So the space between my blog posts is almost comical. It's just like my journal. Every entry starts with me writing that I should write more often!
Because I tried to relax and actually spend some time enjoying a few things during my vacation, I'm now panicking because there's so many things I didn't get done that I wanted to. Oh well. I had a couple of wonderful, wonderful visits with some of my dearest friends and I'm truly grateful. I hadn't seen one of my friends in probably 15 years and it was just lovely to get caught up and so much fun to see how you drop right back into conversations like you talk every couple of days. Loved it.
Finished most of the Christmas shopping. Now letting chicken cool so I can make chicken salad and chicken soup for the week. Just finished the filling for Chilean empnadads I'm making tomorrow and preparing to begin a batch of rugelach dough. Love the holidays.
This week was my son David's graduation from the University of Central Florida and that was spectacular. What an achievement. It's just a funny feeling because it seems like yesterday he was in Kindergarten and First Grade getting all these certificates for his excellent reading.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Food and feathers
Can't believe how convenient it is to have grilled chicken breasts in the fridge. We ate grilled chicken breasts Saturday, then used them on fettucini and pizza and enchiladas. Very convenient and yummy!
Saturday was spent at home working on Rosie's fairie costume - which turned out so cool! Saw a hummingbird chasing a warbler in the yard. That made us laugh!
Hiked about 6 miles with Steve on Sunday afternoon, saw a number of birds.
Weekend birds
great horned owl, red-shouldered hawk, snail kite?, common yellowthroat, palm warbler, cardinal, catbird , merlin, swallow sp., black vulture, turkeys, great egret, great blue heron, white ibis, snowy egret, yellow rumped warbler , downy woodpecker tufted titmouse, hummingbird , northern blue jay, mocking bird.
Saturday was spent at home working on Rosie's fairie costume - which turned out so cool! Saw a hummingbird chasing a warbler in the yard. That made us laugh!
Hiked about 6 miles with Steve on Sunday afternoon, saw a number of birds.
Weekend birds
great horned owl, red-shouldered hawk, snail kite?, common yellowthroat, palm warbler, cardinal, catbird , merlin, swallow sp., black vulture, turkeys, great egret, great blue heron, white ibis, snowy egret, yellow rumped warbler , downy woodpecker tufted titmouse, hummingbird , northern blue jay, mocking bird.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Lovely weekend
Got to get outside and paddle twice. Helped with wedding planning. Scrubbed a little more in the house, but still not finished. It's taking too long.
Friday evening was perfect, paddling along mangrove islands in New Smyrna Beach.
Here's my bird species tally for the weekend. Great blue heron, great egret, reddish egret, snowy egret, little blue heron, tri-color heron, green heron, roseate spoonbill, black-crowned night heron, bald eagle, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, anhinga, cormorant, clapper rail, coot, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, cardinal, northern mockingbird, crow, yellow legs, grackle, belted kingfisher and gulls (which I didn't take the time to ID, then wished I had),
Friday evening was perfect, paddling along mangrove islands in New Smyrna Beach.
Here's my bird species tally for the weekend. Great blue heron, great egret, reddish egret, snowy egret, little blue heron, tri-color heron, green heron, roseate spoonbill, black-crowned night heron, bald eagle, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, anhinga, cormorant, clapper rail, coot, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, cardinal, northern mockingbird, crow, yellow legs, grackle, belted kingfisher and gulls (which I didn't take the time to ID, then wished I had),
Thursday, September 30, 2010
An addition
And I made chili last night. Definitely one of those dishes I can whip up in nothing flat, all because I memorized the recipe when I was about 12, from my 4-H manual.
I've made a few changes over the years, but basically here it is:
Brown a pound of ground beef, drain. Add large chopped onion and as much garlic as you like. Saute til tender. Add two tablespoons of chili powder and three of all purpose flour. Stir. Add two or three cans of tomatoes, including one with green chilis, and two cans of dark red kidney beans. Add maybe a teaspoon and a half of salt, possibly a cup of water. For variety, you can add sage. It's my favorite ingredient. You can also add hot sauce. When I'm trying to be healthy, I boil some wheat and keep it on hand in the fridge. You can throw a hand of that in the chili. Simmer for as long as you like, but on low because it will burn. Yum!
My favorite way to eat it is with cornbread.
I've made a few changes over the years, but basically here it is:
Brown a pound of ground beef, drain. Add large chopped onion and as much garlic as you like. Saute til tender. Add two tablespoons of chili powder and three of all purpose flour. Stir. Add two or three cans of tomatoes, including one with green chilis, and two cans of dark red kidney beans. Add maybe a teaspoon and a half of salt, possibly a cup of water. For variety, you can add sage. It's my favorite ingredient. You can also add hot sauce. When I'm trying to be healthy, I boil some wheat and keep it on hand in the fridge. You can throw a hand of that in the chili. Simmer for as long as you like, but on low because it will burn. Yum!
My favorite way to eat it is with cornbread.
What a week
So much going on this week in every level of life. Absolutely exhausting. So many times I wish I understood people better, but it's so hard to see things from someone else's perspective. And I wonder how often we truly even try?
Sometimes I think we could all try to be a lot better listeners, to really listen, and hear what the other person is saying. Why is it always our instinct to try to compare it to something in our own lives and bring it up?
Had a ride on a motorcycle last night. Wow. A lot of fun. Brought back so many fun memories of the convertible. Someday I really hope to have one again.
Working on finishing up this dress I'm putting together for Rosie for homecoming on Saturday. So far, she's happy with the results. Yeah!
Sometimes I think we could all try to be a lot better listeners, to really listen, and hear what the other person is saying. Why is it always our instinct to try to compare it to something in our own lives and bring it up?
Had a ride on a motorcycle last night. Wow. A lot of fun. Brought back so many fun memories of the convertible. Someday I really hope to have one again.
Working on finishing up this dress I'm putting together for Rosie for homecoming on Saturday. So far, she's happy with the results. Yeah!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Let's get things done
Very productive weekend, but exhausting. Somehow I have to work in some rest.
My Saturday:
Stayed up til 3 Friday night, helping my sister-in-law Brenda scope out a wedding venue, then making wedding favors, worked on the rocks in the courtyard and baked a three-layer carrot cake.
Woke up Saturday by 10, ran errands, bought some more muhly grass to plant out front. Frosted and decorated the carrot cake for the baby shower next door. Went next door and helped Sarah, my neighbor, make potato salad and deviled eggs for the shower. Came home after the shower and worked in the yard some more, then played with Katelyn our granddaughter in the hose. Went back over and cleaned and bandaged a cut on Sarah's foot, because I was worried about her. Came back and gave Katelyn a bath, then took Rosie shopping... Then, for some inexplicable reason, started cleaning out the linen cupboard, which it really needed and prepared my Sunday School lesson. Went to bed about 1 or 1:30
Sunday, did the three hour block of meetings at church, came home and make fried pork, biscuits and mashed potatoes for us and David and Patti. Napped for 45 minutes, then visiting teaching for church. Finished the linen cupboard. Looks awesome!
Tonight Brenda and Carol, my sisters in law, came over and we worked on wedding favors some more, wrapped silverware in napkins. Fun.
My Saturday:
Stayed up til 3 Friday night, helping my sister-in-law Brenda scope out a wedding venue, then making wedding favors, worked on the rocks in the courtyard and baked a three-layer carrot cake.
Woke up Saturday by 10, ran errands, bought some more muhly grass to plant out front. Frosted and decorated the carrot cake for the baby shower next door. Went next door and helped Sarah, my neighbor, make potato salad and deviled eggs for the shower. Came home after the shower and worked in the yard some more, then played with Katelyn our granddaughter in the hose. Went back over and cleaned and bandaged a cut on Sarah's foot, because I was worried about her. Came back and gave Katelyn a bath, then took Rosie shopping... Then, for some inexplicable reason, started cleaning out the linen cupboard, which it really needed and prepared my Sunday School lesson. Went to bed about 1 or 1:30
Sunday, did the three hour block of meetings at church, came home and make fried pork, biscuits and mashed potatoes for us and David and Patti. Napped for 45 minutes, then visiting teaching for church. Finished the linen cupboard. Looks awesome!
Tonight Brenda and Carol, my sisters in law, came over and we worked on wedding favors some more, wrapped silverware in napkins. Fun.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Full moon ...
It's really beautiful out at night this week. The full moon is just lovely. Why does it always seem like it's full of mystery and magic?
The next few weeks are shaping up to be nuts, with lots of things going on that need attention. Where to start?
For tonight, I'm scrubbing just one small fraction of the house that needs cleaning after Steve and the neighbor attacked the ceiling with knockdown. Note to self: Some jobs may be better done by professionals. I'm sure when it's done it will be great.
Just wish so many things weren't turned upside down all at once.
The next few weeks are shaping up to be nuts, with lots of things going on that need attention. Where to start?
For tonight, I'm scrubbing just one small fraction of the house that needs cleaning after Steve and the neighbor attacked the ceiling with knockdown. Note to self: Some jobs may be better done by professionals. I'm sure when it's done it will be great.
Just wish so many things weren't turned upside down all at once.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Bioluminescence
Five times in the past five days, I've taken the kayaks out into the Indian River Lagoon with a variety of friends and family to experience the incredible beauty of the bioluminescence that sets the lagoon aglow with blue fire. It's quite beautiful. Last night a young manatee drifted under me in the boat and I saw it completly aglow. Beautiful! It's so much fun to watch the mullet jump and sail across the boat.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Heat, crash landings and summer ...
So I've written two stories in a row about the heat. It's August -- It's hot outside! But apparently it's a topic that fascinates everyone. Every television station led with a heat related story tonight.
