Seasons Greetings from Jacksonville

Jacksonville  Christmas

It's Christmas Eve, and we've finished all our tasks  and are ready to enjoy the holiday weekend. It's been difficult to realize the closeness of the holiday, despite the wealth of Christmas lights when we happen to be out after dark. Since we're seldom in malls or stores other than groceries, we've managed to miss most of the ubiquitous Christmas muzak and the retail hype that started months ago. Not a bad thing. It's also been very warm here-- not that we're complaining-- as it's been almost everywhere up and down the east coast. We've been sleeping with an open hatch over my bed and the train whistles are loud, one of the sounds we love when we're in Florida.

Our little driftwood tree with its' starfish on top, a gift from my sister-in-law, sits on the table by the chair where Bubba is peacefully sleeping. We're having dinner out this evening at our favorite local restaurant, with friends from down the dock. Tomorrow a quiet day with just the two of us; another dock friend will join us for dinner. I'm cooking a turkey breast in a brown bag-- a first experience for me, but one most other boating women are very familiar with. Marine ovens are small and they don't self clean. I'm usually a very confident cook, but this is making me a little nervous!

A Favorite Tree

Another year is almost gone by. I remember my mother telling me they go faster the older you get and I think she had a point. We're not quite sure what 2012 will hold for us, although in the short term we expect to travel down to Miami where my sister will join us for week's visit. Perhaps we'll travel to the west coast of Florida after that. Of course in the late spring we'll head up the waterway and back for a month or so in Salem before heading to Maine. It's the details to be filled in later that keep life interesting.

To all our friends and family we wish happy holidays, a happy healthy and peaceful New Year and that we'll see you sometime in the not too distant future!