Manatee Springs

Beautiful, tranquil Manatee Springs, a first magnitude spring that produces 50 - 150 million gallons of water per day. Only a few manatees hanging around.

The Day After Christmas

by Jane Clark Whitaker (with apology to Clement Clarke Moore)

Tis the day after Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings hung back by the chimney with care,
Emptied of goodies that had been placed there.

The children gone home to sleep in their beds,
While memories of candies now dance in their heads.
And I in my pj's with cat in my lap,
Have just settled just settled down for an afternoon nap.

Remembering yesterday's clutter and clatter,

I had to wonder, did it all really matter.
The paper in tatters and gleeful shouts,
As ribbons and bows were scattered about.

The voices of children both old and young,

Joined in the laughter of games and fun.

And to top it all off, what then did appear,
But a feast fit for Christmas for family to share.

The gifts were all given with hearts full of love
And the day had a luster that came from above.

The quiet is lovely, I'm glad that it's come

But I miss the chaos of my family at home.

I'm thinking of you who have traveled my way

Sharing the journey for part of a day.

Old friends from childhood, cousins and kin,

New friends and loved ones I'll see soon again.

To friends and family, nearby and far way
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-day"

May the love of the season stay in your heart

And the New Year have a prosperous start.

Post Thanksgiving 2015

Feasting is finished

Dishes are done, waiting life's

Next celebration.

Thanksgiving was celebrated with our traditional menu. Mike, Laura, Claire and Amanda Matzek and Chris and Erin Collins shared the feast.

Last Days in Orange Beach

Events of this week make me hesitate to title this post "Last Days" without qualification. World events are discouraging and the path to peace is unknown. I wanted to post on Facebook the Eifel Tower peace sign with the comment,

Violence begets violence

Hate begets hate

Love begets love

Peace begets peace.

Why in this political climate does that seem too extreme?

Now to last Beach Days....

Last sunset, last beach

Walk alongside rolling surf

Toes chilled in the sand.

Two slot reds -- last ones we caught.

Lost one on the last outing

Pompano in the surf

Beach jewels

Orange Beach Sunset - We will miss it!

Heron Fishing

Heron is watching

Hoping our discards provide

A tasty breakfast.

We caught fed him/her breakfast

Fishing Life, Oct 23 - Nov 6

Oct 23 - Fishing pressure under the bridge
We counted more than a dozen boats

Oct 26 - 10-ft surf

Oct 26 - Highest surf wash we've seen

Oct 27 - Flooded Docks

Oct 29 - Black tip Shark about 3 1/2 ft l

Oct 29 - Big Redfish

Oct 29 - Another big redfish

Oct 29 - A big redfish

Oct 30 - Beach buddies

Oct 30 - Gaftopsail catfish
We caught lots of these under the bridge

Nov 2 - Bucket full of redfish
6 fish at almost 35 pounds

Oct 29 - Heron landed on the boat rail-
What was he/she thinking???

Nov 4 - Flounder and Sheepshead
Our anniversary - dinner at Shipp's Harbour

Nov 5 - Our flounder stuffed with crab

Nov 6 - Nice slot red caught at the jetty

Oct 30 - The one that got away

Oct 27 - Rainbow

Nov 2 - Six slot reds

Nov 5 - Sunset Surf-fishing

Sunset at the Pass

Sunset at the Pass

Last rays on the horizon

Peaceful close of day