I'm fascinated by the story of the jetliner that crashed on the Columbian island. Didn't realize Boeing had a particular line of aircraft that was considered ultra-safe. Too bad we can't choose which plane we'd like to fly in. To have that large plane crash with only one person's life lost just seems incredible. How terrifying for those people, even if it was only a few seconds.
I love summer. I enjoy the heat, but I especially love not having school, or any of those other things that force you to be on a rigid schedule. I especially dislike having to submit our family to the fanatical whims of teachers again, who have many long lists of rules and demands they like to place on families. I don't get it! Only two more years and we're finished! That's roughly two or three more teacher conferences, two open houses and 8 report cards!! Woo hoo!
I'm fascinated by the story of the jetliner that crashed on the Columbian island. Didn't realize Boeing had a particular line of aircraft that was considered ultra-safe. Too bad we can't choose which plane we'd like to fly in. To have that large plane crash with only one person's life lost just seems incredible. How terrifying for those people, even if it was only a few seconds.
I love summer. I enjoy the heat, but I especially love not having school, or any of those other things that force you to be on a rigid schedule. I especially dislike having to submit our family to the fanatical whims of teachers again, who have many long lists of rules and demands they like to place on families. I don't get it! Only two more years and we're finished! That's roughly two or three more teacher conferences, two open houses and 8 report cards!! Woo hoo!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Day three
Paddled again tonight. Two hours in a maze of mangrove islands. Divine. Dinner at Norwood's for the first time. Fun.
Made a quick post reply to someone's Facebook this morning without thinking about it much then worried later I'd opened a can of worms. Hopefully not. But it got me thinking. A niece eloped and got married, the second one to do so in about 8 or 9 months. Everyone's angst at not being able to see it, throw parties or join in the fun raises an interesting debate. What is the purpose of a wedding? Is it for the family? Is it for the two people getting married. Yes it's one of the major decisions of your life but shouldn't the feelings of others come into play? Especially your parents, who sacrifice so much to get you to this point?
The other important point is that for young couples, a wedding can truly be valuable, helping you off to a great start with creating a home.
Anyway glad I won't ever have that decision to make again.
Made a quick post reply to someone's Facebook this morning without thinking about it much then worried later I'd opened a can of worms. Hopefully not. But it got me thinking. A niece eloped and got married, the second one to do so in about 8 or 9 months. Everyone's angst at not being able to see it, throw parties or join in the fun raises an interesting debate. What is the purpose of a wedding? Is it for the family? Is it for the two people getting married. Yes it's one of the major decisions of your life but shouldn't the feelings of others come into play? Especially your parents, who sacrifice so much to get you to this point?
The other important point is that for young couples, a wedding can truly be valuable, helping you off to a great start with creating a home.
Anyway glad I won't ever have that decision to make again.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Kayak
Took the kayak into the St. Johns River for a short time tonight to watch the sun set. Hoped to paddle around the north shore of Lake Monroe for a bit but waves were too rough for kayaking alone.
Will try a tamer paddle somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
House cleaning continues. And ticking off a list of odds and ends tasks.
Our niece Skye got married this morning. Third low key wedding in this family in a row. I'm ready for a big event. Haven't helped with a wedding or given a shower in a couple of years.
Surprised Lindsay Lohan was actually sentenced to 90 days in jail, then time in rehab. Maybe it will help her straighten herself out but I'm not convinced jail time ever improves anyone. In fact it appears quite the opposite is true.
Lunch with a friend today. Totally fun. Plus I also connected with two very dear old friends, who both contacted me on the same day! Deborah Klaisle and Cindy McCloskey. Completely awesome.
Will try a tamer paddle somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
House cleaning continues. And ticking off a list of odds and ends tasks.
Our niece Skye got married this morning. Third low key wedding in this family in a row. I'm ready for a big event. Haven't helped with a wedding or given a shower in a couple of years.
Surprised Lindsay Lohan was actually sentenced to 90 days in jail, then time in rehab. Maybe it will help her straighten herself out but I'm not convinced jail time ever improves anyone. In fact it appears quite the opposite is true.
Lunch with a friend today. Totally fun. Plus I also connected with two very dear old friends, who both contacted me on the same day! Deborah Klaisle and Cindy McCloskey. Completely awesome.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Freedom
Funny how freedom can mean different things to you at different times. For me this week freedom is the ability to pick and choose what I do and when I do it. No one to check in with. No one to cook for. No one to criticize the choice. Divine!
Perhaps if I was alone all the time it would lose its thrill but for a week, every moment is precious. I spent entirely too much time on the Internet tonight. But I did finally start scrubbing the tub.
It's great to get the house clean and know it's going to stay that way! I made the beds, took the garbage out, washed the dishes and did three loads of laundry.
Drove Rosie to St. Petersburg to Eckerd College for EFY this morning. That turned into a 7 hour round trip! I also sent Steve his other hiking boot via overnight mail. (Probably should have priced it with FED EX - wound up being $28.) What's that you say?
Why did Steve need a boot? Well that would be because somehow our boots were put away from the Alaska trip mis-matched, with one of his and one of mine sitting neatly on each side of the closet. He picked up "a pair" and put them in his suitcase and didn't notice til he's ready to climb a Colorado mountain that one shoe was a bit too small!!
I think I'm going to spend the week with the kayak in the truck!
Perhaps if I was alone all the time it would lose its thrill but for a week, every moment is precious. I spent entirely too much time on the Internet tonight. But I did finally start scrubbing the tub.
It's great to get the house clean and know it's going to stay that way! I made the beds, took the garbage out, washed the dishes and did three loads of laundry.
Drove Rosie to St. Petersburg to Eckerd College for EFY this morning. That turned into a 7 hour round trip! I also sent Steve his other hiking boot via overnight mail. (Probably should have priced it with FED EX - wound up being $28.) What's that you say?
Why did Steve need a boot? Well that would be because somehow our boots were put away from the Alaska trip mis-matched, with one of his and one of mine sitting neatly on each side of the closet. He picked up "a pair" and put them in his suitcase and didn't notice til he's ready to climb a Colorado mountain that one shoe was a bit too small!!
I think I'm going to spend the week with the kayak in the truck!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4th
Had a lovely and interesting afternoon. Rosie and I drove up to Bunnell for a picnic with the Moore family.
Setting aside religious beliefs about burial for a moment, I'm thinking that going out in a blaze of glory during a fireworks show is such a much better way to go than having one's family watch as people slide your cold heavy casket into the ground.
Tom Moore, who died in May, was cremated and his ashes were scattered tonight during a private fireworks display over Lake Disston for their family and friends. It was both beautiful and moving.
Here's a photo courtesy of a friend.
Setting aside religious beliefs about burial for a moment, I'm thinking that going out in a blaze of glory during a fireworks show is such a much better way to go than having one's family watch as people slide your cold heavy casket into the ground.
Tom Moore, who died in May, was cremated and his ashes were scattered tonight during a private fireworks display over Lake Disston for their family and friends. It was both beautiful and moving.
Here's a photo courtesy of a friend.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tonight Katelyn said her prayers at bedtime and thanked Heavenly Father for grandma. Oh my gosh. That one little statement can sure have a powerful effect on your heart. Wow.
I took her to school today and returned at noon to watch the school's patriotic performance. It was so cool to hear the kids sing Lee Greenwood's I Love the USA in all their red, white and blue outfits. It was really fun.
But it really, really feels weird to attend a school function as a grandparent. When did I get old? I was a young mother yesterday!
Had a peregrine's eye view of downtown Orlando and the greater Central Florida area today from a 25th floor window. It was really cool. Gives you a whole different perspective on things to see it all from up so high above the fray.
I took her to school today and returned at noon to watch the school's patriotic performance. It was so cool to hear the kids sing Lee Greenwood's I Love the USA in all their red, white and blue outfits. It was really fun.
But it really, really feels weird to attend a school function as a grandparent. When did I get old? I was a young mother yesterday!
Had a peregrine's eye view of downtown Orlando and the greater Central Florida area today from a 25th floor window. It was really cool. Gives you a whole different perspective on things to see it all from up so high above the fray.
June 30, 2010
Insane week. Worked really hard but managed to get very little accomplished in terms of the written word. Tracking down tips, checking things out, chasing down photos. Good grief! Have to finish two stories today somehow.
Things have been a little nutty here. Steve was packing for his two week mountain climbing trip to Colorado. Rosie is packing for her week-long Especially For Youth trip and Katelyn arrived for three days. The house is a stunning assortment of suitcases, scattered clothes, camping gear and little girl accessories.
Forgot to mention how much I enjoyed cooking with William last Sunday. He's two but he wanted to help me when I was trying a recipe for homemade crackers. I'd wanted to try them ever since I bought an antique cracker cutter in Cape Cod last fall. I picked up the cutter from a basket of cutters and knew immediately it was for making crackers and remembered I'd seen a recipe in one of my books.
So Sunday, realizing I'd forgotten to buy crackers, we decided to make them. I put the rolling pin in William's hands (he just turned 2 in May) and he picked up my motion immediately, repeating "this way and that, this way and that." It was the cutest thing. Then he used the cutter to cut out the crackers. I wouldn't let his dad take him home until one of "his" crackers was out of the oven.
The recipe is very simple - just butter, salt and milk - and the crackers were very tasty. Next time I'll roll them thinner and leave them in the oven a bit longer. I'm anxious to try it with multi-grain flour.
