Old Florida

"Exploring “Old Florida”

Most folks around the country hear the word ”Florida’’ and immediately think of warm weather, orange juice,  and sandy, sun-kissed beaches. I get it. But if you read my post about Rainbow River a couple of weeks ago, you begin to see the beauty of Florida’s interior.

After church Sunday, Mike suggested we take a ride to Chiefland for a sandwich at a great barbeque place he knows and maybe poke around the area a bit. Mike has been all over that part of the state and knew I would like to explore it a bit. 

A Sunday drive in the Corvette around Florida? I was in! I like those impromptu dates with my husband. 

Mike was right about the barbeque place. It was delicious. I trust Mike, but when you walk in a restaurant and it looks like everyone from the county is there, you know it’s going to be good food. And it was. Barbeque pork sandwiches and sweet tea. It doesn’t get any more Southern than that. We were off to a good start.

A few miles north of the restaurant we pulled off at a park located on the Suwannee River. I’ve only seen the river from the interstate before. Up close, the strong current hardly matches the lazy rhythm of the song. But it is beautiful! Captivating, even. A teenager was trying his hand fishing in the strong current, but meeting with no success. “Maybe if he took his shoes off,” I thought. I mean if you’re going to fish the Suwanee river…

The history of the bridge and a portion of the old structure is displayed in the park as well. It is all part of “Old Florida.”

We next drove miles on a desolate highway lined with woods and palmettos to Cedar Key. Cedar Key is an old coastal town. I have long heard of the place but had never been there. I know they have an outdoor art show there every year and many boats. I understand the restaurants in the area are excellent. All these things attract tourists, Florida’s number one industry.

We poked around a bit in art stores and examined the old structures lining the streets. We walked down along the waterfront. It is an interesting and beautiful piece of “Old Florida’s” history. But it was extremely hot and humid that day, so we made our way back to the car and headed home, vowing to return when the temperature cools a bit in the fall.

The day was wonderful. We set out to enjoy a bit of “Old Florida.” But that evening, as I stood on our back deck looking out over the lawn with the lake beyond, I realized “Old Florida” is in our own back yard. And it is beautiful.

Yes, I Am a Novel Creation

 I’m sitting at my computer struggling with this week’s topic for the blog. I named the blog: “A Novel Creation” for two reasons. The first was my idea and is rather weak. The second idea was, in a way, revealed to me by God. Much later. 

I’ll start with the first. 

When I decided to turn my attention to becoming a published author, I attended a conference at Wheaton College in Illinois. I was there to learn what I needed to do to publish. Actually, I already knew the first step was to write something. Before the conference I began crafting my first novel.

At that conference in 2012, I heard over and over again I needed to write a blog. I didn’t even know what a blog was, much less anything about writing one. I started to research “blog” and bumped into work by Jeff Goins challenging writers to write. 

I was one of the early members of a Facebook group emerging from that work called “My 500 Words.” Through his work I learned about blogging. The goal was to write at least 500 words every day.

I needed a name for my blog. I was writing my first novel, so I called the blog, A Novel Creation. Clever, huh? Not really, but my goal at that time was to share everything I was learning about crafting a book with others interested in doing the same thing. 

It’s a small pool. Actually, I run into many people who talk about writing a book, but getting down to it is another thing.

Anyway, that was the beginning of A Novel Creation. I posted my first blog entry the day after Christmas, December 26, 2012. I trudged along with the weekly posts. Most of them were aimed at taking people along on my writing journey.

My first novel released at the end of March 2014. The end of October, that same year, my husband of forty-three years died  after a bicycle accident. 

I actually had most of the November and December posts already waiting in the wings, but there is a definite difference in the posts when, as a widow, I began writing for the blog again. I came to recognize the blog was no longer about crafting a book. It was about me.

I am a novel creation. I am a woman created by God and fitted for a unique path in life.

