from the porches

the snap

Back in the 80's Truett and I went to a Jimmy Buffet concert in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with our stained glass friends.  After several beers, we enjoyed the music and it was finally time to board the bus home. So all of our Stained Glass of America friends loaded the bus, with a few strangers to boot.

Well, the next thing I knew, a twenty-something year-old punk sat behind me and Truett.  And then the punk lit up a cigarette...on the bus!  I was appalled.  Even though I was still a smoker at that time; and being a teacher, I knew the rules.  Plus, signs were clearly posted on the front of the bus: NO SMOKING!

Way too many years of teaching and following the rules interfered with my common sense...or maybe lack of.  I stood up, whipped my head around, snapped my finger, and said, "Put out that cigarette right now!  You know the rules!" 

Good Lord.  I was oblivious to the tattoos decorating this young man's arms.  I was oblivious to the danger I could have put myself in.  But, the young man, after hearing the snap of my fingers, said, "Yes, Mam!" 

Now adults remember me by my SNAP!

He dobbed the cigarette out on the floorboard and then I said, "Give it to me!"  He did and I immediately tossed it out of the bus window.

In the meantime, all of the professional stained glass studio owners, artists, and operators fell in complete silence.  Were they afraid of the kid with the cigarette?  No... I found out later they were afraid of the snap of my fingers when I said, "Put that out NOW!"

I love you guys.  Thank goodness for beer because I would probably have not had enough courage to do what I did...or maybe not enough stupidity.

rainbows are magical

 
Oh, my word!  Rainbows are magical! 

Today I offered up my house for a final farewell celebration to Connie Hudson, a dear friend of mine who passed away this week.

 
Many of the Fort White Elementary School educators came to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Connie Hudson. Young ones came.  New ones came.  Retired ones came.  I was estactic!   No, I was giddy with the joy of seeing my teaching buddies.  Even the new ones whom I had never met.

 
 Everyone brought munchies.  Some brought photographs of Connie.  We chatted.  We hugged.

Did I mention we hugged?

We hugged and gave kisses on the cheeks and we were all ONE!

Most of us are of the ages now that friendships mean more than ever before.  A few of my friends stayed late and shared feelings about me, my teaching, and what I meant to them.

But, I did the same.  It was really quite sappy, if you are not an educator.

Oh, my word.  I didn't know that celebrating the life of Connie would uplift my life so much; but it did. 

When everyone left I felt young again.  I felt vital again.  I believed in rainbows again.

 
Truett and Mom, Roger and Punky, and Maggie and Lily were super today. 

They participated in the conversation or they stayed hidden from view.

I knew that the rainbow I saw yesterday meant something. 

Rainbows are magical! 

 

 

golf day

A year ago I began a retirement list, and one thing that topped the list was play golf.

You see, playing golf for me isn't just about competing against myself to have a lower score than the week before; and if you are a golfer, it's never about competing against someone else.

To me, playing golf is about the beauty of a golf course.

The serenity of a golf course.

Well, that is, if the course is not crowded with men who think they can push because they're men. 

Today I played golf with my friends, Lucille and Brenda.

I tried to be descreet as I took photos from my cart.  

Brenda and Lucille both pulled their clubs; and I will as well, just not today, my first day on a golf course in a year. 

 No, I treated myself to a golf cart with cup holders and space for my bag of stuff: extra shoes in case my feet hurt, my cell phone (which was turned off.  I do have some respect for the game), mosquito spray, money, hat, bandana, and of course, my camera.)

I don't think Lucille and Brenda knew I photographed them searching for a lost ball.  I'm way to impatient to spend a lot of time searching for a lost ball.  I'd rather whip out a new one and keep the game moving.

Today I was hoping for something unique to photograph in between swings.

And on the seventh hole I spotted this toad trying to climb the sand dune before one of my friends whacked its head off.

I only saw a couple of water birds, so I was a little disappointed, but the best sight of all at the end of the golf game was . . .

The Clubhouse!

I imagine I may feel the effects of today's golf game in the morning.

 
 

 
  
 
  

 
 

dinner with friends

 
 
 
Last night two of my friends, Brenda and Lucille, treated me to dinner at the Great Outdoors Restaurant in High Springs.

We were there for three hours talking and laughing . . . and laughing  . . . and laughing. 

The special last night was quite messy and kept us busy.

Our waiter, Mike, was extremely courteous and helpful as he tied bibs on our necks.  I think he got a kick out of three women having a fun girls' night out.

 
You will find the three of us on the golf course starting next week.  Lucille and Brenda are both fit and pull their golf bags on a rolling cart. 

They asked how I felt about that.  "You know, do you think you will be able to pull a cart and walk the course? "

My answer was, "I'll certainly try and if I think I can't do it, I won't hesitate to cut through the golf course to rent me a golf cart."

They both assured me, "You can do it.  We know you can."  Thanks, girls, for your vote of confidence.