Things have been a little nutty here. Steve was packing for his two week mountain climbing trip to Colorado. Rosie is packing for her week-long Especially For Youth trip and Katelyn arrived for three days. The house is a stunning assortment of suitcases, scattered clothes, camping gear and little girl accessories.
Forgot to mention how much I enjoyed cooking with William last Sunday. He's two but he wanted to help me when I was trying a recipe for homemade crackers. I'd wanted to try them ever since I bought an antique cracker cutter in Cape Cod last fall. I picked up the cutter from a basket of cutters and knew immediately it was for making crackers and remembered I'd seen a recipe in one of my books.
So Sunday, realizing I'd forgotten to buy crackers, we decided to make them. I put the rolling pin in William's hands (he just turned 2 in May) and he picked up my motion immediately, repeating "this way and that, this way and that." It was the cutest thing. Then he used the cutter to cut out the crackers. I wouldn't let his dad take him home until one of "his" crackers was out of the oven.
The recipe is very simple - just butter, salt and milk - and the crackers were very tasty. Next time I'll roll them thinner and leave them in the oven a bit longer. I'm anxious to try it with multi-grain flour.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Alaska
Finally put the slideshow together. Click on the photo, then click view as a slideshow. I want to go back!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Home
Landed at OIA just after 10 a.m., after two smooth flights. Switching planes at the Detroit Airport is so simple, makes things less nerve-wracking.
We parked the car at All American Parking off McCoy Road. They were speedy and helpful and it was only $3.45 a day when you booked online. Great deal.
Nice to be home. We enjoyed seeing the stars tonight for the first time in two weeks. And I have to admit, I really love stepping out into a warm, humid summer evening.
Busy organizing photos and ordering prints.
Put together the list of birds I saw while we were there. I added 51 bird species to my life list!! I can hardly believe it! We saw or heard at least 81 species of birds.
Here's one - a tufted puffin:
We parked the car at All American Parking off McCoy Road. They were speedy and helpful and it was only $3.45 a day when you booked online. Great deal.
Nice to be home. We enjoyed seeing the stars tonight for the first time in two weeks. And I have to admit, I really love stepping out into a warm, humid summer evening.
Busy organizing photos and ordering prints.
Put together the list of birds I saw while we were there. I added 51 bird species to my life list!! I can hardly believe it! We saw or heard at least 81 species of birds.
Here's one - a tufted puffin:
Monday, June 21, 2010
Headed home...
Hate to leave. Weather here is gorgeous! Wish it had been like this the entire time we were here.
Had lunch at Gwennie's today. Funny place. Former brothel.
Last night we hung out at a park on the point and watched the sunset at 12:34 a.m!!! Isn't that funny? It was supposed to rise again about 2 hours later, but couldn't convince the family to stay up all night and watch it rise again. Happy summer solstice! Much bigger deal here than it is at home.
Our flight leaves at 8 p.m. and we're supposed to land in Orlando just after 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
One of the most beautiful things we've seen here -- besides the phenomenal mountains and wildlife -- are all the wildflowers. The flowers have been simply beautiful. Daisies, huge fat dandelions, mountain avens and many other varieties.
We stopped by a lake here downtown this morning to watch the seaplanes land and take off and I was able to tick off yet another duck species!!! Yippee!!!
Had lunch at Gwennie's today. Funny place. Former brothel.
Last night we hung out at a park on the point and watched the sunset at 12:34 a.m!!! Isn't that funny? It was supposed to rise again about 2 hours later, but couldn't convince the family to stay up all night and watch it rise again. Happy summer solstice! Much bigger deal here than it is at home.
Our flight leaves at 8 p.m. and we're supposed to land in Orlando just after 10:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
One of the most beautiful things we've seen here -- besides the phenomenal mountains and wildlife -- are all the wildflowers. The flowers have been simply beautiful. Daisies, huge fat dandelions, mountain avens and many other varieties.
We stopped by a lake here downtown this morning to watch the seaplanes land and take off and I was able to tick off yet another duck species!!! Yippee!!!
Sunday
Went to church in Soldotna, Alaska. Drove to Anchorage. The 2.5 hour drive took 11 hours because we stopped at so many scenic overlooks and took several trails!!
We visited the Portage Glacier area and hiked out to the toe of the Byron Glacier and played in the snow. Saw a canvasback duck at a pond on the way. At Potter Marsh, a bird sanctuary, baby ducks and Canada geese were everywhere we looked!
Saturday
We drove out to Kenai, taking a loop through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Beautiful drive along the Kenai River, no new wildlife.
The tide in the inlet is fascinating! It flows out so far so fast because it's so flat. So of course it flows in the same way. Amazing to watch.
Stopped for the night at a motel I was afraid might be a dive but it turned out to be clean with great beds.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saturday
Today we're headed over to the other side of the Kenai Peninsula. Slight drizzle and cold but still beautiful country.
Dinah at the Yukon river last Monday.
Dinah at the Yukon river last Monday.
Seward
What an amazing, incredible day! We took the Captain's Choice tour out of Kenai and spent 9 hours on Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay. We saw a glacier calve, saw orcas, humpbacks and a black bear, counted more than 19 species of birds, watched a sea otter eat crabs and generally had a splendid day.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Alaska
So we're at the library in Seward, the first time I've had Internet access in about 4 days. Rosie was having big time withdrawal pains.
We've had all kinds of grand adventures.
From Fairbanks we headed north to the Arctic Circle. The Dalton Highway was not as bad as everyone said but it was pretty wild. It took us about 7 hours to get to the Arctic Circle, where we got out and posed for pictures (to be posted later). Then we decided to drive on up to Coldfoot Alaska to visit the visitors center for the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Very cool! Except not! We camped there in a park five miles north of Coldfoot and it was the warmest we've been the ENTIRE trip! It got all the way up to 72 degrees on the tundra!! We were SOO tempted to drive all the way north to take a tour of the Arctic Ocean but unfortunately not enough time!
The drive back to Fairbanks the next day took eight hours. Beautiful and uneventful. Now I really want to take a raft trip or boat trip on the Yukon River.
From Fairbanks we headed out to the Delta Junction and down to Glennallen, Alaska. That was one of our classic trips where we drove all day and night and pulled into a ratty hotel at 2 a.m.!
Thursday morning we drove up into the north entrance of Wrangell St. Elias National Park where we saw moose, a fox and a wolf. We also drove down to the southern entrance of the park but did not travel the entire way.
It was cloudy and rainy and we couldn't see the biggest mountains. We began heading west and set up our tent at Lake Louise State Park. Gorgeous. Right on the lake. Dropped to 42 overnight but we were toasty in all the sleeping bags.
Today we drove to Seward. Wow! What a drive. Simply incredible views at every turn coming south out of Anchorage. Loved it!
Tomorrow we're headed out on a wildlife watching cruise. Fun, fun, fun!
We've had all kinds of grand adventures.
From Fairbanks we headed north to the Arctic Circle. The Dalton Highway was not as bad as everyone said but it was pretty wild. It took us about 7 hours to get to the Arctic Circle, where we got out and posed for pictures (to be posted later). Then we decided to drive on up to Coldfoot Alaska to visit the visitors center for the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Very cool! Except not! We camped there in a park five miles north of Coldfoot and it was the warmest we've been the ENTIRE trip! It got all the way up to 72 degrees on the tundra!! We were SOO tempted to drive all the way north to take a tour of the Arctic Ocean but unfortunately not enough time!
The drive back to Fairbanks the next day took eight hours. Beautiful and uneventful. Now I really want to take a raft trip or boat trip on the Yukon River.
From Fairbanks we headed out to the Delta Junction and down to Glennallen, Alaska. That was one of our classic trips where we drove all day and night and pulled into a ratty hotel at 2 a.m.!
Thursday morning we drove up into the north entrance of Wrangell St. Elias National Park where we saw moose, a fox and a wolf. We also drove down to the southern entrance of the park but did not travel the entire way.
It was cloudy and rainy and we couldn't see the biggest mountains. We began heading west and set up our tent at Lake Louise State Park. Gorgeous. Right on the lake. Dropped to 42 overnight but we were toasty in all the sleeping bags.
Today we drove to Seward. Wow! What a drive. Simply incredible views at every turn coming south out of Anchorage. Loved it!
Tomorrow we're headed out on a wildlife watching cruise. Fun, fun, fun!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Day 4
Yesterday, we woke up amazingly refreshed from our night in the lovely Nord Haven Motel just north of Denali. $165, but two wonderful queen beds and a nice breakfast. The only other motel was $120 with horrible beds and no breakfast, so it was worth it!
We drove back into Denali and put a stamp in our parks passport at the Vistor's Center, then went to the sled dog demonstration. Rosie loved it! It was so cool to see all those dogs and actually watch one of the rangers run around a gravel track with a sled dog team. Balto come to life!
We hiked the Rock Creek trail, about 2.5 miles, walking along a ridge with beautiful views. We saw two moose feeding and playing in a creek and took some great photos, to be uploaded later.
We drove back into the park 15 miles to Savage River, walked up to Savage Rock and then partway along the Savage River trail.
Steve finally managed to pull me out of Denali but oh how I hated to leave. What an absolutely gorgeous place. I could cheerfully spend a week -- if I didn't have to go everywhere on those buses.
We took about two hours or a little more to get to Fairbanks. What a plain little town this is, very drab. However, I had connected with an Alaska birder to take us on a tour of the Creamer's Field bird refuge. At the last minute she couldn't go so she connected me with a 15-year-old bird phenom who took us around the refuge. I added about 7 or 8 new bird species for me. The mosquitoes were atrocious but it was worth it. When I got back to the car, realized our mosquito head nets were in my back pocket!!
Today it's up the Haul Road, otherwise known as the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle!
