I Hate Goodbyes...

Yes, I truly hate goodbyes but there comes a time when nothing else should be said.

I have written and posted over 1230 posts in the years I kept this blog going and above all,
enjoyed meeting the kindred spirits who shared their thoughts and deeds.

Photos are often worth a thousand words I am told and the incredible pictures I have seen on the many blogs I have visited proved it. Thank you all for sharing!!

So this is goodbye...

Life is made of many such moments and while I do not like to admit, the hours are becoming more and more precious as I get (wiser) older. Like many people I find myself facing a few challenges and I value privacy more than anything else at this time. 

I wanted to thank each and every person who so kindly visited and commented on posts! I treasure each friendly line! 

Winnie said it so much better than I!

God bless,

Laughter, Imagination and Dreams...

Laughter is timeless,

Imagination has no age,

Dreams are forever.

~Walt Disney~

(Photos source Google)

And Now For That Announcement I mentioned Sometime Ago...

This is a post long overdue but like many things in my life lately I find it difficult to write it and yes, it kept me awake at night more than once. 

I love blogging and even more reading as you might know. Sadly the latter has not been easy for me due to two things: An eye problem which is not going away (and never will I am told) and a change of heart as well. 

I found myself homesick more than I can say and have seen my share of travel and will again in a few days. My destination is Home, those childhood haunts so familiar I can still navigate by myself despite the years of absence.
Due to strict security regulations these days, traveling overseas however is not as 'glamourous' as in the past but not even the long lines and delays have slowed me down.  Have suitcase, will travel...

So in a few days I will take to the sky again, this time for months. 

I have contacted sponsors to let them know I will no longer post about the latest books offerings and thank them for their support in the past. There are some amazing authors well worth mentioning and I have been blessed with such opportunities. 

Traveling as I have and will continue to do means I use a camera more and more and thus I will post now and then photos and anecdotes related to these. 

I will also continue to discover the marvels of E Books thanks to my KINDLE: enlarging the fonts enables me to read some if not all the time. Not computer savvy I have none the less learned to download music, checked emails, surfed webs etc...

I always keep promises, and I will post about three movies I accepted to review back in April and have just arrived. One is the continuation of a series I love and I am certain you will like!

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to followers and for the comments I love to receive! Your kindness makes my days easier!

So until the next time...

May God keep you safe always,

(Photos source Google)

The Perfect Quote...

My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be through Earth's loveliness.

(Michelangelo)

So what happened to me the last couple of weeks since my last posting? 

Let's just say that after traveling abroad yet again the last 6 weeks I had the opportunity to see beautiful sights and meet some incredible people!
How blessed we are to belong to such a variety of nations and yet revere one God, no matter our faith...

I'll be posting some photos in the next few days (not much of the tourist kind though, sorry) and I hope to see you!

A Little Something For All Of Us To Share Today (And Everyday!)

The heart is like a flower - unless it is open it cannot release its 

fragrance into the world. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Life Is Short, Enjoy Every Moment!

(Photo source Google)

Newspaper Ad: Parachute for sale, used once, never opened!!

P.S. I needed a good laugh today Folks! 

Musings On Life

The pages of yesterday cannot be revised,

but the pages of tomorrow are blank

and you hold the pen.

Make it an inspiring story!

Yesterday And Tomorrow

(Note: Photo by Sarah BK)

When you can think of yesterday without regret and tomorrow without fear, you are near contentment.

Dreaming...

(Photo source London Butterfly garden)

As we grow old we forget how to dream. We seek security and dismiss our creativity.
Such is the current state of our world, we should wake up and remember our dreams and hopes. If we trust in God, He shall bring all to pass. 

Believing is seeing. 

Live and love! Dream on, dream on!

Loving

Do not hide the treasures in your heart in fear that they will be stolen - 

instead share them and find they multiply.

Serenity...

(Photo taken by ex-RAF flyboy)

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change; 

courage to change the things I can; 

and wisdom to know the difference.

It is always good to remember that He is watching over us when life gets to be a challenge, isn't that so?

Until tomorrow...

What Really Matters...

It's not what you look at that matters;

it's what you see!

~Henry David Thoreau~

Learning Everyday...

The wise man should be prepared for everything that does not lie within his control.

~Pythagoras~

Ah yes, there is a lesson to be learned in this! Our ferry was in dry dock for 2 weeks (this makes it 5 weeks + in 12 months) and life stood still! 
There is something unique in the quietness which descends on this tiny island when we have no access to the outside world but for the Internet/phone.

