Sunday~Ice Cream Sundayz was a fun experience.
Back in December of last year, I wrote a post titled, With Patience…..
In it, I described the life I was enamored of. At the age of 9 or 10, I dreamed of being a street urchin. Sitting on a street curb symbolized independence and freedom.
That’s what skating is all about.
Give me freedom ~ Give me independence ~ Give me a trash can to jump over!
Jeremiah Joost-Miller
Jeremiah Joost-Miller
Plus
I met Jeremiah and his girlfriend on the beach a few days before the hurricane swell.
My husband sews buttons
on clothes
My husband makes
jewelry
from shells
and wire
from beads
and love
patient*seeing*
intensely looking
with the eyes
that I love
My husband sews buttons
I am NOT a leopard..
I use to be told by my mother, “A leopard cannot change its spots.” It always left me feeling, that I was going to be stuck-with all of my bad habits and bad attitude. It would squelch my attempts to change. Then, one day, some congenial person informed me, that I was not a leopard. ~What can I say, I need all the help that I can get!
In my last post, I stated that I was seeking serenity. Peace of mind, is high on my list of priorities. So, I packed my ditty bag and headed to downtown, Jacksonville.
That might not sound like a destination, for a spiritual retreat, but for me, it was. I wanted away from the currents of confusion. I found a place off Main Street.
I rented this room for a very reasonable price. It was not a hostel, but similar. Like I said before, I’m a shoe-string traveller.
I went for walks. Browsed at Chamberlains Book Store and coffee shop. I did a lot of people watching.
I walked by the tracks. Train songs sang in my head.
I saw this billboard and thought to myself, “Do people really think that is real fruit?”
Then I saw this piece of paper at my feet.
I bent over and read it. I thought to myself, “That’s cool.” I kept on walking. Then I was stopped in my tracks. I wear a diamond ring that I found, just like I found those words on that tattered piece of paper. I went back, picked it up and put it in my pocket. I am still carrying it. I’ve worn my diamond for twenty-eight years. I’ll have to see how long I carry the paper. I know which one is more valuable.
Being raised in the Bible belt, I use to resent people asking me if I was saved. No matter what I said, I couldn’t convince them. I know today, I don’t have to convince anyone and I certainly don’t have to defend myself to God.
I’m back to work now with a new perspective. It’s always nice to take some time out. What a beautiful world we live in~hostel or hostile~it’s a choice.
Those few days in the city, offered the perfect spiritual retreat.
I think God knows what he’s doing~ I can’t, he can, I think I’ll let him!
Until death do us part
Addiction is DEATH
At one time, my life was train wreck. It was hard for me to recognize it. I know that sounds impossible. How can one not notice a thing like that?
I spent all of my time blaming others and being a victim. I cultivated that garden, until I couldn’t hold the hoe any longer.
I collapsed, gave up, gave in and from then on my life got better.
Self-will is a killer.
This is my fourth set, of ten portraits. I started this photos series to help me get through my last days here in Florida. I will be going back to Costa Rica soon. I still have work ~ tying up loose ends, and then I will be CR bound. I can’t wait really. I try not to let myself feel the enthusiasm. I try to be here when I’m here, and not even think about there.
I went to a party last night at Tiger Point Marina on Amelia Island. What a scenic spot on the planet. The setting was perfect. The band and the people would have made great subjects. I took my camera, but wasn’t feeling it. I was reminded of just how much I don’t know about photography. There was a professional there and I got to ask questions. When I woke up this morning I knew I should have asked more.
I chit chatted ~ which in a previous post, I mentioned I have a hard time doing. But I was in my element there. I’ve been on the island for a long time. I know it’s history. I’m bound to the island.
~ Everybody let’s party party – Everybody let’s party party~
When I look at this series of photos, I know that it’s sharing a moment. I also know that each person has a story. I never go into great length about anything in my posts. I want to share photos more than words.
But I will tell you, that these last days here with my family, are not easy. Nothing is ever easy with my family.
In 1958, my family lived on Carder Street, in a nondescript brick home in nondescript neighborhood. I would stand in the front yard, screaming ((JANE)). Sometimes she came out and sometimes she didn’t. I have no idea what she looked like. I can’t remember her at all. I can only remember the screaming and her mother telling me to stop doing that.
I wish I had my camera back then. My life would have been different. I would have been better.
Beautiful people ~ I see.
Rooster and I are back at home; our place in the woods, that we call Camp Tobacco. It’s a homestead, that I share with my family. I’ve tried to create a hui. A hui, is a bond in a family, that benefits its financial interests. I’m side stepping here, but this post is about family. I learned about hui~from my mother. Also, from reading the Michener novel Hawaii. It is the best book I’ve ever read in my life.
On the last leg of our Southeast Roadtrip, we stopped in Canton, GA and visited friends from Costa Rica. They are the owners of the Mono Congo, my favorite place in the country. When I first met Justin and Kym, they must have been all of thirty. They had two beautiful boys. They have always been a special family to be around. I enjoy watching Justin caring for and playing with his boys, which are now four. They are his OATS; Adrian, Oakley, Tristen and Shea. They didn’t plan that~
Sweet!
Two Years Old
Little Boys Are Natural Daredevils
Oakley
Mom
This is Adrian
While waiting on dinner, we got to sit around and chat. Check out the toys.
The next morning we went hiking at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. I’ve wanted to be in this spot since I was seventeen. I guess that makes it bucket list.
There are 472 steps, climbing to the top of the falls.
Then the hike was over and we had to say good-bye to the Happy Daddy and his beautiful family.
I am so blessed in my life today. On our trip, we visited three very different families and then returned to ours. In my life, I have benefited from my mother’s concept of hui. I don’t take it for granted. I would like to pass that on. Family is important and at its best, can care for one another in a healthy way. I put my best foot forward and place my feet by those that have what I want; like those that I visited, Justin and Kym, Jimmy and Whitney, Connie and the Man.
I want to thank all of my friends for the great trip, and the friends who followed along, you know who you are. And I want to express my thanks, for the help from my family, that made it possible.
Long Live the Happy Daddy~Long Live the Family Hui
Sorry – it was an award winning trip ~ LOL
I’ve stayed away from my blog, for a few days, because I’m all filled up with family. Have you ever been all filled up with family?
I’m full of Mama and Daddy, my oldest sister, my brother, my daughter and my oldest granddaughter is in there, and I never forget my grandmother. I feel like my grandmother’s life is my birthmark. She committed suicide, the year I was born. She was a war bride from Paris. The poor woman was lied to and brought from Paris to the backwoods of North Florida. Can you imagine?
My family is complicated, confusing and something, best not to think about.
This is why I stayed away; it’s all too dark and depressing. It’s crazy making.
I cannot say what I want to say.
AS THE PENDELUM SWINGS
I want to rescue
I have a fear of people
I have no chit-chat skills
I love too much
I have zero barriers from the world ~ then ~ I want to keep the world at bay.
Life becomes a swing
I can’t make chit-chat
Fish Eye Farm 