Happy Grandparents Day



     In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. So, today is that day!

      If you are a grandparent, enjoy your day. I hope you can spend it with your grandchild in some fashion, be it in person, by phone, Skype, etc. If you are a grandchild, contact your grammy and/or grampy if you can. They'll love it because grandchildren, no matter their ages, are baby angels on earth! Enjoy!

  

 

    

Refrigerator art is a forever treasure
 when created by a child who loves you.
 

 

Year of Living Graciously - September

Play with your pet, starting now.  Don't take for granted that your pet's ultimate joy is watching you and your life go by without being included. Spend some one-on-one time each day throwing a ball, tossing single pieces of kitty-crunchies out for fetching, etc.  You know what will make your pet extra happy, so do it!  It will make you happy, too.

Ingenuity?

The latch on the gate into our courtyard is broken again. All the pieces are there but it doesn’t line up or something technical like that. Because of either the myriad of visitors we have to stately Martha Manor or the ocean wind banging the gate shut and bending the latch, it is now time to replace the closure. Over the years, my husband Bruce has cobbled, excuse me, repaired many a latch.  Being a mechanical mastermind, as he likes to refer to himself, this time the solution requires no grease, no hammer, no screwdriver, no saw and no ax. This time he uses a spatula! Yes, insert the spatula under the latch and lift. Easy as that!

 

In the event the spatula blows off the top of the nearby column where he keeps it for easy access, then he suggests you come prepared with your own spatula in hand. To prevent the flapjack flipper from falling into the bushes or the visiting kitties, Oddie or Odette, from carrying it off for a hearty breakfast of their own, I mentioned he, Bruce, might attach it to a piece of yarn. Not being his own idea, he is considering it. Having the sense of urgency of a glacier, Bruce is otherwise occupied with the repair to the torn holes in the plastic shower curtain liner. You know, where the shower curtain rings go through to hang the thing on the rod. We are now up to three torn holes as he ponders the answer. From the grapefruit knife to the rubber squeegee, whatever he comes up with, I proudly declare, "I recognize a genius when I see one!”

 

We Were Lucky

Last Sunday, we watched the news for info about Tropical Storm Isaac.  We didn't know which side of Florida the winds would carry it.  We are blessed yet again.  Northeast Florida is spared.  Now  Issac has turned hurricane and we worry for our seashore compatriots in Louisiana and parts west on the Gulf Coast. We wait to hear they are all safe.  As with everything, prayers is the best comfort.

As we watched and waited for Isaac-

Red Flag warning flies over our Main Beach - "No Swimming"

The birds face into the wind as they wait, too.

Our portion of the Atlantic Ocean stirred.

 

 

God bless the Gulf Coast.

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Breelan

2012
Fernandina Beach, Florida

Jane Marie writes:  I saw on Facebook that it's National Brothers Week. If you have a brother, like I do, then you are truly blessed. What a great idea to tell the world you love your brother, but more importantly to tell your brother!  Love you tons, Bobby. We're proud to claim you as an honorable man and sailor who is the patriarch of our Harkins family.

Bob aka Bobby Harkins

***

1880s

Fernandina, Florida

 

Breelan Dunnigan writes:  National Brothers Week sounds wonderful to me. I have a baby brother. He is my one and only brother and his name is Jack Patrick Dunnigan.  He is grown now and likes us to call him Pat, so we mostly do.  Having no one to compare him with, he is a good brother, I think.  Yes, he's a scrapper and is often in trouble, but he also always fesses up, even if he isn't the culprit. Why he took the blame for me when I ate the last fried chicken leg Peeper was saving for herself.  Had it been Aunt Noreen's chicken leg, she would have been all over him. Not Peeper. She loves Pat so much, it was like he had done her a favor.  She thanked him "fer akeepin' her from gettin' a belly ache from the grease of it." I think Pat just might surprise everyone and do great things some day. We can always hope so, anyway. 



 

Jack Patrick aka Pat Dunnigan

                                                              
(Breelan and Pat Dunnigan and Peeper are players in the historical Amelia Island Goodbye Lie Trilogy set in 1880s Florida. - www.GraciousJaneMarie.com )

Four Freedoms

When we can, we like to take the road less traveled (http://www.netpoets.com/poems/life/0406007.htm), as the poem goes. And so we visited Madison, Florida, only 90 miles west of Jacksonville.  We found their town square and I snapped some pics of this wonderful statue of four angels back to back, each representing our four freedoms. It was dedicated to World War II B-17 pilot, Colin P. Kelly, shot down just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 1941, President F. D. Roosevelt talked about these four freedoms in his annual State of the Union address to the nation. This sculpture is a wonderful way to depict them.
  

