had the most amazing gift of a white Christmas.  Yes, a white Christmas in the South.  It was truly beautiful.

I also celebrated my first anniversary in the blogosphere by sharing some of the things I'd learned over the year.  This has been a very positive and eye-opening experience for me.  I've met some really great people through blogging, and I would like to thank everyone who comes by my little hole in the wall to read what I have to say.  Every visit and every comment means a lot, and helps keep me motivated to continue along my journey.

As we move forward into the New Year, I wish each of you a great year, and many blessings for 2011.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Lightly Falling Snow

White Christmas 2010

Lightly falling snow

Dusts the ground like

Powdered sugar doughnuts

Leaving sweet traces

On little faces

Wrapped up in pretty colors

Bright blue mittens

And shiny red boots

Children's happy cries

And their mother's sighs

Remembering the days long ago

Of lightly falling snow

This was our White Christmas.  It began snowing at 11:15 Christmas morning.  We had 6 inches on the ground the morning after Christmas.  What a beautiful Christmas present.

Written for One Shot Wednesday

Quote of the Week

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.

- Anatole France

When you dream, dream big!

Our goals, or that which we wish to accomplish in our lives, begin as a dream that we plan for and work at, and most of all believe in our ability to reach.  Never stop believing in yourself.

Quote of the Week

I heard the bells on Christmas Day.
Their old familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet the words repeat.
Of peace on earth goodwill to men.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas from our house to yours! 

I will be taking a short blogging break over Christmas, and will return next week.

A Winter's Day

Snow covered pines bend low
Softly whispering their secrets
The icy carpet beneath
Bears the tracks of birds and squirrels
Scurrying frantically hither and yon
Seeking sustenance and shelter
Against the bitter cold
Hunkering down until the sun
Shall warm away winter's evidence
And return to them nature's bounty
That they may feast once more

Written for Friday Flash 55

Quote of the Week

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What we've done and what we've yet to do pales in comparison to who we are inside.  Our beliefs and values temper our life experiences and shape the person that we become.

Sledding Down Memory Lane

Many years ago there lived a little girl, and this little girl loved the snow, but she lived in the South where really good snows were rare.  Still, the little girl anxiously awaited the first snowfall (back then she didn’t mind the cold so much).  She would stare out the window at the field next door and study the sky and how it looked where it met the ground, and how the dried grasses waved with the wind.  She just knew snowflakes were about to fall.  Sure enough, one or two at a time, then more and more until it was really snowing.  She was so happy!  She would watch as it started sticking, piling up until everything was white.

Photo courtesy of Magpie Tales

 When the snow was deep enough and packed down on the roads around her house, her Daddy would take her sledding.  Not just any sledding, mind you, this was special.  You see, her Daddy made some chains for his lawn mower and fashioned a hitch of sorts for her sled.  The little girl donned her snow clothes, boots and mittens, and out into her winter wonderland they went.  Her Daddy pulled her everywhere, up and down the hills, and all around the neighborhood.  Such fun they had!  He would slow up and then start again, making the sled jerk, and off she slid into the snow, laughing.  The first time was an accident, but it was so much fun, she did it over and over again.

She’s been grown for some time now, but those long ago memories are sweet reminders of how special her childhood really was. 

Written for Magpie Tales #44

Quote of the Week

Shall we dance?

The more chance there is of stubbing your toe, the more chance you have of stepping into success.  

- Author Unknown








Through risk comes success, so don't be afraid of stubbing your toe.  In fact, by taking risks you come away with more opportunities to succeed.  Remember, it is only failure if you fail to get up. 

A Christmas Wish

Little Tommy stands and stares at all the Christmas toys under the tree in the store window.  Then he looks up at the first star to appear in the cold night sky.  Maybe if I wish hard enough, he thought, Santa will remember me and bring me a toy truck, and maybe even a puppy.

What do you mean I'm not a puppy?

This is our cat, Sophie, who licks and wags her tail like a puppy.  Yes, seriously, nothing within tail's reach is safe.

Written for Friday Flash 55

Sunset and a Pizza

Last month I posted about our wonderful get away to Florida.  Here is another little trip down our vacation memory lane. 

One of the great things about our condo and it's location is that it was right across the street from John's Pass.  This is a hub-bub of activity with many great restaurants and shops, not to mention cruise boats, and other water sport rentals.  John's Pass has had several face lifts over the years we've been going to Madeira, but one thing remains the same.  That is DeLosa's Pizza!  They say it's the pizza that made John's Pass famous.

