When I was a little girl, I was in awe of my Grandmother and her many abilities. Grandma could do anything. She was a wonderful cook and she was packed with so many wonderful domestic skills. She could quilt, sew, embroidery, knit and crochet. I could only watch in amazement because I never mastered any of these incredible gifts, even though my Grandmother tried very patiently to teach me. My sister, on the other hand, was able to learn these crafts from Grandma. My sister is one of those women who can do anything, too. If I didn’t love her so much I would have to hate her.
Read More›My sister-in-laws are absolutely wonderful. Each one is gifted with special talents and abilities. One is an expert gardener, she can grow anything. Her backyard would give “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine a run for its money. Another is a gifted physician and one of the smartest and most impressive women I have ever known. These two sisters have homes that look like they hired interior designers to decorate, but they did it all on their own. Another sister-in-law can fix anything. She has a very mechanical mind and she loves a hands-on challenge. My brother’s wife is probably the best mom in the entire world. They are all fabulous cooks. They all possess this amazing skill of which I seriously lack in talent. Though they are all expert gardeners, fabulous cooks, interior designers and amazing professionals, what I treasure the most in each one of them is that they are special friends. Had fate not brought us together as family, I feel certain that friendship would have found us. We all have so much fun together. I could tell you story after story, list laugh after laugh and map out for you adventure after adventure. Let’s start with an adventure! The setting is Tampa, Florida and the adventure takes place on the Hillsboro River.
Read More›“You put your left foot in; you put your right foot in and then you shuffle all about.” This dance is no Hokey Pokey; it’s a dance with serious moves, one that every beach lover should know. It’s the Stingray Shuffle. You beach bums out there know what I am talking about. It’s the shuffle you have to perform as you enter the water during stingray season. It’s really quite easy. If you don’t know the shuffle, allow me to give you a dance lesson. Here’s how you do it. Just shuffle your feet back and forth on the ocean floor when you get into the water, which warns the rays you are there. They will clear out.
Read More›I’m writing these words to you straight from the ocean. My chair is on the edge of the water and the waves are lapping at my feet. I love this spot. The beach is my favorite place in the world. It’s at the ocean’s edge that I feel so close to God. I feel Him in my heart and in my spirit. He meets me here. I hear His power in the waves and I taste His goodness in the salt air. I love to sit by the ocean and ask God to delight me, to give me a deeper glimpse into His Glory. Every time I ask, He comes through and amazes me every time.
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