Wedding Anniversary

Welcome to my Thankful Thursday.

** I am very thankful for salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. I sure can’t save myself nor anyone else.

** I’m thankful for another year to be with the man I love who stole my heart so long ago. We celebrated our 42nd yesterday. (A few photos below. CLICK on each photo to enlarge.)

** Having dogs is a bright spot in my life. They are a treasure. Like “they” say, nothing loves ya like a dog. 😉

** And although things are not perfect, I’m very thankful to live in America, during this Age of Grace, and especially in our little ‘hood in the Georgia countryside. We’ve got it good and I know it. God has blessed us “… exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think …” All good things come from God.

Yesterday, we traveled a few miles to Brunswick and spent the morning in the Historic District. Started out at the Daddy Cates Coffees. The sugar-free frozen Frappe was excellent! Well done.

Then we drove around the Historic area looking at all the sights.

After that, headed north to Darien in McIntosh County to look around. Stopped first at the old Butler’s Plantation just outside of Darien. Rice was grown there before the War of Northern Aggression. Probably was even after but it’s not now. It’s so hot in this area during the summer. And the biting bugs! Ouch. It’s absolute misery. I don’t know how anyone could stand living there without proper glass windows and air conditioning. It must have been like hell on earth. No wonder so many died before their time.

Also, happened onto a historic cemetery called St. Andrews near the town with the quaint name of Ashantilly. Quite a mouthful, huh?! The cemetery slopes down to Black Island Creek. There’s Spanish Moss draping off the trees, the air is dense and muggy. Reminds me of Florida. Since I’m a historian, I like to stroll through old cemeteries to look at the markers. Some are so creative which says a lot about those entombed there. I always wonder about what their lives where like. What did they like, who did they hate. Where they good people? Where they happy? Where they loved? Did they love Jesus? Are there descendants living in the area still? Could I be related (that’s always possible here)? Anyway, I’m always respectful when visiting and only take photographs.

After all that fun, we’d frittered away enough time to have supper. Off we went to engorge ourselves at a local place called Skippers’ Fish Camp. They offer quite a cuisine for such a small restaurant but we always go for the seafood. That’s the only food Steve won’t cook at home ’cause it stinks up the kitchen. Anything else is much better cooked at our home. Cheaper too.

All that said and done it was time to head home to let the copious amounts of shrimp ruminate. It had been a long day for this old lady. After a meal like that, I have to get comfortable and let my belly flop around for awhile. *lol* (I know. TMI.)

Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed the day trip too.

My favorite of us by the pool

Even though we both lived in Jacksonville, Future Hubby and I met by chance in the Florida Keys in April 1978 on a SCUBA diving trip put together by a then local dive shop. Chance had it that since he was flying solo he would be in need of a dive partner. My luck was working overtime that year because we were paired up on the dive boat. (One must always have at least one dive buddy. Water can be very unforgiving.) Anyway, rocking boats are my nemesis which means I get puckin’ dog sick. As the boat slowed, I was already turning a lovely shade of pea green. Experience had taught me to gear up when the boat was under power, mask and all, and as soon as the Captain killed the motor, over I’d go. The cool water was therapeutic for my condition. There I would await my assigned buddy, relaxed and calm, in the arms of gently, rolling sea.

Future Hubby and I enjoyed diving together and riding in the boat that day. After the fun and frivolity I was no longer a lovely green shade, now I was lobster red. I can’t win! I probably looked like a giant zit with blonde hair. By the time we made landfall we where all perished and fatigued to the bone from the watery adventures. A shower, a quick change of clothes, and the small group assembled at a local watering hole on Islamorada called the Corral Grill. Again, Hubby and I sat next to one another. We drank, ate, talked, shared experiences and laughed for hours. By the end of the evening, I had lost my heart to this totally charming, intelligent fellow. He was so lighthearted, knowledgeable and kind. A little over one year later, we were man and wife and I’ve never looked back. [wedding photos] We where married by a Notary Public at the apartment complex that we would call home for over two years. If you look at the photos, note the late ’70s decor. Cool, huh. [/sarc] Neither of us had family that could attend. It was just a simple, pleasant ceremony with many of our friends in attendance.

Because of our jobs, we had to wait three months to go on a honeymoon. [photos] That November we traveled to Arizona and Utah to see the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Since I had never visited the desert Southwest until that trip, this was quite an experience. I’ve never said “Wow” so many times in one week. *lol* Such an amazing place. I was so enamored with the Southwest that upon our trip home, I decorated the apartment with that motif in mind. Those decorations are long gone but thanks to a firm foundation in loving our LORD Jesus Christ first, the love for each other is still there.

Thank you LORD Jesus for not only giving me, an imperfect sinner, eternal life through your Perfect Love, but for blessing me further with a husband that loves You first, and me next. It’s been a wonderful 37 years. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

And thank you for reading my humble missive. I am truly blessed to have so many friends.

bless you sparky 360x120