October

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

"I love October!"  "What is your favorite thing about October?"

Those were the comments from a friend on Facebook recently.  The temperatures have finally cooled and we have been experiencing the most beautiful weather of the year the last couple of weeks.  October is probably the best month of the year in Florida as far as I am concerned.  After a long hot summer, there is no sweeter relief than October's pleasant weather, especially the cool crisp nights. October means that I can open my windows and let the fresh air flow through the house. I spend more time sitting in my back yard reading, or just watching the squirrels and birds that visit the feeder in my yard.  I look forward to the more frequent day trips to state parks and preserves where we can enjoy all that nature has to offer this time of year, walking trails, observing the wildlife, and enjoying a picnic. One of the best things about this time of year is the food.  As soon as we have our first cool snap, it's time for homemade vegetable or chicken soup, chicken and dumplings, chili, beef stew and biscuits.  Cooler weather means camping,  and we always enjoy a camping trip in late October.  It's so relaxing to disconnect from the world, no phones, no tv, just the sights and sounds of nature. I guess in response to my friends question, "What's your favorite thing about October?"  I would have to say, "just about everything."

 

Big Talbot Island State Park

Big Talbot Island State

The temperatures in North Florida are finally cooling off a bit, signaling the arrival of fall. This is my favorite time of year because it means it's time to get back out and enjoy some of my favorite places around Jacksonville.  When I'm in need of an escape, my favorite thing to do is hit the road and head to one of Florida's many state parks or nature preserves.  Big Talbot Island is one of few undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coastline, which makes it a great place for a nature enthusiast to enjoy wildlife viewing and beautiful scenery.  Enjoy a picnic in a very shaded picnic area overlooking the ocean. After you eat, take a short walk through the forest along the trail down to the beach. You're likely to see plenty of osprey, pelicans and other sea birds, and if you're really lucky, you may even spot a bald eagle. You won't find people sunbathing or swimming along the beaches of Big Talbot.  The only thing you'll see laying on the beaches here are the remains of live oak and cedar trees that used to grow along this barrier island.  They have been white washed and weathered from years of exposure to the elements.  The shoreline has suffered severe beach erosion in the past several years, which has created bluffs, exposing clay like soil and extensive root systems.  Take your time walking along the beach, but use caution as you may have to make your away over or around some of the trees, but that's half the fun. On your way out of the park, look up into the trees; you may see a raccoon keeping a watchful eye to make sure you don't take any souvenirs with you when you go.

Victoria Gaines » Blog Archive » Quote Attic: When I’m Not Up to Par -

Victoria Gaines » Blog Archive » Quote Attic: When I’m Not Up to Par

Words To Help in A Dry Spell

I can always count on Victoria Gaines to lift me up.  She always has beautiful devotionals, wonderful stories, great quotes and more that inspire me. I have needed inspiration lately, I've been in a dry spell and I've  missed writing on my blog, I just haven't been able to concentrate on any of my writing projects lately. My daughter Sara and her boyfriend were in a car accident recently and Sara suffered a broken ankle. I have been a little busier with trying to help her out.  Since she has been unable to drive and go out to see her friends, there have been more frequent visitors here. A friend's daughter that is attending college here stayed for several days after moving out of her dorm for the summer. During and after the spring break we've had company off and on and I feel as if I've been running a hostel for young travelers. I have enjoyed it, but needless to say, it's been a little crazy around here. We did have our annual spring camping trip, but that's another story.  Now, my family is faced with a major crisis as one of my sister's has just recently been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and is in the battle for her life.  We are all coming together to help her and her family in every way we can, we are sending out requests for prayer for Carolyn as she faces this extremely difficult time in her life.  We took a very spontaneous trip to my sister Dieonna's place in Orlando this weekend to spend some time together just having fun.  Carolyn wanted to take a couple of days to enjoy herself before beginning treatment this week.  We had a great time playing in the pool, playing the new dice game "Farkel", enjoying good food, a few good glasses of wine and a lot of good conversation. I could see that Carolyn was not looking forward to returning home Sunday, knowing what she had to face.  We are all doing our best to be strong for her.



Meanwhile, I have been getting in my reading, it's my escape from all the craziness.  I did finish two books, and am reading two more and absolutely enjoying both of them.


Books I Read:   Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart                                                   Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now                             by Gordon Livingston, M.D.
    
                           Layers, by Sandi Patty, Uncovering and                                 Celebrating God's Original Idea of You                                     

Books I am Reading: 

God Never Blinks - 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett
I picked this up and started reading it in the store, had to get it, I am loving it.


                                                  

   The Journal Keeper, A Memoir by Phyllis Theroux
                                    I wish I could write as beautifully in my own journal.  This is a
                                    wonderful book.  I'm almost finished, will share more about
                                    this one soon.
                               



