I cannot wait to get back to Monhegan to hike, eat, sit and be merry! WHAT IS IT about this fantastic place? It has such a pull to so many people. You can’t wait to get there and you don’t want to leave…unless you fall into the category of those looking for a mall, a hairdresser, a golf course, or perhaps if you only wear high heels… I could see that the pull just wouldn’t be there for you. However if you fall into the category of those who appreciate nature, are creative (or perhaps just like to be around creative and interesting people) this place becomes an obsession. It’s simply too good to be true. If only for a short time!
A little something from me to you… H A P P Y V A L E N T I N E S D A Y !! What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Ahhh, the dreaded question for many? Fred and I typically stay in… we save going out to a nice restaurant when we can savor it and not be rushed through it… Flowers… Crazy prices for Valentine’s Day… we usually have something on our table (beautiful “winter” tulips from Whole Foods right now, gorgeous!) – and trust me… I need candy like I need a hole in my head (ok, another really creepy saying…)… so we’ll undoubtedly whip up some fantastic dinner… (last year it was filet mignon, mushrooms, baked potato, hmmm, that’s what I’m remembering anyhow),and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day… but then again, we always manage to have a great time no matter where we go or what we do. Life is what you make it! Or as a card says that my mom sent to me a while back… LIFE’S SHORT… PICK THE FLOWERS!
Enjoy your day!
Did you realize that Valentine’s Day has been celebrated since at least the 1600’s? Get out! Interesting about the history… read HERE…
And a quick I L O V E Y O U F R E D ! I am a very lucky Valentine!
We take our dog, Charlie, to West Ashley Veterinary Clinic in Charleston, SC. He loves the doctors there, one of his favorites is Dr. Merrill Irvin, who besides being a fabulous vet is an amazing photographer. His images make you feel like you are standing right in front of whatever he has captured (as I reread this, let me clarify by saying whatever “image” Dr. Irvin has captured… he doesn’t run around capturing animals… ha ha)! Most of his images are of animals that I most likely will not see in my lifetime, so it’s extremely interesting to see them so clearly and close up! Dr Irvin is as wonderful with a camera as his is with an animal! He will be at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition this year, so be on the lookout! Check out his website, you can order images, they are fabulous! Some of these wonderful images hang in the veterinary offices (one in North Charleston and one in Charleston)…
Merrill Irvin grew up on a farm in rural southwest Georgia where he spent much of his childhood and adolescence exploring the rivers, creeks, swamps, and forests of this region. In this environment he developed a serious interest in the natural world he saw around him. His mother had an old “Brownie” camera with which she took black and white photos of members of their large extended family. Merrill developed a casual interest in photography from exposure to this influence, but did not become serious until after he graduated from college and became a veterinarian.
Merrill has traveled widely across the globe, and has spent much time exploring locally, enjoying nature photography. He has accumulated a body of work and is now interested in sharing it with others. Merrill wants you to enjoy these photographs and encourages you to read the info about them. Perhaps you can learn something new from the captions and photographs you are viewing. He hopes you enjoy viewing these images as much as he has enjoyed acquiring them. Artist Hometown: Charleston, SC Artist Email: merrill@wornbootsphotography.com Artist’s Website: Merrill Irvin
I’ll leave you with one more image (from his website, Worn Boots Photography)… I love the captions he has on his website! Catch you back here tomorrow!
This was taken while at the Shem Creek Park, the long beautiful wide dock that goes for quite a distance down Shem Creek. The beauty is breathtaking, especially when there is a spectacular sunset!
I thought the above image said a lot. It’s so true, BRAVERY DOESN’T MEAN YOU AREN’T SCARED. IT MEANS YOU GO ANYWAY. The true definition of COURAGE are the many Veterans throughout the country!
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. We wouldn’t live in a free country if it wasn’t for you!
