Florida Dream

Dear Amelia Island,

Thank you. You have taken a warn out old girl and made her feel like there is hope. That maybe, just maybe, all will go right and that the story isn't over quite yet.If everyone could just sit out on your front porches for just an evening...maybe people would smile with joy and love their lives....

If they could fish off your docks for a day....I know they would see
that beauty is everywhere...

If they could paint a picture out your back door...they would surely know
that life is good...

If they could play on your beaches...then they could feel young again...

...and if they could have a sister...like I have?
Then they would know that they will always have a place to laugh.

Bye Amelia....

Love ya later!

1 fish, 2 fish, 3 fish, blue fish....

Yesterday, Liz and I went fishing with Captain Tom off of Amelia Island.

OH HAPPY DAY!

I snagged like 10 Blue fish and landed 7! Talk about FUN!
the best part is that Liz only caught like a half of a fish....I totally smoked her!

Ok...I'm probably exaggerating....she caught 1 whole fish...but....

but compared to my count (like 15) It did not even compare!!
It was so exilerating!

Captain Tom's boat is great and he is a great teacher, and in no time
I was up to like 25 fish...


and there was no stopping me! Here I am catching like my 102nd one!


Afterward, we went over to Tom and Shirley's house for a big fish fry...A-mazing!

I gave some of the credit to Liz 'cause I felt sorry for her...but she didn't cry for too long after.

I mean it's hard to be humble after you've caught like

a million fish...but....

I can handle it.

busy day

Today I....hung out at the beach....

then I went fishing off of Liz's dock:

we held the poles with our toes...because that's what all the cool kids are doing....

so far I caught an eel, a shark, and one whiting (I caught the whiting while I was taking a nap...that's how good I am)

Thank heavens tomorrow we can rest....

On 8th and Beech....

A couple of days ago....I woke up and found myself in Florida.


I like when that happens....


The sunshine and breeze has been blowing through the curtains in my bedroom window reminding me to breath deep and be happy.



Liz and I have been planning a pow-wow of sorts to paint and play in the sand and generally escape from life as I know it. Thank heaven for escapes that come occasionally.



...Then...today I visited this place:



I know what you are thinking...I thought the same thing..."a gas station?...you went to a gas station?" YES! that is exactly where I went. To the naked eye this looks like an ordinary gas station....but underneath ( just like Clark Kent's shirt) is the most amazing restaurant. It's called , "T-Ray's burger station" and it's on the corner of 8th and Beech in Amelia Island, Florida. Only people who live there know about it....cause there is no sign out front at all....but believe me this place was packed! It only goes to show you that you can put a place up in ANY location and if the food is good...then they will come!

This is Ray and T-Ray and Junior in the background...they kindly let me take their picture....("as long as I didn't put it on-line"...) They also have chairs out front for outdoor diners....and t-shirts for sale that say, "EAT HERE AND GET GAS." Ha....good one....

"My 1st plate of Grits...EVER!"

Hmmm...welcome to Amelia!

p.s. I may or may not ever return....

The check out counter

What is it about people at the check out counter....remember this?(at about 1:35):


Must they always ask personal questions about what you are buying or what you are gonna do with that thing that you are purchasing? I mean come on people! For instance...I don't think I have ever been to a fabric store that the lady behind the counter didn't say, "watchyamakin?" (because they run all their words together...dontchaknow...) "Well, I thought I'd make a pair of underwear...ya that's it...a pair of woolen underwear..." I mean really, If you are in a fabric store purchasing fabric, you are either making an article of clothing or making a piece of "none of your business"...period!

What are you to do when you just want to be left alone to make a purchase of your choosing without the world noticing what you are buying? hmmm?
I'm not saying that I am perfect....I have judged others a couple of times about what was in their shopping carts...Like one time I was in back of a guy at the checkout...in his cart he had like 10 bucks worth of giant candy bars and a jug of...Metamucil! I could not help myself, honestly. I caught myself thinkin..."Buddy...your bowels are screaming for mercy!" But I didn't say a word. So why is it that every time I want to make a purchase of some personal item...I am called out to the world on it?
The other day, I was at Goodwill, looking for treasures, right? I stumble upon this book that I heard about and wanted to read. It was about...well...you know..."Life changes"....for...um..women. (I can't even say the "M" word on my blog...feels to creepy to be talking to the world about it. Let's just call it: "The syndrome that shall not be named..."

Anyway, I'm thinking..."I gotta have this book...for Pete's sake Denise just get the book!" I saw another book that I wanted to read...so I grabbed them both and headed for the counter. I placed them both face down on the counter, the prices were on the spine.."just ring them in and take the money.." I thought....but no...the guy picks up the first one and sings out the title so all could hear... "sounds great" he continued...picks up the second and says all lofty, "The Wisdom of Mena...."
"YA...that's Right! I'm buying a book about Mena...I mean....the syndrome that shall not be named.!"
he totally turned bright red...while I handed him a five dollar bill. The women in the line behind me smiled knowingly and glared at him. (secretly wondering if he was going to ask them why they were purchasing an enema bag...)

Do you think that I have now just confirmed to the world that I really do need this book?

Oh well....go ahead... judge.