Freedom of Speech

 

Freedom from Fear

Freedom from Want

Freedom of Worship



Spanish American War Medals!

My friend, Bill Conger, and I were talking about the Spanish American War of 1898 because my next novel, Mark of a Man, is set in the same year. He casually mentioned his grandfather, Edwin Holter, had served in that war AND Bill had his medals! The first medal pictured below can be seen on the cover of Mark of a Man in the last photo of this blog. What a treat to even touch such treasures, let alone photograph them. Thank you, Bill! 

United Spanish War Veteran's medal

At the top are a sword, rifle, cannon and anchor which represent the different branches of service. There are 13 stars and stripes on the ribbon.  USA, Philippine Islands, Cuba and Porto Rico are along the edges of the cross. (Puerto Rico was spelled Porto in 1898.)    On the back in the center is the word UNITED and initials of each direction are on the edges of the cross.                Spanish Campaign Army Service medal A sheathed bayonet is on the front and it says "For Service in the Spanish War."  This was given to military who served at least 90 days but never saw battlefield action.

The back has the Great Seal of the United States with a horizonal bar for engraving if desired.

Military Order of the Serpent medal

Founded in 1904, the Military Order of the Serpent was an honor society for

Spanish War veterans.

Cover of Mark of a Man
with actual Spanish American War medal

Thank you to http://www.spanamwar.com/medals.htm and http://www.ssawv.org/NationalSon_Vol_3_No_3.pdf where I found out all about the medals.

A Visiting Neighbor, But Who?

This is either O.D., for Out Door kitty, or ODETTE, the female version. 

They are our two new friends and we can't tell them apart.

 They've adopted us!

No Space Unfilled

Our family motto is No Space Unfilled. 

 Looks like our kitty, Button, abides by the same motto. 

August- Year of Living Graciously

August - Go to a flea market and find a treasure!

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Another Peeperism

1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Grandmother Peeper

Grandmother Peeper, player in Amelia Island's GOODBYE LIE Triology writes:

If'n you are one a them folks who's so pig headed, ya won't change your ways fer nothin' or ya always dun somethin' one way and, by wingle, you won't never do it no other way, well, my friend, you are what I call a rut-stucker.  Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. You are stuck in a rut. Ain't nothing' ta be proud of. Don't be like that Aunt Noreen.  Why Noreena is such a rut-stucker, she still wears that same smelly perfume which I'm aguessin' she must make herself out in the barn cause it smells like...like what she finds in the barn. How poor Clabe ever got close enough ta her ta produce two children is beyond my knowin'. That man must have a stopped up smeller, is all I kin think. So Noreena is a rut-stucker fer certain!  And who ever wants ta be like her is crazy. So just don't be.

St. Mary's GA part 2

I continue a brief summary of things we did on a trip across the Florida border into St. Mary's, Georgia. (See blog dated July 8, 2012 and read about our Gone With The Wind room at the Goodbread Inn where we stayed.)

Most of what we visited was on Osborne Street, the main drag of historic St. Mary's. We toured Orange Hall, a massive (9,500 square feet) three story Greek Revival  mansion with Doric columns. See sign below. There are four rooms on the main floor (a front parlor for the ladies, a second front parlor for the gents, a study and a dining room). The second/top floor was originally four bedrooms with the family gathering in the wide hall at the far end of the stairs. The basement was comprised of the servants quarters, a wine cellar and the kitchen. Knowledgeable docents tell tales of the place which is furnished with period antiques.  The entrance fee is $3 per person. No photos were allowed to be taken inside or I'd have some here to show.

sign in front of Orange Hall

Orange Hall

When we travel, we try to find an old church to attend.  Built in 1808, this treasure was non-denominational and named St. Marys Church.  Horace S. Pratt, a Presbyterian minister arrived into 1821. With 29 people, he formed a congregation and in 1828, the Georgia Legislature officially pronounced it the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys.  The ground floor was a public school.  We heard a story that pirates managed to somehow get a horse up into the bell tower. The animal was none too happy with his reins tied to the bell, so his every movement rang that bell. The town folk came running to the church to see why the bell was ringing while the pirates robbed their homes and shops and ships! By the way, the family of Horace's first wife built Orange Hall, which is right across the street from the church!

