The End of a Child's Summer

Last weekend we went to the beach like we normally do, but now that I am working at a school, this visit took on a totally different meaning. The calendar may say that Summer is still upon us but for a child the approach of the return to school signals the unofficial end of Summer as they officially know it. As usual click each photo for a better view.



I like to visit the beach in the cool of the evening when the Florida sun is not so oppressive and the beach itself is a lot less crowded. There were still a few kids playing around. For them it was another fun day in a long list of fun days at the beach.

Vilano Beach allows dogs on the beach after 6pm and as you can see, Sunny-Girl was doing her part to look around. She really liked playing in the water as kids came up to pet her. There were belly rubs up and down the beach.

The beach at night takes on a whole new perspective. There is less to distract you, and so the sounds around you, like the lap of each wave, become important. I saw this young girl gazing off into the distance and this vision was what prompted the thoughts of return to school. As I sat there watching her, I had to wonder what thoughts were going through her head that would cause her to be so deep in thought?

It was then that it came to me: the march of each new day brings a child one day closer to the end of the carefree, unstructured, days of Summer. A sad thought, but the piper must be paid. And so, as we watched the slow rise of the moon behind overhanging clouds I gave a salute to the end of a child's Summer.

A Dog's Life !

I was going through some pictures and could not help but put a few on the blog. Whoever talks about a dog's life does not know about this little Dachshund. As usual click each photo for a better view.

Sunny-Girl loves to take a break on the patio just watching the world go by while she lazily patrols the back yard. Cats and squirrels have been put on notice.


When not on sit-down patrol, she has a special little corner where I keep the garden supplies for a nap in an Avocado Plant pot. After the nap she is usually up and eager for me play fetch, only she returns the ball just enough to make me chase her to get it back. I recently had this photo enlarged and added to my office. There is something quite sweet and "don't sweat the small stuff" that I like about it.

If this is a dog's life... where do I sign up!

A Day in the Life...

Today is Thanksgiving, a national day when Americans are supposed to stop and give thanks. It is usually a day when families gather from all over the country for a large meal of turkey and sometimes tense togetherness. I started my cooking last night so while waiting as the turkey bakes, I decided to give you a glimpse of the lead up to the big day. As usual click each photo for a better view.

Alex has taken the week off and we are enjoying the unhurried feel of each day. Over the weekend we spent some time trying to decide what to do. But, Sunny-Girl who has now become an important part of the family, was a consideration. While she slept we pondered where to go and what to do.

We decided on St Augustine but then Sunny-Girl woke up, gave Alex the "puppy look", and we decided to change our focus and enjoy why you live in Florida... and planned to go to the beach!

Sunny-Girl is a miniature Dachshund and it was a little cold but we wanted her to enjoy her first outing near the water, so packaging was a concern. First we tried a carry bag. She fit but had a look that said "You have got to be kidding!"

Next came our final solution. It was perfect! She could see, sit or stand with a little warmth, while we still had some control. We laughed and laughed at the look of that little head peaking out of the bag.

And so, we were ready to go. But, we were pleasantly surprised that it was warmer than we had anticipated and all our preparation was unnecessary as we watched Sunny-Girl run off down the beach. We spent our time taking pictures of the sail boats off in the distance...

and following Sunny-Girl down the beach. She might be a dog but every now and then she knows how to direct her owners to enjoy a good thing when it presents itself!