I kept the blog going, though I have often referred to losing Tom as “the moment the ink ran out of my pen.” I worked at living. I traveled to India, moved to a new house, moved to a different country, and crafted a blog that followed the life I was now muddling through. 

In April of 2023, I married a man I’ve known since junior high. We graduated from high school together. Mike Tyler is a good man. He makes me smile. I feel his love every day. And…Mike encourages me in my writing. Now? I checked. I just hit my 500 words!

Secret of Rainbow River

 “A Chill in the Water!”

Or

Lessons Drawn From the Rainbow River”

 

My first trip to Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida was as a teen. The spring-fed water is icy cold even on the hottest day of the year. I understand the water travels underground from the Appalachian Mountains. The river is only seven miles long and as clear as a pane of glass. 

 You  cannot “ease” your way into the water. “Easing in” is akin to cutting off your toe a sliver at a time. Simply Excruciating. No. You must make the commitment and jump in.

 The ice-cold water surrounds you. It nearly takes your breath away, but you quickly adapt. 

 The current is strong, so most people bring or rent innertubes to float down the river, the fish swimming happily beneath them. Fish in that river are hard to catch because they can see absolutely everything …hook, line, and sinker.

This past week I had the opportunity to visit the river. Mike and I took a drive up there and stopped in at our favorite restaurant, The Front Porch. The food and service are wonderful, but whenever I mention The Front Porch to folks in Citrus County (and beyond) the first words out of their mouths are usually, “Oh…the pies!” 

Yep, their pies are great. Award winning, even. And if you watch Tampa news stations, you’ll often see the restaurant featured because of…their pies. And just for perspective, Tampa is two counties and a few hours away.

I digress. I could write an entire blog post on the restaurant, but this post is about what I’ve learned from the Rainbow River. 

 

The Rainbow River is a Good Guide Along the Path of Life. 

1)        Take the plunge. Go for it. Be it a new job opportunity, a new relationship, or a trip you’ve always dreamed of taking but put on the back burner…go for it. Be all in. Change can be challenging, but I’ve learned through the years that God wired us to adapt to new circumstances and surroundings. Those new experiences help us grow confidence and positive self-esteem. 

 

2)        That said…don’t forget the innertube. Your safety net. Those are the people close to you. Your family, dear friends, and trustworthy coworkers. They are there to support you as you make a change in your life and pull you out of the current if you need a little help. A little help.

 

3)        Enjoy the ride. We can get so busy treading water in life…trying to keep our heads above the surface, we miss the beauty of our surroundings. Our routines take over. We look up one day and, with a sigh, say “I wish I had…”  or “I wonder what my life would look liked if…” You  get the idea.

 

4)        Finally, if you find yourself in Florida and a sign pops up directing you to Dunnellon, get off the tourist trap interstate and meander through the countryside of Marion County. Visit Rainbow Springs at the head of the river. And…if you feel a bit adventurous, don your swimsuits and take a guide boat up the river.  Jump in the cold water. After your float, head south on US Highway 41. Stop in at The Front Porch and indulge in a piece of pie. As they say: Put a little South in your Mouth.

(P.S. Tell them Becky Sent You)

 

 

 

 

Olym-pups

 Summer Olym-pups

While millions watched the summer games

played out in Paris on television, Mike and I

enjoyed our own summer Olympic champions

as they performed here.

 

Roxy came out on top in three major events.

She won the gold in “squirrel chasing without

harming a single squirrel.” She also placed

first in the “barking and bouncing at the same

time” event. And although the competition

was tough, Roxy landed on top with the “most 

drool in a single dinner session.”

Roxy

It should be noted that Roxy was disqualified in one of the eating events for eating her opponent’s food before eating her own.

Honeybee was not to be outdone, going for the

gold in protecting Mike from Becky and winning

by a landslide. Although she failed to keep

Becky from entering Mike’s office, (Becky was

able to pass her by without even a nip) she 

tried… whereas Roxy allowed full entry to

Mike’s office without a whimper. Honeybee also

reached the top podium in meatloaf devouring,

though that was a close match. Roxy won the

silver in that one.

