St Simons Island

My Granny use to say that St Simons Island was a "dripping place." It dripped with spanish moss, humidity, and the old spirituals sung by the Gullah women on wash day. I think Granny was right. Sometimes I think my blood, my very soul, is mingled in the sand and the plough mud of the island and her marshes. I find myself called back there time and time again, since I was a child. Its been difficult, sometimes heartbreaking to see how the island has changed, from the sleepy mysterious place it was for me as a child, to the development of residential communities and vacation condos for tourism today. Here are some pictures of our trip there a few weeks ago.

Sunset on East Beach

Live Oaks and Spanish Moss at the Indian Burial Ground Christ Church

Black Banks Creek, my favorite crabbing spot

I let this one go.

Pretty Shells

Prettier Babies

My Least One

St Simons Light at Night

Sunset from the Pier

Lazy Hazy Dayz of Summer

Not really. Not at my house anyway. This summer has been jam packed full of activity. I've barely had time to catch my breath, much less blog. Sorry to all my readers, um, like all 4 of you. I have however tried to keep up with my blog reading. Its just my own blog posting is taking a beating.

Here's a few things happening at my house this summer, and my list of things yet to do:

1. I have TONS of photos on my camera that I have not even downloaded. Pictures from our trip to St Simons Island, garden pictures, pictures of cool vintage items I scored at an estate sale several weeks ago, pictures of my sister's grave at the cemetary (ok, please don't let that creep you out, its no big deal, and her grave is still new and my brother in law wanted pictures, 'nuff said). Anyway, tons of pics I want to download so I can blog about such things. Need to get that done.

2. I started the summer quarter teaching an online management class. Found out I had to develop about half of the course content, so a huge amount of my computer time has been dedicated to that.

3. Hubs and I purchased a vintage boat (does 24 years old qualify as vintage?) at the previously mentioned estate sale. It is so cool! A 24 foot cabin cruiser, complete with galley and john. But, it has needed so much clean up. So, days have been spent washing and scrubbing and tearing out old upholstery. The bulk of the upholstery will need to be replaced. Its moldy and yucky and rotten. Soon I'll be blogging for old boat cabin decor and upholstery ideas! Websites and suggestions are welcome!

4. I'm planning a trip to Key Largo, leaving this upcoming weekend. My oldest boy is there and I cannot wait to see him. I know it will be hot as blazes in Key Largo Florida in July. I don't relish the thought of the humidity. But I do treasure the thought of getting my arms around my boy. We'll be there a week so I've got tons to do before we leave.

The picture above is my youngest boy, on the beach a few weeks ago in St Simons Island. Photo courtesty of my 20 year old stepdaughter, who seems to be much more on the ball with getting her photos downloaded.

So, how's your summer? Lazy or Crazy?

Happy 4th of July

I'm gearing up, or maybe gearing down, for the upcoming July 4th weekend. Our holiday starts tomorrow, with the holiday from work and fireworks in the park at our small town.

I love small town 4th of July celebrations. Parades, cookouts, fried chicken, watermelon, music, dancing, and of course, fireworks. Our town does a very nice fireworks display at the large park on the river. Pre-fireworks festivities will begin early with lots of food vendors, games for the kids, a stage for music and dancing, facepainting, and socializing with friends and neighbors. Living in a small town, almost everyone knows everyone else. Gatherings tend to be festive, old fashioned, and clean fun. One thing I love the most about the celebration at the park is the little old ladies and life long farmers, who have lived in our rural area for generations, who will come out to sell their wares, usually fresh garden grown veggies, canned and pickled produce, homemade cakes and pies, handmade quilts and blankets, aprons, and sometimes even small livestock. This is what I love about my town, and about my country.

We'll attend the 4th celebration, and probably spend the day on the lake, swimming and sunning on the dock. I'll pack up cold fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon, a pound cake, lots of bottled water and soft drinks. We'll take our sparklers and bottle rockets to shoot from the dock later that night after the fireworks display. Hopefully I can dig out my daddy's old ice cream maker and sweet talk my hubby into churning ice cream for us. I remember as a child how special it was to help daddy church the ice cream. I know now how my daddy made it look and sound special so he could sit in the shade and tell us what a good job we were doing. Making ice cream was a natural part of our summers, and our 4th celebrations.

Yep, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I'm proud to be American and I'm thankful for those who have made my freedom possible. Those who have come long before me, those who currently fight in many ways for our freedom, and those brave ones yet to come.

Have a safe and fun filled 4th of July. God bless America!