DECEMBER COVER DESIGN

AQUARIUS

From my favorite local astrologer;

Your main job is to live on a focused edge and take care of details. You have great creative ideas and individual tastes. But you are also a wonderful team player and see beyond egos and personal quirks. Your leadership ability is a great asset when it comes to starting new projects and creating positive action and results. The new year ahead will give many new opportunities to turn challenges into victories at home and in the workplace. There couldn't be anyone better for the job.

Cool.

KAYAKING

Today Mom christened her boat! Charles, Jerome and I went along. There is a place down near the inlet called Honest Johns Fish Camp. It is set back in the glades. As you are driving up, you cant help but remember the guy sitting on the porch with a banjo in the backwoods movie Deliverance. This picture looks like where we were paddling but it was just the 3 of us alone in nature!

Honest Johns rents kayaks and also allows you to put your boats in there. It is only $6 an hour to rent a kayak. Jerome and Charles got a 2 person "sit in" one, I had my own "sit in", and Mom brought her "sit upon". They charged her $5 to put hers in.

The weather couldn't have been prettier. The wind was calm, it was warm but not hot and the sun was dodging behind the clouds now and then. We set out alone and explored. We mainly saw various birds at first but eventually the dolphins came out and were the highlight of our day.

It was really easy to paddle and the boat didn't feel wobbly or anything. It was such a treat to be in the middle of a lagoon with NO NOISE POLLUTION. Just the sound of the wildlife and an occasional "blow" from a nearby dolphin. SOO Peaceful. Jerome and Charles enjoyed themselves but I think Mom and I got the most out of it. I am absolutely HOOKED and will be doing it much more often hopefully with company. It would be so very easy to take a bigger cooler with lunch. Even if you drift with the boats together and eat on the water. So far, we felt it in our wrists (Mom & I) and your butt gets tired after about 2 hours so a break would be nice. We weren't quite sure what to expect today but we packed light and went with open minds. Weather could certainly be a factor if you didnt pay attention.

Jerome and I WILL eventually buy a kayak but we really need to test the different types. I have yet to try a "sit upon". Heck, with the rentals only being $6/hr. it saves a lot of hassle loading and unloading the kayak. . . Just ask Mom.

PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE!

A NEW WAY TO SAVE MANATEES

Click on it to Enlarge it.

HALLOWEEN 2006

Neighbors Debbie and Tim (pictured) hosted yet another successfull Halloween party. About 30 people attended and each family brought a dish. I have apparently been nominated "develed egg" queen, not by my choice of course. I also took over 12 cupcakes that were given to me by my Mother. She bought them for HER Halloween party but forgot to take them. They were decorated in light pink and light tan frosting and topped with one red marashino cherry. Apparently to resemble "breasts" to match her costume. I added a bunch of sprinkles to hopefully disquise and took them over with about 24 develedd eggs, some with olive eyes.

The foods you will always find at our "neighborhood" parties are eggs of course, sweet & sour meatballs and 7 layer dip & chips. We usually have a party on Halloween and New Years. Our gracious hosts happily offer to have it at their house or in their front yard. We don't always know everyone but what a great way to get to know them. Our thanks to Tim & Debbie!


I dug out some of my stuff and made myself up as a "pirate, spanish lady, gypsy, fortune teller wench" and I did my best to make Charles look like the Undertaker. But together, I think we looked like a pirate and pirate wench. Oh well, they were good "thrown together" costumes. The hair I was wearing was the dreadlocks Jerome wore to a Dolphin game to resemble Ricky Williams.

Around 6pm Charles, Jerome and I went over. Mr. Bailey (Charles' teacher last year) and his wife were there so Jerome was excited to talk "Gator" talk with him. We hung out, mingled and ate.


We started out Trick or treating around 7pm. Jerome stayed home to give out candy and we went out, with wagons and all in search of the best goodies in the area! You gotta love the parents. They had their wagons containing coolers with beer for them and drinks for the kids. Good idea.

I guess it's good that some traditions still live on. I Trick or treated as a kid and had great, harmless fun and now my son can enjoy the same thing but better because of the "neighborhood brotherhood" we are so lucky to have here.



However, Charles has said that Halloween isn't his favorite holiday and now that I am older I think that without family or friends to hang out with, it could be a pretty morbid holiday. It's funny that we teach our kids NOT to take candy from strangers and on one night of the year we encourage them to knock on the door of a stranger and ASK for candy... hmmm.

Some parents had beers (including Mr. Bailey-lol) and others didnt. We just kind of walked, chated & joked. Some of them are really cool. On our way we had to yell at a few cars that wanted to speed by but with about 15 protective adults they got slowed down and hollered at. Next year we will bring eggs for the people who insist on speeding when they know damn well there are kids out and about.

The "Ex" mayors house is usually the highlight of the trip. He has a big backyard and decorates it with flashing lights, skeletons, cobwebs and tons of other ookie stuff and for the past two years I havent been able to get Charles in. Not one coax or promise would work. He was NOT going in. He is a typical taurus you know. Oh well, No biggie.

We got home about 8:30, hot and with tired feet. It is sure hard work Trick or Treating and it would be nice if next year we could just get a bus or flatbed truck. All the kids would stay together, it would be quicker and the parents could chill. It's darn tiring on my feet.

p.s. Much love to everyone in the family! I am praying for all of our safety, health and mental well-being. Stay strong, stay in touch but most of all Stay out of trouble!!