Presbyterian Church circa 1808

inside Presbyterian Church

We took a Doodle Bug (long golf cart) tour, $5 a person, around town.  We saw this arched tree below.  Pretty cool.

fallen tree rooted on both ends in front of house, making natural arch

The Cottage Shop is a pretty place on Osbourne Street, an easy walk from the Goodbread House in which we stayed. Filled with charming antiques and gifts, including my Goodbye Lie series novels (shameless plug). You'll be graciously welcomed by Felicia MacDonald. 

Felicia MacDonald

The Cottage Shop

2015 Osborne Road # A

Saint Marys, GA31558-9164

912 882-9171

Origin of...

I was reading some literature about Boston and it mentioned room and board. We all know that refers to a place to sleep and food to eat, but what was  interesting is the board part.  In the early days, a family and/or guests would sit on benches along either side of a long wide board used for a dining table. That explains the origin of board. I also found that the father would sit in a chair at the head of the table.  Thus we have the title chair man of the board!

Making the Mark- Atlantic Telegraph Cable

Yes, dear readers, I'm still researching and double checking my facts for the upcoming Amelia Island's Mark of a Man, book #3 in my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie trilogy.  When will I make an end??? Hopefully sooner than later.  What I found interesting today was that the first transatlantic telegraph cable was completed 1866 and it is sometimes called the Victorian Internet!

Being unschooled in this matter, I wonder how many spools of cable one ship could hold?  How many supply ships would have to feed the main ship laying the cable?  How was the weather? How deep did it have to go to rest on the ocean's floor? ( 2 miles deep) How long was cable across the Atlantic? ( some 2000 miles long.)  How much research was done to find the best path across the ocean? You can find some of these answers at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-transatlantic-telegraph-cable-completed and http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F20E11F638551B7493C4A91783D85F4C8584F9. This is only some of the info out there just waiting to be read.

It is fascinating questions like this that take me from my mission, which is to complete the final edit of Mark of a Man.  Please believe me when I say I woke on my story every day because I love doing it!  And, most of all, please be patient.  Thank you!

Nait It!

I have two 3 inch nails in the wall where I hang clipboards.  The nails are just through the sheetrock and not into studs, so in short order, they get pushed almost flush into the wall when I hit them with the clipboard.  So how to I keep the nails from getting pushed all the way into the wall? I wrapped a rubber band around the center of each nail.  Now only an inch and a half goes into the wall, leaving another inch and a half sticking out and awaiting the clipboard.  While it might not be pretty, it sure is practical.  I'm so proud!

PS -  Clover, Dunnigan family friend and hired hand, uses this same trick in Amelia Island's MARK OF A MAN in 1898. And here I thought I was the only clever one. I did some research and found that rubber bands were patented in 1845 in England. Since this novel takes place in 1898, it could happen...

 



Clover



 

St. Mary's, GA

We've lived near St. Mary's, Georgia for many years and until recently, we never spent any longer than an afternoon there. Since it's so close to Amelia Island, Florida, less than an hour north over the state line, we decided to go to a bed and breakfast.  I searched the internet and we found The Goodbread House http://www.goodbreadhouse.com/mainstreet.html, circa 1870.

The Goodbread Inn circa 1870 and decorated for July 4th

 I chose this particular inn because each of the rooms has a different movie theme.  From The Rhett & Scarlett Suite, The Guinevere & Lancelot Suite, The Gabriel & Evangeline Suite to The Gable & Lombard Suite, The Lucy & Ricky Suite and Bogie & Bacall, you can guess which I chose.  Since I'm a Windie (Gone With The Wind fan),  we stayed with Scarlett and Rhett.  The room was lovely and spacious and covered with red (scarlet) roses, magnolias and framed pictures of the Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh and music boxes, books, a doll, figurines, etc. The walls were red in the bedroom and the wallpaper in the bath was a soft green and white floral print, reminiscent of Scarlett's green sprig dress in the opening scene of the movie.  Our walk in shower was curtained with burgundy drapes.  The topper to the decor was a bowl of peaches- Georgia peach/Scarlett- get it?  Very cute!

enter here

 the world of Gone With The Wind

Georgia peaches

A breakfast of fresh pancakes, whipped cream, stewed peaches and a fanned strawberry made for pretty presentation at the antique table the next morning.

note the tea cup table lamp

If  ever you are in the area, stop by for a look-see or overnight stay.  The inn keeper will make you feel most welcolm (my particular spelling of this word for it rhymes with my name Malcolm).

