Anniversary Memories

Today we celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss. And it has been blissful, for the most part, and I give God the credit for that. In honor of this auspicious occasion, we journeyed to a far off land called Amelia Island. Lunch was at Timoti's Seafood Shak. On the way out of town, we stopped off at a little dog bakery called RedBones. Bought several treats for Jack and Sam III, the Jack Russell Terrierists.

The Restaurant was not much to look at, is it?!

The natives where friendly and offered us food

in return for common currency.

There's nothing more dangerous, than a hungry Sparky. 

Keep all fingers and toes at least 10 feet away.

Who is that good looking guy that keeps following me around? *lol*

The way we learned of Timoti's Seaford Shak's existence is in the latest issue of RoadRUNNER Magazine. I believe it was last Fall, the author of the story, and a riding companion, rode their Dual Sports from Folkston, Georgia, to our area, and back again. For anyone who rides, RoadRUNNER monthly supplies informative and well written works.

Anyway, the food was good and the company better.

My husband likes to say a photo refocuses a memory. For a good laugh, go to this link at Shutterfly and see what we looked like in 1979. Fresh faced, much slimmer, didn't ache anywhere and still unaware of the perils ahead. I'm thankful the Lord has let me make this long journey together. He gave me a wonderful life companion that has daily filled my heart with joy. I know I'm a much better person for having stuck to the course.

Long Ago, And Oh So Far Away, I Fell In Love With You

"Yeah, yeah, I promise already.

Can we eat now?"

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

- Genesis 2:24

August 11th, 1979, my husband and I gathered together at our apartment complex with friends sans family, and with the aid of a local Notary bribed with the promise of lots of free eats and adult beverages, tied the marital knot.

Cutting the cake.

Steve had sent me two dozen roses

for the ceremony that night.

"Husbands, love your wives, 

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;"

- Ephesians 5:25

Today, 35 years later, the knot is still tied. Oh, it's a little frayed at the edges from wear but the bond is tighter than ever. Most of our life together has been joyful but we have endured the death of loved ones, sickness, surgeries, crushing disappointments, financial hardships, vehement disagreements, and numerous other man-made road bumps. Some of his family have shown their backsides to me for whatever reason. The next, it was mine being unkind. Still, we've stuck together like glue, and dared to world to try and intervene again. He's such a good man. I've always felt like I was the lucky one in this relationship. That I got the best end of the deal. He always very kindly states it is just the opposite (such a sweet liar ... ha ha).

"If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

- 1 John 1:19

My husband is the one who helped lead me to Christ through the Grace Message to lead the proper kind of life. I was a Christian in name only before that. After showing me Christ's love through his enduring love for me, I changed my way of thinking. I still remember falling to my knees in our first house and proclaiming to God that I will follow Him no matter where he leads me. My life from that point on only got better. God has never let me down.

I know I've said it before but my husband is a fantastic cook! He really could be a professional Chef. I'd much rather eat at home than a restaurant. We started our celebrations at home yesterday. After watching a full afternoon of MotoGP racing in Indianapolis accompanied by beer and chips, we engorged on home cooked thick New York Strip steaks, Ford Hook Limas and boiled Red Potatoes coated with real butter. Tonight should be equally enjoyable.

The celebrations will continue on into this week. Our plans are to board The Boys (Jack and Sam aka The Jack Russell Terrorists) for the first time, then pay a visit to northern South Carolina. A five hour trip one way so it will be an over nighter. I've been chomping at the bit to visit Competition Accessories in Rock Hill. I so want a few new motorcycle gear items and they are the place to get it. I know I could mail order but I don't like buying a helmet or clothes without trying them on. I have the worse luck with that! Especially shoes.

Anyway, back to the original ceremony, there are more photos here of our wedding.

Eli answered, "Go in peace,

and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

-1 Samuel 1:17

Ride Safe,

Part Nine: The Birds, The Bees ... And The Honey

As I stated in his first post, once weekly I plan to feature a guest writer, my husband. Since we have no children, he has been painstakingly writing down the stories of his childhood to share them with his then 9 year old niece. I wanted her to know what kind of childhood her beloved Uncle was able to enjoy. While enjoying them myself I thought these are so much fun to read, why not share them? So here are the short missives of his memories of growing up in wilds of Florida during the 1950's and 1960's. They're packed with misadventures, romance, and all the confusing things that can happen in our youth. Even though his hometown of Jacksonville is a big city with over a million residents now, during his childhood it was several small communities surrounded by countryside.

This is his story.

