Why I blog

While I haven't been a habitual blogger, more like an intermittent one lately, today was a great example of why I blog. It's because of the wonderful people you meet. It is so easy to get discouraged with mankind when all you hear is the negative crap on the news. Through blogging I have met some wonderful people. Some I only know through blogs and e-mails. Some through phone calls and a few in person.

One special blogger came to the aid of our country today, so to speak. You see, the Air Force sent Improviser to Oklahoma. He was really bummed out. " What the hell is in Oklahoma?" It turns out a really wonderful lady and her family. Improviser is almost literally stationed in Rave's backyard. She went to the base and hauled him back to her house for the day. He is hanging out with Girlie playing Halo.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Rave in person yet. We've spoken on the phone, swapped comments and e-mails but now my son is hanging out with her and her family. I love the era we live in. I can sit at home and make friends across the country and even the world. (And yes, I know my neighbors too. Though, I will admit not near as well as I know some of my online friends.)

Thank you Rave. You are a very special person. I hope one day I get to hang out with you.

Nineteen years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHOWHOUND!!

Boss Lady

This is Rue. Twelve lbs of pure terror and sass. She bosses my 112 lb lab around. If you don't have size then you must have attitude.

Hidden Florida Treasures

I've been browsing through my digital photos trying to decide which ones to print and scrapbook. In the process, I've realized that Florida has a variety of things to offer. Florida is known for it's beaches. But, it has a lot of rivers too. These places are off the beaten path. Florida has some spectacular state parks. I suspect not a lot of people know about these gems. I'm fortunate to live near some beautiful places that are just day trips. I'm a state park junkie. I love them. They are usually well maintained and absolutely breathtaking.

I took the following photos in 2004 at O'Leno State Park.

"Located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away in the River Rise State Preserve. One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The suspension bridge built by the CCC still spans the river."

The Civilian Conservation Corps did a lot of incredible work that is still standing today. It was President Roosevelt's way of putting men to work during the great depression. I hope our current President finds a way of adding beauty while benefiting our economy. The stone work is astounding. I see it in a lot of the parks that the CCC helped build. These men weren't afraid of hard work. They worked hard for their families. It is what built America. We, as Americans, need to remember that and not let their hard work be for naught.












This is where the river disappears. It appears again at River Rise Preserve.

flashbacks

Mrs. Who's son, Eraserhead, posted a photo of a tux reject. I nearly peed myself. That was my date's tux to the prom. The photo is faded and doesn't do justice to brightness of the baby blue tux. After all the prom was 28 years ago. Holy Shit. That just hit me like a ton of bricks. Almost thirty years. Damn.



**Sidenote to Mrs. Who---Aren't you jealous?! This could have been your date. No need to thank me. I've been cussing myself for my stupidity all these years.

A little background to those who aren't in the know. The fellow in blue with the mutton chops is my ex-husband and the father of my boys. He was "dating" Mrs. Who when I met him and he dumped her for me. Yeah, I have great luck. That was in 1980. She and I stumbled upon each other here in blog land and started comparing lives and low and behold we had a connection. The story really is hilarious and shows how small this world is.

Warning--no negative comments about my dress. You can laugh at the Ex all you want. Believe me, I am. You can even laugh at my Farrah hair-do. The dress is off limits. My mother made it without a pattern. My sister had modeled one exactly like it in a fashion show and she fell in love with it. But, we could not afford luxury's like a store bought prom dress. So, she studied it the night of the fashion show, made notes, shopped for material and went home and made a pattern. My sister wore it to her prom in 1979. It was fitted for my sister and obviously I don't fill it out. It was like putting a stick in where an hour glass had been. But, I still treasure it anyhow. I was so proud to wear it. I wish I had her talent for sewing. I didn't appreciate it at the time but she made the majority of our clothes all the way up to when I started high school and she got a job. Any store bought clothes I owned were hand-me-downs or the few treasured presents at Easter, Christmas and back to school. My mom even made our bathing suits and underwear. Enough of memory lane.

To the Who family: Thanks for the flashback. And Eraserhead, don't wear anything but black unless you want to look back in 30 years and laugh your ass off.