Serenity

I spent some time at the cemetery this afternoon. My brother is in the mausoleum there.

Honestly, I don't go as often as I should. I think it's hard to see that name up there on the plaque. It seems so real and final when I see it.

I was down on my knees pondering over the memories that we shared when I heard a rustling noise toward the back of the building. I wasn't nervous because I feel fairly safe in there. It was a very distinct noise. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on and I realized that there was a little bird trapped inside. After about 15 minutes, I managed to prop open the front doors and the little bird was able to fly out. It became a sense of accomplishment to me. For a moment, I was a hero to something so small and innocent.

I think it's a part of God's plan to be put here on earth to take care of each other. All things - big and small. I see myself as a giving individual. Someone who, at times, gives so much of themselves that they lose sight of their own well-being. Too self-sacrificing is a fit description. I don't give to get back. I give to because I feel like it's the "right" thing to do and I feel confident that those gifts do not go unnoticed.

I have learned a lot in the last few months. I have learned that life is short. I have learned that you should never compromise what you believe in in order to please everyone else but your own spirit. I have learned that pain is temporary. I have learned that forgiveness is not for the other person; it's for yourself. I have learned that weeping only lasts for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning. I have learned that it is easier to smile than to frown. And, I have learned that you will never have all of the answers to the things that you question.

So, I will leave you with this. It's one of the strongest prayers that anyone has ever written.

My Cup Runneth Over

(This would have to be some sort of Mocha Latte or Cocoa Caramello because I'm not a coffee-drinker - but you get the picture.)

I'm drowning. Not in the literal sense but in the psychological sense. It seems as if I am overwhelmed with tasks and issues. Please note that they are not self inflicted. I'm just stressed. Sooooo Type A. Here's the list and there is no rhyme or reason to this - it's "stuff" and it's all in the same category - "STUFF":

Chef Ed's 50th birthday

My NEW refrigerator is broken.

On top of that, I have carpet cleaners coming today.

Anna Catherine starts cooking class next week.

My mom is having cataract surgery and can't make up her mind when she wants to have it done.

We have a dinner party on Wednesday. A BIG one at that.

I need a hair cut and can't get in with the infamous Ashley until a week from Wednesday.

Anna Catherine has her 11 year old checkup on Thursday morning.

Anna Catherine's birthday party is next weekend.

I'll stop here and spare you any more misery.

I need a maid. I need a personal trainer. I need a GOOD glass of wine. And it's only Monday.

Have a great week.

Culinary Boot Camp

My mother found out about a Culinary Boot Camp for Kids being held at our local technical college. Over the summer, she has been watching my youngest of 11 years old (10 now but her birthday is in 2 weeks) and she has allowed her to experiment in the kitchen. Since this has taken place, I no longer can cook anything that tastes as good as "MeMe's" does. To think that all these years, I have been cooking everything from grilled cheese to scrambled eggs incorrectly. I was all in favor of this since my mother informed her that SPAM was a substitute for bacon! WTH?

The summer course is held for one week - Monday thru Friday - for 3 1/2 hours a day. It is intended to sharpen kids culinary skills. Children will learn from a real Chef how to make everything from scratch. (Poor Chef Ed - I think he's feeling insulted about now.) They offer several course with catchy names such as: Chillin' and Grillin', Cookies Round-The World, etc... The cost of this camp was $149 but we felt like it was worth it to keep kids busy plus is just a fun activity.

Maybe she can give Chef Ed a few pointers when she done. We'll see.......

Litterers Have Done It This Time!

Brian Hicks is a writer for our local newspaper here in Charleston. Although I am not fond of him, I did respect his comments recently written regarding our 4th of July Celebration on Folly Beach. This hits really close to home for me because I spent quite a bit of time at Folly during my childhood years. A true lover of the ocean, some would think. I was raised at the beach, and if you cut me, I would probably bleed sand.

This time, the public has gone too far! Brian could not have said it better:

We've got a trash problem on Folly Beach. Not the beer cans and chicken boxes and coolers left lying in the sand over the weekend - no, the real trash is the people who carried in all that crap and left it lying there. ON OUR BEACH!

This is not MTV Spring Break. It's not cute, it's not funny and you're not cool.

This is the work of careless people who think it is the world's job to pick up after them, whose parents apparently didn't raise them right.

How hard is it to throw your empties in a cooler like normal folk?

Some people want to blame this on tourists, vacationers or even Yankees. But that's a poor excuse. This was largely locals, fools who take the Lowcountry for granted.

Maybe they've never lived anywhere else, don't realize the unique beauty that is coastal South Carolina - or how fragile it is. Maybe they don't care much about anything else but themselves - a common malady these days. Or maybe they are just lazy.

Well, they've done it this time. Folly Beach is talking about banning alcohol on the beach, the last place around here that you can legally drink in the surf. As usual, a few idiots spoil a good time for everybody. Way to go.

Messin' with our therapy

You go out at the end of a hard day, sit in the sand, drink a beer and watch the waves roll in. It is one of the greatest perks of living here. And soon this Anheuser-Busch therapy might be illegal. You can't blame Folly Beach officials. They filled up two garbage trucks Sunday and still didn't get it all. They've got residents upset about people dumping trash in their yards, using their hedges for outhouses. Living at the beach does not require you to put up with this. You wouldn't like it if Folly folks drove to your subdivision and dumped their trash in your yard. In fact, you'd call the cops!

If you don't want the government acting like your parents, try acting like an adult. Pick up after yourself.

Way Back Wednesday

It's been over 10 years since he's accomplished anything except negative publicity.

Need I say more?

This Just Caught My Eye

I was browsing through the internet this morning when I came across a banner at the top of the web page that I was on. It was Mystic Monk Coffee. What caught my eye was the fact that it stated "Roasted by Real Monks." ---versus fake Monks??

I don't even drink coffee but Chef Ed is the coffee connoisseur. Something about this creeps me out. Not sure why. It just does.

Way Back Wednesday

Those of you that are still using the 1980's banana clip. PLEASE, fortheloveofgod, bury them in your back yard. These are waaaay too Madonna-ish!