Day 4 at Hilton Head (Tuesday)

This morning I walked the path here in Shipyard rather than on the beach.  The early morning walk here from the house to the golf club house is not quite a half hour, but an interesting one - always something new to see.  This morning, the huge hanging of Spanish moss caught my eye.  And, I remembered we have no real photo of the house.  So both will be included here.  Also, a shot of Tate's family eating dessert.  Last night it was blue ice cream!  Everyone's tongue was blue!  At least all the kids and I had blue tongues.  The adults passed. We'll do that again so I can get a photo.  We are all going kayaking on the sound at 1:00, not out into the ocean.  Looking forward to that.  Several years ago I did my first and only other one.  Yesterday Jim and I bought supper at the new huge Kroger store deli and had a delightful visit for a couple hours while the others met friends from home for dinner out.  Jim and I haven't had a brother/sister visit in a very long time - I treasure them an
d so does he.

Day Two at Hilton Head Island (Sunday)

Day Two at Hilton Head Island at our time share in Shipyard Plantation where we have vacationed for more than a decade.  I began the morning with my usual meditation and rituals and then a nice long walk on the beach.  Here are a couple photos.  First time I've seen a jellyfish with her stalk extended so clearly.  This is a Cannonball common on our beaches.  Looked it up in "Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast."

Family is Forever

Well, one more day here at the Pond and I'm off tomorrow noon for Hilton Head Island for two weeks in a time share on Shipyard Plantation.  My family has been doing this July 4th two weeks for many years now and it is a highlight of my life.  Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is our only time during the year when we are together.  The photo was taken last Christmas when we were clearly all having a jolly time.  This is what life is really all about - family love and togetherness.   I hope your 4th of July break is as full of fun and love as ours always are!

Free-writes

Great morning meditation.  Now on the porch watching fish jump and just being.  A good day to just be.   The dog next door is still barking - now 90% of the time.  She is very old.  Wonder if she is lonely or angry or scared of dying?  I'm finally learning that "dying is a part of living" is a good way of looking at it.  That's what my mother's long-time African-American friend (70 years) always said.  And it is consoling.  My goal is to LIVE until I die rather than getting there and having regrets.  My bucket list is getting shorter every week.  As a matter of fact, I can't think of anything at all on it this morning.  How's that for a way to start a day! For an "achiever" (Enneagram type 3) I'd say I've come a long way, baby.  Actually, I think I've grown into an "Adventurer" (type 7) and happy where I am.  Seeking to avoid pain as a "Happiness Specialist."  And, actually doing very well at it, if I do say so! But then, I've always been looking for the next great space!  (How in the world did this post evolve into this?)  Nothing like free-writes to open the heart.

Mistress Mary, How does your garden grow?

Look at my beautiful spaghetti squash!  There's a big one and another small one - in my garden right at my front steps!  I planted seed from one I bought at the grocery store and now I have vines growing all over the place  - looks like they may make 20 feet before they are through.  But, only three fruits so far.  None cooked yet.  Another beautiful HOT day on the way.  Makes one happy to just be alive watching things grow with plenty of water and much energy from the sun pouring down.   Mistress Mary, How does your garden grow?

Beauty of the Pond

Want you to see a beautiful photo friend Frank took while here recently.  It is so unbelievably lovely here now - even with the temperatures so high.  I'm not quite sure how long these 90s are gonna last, but with air conditioning it is only an inconvenience.  Still, it feels more like August than June.  Have a nice big spaghetti squash in my garden.  What a kick it is to have such good luck - saved seeds from one and then planted them in little pots, transplanted to the garden, and now!  I'll get a photo in the morning - too dark right now.  Life is beginning to settle down a bit again so I'll do a better job (I think) of getting regular posts in.  Sleep well, all.

Creativity - Frank's Pens

Sitting on the screened porch again.  The Pond is almost totally quiet again.  I love it like this.  Saturday's yoga class had a delightful gift - two beautiful deer were walking the labyrinth!  They stood with ears pointed upward listening and then nibbling something from the earth - probably attractive because of the new-mown areas.  Take a look at the beautiful pens my friend, Frank, brought for me - He made them! All some kind of exotic woods.  Such a wonderful gift to have friends who are so very creative!  Somehow my friends who come here all seem to be very creative, but then, aren't we all?  Thanks be to God!