We drove back into Denali and put a stamp in our parks passport at the Vistor's Center, then went to the sled dog demonstration. Rosie loved it! It was so cool to see all those dogs and actually watch one of the rangers run around a gravel track with a sled dog team. Balto come to life!
We hiked the Rock Creek trail, about 2.5 miles, walking along a ridge with beautiful views. We saw two moose feeding and playing in a creek and took some great photos, to be uploaded later.
We drove back into the park 15 miles to Savage River, walked up to Savage Rock and then partway along the Savage River trail.
Steve finally managed to pull me out of Denali but oh how I hated to leave. What an absolutely gorgeous place. I could cheerfully spend a week -- if I didn't have to go everywhere on those buses.
We took about two hours or a little more to get to Fairbanks. What a plain little town this is, very drab. However, I had connected with an Alaska birder to take us on a tour of the Creamer's Field bird refuge. At the last minute she couldn't go so she connected me with a 15-year-old bird phenom who took us around the refuge. I added about 7 or 8 new bird species for me. The mosquitoes were atrocious but it was worth it. When I got back to the car, realized our mosquito head nets were in my back pocket!!
Today it's up the Haul Road, otherwise known as the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Alaska!!
Wow! I just keep saying it over and over again. What an amazing place. The mountains are gorgeous and we've seen lots and lots of wildlife.
Arrived in Anchorage at 11 p.m. Wednesday night, with the sun still pretty high in the sky. Shuttle took us to the hotel and we crashed. Picked up the rental car the next morning from GoNorth Rentals. Great SUV at great price.
We headed first to Walmart and the grocery store to load up on food for the camping trip. Got to Denali about 6:30 p.m. Signed up to drive in to Teklanika and was surprised to see the sky had cleared and we could actually see Mount McKinley. Double wow. Really gorgeous.
Took a bus tour the next day, saw grizzlies, wolves, moose, caribou, ptarmigans and Dall sheep.
Loading a couple of photos
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thankful
Thank goodness for parents that taught me how to do stuff. I've thought about that a lot this weekend as I've planted seeds in the garden, baked and decorated a cake for Rosie, made a prom dress for Rosie, promised to make doll clothes for my granddaughter and handouts for Relief Society. Now I'm about to bake cookies for a thing at work tomorrow.
Both of my parents convinced me I could do anything I wanted as long as I was willing to try, so I've never really been afraid to try anything new. Growing up on a farm also meant learning a lot about many different things. The farm has come up again and again in conversation with people during the last week. I have so many fond memories of gardening, taking care of livestock and canning our own food. What great experiences we enjoyed.
Both of my parents convinced me I could do anything I wanted as long as I was willing to try, so I've never really been afraid to try anything new. Growing up on a farm also meant learning a lot about many different things. The farm has come up again and again in conversation with people during the last week. I have so many fond memories of gardening, taking care of livestock and canning our own food. What great experiences we enjoyed.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Busy, busy
Had a small party for Rosie tonight. Think she had a lot of fun but the timing didn't work out so great. Four of her friends that were planning to come were grounded by their parents for various infractions that didn't sound so serious. Made me think I was really soft on my children. But we had fun with them growing up and I think they had fun. Sometimes it seems to me you have the whole rest of your to toe the line and work yourself to the bone. Not sure it's worth it to push the kids so hard. However, sometimes I wonder if I took the wrong tack. They're such great kids though and we're all so close.
The weather is divine. So glad to live in Florida. I was walking down a hall in the Hilton today and glanced outdoors to see the beach and it took my breath away. Funny how working in Daytona I often forget the beach is just right there. So beautiful.
OK, I said the word "so" a total of seven times in this story. Need to look for some better words. Of course I only used the word really once, which is really (OK twice) unusual!
The weather is divine. So glad to live in Florida. I was walking down a hall in the Hilton today and glanced outdoors to see the beach and it took my breath away. Funny how working in Daytona I often forget the beach is just right there. So beautiful.
OK, I said the word "so" a total of seven times in this story. Need to look for some better words. Of course I only used the word really once, which is really (OK twice) unusual!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Cooking
Just finished decorating a darling cake for Rosie's birthday gathering tomorrow night. It's really cute. Wish I had more time. Now on to the prom dress.
So I had this dress hanging in the closet that I'd worn to my 15 year high school reunion 17.5 years ago. I've worn it exactly three times. Took it out of the closet and wore it today because it fits again and I've seen similar dresses in the store. Must have had six people stop me to say what a beautiful dress. How fun is that?
I've been chatting with people lately about their favorite way to make cornbread. The variety is truly amazing.
Beautiful day today. Hope it's nice this weekend. I need some time outdoors!
So I had this dress hanging in the closet that I'd worn to my 15 year high school reunion 17.5 years ago. I've worn it exactly three times. Took it out of the closet and wore it today because it fits again and I've seen similar dresses in the store. Must have had six people stop me to say what a beautiful dress. How fun is that?
I've been chatting with people lately about their favorite way to make cornbread. The variety is truly amazing.
Beautiful day today. Hope it's nice this weekend. I need some time outdoors!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
It's late
Returned a little while ago from a very long government meeting and I have myself all keyed up. Great. Another sleepless night.
Just checked the weather and it's going to rain a lot over the next few days, chiefly enough that I can't go camping on Thursday night or Friday night or Monday night. Really unbelievable. I want and need a break so bad. I just would like to go somewhere and chill. Thought I had a a good plan but so often things just don't seem to work out. Hard to get any one group of people to agree on anything.
I'd like to think the stress could not get any worse but that usually seems like an invitation for things to keep growing worse!
I wrote a fun little story tonight about the rescue of a baby great horned owl that had either fallen or been booted from the nest.
Just checked the weather and it's going to rain a lot over the next few days, chiefly enough that I can't go camping on Thursday night or Friday night or Monday night. Really unbelievable. I want and need a break so bad. I just would like to go somewhere and chill. Thought I had a a good plan but so often things just don't seem to work out. Hard to get any one group of people to agree on anything.
I'd like to think the stress could not get any worse but that usually seems like an invitation for things to keep growing worse!
I wrote a fun little story tonight about the rescue of a baby great horned owl that had either fallen or been booted from the nest.
Stress
Just can't believe how insanely stressful my life is right now. Having a teenager who believes the world should revolve around them is one of the most stressful situations I've ever experienced. So glad this is my last time through it. Adding Steve's unemployment makes life scarier and more tense.
As for my own future, almost the sole topic of conversation at the NJ remains who will have jobs next week, how someone is deciding who will have jobs and what all of that will mean for those who remain. We're all eating junk food and hitting the pain killers. It's just unbelievably nervewracking. The only bright spot is that by Monday, the questions will be answered, the unknown will become the known and we'll all know where we stand.
The final piece of the stress in my life is a very convoluted, complex story that has great implications for our county in the future. Trying to put that into terms everyone can understand, while playing it straight up and covering all the bases, and doing it in 15 inches is very difficult, especially under the current circumstances.
Remember Howard Dean's primal scream? I'm doing it inside ....
We're still looking for a place to go for our anniversary and for a couple of days while the teenager is on spring break. But everything seems complicated, especially when you're trying to save money.
As for my own future, almost the sole topic of conversation at the NJ remains who will have jobs next week, how someone is deciding who will have jobs and what all of that will mean for those who remain. We're all eating junk food and hitting the pain killers. It's just unbelievably nervewracking. The only bright spot is that by Monday, the questions will be answered, the unknown will become the known and we'll all know where we stand.
The final piece of the stress in my life is a very convoluted, complex story that has great implications for our county in the future. Trying to put that into terms everyone can understand, while playing it straight up and covering all the bases, and doing it in 15 inches is very difficult, especially under the current circumstances.
Remember Howard Dean's primal scream? I'm doing it inside ....
We're still looking for a place to go for our anniversary and for a couple of days while the teenager is on spring break. But everything seems complicated, especially when you're trying to save money.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Life
So I'm standing in line at midnight in Walmart and thinking. (Dangerous, I know, on several levels.) How could the husband of a beautiful, Oscar-winning actress cheat on her? Is no one safe, ever? The tattooed paramour of Sandra Bullock's husband ( or who says she was his lover) told a magazine reporter that he was lonely. With that kind of money and three kids how could he be lonely?
Why are so many people so lonely? It's really sad. Is that deep gnawing feeling inside loneliness, or something else?
Weirdly, I was thinking about her and Meryl Streep on Oscar night. Beautiful, smart women. Sandra gave the most touching, normal speech. She sounds like such a sincere, down-to-earth person. But I sat there thinking that with all the talent, money and good fortune, they're no different from the rest of us. They probably have the same feelings of inadequacy and insecurity as we do, if not more, and cry over the same things. And so often, celebrities wind up doing that on the world's stage.
I mean Marie Osmond had a crew from Entertainment Tonight at her son's funeral for Pete's sakes! The camera shot closeups of her face, wrinkles, grief and all. For the record, and I've told all my co-workers this, I would never, ever let the news media in to witness the grief of my most private moments.
A woman here in DeBary lost her teenage son in a tragic accident a couple of weeks ago. Incredibly, she let a reporter into her home the next day to discuss her feelings and the accident. How very sad she must have been. I agreed to take the photo of her son back to her three days later and when I arrived, she answered the door. I couldn't believe it. All the grief, all the agony I imagined she felt and imagined I would feel if I lost any one of my three, welled up into my throat and stuck. I couldn't even say a word to her.
Which brings me back to Jesse James and his supposed lover. These are the people that truly, truly shouldn't talk to the media. Why do we buy this drivel and support these people who lack ethics, integrity and good taste?