They have an extensive menu, but our favorite is, of course, their pizza.  You can get it by the slice, a whole pie, eat in, take out, whatever you like.  Since we were within walking distance, we got one to go, and enjoyed what would be our most beautiful dining experience.

The sunset that night was absolutely spectacular!  It was the perfect accompaniment for our pizza.  The colors were so brilliant that it almost looked like lava flowing down from the sky to sizzle in the cool water.  These pictures were taken from our balcony.

Quote of the Week

Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were. - Marcel Proust

As we change over the years, our memories adapt to those changes.  The actual events remain the same, it is just how we remember them that is different.  The human memory is an interesting thing.  You can compare the memories of two people who shared the same experience, and come away with two different versions of the event.

For more on the subject of memory, check out this article on Making Sense of Memory.                                                           

Turkey Day Review

For Thanksgiving dinner we would wait

Then we sat and ate and ate

Thankful we are to be gathered here

At this joyous time of year

Said Uncle Fred

Would you please pass the bread

When all was done

Someone said how about one

More piece of pumpkin pie

No thanks, I think I'd die 

A Thanksgiving Friday Flash 55

What's in a Name?

Photo Credit:  Heather Ingram

There was such a lovely full moon the other night, I just had to write about the it and what the full moons are called.  Did you know that each one has it's own name?  I had often heard my Mom speak of the Harvest Moon - you've heard that one popularized in song, and the Hunter's Moon.

I never knew which was which, though, so I thought I'd find out and share that with you.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon nearest the Autumnal Equinox. Although it usually occurs in September, about every four years or so it falls in October, and the latest the Harvest Moon can occur is October 7.  Most full moons rise around 50 minutes later each night, but the Harvest Moon is only 20-30 minutes later.  This would allow the farmers more light to gather their harvest, hence the name, Harvest Moon.  When the Harvest Moon falls on the Autumnal Equinox, it is called a Super Harvest Moon.  This occurred this year, and was the first one since 1991.

The Hunter's Moon is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon.  This full moon is named such because it's light allows hunters to track their prey.  In the days of old, this was necessary to put aside food for winter when the snows came, and the birds and animals were less plentiful.

November's moon is often called the Beaver Moon because this was the time to set beaver traps, ensuring a good supply of furs for winter.  Again, this dates back to the days of trappers and mountain men. 

December's moon is known by several names, the Cold Moon or the Long Night Moon.   It is aptly named as Cold Moon for the winter's cold temperatures, and Long Night Moon for long stretch of darkness over the winter night.  This moon is also visible for a long period of time each night.  It's high trajectory is due to the fact it is opposite a low sun.

Full moons are always lovely to behold, and now we know a bit more about that big glowing orb that casts it's light upon our darkened earth.  Talon, a fellow blogger, captured the beauty of the full moon this past weekend. 

Quote of the Week

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.  

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


Many times we think that failing is the worst thing that can happen, when in truth, failing to get up is much worse.

Under the Weather?

Ever wonder where the expression "under the weather" came from?

With everyone waxing poetic about the beauty of fall, there is also a down side of this lovely season; it heralds the coming of the cold and flu season.  When we fall prey to these nasties, we tend to say that we are "under the weather".  Just this past weekend, I used that phrase myself and began to wonder of its origins.

The phrase "under the weather" dates back to the 1800s.  When sailors would become seasick, they would be sent below deck to get away from the weather, thus literally being "under the weather".  Author Donald Grant Mitchell was the first to use this phrase in his 1850 book Reveries of a Bachelor, and it has since been used for everything from being "ill" or "indisposed" to "financially embarrassed" or "drunk".

Some state that the correct term is "under the weather bow".  The weather bow is the side of the boat being hardest hit by the nasty weather.

Also there is the belief that the weather can affect one's health, so a sick person is deemed to be "under the weather".  From this theory, it stands to reason that the weather can also influence a person's mood, rendering them under the weather as well.  This is documented as SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, which I touched on last fall in my post Just Another Monday.

We all know the steps to staying healthy during the cold and flu season, but here's a recap so we don't have say, "Sorry, I can't.  I'm under the weather."

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer when you can't wash.
• Do not touch your face - nose, eyes, mouth - that is the germ's way into your system.
• Keep your distance from those are already sick.
• In turn, if you do get sick, stay home away from others.
• And of course, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.

