Rebecca

    

 I just got off the phone with an old friend, we talked for over an hour as if we were 18 years old again. It was almost like nothing of great importance had happened since the last time we saw each other and that was 25 years ago.

  The conversation was fast paced and exciting as we bounced memories back and forth of a shared adventure of a life time that took place so very long ago.

  There have been 4 or 5 other phone calls over the years so we were not completely in the dark about some of the major events in each others lives like husbands, children and divorce.

  Rebecca only lives about 25 miles away, isn't it sad how sometimes we just don't make the time to nurture the friendships that we do have in the business of our everyday lives.

   I found out that she will be moving away in just a matter of weeks, seems like I caught her just in time. I guess that making the time to catch up with an old friend is the silver lining in the dark clouds of this hurricane day.

   I'm going to be posting some old photos that will be a reminder of the old friends, old memories and the really great story that we share. More details later.

   Grateful for cabin fever on a hurricane day in South Florida.

                               *** Coy ***

Way to go Einstein.

                

     This is a picture of my son's costume for a 6th grade science project. OMG that was 10 years ago.

     Don't worry, I am not going to bore you with all of the scientific details about Einstein's theory of relativity, the speed of light, calculating the size of molecules, the theory behind the atomic bomb or the black hole but ...

     I have been thinking today about Albert's importantance in relation to the creative process, and I quote ...

     "There are only two ways to live your life, one is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle" ~ Albert Einstein

     Just think of the possibilities for creative expression if we all learned to live life as if every moment were an absolute miracle.

     For those of you that are familiar with the scientific work of this Swiss-German-American Physicist, you can test your Einstein knowledge here --> Einstein Quiz

             *** Coy ***

     Thank all of you for your E-mails and comments of concern regarding the hurricane last night. Jeanne was almost a carbon copy of Frances for us here in Boca, a lot of wind and rain moderate property damage and many without electricity again. We were among the more fortunate, the already ravaged people in the next 2 counties were not quite so lucky. There are plenty of lives there that are simply devastated and will never be the same. Prayers for a speedy recovery for all. ~ sigh ~ 

Do we look ready for Jeanne?

I think not ...

  We were battered and beaten by Frances just a few weeks ago and we are still in the middle of the recovery process. I hate to complain because there were so many of our neighbors that were hit so much harder than we were but...

    Geeze, we have not even had time to get the place tidied up yet for our unwanted guest. What do you think will happen to all of this debris in category 3 or 4 winds?

     I took these photos this morning on my way to the grocery store for my 11 th hour preparations.

                                    *** Coy ***

 

Here we go again, this time it's Jeanne.

   

I took this photo today, I wonder where this guy will ride out the storm?

    Just Wednesday she was headed safely out to sea and now

 Jeanne is headed straight for us.

     If any of you are counting, you'll already know that this will be the 4th hurricane to hit Florida in the past 6 weeks.

     As of 5:00 this evening we are officially under hurricane warnings, and we have not had a chance to completely clean up after Frances.

     Is anyone else experiencing Hurricane Exhaustion Syndrome? :.:.: sigh :.:.:

     Lot's of preparations to make, more details later.

                             *** Coy ***

Autumn

     Ahhh ... Autumn in South Florida.

         

                                                        It's almost like ...  

 

         Summer in South Florida

         

                                 which is very much like ...

 

          Spring in South Florida 

         

                             which is not all that different from ...

 

          Winter in South Florida

          

                                                                     LOL ...

     I guess that is why many people call this the land with no seasons. Of course I am exaggerating a little, we do get slight temperatures changes in the winter but nothing to write home (or J-Land about). The winter photo above was taken on January 1st 2004, Mandy and I spent the day sunbathing at the beach and feeding seagulls.

     I live in Boca Raton, in Spanish that translates to "mouth of a rat." To those of us that live here it translates to "paradise." Clean air, blue skies, gorgeous sand and surf Mmmmm ...  It doesn't get any better than this, but ... 

     I do adore Autumn Leaves and the crispness in the air that many of you are already beginning to experience. I will not be seeing that for myself this year so I will be living vicariously through you this fall. Through the words in your journals and the photos that you post.

