Taking it Easy

 The best part of retirement? No damn schedule.  I work as hard as I can most days. Every once in a while, I'll get a call. Are you busy? Yes always. Want to go to the beach? Yes always. So I'm off for another adventure and I make no apologies.  I need to talk to my friend the sea.

Happy Birthday JD

 I can't believe JD is a year old already. He's a sweet boy that gives bear hugs and open mouth kisses. He has 8 teeth. I've heard him say mama, Dada, Dat for David and no no. He watches hummingbirds and has a beautiful laugh. He holds a special place in my heart and always will. Granny loves you JD.

Newton County Fair 2025

 I thought I did good last year and there was no way I could top 3  purple ribbons. I got five this year.

The gourd got grand champion and the pumpkin got reserve grand champion.  Then the hydrangeas got a reserve grand champion:

All six of my pictures got a blue first place ribbon:

My chocolate no bake cookies got a red second place ribbon, but Texas Sheet Cake got reserve grand champion. 

Peach and Strawberry jam got blue ribbons but Sassafras Jelly got Grand champion purple ribbon.

The beach, the sea

 The beach is one of my happy places and the sea is my friend.  I sit on the beach and whisper my thoughts to the sea. The waves come crashing in bringing the sound of wisdom and clarity. Sometimes I tell her my secrets and she might reveal one of hers to me. There are so many of her treasures to be found. I respect her strength and beauty.  I truly believe that all who visit carry some of that beauty with them and she still is so incredibly beautiful.  Beauty and strength a wonderful combination. Today I left her to go home and wondered when I will see her again. I know that even if I see her tomorrow it won't be soon enough.  

I love the beach

 I love the beach. I don't know how many hundreds of times I've said those words. I passed that love on to my children because each and everyone of them love it too. Conversations with a three year old can be tricky. Sometimes they speak perfect English and sometimes their words aren't clear or maybe their meaning isn't clear. Today Parker, my 3 year old grandson, tells me quite sincerely he loves the beach. I was a little surprised as a rogue wave had just knocked him down, but he got right back up and faced the wave again and there's so much beauty in facing what knocks you down and not hating it.

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