Monday, isn't It?

I'm lost. I haven't had this much time off in a very long time and it has me whacked out. Disconcerting indeed.

This is just a short note to let you, my friends, know I'll be back later this evening. I've set a heavy agenda of housework for the day. Still have a bit more of Christmas to pack and hump into the attic. Some yard work now that a cold front has moved into our area, and other odd bits and pieces to finish.

Little Bit went home last night with her Dad. Hey, get this - he asked me about 'get home bags.' I damned near jumped for joy. My son, asked me to help him put together a bag.....I now know there is a Lord in Heaven.

He then freaked me out when he then asked if I thought he should purchase more ammunition for his weapons.

Perhaps 2012 won't be so bad after all.

Stephen

The Aftermath

The Christmas tree sits sadly outside. Most of the ornaments are packed; bits and pieces are scattered here and there around the house, waiting. This 'taking down and putting away' process takes us several hours.

As items are loaded and the containers are locked or taped, I heft and carry them out to the garage where I stack them. Later I'll begin the hard part - the hard hump up and into the attic. Not sure how many years I have left in me for this kind of work.

What was the old man's name, oh, Scott Nearing, the fella that homesteaded up in New England. I always admired the old fellas work ethnic, his wife Helen's too. He busted butt until the day he decided to say the hell with it and stretched out and died at the age of one hundred. Hated his politics, but that's neither here nor there.

Not sure I have it in me. We'll see.

Rambling here - anyway, just wanted to let you know we're hard at it, this first day of 2012. Little Bit has been a great help. She's only become upset with Papa once. I'd grabbed the vacuum cleaner without her permission. I stood corrected, she then gave me a hug and told me in no uncertain words never to touch her gear again...said, 'yes dear.'

 Have a good day, and until later.

Stephen

First Post

I wanted to get his out of the way, my first post of the new year. I was in the kitchen just a few seconds after the ball drop. I put a mess of blackeyed peas in the crock pot. Hey, it's tradition. 

Down here in the South it's said for every blackeyed pea you eat, you'll make a dollar. I plan to make a pig of myself.

And so we begin another year. Hang on.

Stephen

Happy New Year

This little blog of mine is just a few weeks over six months old. In that time I've made some exceptional on-line friends. You have all enriched, not only my life, but that of my family too. I am blessed.

Thank you all.

Here's wishing each of you a safe and prosperous New Year. God bless.

Stephen

The Last Night

Is here and we're finally home. Little Bit is watching a movie, Casper I think, Sweet Wife is in the laundry room, and I'm here to post pictures for kymber.

Today, as you know, we took a day trip to St. Augustine in order for Little Bit to see the lights. Here are the results. Please forgive my less than adequate photography.

Above, the cathedral captured in the setting sun.

Note the date. I love this old church. We just missed New Years Eve mass.

Little Bit and Nana shopping in the old slave market.

This shot was taken from the Salve Market. In the background if you look close you can see the Bridge of Lions.

The front of the Cathedral. Just about sunset when the lights flicker to life.

We took a quick break at the Bunnery. I bet you wish you had been with me when the picture was taken. That's a Sticky Bun coated in pecans and caramel with coffee, of course. We've eaten at the Bunnery for close to thirty years.

A blurred image of St. George street after sunset.

kymber, I thought you'd like this Christmas decoration made from local pieces of nature.

And here they are on a balcony.

Just another street scene.

I thought this was kinda nice. Wish I had a decent camera, then again I lack the skills to use one.

Above, look closely just above the building and see if you can spot the star in the western sky.

I took this shot of the oldest school house in America with tourist taking pictures of the oldest school house in America.

Head shot of Little Bit riding the carousel. She just about drove me crazy with her, 'Papa, please, can I ride the carousel now, ugh, please. Repeat every five seconds. She finally wore me down.

Bad shot of a carriage dressed for Christmas. Hey, it was dark.

At one point Nana and Little Bit noticed a shoe store. Guess what happened next. So, here I found myself, once again....Standing Outside, Looking In.

Goodnight, our year is finished. God bless.

Stepheh

St. Augustine

Will be our destination for our last night of 2011. We will leave in about two hours. What awaits is an evening of what the Irish fondly refer to as a 'soft evening' of warm temperatures with trees coated in tiny white lights, the smell of fine food, gentle laughter and history.

St. Augustine is the oldest city in our country. Many of the cobbled streets are worn smooth from several hundred years of horse drawn buggies, and the streets are narrow between walls constructed of oyster shells and lime; ferns and moss grow among the cracks that give onto hundred year old figs which stand next to sweet scented limes and Live Oaks old enough to have witnessed Spanish landings.

I just want a cold glass of Sangria.

I'll try and take a few pictures.

Stephen

She's Back

Our Little Bit that is...she came home with me this afternoon. First though, we took a run to our local Publix.

Once inside Little Bit took control. I have had a smile on my face all afternoon. It isn't often we're separated for such a long period of time.

Her hair is a mess, but her Nana is correcting that problem as I write. Above, she's considering a selection of dairy products.

She has her favorite brand of bread ready for the cart.

All is again as it should be in my world.

Have a great weekend and a Happy New Year.


Stephen