Memorial Day Photo Says It All

    I was standing behind a big Marine during last year's annual Memorial Day ceremonies. The angle of the scene spoke so loudly of the meaning of this most important event honoring our fallen heroes, I had to take the picture. 
     Thank you to each man and woman who died to keep us safe.  May we all be forever grateful, respectful and reverent toward them. 

Diaper Drop plus The Goodbye Lie Diaries - Breelan Dunnigan

Here is an easy and oh so useful idea for the office, business, house of worship or anywhere people gather.  It's called a Diaper Drop and Prince of Peach Lutheran Church on Amelia Island, Florida is doing this collection for charity.  Diapers are  one thing necessary the first years of a baby's life.  For anyone watching their pennies, and who isn't, especially young couples, diapers are the perfect item to help them out.  If you watch the BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) sales, you might even double-donate.  Grab a cardboard box, make a sign and you're ready to start gathering for a good cause! 
   The same goes for a Sox Box or Tee (Shirt) Treasures, Dental Delights (toothpaste, etc.), Pasta Presents, etc. 

 

***

The Goodbye Lie Diaries
Late 1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan writes:  What a wonderful idea, Jane Marie.  We do not have packages of diapers as your photograph shows, but we can purchase or

Breelan

cut fresh cotton cloth diapers to donate.  I have to go to the Florida Mirror newspaper office this afternoon to turn in my copy for the advertisement our Aqua Verde Passenger Line will run next week.  I will suggest to Major Fairbanks, the editor, that he does this very thing and, mayhap,  your Sox Box, as well. There are so many needleworkers in Fernandina who could knit or crochet a pair or two of socks or some sort of simple booties, I am certain they will contribute. Socks could be purchased, too, of course. In my short career, first as a cub reporter and now in charge of advertising for our cruising company, I have learned how most folks are giving

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. Part of God's plan is to help others and this is a lovely way in which to do that. Maybe Major Fairbanks will put a small notice in his newspaper, showcasing this matter. Meanwhile, I will  tell everyone I see.  Even better, I'll mention it to Aunt Noreen and word will spread faster than a pig eats waffles as Peeper would say. At least, Auntie will be telling a worthwhile tale for once. 

Breelan is the second oldest daughter in the Dunnigan family on Amelia Island. She is unaware of her allure and that invites danger on too many levels ... Grandmother Peeper adopted the Dunnigan household when Michael, the patriarch, was gone to war and his wife, Miss Ella, was by herself with just her two little girls, Breelan and Carolena.  Everyone loves Peep.  Aunt Noreen, who lives next door, not so much. 

Royal Wedding Games!

     My sister  sent me a copy of Royal Wedding Bingo. Thank you, Peggy.  I don't know from whence it originated, but it's very cute.  Things like: William and Harry joke on the altar, Megan 10 minutes late and Cringey nod to America, are some of the blocks to check off.  Feel free to make up your own. 

I googled royal games and found this link. From a hat contest to a mini-cake baking challenge, check out the fun for your early morning watch party.  Games may be played following the wedding, too.  Why not?  Fun is fun, isn't it?

And this wedding is not a happy ending. Rather, it is a happy beginning for Prince Harry and his lady, Meghan. 

      God bless them both.

Tallahassee View

     My daughter, Barbra, appreciates her southern home and the panhandle of Florida is mighty USA southern.  She captured this unfiltered photo at 6:45 a.m., her favorite part being the little bird water tracks. She wrote: So peaceful ... No traffic, birds joyful along the way and the mist on the lake from the cool weather (only vaguely captured on the left side of the photo) ... 😀 
     All I can say is, "Mother Nature knows her stuff."  Thank you, Barbra, for sharing with the world! (Your mama loves you.)

Remembering Mother

So much love given, accepted and

passed on ...

Thank you to all mothers ... everywhere.

A Goodbye Lie Excerpt - Rival Romance On Board The Gentle Comfort

The Gentle Comfort

      An alarming commotion on the main deck and running footsteps could be heard clear inside Nora's room.

     "Cap'n Taylor! Cap'n Taylor!" shouted Wally, the new cabin boy. 

     Stepping into the passageway, "Has Miss Dunnigan awakened?"

     "No, sir. I ran down lookin' for ya in your stateroom. Farley told me where to find ya, sir. A man's demandin' ta see ya and right now! He's real threatening about it, too, sir."

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   "Do you know who he is?"

     "No, sir. Just that he seems pretty riled already."

     "Thank you, Wally. I'll see to it. You go on about to your duties." 

     "Aye, sir."

    "Pardon me, Miss Nora. I have a seemingly disagreeable matter to attend," and he turned, taking large quick steps away from her. Curiosity forced Nora to follow. Uncontrolled ravings could be heard as they mounted the stairs to the main deck. 

     "Where is she? I'll give that sonofabitch one more minute before I go and get her myself. He can't keep me from her." The man shouting looked at his watch, counting the last seconds aloud. 

     Reaching the cause of the disturbance, Waite challenged, "You bastard! So you are alive!"   

     Nora was relieved to see a well-groomed Trip in his crisp uniform standing before the captain. She didn't understand the captain's intense anger at Trip. Surely, he had grounds for leaving Bree alone. The ship's highest officer was being purposely unreasonable. Trip would explain if just given the chance.

     Waite scoped the length of his rival, assessing little damage had been done him the last few hours. Clelland merely appeared to have a set of beady blood shot eyes. The captain readied himself to hear an inadequate explanation.

     As passengers gathered, "I demand to see Breelan at once," Trip shouted. The confrontation added to the exhilaration of the travelers' voyage.

     "She's resting."

     "Your boy says in your cabin." 

     "Yes, in my cabin. All other staterooms were occupied."

     "How convenient for you." 

     Waite mentally winced at the implication for Breelan's sake. Still, he would not retaliate because he knew the suggestion of improper conduct was true.

     Waite charged, "How did she come to ride here unaccompanied? Journeying for who knows how long and in the darkness? She's been dead asleep for hours." That is, all but for a moment, he remembered with pleasing satisfaction. 

     Dismissing the captain's question, Trip insisted, "Show me to her, or I'll call the law and have you arrested."

     "This is my ship and I am the law, or did you forget that fact? Besides, what would you have me charged with? Aiding a woman who purposely sought my help? You're a fool."

     "No, Captain. You're the fool. Apparently, you haven't been informed of the entire story." Covering each word in proud poison, Trip said, "..."

*****

Ebooks and Paperbacks in The Goodbye Lie series available at:

The Goodbye Lie 

Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow


Amelia Island's Mark of a Man

Hollywood Hearts - It's May!

It's May!  It's May! Those are the opening lyrics from Camelot's The Lusty Month of May, a cleverly written tune by Alan Jay Lerner (1918-1986).  There are many versions of this wonderful song from the popular Broadway musical on YouTube, including a recording by Julie Andrews, but this link below is from the  1967 movie with Vanessa Redgrave singing.  Enjoy! 

Camelot's The Lusty Month of May