I had almost decided I could side with Rielle Hunter, John Edwards lover. He was under a lot of stress and his wife sounded like a shrew who may have flaunted her family money and ridiculed him. But then Hunter goes and gives up her story to a magazine and lets a photographer take pictures of her without essential pieces of clothing. Then she has the audacity to say she was distraught over the pictures. Here's a clue: If you want classy photos, never, ever, under any circumstances let anyone with a camera in the same room if you're not wearing all your clothes. The same goes for video cameras.
This reminds me of another subject I've pondered at some length this week. I attended a home party last Saturday night, but not the kind you'd think. No plastic bowls and air-tight lids. No stoneware, kitchen implements or decorations. Just lotions, candles and items that might require stock in a battery company if you used them very often. We're talking vibrating, pulsating power here, in several shapes and colors, including one the consultant suggested keeping in your car in its velvet pouch in case you're stuck in traffic on I-4. Stuck in traffic? I'm afraid that might cause a whole lot more fender benders.
You won't read about the Passion Party or the very kind hostess -- June -- in a story from me. We decided we just couldn't do it justice in the pages of a family newspaper. However, the party was fun and wild, with the guests -- fortified with Vodka-laced Jello shots and large glasses of wine -- getting more relaxed as the evening wore on. But the hostess and one of the guests said one of the important points of the evening was empowering women. And they weren't talking about Energizer or Everready.
Which made me think - a lot. Freedom to have sex at any moment in any way you see fit wouldn't be on the top of my list of empowerment tools. I think more about removing glass ceilings, giving women the same pay for the same day's work as a man, letting a woman work in an environment free of sexual harassment (without being asked to serve a cup of coffee blonde and sweet), giving women the right to vote and to speak out on issues. But other people have assured me, part of the basics of empowering women around the world really is about sex and giving them the most basic freedoms over their own bodies. I'm just not sure what I think about that.
However, clearly, to bring this back full circle, no matter how much power or presence a woman has, some things can still bring us down, shredding our self-confidence and sending us right back down to the deepest, darkest, back spot in the cave.
Why are so many people so lonely? It's really sad. Is that deep gnawing feeling inside loneliness, or something else?
Weirdly, I was thinking about her and Meryl Streep on Oscar night. Beautiful, smart women. Sandra gave the most touching, normal speech. She sounds like such a sincere, down-to-earth person. But I sat there thinking that with all the talent, money and good fortune, they're no different from the rest of us. They probably have the same feelings of inadequacy and insecurity as we do, if not more, and cry over the same things. And so often, celebrities wind up doing that on the world's stage.
I mean Marie Osmond had a crew from Entertainment Tonight at her son's funeral for Pete's sakes! The camera shot closeups of her face, wrinkles, grief and all. For the record, and I've told all my co-workers this, I would never, ever let the news media in to witness the grief of my most private moments.
A woman here in DeBary lost her teenage son in a tragic accident a couple of weeks ago. Incredibly, she let a reporter into her home the next day to discuss her feelings and the accident. How very sad she must have been. I agreed to take the photo of her son back to her three days later and when I arrived, she answered the door. I couldn't believe it. All the grief, all the agony I imagined she felt and imagined I would feel if I lost any one of my three, welled up into my throat and stuck. I couldn't even say a word to her.
Which brings me back to Jesse James and his supposed lover. These are the people that truly, truly shouldn't talk to the media. Why do we buy this drivel and support these people who lack ethics, integrity and good taste?
I had almost decided I could side with Rielle Hunter, John Edwards lover. He was under a lot of stress and his wife sounded like a shrew who may have flaunted her family money and ridiculed him. But then Hunter goes and gives up her story to a magazine and lets a photographer take pictures of her without essential pieces of clothing. Then she has the audacity to say she was distraught over the pictures. Here's a clue: If you want classy photos, never, ever, under any circumstances let anyone with a camera in the same room if you're not wearing all your clothes. The same goes for video cameras.
This reminds me of another subject I've pondered at some length this week. I attended a home party last Saturday night, but not the kind you'd think. No plastic bowls and air-tight lids. No stoneware, kitchen implements or decorations. Just lotions, candles and items that might require stock in a battery company if you used them very often. We're talking vibrating, pulsating power here, in several shapes and colors, including one the consultant suggested keeping in your car in its velvet pouch in case you're stuck in traffic on I-4. Stuck in traffic? I'm afraid that might cause a whole lot more fender benders.
You won't read about the Passion Party or the very kind hostess -- June -- in a story from me. We decided we just couldn't do it justice in the pages of a family newspaper. However, the party was fun and wild, with the guests -- fortified with Vodka-laced Jello shots and large glasses of wine -- getting more relaxed as the evening wore on. But the hostess and one of the guests said one of the important points of the evening was empowering women. And they weren't talking about Energizer or Everready.
Which made me think - a lot. Freedom to have sex at any moment in any way you see fit wouldn't be on the top of my list of empowerment tools. I think more about removing glass ceilings, giving women the same pay for the same day's work as a man, letting a woman work in an environment free of sexual harassment (without being asked to serve a cup of coffee blonde and sweet), giving women the right to vote and to speak out on issues. But other people have assured me, part of the basics of empowering women around the world really is about sex and giving them the most basic freedoms over their own bodies. I'm just not sure what I think about that.
However, clearly, to bring this back full circle, no matter how much power or presence a woman has, some things can still bring us down, shredding our self-confidence and sending us right back down to the deepest, darkest, back spot in the cave.
Two bright spots
Enjoyed two bright spots in my day today. The first was a repeat performance by the flock of cedar waxwings. They're just so colorful. The second was the cutest video of our granddaughter posted on Facebook, singing Jesus Loves Me.
Steve made dinner for he and Rosie tonight. He produced the fried chicken breast chunks precisely from my directions and they were great. (Soaked in milk for a bit, then cut up, dredged in self-rising flour and spices and fried at fairly high temperature.)
One of my birding buddies had a total bright spot today -- a fly by from a flock of Canada geese. Unbelievably (but unmistakable) and totally cool.
Otherwise, the day was even more stress-filled than the previous couple of days, with a couple of big disappointments on top of all that. The stress level at work is really building to a crescendo, with everyone on edge and fearful of the unknown. I've had three different co-workers get choked up and teary eyed with me in the past two days. I think journalists are used to being somewhat in control of things and it's very hard to have no power over your situation.
After solving Rosie's problem with producing two-sided copies from our printer, I thought I was going to curl up now by the fire with a book but no, the day just keeps getting better and better. I'm headed to Walmart because I'm out of a critical ingredient needed to prepare food for a family's after-funeral dinner tomorrow.
Please pray for me that I don't wind up on Peopleofwalmart.com . I am headed to the all-night super center at midnight without a bra and I probably won't brush my hair either. Meanwhile, the fire in the fireplace will probably be reduced to ashes by the time I get back here.
Steve made dinner for he and Rosie tonight. He produced the fried chicken breast chunks precisely from my directions and they were great. (Soaked in milk for a bit, then cut up, dredged in self-rising flour and spices and fried at fairly high temperature.)
One of my birding buddies had a total bright spot today -- a fly by from a flock of Canada geese. Unbelievably (but unmistakable) and totally cool.
Otherwise, the day was even more stress-filled than the previous couple of days, with a couple of big disappointments on top of all that. The stress level at work is really building to a crescendo, with everyone on edge and fearful of the unknown. I've had three different co-workers get choked up and teary eyed with me in the past two days. I think journalists are used to being somewhat in control of things and it's very hard to have no power over your situation.
After solving Rosie's problem with producing two-sided copies from our printer, I thought I was going to curl up now by the fire with a book but no, the day just keeps getting better and better. I'm headed to Walmart because I'm out of a critical ingredient needed to prepare food for a family's after-funeral dinner tomorrow.
Please pray for me that I don't wind up on Peopleofwalmart.com . I am headed to the all-night super center at midnight without a bra and I probably won't brush my hair either. Meanwhile, the fire in the fireplace will probably be reduced to ashes by the time I get back here.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Simplify
After a dismal morning, the afternoon was super. Cleaned off the clutter on my desk, sorting through stacks and stacks of white papers, clippings, magazines and things that needed to be mailed. Removed all the pieces of paper, filed everything and will clean the desk in the morning. Great feeling.
Made a long to-do list of stories to get started in the days ahead and for once walked out of the office feeling like I'd really accomplished something. Came home to a fire in the fireplace and everyone in a good mood.
Eating one of my favorite salads: salad greens, craisins, slivered almonds and Ken's low fat honey mustard dressing. But these dinners at 9:30 p.m. need to stop!
The highlight of the day was finally spotting my first cedar waxwing of the winter -- a flock of 17 flitting around the News-Journal parking lot. Read more about them here: Cedar waxwing
Made a long to-do list of stories to get started in the days ahead and for once walked out of the office feeling like I'd really accomplished something. Came home to a fire in the fireplace and everyone in a good mood.
Eating one of my favorite salads: salad greens, craisins, slivered almonds and Ken's low fat honey mustard dressing. But these dinners at 9:30 p.m. need to stop!
The highlight of the day was finally spotting my first cedar waxwing of the winter -- a flock of 17 flitting around the News-Journal parking lot. Read more about them here: Cedar waxwing
Stress
Far too much stress in my life. My friends say: "simplify, streamline, say no." But those things are not easy to do. Tempting thought. If I imagine I'm tossing the complicated, stress-filled things out of my life, what do I put into the mental wastebasket?" I think I need a couple of days away. Can not do another day like yesterday.