Image: Charlie Riedel, AP (news.nationalgeographic.com)
You either love it or you hate it… few fall somewhere in the middle. Do you prefer Daylight Savings Time in the Spring where we lose an hour? Or do you prefer when the time reverts back to Standard Time where we gain an hour in November? Don’t forget to set your clocks BACK 1 hour tonight before you go to bed. Time officially changes at 2AM (it will then be 1AM) on Sunday, November 6, 2011.
You’ll have to work a little harder to exercise outdoors before it gets dark, but I happen to like this time of year… ALOT!
Catch you back here tomorrow… after you set your clock back !
Don’t you just love this photo?? It was taken several years ago, our first trip to Maine, Monhegan Island to be exact. If I were to give this photo a title it would be INNER PEACE. Good one, eh? This is one of our favorite places in the world. I think we are destined to become island people… all of our favorite places are islands. On our first trip back from Monhegan, sitting on the wharf waiting for the Laura B. all I could say is that I didn’t want to leave. Not in a “I don’t want to leave because I’m having too much fun” kind of way, but more of a “this is where I belong and it’s difficult to leave” kind of way… We both felt that from the first year our feet hit the ground. While in Maine you just feel so content. So happy. So relaxed… It’s life… The way it should be…
Back to the reason I started this post…
WOOHOO FRED!!!! Happy Birthday!! If I could give Fred one thing for his birthday it would be a trip to Monhegan, although the season is over, the inn is closed and let me just say… WHERE WOULD WE EAT? Ha ha… So Fred… I wish you the happiest birthday ever. A year full of happiness and no worries, I am blessed beyond belief to be your wife. I love you so much!
Mackinac Island, MI… ahhh the memories. It’s one of the most magical places on earth. It’s like you’re back in time (no cars, bikes and horses only) with modern conveniences (AC for the warm months, great coffee shops, fabulous food, amazing scenery everywhere you look… fantastic hiking/biking trails, the list goes on and on)… My mom, sister and I headed out for a three day vacation, something we had never done before. Now I wonder what took us so long?! What a great time we had. Due in great part to the Island House Hotel. We had a fabulous room that overlooked the marina/Straits of Mackinac and wrapped around for views of downtown. It was magical. If you haven’t been to Mackinac Island, MI, it’s a place YOU MUST put on your bucket list. If you want a truly special stay, I would hands down choose the Island House Hotel. With it’s wide sweeping porches full of rocking chairs, a view that simply cannot be beat, the comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms, the dining room (1852 Grill Room) that will make your head spin it’s so good… I’m a bit of a drama queen but not in this case. Trust me. I know a lot of you are artists… this is a beautiful place to paint, it’s a small island with a rocky coast and beautiful views. It’s much like Maine in the way the coast looks, especially on the back side of the island. My sister and I took a ride around the island at sunset… like I said… heaven! A ride around the island is only about 8 miles.
Mackinac Island is situated between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. You reach it by ferry, there are three ferry lines, Sheplers, Arnold, and Star Line. Arnold is closest to the Island House, Shepler is the one that we’ve taken since we were kids, and I’m not that familiar with Star Line… but however you get here, you need to!!
Check out the 1852 Grill Room’s MENU – let me just say, there are a lot of restaurants on the island. We had dinner the first night at the Island House, and it was so delicious (out of this world good!) we went back the second night, and again the last night! The whitefish was to die for, as was the Greek Pasta Toss… the desserts, the coffee, oh heavens… and I didn’t even bring up the heavenly breakfast buffet did I? Let me just say, that put a smile on everyones face!
One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting up early each morning, heading to the lobby, pouring a cup of coffee and heading out to the porch to watch the dark sky lighten. I met a lot of nice people and we had a great time! Next trip will be with my husband! We haven’t been to the island together in about ten years!
The Island House Hotel is a beautiful historical hotel that is impeccably managed. Each and everyone was so kind, it was a real treat. Check out their website, it’s a good one! Click HERE to read about the history of the hotel which is fascinating! Here are a few pictures from our trip, the rest will appear on weekends on this blog… catch you back here tomorrow!