Due to circumstances beyond our control (mainly power outage) we have been on a 'reduced diet' as I call it: everything that can go in the pot will do! 
And just when we are getting used to it, our ferry is due to reappears freshly painted and ready for sailing later this afternoon.

Alleluia! A Pizza sounds delicious at this time...

And now at 1527 hours...

It never pays to get too excited...An hour out of the shipyard our ferry broke down...Sigh...
Best case scenario is a sailing scheduled tomorrow for all those who are still marooned...

(Cartoon source Martina Zeitler - more HERE)

On a final note, I just wanted to explain why you have not seen me more regularly on Blog. 
Wishing each and everyone a splendid week,

Live, Love, Laugh...

~Audrey Hepburn and Friend~

Humor is a balm that soothes the pain of a tragedy and makes it look like a comedy. If you want to adopt a sense of humor, begin by laughing at yourself.

Now This Is What I Call A Good Start To The Week...

I'll begin by explaining the Award...
According to Friend Victor, this is not given to just anyone either...

"The Lobster Award is the latest honorable decoration to hit the Blogging World. As prestigious as any other Award before it and to come in future, this coveted prize is given to carefully selected Bloggers far and wide in the vast sea of turbulent waves and calmer waters that is called the World Wide Web (or T'Internet as they say round here).

This is no mere trinket given to all and sundry to parade proudly on their Blog side-bars for all to see.

This is no measly sardine sized Award on a slice of burnt toast, or a minuscule thin anchovy sliver fighting for attention on the immense sized Blogging Pizza on the Internet serving dish.

The Lobster Award is a majestic sized trophy in its own right."

Oh, but there is so much more about this award Folks! I therefore suggest to readers to stop by TIME FOR REFLECTIONS and see exactly what all this means for this particular blogger...

And about Author Victor S. E. Moubarak:

"Victor Moubarak was born at an early age as a baby a long time ago in a far away northern land where men were strong and big and tough and women told them what to do.

He soon realized he was born into poverty when his mother carried him around in a supermarket plastic bag instead of a pram. 

Like many children Victor learnt a lot from his parents. They taught him at an early age the love for adventure. He used to come home from school and find that they had moved house. Undeterred Victor never knew the meaning of failure; he always had to look it up in the dictionary. 

As a young man he determined to do well in life and decided to get on the stage … the first one out of town. He joined a traveling theater and performed many times as the front end of a pantomime horse; but he decided to quit whilst he was ahead.

In his life Victor has faced many ups and downs, especially when working as an elevator attendant in a Department Store. He was quick to learn however the usefulness of books and always carried with him a large volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica. It was particularly useful for standing on and reaching the top button in the elevator.

His hobbies include sitting down, writing and painting. He has written a few books to be found on his website and blog (HERE) and he is currently busy painting an old chair and the garden gate and fence."

Thank you Victor!

I'll be thinking on whom I may bestow this particular award as I travel off island today!
Until tomorrow,

Far From The Mad Mad World...

I'll admit we like a quiet life be it on the island or in the mountains. It came as a surprise therefore when we read the following in our island newsletter:

"Hello? This is a private island! We received a request from a Combat Controller at ---- AFB that they be allowed to conduct an exercise which could have included clandestine troops landing on the island and meeting up with a second group, during the night. We declined. 

Also we received a request from a geocacher that his group be allowed to plant a geocache on Herron Island, even though they are not members…..we declined. 

Last year it was a group of kayakers who wanted to make a rest stop at North Beach. We declined."

It seems that our private island is getting perhaps a bit crowded...Maybe it is a sign to make up our mind and definitively move to the cabin...(wilderness only, 1/4 mile away from the National forest and 2 1/4 miles away from the best fishing lake in the state).

Here in our garden we take refuge when the island gets (much too) busy...

One of the highest points of the island, this refuge is open to one and all...

Including Corgis intended to play Frisbee...

"One photo if you absolutely must! Then PLEAAAASE throw the Frisbee!"

The whole family came to say hello this morning...

Peace and quiet...They hide away from noises placing their trust in us...

And On The Home Front...

This was the sight that greeted us this morning

When she spot us on the porch, she ventured back shortly with her newborn

Isn't she lovely?

Well done Mum!

Note: Sadly we see less and less deer on the island, a direct result of a lot of construction.

And then we heard broadcast news...

(Photo source HERE)

L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE!!!!

Congratulations Belgium!!

Sorry USA but better luck next time!