I looked up a couple of links for how to say no and simplify my life. Now if I can only squeeze in time to read them!
Weatherwise, another couple of dreary days ahead. Thanks to my speaking engagement being cancelled in Vero Beach, I did not have to drive in the rain today, so instead I'm hoping to catch up with some of the long to-do list at work.
We've had a lot of talk lately about what kinds of food to serve at funerals. To me, it should be comfort food, food you're used to that tastes good, feels good and offers comfort. What's your comfort food?
Several Web sites actually offer recipes and suggestions for funeral food. The internet can be amazing. Here's one interesting story:
And here's another.
I looked up a couple of links for how to say no and simplify my life. Now if I can only squeeze in time to read them!
Weatherwise, another couple of dreary days ahead. Thanks to my speaking engagement being cancelled in Vero Beach, I did not have to drive in the rain today, so instead I'm hoping to catch up with some of the long to-do list at work.
We've had a lot of talk lately about what kinds of food to serve at funerals. To me, it should be comfort food, food you're used to that tastes good, feels good and offers comfort. What's your comfort food?
Several Web sites actually offer recipes and suggestions for funeral food. The internet can be amazing. Here's one interesting story:
And here's another.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Observations
Ever get all enthused about something, vow to turn over a new leaf and then boom, someone crushes you with just a phrase or a look? Funny how much we let some people have power over us, our emotions and actions.
Still working on the Power Point. This bug is really getting me down.
Still working on the Power Point. This bug is really getting me down.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Green
So I finally crawled out of the bed after a day of being deathly ill with a virus on Sunday and decided I shouldn't miss a day of work because I'm afraid of getting too far behind.
Suddenly -- to my surprise -- I find beautiful bright green new foliage all along Interstate 4. Someone flipped a switch and spring is really here.
Of course it's still cold and windy, but lovely nevertheless. Most of my birding friends have seen swallow-tailed kites. I have not. Hopefully one day this week.
Pleased with my ocean migration package yesterday and received several nice notes from readers.
Still trying to finish up the power point for the speech to the Environmental Learning Center of Vero Beach on Wednesday.
Suddenly -- to my surprise -- I find beautiful bright green new foliage all along Interstate 4. Someone flipped a switch and spring is really here.
Of course it's still cold and windy, but lovely nevertheless. Most of my birding friends have seen swallow-tailed kites. I have not. Hopefully one day this week.
Pleased with my ocean migration package yesterday and received several nice notes from readers.
Still trying to finish up the power point for the speech to the Environmental Learning Center of Vero Beach on Wednesday.
Friday, March 12, 2010
What a day!
Oh my goodness. Wrote a story for 1A tomorrow that I hadn't planned when I went in to work this morning and finished up a package for 1A for Sunday.
My boss, who I've worked closely with for more than a decade, said goodbye to our staff today because he may not return to work after vacation if the sale goes through while he's gone. It was very sad. It's the end of an era. He did amazing things to create a higher quality newspaper and pull the NJ into the current century.
I'm exhausted and emotionally spent. I've lost soooo very many friends at the NJ in the past 18 months.
Now we're headed out to dinner -- at Steve's favorite place -- La Hacienda, Orange City.
My boss, who I've worked closely with for more than a decade, said goodbye to our staff today because he may not return to work after vacation if the sale goes through while he's gone. It was very sad. It's the end of an era. He did amazing things to create a higher quality newspaper and pull the NJ into the current century.
I'm exhausted and emotionally spent. I've lost soooo very many friends at the NJ in the past 18 months.
Now we're headed out to dinner -- at Steve's favorite place -- La Hacienda, Orange City.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The days ahead
Activities stacking up VERY quickly. Lots of choices on Saturday. Do I do the church thing or go on a bird count with a couple of local birding experts? It even involves kayaks. This would hands down be my preferred event of the day if I didn't feel like I had other obligations. Nothing better than birding AND paddling at the same time!
At 1 (or 3) I forget, one of my favorite writers Randy Wayne White is signing books at Sam's in Daytona Beach. Would love to see that. Then, have a work assignment Saturday night. I feel like I'm running around nutty sometimes.
Headed to bed - before midnight. Victory for me. Thank goodness for my cozy electric blanket. I really hope we don't find out in 20 years that these things are bad for you!
At 1 (or 3) I forget, one of my favorite writers Randy Wayne White is signing books at Sam's in Daytona Beach. Would love to see that. Then, have a work assignment Saturday night. I feel like I'm running around nutty sometimes.
Headed to bed - before midnight. Victory for me. Thank goodness for my cozy electric blanket. I really hope we don't find out in 20 years that these things are bad for you!
Exhausted
Well this day started off poorly and just continued that way all day long. When I walked in to the office and saw a one-source, above the fold story on 1A regarding hurricane season that actually used the word "extreme" in the top, I couldn't believe it. This is one area of expertise for me and I just couldn't stand it. I've always made it clear I'm available as a resource virtually around the clock. How does something like this happen? And of course no one working the dayside at a newspaper can ever, ever get this question answered. Everybody is always on the defensive and open, honest communication just doesn't happen. Ever.
Then at 11 p.m. got a call regarding a weather story, to clarify something. I was happy to call the Weather Service. Straightened it out. But anxious to get off this computer because I was on all day long, more than 10 hours.
Couldn't wait however to talk about the new dish I made. Orzo cooked quickly in boiling water, only about 6 or 7 minutes. Drain. Chop up crab meat and stir into a skillet with a little melted butter. Throw in some Greek seasoning, little white cooking whine. Simmer a little while. Top with parmesan cheese. Wow! Intended to eat half tonight and half tomorrow. Couldn't stop myself. Ate about a cup of pasta! Super fast and yummy.
Loads of rain today.
Nearly finished the big package for Sunday. Can't wait until it's over!
Then at 11 p.m. got a call regarding a weather story, to clarify something. I was happy to call the Weather Service. Straightened it out. But anxious to get off this computer because I was on all day long, more than 10 hours.
Couldn't wait however to talk about the new dish I made. Orzo cooked quickly in boiling water, only about 6 or 7 minutes. Drain. Chop up crab meat and stir into a skillet with a little melted butter. Throw in some Greek seasoning, little white cooking whine. Simmer a little while. Top with parmesan cheese. Wow! Intended to eat half tonight and half tomorrow. Couldn't stop myself. Ate about a cup of pasta! Super fast and yummy.
Loads of rain today.
Nearly finished the big package for Sunday. Can't wait until it's over!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Florida
Spring has arrived. It was 63 degrees this morning by 10 a.m. Nearly everyone I've seen this morning mentioned how much they were tickled by the warming weather. Hopefully we've seen the last of winter.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Spent several hours outdoors, including some time in my favorite place on the planet -- an untouched cypress swamp. Red maples are showing their true colors in brilliant scarlet leaves. Cypress trees are just beginning to put forth their own uniquely spring green leaves. The first cypress tree I saw dressed up in its new finery was a dwarf tree, growing very close to the ground, so I could touch the new leaves. They were so soft and feathery.
Really enjoyed a book I read last week, "Stormy Weather" by Geri Buckley. The book features a strong, Southern woman character who finds herself on her 50th birthday fed up with her husband and mother-in-law. The Florida-based book struck several chords with me, obviously, being 50!
Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Spent several hours outdoors, including some time in my favorite place on the planet -- an untouched cypress swamp. Red maples are showing their true colors in brilliant scarlet leaves. Cypress trees are just beginning to put forth their own uniquely spring green leaves. The first cypress tree I saw dressed up in its new finery was a dwarf tree, growing very close to the ground, so I could touch the new leaves. They were so soft and feathery.
Really enjoyed a book I read last week, "Stormy Weather" by Geri Buckley. The book features a strong, Southern woman character who finds herself on her 50th birthday fed up with her husband and mother-in-law. The Florida-based book struck several chords with me, obviously, being 50!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Beauty
Nothing is more beautiful than a cypress swamp. Would love to figure out why it touches me so.
Fixed grits and bacon tonight for supper. Stirred a little cream into the grits. They tasted fine and had great consistency. But couldn't keep the family out of the bacon. Hoped to have some left over for breakfast and a salad, but no such luck.
Tried my new hiking boots out today. They seem like they'll do just fine.
Fixed grits and bacon tonight for supper. Stirred a little cream into the grits. They tasted fine and had great consistency. But couldn't keep the family out of the bacon. Hoped to have some left over for breakfast and a salad, but no such luck.
Tried my new hiking boots out today. They seem like they'll do just fine.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cold
The same vein runs through every conversation. It's COLD! It's too freaking cold. It's Florida. Why do we have this Arctic Air? I know why sort of -- the Arctic Oscillation is in the phase that funnels cold air straight to Florida but still ... And no hope for true warmth anytime soon. See a graph of the phase here.
The good news is the seasonal outlook from NOAA shows the below normal temperatures going away for Florida in June! But sticking around through May.
The dip was a hit at the wedding shower this afternoon. Served it with Triscuits and Triscuit thins. Steve said it's not spicy enough. One of the women brought the cookie that is simply phenomenal and hands down one of my favorites -- Ritz crackers sandwiched together with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate. Oh my goodness. I could eat 10!
We gave the bride handwritten recipes. I gave her the family's classic Broccoli, cheese, Ritz cracker recipe.
So I'm still working to figure out how to make the most use of Twitter. Great story in the New York Times about it today.
May go birding with a friend on Sunday afternoon. Just can't wait. Really need the break. Rough day today. Weirdness at work. Then shower. Then School Advisory Council at Deltona High School.
The good news is the seasonal outlook from NOAA shows the below normal temperatures going away for Florida in June! But sticking around through May.
