Paradise Found

Today our nation 'observes' Christopher Columbus day. For the most part, it is observed on the calendar only. Sure the banks and government buildings are shut down, but there is no real celebration throughout our great land.

In reality, on October 12, 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, he did not discover America. He landed, instead, on a tiny island in the Bahamas, call San Salvador.

The cross in San Salvador commemorates where Columbus supposedly landed his ships.

I live in an area of the country that has a large Native American population. They are quick to point out to the rest of us that 1. Columbus did NOT land in America, and 2. He did not DISCOVER America, as it was already occupied...by them. I think we have to concede that point to them. It was already occupied, and there was no 'discovery'.

What I have trouble understanding or believing, --and I question---is why?  oh why?  would Columbus EVER leave the place he did land?  WHY?  How could he even think about leaving once he had found this paradise?

The high school in Kansas, where my children

attended had an excellent

high school science teacher,

that taught the kids more than

'science by the book'.

They got to take field trips and learn from hands on experience.

These field trips might be to a local farmer's pond, or they might be to

SAN SALVADOR THE BAHAMAS.

Yes, really.  Every single year the seniors get to

take a field trip to the

Bahamian Field Station

located on an old U.S. Navy base.

There the students and their sponsors,

and that super-teacher,

stay for a week,

studying the corral reefs, the fish, the ocean

and take a crash course in ocean-life.

One year I tagged along as a sponsor. I haven't quit dreaming of the place since. The island high school was a stone's throw from the ocean, and I every single day often dream of teaching there.

It is a week the student's never forget. Besides snorkeling every day, (most of the day), there are also other sights we got to see: the bat cave (uber cool), the lighthouse (not for those that don't like heights ...me), the castle, the culture, and of course Columbus's landing. You can even search the area for 'treasure'. When we were there they said that there had been some rubies and saphires found recently.

You can see by the pictures (NONE of them color-enhanced by the way) that it truly was Paradise Found that October day.

Really, what could have been the pull for

Mr. Columbus

to leave this

paradise

and return to Queen Isabella

in Spain?

Ever since my trip to San Salvador, I have questioned the
'old guy'
and wondered about his mind....logic....and good sense!!

One of these days I am going back, and it might just be a one-way ticket ........to Paradise.

Happy Columbus Day. 

Tables are Turned....

When I was on vacation this summer I managed to go into a few furniture stores. 

 The store above, in Oxford, Mississippi, was so cute I was willing to just move into the store! I love the pear painting, the exposed brick wall and the down-filled loveseat.  The entire store was wonderful.

 Then we got to Seaside, Florida, and there was a store that made my heart beat faster.  I would have taken absolutely anything in the store....IF, I could have afforded anything in the store!  I took all these pictures (secretly) with my phone.  I have given this picture to one of my son's (that can weld) and told him that is what I want for Christmas.

Then there were these coffee tables (pictured above). In case you can't tell from my covert photo, there were two tables stacked on top of each other.  I was willing to just have one!

 Then there was this baby.  I have instructed all my sons that I want this table for Christmas.  I don't care if I put it inside or outside, I want this table. It is made out of pipe, plumbing parts and old boards. Surely my sons can figure this out!!!!  See that little price tag?  It was over $1200.00. Really. (Now you see why I was taking huggermugger pictures!!)

My sons think I have lost my mind because I think these industrial tables are so great.  Now I just have to convince them that they really are worth the build!

Sea side from Seaside

Plenty of sunshine and lots of white beaches greeted us in Seaside, Florida.

Perfect sand for castle-building......until the waves take them away. Yes, I do realize I could build way up on the beach where there is no chance of waves hitting, but that spoils the fun. It is more fun to try to build before the rouge wave hits, or before I get my moat built!

Because of the (left-over Hurricane Alex) winds, there are lots of people flying kites. It is perfect for that.

If you look closely in this pic (I didn't want them to realize I was taking their picture, so I was trying to be discreet!) you will see a guy in a green shirt and khaki pants.  There are several others standing around him with pants on as well.  These are the oil-ball-picker-uppers.  Although after two solid days at the beach I haven't seen them pick up one single oil-ball.  There are several groups of them that walk the entire beach all day long, but so far so good.  There are also EPA pick-ups that go up and down the beach all day. I hear people talking about BP, but at this point, at this location, they are just being cautious.

So I will continue to enjoy this, and thank my lucky stars that the horrible spill has not ruined all the beaches yet.

I'm off to enjoy the beach....and take more pictures!