The wild horses of Corolla are in trouble

There are a few things in the world that I am passionate about, and here is one of them. There are these horses that run wild on the Outer Banks, mainly in the Corolla/Carova area. They are descended from Spanish mustangs and have been around for over 500 years. I have actually encountered them when we vacationed in the area in 2004. I photographed the horse pictured above. These animals are ruggedly beautiful. You see them walking the beach and grazing in the yards of beach homes. They have endured hurricanes and vicious Nor'easters. These horses are worshipped by hundreds of vacationers who flock here just to see them! So, why on earth would someone want to injure them? The past 2 months, 2 of these animals were victims of hit and run drivers on the beach, possibly ATVs. Both had to be euthanized. Well, ATVs are not one of my favorite modes of transportation to begin with. They are just a land version of Jet Skis, another mode of getting around that I despise, boater that I am. Anyway, it now seems that these tragedies are deliberate. People that deliberately harm an animal are inhuman. Their next step is to injure another human being, possibly a defenseless child. I hope these scum bags are found soon and brough to justice. Let's just break their legs and leave them abandoned on the beach for hours. That seems fair to me. These horse deaths are just cruel and senseless and need to stop.

Encounter with a Great Blue Heron

Good morning, Mr. Great Blue Heron! You are one very big bird! I can see you stalking something in the water as you move ever so slowly down the river's shoreline. There! You take a stab at it and missed! You are shaking your head in disbelief! Now, you are cocking your head. What do you hear? A fish? A crab maybe? It is a crab! And you have in fact, stabbed it! How did you do that? Crabs are very, very hard! Oh wait, it must be a softshell, a peeler crab. You are a very smart bird, Mr. Great Blue Heron! And you have great taste!

Letter to my mom on Mother's Day

Dear Mom;
This is your 5th Mother's Day in Heaven. How are things there?
It still feels weird for me not buying you a Mother Day card or having you over for a special Mother's Day lunch or dinner. I am still envious of all my friends and relatives who can still do this with their moms. I remember that you really enjoyed reading your cards and you would always cry, even when they were funny cards. I do that too......thanks, Mom!
Since you are up there with the "powers that be," I need some favors. Mindy still has cancer and it is really time to get that cured. As if that is not enough for her family, Tony has some heart problems and he needs two knee replacements. Let's just try to get that fixed. Joe's sister, Anne has some kind of rare brain tumor, needs surgery, and the folks in her insurance company are assholes. Maybe you can figure out how to turn that around. I am sure you have run into Jesus by now, so if you could give Him a gentle reminder, that would be great.
Joe and I are well. We are living the retirement life you wanted, I think. We took that trip to Europe a while back and do a good deal of traveling. We are moving to a house on the golf course in a few weeks. Be sure to tell Dad about that. I will be needing some help from him for my golf game. Oh, and I am growing out my gray hair. I can see you cringing but I am hopeful that it will be attractive. Please send down some angel dust (the real stuff, not the drug)!!
I miss you, Mom. Please keep watching over me.
Love,
Pam

Changes

Changes are coming to my family. Joe and I have sold the condo!!!! And, we have successfully negotiated a contract on a little house on a golf course in Virginia Beach. The new place is very, very close to Pete's family. We will be able to spend a lot more time with Brayden and Kennedy as we will be helping out with babysitting. This seems to be such the right thing to do at this stage in our lives. Who knows how much times we have remaining...not to be morbid or anything...but we want to live life to the fullest. That means being in Virginia most of the time and making the journey to Blacksburg to spend time with Liam and Carter and Joanie and Eddie more than just occasionally. And, I will maybe bite the bullet and play golf!! This all happens in just 4 short weeks!!! June 5th we will be in our new home!!

Nesting or just enjoying the view...?