The dip was a hit at the wedding shower this afternoon. Served it with Triscuits and Triscuit thins. Steve said it's not spicy enough. One of the women brought the cookie that is simply phenomenal and hands down one of my favorites -- Ritz crackers sandwiched together with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate. Oh my goodness. I could eat 10!
We gave the bride handwritten recipes. I gave her the family's classic Broccoli, cheese, Ritz cracker recipe.
So I'm still working to figure out how to make the most use of Twitter. Great story in the New York Times about it today.
May go birding with a friend on Sunday afternoon. Just can't wait. Really need the break. Rough day today. Weirdness at work. Then shower. Then School Advisory Council at Deltona High School.
Tried something new
Had an idea for an egg dish the other day. Found pepper jack cheese in the fridge and had a bowl of salsa mixed with cream cheese left over from the party Saturday night. What about a Southwest omelet? So this morning I whipped up two eggs and started the omelet. Topped with about 1/3 cup shredded jack cheese. Flipped. Served with a dollop of salsa/cream cheese. Wow! It was great.
Also tried a new recipe for a dip for a shower at work this afternoon. Cream cheese package, small can chiles and small can crushed pineapple (DRAINED!) 1/4 cup chopped pecans. It's supposed to be a log and I didn't drain the pineapple because frankly most recipes for crushed pineapple say don't drain it. Recipe is from the Watunga Cheese Festival and other places. We'll see how it turns out. Topped with more pecans and chili powder.
Worked more than 10 hours yesterday. Wrote three stories, two boxes and an online brief! Fell asleep on the floor by the fire when I came home -- after cooking pasta at 10:30. Lightly sauteed thin pork chops. White wine. Whipping cream. Over pasta. Yum.
Also tried a new recipe for a dip for a shower at work this afternoon. Cream cheese package, small can chiles and small can crushed pineapple (DRAINED!) 1/4 cup chopped pecans. It's supposed to be a log and I didn't drain the pineapple because frankly most recipes for crushed pineapple say don't drain it. Recipe is from the Watunga Cheese Festival and other places. We'll see how it turns out. Topped with more pecans and chili powder.
Worked more than 10 hours yesterday. Wrote three stories, two boxes and an online brief! Fell asleep on the floor by the fire when I came home -- after cooking pasta at 10:30. Lightly sauteed thin pork chops. White wine. Whipping cream. Over pasta. Yum.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Full moon
Saw a beautiful full moon last night when we were out for a walk. Something about the moon has always fascinated me. As a teenager, I'd curl up in my window seat and watch the moon rise over the pine trees in the distant horizon. Its light would reflect off the tin roof of the pole barn and bathe the entire yard in light. Life seemed so full of magical potential then. The moon will be full again on March 29.
Read more about the moon here:
Read more about the moon here:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Walking
Woke up in time to take a walk around the neighborhood this morning with Steve. Our community really has so many birds. In just a loop, we saw blue jays, cardinals, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, mockingbird, American robin, a red-shouldered hawk, mourning dove, grackles, crows and a couple I couldn't identify (no binoculars). When I drove away I added white ibis, a cormorant and a muscovy to the list.
Went to visit a very sweet man around the corner who is a fly fisherman. Had a lot of fun with him and had my second lesson on how to cast a fly rod. Totally fun. He promised to take me fishing. His wife passed away last November. Felt sorry for him but he says he'll have more time to go fishing!
Have a story in today's paper about boaters approaching right whales as the play in the Atlantic Ocean. (Link should be in Google ticker to the right) Why would someone venture that close to a 60-ton wild animal? Absolutely boggles the brain.
Also had my first-ever restaurant review published in the paper today.
Went to visit a very sweet man around the corner who is a fly fisherman. Had a lot of fun with him and had my second lesson on how to cast a fly rod. Totally fun. He promised to take me fishing. His wife passed away last November. Felt sorry for him but he says he'll have more time to go fishing!
Have a story in today's paper about boaters approaching right whales as the play in the Atlantic Ocean. (Link should be in Google ticker to the right) Why would someone venture that close to a 60-ton wild animal? Absolutely boggles the brain.
Also had my first-ever restaurant review published in the paper today.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Rain
Melancholy mood today. Need to kick things into gear. Weeks past deadline on a Sunday story I really wanted to write.
Thought for the day from Forbes.com: "Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." - Demosthenes
News today from the NJ: Judge set a hearing for March 23. Appraisals should be finished. Sale could take place last week of March. I've never felt less in control of my future.
Fascinating story here from Forbes about a librarian and her wacky children's book blog.
Thought for the day from Forbes.com: "Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." - Demosthenes
News today from the NJ: Judge set a hearing for March 23. Appraisals should be finished. Sale could take place last week of March. I've never felt less in control of my future.
Fascinating story here from Forbes about a librarian and her wacky children's book blog.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Weather
Finally, we had a gorgeous weekend with sunlight and warmth. I managed to get out on the St. Johns River Friday and Saturday. Friday I paddled down from Lemon Bluff to a conservation area near Mullet Lake Park in Sanford. Simply beautiful.
On Saturday, a friend took me shad fishing. What a blast. I've never been fly fishing before so that was fascinating. My perfectionist tendencies rear themselves in almost everything I do and this was no exception. The art of flyfishing takes great practice so my attempts were beyond frustrating. Patience may be a virtue but certainly one I'm lacking.
I was supposed to spend the entire afternoon on the river Sunday shad fishing but circumstances frustratingly beyond my control intervened. After driving all the way out for a tempting glimpse of the river, I headed home again.
The changing character of the St. Johns along its entire length amazes and fascinates me. It meanders and spreads wide at State Road 46 with a vast flood plain. To me, it's one of the most beautiful views in all of Florida. The river looks completely different in DeBary, where I cross it several times a week. Here the river runs in a deep channel, always busy with boats. Boaters were out in force this weekend, enjoying the first gorgeous weekend of 2010.
Later Sunday, we drove to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and walked the Scrub Ridge Trail where we had a delightful encounter with a half dozen Florida scrub jays, Florida's only endemic bird species.
On Saturday, a friend took me shad fishing. What a blast. I've never been fly fishing before so that was fascinating. My perfectionist tendencies rear themselves in almost everything I do and this was no exception. The art of flyfishing takes great practice so my attempts were beyond frustrating. Patience may be a virtue but certainly one I'm lacking.
I was supposed to spend the entire afternoon on the river Sunday shad fishing but circumstances frustratingly beyond my control intervened. After driving all the way out for a tempting glimpse of the river, I headed home again.
The changing character of the St. Johns along its entire length amazes and fascinates me. It meanders and spreads wide at State Road 46 with a vast flood plain. To me, it's one of the most beautiful views in all of Florida. The river looks completely different in DeBary, where I cross it several times a week. Here the river runs in a deep channel, always busy with boats. Boaters were out in force this weekend, enjoying the first gorgeous weekend of 2010.
Later Sunday, we drove to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and walked the Scrub Ridge Trail where we had a delightful encounter with a half dozen Florida scrub jays, Florida's only endemic bird species.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentines Day
So someone close to me used to tell me that Valentine's Day was a made up holiday to make money for retailers. I would argue the day's merits for romance and recognizing those you love. But the older I get the more I see the other person's point.
So many expectations and so many unfulfilled dreams all wrapped up and tied with myriad bows, hearts and red flowers. The day creates sadness and angst in the hearts of so many. I have teenaged nieces who hate Valentine's Day. If they hate it now, how will they feel in another 30 years when no illusions of romance are left?
What if you don't have a sweetheart? What if you just lost or broke up with a sweetheart? What if the one you love loves someone else? Or what if you love more than one person? Or can't spend the day with the person you'd most like to spend the day with?
We've had a nice quiet day. I'm making lasagna and strawberry shortcake for Steve. I stopped buying him cards a long time ago. He hates them. So why push the issue?
He brought me red roses, a lovely card and then scored a real victory with a soft, cuddly, dark teal (my favorite color) fleece jacket that also happened to be on clearance, which made me happy in more ways than one!
Others close to my heart also remembered me on this special day and for that I am grateful. But I'm still thinking that Cupid seems a lot less about magic and wonder and a lot more about materialism.
So many expectations and so many unfulfilled dreams all wrapped up and tied with myriad bows, hearts and red flowers. The day creates sadness and angst in the hearts of so many. I have teenaged nieces who hate Valentine's Day. If they hate it now, how will they feel in another 30 years when no illusions of romance are left?
What if you don't have a sweetheart? What if you just lost or broke up with a sweetheart? What if the one you love loves someone else? Or what if you love more than one person? Or can't spend the day with the person you'd most like to spend the day with?
We've had a nice quiet day. I'm making lasagna and strawberry shortcake for Steve. I stopped buying him cards a long time ago. He hates them. So why push the issue?
He brought me red roses, a lovely card and then scored a real victory with a soft, cuddly, dark teal (my favorite color) fleece jacket that also happened to be on clearance, which made me happy in more ways than one!
Others close to my heart also remembered me on this special day and for that I am grateful. But I'm still thinking that Cupid seems a lot less about magic and wonder and a lot more about materialism.
Duck, duck drive
Spent the morning driving around Saturday, one sure way to stay warm in Florida these days. Took Steve with me to Umatilla to look at a rare long-tailed duck in a pond there. Missed my first turn because I wasn't paying attention, but it proved fortuitous because I was able to convince Steve to let me take a quick walk through Renningers Antique Market, which I dearly love. As usual, I found something truly gorgeous but did not buy it. It was a pair of footed or pedestal cut glass bowls, teal in color. Simply beautiful, but $110 each. Yowza. While I'd cheerfully pay that if I had it, I'd live in fear of someone breaking the bowls and that's just not worth it. I like to use our old dishes and things so it feel like the pieces continue to live the life they were created for and ultimately that's all anyone can ask for right?
