There ARE Good Things About Living In Florida

I took a walk this morning but instead of heading west towards Harvey's and the county line, I went east and then south on Highway 59 which is not a great place to walk because of all the trucks that travel the road but there's plenty of shoulder to walk on and it takes me across the bridge over Lloyd Creek and after about three quarters of a mile, I can walk down this pretty little dirt road. It's so quiet on that road and I hardly ever, ever see a car on it. It's shaded and I love it but it's not a long road at all. It ends in a serious-looking gate after less than half a mile, but I like to walk it anyway. Almost directly across 59 from that road is another country road, this one paved but not much wider than the dirt one. There are a few houses on it and lots and lots of beautiful trees.  I walked that road long enough to give me three miles total after walking back home and that was enough for me. It is definitely cooler but it was pretty warm by the time I was back on the highway heading home. 
I crossed the railroad track and took this picture.

You've seen this view many times if you've been here awhile. That is directly behind our property. 

As the firespike has really gotten its bloom on, I'm realizing that I've planted it in different places all over the yard. Now isn't that a perfect plant- root it, stick it in the ground, and literally forget about it? 

Oh, how the hummingbirds love it! And in a month or so I'll cut some of those blooms and stick them in water for the winter and come spring, they'll be plenty rooted to plant and forget until a year from now. 

When I came close to the side of the house by the kitchen door, I could smell the heavenly tea olive which you have also seen way too many pictures of. But it is such a crazy thing to me- that such tiny, tiny blossoms can create such a sweet and pungent perfume. 

You can smell it from quite a distance. It's a little gift of nature and even as I curse whoever planted all of the damn invasive things in this yard, I give thanks to whoever planted that tea olive. 

So. Next Wednesday will be Mr. Moon's and my thirty-ninth wedding anniversary. 
I know. Really? How the hell did that happen? I suppose it's quite easily explained by the facts that neither one of us has died nor have we gotten divorced. I mean. Let's get real. 
Of course there's far more to it than that but it's insane to think of how quickly the time has flown since we stood under some ancient oaks in one of the parks in downtown Tallahassee and said our vows in front of far more people than you would have imagined being there, considering it was less than a week from when we decided to get married. It was perfect.

And on Monday we are going to go to St. George Island and stay until Friday in a house on the beach. I am so excited! Right there, on the water, with balconies, just us. It is going to be lovely. It's an older house (although not that old) and it's far too big for two people but they just don't make beach houses for two these days. It's in the area of St. George Island called "The Plantation" which is gross and disgusting and gated but it will give Mr. Moon access to what they call "the cut" which is where the Army Corps of Engineers did indeed make a cut between what is now called St. George Island and Little St. George. 

When I think of the Army Corps of Engineers I always think of the saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." 

Cross Florida Barge Canal, anyone? 

However, The Cut is a renowned fishing spot and you know my man...

I have been craving the water and this is going to be so sweet. We can go to Apalach and shop and dine, go to the Little Pig and do our shopping, buy stone crabs (it's the season!) and cook them up in our own kitchen. We will drive to East Point to the Mexican restaurant for breakfast and...well. We will enjoy. I will walk on the beach, I will read my back issues of the New Yorker. We will see dolphins! Hell, I may even jump in the Gulf if it's not too cold. 

It's time for me to leave my sweet little nest for awhile. I need to do this. You know how much I love my house, my home, my yard, my garden. But the thought of spending a few nights in a place where we can leave the windows open to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves is very fine to me. 

Meanwhile, the zinnias continue to surprise and delight me. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon