Earlier Duffy and I went for a walk on the beach at low tide - not nearly as much beach as usual with the 3 foot higher than normal tides! After a one mile walk, it felt like I'd walked five miles being buffeted by the wind. We are in the middle of a big nor-easter that has already been pretty wet and windy and according to the news it's just cranking up! I took my camera out to see if I could catch a good photo, but the above is the best I got before a huge wave broke on the seawall and soaked me with spray. And it's still  an hour until high tide! I'm sure every wave will be sending sheets of spray well over the road when high tide arrives - just praying it's only spray and the breakers themselves don't come rushing in!

So, where did September go? I didn't think I was all that busy. Although I was distracted a lot. To start with my time at the Spanish Quarter was suddenly ending. In spite of all the great ideas to make things work, the city fathers decided to close the living history museum. It makes no sense considering there are huge plans afoot to celebrate the 450th birthday of the city in 2015. It makes even less sense when St Augustine's claim to fame is that it's the oldest city in the US. They promise it will reopen, but my fear is that they will turn it into a totally unauthentic amusement attraction. They've fired all the artisans with their years of knowledge about the crafts of the era and for some reason seem to think that a few new part time people will be able to take over. That's a joke, but not a very funny one. So, I spent as much time there as I could while all the people I'd gotten to know and admire were still there and on the last day, we all went to Anne O'Malley's Irish Pub to raise a few in honor of the era as we had known it.

In addition to that distraction, the day is fast approaching for the Fiction Writer's Boot Camp (a two day conference) that I am organizing. So, lots of email and phone calls, decisions and printing and purchasing and checking on others who have a part in it. As much as I've looked forward to this event, I will be very happy on October 22 at 5:30 when it is all over but the shouting. I'd like a few rave reviews of course, but just pulling it off with some kind of success will be nice. Then I can relax again. And get back to my writing without constant interruptions.

To all my family and friends in the north - I wish you a lovely colorful fall. I'm going to continue enjoying the warmth of sun and the allure of the beach.

I had to set my alarm this morning to make a dentist appointment so I got to watch the sunrise for a change. It sure was a beautiful morning. I wonder if it's worth getting up early every day?

At the beginning of July, I headed north to spend the bulk of my summer in New England and visiting with my kids and grandkids. The lake was beautiful, as always and my tent airy and comfortable. Sunsets every day, as varied as the weather.
   
         


Duffy loved the freedom of being on an island, especially the chance to swim all day.



Our annual Family week, dubbed Mutt's Nuts, was another wonderful week with the sounds of giggling girls, splashing water fun, nighttime campfires, great meals, and lots of time to just be together and catch up with each other's lives.
 

 
I spent a week in Andover babysitting 8 month old Jack and 4 yr old Natalie and another week in New York with Theresa - 6, Lynn - 3, and Philip - 4 months. (Now I know why God decided we should have babies when we are in our 20s and 30s! It was a challenge keeping up to a smart, funny and ingenious bunch of little kids - either that or I've forgotten how much effort it takes since mine were small.) I got to visit with my 91 yr old Dad and spend time with my sister, too. I had meant to get to Maine to visit with old friends there, but time ran out and at the end of August, I headed home to St Augustine. A busy summer, but filled with wonderful, family-filled days.

  236 years ago a very brave gathering of men pledged their reputations, their fortunes and their lives on the line for a principle: that men were meant to govern themselves, that all men were equal and that they had the right to pursue a life of liberty and happiness. Looking back on that long ago decision and knowing the outcome of the Revolutionary War, knowing the greatness our country has risen to in the years since, it's easy to dismiss the incredibly brave thing that those men undertook. America may be stumbling today under crushing debt and the threat of terrorism, but it is still the freest and best that the world has ever known. We still have the resources to triumph and we are more resilient than ever. Our diversity is our strength, celebrate it. Instead of grumbling about what you don't have, think instead of all the freedoms you do have. And while you are enjoying those burgers and ribs, downing sweating bottles of beer, watching parades and marveling at the wonder of fireworks, remember the cost of your freedom to do so. Remember the Patriots who started it all and especially remember all those who've fought and died over the past 236 years to preserve the freedoms you take for granted every day.

