My Blog
Beautiful Sea Fog
Foggy Beach Day One day last winter I drove my grown son, who is blind, and his girlfriend, who is also totally blind, to the beach. It was more complicated than simply dropping them off. They can't see to get to the water. By the time I left them beside [more]
The Amazing Starfish
Sea stars, commonly known as starfish, are fascinating creatures. According to National Geographic, there are 2000 species of sea stars. While five-pointed sea stars are quite common, hence the name starfish, some varieties have up to forty arms. Sea stars live exclusively in salt or brackish water. Please don't remove them [more]
Sea Stars and Second Chances
Sea Star Symbolism Why do we love the starfish? Did you know a sea star isn’t a fish? Sea stars are star shaped echinoderms, commonly called starfish. They don’t even have blood. Instead, they collect nutrients by pumping water through their bodies. When alive, their bodies are pliable and covered [more]
Whodunnit? Who invented the key lime pie?
When was Florida’s official pie created? Rumor has it the Borden condensed milk company in New York City invented Florida’s official pie back in 1935. Can this be true? Others insist a woman named Aunt Sally, way back in the 1800’s came up with the pie while working in the [more]
Tropical Paradise
What makes a wonderful tropical vacation? Clear blue water? Snorkeling? Pina Coladas and margaritas at a tiki bar or on a sandy beach? Wading in salty surf under a warm sun? Holding hands with your sweetheart when the sun touches the horizon? When I first came to Florida, I couldn’t [more]
One of Many Snakes
Look who showed up on my afternoon walk. I’ll admit, I was airborne for a moment, until I determined what kind of snake it was. The reptile had to be over four feet long. With that round belly it looks like we caught this corn snake after it enjoyed a [more]
What’s that floating in the water?
It’s amazing what you can find when you’re walking along the water’s edge. While strolling along the beach I spotted a translucent round object floating in the waves. On my way back, I noticed it had washed ashore. It was a Moon Jelly, sometimes known as a saucer jellyfish. So [more]
Not snake oil…
What’s your favorite scent…besides chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven? In Shell Point Secrets, the characters Madison and Lois use essential oils, and the character, Hunter, researches the claims made about the effectiveness of essential oils. Most of the current research shows that inhaling the scent of lavender oil [more]
Fish Tales
Do you have a good fish story? I have a few. No, I won’t tell you all about the 125 pound tarpon I caught. (But it was fun.) Sometimes a fishing tale has little to do with the actual fish. One day we were fishing for tripletail and some novice [more]
Cold Drink Time
What’s your favorite drink on a sweltering afternoon? A tall glass of cold water (add olives for Grant) or icy, tart lemonade? Or do you want iced tea, which means sweet tea, as Zach would prefer. When I make sweet tea, I put the sugar in the pot before I [more]
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