Honeybee

Most notably, in the spirit of fair play,

Honeybee was able to coach Roxy in daily

napping. The two tied for the gold in that

event.

Graded on form and presentation, Honeybee

wins the top honors for regal beauty while 

Roxy claims highest marks on pure cuteness. 

And the cat? Tiki turned her nose up at the

foolishness of the dog’s daily antics. She

merely strolled off, stretched, yawned and

curled up assuring all spectators she

regarded the dogs as non-contestants in her

view of the animal world.

 

Tiki

Debby

 Debby

I’ve known a few “Debby’s" in my life. It was a popular name for my generation. Probably because of an actress named Debby …or was it Debbie…Reynolds. However you spell it, there were always multiple Debby’s in my classes from first grade through high school.

This blog isn’t actually about those friends. It is about the hurricane by the same name. 

My High School Friend
Debby Westlake
Shared This "Hurricane Selfie"
for This Week's Post.
Thank You, Debby!

Growing up in Florida I often heard old timers say, “What we need right now is a good hurricane.” I didn’t get it. I guess “a good hurricane” fills the lakes, waters the plants, and cools the air.

It does seem the hurricanes today hit harder and wreak more havoc. Of course, in the last fifty years there have been many changes to the Florida landscape. Now I see fewer orange groves and open fields. It seems our newest state products are condominiums, HOA planned communities, and theme parks. 

Maybe we just see more devastation because there is more in the storm’s path. 

When Hurricane Debby headed up the west coast of Florida this weekend, Mike and I watched the weather reports tracking the storm system as it left the Caribbean and gained strength in Gulf waters. We watched the news channel as residents along the coast, lined up in their cars to collect bags filled with sand.  

We weren’t particularly worried…just interested. 

We do have friends who live on the Gulf and have lived there for many years. They’ve never been hit by a hurricane. We haven’t either, but we are all still watchful. That is the prudent way to live. Being watchful.

Mike and I live inland, but on a lake. Weather reports indicated we would have plenty of rain. Fortunately, the Fish and Game Commission keeps an eye on the water table of our lake and do what they can to make sure we avoid flooding in our area. Strategically placed “flood locks” were opened in some areas and closed in others.

The rains were to hit on Sunday. Mike and I went to church under clear skies, but of course, the rain started as we left church and headed to a car dealership to pick up our truck. By the time we arrived back at our house, the rain was steady. 

Our house has a metal roof, so the sound was actually restful.

 The rain came down all afternoon. Our dogs weren’t too happy, but they were good girls. They braved the wet grass when there was a break in the weather so they could do their business.  

As night fell, the rhythm of the rain lulled us into a deep and satisfying sleep. 

We woke to learn Hurricane Debby had made landfall nearly100 miles north of us in Steinhatchee, Florida and was heading east across the state. As I write this, I know Hurricane Debby isn’t finished yet. And yes, there will be more storms coming.We are early in the hurricane season. 

Hurricanes are part of nature. 

My heart aches for those who lost loved ones in the storm and for those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed. 

Debby is a good reminder to always be prepared, be watchful, and  be thankful. 

But isn’t that the message of how we should live…in season and out of season? Be Prepared? Be Watchful? Be Thankful?

The Value of Vicks

 The Value of Vicks

Growing up, I can remember my mom treating a chest cold with a poultice of Vicks VapoRub salve. A head cold called for Vicks on the nose. If the congestion was severe, you might find yourself under a towel tent leaning over a steamy Vicks salve, deeply inhaling the treatment. 

Colds. Congestion. That was my experience with the clear, soft, aromatic salve. I knew it was made of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus. And I knew it came in a little blue jar. That was the limit of my understanding. 

Then I married Mike.  Mike is a champion for Vicks Salve. 