     Here in South Florida, fall also means the return of the snowbirds Grrrr ... that means horrible traffic, long lines at the grocery store and 2 hour waits at my favorite restaurants. Oh the price we are willing to pay to live in Paradise. Wouldn't have it any other way!

                                                  *** Coy ***

I don't even want to mention the storm that just yesterday was headed safely out to sea is now expected to pay us a head on visit on Sunday morning:-(

     

 

 

Pretty Pretty Princess

 

     This is a picture of my Mom and Dad the night of their High School Prom. I have always adored this picture and spent an hour or so frantically searching for it after reading a couple of entries in J-Land about fantasy play, hoop skirts and sparkling tiaras in the last week or so.

          Michael<--click     Albert<-- click

                   (How about this billowing lace boys?)

     This dress hung in my Mothers closet forever, when I was a kid I would try it on and dream about the day when it would actually fit. I was so sure that everyone would think I was the most beautiful girl in all of the land. (nope, never did have Ms America Fantasies like some folks), just wanted to wear that dress.

     I guess by the time I was old enough for it to fit, it was no longer on the top of my gotta-do list. To bad because I would love to be posting a photo of me today in the Pretty, Pretty Princess Dress.

     As far back as I can remember my whole family has been into playing dress up. My Dad lives in New Orleans and is an amazing costume designer I remember him making me the most gorgeous pair of butterfly wings to wear when I was a little girl. I am planning on posting a lot of costume photos of all of us in October. Heres oneI posted a few months ago, a far cry from the princess.

                                           *** Coy ***

Singing in the Rain

WoooHooo... look what I got in the mail today. Who says there is no good news. Some of you may remember that in July my sister and I spent the day in Hollywood at the Hard Rock Cafe. <--click It was a late birthday present. We played really hard we won, we lost, we won, we lost and ultimately we left a lot of our hard earned money there with those nice people that day.

    Ever since, they have been trying to entice us to come back by offering us free rooms, a Tony Orlando without Dawn show, wrestling match tickets, etc., up until now their invitations were for the next day or so, no time for preparation and planning, so no go.

     But this is more like it, plenty of notice and I love Broadway Shows, how could I resist seeing "Singing in the Rain, while I am " Dancing in the Rain" hmmm.

     I'll bet if I got two tickets it must mean that Theresa got two tickets also. If my brother in law doesn't want to go we'll just invite a couple of girlfriends and make a night of it. I can't wait to call her tomorrow.

     We will absolutely not be doing as much gambling this time, we only do that once a year, I need to save all of my gambling money for Vegas or Atlantic City with AOL-J next year.

      I feel the need to say that I am pretty disappointed that because Atlantic City did not win the vote for location, they now want to have 2 separate gatherings. Why did we even vote, we would have been just as happy with Atlantic City but we do want everybody to be in the same place, right?

                                *** Coy *** 

         

This is just a test

This is just a test, I have been trying to figure out for the longest how to wrap text around my photos. I asked someone and it is as simple as clicking on * edit your journal * change style of your entries * wrap text around pictures, I am assuming there may be others of you as technically journal challenged as I am.  Thanks, Albert

 

           Haiku

The palm trees lined up

in complete awe of the light

and silver lined clouds.

   *** Coy ***

 

 

  I just found out that I've been quoted in local talk today.

      My text does not seem to be wrapping around my photo very well, let me hit save and see what happens, again this is just a test.

                   *** Coy ***

Nope, it didn't work, I'll have to keep trying :-(

 

The Answer

OK, OK ... you've been guessing long enough

The qustion: What do all of these places have in common?  

Ann, no it is not places all in a stripmall even though Florida is full of stripmalls.

Nettie, they are not all franchises even though most of them are, that's not the answer.

Riverdaughter, yes they are all retail oriented, yes they are all stores, yes they are places you can buy something, no this is not the answer. 

Nanmm11, they were not all businesses that were destroyed here in the hurricane, thank God.

Phinney, they are not all places on my block and they are not part of a super duper mall being built here in Boca. They are not places I worked when I was a teenager although this is the closest answer.

Slo, woohoot, agreed you do kind of suck at games. Well ... at least at this one :-)

Mumsy, you stopped by before it even became a game:-)

     The answer is ... they are some of the places I took my daughter Mandy to last Saturday to fill in job applications. We made a day of it and I'm talking a whole day of it.