After our meal Mike gave us one of his friendly winks.  "Come back to see us," he said.

Yep.  We agreed we need to have more fun like this.

Thanks, Brenda and Lucille.

P.S.  How did you feel this morning?  A little rough around the edge?.  Well, I thought about you being at work and all.
 

 
 

 
 

rhonda

This morning I visited my friend from school who is at the new Shands Cancer Hospital.  Truett was having an MRI done across the road at the old Shands Hospital, so it was the perfect time for me to visit. 

 
I was told I could cross the busy street or take the tunnel. 

Now, it's been a long time since I walked through a tunnel, and I began imagining a dark, dim, rocky tunnel leading under Archer Road.  The same kind of tunnel where students have been robbed and assaulted.  After all, I had my Nikon with me, so I conjured up all the possibilities I could do to protect myself.  I would kick and scream if anyone tried to take my camera or purse from me in some dim, dark tunnel.  I could do some real damage if I fell on them.

But the tunnel I crossed through was well lit, shiny, spic and span.  As I walked and walked and took rights and lefts, I finally let out a tense breath and arrived at Rhonda's room. 

I knew I was nervous about visiting Rhonda because I didn't know what to say to someone battling cancer.  I was so nervous I couldn't even get the stupid latex, size 5 gloves onto my size 7 hands.   So the first few minutes of my greeting to Rhonda was, "How do you get these gloves on?  I can't tie this gown.  Does it tie in the front or back?" There I was being totally needy at an inappropriate time. 

Wasn't that ridiculous?  Here we have a wonderful, kind, caring friend with a smile for everyone, fighing the battle of her life.  And I'm struggling to get a glove on.

Rhonda looked great.  Her new hair cut was becoming and she appeared rested.  She had gotten some good news this morning, but that is for her to share.

I told Rhonda I wanted to photograph her and she said it was okay to do so.  I wanted to show everyone how beautiful my friend  was this morning.

When I left I headed to the tunnel and asked God to forgive me for being selfish.  I prayed for Rhonda and my mother and asked that I be a better friend to those in need.

P.S.  Would you believe I got lost in the tunnel on the way out of Shands South. 

Yep. I sure did...twice! 

a walk at oleno

 
 Jim

Today Truett and I took our friends, Jim and Mary Piercy, to Oleno State Park for a walk. 

This has become our traditional after-Thanksgiving walk with Jim and Mary.

 
Mary and Duncan

Our routine is the same the day after Thanksgiving.  

We drink two pots of coffee, sit on the porches, and talk. Then we put on our coats and head to a Florida State Park. 

 
Duncan

Duncan is Mary and Jim's dog. . .the best behaved dog I know. 

Of course, Punky hid for most of their visit, but Roger layed under tables with a watchful eye on a dog in the house.  Only once did Roger hiss at Duncan when Duncan walked over to the cat food bowl. 

We are having our fall right now and Oleno State Park was beautiful. 

 

Here we have a cypress branch. . .

and a tree trunk with a hole in it. 

 

 I was taken with the sunlight that struck thin branches and tiny leaves.

Of course I'm fascinated with reflections in water, so I had to take yet another photograph of a reflection.

 

These are cypress knees, and we joked about making lamps out of them and beginning a new business selling them.  But we all know, it's been tried before.

We had a very nice walk, followed by lunch at Fleetwood Grille in High Springs. 

Our walk with Jim and Mary has become a tradition the day after Thanksgiving, a wonderful way to spend time with friends.

descendants

This morning Truett and I went to the train station in Fort White where descendants of a Battle of Olustee soldier met for a photograph.  I was definitely not the photographer at this session, but I took a few photos anyway.

The Battle of Olustee Civil War re-enactment occurs every February north of Lake City. So publicity will be forthcoming about this fine group of descendants.

A dear friend of mine, Lanny, happened to be there as a descendant of the Civil War soldier.

Lanny and I worked at Niblack Elementary in Lake City from 1974-1981.  There were four of us who got to be good friends.  We shared lesson plans and discussed issues of our day.

Sometimes after school we would head to the Magnolia Restaurant (Sam's Grandfather & Father owned) for a cold drink or coffee; and that's when we had the most fun, laughing hysterically at each other's stories. 

But as I watched Lanny this morning, right after we arrived, I felt something was missing. . .until a  moment later.

In an instant,  lanny came to life with his animated story telling. 

 

"Hold that pose!"  I said.  "That's what I remember the most about you," I said.

At the end of the photo shoot, we hugged and promised to call each other from time to time.  And when that happens, it will be like a party!

mad hatters

Yesterday I went to lunch at Mad Hatters in High Springs with my car-rider buddy, Stacy, and her daughter,Samantha (Sam).  Mad Hatters is a neat looking restaurant with all the colorful objects on the walls and in the yard.

 

 The menu at Mad Hatters is limited, but is ideal for a quick lunch.  I had broccoli quiche and meatball soup. 