I don't know what this bird is doing. I think it is a female purple martin as there a loads of them around the condo right now. It is fixated on a sprinkler head on our balcony. The sprinkler has got mud on it. I am afraid of trying to clean it up lest I damage it or even worse, cause it to flood the units. That has happened to my neighbors below us. Their kid "caught" one of the indoor sprinkler heads with a fishing rod and it flooded their condo and also the one below them. They were out for over three months while the damage was repaired. What a nightmare. Anyway, the mystery continues. Maybe it is building a nest even though I have read that they nest almost exclusively in those gourds or purple martin houses. Time will tell. Perhaps it just likes the view, as I do.....

Stations of the Cross

I am a "not always practicing" Catholic. As a convert to the faith, I am blessed, I suppose, to not suffer from " Catholic guilt." So, if I miss Mass, which I confess, I have done a lot recently, I do not dwell on whether or not I am on the way to Hell. I sincerely hope NOT! But, I digress. My youngest, Joey, reminded me earlier this week that Good Friday is his favorite "Church day." And, it is mine also. So, although I did not attend a Good Friday service, I did take the time to read the Stations and came away renewed. No lighting bolts or anything like that, but a definite sense of peace and well being. Our God is an awesome God and I am so thankful for His Son! He is truly risen!

A walk in the park

Pete brought the grandkids over for a short visit this weekend. We drove to a park and we all had fun on the playground. Then we took a short walk on a nature trail and we did get them to sit still for 20 seconds while I took this picture at my favorite spot there. Grandkids are just awesome, a true gift from God.

Bling!

I got a wonderful bling today! What started as a simple resizing of my diamond engagement ring has culminated in the above ring gracing my left hand! The larger diamond had been damaged over the years by my rough and tumble lifestyle and needed to be recut, to smooth out a gash. I ended up with an awesome "big girl ring!" My Joe is such a great guy! I love you, Joe!!

Let the gray begin!!

Ok....so after 18 years of coloring my hair (yes ONLY 18 years!) I have decided to go gray! This is a major challenge for me. I started in February when my beloved SIL, Anne, said she was doing it! She had her hair highlighted to take attention away from the roots and she looks great! I went to see my hairdresser (Lucy) today, and she put in some lowlights and some highlights and trimmed it super short. I had about 2 inches of white roots showing, so it was a major improvement. Ummm, no pics, but they will be coming soon!

Spring Training

After years of promising ourselves to do this, Joe and I FINALLY got involved in Spring Training in Florida. It is called, appropriately, the "Grapefruit League." There are a bunch of major league teams that come to different venues in Florida and play each other. We went to four games in four different locations. We saw the Atlanta Braves vs the New York Yankees at Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, the Yankees vs the Toronto Blue Jays in Tampa, The Tampa Bay Rays vs the Pittsburgh Pirates in Port Charlotte, and the Blue Jays vs the Rays in Dunedin. The stadium at Disney is beautiful and clean, as you would expect from Disney. George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is, by my guess, a miniature Yankees Stadium. This stadium had all the atmosphere of a major league ball park, complete with the beer vendors in the stands, hawking "cold beer here," at the top of their voices. The Rays new stadium in Port Charlotte was a bit of a drive for us (about an hour and a half), but it was nice and intimate even though it got our vote for the worst hothogs! The drive to Dunedin, which is considered to be in the Tampa metro area, was horrible. We just should have gone to Port Charlotte again, to see our Rays. Not to mention, we were hot as hell and left in the fifth inning.
But, we did Spring Training and hope to do more games next Spring. It's a wonderful way to spend the month of March in Florida!

A Day at Tampa Bay Downs

The Thoroughbred is an awesome animal. Please enjoy my pictures of these race horses taken at Tampa Bay Downs.

17 random things about me

Here are a few things about me to start of the New Year....

1. I am basically a shy person. I have become more self-assured as I have aged, though. But, maybe that is part of getting old….

2. I enjoy being at home. This is a good thing considering that I own two of them! I hate crowds and love curling up with my laptop or a good book at home. I love just being home with my husband, Joe.