Me, Mom and Bridget waiting for the ferry home, ugh…Our gorgeous, comfortable and clean room!A warm welcome with beautiful flowers everywhere!
Ohmygosh, we had the time of our lives on our wedding day! This is us, big hair and all, NINETEEN YEARS AGO today! Whew does time ever fly. Right when you decide to forget about finding the one true love in life do you happen to walk a friends dog right up to their very feet. What a happy day that was. I knew almost immediately that Fred was THE ONE. It was his gentle demeanor, the way he listened when I talked, the way he was truly HAPPY to see me. Fred is everything in the world to me, he’s my ONE TRUE LOVE, and I will be forever grateful!
Happy 19 years Fred! I love you!! More happy days to come… xoxo barbara
Catch y’all back here tomorrow!! I believe we have some anniversary cake to eat, ha ha…
Ahhh, Port Clyde, Maine. It’s the most fabulous place in the world. No glitz and glitter, just down to earth kind people. Friendly people that you can sit with at the general store each morning and talk while you have coffee and toast. Or wonderful strangers that become friends that teach you how to knit! Hard working people who don’t complain. It’s somewhere everyone needs to see at least once. When we were there several years ago I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE. I still don’t. I want to go back… and I can’t wait until that happens… Also can’t wait to see our friends on Monhegan… woohoo, they say it’s healthy to have a vacation to look forward to, woohoo…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
**Note: you can always click on the image for larger photo!
HOLY COW! The wildlife around this place is enough to do me in. Seriously. I enjoy (yeah, right) frogs and snakes, raccoons and possums as long as I’m INSIDE and they’re OUTSIDE. I always run into a situation when Fred isn’t here to rescue me, ugh! The HUGE snakes while I’ve been walking… I have to admit, they are the worst. I’m outside with Charlie (Jack Russell who would love dearly to “play” with this frog)… and out of the corner of my eye I spot this big dark thing. WHAT?! Oh…. Charlie!! LETS GO GET TREATS!! I get the beast in the house, snap a few photos of the frog when he decides to hop in and go for a swim. I watch him do laps like nothing I have ever seen! Two swift kicks (yes, frog kicks!) and he was from one side of the pool to the other. I call Fred and ask him if this frog can possibly hop out like he hopped in. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be the answer I wanted. So I’m running back and forth with the net and this thing is wearing me out! About lap 10 he slowed down and I was able to catch him in the net and plop him down on dry ground. I got him out of the net and came inside. I warned him that he was on his own… I’m not going back out there! What next…??? Ugh, DON’T ANSWER THAT! I guess I should just be thankful I don’t have the paparazzi following me around and having all this on YouTube… argh!
Happy day! Let me just say, it’s my birthday… it is what it is… i’m not sad that i’m another year older, good grief… rather thankful would be more like it! I think every day that you wake up should be a good day, right?! Thank you to all of you who have sent me happy birthday wishes, you’re all too kind!
I wish you all a very happy day. We plan to sit back and chill and have a fabulous day, I wish the same for you!
Happy 2 year birthday Charlie!! You’ve turned out to be an angel… thank you God!
I can’t seem to come up with a good excuse, other than the fact that time got away from me… I have good intentions but I get stuck in my everyday routine and completely forget the important things sometimes. Argh! It’s our little beast’s two year birthday today. I really wanted to find him a nice gold chain, maybe with a peace sign or something, to hang on his furry little chest. Hee hee… Can you imagine. Kind of like something for a furry man maybe in the 70’s with the shirt unbuttoned low (mid-life-crisis look), ok, maybe a little too disco… humph! I think we’ll order him a box of bully springs that he loves to chew on and call it a day! I need to find his birthday hat, it’s here somewhere. Last year I was in Michigan, so it was a challenge for me to get it on AND snap a picture in the nano second that he left it on… We love this little guy. Things started out a little rough. He’s never been bad, just so afraid of everything. Of me, of Fred, of the outside, the fire hydrant, the grass and on and on… slowly (and with the encouragement of cooked chicken pieces) he’s learned not to be afraid of things… he’s definitely NOT afraid of other dogs. He’s the official Walmart greeter, he greets every dog no matter where we go, it’s the sweetest thing to watch. Now people, hmmm, it’s a slow process and they definitely have to EARN his affection. This can take time, but it’s worth the wait. He’s a special little beast. And WOOHOO CHARLIE, it’s raining today… NO WALK IN THE HEAT TODAY! (Don’t feel too sorry for him, he gets walked practically before the sun comes up and then he flies into the backyard where he jumps up on the teak table waiting to be hosed off to cool down. This dog has so much personality… He is accepting cards and gifts, hee hee… HAPPY 2 YEAR BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!
