The Art Of Making Staffordshire Cottage Shipshape

My dear friends, 

I have my tea a bit early. I wanted to gather my thoughts, so I have put on some Claude Debussy to angle my disposition of writing this evening. The day has been quite scorching, and conditions are lacking in adornment; however, the sand cranes have been flying overhead cackling. I love to hear them and my ol' beloved seagulls. I cherish the sounds of seagulls along the ocean waves as they kiss the stoned fairy moss rocks. 

The Artful Way Of Allowing Abundance Into Your Life

My dear friends,

Let us have some tea. We will need an extra strong cup this morning. {smile}

I am completely transparent when I speak about my voyage, and that's financially included. I shared a video last week {here} about my latest evaluation of what has been plaguing my mind with special pointers about my abundance.

How often do we hear about women and their entrepreneurial voyage but not truly understand that many women have been whirling for sometimes decades before they become popular or famous?

Vision Board~ The Art Of Manifesting Your Desires {Through The Law Of Attraction: Abraham Hicks Teachings}

My dear friends,

Good morning, pour some tea and let us have a visit, shall we.

I am curious how many times you have heard of vision boards? I believe I first began hearing about them when the Oprah Winfrey show was on. I didn't believe in the Law of Attraction at that time. However, I have always been a person that found creating my reality came through my imagination. I especially liked the idea of dream/vision boards because it's a crafty pursuit. I love crafts, but I also want works to have substance as well.

A Mermaid's Spiritual Practices And Rituals For Welcoming In 2019

My dear friends,

Happy New Year! I am so happy and delighted to have rung in the New Year with my Beloved Gardener. We enjoyed watching the ball drop and had a special moment kissing under the moon as fireworks burst and the clock struck twelve.

Won't you pour some tea, I have a lovely post to share with you that I'm so tickled about. I chose some English tea, a meditative candle and a few crystals to bring in the new year with love and prosperity. I thought that since we are all friends, I might share with you the particulars I have been practising since my transformational voyage began over 4 years ago.

I have implemented these practices for several years. As you may know, I follow the teachings of Abraham and my life changed exponentially since practising the Law of Attraction along with these set of rituals. They are ways of having fun with the universe.

Winter Solstice And Christmas At Staffordshire Cottage

My dear friends, 

"Wishing loving wishes for a Happy Christmas

I know you wish me merry

all the season through

and so with all my heart dear

here's the same to you."~{By: Helen Marion Burnside from a Raphael tuck card, d. 1890}

Might you pour some tea? I'm sipping some spiced cinnamon in hopes to charge my energy levels. I chose this photo because it reminded me of winter Solstice and I simply adore anything from England.

That reminds me of a darling little lady that was living in this charming cottage in Sorrento, Fl. I had made an appointment to see the cottage as I was interested in purchasing. At the time I lived in Orlando, which was a short ways from Sorrento. It looked similar to this home in the photo. I think it's interesting that even though the little lady of the house had lived in the states for decades, she was still inwardly drawn to a cottage such as the ones in Europe; her home of origin. There's not many in the states that are roof thatched and stone, that I've known of, so anytime I find them in America I am so tickled. 

Courtesy of Pinterest

Tasha Tudor and one of her corgis.

 Doesn't Tasha just ring from the rooftops of holiday "Take Joy" as she was so often quoted.

This was a lovely book, that has pretty poetry inside, along with many duplicates of Christmas cards in the Victorian era. It also came with a Victorian CD of music for the Victrola. 

I always hang traditional Brach's candy canes upon the tree. All during the month of December, the children would select a candy cane from the tree as a delightful confection. They've always appreciated itimmensely. Since the divorce and as I've been away from my children on the holidays they have told me numerous times how much I made their Christmas"s special. 

 I wanted to have a small tree this year to emulate the Victorians. I love the tabletop trees so much. They are also a delightful alternative if you have small children or bunnies such as myself.

 I made a few loaves of homemade white bread, and a friend sent over some homemade brew. It was so yummy. It had a hint of a root as I appreciate the taste of root beer.