Goodbye Lie Diaries- July 4th

1880s +
Fernaninda

Aunt Noreen

Aunt Noreen writes: I am exhausted. What with letting my husband, Clabe, drag me all the way downtown to watch the watermellon spitting conest, hear the children's kazoo concert and listen to the Fernandina Comminity Band, it's been a long day.  They tried to get me to participate in the cake walk but by that time, I was drenched yet glowing, always glowing, dear diary, from the heat and how shall I say this? My posterior was tender due to having sat so long on the wooden bench.  I write this entry submerged in the cool of my bathwater. With dread, I am expected to ride to the beach tonight, to the Strathmore Hotel, and watch the fireworks shot over the ocean.  While I do not need anymore of this silly celebration, I will attend and I will also remind the family what a good sport I am despite my aching body.  What I must endure for the sake of harmony is...is...well, it's nearly unendurable. And I pray that old hag of a do-do bird, Peeper, will be watching the fireworks from the Dunnigan front porch.  If she's there, the last of this day will be all the worse because she will bombard me with sarcastic and crass comments. I hope she stubs her big toe and is laid up for a week.  That will keep her off of me for a time, too short a time, but as this stage in our daily confrontation, any moment apart from Peeper is a time of pleasure for me.  Now where is my favorite peacock feathered fan?  That will my blue, my dress is white and my ruby ring will complete my tri-color patriotic outfit.   Perhaps I will add a red rose to my white lace picture hat. As I look out the window, I don't see where Miss Ella's buggy is back yet from town. I'm sure she won't mind if I send Clabe over to snip a few of her roses.


Aunt Noreen is a featured player in Amelia Island's Trilogy, The Goodbye Lie series set in the 1880s +. She lives next door to the Dunnigan family and is the archenemy of Grandmother Peeper and self-appointed judge, jury and denunciator  of the Dunnigan siblings, Breelan, Carolena, Jack Patrick aka Pat and Marie. Queen of the gossips, Aunt Noreen is disliked by most of the Fernandina town folk. She, however, is unaware of this and deludes herself into thinking she's as well respected and beloved as her brother, Michael Dunnigan, architect, shipwright and owner of Aqua Verdi Passenger Line.

***

1880s +
Fernandina


Peeper

Peeper writes: I'm atakin' a little respite here in the parlor until everybody else gets back from the 4th a July fun downtown and at the docks. I come home with Clover a bit early since it's so dang hot out. What a grand day it's been.  Acourse, Noreena was along. Why does she have ta drag her sorry self everywhere I go? Whist I love ahearin the band and the kiddies sing and play, she's agrousin' about this and that and there ain't no let up, short a stuffin' a rag in her big mouth. Maybe she won't be agoin'  ta the beach tanight fer the fireworks. Ifn'  she's there, I been athinkin' a things ta zap her with, like her face is so round, the boys could use it fer a beach ball.  And her singin' is so awful, the Navy could hire her to open her trap and pierce the eardrums a the enemy so they couldn't be ahearin' their orders ta fire at us. Now that's a good one.  She'll be ahatin' that.  Just the way I like it.  She's as useless as wings on a rock.

Peeper is a featured player in Amelia Island's Trilogy, The Goodbye Lie series set in the 1880s +. The adopted grandmother to the Dunnigan family, Peeper is known for her elixir-fixers and loved for her kindly ways by all except Aunt Noreen, or Noreena, as Peeper calls her. Aunt Noreen and Peeper share a mutual dislike of each other, bordering on un-Christian, but not quite, or so they think.

NOTE TO READERS: Players such as Aunt Noreen and Peeper are able only to view Jane Marie's diary entries and their own, so readers and other players in the stories are, in this case, safe from Aunt Noreen's wrath and Peeper's retaliation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AMERICA!

Year of Living Graciously - July

Rearrange a bookcase, adding pretty and/or unusual objects you have and turning books this way and that to make it look completely different!