     Mandy has recently finished all of her Cosmetology hours in Beauty School (YEA MANDY) and since she is not 18 yet she planned on going back to take some more hours in Barbering. By the time she is 18 we were hoping that she could start work in a salon.

     So we were searching for an after school and weekend job. We must have been expecting to walk into a couple of places and have someone say "yes, we are hiring, can you start tomorrow?" That's exactly how it worked on HER last 2 job searches that WE went on. 

     I know that some of you must be thinking Eeeek, she took her Mom with her to look for a job, no wonder no one said yes. You are just going to have to trust me here when I say if I did not go with her she never would have even walked through one door.This girl is bright and beautiful and oozes with self confidence (if she knows you).  

     For the most part it was a very enjoyable day, we ate ice cream at Marble Slab and had lunch at Poilio Tropical (all for the good of the job search of course). We had a lot of really nice conversations with strangers, I adore striking up conversation with people that I don't know.

      We spent a lot of quality time together discussing the future which provided some fairly painless Motherly lessons to be slipped in through out the day. Lesson giving opportunities are becoming less and less frequent, my little girl is growing up. (awww, bitter sweet)

 

     We just kept going and going and going waiting for someone to say yes. Finally Panara Bread told her to come back in the evening when the hiring manager was in and that they were looking to hire someone ASAP. Yea! we finally got to go home.

     There was a message on the machine from Overstuffed Subs by the time we got home but by then she had already set her sights on Panara Bread. 

     She did get the job so we spent the whole morning on Monday replacing her Social Security Card and Drivers License which mysteriously disappeared the minute she needed them.

     She started on Tuesday, same shopping center as both of her previous jobs, TGI Friday's and Cold Stone Creamery. The location perfect, maybe a mile from home and right by our Gym, everyone we know walks right past the window there. Perfect job fit, or was it?

     After her first day of work, which she loved. There was a message on the answering machine at home from Caesar's Hair Salon asking her to come in the next day to fill in an application for an assistant position:-)

     This is one of the many placesthat told us Saturday to come back when she has her license and turns 18. OMG this is the job you hope to start out in when all is said and done with school. She asked me to come with her to fill in the application which worked out to everyone's benefit.

     Woo Hoo !!! She got the job, it's an artsey little shop with a tight knit very diversified staff and the shop owner seems thrilled to have Mandy there. He promised that this was going to be all about continued education and that the minute she is licensed he will give her a chair and help her to build her cliental.

     I am so excited for her. More to come on Mandy's new job.

                                *** Coy ***

Time out

      I took some time out for myself last night, some time to get out of the house to hear my self think and my heart sing.

     I went to University Commons, one of my favorite places to shop. It's right across from FAU, a very cultural place to hang.

     I visited 3 of my favorite stores. First a quick stop in Jamba Juice for a Raspberry Lime Sublime Smoothie with Immunity Boost. High in vitamin C and antioxidants, just what I needed because I feel a soar throat coming on:-( after all these weeks being in pain with this pinched nerve (finally feeling a little better) now all I need is to have a 10 day fight with a soar throat.

     Jamba Juice in hand (yum) I went over to Barnes and Noble and then to the Whole Foods Market. What more could a girl ask for on a night out alone (OMG, I need to get a life)

     Between all of these Hurricanes, the pinched nerve and all of the Mandy stuff I have been helping out with there has been very little time left for me.

     I had a few things I wanted to pick up from Barnes and Noble. I treated myself to a book that Freepeace recommended, The Artist's Way. It's the 10th edition, not exactly a new book but it is new to me, thanks Free.

 

 

     I also picked up another by the same author, The Right to Write. If you can't find me for a couple of day's, I may be reading.

     I also really wanted to try and order a sound track from the Opera that Albert is in right now, Billy Budd. Unfortunately it is not even available for order.

     I did buy a few other Opera CD's, I did not have any help or recommendations on choosing the right ones. I guess I expected to find entire sound tracks from particular story lines, that didn't happen. So ...

     I choose Opera's Greatest Love Songs, I figured how could you go wrong with a love song plus I recognized some of the names like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo.

     I choose The Most Relaxing Opera Music In The Universe, thinking I could use it instead of my PM Yoga Meditation CD sometimes when I cant sleep. I swear by that CD, by the time they get to PM Meditation #2, I am out no matter how wound up I am.