 My ideas seem to run away with me each year. I get so excited about all i plan to do but fail to accomplish it all. I am fine with it these days. I think all too often women get carried away with the appearances of having the preeminent-decorated home, the perfect gifts being given. It is a bit too much in my collective opinion. I only say that now as life experiences have taught me a great deal about outward appearances. All during the raising of my children they received lovely stuffed stockings and three gifts. I choose three as I felt it eliminated the spoiling of the children and it's the same amount that Christ was given on his birth. I quite wonder at times if people really know that the birth of Jesus wasn't actually Christmas, it was in April.  They opened one gift on Christmas Eve and it was always a set of pajamas that I had hand sewn them. They all matched accordingly. It was such fun to make them. Preparing the selected fabrics. Would I choose gingham, flannel, tartan plaid? It was some of the happiest times as a mother. When I was busily being a homemaker, I was most contented.  I really enjoyed all the traditions. I believe it's particularly important for me to have traditions, as I felt as a yound little girl I don't recall any traditions except for Christmas Eve my mother read," twas the night before christmas" to my brothers and I.

I found this needlepoint stocking at the thrift store a few weeks ago and i couldn't love it more. I want to keep a lookout for another one for myself. This one I assigned as my beloved gardeners. He loves the colour green and it feels a tad more masculine.

Another close up of my little mermaid ornaments. I love them ever so much! My dear friends Suzanne, Janis and my Aunt Dianne have all gifted me one. My mother bought one for me too.  I'm so appreciative for the ladies that have been so warm and comforting to me along my journey.  That is the true definition of what Christmas is all about in my eyes. 

The Artistic Approach Of An Author And Illustrator {Beatrix Potter Style}

My dear friends, 

Put the kettle on and let us have a little visit. I'm having some breakfast English tea.

I have been taking many photographs around the garden of myself and the chickens so that I have a bit of a reference point if needs be while I'm writing The Tale of Henny Penny Goody Two~Shoes. In the Beatrix Potter Society letter this morning, there was a bit of controversy over some of her writings. Someone wrote that they had found in Beatrix Potter's books that she had shot a red-tailed squirrel so that she might be able to draw more accurately a squirrel for her storybook "Squirrel Nutkin." I believe it was a misinterpretation and misread. 

I know there have been several times I've read that Tasha Tudor and Beatrix Potter were known to capture little animals and keep them for some time so that they might draw them in their most fundamental nature. I suppose there is no way of complete assurance in knowing whether or not Tasha Tudor or Beatrix Potter actually did kill little animals for their artwork accuracy, but I genuinely doubt it. Capture them, indeed, but to harm them... I think not. 

There are many times that when Beatrix decided she wanted to draw little paintings for her books she actually would go back to the place and ask to borrow certain items so that she might create a perfect depiction. One such time was when she went to friends and asked to borrow the dollhouse in the story The Two Bad Mice. She never had children, I wonder if she had ever desired to have children. I have often wondered about that.

My dear friend Suzanne sent me this Tasha Tudor Garden book, and I was so touched that I cried. Suzanne is such a kind soul. She lives in New England and is close friends with Tasha's actual children. She has the group on Facebook called Take Peace. It's a group created to preserve and keep Tasha's legacy alive. I have the most fun, and it's such a delightful group of women. I think I spoke to you about it once before. I wish there was something like that for Beatrix too.

The Cosmopolitan magazine in the UK has predicted that the most popular little girls baby name in 2019 will be Beatrix. I think Beatrix is an adorable name. I shall continue to dream that my little storybook The Tale of MerryMaid Scarlette Rose will be such as Peter Rabbit, perhaps when I have left this earth. I still have so many stories to write. I should hope I'll have enough time to write them all.

I am always so inspired by my dear friend's daughter, so I was prompted to paint her with her rabbit Oliver. He's the same breed as my Oliver, A Jersey Whooly, I think.

 I made some roasted potatoes with rosemary from the garden this weekend. I can never get enough of roasted potatoes baked in the oven, can you? Vegetables are such hearty food and quite filling.

I've read this book about a dozen times already. It has quite exciting tidbits about Beatrix. I find that this book gives way to how very much she had such a witty and profound personality. I was surprised to learn of how very much she was into politics and that she wasn't always so pleased with how women were treated in comparison to men. I say well said, Beatrix. I feel quite the same. Did you know her book The Tale of Peter Rabbit was turned down from being published six times? She decided to post it herself. At that time in history, she put forth the money to have a certain quantity of books printed. I may be off, but I think she had over 550 printed. If you know the accurate number, please do tell, but I think I am correct in that number. 

