Happy Thanksgiving

I am lucky enough to be spending the day at the Cutest Toddler in the World's house. Last year at Thanksgiving, they released her from the NICU in Charleston to come home for the first time. A reminder of how much we have to be thankful for.

Better Late Than Never

I see this has been on YouTube for well over a year but since I am not a golf fan, I have not seen it before now. And for all of you others who are not golf fans, I present;

Next Stop - DMV

Yes, it has happened. The Cutest Baby in the World is fast plunging toward becoming the Cutest Toddler in the World. Tomorrow is her one year birthday and boy howdy, has that year just sped right by. Next thing you know, she will be asking to borrow the car. I've already made her her very own set of keys.



To her mom's car.

What? You think I am crazy enough to give her a copy of mine? I don't even let Bassman have his own keys. And him I have known for 29 years!

So if The Cutest Toddler is patient, she might be able to drive me to the mailbox in a mere 28 1/2 years.

Something for her to look forward to.



Happy Birthday Midge.

Wednesday Chuckle

Perhaps just a tad long but very funny nonetheless!

Hilton Head Island

Sunday Loretta and I hung out on this island. It was just another perfect beach day and we took advantage. However, unlike Hunting Island, here we had company.



Walking south on the beach gave us some privacy,


while the northern end hosted people brave enough to frolic in the water (the water temp. was in the 70's).


The only beach access in Shipyard was next to the Crown Plaza. The hotel grounds were stunning; lagoons, palms, hammocks, and adirondack chairs.


And it wouldn't be Hilton Head without a golf course shot. This one was taken just outside the apartment.


We came back with sand in our shoes (and pants cuffs) and just a slight hint of sunburn. It's a lovely place to spend November.

Hunting Island

My sister came down for the weekend and I was considerate enough to arrange for perfect weather. On Saturday we decided to head to Hunting Island, my absolute favorite of all the state parks in South Carolina.

If glitzy, ritzy, hoity-toity is your style well, stay away from Hunting Island. This place is one of the few down here (the only one I know of) that has severely limited development. No houses or restaurants, just a few old cottages and a store for people who are camping.


Oh yeah, and a tourist store by the lighthouse. The cast iron lighthouse. Incredibly cool.


At the end of the island (before you cross the bridge to Fripp. You know, where Pat Conroy lives!) is a marvelous fishing pier. My sister and I walked out to the end of it just in time to see the dolphins I had arranged (I spared no expense) swim by.



Not only did I arrange for dolphins, I also called in some favors and had an egret pose for us.


It was a stunner of a day, especially for November. I recommend this place to everyone. (From the end of the pier. Fripp Island is visible on the right.)



If you call ahead, I will even arrange all the nature stuff!

Daytrippin'

Joan (my original mother-in-law) and I made the requisite trip to Savannah. She wanted to go to the Peanut Shop and I was compelled to visit the Candy Factory (uhm, pralines. Remember? Heaven on earth!).

We went to River Street first where this marvelous boat was tied up. My pictures do not do it justice. It's a tall ship that was built in 1989 for a Brazilian industrialist. Privately owned! Wow.


In 2000, the ship was sitting in a boatyard for sale. An organization called "The Twelve Tribes" purchased it and restored it to seaworthiness. The beautiful vessel was renamed Peacemaker.


The organization's vision is to make the ship, "a demonstration of people living and working together in unity."

I can't speak to any of that. What I can tell you is they offered free self-guided tours and I was not about to pass that up.


The woodwork was absolutely stunning. Breathtakingly beautiful.


As was the stained glass scattered throughout.


(I gotta' convince the Bassman we need one of these!)

After my tour, we headed off to the important places for our necessary sustenance. Loaded down with way too much candy, we headed back to Hilton Head.

The day may have been overcast and windy but it still seemed near about perfect to me.

Best New Green Day Tune

My absolute favorite on the 21st Century Breakdown CD!



Makes a perfect driving somg for anyone who may be driving to Hilton Head (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Beware of Dog!

Stacy opened the door this evening and came in at a crouch. Comet and Cruella both barked but Comet figured out who it was fairly quickly.

Cruella, on the other hand, didn't. Her response to this stranger breaking into our house was to run. Away. First she hid behind Joan but when Stacy kept coming, Cruella desperately searched for another place to hide.


What was that state trooper thinking when he told me to get a doberman for protection?

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thank you to our troops and veterans.

Also, a chuckle for your Wednesday!

Now Everyone Has a Mustache

I was getting my dinner ready last night and I carried my drink and salad into the livingroom (that's right, I eat in front of the television on occasion). I went back into the kitchen for my hot dog and baked potato (and I eat very nutritiously) and noticed that sweet, sweet Ziggy had her head in my glass and was drinking my milk for all she was worth.



I guess it's always nice to share.

It's Official

South Carolina is trying to kill me. I know, I know, that sounds a tad overdramatic, but I absolutely believe it. First the plague, then the stress of the apartment and the window, and this time? This time Comet was the recruit for the states' evil ploy.



I took her for a walk yesterday and somehow I dropped the leash. If it were the C-dog she would have simply stopped when I called her name but Comet had to keep walking. Not too fast (just enough to stay ahead of me) and she did keep looking back at me (nah, nah!) but she wouldn't stop. I attempted the brilliant move of stepping on the leash. Left foot on leash, slid forward, and right foot behind me. With all of me on the ground.

Something popped on the way down. Yowsa! For a few moments I thought I might be spending the rest of my life on that sidewalk (but at least I had the leash in my hand!). I worked my way into a standing position and limped into the house.

And my oh my, did it hurt. I kept telling myself. "It's only muscles! Only muscles!"

My body didn't care about the distinction. It kept saying, "It's PAIN!"

Okay, I had to agree with that.

I spent the night on the heating pad with the temperature set to 'laser' and it did help a bit. At least I as able to hobble downstairs this morning.

South Carolina, I promise this stay is only temporary. Please, please just let me live until December and then I will leave. And your evil plot will be our little secret.

P.S. I think the hurricane might be overkill, S. C.

WELCOME!

I went out to Ridgeland today to see the Cutest Baby in the World. While I was out there, I went to the nail salon to have my talons filed down a bit. Decided to go with purple polish, with the exception of a cornucopia on each ring finger. These are some of the colors he used;


I went back to the kids for dinner then headed home to Paradise. On the way to the island I passed what I must assume was the welcome wagon. Five cars with blue lights helping a lovely couple clean their car. Not only were they cleaning the trunk, the men in uniforms even removed the back seat. How thorough!

See how friendly and helpful the locals can be!

Paradise? Really?

While I am down here, I stay in a gated community. Know what that means? Nothing.

This morning my first visitor was the local police asking me if I knew the window in my car had been smashed. Uh, no. But very bizarre since I had a dream this morning that someone had busted up my vehicle.



Anyway, not a thing was taken. It was just 'senseless random violence' as Mr. Policeman said.


Boy howdy, don't I feel lucky?

Settling In

Well. I got to South Carolina, spent the weekend with Stacy and Ron, then came down with my second cold of the year. Yuck.

Was almost recovered from that when Father and Sandy came down for 2 1/2 days. Sandy and I went shopping! I know, I was out with the pro and I was still weak and completely off my training. She took it easy on me and we only went to 5 stores. She probably could have done more but when she saw me lying on the floor kicking and whining she decided it was time to go.

Having them both here was wonderful. I just wish the weather would have been a bit nicer. And I swear, one of these days they will get to Captain Woody's

for the best burger or grouper sandwich on the island.