Catching Up...

ANNIVERSARY TRIP TO CALIFORNIA: In September, Fred and I took a little trip to Northern California and visited the Napa Valley wine country. This year marked the occasion of our thirtieth anniversary, and when Fred asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate this milestone, I said, "Italy." His response was that as long as he is still in the working world, which means he travels constantly, he wanted to postpone the trip to Italy until such time as he is retired so he could thoroughly enjoy it and not have to turn right around from an international trip and immediately hop on another plane for work. Being the agreeable soul that I am, I totally understood and chose the next best thing: The Napa Valley.
Our weather was fabulous, and we toured several vineyards including Mondavi, Staglin, Miner, Gargiulo, and Castello di Amorosa. Each vineyard was distinctive in some way, and I learned a great deal about the process of wine making. I now know why some wines are far more pricey than others, something I never quite understood before walking through the actual details of the process. Several people said that the Napa Valley reminds them of Tuscany, but I'll have to wait a little bit longer to decide that for myself. I was especially impressed with Staglin Vineyards and their charitable contributions to mental health via their Salus wine collection and extensive fund raising efforts.
We enjoyed three rounds of golf with friends at Eagle Vines, Wente, and Poppy Hills. At the first two, the fairways weave in and out of the vineyards, which is rather interesting. Wente is an intriguing layout with lovely grounds, and Poppy Hills is very close to Pebble Beach. We had to stop in to absorb the breathtaking views of Pebble Beach.
We ventured south to Monterey for a brief overnight stay and then moved onward along the Coast Highway (where there must have been 500 people participating in a bike event) to tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon before we stayed in Ventura Beach. Moving on the following day, our final destination was the Ritz Carlton at Laguna Niguel, which was beyond amazing. It was an anniversary trip to forever remember--good friends and great times in northern and southern CA.
BACK IN SOUTH CAROLINA AGAIN: The truth is, however, that wherever I go, I love coming back to our home in SC, where the beaches are beautiful, the climate is generally pleasant, and people are friendly, warm and happy to be here. I'm teaching workshops in November through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University-Litchfield location, and look forward to meeting the people who will attend. I hear the most fascinating stories, and LOVE helping people write their life stories to pass along to future generations. This truly is my passion. Details are on my web site at www.awriterspresence.com.
2011 MEMOIR PRESERVATION CRUISE: Don't forget to call Kate to choose your cabin for the Bermuda cruise to be held in October, 2011. Deposits are required by 12/7/10, so contact Kate at (843) 294-9904 to secure your spot. We'll have a fabulous time!!! You will learn how to get started on a memoir preservation project, or if you've already taken my workshops, we'll have a workshop for those who have the tools to complete the project, but seem to be stuck in the mud without a shovel. Visit www.awriterspresence.com for additional information.
INSPIRATION: I have to say that God continues to bring the most incredible people into my path. I don't believe for a moment that we coincidentally run across these people. I do believe that He orchestrates circumstances that bring us into contact with certain individuals for a particular reason. We can't fool Him, you know. Sometimes people do things for others, and on the surface it would appear that they are ultra-generous and helpful. On occasion, it turns out that they actually have selfish motives for what they do, but God knows our hearts. We can't hide our secret motives from Him, and my point is that when you do something for someone else, let it be for unselfish reasons. Let it be because they need a hand, or an emotional lift, or a meal, or a ride to a medical appointment, or just an ear to listen. Don't make a mental note that they now owe you something in return. .....Lord, you know everyone's heart. Acts 1:24 (NIV) ....A happy heart makes the face cheerful...Proverbs 15:13 (NIV) You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Until next time, put a smile on the face of someone just because you want to do something special for them....and it will bring a smile to your own face as well.

My Mom, The Boat Captain

My Amazing Mom:

While recently visiting with Mom, she had arranged for us to go to dinner with some family friends. After our dinner, they announced that they'd like for us to take a ride on their boat on Lake Hickory, NC. Mom was very enthusiastic about this adventure, but little did I know that she would end up being the boat captain! She was so excited to enjoy the experience of driving a boat for the first time at age 83! God bless her. She is the most caring, loving, and inspiring person that one could ever have the privilege of knowing. I can't wait to see what she has on the agenda for my next visit!!

