A Timely Thanksgiving

We were supposed to go to Sarasota this week, but canceled because of Isaac -- we'll go in January if we're not snowed in.  We've made the right decision.  We're just hoping that Isaac doesn't decide to celebrate Katrina's anniversary by making devastating landfall in New Orleans.  The only good news in this is that the Mid-West may be getting some of that rain they so badly need.

In this so vituperous election year, I am so very thankful for our DVR and our remote.  Do we watch the campaign ads? No.  Commercials?  No.  Do we miss anything? Well, some of the commercials are a little entertaining.  :) But otherwise, a resounding NO.  What I need to know will filter through and it won't be through Facebook!

And finally I am thankful for a good Texan friend, who a long time ago taught me a very important lesson:  Don't get into a pissing contest with a skunk; you may win, but no one comes out of this smelling very nice.  Seems this is a lesson that many of us have to learn.  Yes, it's good to fight on principle for what you believe, but there's real value in the question, "To what end?"  Seems a young friend of mine could have learned this before he angered a somewhat spiteful administrator.  

Sunshine on My Shoulder Makes Me Happy

We're home -- safe and proverbially sound -- to warmer weather. Today we're enjoying sunshine and 65° temps; tomorrow and Friday should be even closer to 70!
Sarasota and Siesta Key are beautiful -- and have definitely made our list of "places to return".  The sunshine and warmth -- although a bit fleeting -- raised our spirits.  So equipped with a camera, my walking shoes, and SPF 70, I hit the beach...

The view from the lanai!

The Gulf was peaceful for the first two days --and a nippy 56°.

Siesta Key's Crescent Beach to the north.  Wonderful sand -- very white, powdery and great to walk on.

And to the south

Anna Maria Island on Long Boat Key and a very angry Gulf of Mexico

I look forward to catching up with all of you and your blogs over the next few days.  Blessings, Kathy

TGIS or Thank God It's Spring!

It's beautiful here.  About 55° and climbing and the snow is retreating.  Dare we barbecue today?  Yesterday, the Big Guy helped me chug through the snow to cut back the roses we could reach.  Today he'll spray them with a dormant oil.  Even this drudgery feels more like a treat after being confined to indoors for so long.  I noticed several clumps of daffodil greenery poking through the snow.  I'm beginning to plan my color schemes for the multitude of pots in the garden, and am considering putting the heirloom tomatoes I've ordered into the ground rather than in containers.  I need to think about this a bit more as I won't be able to protect them from the deer.

Tomorrow I leave for Sarasota and a visit to my friend Carol who has rented a place for a month.  I've never done this -- gone off for a respite without the Big Guy, and although I'll miss him, I'm looking forward to warmth, a few days on the beach regardless of the weather, and some good times with my girl friend.   He will fly down from a business trip to Chicago at the end of the week, stay a couple of days, and then we'll fly back together.  Pictures to follow...