This is my first son Carter. Remember in previous entries I spoke about how much I loved playing the Beatrix Potter stories on the television. His pacifier holder was Beatrix Potter themed. I made dozens of the short jumper that he's wearing, as it was the perfect clothing for a child learning to walk. I never wanted to deal with pants and a shirt separately as the shirt would always come untucked, and the pants would slide down, so this way, he was ever put together. I handed them down to my next two boys, so much good use was put to them. I had some that I monogrammed as well. Notice the sign above his head? I had made that from some sticks I found, "Rabbits Garden."I was full well into everything Beatrix, even at the age of 20.

 Just in time and favour of Tasha, I made some homemade beeswax candles. I poured the wax into some mason jars and added a bit of spruce essential oil.

Over the weekend, I also made some homemade broccoli cheese soup. It was delicious. I gobbled it up, and that's saying a bit much about how superb it was because I usually do not much care for broccoli. It was a little nippy this weekend in Florida, so I thought what better time to have a bread bowl and some soup.

Oh, I wanted to update you on the little visit that Jeffrey and I went on Saturday. Remember I said we were going to go see a small cottage in the country town? We went to look at it, and there was an older gentleman pressure washing the cottage. It turns out it's a rental property and would never be up for sale. I'm still dreaming of Carmel, so my feelings weren't much hurt in the learning of the little cottage. I didn't much care for the placement of it, nor the idea that it had no surrounding woods.

Jeffrey and I did some Christmas gift shopping, and that was quite delightful. Today I am getting estimates for a new air-conditioner system. Jeffrey insists, and i right agree with him that the house value will go up when it's time to sell, beings it will have a new unit installed.

What did your weekend consist of?

Well, I shall be off for now. I shall write again soon.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx

December Welcoming

My dear friends,

I'm pouring some tea, what kind is your favourite? I tried some jasmine petal loose leaf last week and it was awful. It was so bitter. Have you ever tried Jasmine petal tea before?

Yesterday, I discovered my dear chicken May {Plymouth Rock} had escaped from the back garden. She gave me such a fright. We had a rough storm a fortnight ago and some of our wood fencings were knocked down.

I was busy repairing fencing all day. I then came in and wrote for a few hours and then painted our Christmas/ Yuletide holiday card. Do you like it? It seems a bit sad that so many families do not seem to distribute holiday cards at the present. Do you send holiday cards? I believe one of the reasons for this is because of expense. The world is ever so fast paced and we have such an abundance of social media. I believe people just assume you can just type in someone's name and find out what shenanigans they've been currently about.

Christmas cards have been a tradition of mine since I was a newly married woman. I remember my first set was from a thrift store that was collected when I began my trousseau at 14.  They were vintage ones that someone had most likely stuffed in an attic.

I bought them and calligraphed my name on them. I have always enjoyed sending them out. Christmas Cards began back in the 1800s and they used to have the children decorate papers and write little messages inside. Queen Victoria had her children make some and hand deliver them to folks. I find that so endearing. In my next few posts, I'm going to share with you some more of the traditions that I had when my children were young. I have decided to keep the traditions steadfast even though I don't have little ones afoot.

I wanted to paint a little different style this year and I am beginning to add more details to my paintings, which at times can prove to be a bit difficult. I chose to create a Celtic border and use some gold leafing. I was preparing my art paper, looked down only to notice the border on the Arches paper cover had this similar border. I hid the little animals inside the border and I couldn't love it more.

I am obviously a self-taught artist, and I am often reminded that is a fondest approach to my art. Beatrix Potter once said in her diary, that she looked forward to being alone with her drawing so that she wasn't influenced by a teacher. Her creativity would have been worn off if she had a teacher. I believe it's most important to approach my art in likemindedness. 

I was conversing with my dear BG {Beloved Gardener} this morning, informing him of the demise of our rose garden wattle fence. I had to disembowel it, as the chicken ladies utterly destroyed it. If you look closely at this full image of Tasha's wattle fence you can see hers was too falling apart. 

Courtesy of Pinterest
I never noticed before that Tasha Tudor had one very similar to mine and the same height too. 

I was so saddened it had to go. The chicken ladies loved to perch upon it. I must remake a new one come spring time. Jeffrey said he had some massive red rose bushes that he's been meaning to bring home to me. I imposingly said, " oh, Might those be a wonderful Christmas gift to add to my rose garden." To which he implied, I shall bring them home today, plant them this weekend, nurture them and you should have blooms by Christmas. Now that is to be a sensational view. I have always wanted English hedges and a rose garden. 

