The Manatee Meeting

The Manatee Meeting

In the midst of all the splashing and laughing swam a huge old manatee. She swam close to our group.

Mama Turtle

Mama Turtle

The turtle got up from her spot and started quickly moving towards me while making a grunting sound. I couldn’t blame her. I had just disturbed her egg laying. I’ve been in labor before, and I know what those pregnancy hormones can do.

Getting in Over My Head

Getting in Over My Head

Then I saw him: an enormous manatee. By then, the girl who had talked to me earlier was paddling by my side. We both saw the manatee’s head when he came up for air. “Wow, that’s a big manatee,” she yelled. We were paddling quickly to keep up with him. “Be careful of his giant tail. He can hit you with his tail if you get too close.” My mind translated that to, “get closer so you can see his features.”

SUP Boarding on the Gulf

SUP Boarding on the Gulf

Too often, I go through life holding my breath with my shoulders up to my ears worrying about everything all at once. Summertime has always been a time for me to catch my breath and experience the goodness life has to offer, like dragonflies, lightning bugs, ice cream cones, dolphins and all the magic that learning to relax again brings.

Day One of Italy: Chianti, Cappuccinos, and Cupids

Day One of Italy: Chianti, Cappuccinos, and Cupids

For my daughter’s high school graduation present, I took her and my mother to Italy. I love all things Italian: gelato, cappuccino, red wine, art, and artifacts! It’s amazing how long a hop across the pond can take. Direct flights are hard to come by and very...
Day Two of Italy: Get thee to a nunnery

Day Two of Italy: Get thee to a nunnery

We arrived in Florence on day two of our travels. The taxi driver took us to Hotel Morandi Alla Crocetta. Hotel Morandi is a reasonably priced and wonderful hotel down a narrow street in walking distance to just about every historic site in Florence. (Via Laura, 50,...