The long-tailed duck proved to be a bit of misnomer because it turns out the females don't have long tails in the winter. So she was a long-tailed duck, sans tail. But it was fun to check off one more bird on my life list which is very near 200.
At around 6, my daughter and I left for the drive to an LDS chapel near Green Cove Springs where she could attend a youth dance. The place was packed and she had a wonderful time, so even though I doubted the wisdom of my actions on the drive up, it proved well worth the effort. It helped that I dropped by Gander Mountain while waiting and found a great pair of $130 hiking boots, for only $55. I've looked all over because I blew out my old pair and need to get a new pair before Alaska, which is only 115 days away.
The long-tailed duck proved to be a bit of misnomer because it turns out the females don't have long tails in the winter. So she was a long-tailed duck, sans tail. But it was fun to check off one more bird on my life list which is very near 200.
At around 6, my daughter and I left for the drive to an LDS chapel near Green Cove Springs where she could attend a youth dance. The place was packed and she had a wonderful time, so even though I doubted the wisdom of my actions on the drive up, it proved well worth the effort. It helped that I dropped by Gander Mountain while waiting and found a great pair of $130 hiking boots, for only $55. I've looked all over because I blew out my old pair and need to get a new pair before Alaska, which is only 115 days away.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Certainty ...
So the furor over the future of The News-Journal heats up this week, with speculation mounting that the judge will rule on the proposed sale Friday or Tuesday. Then the closing should happen a few days after that. However, all sorts of factors could intervene, including paperwork requesting a stay. A Corporate e-mail arrived trying to allay the fears but unfortunately too many of us are already worked up over our futures and what that means.
For a group of journalists who have a very specific skill set who face a job-seeking world already filled with unemployed journalists, the prospects seem very scary. Lots of stomach butterflies, stress eating and of course the ever-present morbid newsroom humor.
To read more on The News-Journal saga click here:
For a group of journalists who have a very specific skill set who face a job-seeking world already filled with unemployed journalists, the prospects seem very scary. Lots of stomach butterflies, stress eating and of course the ever-present morbid newsroom humor.
To read more on The News-Journal saga click here:
Faster than a speeding bird?
I heard a bird above my head as I went into the house Wednesday morning after dropping Rosie off at school and looked up to see a speeding red-shouldered hawk zooming across the lawn. He passed the roof line so I couldn't see where it was headed but it sure was fast.
Then my best birding buddy tells me he saw a speeding peregrine falcon diving to grab a pigeon. Made me wonder how fast these birds fly. In a quick search, I didn't turn up a great scientific site, but did see numerous references in Wikipedia and other sites. The peregrine, when diving, flies at speeds of up to more than 200 mph. A red-shouldered hawk, they say, may speed faster than 110 mph. Truly amazing.
Had dinner at a wonderful restaurant in downtown DeLand last night, the Cress. The combination of flavors in the creole fish over mushroom thyme grits with a sauce seemed like a festival on the palate.
Then my best birding buddy tells me he saw a speeding peregrine falcon diving to grab a pigeon. Made me wonder how fast these birds fly. In a quick search, I didn't turn up a great scientific site, but did see numerous references in Wikipedia and other sites. The peregrine, when diving, flies at speeds of up to more than 200 mph. A red-shouldered hawk, they say, may speed faster than 110 mph. Truly amazing.
Had dinner at a wonderful restaurant in downtown DeLand last night, the Cress. The combination of flavors in the creole fish over mushroom thyme grits with a sauce seemed like a festival on the palate.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Birds, blue sky and water = perfection
Not everyone would agree that paddling a kayak on Sunday is a proper Sabbath observance, but I for one find it to be as spiritually satisfying as attending church.
Paddled between the Lemon Bluff boat ramp and Mullet Lake Park in Geneva today, but using the term paddled only very loosely. When I'm alone I love to just drift in the kayak, merely steering. That allows me to study everything I see.
Lots and lots of dead fish today along the banks, but fairly certain they're mostly two exotic species, so it shouldn't hurt the life cycle for them to be gone. It did make me wonder though how much weight the average vulture has gained over the past two weeks as they feed and gorge on dead fish.
The return paddle found a smooth, glassy river with the blue sky and palm trees reflected in the water. Gorgeous. Saw at least 21 bird species. Here they are:
bald eagle
belted kingfisher
black vulture
boat tailed grackle
fish crow
great blue heron
great egret
killdeer
laughing gull
limpkin
little blue heron
osprey
palm warbler
red bellied woodpecker
red shouldered hawk
royal tern
tree swallow
tri colored heron
turkey vulture
white ibis
wood stork
Paddled between the Lemon Bluff boat ramp and Mullet Lake Park in Geneva today, but using the term paddled only very loosely. When I'm alone I love to just drift in the kayak, merely steering. That allows me to study everything I see.
Lots and lots of dead fish today along the banks, but fairly certain they're mostly two exotic species, so it shouldn't hurt the life cycle for them to be gone. It did make me wonder though how much weight the average vulture has gained over the past two weeks as they feed and gorge on dead fish.
The return paddle found a smooth, glassy river with the blue sky and palm trees reflected in the water. Gorgeous. Saw at least 21 bird species. Here they are:
bald eagle
belted kingfisher
black vulture
boat tailed grackle
fish crow
great blue heron
great egret
killdeer
laughing gull
limpkin
little blue heron
osprey
palm warbler
red bellied woodpecker
red shouldered hawk
royal tern
tree swallow
tri colored heron
turkey vulture
white ibis
wood stork
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy new year everyone. Here's hoping 2010 will be an improvement from 2009. I, for one, couldn't wait for the year to be over.
We're having friends tonight for soul food, but I'm headed to Dillard's today to try to take advantage of the sales on a few things.
Had another Pulitzer suggestion recently, this time from a state leader. Cracks me up. Wonder how many people who have actually won Pulitzer's had a tip from someone who said they could win a Pulitzer.
We had a wonderful Christmas. Waking up with Katelyn to open presents was so fun. Both babies, William and Katelyn, were so much fun to watch open presents. I got wonderful gifts for my birthday and Christmas so that was really cool. And people seemed very happy with their gifts from us so that's always a happy bonus!
Here's my sweet memories from 2009:
Breathing in the cold air from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Surveying God's handiwork from Grandview Arch in Canyonlands National Park.
Hearing the cacophony of wood storks on the shores of Lake Disston.
Slipping my hand into the warm blue water of the Gulf Stream.
Peering at a creature just lifted from the ocean floor some 2,500 feet below.
Feeling sound reverberating around the kayak as the shuttle lifted off in a golden arc above Mosquito Lagoon.
Slipping through electric blue water in the lagoon with manatees, dolphins and mullet glowing in the night.
Cuddling with grandchildren.
Watching the beaming face of an editor as I accepted a Gold Medal Award for Public Service.
Listening to a group of women laugh and talk as I taught them to make apple pies.
Inhaling the salty air along the coast of Cape Cod, exploring cranberry bogs.
Bobbing on the choppy waters of Pocassett Harbor in a tiny kayak.
Running fingers through the thick hair of a big Florida black bear, who slept peacefully under the influence.
Standing beneath towering cypress at the confluence of two tributaries to the St. Johns River, expecting a Timucuan to step out from behind a tree at any moment.
A golden afternoon in the woods.
Friends and family gathered close for my 50th birthday party.
Laughing in delight at seeing a covey of quail for the first time in years.
A red cockaded woodpecker dipping his head at me in the sunlight for just a moment to show off his bright red top hat.
We're having friends tonight for soul food, but I'm headed to Dillard's today to try to take advantage of the sales on a few things.
Had another Pulitzer suggestion recently, this time from a state leader. Cracks me up. Wonder how many people who have actually won Pulitzer's had a tip from someone who said they could win a Pulitzer.
We had a wonderful Christmas. Waking up with Katelyn to open presents was so fun. Both babies, William and Katelyn, were so much fun to watch open presents. I got wonderful gifts for my birthday and Christmas so that was really cool. And people seemed very happy with their gifts from us so that's always a happy bonus!
Here's my sweet memories from 2009:
Breathing in the cold air from the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Surveying God's handiwork from Grandview Arch in Canyonlands National Park.
Hearing the cacophony of wood storks on the shores of Lake Disston.
Slipping my hand into the warm blue water of the Gulf Stream.
Peering at a creature just lifted from the ocean floor some 2,500 feet below.
Feeling sound reverberating around the kayak as the shuttle lifted off in a golden arc above Mosquito Lagoon.
Slipping through electric blue water in the lagoon with manatees, dolphins and mullet glowing in the night.
Cuddling with grandchildren.
Watching the beaming face of an editor as I accepted a Gold Medal Award for Public Service.
Listening to a group of women laugh and talk as I taught them to make apple pies.
Inhaling the salty air along the coast of Cape Cod, exploring cranberry bogs.
Bobbing on the choppy waters of Pocassett Harbor in a tiny kayak.
Running fingers through the thick hair of a big Florida black bear, who slept peacefully under the influence.
Standing beneath towering cypress at the confluence of two tributaries to the St. Johns River, expecting a Timucuan to step out from behind a tree at any moment.
A golden afternoon in the woods.
Friends and family gathered close for my 50th birthday party.
Laughing in delight at seeing a covey of quail for the first time in years.
A red cockaded woodpecker dipping his head at me in the sunlight for just a moment to show off his bright red top hat.
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