 

                   

     I choose one called The Only Opera CD You'll Ever Need because it is a collection of 100 clips of the most well known Opera Songs of all times. I thought it would be a good introduction to Opera and maybe I could find someone to love on there. Besides all that, who could resist her face?

     I choose the Handel CD because the very first song on the list is called The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba. Now there was a girl before her time.

     Sheba was able to bring the most powerful king of her time to his knees and have him beg for more. Solomon was a man with 300 wives and 700 concubines but he fell in love with only Sheba, his equal his match.

     She let this guy know that she wanted everything he had emotionally and then some and then some more. Sheba was my kind of girl :-)

     Right now I am listening to the Only CD you will ever need and it's pretty good. I stayed away from buying any soprano CD's thinking I would be more drawn to tenor, baritone or even base but these girls rock, I may have made a mistake.

     I am so going to get all dressed up one night this winter and go to experience my very first Opera. If there is not someone new and exciting in my life by then I will take Mandy with me, I will never forget the first time I took her to the Quillo Center to see her very first live performance, she was so excited and wanted everyone she knows to see that play. 

      I love Live Theater and Ballet, I just never thought about Opera before Albert. Thanks my friend.

                             *** Coy **

Calling all Fishermen

OK, so maybe there are not a lot of fishermen out there reading Dancing in the Rain, I just felt like calling them anyway. To say this ...

Hey, I was barely 6 years old what did you expect a 30 pound Snook or something? The short kid is my sister.

     If ever you loose your day job, maybe you would want to consider an idea that I have been entertaining in the back of my mind.

     A job that may sound to good to be true, especially if you are a Snook Angler (I am not one, but I love fishing and nothing makes me feel more alive than being out in the sun on a really fast boat. It just doesn't get any better than that.)

     The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is paying people to catch and release Snook in the local waters here in South Florida.

     Yep, you heard me, paid to just go fishing. How is that for a dream job? As the fish are caught and released, important scientific information is being gathered. Mimicking the local Snook Anglers gives the scientist a good idea of what the population is here in our waters and I'm sure there is other environmental information being gathered at the same time. 

      Trying to simulate as closely as possible, real life recreational fishing means moving in and out of many areas that fishermen frequent not just the inlets. The more I think about this the more I think this is probably just a Pirates look at 40 thing I am going through today. Any Parrot Heads out there?

    

PIRATE LOOKS AT FORTY Jimmy Buffett
Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call,
Wanted to sail upon your waters
since I was three feet tall.
You've seen it all, you've seen it all.

Watch the men who rode you,
Switch from sails to steam.
And in your belly you hold the treasure
that few have ever seen, most of them dreams,
Most of them dreams.

Yes, I am a pirate two hundred years too late.
The cannons don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder
I'm an over forty victim of fate
Arriving too late, arriving too late.

Well you know the rest:-)

              *** Coy ***

What do all of these places have in common?

 

Ivan the Terriable

     This cartoon has been sitting on my desk all week (thus the dents and wrinkles), in this case I would say that a picture is worth 1000 words. LOL

     We have been really hopin and a prayin that Ivan the Terrible would not pay us a visit here in south and central Florida this week. Looks like we got our wish.

     I have to say that I would not have wished this really bad guy on anybody. So far he makes Francis look like Ms. Manors. The Gulf Coast is obviously in for quite a ride as the first of his outside bans are already hitting land. 

     I was just telling my mother that it is almost easier to prepare for a storm yourself than it is to think about your family and friends out there in harms way.

     Almost all of my family (except for immediate) live in Alabama, most in the Rainsville/Ft. Payne area. We are very concerned for all of them as we wait to find out exactly how much fury Mother Nature intends to unleash.

    My Dad lives in New Orleans which as we all know is sitting below sea level. If you have ever been to New Orleans you would certainly remember looking up at the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain is also a risk for breaking levys that would wash away all signs of life as they know it if just the right conditions arise.  Be safe Dad ... do not, I repeat do not let me catch you at Pat O'Brians for a hurricane party Mr.

     To all of you in Ivan's path, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Unlike Frances, Ivan will be bringing with him enormous storm surge and an incredible amount of rain. This one is big and this one is bad so I hope you will be taking precautions and heading for higher ground.

