RE-AL-I-TEA (a nonet)

 Based on a art prompt by Debbi Ohi found on Post.

On the craggy cliff edge, determined,

Holding tight with resolute strength.

Steeped in the reality

The wind could take control.

Fierce energy and

Capacity

Lead the scene.

Fearless

She.

My Happy Place

When I was a child, my father would sometimes take me to Lakewood Library after dinner. He'd drop me off in the children's section and go to seek out books for himself. Lakewood Library at that time (built by Andrew Carnegie) was like a palace. The children's section had a huge bay window that overlooked the front lawn, full of trees. A huge marble winding staircase took my dad to where he would find what he was looking for.

When visiting my grandparents in Columbus, I would often see a huge stack of library books in the corner of their living room. My mom's parents were always old, so I pictured their weekdays sitting and reading these books. It was astounding to me. I had no idea you could check out and read so many books!

I thought about these things yesterday as I finally gave in and drove to South County Regional Library, since my happy place, Lakes Library, remains a Disaster Recovery Center. I know it is needed but, dang, I miss my library! I miss the OPTION of my library.

I have specific reading goals this year that are mostly focused on reading a long list of books I've been meaning to read for years. To read these books does not mean to purchase them all, although some I do have to buy. It means checking them out from the library.

Before heading out, I looked online for the specific books to be sure they were available. Then I drove down on a sunny day, listening to Classic Vinyl and feeling so...happy! I wasn't even in the library very long, but I got what I went for...four novels and a Book Page. It made for one awesome afternoon, as I perused the Book Page and started the Jennifer Weiner book. 

And in a small way, it brought back a little more wholeness to my life which was stolen on that gray September day.

January 7th

 Oh, January

Always so full of promise

Re-dos

Resolutions

“This year…”

But now I know

I’m just here 

to be present.

To receive.

To listen with my heart & soul.

I could vow to “do better.”

I could vow to change…somehow.

But what I really need

is just to be me.

Ask

 Inspired by “Look” by Billy Collins.

Today I opened up

                to receive

The messages came

                clear and quick

It was as if angels

                we’re flitting around the lake

Just waiting for me

                to ask.

2022 Year in Review in Photos

This is year 3 for the awesome Year in Review activity introduced to me by my friend Laurie Kemp. I now look forward to unpacking the best parts of my year strictly through the camera lens. It's challenging and fun.

The year 2022 was a difficult one in several ways. Keeping that in mind while selecting photos made the associated memories all the more meaningful.

Here goes!

Feeling Connected at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Annmarie and Laurie, my nature loving friends

On a Sunday morning in January, I met my friends Annmarie and Laurie at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The weather was cool, and the wildlife few and far between, but just being in nature with friends was all the connection I needed. It is something we like to do on occasion, and this memory makes me realize the more often the better!

Make Me Smile at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, Downtown Fort Myers

Sierra Hull, mandolin player extraordinaire

One of my favorite musical artists finally arrived in Fort Myers last March, and it was another concert to remember. Honestly, the only concert I attended this year, which is sad. But Sierra Hull makes up for that in so many ways. I have seen her twice before, both times having to drive to Stuart for the show, and each time I witnessed her skill and talent as an artist, a songwriter, and an entertainer. And that just continues to grow! My friend Kara accompanied me, and enjoyed the show as well. This particular event had been canceled in 2020, so finally getting to see Sierra here in town was a long-awaited treat. And yes, I smiled the whole way through, just like Sierra does as she sings.

Meaningful Moment in Chokoloskee, Florida

After a long ride, a relaxing lunch

 

The first few years we lived in Florida, we would get in the car and head south, often ending up on the little shell island known as Chokoloskee, way down in the Western Everglades. We would drive down Route 29, through Immokolee and Fakahatchee Strand and the Panther Preserve, admiring the wide and vast Florida environment. Once on the island we would visit the famous Smallwood Store and eat at J.T.'s.  Since it had been over a decade since we've done this excursion, we set out on Memorial Day weekend to recreate the experience. So much was the same, until we got to the island. There we discovered that J.T.'s was no longer, but a wonderful Latin restaurant had taken its place. We had a wonderful time there--the atmosphere was inviting and the food delicious. It is doubtful that we will ever make this trip again, so it makes it a meaningful memory.

Feeling Amazed at Fatheads Brewery, Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Braydon--one of a kind

It has taken over 11 years to meet this wonder child of our grandson Jeff. Braydon is knowledgeable, creative, smart, active, responsible, and purely original (just check out the hair!) We had an amazing conversation while at the brewery, mostly about creative writing and how books are better than the movie versions. This is a young person anyone would love being around. He got the best the families had to offer!

Moments Shared with Loved Ones at Cristof's On MacGregor, Fort Myers

Belated 80th birthday photo

Ralph and Pam

 

This year Jim turned 80-years-old, and we were planning on celebrating with his son and wife, Scott and Brenda. But the impending hurricane forced them to change their plans, and we ended up at Cantina Laredo with our friends Pam and Ralph to celebrate. Unfortunately, on that day I forgot to have Pam take a picture of us on Jim's birthday, and for weeks I was mad at myself about that. The situation was rectified when we went for lunch at Cristof's On MacGregor to celebrate Ralph's birthday. There I finally got my long awaited picture: and I was wearing the shirt Pam had given me with the dandelion of books flying away! Pam and Ralph are dear friends, and we are grateful they are in our lives.

Highlight of the Year at Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Island

Kaylee and Emily

Sunset at the beach June 2022

Okay, I will admit...as I try to write this I have tears pouring down my face. This evening stays with me for so many reasons. Emily had brought Kaylee (another incredible 11-year-old) to Sanibel for a special mother-daughter trip. They made us a lovely pasta dinner in their resort condo, and then we headed over to our favorite beach, Bowman's, for sunset. It was special to have Jim with me since we haven't been to the beach together in a very long time (I seriously cannot remember when). The evening was buggy (June in Florida) but still a lot of fun, seeking out shells, and tracking the sun as it set. 

The reason for my tears, of course, is that an excursion like this is not even possible given the state Hurricane Ian left the island just over three months later. This night probably would have been the highlight of my year no matter what else happened, but the fact that so much has changed makes it all the more poignant. And I am glad I got to spend it with some of my most favorite humans. 

Someday we will be back.