My Naturalist son, Ethan, in the Native American shelter he is building on Seabrook Island.

PEACE.  Yes, there is a place quite nearby that is abundant with peace, beauty and God.  On Seabrook Island is Camp St. Christopher, and the Barrier Island Program.  Both take place under the guidance of the Episcopal Church, on the loveliest 300 acres of coastline habitat.  My son, Ethan, works there as a Naturalist, teaching school children from all over the southeast.  He loves teaching the children about the environment and honoring his God by doing so.  An amazing guy.  

I was blessed to be able to spend the weekend there recently, on a retreat called "Be Still and Know God."  I was and I did and do.....you would be surprised how clear God's voice is if you take the time to LISTEN!  I even heard him over the roar of the wind and rain, actually I heard him IN the wind and rain, telling me to be quiet, peaceful and to wait with Him.  So, my dear friends, that is what I'm doing- Waiting with the Lord!

I do love my record player...yes, to play LP's.  I also love that folks are getting back on board with them.  There is nothing like putting Allman Brothers Band Beginnings on the turntable and rocking out to "Dreams I'll Never See".  Gee, I loved 1973!

Life of Pi is a banquet of color; a moveable feast, Indian style.  The movie, based on the book of the same name, written in 2001 by Yann Martel, pulls you in right from the start, with its vibrant and artfully staged introduction of zoo animals.  Leave it to master director Ang Lee, who creates scenes so beautiful that you keep them in your mind, revisiting them over and over again.  I will always remember Pi viewing the sinking cargo ship while floating underwater, the tiger who shares the lifeboat with Pi waiting for him in the boat at the banyan tree island and the night filled with jellyfish.
I will now read the book, as I am sure it is just as wonder-filled and lyrical as the movie.  This was the perfect way to spend the first day of spring...with color and beauty and inspiration.  Many thanks to Yann Martel and Ang Lee.

A few camellias were still in bloom.

My favorite bird is the great blue heron- so regal.

One of the perks of my newly found freedom is my weekly walks at Magnolia Gardens.  Not only is it incredibly beautiful there, but it is so peaceful.  These pictures were taken on the River Path, which runs between the marsh and the Ashley River.  My walk this week took me through the swamp garden, where I marveled at a tree with TEN great blue heron nests in it.  The nests are as big as a trash can lid and were tended by both male and female birds.  While I watched the  male swooping back and forth across the marsh, collecting grasses for the nest, which he delivered for the waiting female to weave into place, silent alligators were gliding through the water beneath the tree.  When the third gator arrived, I decided it was time to leave!

Beautiful morning, sunshine, 50 degrees...perfect for a long walk along the Ashley River.  I arrived at Magnolia Gardens at 9:30am, and headed down the gravel pathway towards the river, passing a few camellias still in bloom- red with yellow centers, plump white ones- gorgeous.  Around the bend by the boat landing, I found a path called the River Trail, which cuts between the marsh and the river.  Approx. 1 1/2 miles long, and 15 feet wide, it was peaceful, and oh so quiet.  Other than an employee giving lessons to someone on how to dock the pontoon boat....funny...I was the only person on the trail.        I was able to get great pictures of an anhinga, great blue heron, moorhens and two very large alligators. Now, if I could only figure out how to upload them to this blog, I'd be in business!!  Stay tuned for that- my class at the Apple Store is on Monday, so I have hope!

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soleRebels are for you- they feel like you are walking on clouds and are good for your heart and soul....because you are doing the right thing for the Ethiopian women who craft them.  These women make a high quality product and are paid a living wage for their work.  We who buy them get to walk in comfort and do something great for our fellow man and the planet.  Yup, a win-win situation.  

I'm groovin in mine...beige leather, recycled tire rubber soles and cute blue jean colored accents- match my blue toe polish, too!  Can't beat that.