(Please note: None of the photos in this post are from our files. They are all from the internet.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The Birds, The Bees ... And The Honey
by Steven R. Hudson

On a warm summer morning we boys, that being Ray, Jackie, Peanut and I,

were walking the trail from Sherwood Forest toward the Mealer house carrying bundles of Dog Fennel stalks we had cut to make a tepee. De-limbed Maple saplings had already been stacked at Ray and Jackie's backyard to make the tepee frame. The Dog Fennel stalks, feathery and green and wreaking of Chlorophyll, would be woven over the frame of Maple to form the walls of our "Injun" dwelling.

Along this path stood an old Bald Cypress. The tree was one that could not help but be noticed, standing alone now on dry ground that was once a shallow wetland and somehow having avoided the saws that felled it's companions. Like all members of it's kind, it was swollen at the

base with many "Cypress Knees" thrusting from the ground nearby. Something was different as we approached the tree this day. A steady buzzing sound from the tree caught our attention causing us to drop our bundles and investigate. There was a hole about six inches wide at the tree's base and a steady stream of Honey Bees flying in and out of the opening. We passed by this tree many times a week on our way to the forest and were surprised that the bees had escaped our notice until now. Being of an age famous for short attention spans, we forgot about tepee construction and set about investigating the beehive. 

The first painful lesson learned was that Honey Bees get highly irritated when you get too near their honey store. Pulling their barbed stingers from our tender young flesh convinced us that another approach was needed. Now it seems that at least one of us brigands had heard that smoke was like a drug to bees. Smoke would calm them, making them docile enough so that we might rob their honey supply without being stung. We began gathering some dry sticks and enough tender to make a small fire near the hive opening and dry leaves would make plenty of smoke to soothe the hive's protectors. A long sapling was cut and used to push the sticks and tender up to the opening which was less than a foot from ground level. Dried grass was wrapped around the pole's tip and lit to make a long "match" to get the sticks and tender burning. This actually worked as smoke drifted up and into the opening. We became emboldened and moved closer, throwing more sticks and leaves on the fire and fanning the smoke into the opening with a palmetto frond. The bees seemed confused and crawled around the opening, no longer flying aggressively toward us. Which of us would be brave (crazy) enough to reach in that opening and pull out the honey comb with it's sweet treasure?

If Peanut was known for anything it was impulsiveness. If you wished to see him do something risky or just plain stupid,  just dare him to do it. So we dared him and straight away, he reached into the hive opening, felt around for a moment, then pulled out a comb a foot long and dripping with honey. Jackie rushed home to fetch a bucket for the honey comb. The bucket was soon filled and raid over, we retired to a shady spot to enjoy our spoils. We cut the comb open and lapped up the honey like thirsty dogs. It was so sweet and delicious and, like dogs, we ate too much and got sick. The bees had gotten their revenge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Special Note For Today:

In case my readers haven't noticed,

I'm not much into celebrating holidays.

However, March 17th is a special day for us

because on this day 35 years ago

Sweetie and I had our First Date.

(And, yes, I wore green that day.) :)

We've been together as a couple ever since.

We always, always find some way to celebrate this day.

For everyone else, I hope your day is special too.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Saint Patty's Day!

Our 30th Wedding Anniversary

In 1979, Steve and I stood before a Notary Public and said our "I do's". 30 years later, we're still together, more in love than ever.

I thought y'all might enjoy some of our old wedding photos.

We shared our "I Do's"

Our First Dance As Husband And Wife

[tee hee] [giggle] [lol]

This is my favorite wedding photo.
Can you tell I'm saying "mine, mine, mine". [lol]
So, we're out and about today, swinging through the jungle, celebrating our happy union. I'll let you know tomorrow what we did ... less the censored stuff, of course ... tee hee.

I hope your day is just as much fun! Awww, eeee, awwww!

Happy First Blogoversary

Wahoo! Today my bloggyland existence turns One!

It's unbelievable that I've been steadily blogging for 365 days. So many wonderful things have happened. Luckily, most of them were great and memorable.

When I created this blog, it was a way for me to get all the thoughts out of my fuzzy blonde head and onto 'paper'. Plugging along and doing my own thing, I never expected or dreamed that I would befriend so many other wonderful and supportive bloggers from around the world. Some of these folks I hope to be friends with until I'm in Heaven and on into eternity.

I've run the gambit on conversations and shared many private thoughts with y'all. Ive 'penned' my views on politics, my faith in Jesus Christ, family, crafts, weather, medical concerns, talked about motorcycles, had bloggyland 'trips', been blessed with a blog award or two, and so forth. The list is seemingly endless.