3. I love cooking, especially baking cookies and cakes. A 20-pound weight gain since 1999 attests to this!

4. I love hiking or walking outside with my husband, Joe and dog, Ivy. I never listen to the I pod outside as I would miss hearing the enchanting sounds of nature.

5. I am a keen animal lover, especially dogs, most especially my own beautiful Lab, Ivy. Horses are a close second and I am warming up to cats.

6. I am fascinated by digital photography. I use my digital camera just about every day. I especially enjoy taking pictures of Ivy and I am proud to say I have over 1000 pictures of her!

7. I am an optimist and rarely see the dark side of anything. I believe in the inherent goodness of people.

8. I love to sing but cannot read a note of music. And while I may not have a beautiful voice, I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord! And I do!

9. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church (yes, the Roman Catholic one although I still have a lot of questions about it, but I love the bells and smells), the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. I believe in Hope. And I believe that dogs go to Heaven.

10. I don’t understand what the fuss is all about regarding Gay marriage. Why can’t Gays/Lesbians get married? Two people who love each other should be able to get married and have a family with all the rights and benefits that come with it. Why all the hate? It’s time to stop hating and focus on loving.

11. Wine, wine, wine. I have it every night. I want it, need it. White is preferred, but red will work.

12. The gym. I need to go more. I hate the treadmill. Thank you, Mac, for the I pod! I will go more this year, I promise.

13. The computer. I am an addict. No cure in sight! I have online friends that I know personally and many more that I have never met (Cheri). I have actually met one of those: Chelise, a dog lover like me. I have found old friends that I thought I had lost (Kristie, Don, and Patty). I have gotten to know some friends better (Wendy, my Lexulous buddy), and I keep in touch with my family, extended family and old friends on Facebook (Mary Kay, Lucy, Pete, Joey, Joanie, Jack, Madonna, etc.).

14. I have 2 stepchildren, Joanie and Drew. They came with the Joe Monahan package that I received in 1974. We raised them together and equally with our own two children, Pete and Joey. I refer to them as stepchildren purely for identification purposes. Growing up, we never used the word “stepchild” with Joanie and Drew. I am blessed to have 4 wonderful children and I adore them. They have all matured into educated, successful, loving, sensitive adults.

15. I am a mother lioness when it comes to my children and my grandchildren. I am fiercely protective and would give my life to save theirs. I brag about them incessantly and to anyone who will listen. Hear me roar!

16. The Chesapeake Bay and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed captivate me. I have been fortunate to have lived within minutes of this treasure most of my adult life. I have walked miles of her shoreline, fished her waters, tanned on her beaches, and yes, even participated in a bit of skinny-dipping. I have watched a parade of Tall Ships, a pod of dolphins, and the Fourth of July fireworks ….ooooo….ahhh. And I have thrown tennis balls into the surf for more than a few Retrievers. I belong to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and I am committed to saving the Bay. I guess that makes me somewhat of a “tree hugger.”

17. I love Joe Monahan. He makes my life complete. He is the most intelligent person I have ever met. But more importantly, he is caring, loving, sensitive, passionate, and generous. He mixes me a cocktail every evening and opens my wine. He shares in all the things I love. He has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh. He is my friend, teacher, and confidant. Joe is my partner and soul mate…he is the love of my life.

My solo trip to San Diego to see my long lost friend

My solo trip to San Diego was a huge step for me. I had not done something like this on my own for....God knows how long!! I am not a huge fan of flying and this flight was from Virginia (Atlantic coast) to California (Pacific coast), to see a long lost friend. But I made it and spent several wonderful days with Kristie, my very best friend in high school. Kristie and I were inseparable when my family lived in Helena, Montana in the mid 1960s. We were huge Beatles fans and founded the Montana Beatles Fan Club. Then, my dad took a new job in Virginia in 1966 and when we left Helena, I was heartbroken to leave my best friend. I was 15 years old at the time. We corresponded for a time but lost track during our college years. Then, early in 2008, I searched for Kristie on the Internet and found her on classmates.com. It was amazing how easy that was! She answered my email the same day. We had not been in touch for over 40 years! I wanted desperately to see her, so I cashed in some award miles and flew to San Diego a few months later. Of course, we had exchanged pictures, but I recognized her right away at the airport. We had four wonderful days talking, touring beautiful San Diego, walking the beach, eating, and drinking. She was the perfect hostess and tour guide. She is an animal lover like me and has 3 very cool cats. I am so very fortunate to have my best friend back in my life.

