A Beach Day

I just can't "acknowledge" winter any longer. I'm turning my thoughts to spring and warmer temps. I bet if you live in the northern hemisphere, you're fed up too. So I thought you might like to see some more of my pics from Florida and a day at the beach. We can look at these "warm images" and think positive thoughts. Maybe it will work? I think Mother Nature needs a little encouragement to bring spring our way, what do you think? (Warning: this post is photo heavy.)

My January trip seems so long ago now... but I think of it often. After our very busy three days indoors at the World Quilt Show, we spent some time outside enjoying the lovely weather, including a wonderful afternoon at "Bathtub Beach" in Bathtub Reef Park. This beach is at the southern end of Hutchinson Island, which is a barrier  island just off of Stuart and Sewalls Point, FL. Bathtub Reef Park gets its name from the living reef which is found just offshore. Protecting the beach from waves and strong currents, the reef parallels the shore, creating a calm area of shallow water - like a bathtub!

Can't you just feel the wind in your hair?

Okay, are you ready to feel the warm waters on your toes?

Here we go....
 
 I'll stop talking so you can just enjoy the beach walk in peace and quiet...

Oops, forgot to tell you- roll up your pant legs...

We enjoyed watching this young guy practicing on his boogie board......

How about a look at the local real estate....

This looks like a nice little spot.... but how about these below....

Wow - beautiful "summer homes".... All three were having extensive work done at the front to help curb erosion of their properties. Imagine what that bill would be...  Whew!

 

 Thank you Mr. Gull, for sharing your wonderful beach with us.... Does everyone feel warmer now?

Another awesome afternoon was spent with a new blogging friend, Jeanna, who blogs at
Slammin' the Screen Door. Jeanna and I "met" online via our blogs, a few months before my trip. One day I just happened to comment to her that I was heading to Florida for a week and where did she live? I could hardly believe it when she replied that she lived very close to my friend Sandi. So we arranged to meet up on the Sunday for brunch and a browse around an outdoor craft market. When we met, she recognized Sandi right away, from a quilt class they both had taken several years previous! Small world! Here we are, after finishing our yummy brunch. It was great to meet you, Jeanna! I hope we will cross paths again!

And I must end by saying Thanks again to Sandi for putting up with me for a week! It was such a fun time. Is it too early to make my reservation for next year?



Peace,
Linda

Nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the beach.

You've got mail...

Do you enjoy getting mail? I don't mean email, I mean real mail- letters, cards, etc. in your mailbox. Personal mail puts a smile on my face, but sadly it seems to be a rare thing these days. Mail seems to be decreasing exponentially each year, with little more than flyers, junk mail and the occasional bill found in the mailbox these days. Our postal rates go up considerably at the end of this month and I suspect that will make most people really stop and think about sending a card or note. I'm wondering how many people will continue to send Christmas cards? Sadly I don't think the increase in rates will improve our postal service either....
Before long we will lose our door to door service and will have to go to a community box to retrieve what mail there is. I'd rather see them cut our door to door delivery from 5 to 3 days a week or something like that. Don't get me wrong, it won't kill me to have to go to a central box site, but I'm thinking of the many seniors who will find this a real challenge...
When I travel I try to look for "interesting photos" - things I won't "see at home". One of the things I found to photograph while in Florida were the mailboxes in Sandi's neighbourhood. We went for several good walks around her area and I thought you might like to see some of the unique mailboxes we found. I'd be hard pressed to choose a favourite!

Some were very simple....















 Some had great paint jobs...




































This one had a fierce looking guard kitty...


















 Not quite sure what to say about this one.. a holstein pig????
















How about a manatee serving up your mail?  Notice the
tropical fish swimming around the base...


















 I think this last one would have to be a favourite.. a young boy reading a book, accompanied by his faithful pup.

I guess these folks must get classy mail....



Peace,
Linda

"And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?"
~ W. H. Auden

Quilts of South Africa, World Quilt Competition

As I have already said, more than once, the entire experience at the World Quilt Show in January (West Palm Beach, FL) was an awesome one. The quilts in the 18 consecutive shows, in addition to the World Quilt Competition, were just absolutely incredible. The skill and workmanship, the talent, the design, the color, the originality - all I can say is WOW! My photos just do not do them justice, as is often the case. It is near impossible to pick favourites as they all were so impressive, but I have tried to show you some highlights - what I considered the Best of the Best! So here are a few more "bests" - from South Africa. Once again, the info card precedes the quilt.

Note - this quilt, Scenic Spendour, won "Best of Country" for South Africa.

Wouldn't you agree? These quilt are inspirational....    What is inspiring you today?

Peace,
Linda

"The moment of inspiration can come from memory, or language, or the imagination, or experience - anything that makes an impression forcibly enough for language to form." ~ Carol Ann Duffy