 I gathered some pinecones and some oranges from the garden and then made some styled fruits with whole cloves for our little table in the kitchen. I also air dried oranges to create a fruit garland.

I painted a few paintings. This one is "Departure" Its for sale in my Etsy shop for $20.

"Even Mermaids Have Tea At High Noon." For sale in my Etsy shop $20.

It doesn't seem quite the season, but Florida has such delightful weather all year round that I planted a few heirloom tomatoes last week.

A little decoration at the cottage for Christmas. 

 A lovely little storybook would be a delightful stocking stuffer for gift giving. I have even sent off several that are giving them for baby and birthday gifts. Links for Amazon and my Etsy shop are in my sidebar.

Lovely Holiday Favourites For 2018

 My dear friends,
I wanted to share a few of mine along with my Beloved Gardeners favourites for this 2018 holiday season. I can't begin to tell you how often that I am asked about where I found a particular item that I'm wearing, what oil I've got on, or where I found this or that. So for pure delight, I thought I'd share a few things this year that I am especially fond of.

 1. Tasha Tudor Scarf~ I am often asked about where I collected my scarf. I get mine from Tasha Tudor and Family website and wear mine most days. Tasha Tudor Scarf

 2. I am a wellness advocate for dōTerra and have been since the company began. I used to struggle with severe depression, but since I began using Balance, I have been off all depression medications. If you are interested in trying a sample, send me a message and I'd be happy to send you a sample of balance. The only requirement is to pay for shipping. If you like it or want me to prepare you a special curated blend according to your needs I'd love to serve you.

 3. For the price, Barefoot Pink Moscato is my go-to wine. I add a smidge of lemon Lacroix to top off a glass and It's wonderful at the end of a workday. You can find barefoot at Walmart or any local grocery market.

 4. Bath and Body Works Fresh Balsam candle. I have found that it's pertinent to get your holiday candles early. I usually grab my holiday ones around Thanksgiving, if not they will be all sold out. The Bath and Body Works candles smell the most fragrant.

4. If you follow me on Youtube, you know I have been buying Zipp Fizz for about ten years. They give me all the fortified minerals I need and a kick of natural energy without the extreme highs and lows.

5. My little storybook, The Tale Of MerryMaid Scarlette Rose. I think that if you have a child or grandchild that loves mermaids and Beatrix Potter storybooks, they will love my book.

 6. Jeffrey swears by these Corona BP 6250 clippers. He likes the ones that have the softly curved handles and are a terrific choice for a lower end priced clipper.

 7. There are some evenings that while Jeffrey is cooking us supper or grilling out, he will enjoy a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sutter Home. It has about 13% alcohol. It's his favourite.

 8. Jeffreys favourite candle cent. It's masculine, and I think it's a perfect smell too. You feel like your sitting in front of a roaring fire.

Whats some of your favourites?

Ardently Mothering

My dear friends,

Good Morning and Salutations. I am happily hot~handed writing to you on this cold crisp dewy damp day from Florida. I have been desperate for the cold, and I awoke this morning to receive a gift from the weather gods. I'm still bundled up, having tea and some scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast. It's a delight to have fresh eggs from my chicken ladies.

A History Of The Redhead~Vexings and Victories

My Dear Friends,

It's no longer National Redhead Day, but, as I'm a woman of my word, I feel it pertinent to write. I am a work in progress, so thank you for your patience, jolly dependable readers.

Won't you pour some tea and I shall get on with it? Today, my beverage of choice is apple spice tea with honey. 

Since I am a real redhead, I now celebrate the fact that I have an extra chromosome. 

As you may well know, I have been on a self-awareness voyage for almost five years, and my thoughts have led me to several conclusions.

Ever since I was a sprout, I've been the inquisitive type. Throughout my life, there have been assumptions made about me, because of my red hair. On this particular day, I'd like to share my experiences as a redhead, as well as, vexings, victories and a tad bit of history. 

Throughout history, women with red hair were shunned and burned at stake, all because they had hair the colour of flames. They were labelled as witches and vampires, who spewed fire from their lungs.