Quote of the Week

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not by strength but by perseverance.  - H. Jackson Brown 

What can this show us about ourselves?  Do we try to muscle our way through life only to fall short of our goals?  Or are we like the stream that endures and perseveres day in and day out, and ultimately succeeds?

Fall Leaves

Leaves scattered upon the ground, red and gold now turning brown.  Rakes and blowers make leafy mountains, kids jumping and shouting.   

Dogs barking and chasing squirrels; squirrels chasing each other.  Fall is a flurry of activity.  Summer's heat is now a memory, and the days are once again cool and crisp.

Written for Friday Flash 55

It's Good to Get Away!

Vacation is good.  It recharges those internal batteries that slowly lose power from too much stress, work, and deadlines.  All the things in our every day lives drains our batteries, even the good times, so it's good to take a break and get away from it all.

That is what we did a few weeks ago to a place where the sun was shining, the breezes were warm, and there wasn't a drop of rain in sight.  That place was St. Petersburg, Florida, or more specifically, Maderia Beach.

Madeira Beach in the Morning

This was taken from our balcony.  What a great view!  It was past the early morning hour, and although the weather was warm, there were few people out.  I guess everyone else was already getting their breakfast [growl].

Sandy Shore Condo

This was our first experience with renting a condo, and it was definitely a good one.  We had a one bedroom unit with full kitchen, 2 TVs, a nice balcony and the whole wall facing the Gulf was glass.  There were assigned parking spaces, and our unit had covered parking.  This was a great choice, and I'd stay there again.  Oh, the heated pool was nice, too.

I didn't see any, did you?

On the trip down, we always stop at this rest area just as we get on I-75 around Gainsville.  This sign has always been there, but I haven't seen the first snake.  Apparently there was one...once upon a time.

A Slimy Alligator

What they don't warn you about is the alligator living in the slimy pond at that same rest area.  Go figure.  An alligator you can see vs. invisible poisonous snakes.  This pond is fenced in...which makes me wonder just how he got in there in the first place. 

Kenny's Korner

St. Pete has been our vacation spot for almost 20 years, and we continue to discover new places and things to do.  Over the years, we've seen places come and go.  Favorite  restaurants have been there one year and gone the next.  One place that has been there for over 60 years, and under present management for over 20, is Kenny's Korner.  It is a small restaurant in Reddington Beach that serves breakfast and lunch. 

Beach at Ft. DeSoto

No trip would be complete without a visit to Ft. DeSoto.  Ft. DeSoto is the largest park in Pinellas County, and is made up of 5 islands.  The fort was used in WWII as a gunnery and bombing range.  Besides the fort, there are several fishing piers, boat loading ramps, long stretches of gorgeous beach, bicycle paths (rental available), canoe and kayak rental, picnic areas and so much more.

One of many "white birds"

When you walk out onto the pier that extends 500 feet into the Gulf, you have a fantastic view, great fishing, and birds...of all kinds...everywhere.

Don't mind me...just warming my buns.

Last, but not least, is lunch at the Palm Pavillion in Clearwater.  It's an open, airy, beach restaurant/bar with plenty of outdoor seating on the deck shaded from the sun by many colorful umbrellas.   This year we had stone crab for the first time.  We pulled big, meaty pieces of sweet crab out of steaming hot shells and dipped them in melted butter.

Palm Pavillion

So much seafood, so little time.  We ate seafood every night except the first night on the way down.  What's my favorite seafood?  Just about anything that swims.
 

Quote of the Week

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Without heroes we are all plain people, and don't know how far we can go. 

- Bernard Malamud

What is a hero?  A hero is defined as one who shows great courage, one who is admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.  

Who do we think of as heroes?  A hero is someone who saves a child or rescues a kitten.  A hero is someone who fights for what is right in a war others don't support.  A hero is someone who doesn't run when he is afraid.  

At any given time, circumstances can make a hero out of anyone. We are all plain, ordinary people until life tosses us the reins and says, "Here, you drive".

Different Views

Photo credit: Naval Historical Center

Said Tall to Small, “I envy you. No one is asking how’s the view? No remarks about basketball, and can you get that for me, Mr. Tall?”

************************************

Said Small to Tall, “It’s the reverse for me. Hello down there, and names like Shrimp and Shorty. I still can’t eat shrimp - not cocktail or scampi.”

Written for Flash Friday 55