The thing that made the lunch so special was spending time with Stacy and Sam.  In another week Stacy and I will be greeting all those wonderful, supportive parents as they drop their little ones off for school.  It is always an adventure on car-rider duty; and if it isn't, we make it one with our jibber-jabber.  By the way, Sam was getting her black belt in Karate last night so she was excited about that.  I learned that Stacy, also takes karate as well.  "Ayeeeeee yahhhhh!"

Now I'll just show you a few of the things sitting around "Mad Hatters."

  I'm not sure what this saying is from: "Wish I could be as care-free and wild-but I got cat class and I got class style."  Does anyone out there know what this means? 

Some of you may remember the giant mushroom I posted about, but now take a look at this giant cupcake sitting in the yard at Mad Hatters. It was at least two feet tall.

 

I may take family to "Mad Hatters" when they visit again, especially on Saturday or Sunday because they have musicians playing on those days. 

So it appears I am trying to squeeze in all the fun I can before I start work on Monday.  My last year of teaching!  Hip hip hooray!  I'm adding to  my Retirement List daily.  It's not that different than my summer list, but it does include things like Tai Chi  and classes at Santa Fe Community College and traveling up north in October to catch the fall colors.  Also on my list is to learn Photoshop.  (Have you heard that before?) And GOLF!

belated birthday brunch

Yesterday I was invited to a very special belated birthday brunch hosted by my friend, Alice Martin.  I worked with Alice in Title I at school for many years; and we often talked about our childhood.  I once told her that since I am a twin I never had my own birthday party.  It was always a party for "the twins."

  

 She remembered that and several years ago Alice threw a birthday party for me, and this week she called and wanted to do it again.  So because of time constraints, a birthday brunch seemed the way to go.

Alice is a very special one-of-a-kind person.  She's creative beyond belief and a wonderful storyteller.  The children often told her she looked like Madeline from the Madeline children books; and I must agree.  Kind of.  Sort of.  

Just entering her yard put me in a whimsical, happy mood.  Not because the belated birthday brunch was for me, but because there was so much to see.  "Alice, your house is like a museum,"  I told her as I made my way to the house.

Clusters of items decorate her house and yard, like these bird houses and flags.

Lots of flags.  Every nook and cranny was filled with antiques; and as Alice put it so well,  "Everything has a story."

It was hard for me to get focused because I wanted to photograph everything in her house.

From bowls to baby dolls in buggies.

Quilts were neatly stacked on shelves adding splashes of color to the rooms.

Eventually, we sat down for the brunch:  Sausage and egg casserole. . .

Biscuits. . .

And chilled fruit.

 

  Yum!  My cake was a muffin with a candle in it, but that picture was too blurry to post.

I got to meet Leo, Alice's four month old Labrador puppy.  He is very friendly and active and likes to chew on anything, including hands.

I took one last shot of the house before it was time to go. 

A framed copy of the New York Times rendition of "Tape-gate".

"Bye bye, now!"  Alice calls.

"Bye, Alice.  Bye Leo,"  I answer.  "Thank you.  I had a great time!"  and I leave, knowing that Alice's life is a story of its own.

pamela

      

This morning I visited my friend, Pamela.  Pamela's children grew up playing with Merry Jennifer and Clay. Even though we live about twelve miles apart, each of our lives have become so busy with work and family and other things, that we rarely see Pamela and Philip.

Visiting Pamela is always a treat.  Her homestead is wild, yet tame in areas.

       

      

I walk cautiously when I'm at Pamela's because Pamela respects all wild critters, whether it's frogs, birds, lizards or snakes.  Often these critters make themselves at home on the porches.

       

                Collections of natural objects fill crooks and crannies.

      

                                            Onion plants air out on a chair.

      

                 Tomatoes ripen among crystals of various shapes and sizes.

      

Pamela personifies the term Mother Earth.  Their family are vegetarian so all the vegetables are grown on their place.

      

As we walked around her yard this morning, I heard bullfrogs croaking in the fern beside this pond.

      

Philip cuts trees for a living and has just recently gone back to work after a terrible accident when a tree jack-knifed and broke several bones in his body.  "Good Morning, Philip."

      

In this photo Pamela and I are sitting at the pool area looking toward their bedroom, a screened-in gazebo.  They both love the night sounds and have slept on mattresses in this gazebo for years.

                

Solar powered icycles collect energy during the day and emit a soft glow at night.

     

After an hour long visit I brought Pamela back to my house so she could see my flowers.  It was the first time in my life I have given Pamel flowers to take home instead of her bringing me flowers.

      

Thanks, Pamela for a wonderful visit and a time to reflect on where we started, both with very young children and both relatively new to the area, and thanks for a chance to feel blessed for all that we have.

          And in the sweetness of friendship

           Let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

           And let there be no purpose in friendship

           Save the deepening of the spirit.

                            .Kahil Gibran