TGIO-The 2008 Presidential Election

Thank God It's Over!! The Presidential election that is! No more TV ads and the cardboard is disappearing. I really did not have a candidate, but.....I did vote for John McCain. Conservatism won out for me, in my "golden years." Blame the Banker, but this former hippie has assets to protect and conserve. Since I ditched my political party affiliation earlier this year, I am officially an INDEPENDENT Florida voter. What does it mean? I voted for "the Man." Simply put, I thought John McCain was the better man. But, I stand behind Barack Obama now and celebrate with the rest of my country, his amazing accomplishment. I do, however, have a very low tolerance for the Bush bashing that has all too soon started cropping up. Come on people.......President Bush will be out of office and writing his memoirs in a couple of months. I want him out of there too and pray that our new leader is up to the daunting task ahead of him. I sure hope he finds some good, honest, God believing folks to help him because he is sure going to need it.

Florida

Florida is the Sunshine State!! I have been back at my Tampa house just visiting my stuff for a week now. I drank out of my favorite Waterford double old fashioned glass. I drank morning coffee on the lanai by the pool. I swam in the pool. I listened to the breeze in the palm trees. I laughed at the Sandhill cranes. I enjoyed wining and dining with old friends. I loved sleeping late every day with my husband. I played at the beach with my dog. I went shopping with my son to stock his refrigerator. It was a good time.

the Tall Ships

These photos were taken from Ft. Moultrie on Sullivans Island, SC. The Tall Ships were in Charleston Harbor for their annual Harborfest. Although there were only four of them, they were truly magnificent, as they sailed through the mist in the Parade of Sail. The ship Amistad (the last ship pictured with sails folded) is a replica of an old slave trader ship. These ships brought slaves from Africa to the New World, with most of them chained below deck. The slaves on the Amistad mutinied against their inhumane treatment in 1839. The other ships pictured are the Corwith Cramer, the Spirit of South Carolina, and the Virginia.

The last day of being 56

It's finally here; the last day of 56! Yippee! WhoooHooo!
A ton of stuff happened this year and now it is on to another year in the life of thebankerswife! Lots of picture taking and writing crap in the blog. Going to do some traveling and wine drinking. Not as much eating, but hey...that's ok. I am just going to be more particular of the stuff that goes into this old, er, middle aged body. More fruits and yes, more veggies! Less beef and more seafood. I am really going to TRY to drive the boat more and maybe learn to dock it this summer. More reading of books, perhaps some of the classics I missed in high school and college. I just finished a book, just a mindless "chick book," but a book, nonetheless! I am DEFINITELY planning on spending more time with the grandkids and more quality time with Joe, now that he is retiring again. And more walks with Ivy. Plus, more walks outdoors. I have gotten spoiled with roaming the beach at Sullivans Island everyday, but who wouldn't? It is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen (see pic above). I am realizing that you just have to stop and smell the roses, or at least wiggle your bare feet in the sand every once in a while. My feet both have bunions (thanks, Mom), so flip flops are great! Enough rambling from this 56 year old bankers wife and on to number 57!! Cheers!

Boone Hall Plantation-Grounds and Gardens

Please enjoy my slideshow of Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC. And remember to stop and smell the flowers along the way.......

Eight Belles

Godspeed, Eight Belles. Your race into history is not the one I had hoped for. You are in greener pastures now and running free with a good horse named Barbaro......

More Gardens of Charleston

The gardens in the ancient homes in the downtown Charleston are are just amazing. You could, and I have, spend hours just wandering around. Just lose yourself in the magic gardens.....