I'd like to leave you with a quote from Adlai Stevenson from a speech given in 1952: "(Patriotism)  is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power -- to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect of mankind; a patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. These are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

I have only one chapter left for the book I am writing and already, I am getting ready to be in mourning. IN one sense, I want to get to the end. I want to know how it ends as much as any future reader will, but on the other hand, I know I'm going to miss my everyday contact with the characters I created and love now as if they were family. Good thing I have a really busy week ahead! I've got a doctor's visit, supper out twice with friends, a birthday to celebrate - at least with an ice cream cone downtown if nothing more elaborate, a shuttle to watch get launched and a christening outfit to sew. And only 8 days to do it all. Oh! And I have a suitcase to pack, my car to pack and the house to get ready for my absence. I guess that should keep me busy enough so I won't mope too much!!
Happy Birthday to me...

Summer is well and truly arrived - even before the calendar said so. Temps into the 90s every day, hot and humid. And I am loving it! Duffy, however, is not quite as pleased. When the sun is shining, he prefers to sprawl on the cool tile indoors. Then the thunderstorms blow up in the late afternoon and he just wants to cower under my desk. So, most of our beach walks are first thing in the morning before it's too hot and long before the thunderstorms start.

I am looking forward to seeing my kids and grandkids, but I'm not looking forward to leaving my little bungalow at the beach for most of the summer. I really do love living here and I'll miss it. Only 12 days left, and we'll be on our way to New England. Among other plans for the summer are a chance to catch up with my Dad who is 91 now (going on 82,) a week babysitting two grandkids while their nanny is on vacation, a short visit to New York for the christening of my youngest grandchild, visits with friends in Maine and a week at the Island (in New Hampshire) with ALL my kids and grandkids, our annual family extravaganza we call Mutt's Nuts. But first, I get to celebrate my birthday, enjoy a parade and fireworks for the 4th of July and watch the last shuttle launch on July 8th.

For the last month and a half, I've been volunteering at the Spanish Quarter in the heart of the ancient city. Since I love history and I love my little city and this combines both, it's been the perfect way to give something back. Occasionally, I sit and sew or mend, but mostly I've been working in the leatherworking shop. Marco is a master leatherworker and is most generous with his time and expertise. I have a fellow apprentice, Alan who also makes the day fly by when I am there. Marco helped me design and make a pair of period sandals to go with my get-up and a money purse for my dollar coins. Next up a bag to carry the rest of my stuff in. I've also made dice cups that sell in the la Taberna. They play a game there called Shut the Box - it's like Lays potato chips - you can't just play one game. I have yet to win, but I love trying. I'm slowly learning the  history of Spanish St. Augustine and enjoying my time there immensely. Next time you're in St. Augustine, come on over and say Hola!

This morning, after I got over being distressed about the scent of smoke in the air and the blanket of it hovering over my island, I took note of a few nicer things. For one, my bougainvillea has finally decided to blossom its heart out - I love the bright splashes of color all around my deck. I guess the sages were right that it was the chilly winter that made them so shy. Then as I stood admiring them, I saw a cardinal and his wife fly past. I followed their path and they stopped for a rest in the branches of my palm tree. I'm not sure where they are nesting, not many choices this close to the beach, but their bright red color was another pretty addition to my morning. The tide was out, too, which meant I started my day with a long walk on the beach. Duffy took himself in swimming and I found a sand dollar and two cone shells - not long vacated and still shiny, unscuffed by the sand and sea. My hammock beckons, but I must get some writing done before succumbing to that lure. I hope you all have as beautiful a day. (p.s. pray for rain to put out all those brush fires that are creating the smoke and threatening property.)

Just wanted to take a moment to honor all our fallen heroes over the years. From those brave men who went to war against a superior army, better trained, better outfitted, better fed and better armed, to secure our freedom in 1776, to the young men and women who lost their lives this past year in Afghanistan and Iraq, and all those in between:  The Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the middle east and all the other skirmishes where freedom was on the line. You are not forgotten and your sacrifices are remembered and honored, at least from this small piece of our great country. God bless you all. And God bless America.