Popping out yesterday from hibernation, one of my turtles blinked as the sunlight danced on her face. How excited I was to see them, knowing they were submerged under ice this winter longer than expected. I smiled at the simplicity of this event but wondered how life looked at that moment through the eyes of a turtle after 4 1/2 months of sleeping. I didn't see any excitement there nor smile, but I assume they were ready to start anew and look for that first taste of spring bugs. Good morning sunshine, welcome back. :)
Is it just me or my boat logo that seem to attract dolphins, and alligators if your asking. :) Last year I almost capsized as a dolphin caught me by surprise and jumped in the water two inches from the bow of my boat. On this particular day, those mighty creatures once again showed up in all their glory. At first, I saw out of the corner of my eye something large jumping into the water. My thought was, is there someone else out here traipsing through the mango trees on the Great Calusa Blueway in the Gulf like us? But then we saw it. That dark fin sticking out of the water. Shark? For a second,I thought just that. Then to our surprise 2 dolphins circled around us. Now my boat's name is pronounced Flipper, but spelled "Flip-Her" on the decal. Always seemed funny, but not so much at that moment. Hesitant at first, my reluctance vanished as I heard the echo of my voice saying to Dan, "Let's follow them"! Say What?? lol But follow we did until Dan said he had enough. Those dolphins took us out of the mango trees and way out into the gulf. Needless to say, riding the waves while following those dolphins was a highlight of that particular day. :)
Love cannot be an elusive dream. We touch it, embrace it, savor it. It is an obtainable reality when one lets it be. Love sits there waiting to be caught. It embraces the soul while lifting the heart to a lightness of freedom. It shows no boundaries. Love exemplifies kindness... illuminates strength.
Sometimes we wait for the best possible time for decisive moments to arrive, and sometimes we just wait for the snow. :) How I loved this day when all seemed fresh and bright.
I had sat here in the south a couple weeks ago as excitement and pictures flew my way from those back home of more snow than one could ask for. Thoughts of cross country skiing dangled in a bubble above my head while reality and pure jealousy brought it crashing down. But, as the pictures continued, I sensed a change in the air. Could it be...snow...here in Georgia? At the first sight of snow I was out the door catching them on my tongue. By evening and 4 inches later, I was fully garbed in my snow gear feeling exhilarated and throwing snowballs. While sled riding down the back hill and loving the cool blast on my cheeks, I screamed....like a girl. :) Over and over I went down that hill and convinced myself that with patience, some things which seem impossible, actually do happen. It might not be the record snow fall of the north, but snow in Georgia? Of Course!
The moments that change us are the moments that define our love. Love that stays deeply rooted and unreachable by others . It is weightless time in a confined space.
I wasn't sure what I would be getting myself into at Red Top State Park the day after Monday's flooding. To my surprise I was still able to hike the one trail that I like. There were two other hikers checking things out just like I was, but other than that it was desolate. The water glistened as it submerged the green grass. Trees had fallen and mud was everywhere on the trail. It wasn't until after I got off the trail did the sun begin to peek out. It felt good. :)
I'm sitting here with the urge to run. After being in the house for 3 days because of the torrential rain, I've had enough. With flooding all around and the sun being bashful, it's taken all of my strength to not scream and say "enough already"! Can it be that my vitamin D is so depleted that I've resorted to screaming? Me? .......Well, after looking at the text I've just written, I think it's about time to venture out. I will take my camera, change out of my fun pink boots and head out to the state park and see what I find. :)
Another year of Paddle Georgia has come and gone since that first little blurb of an add in the Sunday paper 5 years ago. It was Dave who found the article, pushed me to go and sent me on my way. I had paddled since the young age of 17 when I bought my canoe and tent with those first summer paychecks, but it was a trip like Paddle Georgia that I wanted to explore. With canoe in tow, this mother/son team set off. Five years later we are still enjoying these excursions. Exploring different rivers in a state that is new to me, I have come to love the rivers of Georgia. Needless to say, we embarked on a journey that has left us thirsting for more. We have paddled over 500 miles on the Chattahoochee, Etowah, Ocmulgee, Flint, Coosawattee and Oostanaula Rivers with this group. We have witnessed many challenges that the Riverkeepers face and that the public should be aware of. Along the way, friends kept coming back every year with their same gusto, same sense of humor, and that same lack of sunblock. But, they all left more aware of the issues that are put in front of them on the Georgia rivers. Now, if I can only find a way to do this full time. :) Georgia Network Blog on Paddle Georgia 09
Looking through the lens of life and past the obvious, I see the beauty. How peculiar that we each visualize differently while looking out. We close our eyes and imagine everything in it's place, but open to a different focus. Searching, for what we feel is needed, can take from what is to be. I looked through the lens on this particular day and saw beyond what is expected.
I was asked today "what's new?" as someone was racing past me. Did they really want to know what's new in my life, in the world or was it just a rhetorical question? My reply? "Nothing." My thoughts were screaming "are you serious? Nothing??" Why is it that I hold back responding while my brain is thinking that the zillion new things going on in my life has me scrounging for something familiar?"Nothing"? On the contrary.My thoughts went directly to my daughter who is graduating this weekend and moving to Phoenix. With that, should I worry about her living close to Mexico and the swine flu threat or is the former Mexico President that is speaking at the Emory Commencement enough of a concern for me? Or does the proximity really matter with this virus? I then blinked and thought of my Dad who just this past weekend was hospitalized because he passed out while driving. Heart condition? Stroke? Tests proved negative, but getting back in that driver seat is something new to really think about. And yet another blink had me thinking of my best friend who is trying to move to California to pursue work.But "nothing"?? Really??? What I should have answered was "did you know that today the art world is stirring up controversy that Van Gogh didn't really cut off his own ear, but his jealous live-in did it?" I think the race would have stopped at that note.
Once again, and old song resurrected the other day on American Idol. This particular one goes back to the 60's, was written for a musical and has been sung by many artists. I like this version from Muse and thought I'd post it here. If anything, you know how I feel. :)
First and second place this year at the CRBI Waterfest Canoe-a-thon last Saturday. Our son and his girlfriend tried hard to beat these old timers, but something about the tortoise and the hare came to mind all through the race! :) The 13 miles brought us in at 2 hours 43 minutes!
This is the River Race that we've been participating in for the last few years with my canoe. The race is next Saturday the 18th. I'll let you know the results!
Surpassed our fund raising goal of $500 donation to CRBI. Yea! The overall money raised this year at the festival doubled. This supports clean water on our rivers! :)
I would have to say that the sound of rushing water always has me mesmerized. From scoping out the Natahala River for a possible kayak run to hiking on the Appalachian Trial, this past weekend left me breathless and wanting more. Escaping to my passions, I was not disappointed.
Yes, it tasted as good as it looks! I picked these tomatoes at a farm while in Florida last month. There's something about a fresh tomato that seems to zest up anything you make. The smell alone while picking them was enough to have my mind racing with numerous recipes to satisfy that sense! From bruschetta to marinara sauce and everything in between, those tomatoes tasted every bit as good as that first taste while standing in the acres of plants with mud on my heals and a smile on my face. :)
