Sea Turtles

Sea turtles lay their eggs in a masterfully built "nest" along the beach. Afterward, they return to the ocean and the eggs are left to incubate on their own. Then they hatch. This is where you close your eyes if you're a mom watching this on National Geographic. Cute little baby turtles spring up from the sand nests and waddle with all of their might to the safety of the ocean. Hundreds of little babies running for all they're worth to the water . . . and then, a big ugly bird swoops down, or an alligator lying in the sea grass spies their delectable little shells, or sea monster sees them and gulp . . .they're gone.

Sara just turned 25. For her birthday, she decided to tempt fate and go skydiving. She asked her brother to go with her. She asked her cousin to go with her. She asked a friend to go with her. "No" was the only response she received. Then the little turtle said, "Then I will do it all by myself . . .but I won't tell my mother, because she is old and frail and feeble of mind. The stress of the very thought of me doing this dangerously stupid thing will be too much for her fragile nature and she will likely die." (I embellished that part a little bit.)

Momma found out!

For two days, I fretted. For one sleepness night, I pondered. Then, I made the offer. "I will go with you OR I will give you a tangible gift." Sara's response, her joy and her smile were worth the trauma that followed. There was no thrill seeking for me. I am simply not a sea turtle. I couldn't let the bird swoop, the alligator lunge, or the sea monster gulp. I am a mother.

Happy Birthday, Sara. Thank you for letting your feeble, frail, old mum take part in your adventure. Now, don't ever do that again!

(photo cd showing absolute joy and elation of falling from 15,000 ft at 120mph has not yet been received. please stay tuned)

The Black Lagoon

I don't do heights. I don't do edges. Don't drive on roads that have cliffs and don't back down a boat ramp. I've learned that if it's necessary because I'm a passenger/prisioner, I can close my eyes, or ask to be let out and I walk it.


I have real nightmares of gravity "giving out" as I'm in the middle of a STEEP incline, like Airport Road in St. George, and I fall backward off the hill. I'm a wimp.

So a trip to Lagoon's "Frightmares" seems quite odd, you'd think. BUT, my drive to be a cool grandma outweighed my fears. I did Lagoon. I went on rides-not all but enough to be cool. Richard was behind me all the way . . . .except in the lines. A qweezy stomach keeps his feet on the ground. He's secure with who he is and doesn't need to prove his cool grandpa status.


Adam and Sara could be thrill junkies-catapult, shriekers, corkscrews-I get sick writing about it!
Long lines were my friends. It meant fewer rides. But, I went and when I closed my eyes on the rickity old roller coaster or the very dangerous, fast, and extremely high "Paratrooper", my grandsons bellowed above all the noise in the park, "Open your eyes, Grandma. Face your fears."

I'm thankful for sunglasses.

Starfish in the Gulf

During WWII, my dad served in the army. I am and have always been very proud of that fact. Dad and a friend hitchhiked around the coast of Florida during a leave. He's never been back since that time.

My mother has traveled around the country-not to vacation or sightsee, but to visit kids in all the places we've lived. Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia. She's traveled, but not to Florida. It was time.

We traveled together to Clearwater. Uncertain of their comfort and health, I was nervous, Richard thought of everything in order to ensure their comfort. It couldn't have gone better.

Now, my dad can't wait to go back. He has become the biggest fan of Tampa Bay's sports teams. It gives him an opportunity to see the places we visited again. My mom is convinced that she would be able to get used to beachlife. She has come to understand my love for the sand, the sun and the sound of the waves . . . .or she just enjoyed not having to be responsible for anything for a couple of hours. Whichever it was, it was nice to see her enjoyment.