Give & Feel Good

If you are physically able, of course, and want to feel like you've done something worthwhile, give blood in your local community. It's one of those good wholesome all-American things to do and it can help save a life!  -Jane Marie



Bruce Malcolm just gave blood

Captain Fancy Patch

Martha Bear, Captain Fancy Patch & Swiney

Meet Captain Fancy Patch, skipper of the Rosey Freckle, homeport, Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida. His first mate is an eye-patched piggy named Swiney. A kindly sort, Captain Fancy Patch visits Stately Martha Manor, where Martha Bear® resides with her animal friends and Jane Marie who writes stories about all the critters for families to read free online at www.MarthaBear.com or you can watch and listen while Captain Fancy Patch reads the stories to you! See the link below to enjoy the 15 minute story time for bedtime or anytime! "Everyone wins when we read together," says the captain. And remember, Captain Fancy Patch will always keep an eye out for you!

Rosey Freckle

 Take 15 minutes,

settle back with the family and

watch the Captain Fancy Patch video

The Great Amelia Island Sniff-Off!

Click on the link below to see the video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/JaneMarieMalcolm/videos

 

Left to Right  - Captain Fancy Patch*, Swiney, Wink E Bear, Martha Bear

with mantle photos of Jane Marie, Teddy O, and the Rosey Freckle

 

the "fancy patch"

 Captain Fancy Patch played by Bruce Malcolm

Martha Bear® short stories and Rosey Freckle painting by Jane Marie Malcolm

painting on mantle of old sailor and children by S. Perry Rufus

Another Year

My husband, Bruce Malcolm, was sworn in today to serve another year as Chaplain of Post 54 of the American Legion here in Fernandina Beach, Florida.  I am very proud of him.    - Jane Marie

FOR GOD

AND COUNTRY

Bruce Malcolm

MITT WITS!

If you know one thing about me, you know my mind is a constant whirl of random ricochets.  Hence, I have come up with what I call MITT WITS©, silly Romney stuff!  Enjoy!

MITT ROMNEY

  CAR MAGNETS ($4.49) &
TEES ($16.99)

 for a conservative cause!

CLICK HERE to GET YOURS  >>>>>>>>  http://www.cafepress.com/mittwits

Just a few of our SLOGANS:

COMING SOON TO A WHITE HOUSE NEAR YOU - MITT ROMNEY

IF YOUR DOG LIKES AIR, TAKE A RIDE WITH THE HAIR!

THEY'LL ALL THINK YOU'RE LIT IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR MITT!

HE'S GOT AN ODD HANDLE, BUT HE AIN'T GOT NO SCANDAL!

WE'LL STAY IN THIS PIT IF WE DON'T VOTE FOR MITT!

AND MORE...

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Marie Dunnigan

1880s
Fernandina, Florida

Marie writes:  We do not have any sort of holiday honoring our fathers or mothers in my time, Jane Marie, but we should.  It is a grand idea.  I have three things to share about my wonderful father, Michael Dunnigan. 

1. Since I am the youngest sibling of four in our family, I was the last one to ride in the chair swing he made for us that still hangs in our barn so we could play even when it rained. I think you mention it in The Goodbye Lie. Now Daddy's grandchildren take turns on it. 

2. Daddy didn't laugh at me like Pat and Micky and Warren Lowell did when I tried playing the violin.

3. Daddy saved a baby mouse from being eaten by our cat and he let me keep it!  Mama was not happy, but Peeper did not complain because it kept Aunt Noreen from visiting all summer until it escaped.  That kept her away until Thanksgiving!

What Are 3 Fun Things About Your Father?

I thought Father's Day had been officially around about as long as Mother's Day, which became a formal national day of celebration by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.  Was I ever wrong.  Richard Nixon finally made Father's Day a permanent holiday in 1972!

I was thinking about my father and decided to list three memories I hadn't thought of in a long time.

1. Whenever his children were sick and stayed home from school, he'd present us with a small gift, like a comic book, in a brown paper bag. 

2. I played 45 records on my little record player in the attic on weekends and after school as, day after day, Daddy worked to  transform the huge room,  into a bedroom for his girls.

3. He made special tether ball paddles for the children to hit a small rubber ball because it hurt our hands to slap the big ball on the rope.  

Come up with your own memories and enjoy!

Leo Harkins, my father

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
and
THANK YOU!