                           *** Coy ***

 Some of my other Hurricane Entries found  HERE

Other Aol-Journals Ivan Entries found HERE

 

Zen Koan and the blank page

This is a photo I took at the Morikami Park in Del Ray, It is the Zen Garden.

 

      I have noticed that even the most popular, most creative journal writers in J-land become overwhelmed when deciding what to put on the big blank page of their journal every now and then. To that, I say "thank you," it reminds me that I am not alone.

     Keeping a journal is a little like an East meets West version of a Zen Koan, <-- click a tool used by Zen Masters to encourage their students to stretch their minds beyond what they had previously thought possible.

     Although a journal is not exactly a riddle or a question their is no doubt that keeping one interesting and up to date is an exercise in seeking creative new realms of expression.

     When I am feeling particularly uninspired I find my self heading straight to my favorite journals and more often than not I can find a shift in consciousness along with the pleasure of leaving a comment or two behind.

     I have found for myself that the key is to keep writing even when I feel I don't have anything to say. Sometimes I even ask my self who cares about this or who would even want to read that but still I write, I post my photos and when I come back to my journal I am always happy to find the little notes that you have left behind. I love that:-)

                                    *** Coy ***

The magnificence of the ordinary

 

      I took a moment to reconnect with nature today

 

     It was easy to recognize the magnificence of the ordinary

 

     Basking in gratitude of having spent one more day in paradise

 

                       *** Coy ***

 

    

Symphonycomposer

     I wanted to share with you a comment that I found in my journal today, it's beautiful. Thank you Symphonycomposer.

Not an Oak tree of course but still very sad.

Comment from: symphonycomposer
"There is something about
An old Oak tree,
Uprooted and Down
For all to see.

A Century of shade
And nesting abode
Magnificent creation
Resting alone.

Replant and rebuild
Our task lay ahead.
Comfort our neighbors
and loved ones who dread.

Richard Englefield
N. Florida
9/11/04"

 

Today we remember ...

    Rolling 911 Memorial

Click HERE for more about this awesome truck. I saw this a while back and thought today would be a good time to share it.

 

     Today many of us will be reflecting back on September 11, 2001. I'm sure we all remember exactly where we were and exactly what we were doing when we first heard the news that a plane had hit the Trade Center and all of the events that followed during the coarse of that important day in American History.

     On an ordinary Tuesday morning America was attacked, so many lost their lives and our nation was changed forever. Today we remember ... 

                                   *** Coy ***

 

We do not want Ivan here!

 

 

    The photos above are of some of the critters in my back yard that were really glad to see Frances go. They couldn't wait for the bird feeders to be put back up the minute it stopped raining.

     This time last week we were preparing for Frances. This week here in Florida we are busy filling up the tank with gas, getting last minute emergency supplies, making sure we have plenty of ice and water incase Ivan comes this weekend, almost everybody left their shutters up.

     I have watched my neighbors and coworkers spend the whole week taking cold showers, eating out of cans, shaving in the dark, sleeping without air-conditioning, having to get out and about in search of water and ice each day, and we were the lucky ones.

     I did see something I thought was great, right here in my own neighborhood. On the block next to mine the people in the houses on the outside of the block all had electricity and the houses on the inside of the block did not. When I drove down the street I had to smile when I noticed that there was an orange extension cord running across the street at every house. Those with electric shared with out question with their neighbors that were without:-)

     Almost every part of the United States is touched by the likelihood of being at Mother Natures mercy in some way or another, at sometime.

     There are places like Florida that are occasionally hit by hurricanes during the season, we have just had way more that our fair share this year. Luckily it has been 40 years since we were hit by 3 storms in one season, it's not something that happens very often.

     There are also places that are occasionally effected by drought, flood, tornado, earthquake, volcano, forest fire, mudslide, blizzard, avalanche, heat wave, famine, and even terrorist attack.

     Thank God we are living in a Country where in times of disaster, in times of State of Emergency, Congress will step in and do it's part to help it's own in time of need.

      I live in Palm Beach County and although we suffered considerably here, many of our neighbors in the next two counties have lost their homes, their jobs and their schools for as long as the buildings will be needed as shelter for the community. As of right now parents are being informed that school is suspended indefinitely in Martin County School District.

