Turning 70 - It Is A Wonderful Life

Today I reached a milestone in life.  I turned "70".  It wasn't a day of sadness, but a day of rejoicing.  

Christmas Eve is a special time.  I have always felt blessed to be born on this day.  It has been a Wonderful Life.  Each person, family or friend, has left their mark on me and I thank you.

We all have a purpose in life.  God made us for a reason.  There are days I know why and then days I wonder.  Have I ever felt like George Bailey from "It's A Wonderful Life"?  Yes, I have.  But deep down, I know God has a special plan for me.  My daily prayer is God will direct my path and guide me where I need to be.

I have been celebrating this 70th milestone since the first of September.  Within the past two years most of my friends or family members have reached the age of 70.   Most of them observed their birthday like any other birthday or some friends/family hibernated and hid underneath the blankets.

For me, this was a platinum milestone birthday and I wanted the age to mean something. Platinum is a valuable metal and very precious and expensive.  That is how I wanted to remember my 70th birthday.

In July, Taylor Swift gave me the idea with her "Era Tour".  If she could have an "Era Tour", then I wanted a "Celebration of Life-Decade Tour".

Since the age of thirty, I have celebrated my decade milestones.  My 30th was celebrated in Austin, Texas with about thirty family and friends.  

On my 40th, I had moved several times and was currently living in East Texas.  I had so many friends still living in the Austin area, I decided Austin was the place to be.  With about fifty friends, my good friend, Jackie, opened up her home for everyone to come together. 

When the fiftieth came around, I was living in Houston, Texas and I celebrated with about a hundred guest.  Family and friends traveled from all over to Texas to commemorate the fiftieth decade.  I ask for no gifts, but to donate to a particular organization.  Each guest brought an unwrapped toy for a child, age 5 to 14.  My car was loaded with dolls, board games, books and so much more.  Children in the downtown area of Houston would be enjoying Christmas Day.

Sixtieth, I was living in New York City.  Kenny and I enjoyed the evening drinking martinis and eating appetizers at the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar staring at the Empire Building.  We were snuggled in blankets watching the Empire Building put on a Music-to-Light Spectacular Show.  A night I will never forget.

I have embraced each new decade.   For the 70th decade, I wanted to do something different.  

My kick-off was in Savannah.  My good friend, Katie, treated me like royalty. An evening at the Doobie Brother concerts and  mimosas on a rooftop and so much more.

From there, Kenny and I celebrated at Grand Lake Lodge in Colorado with friends, Ron & Peggy.  It was beautiful.  The leaves were changing colors from green to gold.  A moose appeared outside the window of the restaurant.  Everyone was in awe of the beauty of this powerful creature.  This beast reminded me 70 would be a year of power, courage, authority and self-confidence.

Three weeks later, I traveled to Nashville with Kenny and Joe/Kim to enjoy the Grand Ole Opry and Carrie Underwood.

A few days later, I flew to New York with Jackie to celebrate nightly with friends.  Friends, I had worked with at Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics.  It was great to be back in the City with the hustle and bustle.  Seeing the musical, A Beautiful Noise, reminded me how one never really knows who you are and what you have become until you stop and replay your past.  The play was worth seeing.  It is the story of Neal Diamond rising from Brooklyn to become a star.

And then the Decade Tour really kicked-off.   I flew to San Antonio and Austin to party with family and friends.  

In Austin, good friends, Ruthie, Rita, Kathy and I reminisced about our past forty years.  Years of being single and then getting married.  Austin played a big part of my years of maturing and learning who I was. 

I traveled Interstate-35 to Dallas for one of the major parties.  Forty-two friends/family showed up at my sister's home.  It was wonderful seeing people I hadn't seen in ten years or more.  Almost one thousand dollars were donated to All-Star Equestrian.  This non-profit organization works with special needs children to help them improve physical, cognitive and emotional fitness through therapeutic horseback riding.  My sweet nephew has participated in this organization since the age of four and he is now, twenty-six.

Back to Waco to enjoy Thanksgiving with mom and others.  Evenings were spent with long-time friends from high school.  It was wonderful to have lunch with my first friend, Marcia.  I met her at the age of five and here we are sixty-five years later.

I flew from Dallas to Loveland, Colorado to celebrate with forty-four friends.  Kenny's cousin, Becky and her husband traveled from Austin to visit with their son who lived in the area and to celebrate my new decade.  At this party, can goods and hygiene items were collected for a charity, Serve 6.8.  Over two hundred and twenty-two pounds of items were distributed to families.

Six days later back on the plane to Texas to have two more parties in the Houston area.  A High-Tea Party hosted by my dear friend, Cheri.  It was wonderful seeing neighbors from the subdivision I hadn't seen in twelve years.

My good friend, Jackie, once again opened up her home in Houston for the Grand Finale Party.  Forty-six family and friends were in attendance for the Finale.  The next day, Jackie and I dropped off a van filled with canned goods and hygiene items to the local Mission.

Thank you Lord for my life and the opportunity to celebrate with others while I am still alive.   May I continue to be a light of encouragement to others!