Amelia Lighthouse-Goodbye Lie Excerpt

Amelia Light

     Captain Taylor stood at the helm of the Gentle Comfort after having safely piloted her from the low-lying coastal savannah. Concentrating on the history of the local lighthouse in the distance to clear his head of thoughts of the girl, he struck up a conversation with Catfish, his first mate. Catfish O'Halleran, former skipper of the Green Water Gertie, was a craggy old sailor, with a deep whiskey voice and eyes the powder blue of a husky dog. His russet curls were often the envy of women who, to a person, immediately decided their beauty was wasted on such a scrounge. Catfish always stood close and looked hard at people. Strangers declared him dimwitted. Acquaintances knew better.
     "Hey Fish, do you know much about that lighthouse back there?"    
     Catfish was always interested in whatever young Waite had to say. He'd sailed with Kenneth Taylor and had known the boy since his father was lost at sea. He and Waite were steadfast friends. The old salt probably had more knowledge than anyone around when it came to the ports on the Atlantic coast, but he sensed the captain needed to talk so he patiently indulged him. Catfish cocked his leathery face to the right to catch a better earful.
     Moving to the chart room behind the bridge, Waite double-checked his vessel's course while he spoke. "The other evening in the ship's library, I pulled out a ragged old volume about this area. It talked about 'the Amelia Light,' as the Fernandinians call it, and how it's been here on the north end of the island at the Amelia and St. Mary's Rivers entrance since 1838. Even though the brick tower is only 60 feet tall, it sits on the second highest elevation of the entire east coast. That puts the lighthouse 107 feet above sea level. You can see her glow 19 miles out."
     "Is that so?" Catfish said, interested. He knew sea lore and geography, but didn't know exact figures. He always felt Waite to be a smart man, smarter than himself. "Go on. This is real educational."
     "Let's see. I think it said there're 58 hand-hewn New England granite steps to the prism room and, originally, there were 14 whale oil lamps that were replaced with a third order Fresnel lens. A cable and weight system is wound by the keeper and that rotates the lens."
     The workings of a lighthouse were common knowledge to sailors, but Catfish let Waite continue the lesson.
     "The thing has two walls. There's an exterior wall that's 22 feet across at the bottom and 10 1/2 feet at the top. The interior wall is a straight nine foot cylinder all the way up." Looking over at the old man, Waite realized Catfish was being overly attentive to his ramblings. "Anyway, I found it fascinating."
     "Yup, prit-near the most fascinatinest thing I ever heard meself."  
     Waite burst out laughing. 
     "At least, it's good to see you smilin' for a change. Dad blasted, if you ain't been a mean cuss since that tornado they had here a month ago. I've been scrapin' together my courage and fixin' to talk to ya about it. What's grievin' ya, Waite?"
     "Have I been all that bad? So bad that even you have to worry about what you say to me? You can talk to me about anything, Fish. Anytime."
     "Then don't take exception to what I'm about to say, but is it that little gal that just come on board, the one with all that mess of pretty brown hair? I seen the way you looked at her. Are you girl-sick, son?"
     Waite tensed, ready to tell Fish he was wrong and to mind his own goddamn matters. He caught himself before he'd uttered a curt word. He'd never been disrespectful to his friend. No woman was going to make him behave so now. Because of their past bond, Catfish had every right to offer his opinion and Waite was obliged to listen. He walked over and closed the door, not wanting any others to hear his personal business. "Ever since that night on the beach, the night of the storm, I haven't been able to rid my thoughts of her." 
     Fish hadn't heard Waite speak so of any female before this. 
     "Her features are before me no matter where I look." Waite needed to tell someone and his soul emptied itself. "When I found her on the shore, I was dumbstruck by her beauty. At first, it was all physical, or so I figured. As soon as I rode away from her, I knew better. I felt possessed by something more than want of sex. I've a feeling inside that tortures me because it craves a like response from her. Something isn't complete without her.    
     "But hell, she's too young for me. I've tried hard, real hard, to convince myself she was too inexperienced for a reckless sea dog. Too innocent. That I'd hurt her, be too rough with her body and her mind. Didn't you find it strange that I had business in Savannah every trip south these last weeks? That I asked you to take command of the Gentle Comfort on her runs to and from Fernandina? You picked me up on the return north and never said a word. You must've suspected something, Fish."
     "I guessed you'd tell me when ya was good and ready. I didn't want to push none."
     Waite kept on. "Just to be in her town was an ordeal, but I had to take control. I had to face things. When we arrived yesterday in Fernandina, all my resolve left me. That's why I stayed aboard. I wasn't just reading. The truth is I was studying, investigating where she comes from, trying to get closer to her somehow. The more knowledge I acquired about her background, the worse I wanted her. So I purposely started drinking last night until I passed out. With enough liquor in me, I knew she'd be safe from the wild man who wanted to pound on her door in the middle of the night and take her away for himself.
     "This morning, with damn near the worst hangover I've ever had as a reminder of my determination, I was prepared to be strong and leave town without ever attempting to see her. I was counting the minutes until we pulled out, until I escaped Amelia Island. You can't know how shocked I was when she arrived at the foot of the dock, her father handing her over to me! It was her uncle, Clabe Duffy, who corresponded with me. I didn't know the name. I swear to God, I had no earthly idea she was one of the girls I was to watch over. Now she's here, aboard my ship, and so is temptation. I don't know what to do."
     Waite turned his back and peered out at the water. Catfish could plainly see his captain was drained. "What I have to say might not be too comfortin' at first, but hear me out, would ya? Yes, this gal is young. Yes, she's probably inexperienced. Fact is, you'd best face it. One day, someone will come along and change all that." 
      The thought of another man touching Breelan made the muscles cramp in his forearms as Waite clenched his fists to stone. 
     "Then why in God's good name shouldn't it be you? Don't knock yourself, boy. When the time is right, you'll know how to handle this girl, how to treat her with respect and ..." Catfish turned the color of blood from embarrassment, the only time in his long life, "And bring her to maturity. You're the best and most honorable man I know."
     When the time is right - Waite had said that very thing to Breelan the first night they'd met. "Thank you for the kind words, old friend. But suppose she wants no part of me. So far she hasn't been what you'd call receptive, let alone interested in me." 
     "The only way you'll find out is to test the waters." He chuckled at his seaman's pun. "I have a feelin' those hateful looks she was throwin' at ya could be turned to sugar if ya just give it a chance. I say talk to her soon. I don't know if the crew is up to much more of your moonin' around. You're mean with longin' for her, Waite. 'Sides, we all have eyes, and she's might near the fairest lookin' maiden I've seen round here in a long while. There's bound to be a pack of beaus houndin' her at every turn. Remember, he who hesitates, gets run over."
     Waite weighed the older man's comments carefully. Those comments were welcome because it was exactly what Waite wanted to hear. He'd needed permission somehow. Or was it assurance that he was doing no wrong? Whatever in hell it was, he'd soon find the right time to tell Miss Breelan Dunnigan of his serious attraction - before he was aced out by some other lucky bastard. 