     Florida has been ravaged and we are almost at the point of exhaustion, another direct hit by Ivan next week will be absolutely devastating to some areas.

   Dancing in the Rain's hurricane entries were just that, entries. Little messages to my readers and friends to let them know how we were weathering the storm and to share with them some of the photographs that I hurried off to take right after the storm.

      I have been truly blessed to have become a member of this very tight knit community and to have friends here that care and want to know what's going on.

       How often in life do you find a friend so compassionate and thoughtful that they would send you a message like this ...  

LOL - sorry, I'm laughing about the surfers.  We get those [nuts] too.  :D

Darlin', I'm just so sorry.  I know this one has passed, but you have another aimed at you.  I told Hel last night that I almost hoped it would come at us.  I usually say, "Better them than us!" but the truth is, you guys have had ENOUGH!  I'd risk taking on a hurricane just so that you wouldn't have to go through this AGAIN.  Madness.  ::hugs::
Comment from slowmotionlife - 9/9/04 2:32 PM       

Thanks Slo, wouldn't wish that on you for anything in the world.        

 I am so sorry for the massive destruction that Ivan has already produced in our neighboring islands, there has already been way to much loss with this storm. Enough already, we've just had enough We do not want Ivan here.     

                                                             *** Coy ***

 

AOL Journal Convention

Plans for an

AOL-Journals Convention

are in the making

It sounds like it may be held in August of 2005

to vote on location and date in August go

 HERE <-- click 

 I choose New Orleans because there is so much to see and

do there and because it's close by and I love the place.

Below are some photos I took there about 25 years ago.

Hey it looks pretty good, maybe I could design travel

broachers LOL

                                        *** Coy ***

 

Persistance

 Abe Lincoln

At age 22 - Failed at business

At age 23 - Ran for legislature and was defeated

At age 24 - Again failed at business 

At age 25 - Elected to legislature

At age 26 - Sweetheart died

At age 27 - Had a nervous breakdown

At age 29 - Defeated for speaker

At age 34 - Defeated for Congress

At age 37 - Elected for Congress

At age 39 - Defeated for Congress

At age 46 - Defeated for Senate

At age 47 - Defeated for Vice President

At age 49 - Defeated for Senate

At age 51- Elected President of the United States

 

                      Follow your dreams

                            *** Coy ***

Look what she did to the trees in my neighborhood

         I know that there are many of our neighbors that were hit much harder by Frances than we were but OMG look what she did to the trees in my neighborhood.

     Not looking forward to doing this again next weekend. Heres to hoping that Ivan turns safely out to sea.

                                *** Coy ***

    

    Some of my other Hurricane entries ---> HERE

    Other most recent entries ---> HERE

Frances on Sunday afternoon

    

      

     Heres an up to the minute look out my front door. Frances is still pounding away out there. We have been house bound since Thursday night and it's starting to feel like we are on Noah's Ark or something. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

     That said I guess I should just be thankful that although we lost our cable service late last night we have retained our electricity through out the storm. So many of our neighbors have been without since Thursday night. Thank you God that we are not taking cold showers and eating out of cans.

     From my front porch I can see that there are lot's of trees down near by and the next door neighbors new shingle roof is spread all over our yard. This storm has caused major damage all across this state (and Bahamas) We are very lucky that as gigantic and slow moving as she has been, she came through as a 2 instead of as a 4 or 5 like she could have.

     At 4:00 I am going to take Mandy over to pick up her friend that has been home alone in the storm and without electricity for 3 day's.

      We are still under curfew it's one advantages of being under a state of emergency. They are able then to impose the curfew not only to insure our safety but also as a way to prevent looters and there have already been some arrests.

     People have driven here from far away places to loot the people forced to leave their homes and stay in shelters. I don't think it gets any lower.

     We also watched on TV as a group of Professional Surfers were forced out of the water yesterday, one of them ran from police onto a pier that had been closed down for days and jumped off into the ocean with his surfboard, as far as we know he has never been seen again. I guess it is possible that he made it to shore without being detected and made is way back into the community, but very little effort was able to be spared for search and rescue on a suicidal stunt like that in the middle of a state of emergency.  

   The good news is, it is almost over, the bad news is there is another one following right in her path. I for one am not looking forward to a repeat performance any time soon.