Huntington Beach State Park:

I know that in prior blog posts, I have promised to offer information on various wonderful places in the Grand Strand to take long walks for the exercise that we need, and I had referenced Garden City Beach in one post. This time, I am featuring Huntington Beach State Park. As you leave Murrells Inlet on Highway 17 South, the entrance is on the left before you reach Brookgreen Gardens. One really has to watch for the entrance sign, as traffic is swiftly moving along at 55 mph +. As we enter, we cross a popular bike path and then continue to a booth where fees for park use are collected. Passes for the parks can be purchased, and I discovered on a recent trip to the library that Horry County libraries are no longer selling the passes as they have in the past. It will now be necessary to purchase the pass for full price at the park. It's still a bargain, however. For the number of times I go there to walk, or even for use at Myrtle Beach State Park, where I'll pull into the parking lot in the middle of winter on a chilly day just to sit for a few minutes and observe the waves rolling into shore and the birds in flight, it is well worth the price. I definitely get my money's worth a zillion times over.

Anyway, once we have passed the booth, we drive very slowly across the causeway. On the right side is a sand bar where alligators frequently gather. Some days, there are no sightings during the causeway drive, and one day I counted seven gators! At the end of the causeway, one has a choice--turn to the right or turn to the left. A turn to the right takes you to a parking lot that is perfect unless it is a summer weekend afternoon, which can be crowded. This location offers a gift shop and indoor restrooms, which is a HUGE plus. It also is the home of the remains of Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Hyatt and Archer Huntington. You can't miss it, and guided tours are frequently offered, and there is a minimal charge.

This is a 2,500 acre park with unspoiled, non-commerical beaches. If you walk from the jetty on one end to the first house you encounter at the other end (North Litchfield), you have walked three miles. They also offer coastal kayaking, a 2 hour guided tour of the salt marsh. Walking this beach, especially during the off season, makes you feel like you have landed on a special island without a building in sight--until you reach the first beach house in North Litchfield. It is truly one of my favorite walks, even in the heat of summer. I walk along the edge of the water, which is refreshing in spite of the temperatures. I highly recommend this walk, and you can discover more about this location at http://www.huntingtonbeachsc.org or by calling (843) 237-4440.




Never Say Perfect:
I have finished the editing process of reading a chapter of my new novel to Fred each night, but in doing so, thought of a few more incidents I would like to add, and need to smooth out a few areas. It's something that you just can't rush. You have to work with it, set it aside for a few days, and return to the project with fresh eyes and perspective. I look forward to the day when I can hit SAVE and know that I am truly finished with this particular book and can move forward with all of the other projects that are in various stages of completion. You will be the first to know when I am ready to make my first attempt at seeking an agent. I plan to take you through every step of this process, as you'll be able to follow along the path of Never Say Perfect right here in this blog. So you'll want to stay tuned!

2011 Memoir Preservation Cruise to Bermuda:
Plans are being finalized! The cruise will be from Baltimore to Bermuda on October 1, 2011 through October 6, 2011 on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. You'll sail with me and have your choice of workshops to enjoy during days "at sea." It will be an opportunity to meet others who are either writing their life stories or are just there to kick up their heels and tour scenic Bermuda. Call Kate Jensen, CruiseOne-Myrtle Beach with cruise questions at (843) 294-9904 and feel free to call me at (843) 215-4676 with workshop questions! A $100 deposit will be due 12/7/10 and final payment on 7/23/11. Prices vary with choice of cabin, so call Kate today. Don't take your stories to the grave--preserve them! Learn how to easily do this while you cruise the Atlantic!

Inspiration:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die.....
In memory of Peggy Jones, who passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, following a long battle with cancer. She's at peace and singing praises with the angels, arms lifted high! She's home.