                    

Spring Reading Thing 2010

This is my first year participating in the Spring Reading Thing. I'm excited about it and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone in the group is reading.  I have a couple of books that I recently started; I'm really bad about starting a book and then something new comes out that grabs my attention and the other is set aside. So, now I have a stack of books I have yet to finish reading.  So, first I'd like to concentrate on finishing two particular books and then on to something new.

• Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart - Thirty True Things You Need To Know Now                                  by Gordon Livingston, M.D.
• Layers, by Sandy Patti
• The Dead Guy Interviews, by Michael A. Stusser
• The Journal Keeper, by Phyllis Theroux
• The Art of Choosing, by Sheena Iyengar   
• The Last Time I Saw You, by Elizabeth Berg                            

With my schedule, I think I'll be doing good to get all of those in. But, if time allows,  I'd also like to read another book by Gordon Livingston  And Never Stop Dancing, Thirty More True Things You Need To Know

Others that I am very intrigued with that I'd like to get to as soon as I can are:

Making Toast, by Roger Rosenblatt
So Much For That, by Lionel Shriver
This Year I Will, by M.J. Ryan (Although by the time I get to it, I might be thinking about Next Year I Will)

There are just so many great books out there and just not enough hours in the day.  In fact, I read a book once called, So Many Books, So Little Time, A Year of Passionate Reading, by Sara Nelson.  I really enjoyed the book; her goal was 52 books in 52 weeks.  She actually surpassed her goal and what I want to know is, what did her house look like at the end of that year.  How do you accomplish that much reading and keep up with everything else?

Well, I'll have to stick with a more realistic goal and just do what I can do.  I'm looking forward to many hours on the back porch with a good book.  If you'd like to join in on the fun, you can find more details at Callapidder Days at http:www.callapidderdays.com.

**Note: The Last Time I Saw You, by Elizabeth Berg will be available on April 6, 2010
I'm looking forward to it as she is my favorite author.

Stop Saying “Impossible” and Start Saying “I’m Possible!”

Stop Saying “Impossible” and Start Saying “I’m Possible!”
Do you remember the song High Hopes sung by Frank Sinatra? Okay, maybe some of you don't, if you're not a member of the baby boom generation.

Just what makes that little ant
think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
move a rubber tree plant.

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes......

That is of course the song that came to mind when I read the above post in Simple Truths today. This is a great little story that inspired me today and I wanted to pass it on.
Just click on the link above.

*Words to High Hopes by Sammy Cohn and Jimmy Van Heusen

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

The Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park, situated on the Suwannee River was built in honor of composer Stephen Foster. He is of course the author of the famous folk song, "Old Folks At Home", which is also the state song of Florida. The park includes the Stephen Foster Carillon Tower Museum, where you can view beautiful dioramas of Foster's songs, antique pianos and other instruments he used for writing and composing his music. The carillon tower houses the largest tubular bell instrument ever constructed, from which you will hear Foster's most famous tunes played in concerts throughout the day.

We enjoyed visiting the different craft shops in Craft Square, watching as pottery, beaded jewelry and quilts were being made. There was also the blacksmith's shop and an aroma therapist selling her home made candles and and scented oils. They all smelled so delicious and there were so many to choose from, floral scents, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, sandalwood, and more. There was an older gentleman selling canes he had carved from tree branches, they were beautiful. My favorite craft shop was the pottery shop, I love pottery. We spent quite a while talking with the owner as she created a quirky sculpture of a rooster, which as it turns out, I am a collector of quirky roosters. She invited us to come back some
time for a class and I would love to take her up on the offer, but it's a long way to drive for a pottery class. There is of course the gift shop which sells the work of these local artists in addition to t-shirts, hats, pictures, candies and preserves and many other items, and of course plenty of Stephen Foster memorabilia.

This is a great place to picnic; there are picnic areas throughout the park. These are some of the nicest we have seen in any of the parks we have visited. After lunch, we of course had to take a hike down one of several trails in the park and eventually made our way around to the river. One of the things you will notice about the Suwannee River is the really dark water; you may think it is polluted, but it is actually what is known as a black water river. The dark water is caused by organic acids which stain the water, thereby making it appear black.

This is a very popular area for those who enjoy canoeing and kayaking. There is a lot of beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife to enjoy while you paddle along the river. There is plenty to do and see at the Stephen Foster Culture Center. There are festivals, craft fairs, concerts and other events here throughout the year. You can see a schedule of events by going to the Florida State Parks website at www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster.

Heal Foundation - Heal Walk at Jacksonville Zoo

Help Raise Funds for a very worthy cause and help my buddy Jayson!

Heal Foundation Inc - online fundraising made easy for any nonprofit organization - Jill Carter's Fu

www.firstgiving.com

As many of you know, the HEAL Foundation is very near and dear to my heart. They are the only organization that I have found that actualy helps enrich the lives of children with autism in our community ...

If you're in Jax, follow the link and come out to support a great cause. Sunday, April 25, 2010