Pirate Ry Sings Theme Song

Need a great laugh? Click on the latest YouTube video featuring Pirate Ry singing and dancing to our wacky Goodbye Lie theme song!  Thanks, Pirate Ry.  You, too, Swiney! Oink, oink!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1gFymDG8k&feature=plcp

Pirate Ry & Swiney starring in the
 Goodbye Lie video filmed on Amelia Island, Florida

True Love

I have to share. We recently left town about the same time our sister, Peggy, came to visit.  She and her family stayed at our house for the night on their way south. Upon our return home, we discovered pink streamers strung from picture frames, the china cabinet, the mantle, all meeting at what can only be described as a one of a kind birthday cake meant for me. Nothing shows how much you're adored than a toilet paper cake created by the loving hands of family!  I am honored.  It's so...., so...., ME!  Thank you, guys!  OH, note the added charm of a box of mac and cheese.  I want for nothing.

Is It Just Me?

I have often been called a fashionista--in my head.  I wear what I consider classic, tasteful clothes. But this is not about me. It's about the freedom to wear whatever it is we want for this is America, isn't it? So long as it's clean, mended and no private parts are turned public, I'm all for picking your favorite look.  EXCEPT in the case of my husband. While he generally wears the pants in the family, one day he came out of the bedroom with his new purchase, the ugliest shorts  I have ever seen. Baggy and hanging, they were branded with a faded Florida State logo. My comment to him?  "You were taken, big time!" Add in his sweat socks with the sprung elastic resulting in the uneven placement on the shin, plus the blue "duck shoes" as I like to call those rubber gems with the breathable holes, and his look is complete.  I have forbidden Bruce to exit the house in this get-up and encourage his wearing it every day so as to turn it into a rag as soon as possible and, thereby, suitable for mopping the floor. Perhaps that is too lofty a goal for them. Oh, don't forget the chicken legs holding it all together. Now, judge for yourself if you dare to look at the picture below!

The best I can say is, "Nice grass."  -jmm

Year of Living Graciously - June

Go through your makeup and toss the old stuff or save the crazy colors of eye shadow and lipstick for the next costume party.