Warning...

Walking four miles on cement sidewalks with bare winter feet may lead to skin loss on the bottom of your toes.  Just saying.  Realization.  It's worth any slight skin loss to walk barefoot on the last day of February!  Too quickly, that option will be a memory!  Reality will return and I will quickly fall into the "holy crap but it's cold" mode.  I do count my blessings.  I know how lucky we are to be able to do what we do when we want.  I know how lucky we are to have amazing friends.  I know how lucky we are to have a cold hometown to which we may return.  And I know how lucky we are to always enjoy the warmth of the people we love, regardless of skinned toes and/or gorgeous/crappy weather!

On reflection...

It was a foggy start to the day.  Despite the lack of sun to brighten the morning, there was also a noticeable lack of wind, resulting in an eerie duplicate across the pond.  Something in me revels in reflections, and this one just captured my camera.  The stories that I could contrive...the imaginary scenarios I could construct....  But the sun came out.  The wind came up.  And the inviting stories and scenarios dissipated.  But thanks to the camera, the effect endures.  And I will remember.  Know you are loved!

In the strangest places...

We're in the Mucky Duck, enjoying a grouper sandwich, when I survey our surroundings.  If one is eating in an establishment called the Mucky Duck, one is well advised to do this very thing.  There are all sorts of exhortations and suggestions as to how one should live his/her life.  Over the emergency exit door is a sign that says "keep calm and carry on!"  Appropriate.  But it was while we were leaving that I noticed the above plaque.  I was so taken with it that I didn't even take the time to crop the picture.  Perhaps it goes to the point that of all the signs, this one to me was the most important.  I've heard it said that people are about as happy as they choose to be!  I buy this.  I do wonder then why some choose to be unhappy...to see only the burden, the seemly side of life?  I chose my career.  It made me happy.  I chose my life partner.  She makes me happy.  I chose to visit Florida in the middle of this amazingly brisk winter.  It makes me ecstatic!  I've said it before.  When it hits the fan, it's not evenly divided!  When I get more than my share, I choose to use it as fertilizer and hopefully grow from the experience.  So it has been written (at least on the door of a pub on Sanibel island), so it must be done!  By the way I choose to share this with you, and hopefully it makes you happy!  Know you are loved!

There's something about a bridge

We headed out this morning intent on doing some shelling.  From Fort Myers to Sanibel and Captiva, the route includes the bridge above.  (Go figure.  We're going from the mainland to islands.  A bridge is a handy way to do that!) As we are crossing the bridge, I realize I have always had a fascination with these structures. Whether it is a walking bridge, suspended over a chasm or a highway bridge suspended over water (or in South Dakota, a culvert or a train track), the allure of what is on the other side always pulls me.  Someone, at some time, must have thought there was something worthwhile waiting on the other side, else why go to all the trouble?  Here's the thing.  The same bridge that takes you to the promise of great things to come also takes you home again!  Indeed...something good on the other side!  Life's like that.  New and exciting add adventure and learning.  Comfortable and well known add stability and security.  I like both, so I will continue to cross my bridges...both ways!  May the spans in your life provide you with knowledge and safety, and know that on both sides, you are loved!

Blanche had it wrong...

With the realization that I could well lose what friends I have, today is all about Tennessee Williams character Blanche DuBoise, who maintained she relied on "the kindness of strangers".  What, you may ask, does that have to do with the posted picture above?  The answer is this...

In this, the longest winter of recollection, we are relying on the kindness of FRIENDS.  As I sit on the screened lanai overlooking the golf course and a beautiful little pond, the only white I see is...

two beautiful egrets walking past, as if they had every right to be here.  The sky is a gorgeous azure blue with white wispy cirrus clouds.  The water is rippling with a pleasant breeze.  The turkey vultures are circling overhead.  I am sweating from an amazing run on dry pavement through the community center, around the tennis courts and just off the nature preserve! In short, comparatively speaking, heaven on earth.  Psychologically speaking, the healing has begun.  There is no way to thank miss Ludie for hosting us.  And I can honestly say, I wish you were here.  You, however, WOULD have to rely on the kindness of strangers, cuz we have this place!!  Know how much you are loved!

Young...

They were all so young.  And they had been given the task of protecting our country...overseas!  I was overwhelmed and awestruck, not to mention appreciative!  Great audience, paying attention and laughing in all the right places!  The speaker to follow me was a professional from Mikwaukee.  Also young!  The title of his speech was "Can I kiss you?"  I had the perfect lead in to his speech, and then, as is often the case, I ran out of time.  Go figure.  I was going to say, if you talk nicely and buy me a drink...  Maybe it is best that I ran out of time.  Anyhoo...we have alit In Sioux Falls.  Our two room suite for the evening (Who says there aren't perks to frequent flyer miles...gotta love the automatic upgrades!) will do, and have requisitioned our vehicle to take us to the airport tomorrow morning at oh my god 4:00 am.  Tomorrow's blog, with any luck at all, will come to you from warm and wonderful Ft. Myers.  Rest well knowing there are people willing to protect and serve, and know you are loved!

New jokes!

I have had the privilege to address the Yellow Ribbon Guardsmen programs in the past.  There are no words that can capsulize the admiration and thanks I have for these men and women for everything they have done/continue to do that allows us to do what we continue to do!  I have, however, felt sorry for the amazing staff that has had to sit through the same old stories.  What a surprise they are in for when I tell them my leprechaun story and the events at the convent of St Mary's.  Much to the chagrin of my espoused, I have been practicing these over and over by telling them to anyone who will listen!  I think I have them timed!  Should we ever meet in person, and you ask (Hah!  There's  probably no way I'll wait for you to ask!),  I will share them!  Tomorrow, with any luck at all, we will Laugh!  We will Learn!  We will express our Love.  And we will do our best to Leave a Legacy!  As to the penultimate item on the list, you are!