Y'all have hung with me all along the way.

I am humbled.

And, as it always is in real life, I have learned a great deal from YOU as well. For that, I am truly grateful.

So to everyone who've come along with Yours Truly on this digital journey and shared in my freedom of expression, thank you so much for reading and for all your kind comments, support and prayers.

My love for writing has been re-kindled this past year too. You all have helped to add to this good feeling of sharing My Thoughts Exactly.

Why, I feel plum fuzzy all over ... GROUP HUG!! [lol]

Happy St. Patrick's Day And An Anniversary

Today is a very special day for hubby and I. 30 years ago we had our first official "date".

Let's see if can briefly explain all the ins and outs of 30 years ago without boring my bloggy friends to tears.

We had known one another for about a year by that March in 1979. We had first met on a SCUBA diving trip to the Florida Keys with a bunch of other divers in April of 1978. I was married to someone else then but we weren't happy. I had made a dreadful mistake and knew it. Hubby-to-be and I accidentally got paired up (one always has a diving buddy) for reasons I can't remember now. We hit it off bit time. That night the whole dive party was seated at the local Keys restaurant and we ended up sitting together. I fell head-over-heels in love with him. He was so personable, humble, intelligent and downright charming. But, being a married lady, I didn't do or say anything about it. Not because I was shy (perish the thought!) but because I was already married and believed in keeping ones obligations until the bitter end. It's just one of my core beliefs. And I may be a lot of things but I'm not one of 'those' things. [lol]

My marriage to first husband finally crumbled. He wasn't a bad guy or physically abusive but we were definitely mismatched. The marriage was over, kaput, finished. First husband had asked for the divorce and I agreed. It was mutual. No contest. I moved out immediately. So sad to watch a marriage die. But one must learn when to move on.

Hubby-to-be and I were still casual friends. He learned in a roundabout way from a mutual friend about the impending divorce. I was staying with said mutual friend that I worked with (she had graciously allowed me to room with her until my new apartment was ready) and hubby-to-be called this friends home. I answered and immediately said "Oh, (friend) isn't here ..." But, Glory Be he had called to talk to ME! I was so thrilled. We set the date, March 17th which happened to be a Saturday that year. We enjoyed our supper at the local Shrimpy's. And we've been together as a couple ever since.

Cool, huh?

Thus begins our 6 month long celebration this year of all our first times together as a couple. He asked me to marry him April 1st. Yeah, April Fools Day! And he did it on bended knee and gave me a gold bracelet. He was so concerned I would think he was joking that he bought the bracelet with his meager salary in hopes I would say "Yes". Bless his heart. Liked I'd say No to him. [pfftt]


I caught him!
Our 30th wedding anniversary is August 11th. We're planning a big get together in Waycross with friends at one of our local favorite restaurants. Then, with doggies safely tucked away in a kennel and the house all locked down, we take off for a foreign land called New England. Never been there, so, I thought this would be a good time to go. It's bloody hot here in the southeast. Hopefully, New England will be cooler with friendly natives. Pray for us, 'k? [roflol] JK - I'm not worried about the locals. I think I can take 'em ... [snort]

Now, if you're still awake (just drink more coffee, it's almost over). Let's get back to the holiday. I had the idea of posting this from my good bloggy friend Lanny.

How about ...


Saint Patrick Icon
A Little History About Today

St. Patrick's Breastplate is contained in the ancient Book of Armagh, from the early ninth century. along with Patrick's authentic "Confession." St. Patrick is said to have written this prayer to strengthen himself with God's protection as he prepared to confront and convert Loegaire, high king of Ireland. I see in it some similarities to Paul's exhortation to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18), except that it is much more detailed. I recommend St. Patrick's prayer to you as a wonderful prayer of spiritual preparedness.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.


I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort, [i.e., at home]
Christ in the chariot seat, [i.e., travelling by land]
Christ in the poop. [i.e., travelling by water]

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

Other translations are also available. In 1889, Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), penned the following version at the request of H. H. Dickinson, Dean of the Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle. He recalls, "I wrote to her suggesting that she should fill a gap in our Irish Church Hymnal by giving us a metrical version of St. Patrick’s "Lorica" and I sent her a carefully collated copy of the best prose translations of it. Within a week she sent me that exquisitely beautiful as well as faithful version which appears in the appendix to our Church Hymnal." The traditional (but not very memorable) tune, was written by Charles V. Stanford (1902). (Information obtained from CyberHymnal.org where a MIDI of the music is available.)

Source


Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig
(Gaelic for Happy St. Patrick's Day)!
♥ ∞