Saturday, February 10

It's not February yet so I am not a complete slacker.

Cheers to a year where every day is a tiny celebration of life.
A Belated New Year's Eve Celebration together


And...

During the work week, LDC has to the share the responsibility of lunch making.
My treat this day was an over the top dining experience.
January is looking good.

Well...
The post was still in my draft file.
Still...
 “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” —Nido Qubein

Monday, January 1

a new species of dolphin

Last week of the 2023 year
Beach Days are the Best Days


Hunting Island State Park
Happy Hour with a view
...thirty minutes later, I realized the bag with our campfire dinner ingredients was still at home...whoops.
All kinds of critters.
Lined Sea Star

Lettered Olive
Portuguese man o' war 
Physalia physalis



Sept 2016 National Geographic article contained this "most famous" tree.
Interesting biology fun fact:
"We’ve always felt that our playful Lowcountry dolphins are a special breed, and now scientists have confirmed it to be true. Beaufort’s dolphins are a new species, separate from the other dolphins living offshore."

Saturday, December 30

Youthfulness

“To succeed in life, you need three things: 
a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”
 – Reba McEntire



Friday, December 29

November, Etiquette-wise, it's almost time to deck the halls.


Thanksgiving 
Salem
2023
Ahhhhhhh, the traditional smoked turkey.
Dad up with the moon, manning the Smoker, in the chilly (more like freezing) pre-dawn air.

(Look at that golden yumminess.)

In the pic above is Grandson, the relief Carver, now...Carver.
(Experienced Carver still at the helm, in his traditional 20+ year attire.) 

The kitchen smells like orange peels and rosemary.

Around the table and after the meal everyone continues to stay put for:
some kind of family game with a wee bit of competition,
 lottery ticket scratching, and 
snuffing candles.

Fast forward to the next night.

Birthday Festivities for Dad with an Italy theme

Pin the Hand on David

And that’s another trip around the sun.


"If you want to get technical: According to a survey conducted by YouGov, "Almost one half of holiday decorators get started between Thanksgiving and the end of November. Around one in six (16%) will wait until early December, but only 5% get started on decorating in mid-December or later."" 
So, a majority of people believe that Christmas décor is the earlier the better... after Thanksgiving dinner has been cleared away and a certain birthday has been celebrated, of course.

Tuesday, December 26

Eras and Vitamin Sea

The Eras Tour Concert Film
The girls had the whole movie theater to themselves.  LOTS of dancing and singing.

Side note: Feet were scrubbed before bed.

Shrimp and Grits Festival
JI GA
2023
  1. “Everybody’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.” — Unknown
Sunny skies, delectable dishes, and there is no place like seaside with friends.

Monday, December 25

Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Strenuous

Fall Break Backpacking Trip
Oct 2023

Paris Mountain State Park

North Lake
Site #2

For a hike-in site to have a p-i-c-n-i-c table.
What??!!
Ahhhhhhh- slice of luxury.




Needlepoint with a view....


Journaling and a nap in the sunshine to follow...


And what every backpacker crosses their fingers for...
waking up to sunshine, as to not have a heavy wet tent to carry.

So the trails we hiked on were identified as easy, moderate, difficult and strenuous.
On the way TO the campsite...no issues...definitely not "strenuous".

Whew! 
 On the way BACK. 
Another story.

Strenuous.

Hard candy treats.
Singing...while huffing and puffing.
Playing twenty questions.
One foot after the other.

LDC, "Mom, let me get your picture. Why don't you sit on the tree?".
Me, "If I sit down, your mother will not be able to get up.".

 “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

 

Monday, October 9

moments

August
A new season of swim is here...and a new team.
(Lane 2-behind the starting block.)
It's been going swimmingly.

September 
Labor Day Weekend
My camping birthday get-away to North Carolina.

wood whittling
Smokemont Campground
Great Smoky Mountain National Park 
Laugh s’more, worry less

September
LDC's 13th Birthday
Charleston, SC

Seafood

Sunset(s)

Shopping

and Sweet(s).

LDC,
No one on earth can make my heart smile the way you do. Simply hearing your voice brings me peace. Thank you for being the absolute best daughter I could ever have. Happy 13th. Love, Mama