As a young girl with red hair, I was bullied. Redheads weren't admired; especially, the way that they are now. In fact, today, it seems that every turn I take, a woman is dying her hair red. I think I had {or have}, a little resentment with regards to the treatment that I received as a young girl, in comparison to the treatment women get nowadays. It seems that women today are admired and adored. That was not the case when I was young. Let's be honest, there's a whole new way that women with red hair get attention.

I think you can collectively understand my sentiments, without me having to further my case, that I developed paramount insecurities by having red hair. I even went so far, as to dye my hair brown, because of my dangers. 

Here are several things that scientifically make me different because of red hair: 

1. Redheads have a recessive gene, and both parents must have the gene, to have a child with red hair. The parent doesn't have to have red hair themselves, and often a parent carries the gene, without knowing.

 2. Redheads make up 2% of the population, making us quite rare. England and Ireland are the most populated with folks having red hair.

3. Redheads are more sensitive to pain and more resistant to pain medication.
  

4. We carry a mutant gene, which makes us genetically different.

5. We have a superior adrenal function. Meaning, that, in a fight or flight scenario, having a redhead around would be beneficial; we operate very well in dangerous situations.

6. Redheads have a different smell. The skin mantle of a redhead is more acidic. Meaning, that when we wear perfume, oils or fragrances, the scent is distinct. We have to apply scents more frequently than the average person, as odours fade more quickly than perhaps, a blond or brunette.

7. Redheads are more sensitive to thermal pain; and more vulnerable to hot and cold temperatures.

8. We are more susceptible to getting cancer.

9. We have more vitamin D than other folks.

10. Historically, we've been seen as royalty. Have you ever noticed, in movies or storybooks, how many redheads are either, the heroines or villains?

11. We have a high tolerance to heat.

A delightful book about the history of redheads is, "Red-A History of the Redhead" by Jacky Collins Harvey.

Most affably your til my next swim, Raquelxxx

The Art Of A Festive Gathering

 

New Website Bubbling Up Soon!

My Dear Friends, Mermaid Junkies and Shoal Family, 

I titled this post as a festive gathering, because by the time I hit publish on this post  I do believe my book will be out into the Universe for all the world to read. 

I wanted to touch base, have a little visit and tell you each how much I appreciate your friendship, kindness and support with regards to my blog and my new storybook, "The Tale of MerryMaid Scarlette Rose.". 

A dinner party in celebration of Jane austen. I love this outfit and hope to replicate it at my book signings.

This is the final proof from the company that I am having create all of my formatting for my  storybook series. 

 If you ever decide to self~publish your very own books and would love a terrific company to format your books for you, I'd highly recommend Glendon at Street Light Graphics. Tell them I sent you. They are a wonderful company to work with.

I have begun scheduling my book signings with the list of tea rooms and book stores. Did I tell you that Oliver will be joining me at the signings? Isn't that a delightful idea? He seems to get all of the attention, so I figured he'd be a wonderful way to bring excitement to the children and parents. 

I am still working on it, but I figured out a nifty idea for a travel basket for Oliver. I had to put it off when my beloved took sick, but I'll have it all ready to go before my book signings. Oliver is asking that you bring him rose petals to munch on and he'll have his wooden cane that he uses in the story. {smile}

I wanted to chat a bit about the particulars of what's happened since I last posted about my dearest Gardener, for those of you that have contacted me and shown concern. Thank you so much for reaching out, it meant the world to me. 

This is a cropped illustration of a page from my storybook. The pixels look a little off but rest assured in the book they are very clear and perfect. I edit all of my photos to fit an aesthetic for my blog and social media so that's why the saturation looks the way it does in this photo.

I made some Geranium Rose Petal powder and cold cream. I'm mildly obsessed with this cold cream. It reminds me so much of the scent that my maternal grandmother used to wear. I can't get enough.

Do you like how I used old portraits and glued button eyes. I think It's an element of spooky, but on the subtle side. The little golden frame in the background is from the dollar tree. Did you know that these size frames are the exact size of lithograph photos. I buy the frames and just remove the paper art image inside and if the gold is too fake looking I will spray a light coat of brass or gold spray paint over it. these were perfect so I didn't have to touch them.  

A favorite of mine, the  double boiler. I received this as a gift from my dear Aunt Dianne on my mother's maternal side.