Meet "Dr. Mike"

Dr. Mike prescribes the stuff for…well, everything. No matter what I have going on, Mike asks, “Did you try putting a little Vicks on it?” It is his “go to” for healing. (My go-to has always been chocolate pudding. Just saying.)

You strain a muscle? Mike says, “Rub a little Vicks on it, baby.” 

Your throat hurts? Mike says, “Rub some Vicks on it.”

You have a headache? Mike says, "Rub some Vicks on the bottom of your feet."

Really? But that's what they say.

You get a small cut while you’re peeling vegetables or an insect bites you while you’re outside weeding the flowerbed? “Vicks Salve” is Mike’s answer.

While in Ohio, Mike had some congestion. I pulled the little blue jar out of the cabinet for him.

A connoisseur of Vicks, Mike quickly pointed out what I handed him was the store brand copy of the miracle cure. He all but turned up his nose at the stuff suggesting I had purchased it deliberately to save a few pennies. In truth I didn’t notice the differences. It was in a blue jar and the label was similar. And it worked. So Mike relented and used it. At least that one time. But the real Vicks is his go-to for any and every ailment.

So this week we looked it up. It turns out, according to the YouTube expert we consulted, there are numerous uses for the stuff. Everything from muscle pains and cracked heels to an irritated throat and minor cuts. It supposedly will heal minor cuts, toenail fungus and earaches. 

And if that isn’t enough, you can use it to stop a door hinge from squeaking or put it on the nose of your racehorse to keep him focused. Who knew? They even claim it will fade bruises and clear acne.

As it turns out, Mike is probably closer in his claim that Vicks cures  all ills than I am with chocolate pudding. 

But for the record, I will continue to hold onto my view of chocolate pudding as strong medicine simply because it tastes better. 

It may not cure everything, but it doesn’t hurt.

Dinner Hacks

 Dinner Hacks

I learned early in my adult life that when the dinner bell rings everyone is suddenly hungry. Okay, no…I do not have a dinner bell. However, the same flurry of activity and the anticipation of food arrives nearly the same time every day. 

There is often the “What’s for dinner?” question thrown around. I have learned answering that question with, “I don’t know…what did you cook?” is not met with the humor intended. Well, the sarcastic humor intended, anyway.

I grew up in a time when women did most of the cooking in the household. That isn’t necessarily true anymore. For example, my son-in-law, David is a great cook and Mike, though more comfortable at the grill, is willing to pitch in if I need him. 

Actually, I enjoy cooking. Most of the time.

Grandma always said,
"Set the table first."

 

There are times however, I get busy writing or completing some project and don’t enjoy the pressure of having to come up with something. On some of those occasions, Mike is also willing to pullout his favorite “recipe” called Door Dash. Just sayin’. Not Knocking it. It works for me. On occasion. Of course, too much going out or ordering in is costly as well as loaded with stuff that isn’t particularly good for you.

That said, here are a few hacks to keep your Hungry Harrys at bay:

1)        As a young bride, my grandmother told me always set the table first. When your family heads toward the kitchen and sees the table is set, they figure dinner is nearly ready and so they go about their business until the proverbial dinner bell rings. I’ve used this one many times.

2)        Craft a list of menu items so when you’re tired you don’t have to “come up with something.” I always keep pasta sauce and a variety of pastas in my pantry. Usually, you’ll find string cheese (great to stuff manicotti) or frozen meatballs in the freezer. Those meals can be ready in minutes.

3)        Give yourself a few “I don’t have to think about dinner tonight” days. For example, when the weather is good, Mike always grills burgers on Fridays. I don’t need to even think about dinner on Fridays except to heat a can of baked beans and open a bag of chips. I know families who have “Taco Tuesdays.” That is a great “no think” cooking day.

Those are a few ideas. I’m sure you have more. Keep a frozen pizza around? Canned chicken for quick chicken salad? 

Of course, when I was a young bride and on a strict budget, the menu included “dinner and mom and dad’s or dinner at grandma’s. Hey, sometimes you do what you have to do, right?