Here’s one of the pictures from the breeder… it was love at first site…
When I told him he was being neutered...
Ahhh, went through LOTS of TP!
Last year's birthday pic!
Ahhh, yes, I am thankful that he’s grown up some. We can now have toilet paper on the roll instead of up high out of his reach. It’s the little things in life, ha ha… Truly, Charlie is a joy to be around, and I can’t imagine how quiet things would be here without him! Happy birthday Beast!
If you are one of the few that hasn’t heard about Charlie’s blog (from his first year), if you want a laugh, click HERE… I wish I could publish that into a book!
As I mentioned yesterday I’ve been using some of Coastal Living’s wonderful photos that they have included in a newsletter with a View of the Day… fabulous idea, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, just like the magazine! Check them out, and get a subscription! Also makes a great gift! And no, Coastal Living doesn’t pay me to say nice things (I wish), ha ha…
“…in no time he was climbing aboard a trim little boat. He quickly set sail. And the moon sailed along with him.”
My dad… (Joe Fidler, and my mom, Sheila, peeking through on the left)
Happy Father’s Day dad! I love, love, love this picture of you! Great smile, great time we had on Monhegan Island, ME. I love you for all you’ve done for me. You’ve taught me many things, you have said wise things (that I didn’t think were so wise at the time, but I realize now, you WERE right, hey, it happens, ha ha…). A few things that come to mind… when I no longer wanted to take piano lessons, and I asked you WHY I needed to know how to play the piano. You told me so that I could play for myself, I didn’t like that answer, so you told me I could play at parties… hmmm, closer, but nah… I could live without that noteriety, ha… damn, I wish I never stopped taking lessons, way too hard when you’re older. I remember I didn’t want to go to bed one night and you told me, one day you’re going to WANT TO SLEEP… I thought you had lost your marbles. Who wants to go to bed early, I couldn’t wait to grow up so I could stay up… yep, that’s me, I stay up till 9:00, well most nights! Darn if you weren’t right again! I was very fortunate to grow up with such a cool dad that taught me so many things as I watched YOU do so many things (photography and developing, that was TOO COOL, painting…, rock polishing, wine making, canoe building, wooden ornament making and the list goes on and on and on… you are so interesting to be around because you are so interested in everything. I remember how I used to love to stand on your feet and dance, do you remember that? Cruising Georgian Bay on a sailboat… heaven, at least from a kids perspective! North Star Sail Club, WOW, now THOSE were fun times! Moving to Algonac and living on the river… ABSOLUTE HEAVEN! Thank you for all you have done. I love you with all my heart…
Fred’s dad, Carlisle, I call him DC…
And a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to you DC! We thank you for all you do for us, all you help us learn, for helping us to keep our house in working order and for showing us how to do oh so many things. We appreciate it more than you can ever know! You’re the best. Fred was also lucky to grow up with such a great dad (and mom!), who camped, fished, went to horse shows and did so much together. I join Fred in thinking you are a wonderful man and we love you!
I hope all you Father’s out there have a wonderful day, and to those of you who aren’t Father’s, be a mentor to someone… you don’t have to be an actual “father”… go celebrate yourself!
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