In between my visits back and forth to the hospital to stay with Jeffrey, I had some time to faff around the cottage and make a few things among my routine writing, cleaning and making ye Olde youtube Videos. The Victorians were very resourceful and used glass for all of their needs, and I try to do that also. I am a Mermaid after all, and the oceans are much better off If we are conservation conscious oriented. I save all my glass jars from the market. I clean them out and remove the labels, and I do age and distress the lids to look old. I made a dozen of beeswax candles, and I jokingly said on my IG stories that I only caught the stove on fire once. 

I swam down to the crystal market and found some lovely crystals to add to our collection. I also had some extra sticks from the gardens and made another wispy broom. Quite fitting for this time of year. You know how I fancy Halloween. I love Citrate crystals, do you? What is your favorite crystals?

Citrate {brown}: Assists in overcoming obstacles, increases feelings of self worth and confidence and helps build leadership skills. I think it's beautiful how so often I will go to purchase a crystal and before I go, I always set a little intention that the correct crystals will call my spirit, and that I will be drawn to them. It occurs every time. I had no idea what a citrate crystal was especially healing for , but my inner being knew. I also found a blue, and a green citrate. jeffrey got a blue citrate as well, along with a citrine on a necklace and two Jasper bracelets for healing. I thought those were delightful choices since it was his first week since out of the hospital and he's been awful weak. I have the most fun with him. It's so wonderful sharing time with those beautiful souls that inspire us to sing songs from the soul, isn't it?

 I don’t think it’s a coincidence that each day I bring my tray of crystals down from the shelf to prepare for meditation that Oliver immediately gets comfortable, lays down next to them and becomes sleepy. Animals know best where real alignment and energy stems from.

Did you know that all through my life, I was always drawn to crystals and earthly sentiments, but I was taught when I was a youth that crystals were evil and bad. I now know that even as a child I intuitively knew how much everything in my world has a spiritual nature to it.

Remember that what your heart calls you towards is always right. It doesn’t have to be right for anyone else, but you and you alone. Don’t let people convince you that God isn’t calling you forward, no matter what form it takes on. Trust your inner being, it knows! I love crystals and I know they make me feel calm and happy, so I practice with them everyday.

“You have to be in the world to understand what the spiritual is about, and you have to be spiritual in order to truly be able to accept what the world is about. So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray.”~ Mary Oliver
I also had some spare time to hang my vision board for this year. I know it seems most dreadful that I had it made for so long, but it was stuck in the closet. It just took a simple nail to hang it under my Victorian frame. Do you find that you do that sort of thing too? I get busy doing a million projects and abandon many of them mid way through. Ask my mother and my Beloved Gardener, they will both tell you I am notorious for this type of antic.

I now embrace it and just tell myself I'm not inspired to finish it. I think it's about high~time we all cut ourselves some slack and say to ourselves that if we didn't do something, it's because we weren't feeling inspired, and that's A-Okay... We are too rough on ourselves, Ladies. let's be a bit more gentle with ourselves. Things always go much better when we don't use force and aggressiveness. Have you ever tried to push a wet noodle? Oh my... It's a travesty!{heh}

"A minute's reading often provokes a day's thinking."~W.H. Venable, 1872 I had some time , or should I say I will always make time for some reading. I found these lovely quotes from some of my Victorian literature.

"Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our minds the minds of sages and heroes. A good book is the precios life -blood of a master spirit treasured up on a purpose for a life beyond.."~J.F. Spaunhurst, 1896.

Writing: "Every new book must have, in the consciousness of it's author, a private history that, like mysteries of romance, would if unfolded have an interest for the reader, and by revealing the inner life of the volume show its character and tendencies." Sarah Josepha Hale, 1866.

This is my logo that I painted for my new branding and website. I must confess I have gotten my bloomers in a wad in more times than I can count while working at creating a header, oh my...Pixels are maddening {heh}. I practice the law of attraction and it still trifles me with how much I allow the little things to bog me down, such as attempting to create a new website by myself. Are you a website genie?

I took a break and walked to the park and spent some time just clearing my head. How has your life been as of late? I've missed you each and I think of you each so very often. I hope to see you around these waters very soon. If I happen to be in your area at one of my book signings, I sure hope you'll swim by and give me a hug and ocean kisses.

I will put up a list of the places and sightings when I have each event dated for certain.

Most affably yours til my next swim, raquelxxx