Ave Maria...

It's with a heavy heart that I follow the details of the tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral.  It has been a dream of mine to attend Mass and view the art at this icon, on my 'someday' visit to Paris.

Much like the changed skyline in NYC, I can only guess that the skyline in Paris, too, is forever changed.   Unlike NYC, at Notre Dame there has been no death or injuries and all of the art and iconery is intact.  Thank God.

The question of religion as a formal practice has been pondered for years.  Most churches are experiencing a lack of vocations as well as attendance in the masses.  I cannot totally explain this trend, but I view it as just another way our society is changing.  As a child, I received all the sacraments and had a solid religious background.  As a divorced and remarried woman, I have had to bend my own rules to remain a Catholic.  I strongly identify with Mary the Mother of Jesus and collect rosaries.  But I rarely attend mass, and I can't truly explain why.  When I DO go-with my Mom, the ceremonial celebration washes over me in a way that is as familiar as my morning shower.  It is comforting as well as humbling.  I remain reverent.

As the holiest week in the Catholic church begins, I will pray for the grieving Parisians.

Can't Stop the Feeling!....

Meet my sister from another mother!  Did you ever just 'click' with another couple?  We have lots of good friends but there is always room for more!  Monica and Doug are our 'March' neighbors, but we really just got to know them better this year.  We have plenty in common and are all fun lovin', boatin', foodie fools!  AND..BONUS...they live in Michigan!  We look forward to hooking up back in the mitten.  How cool and wonderful is that?

In other 'news', is anyone else having the feeling that someone is listening in on our conversations?  Lately, it seems that some things I say prompts an ad for a similar thing.  For example, if I say Nordstrom Rack, ads appear in my facebook feed and email offering sales or whatever!  It's a little disconcerting to say the least.  I know I'm a little slow with the 'Alexa/Hey Google' thing but it just creeps me out a little that 'someone' is listening.  Anybody know anything about this phenom and are  you comfortable with it?

Heading to Key West today with friends, Tom and Jen-a day that always promises a good time.

Have a fabulous day and I hope you have friends that make you feel blessed.  It's simply the best!

P.S. I'm so lonesome for my workout buddy!  K? Are you there?  XOXOXXOXO

Ship of Fools...

Happy April Fools Day!

I have to admit; this day has absolutely no significance for me.  I  simply do not have the spunk or creative energy to fool anyone any more.  As a child, I would plan ways to fool my siblings and be at the ready for the tricks they had ready for me.  Later, Dane would delight in fooling my by pointing out that there was an elephant/giraffe/monkey or whatever in the yard.  I would have to look out the window, and be 'fooled' every time, while he shrieked with laughter.

I love watching and hearing others stories of foolery-specially Ellen DeGeneres who is the queen of such nonsense.   It's all yours girl, so get at it!

However; one of my very all time favorite quotes is one by Alexander Pope:  "Fools rush in where  Angels fear to tread."  The quote has been speculatively pondered and it's meaning has many different interpretations.  Personally, because I tend to act first and think later, it totally hits home with me.  I like to think that my impulsive nature ( maybe I'm a fool?) as a risk taker and chance maker is fun and exciting.  Jumping into situations with both feet can be 'foolish' or wonderful.  Who's to say?

Here's something I can say for sure:  3 chickies had a ball cruising the ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.  Turquoise water and a cobalt sky is beauty that has no compare.  Pina Colada's and the sun in our faces. Tomfoolery DID abound, as we celebrated the last few days of my Mom's vacation.

Hope you enjoyed some type of foolery that brought a smile to your face today.  XO

Your Peace...

: 

Greetings from Marco Island and more specifically Tigertail Beach!  My Mom, sister Lisa and I are enjoying a ‘girls vacation’ and loving every moment of it.  Lazy beach walks, shopping till we drop, and happy hour(s) are the events that pack our days.  Mom’s 80th, birthday celebration is in full force.   My sister is hosting this half of the party and then we are taking the show to the Keys on Wednesday.  We are having a wonderful time sitting around reminiscing stories from our childhood and it, is very interesting how differently we remember things.

It’s the perfect environment for the holiday that we planned.  I am having a wonderful time and feel lucky and blessed to be able to share this time with Mom and Lisa.  With the quintessential sand in our shoes and shell in our pocket, we are happy and smiling.

Have a wonderful week.  XO

Irish Celebration...

It was an epic day-St. Paddy's Day in the Florida Keys.  As usual, the day dawned sunny and gorgeous with endless shenanigan possibilities.  Lassie Shannon (O'Sullivan-Adams) assumed her usual position at our stove and served up her famous o' luscious grouper reubens.  Long moments were spent calculating our o'ffensive Irish monikers.  We decided and promptly abandoned the idea of actually using these o'stupid names!  Irish buddy, Frank O'Shea joined us for breakfast but had to hit the road before the whiskey came out.  Probably a smart move,  Frankie!

The tough decisions were made and all decided that bar hopping by boat would win out over Irish Kevin's in Key West.  'Supplies' iced down, we boarded the BabyLove and made our way over to the sand bar.  Efforts were made to hold down our kilts-true Irishmen that we are...'I'm Shippin' up to Boston' and the 'Unicorn' was blaring over the usual Pitbull heard at the sandbar.  Revelers cheered and fist pumped as the green team slowly cruised by.  A very unlikely fact was observed-kilts CAN actually garner more attention than thong bottoms!  For a moment anyways....

The day progressed as you might guess and we were treated to a magnificent Keys sunset on the way back.  If you haven't seen one-put it on your list.  The luck 'o the Irish blessed us once again with the perfect day-and the o'perfect friends to spend it with.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!  XOXO

This Feeling...

Facebook in all its wisdom, knowledge and bravery-behind-the-keyboard, recently declared that 'feeding the homeless feeds your ego.'  Apparently and evidently, that person has never experienced either end of that spectrum.

I love feeding and helping not only the homeless, but anyone who needs help.  It does nothing for my ego and everything for my soul.  I do not mention this for glory-only to share how wonderful as well as appreciative it makes me feel.

I am fortunate to be able to do it now, but I remember back in the day when things were different.  Dane and I would have had some 'hungry years' had it not been for others.  I was working two jobs and just barely squeaking along.  My parents, sister and brother in law, and even a few friends, were very generous in making sure we were eating.  My Mom cooked for us,  Lisa and Steve actually filled my freezer and Therese and others treated us to meals out.

 Did they do it for their ego?  I like to think they did it because they loved us.

Be loved and spread the love.  It's a beautiful thing. OX

That's Why I'm Here...

Otherwise, I feel fine.  I should have seen it coming-after all, I get infected every year about this time.

I started coming down with it on Saturday night when we arrived and by Sunday had a full blown case.  I'm not coughing or sneezing and I do not ache all over.  But I know I've got it.  Yep, I'm in the early stages of the "Keys Disease'."  I checked WebMD and was able to confirm what I already knew.
Symptoms are, but not limited to:
*Losing total track of what day it is-hence the day-late blog post!
*Craving fresh fish-even at breakfast
*Taking on the characteristics of an iguana and soaking up as much sunshine as possible.
*Practicing distracted driving while spotting said iguanas and dolphins.
*Generally moving at a snails pace
*Procrastinating everything BUT happy hour
*Enjoying Key Lime pie like it's my job.

That's me and I got it bad.  Think I'll just take to the pool and rest my sick 'ol self.  The only known cure is Happy Hour and luckily it's 5 o'clock somewhere!

Have a great week, my lovelies!  XO