     Rain, rain go away come again ... well not to soon please:-)

                       *** Coy ***

     

Maybe I should get back on track

   Investigating passion. You know, those things that make my heart sing! 

      Journaling here is helping me to reconnect with the creative things that I want to be cultivating in my life. There is something very empowering about being able to see my thoughts on page and then being able to read the comments left by others. It serves as a reminder that my creative dream is already in progress and that the only limitations are the day to day snags that seem to redirect my attention.       

     Below is a copy of my very first journal entry back in March. Rereading it reminds my of my initial intentions, hmmm ... maybe I should get back on track. 

                                 *** Coy ***  

    In search of me

      I am 41 years old, a single mother in South Florida. I have fewer responsibilities to others than I ever have in my life. My life is finally becoming my own and sometimes I don't take full advantage of that freedom.

     I am in search of me. I am learning that every day I am given the opportunity to reinvent my self and the sky is the limit.

     Finding adventure and pleasure is becoming a driving force in my life. Creative liberties for my future are completely in my hands. No one is going to pave the way for me.

     I do have to remind my self sometimes to let love in. I forget that love like life is not a constant state of being. It is made up of ordinary moments and incredible moments. Being lovable is the first step to being able to love.

     When I care enough to listen to a friends thoughts, truths and new ideas they will often care enough to listen back and then I feel loved and less alone.

 

Frances

Photo from AOL

        It's almost 6am on Saturday morning and she is crawling over slow but sure. Thank God she has been downgraded to a category 2 but as slow moving as she is moving we are expecting a lot of rain, flooding very probable.

     We still have electricity, not sure how long that will last. Thousands and thousands of our neighbors are not so lucky, some right down the street.

     Thank all of you for your kind words and best wishes that you've left for me in comments, will keep you updated  as long as we have electricity.

     It sounds like the Bahamas got hit pretty hard, prayers and good wishes for a quick recovery there. All of you in J-land that live in Florida, take care and be safe.

                                              *** Coy ***

 

 

The Calm before The Storm

 

  

                        

                  Peaceful evening sky before the storm  

Batten down the hatches

     We have stocked the shelves, we've battened down the hatches and now we are waiting to ride out the storm.

 

     Made one last minute trip to the grocery store, they are boarded up but still open.

     The long, long lines at Home Depot are still there now that Frances had slowed down and we have an extra day to prepare.

     Forget trying to buy gas at this point, It's all gone. The lines have been soooo long all week.

     Water is a pretty hot commodity in a hurricane, it's been pretty hard to find for a couple of days but we've got plenty to last a few day's without electricity. Have also filled buckets for the all important flushing if we have to :-0

 

     Had to bring the orchids in, they would be destroyed in the kind of weather we are expecting, not to mention being projectiles. Can't let you see them all, it would show to much of the junk in the garage.  

     I am still having a lot of pain with the pinched nerve, it's lodged between 2 discs in my neck Ouccccch. Will have to have a cortisone shot in my neck after the hurricane and maybe even physical therapy? Hmmm ... this is a first for me. I don't do pain.

     Ok, gotta go. Maybe I can find a hurricane party out there somewhere now that we are all prepared here.

                                     *** Coy ***

Sheeeee's coming !

       Here in Boca we lucked out and escaped the wrath of Charley. Good wishes for a rapid recovery to our neighbors that were not quite so fortunate. 

     This time it's looking like Frances has her eye on us and is headed straight for our east coast. Still over 700 miles away and already a category 4, she is growing and getting stronger out there in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.         

     Charley did his share of damage but this girl with her 30 mile eye, looks capable of causing much more havoc than he ever thought of. 

      I stopped by the grocery store after work, it was so crowded that I had o follow someone to their car and wait for them to unload their groceries just to get a cart.

     Photos below show what the shelves looked like especially water, bread, milk batteries, etc. Oh, I saw 2 women fighting over the same can of soup. Hey, there is still plenty to go around, no one is going to starve I don't think fighting over canned goods is going to help (geeze). 

                 

       Home Depot has all of it's plywood flying out the door at the speed of light, I think everyone's sensors are just heightened because we still have not recovered from Charley.       

     Gotta run for now, will keep you updated. It's sure to be an eventful couple of day's. 

                          *** Coy ***