Proverbs 18:24 - "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

I am blessed.  Enjoy each day and celebrate!  As we all know, life is too short.

Discovering Savannah

From the time I stepped off the airplane, I noticed my accent had changed.  I seemed to talk slower and my words seem to flow smoothly across my lips as I flirted with those around me.  I was now a Southern Belle.

There is something about the south.  I believe it is the southern charm.  Where one is kind, witty and considerate to everyone  they encounter.  One always feels welcome.

Leaving the airport to drive to my friend's home, I was impressed with the natural beauty of Savannah. As we drove through the historic area, I was in awe of the Georgian mansions and the towering spanish moss-draped oaks.  The historic architecture and charm of Savannah makes it one of the most beautiful cities in the South.  

Let me give you some history of Savannah.  It i one of the oldest city in Georgia and it is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River.  General James Oglethorpe founded the area in 1733.  He had the foresight to create  America's First Planned City.  The city was laid out in a series of grids allowing for wide streets and public squares.  Savannah had 24 original squares with 22 still in existence today. 

One of the rumours of why General Sherman did not burn down Savannah , as he had Atlanta on his infamous March to the  Sea, was the city was too beautiful to burn.  Other rumours were he had a girlfriend there and also it was to important as a seaport.  On December 22, Sherman sent a telegram to President Lincoln.  He presented him with an early Christmas gift, the spared city of Savannah.

What does this southern city offer to someone?  There is an atmosphere of a slow-pace lifestyle.  My friend lives in the historic area, so we had the opportunity to walk through the town squares as well into the historic area.  At every corner there is history or a restaurant with great food.  

Savannah is known for its southern meals, such as "fried green tomatoes".  As well as shrimp and grits, chatham artillery punch.  This potent punch contains rum, whisky, brandy and Champagne.  It also contains lemons and sugar..  Let's not forget the pralines.  These pralines are hand scooped with Georgia Pecan halves, fresh cream, sugar and real butter.  Plan to gain a few pounds while you are touring the city.

If you remember the movie "Forrest Gump", there was the scene where Forrest was sitting on a park bench to tell his story, and where he utters the "box of chocolates" line.  This was filmed in Savannah's Chippewa Square, on the north side of the square facing Bull Street.  

As you tour through the city make sure you go down Jones Street.  It is one of Savannah's prettiest streets.  Gorgeous green trees hang out over the street.  The Mid-19th century style gives the street a unique feel with cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks and the homes that go back in time.

Places to see are Forsyth Park, which is 30 acres and it is famous for its fountain, built in 1858.  There is the Cathedral of St John the Baptist.  A beautiful French Gothic architect. built between 1872 to 1885. There is a church on almost every corner.  There is also the Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1755.

Other places to see:  Bonaventure Cemetery located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River, east of Savannah.  The site was purchased for a private cemetery in 1846 and became a public cemetery in 1907.

Don't forget the Savannah Waterfront.  Walk down the old cobblestone streets as you weave through the historic buildings, shops and award-winning restaurants.  

For a fun afternoon, drive out to Tybee Island.  Only about a thirty minute drive.  The Island is a barrier island and small city.  Known for its wide, sandy beaches with a pier and pavillion.  Tybee was extremely important because of its location at the mouth of the Savannah River.  In 1736, Oglethorpe had a lighthouse and small fort contructed to ensure control of river access.

My husband and I celebrated our 36th Anniversary at Elizabeth on 37th.  Fine dining with a focus on local seafood and seasonal produce.  The restaurant is in a 1900's mansion brimming with rich antiques, Old World trappings and marble fireplaces.

Another fun restaurant was Treylor Park.  It is within the heart of historic downtown Savannah.  The restaurant offers a upscale cocktail bar inside with restaurant style seating and a cozy beer garden out back.

For dessert, you need some ice cream from Leopold's.  It was founded in 1919 by two Greek brother immigrants.  There are more than 20 flavors.  The brothers perfected the secret formula.  You need to taste it yourself.

And then there is Byrd's Cookies, founded in 1924.  Benjamin Tillman "Pop" Byrd, Sr., at the age of 28, began baking his famous small Scotch Oatmeal cookies.  Stop by and get a sample.

We ended the evening at "Smiles Dueling Pianos".  Located steps from River Street.  A boisterous, late-night dueling piano saloon with songs selected by the audience.

There is so much to see and do.

I will end with some facts:

You can take your cocktails to go.  So enjoy the sites with a drink in hand.

The Girl Scouts were founded in Savannah by Juliette Gordon Low in 1915.  

In 1819, the Owen-Thomas House was one of the first to have indoor plumbing in the United States.

Enjoy Savannah!  It is definitely a fun place to visit!

Mackinac Island - Somewhere in Time

 I enjoy discovering new places.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to rest and relax on the island of Mackinac.  It has a population year round of 589 residents, but during the summer time there are over a million visitors each year.

Some of you may be saying the island sounds familiar.  In 1980 a movie was made here.  "Somewhere in Time" with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.  I do believe this is the movie when I fell in love with the 6 ft. 4 in, blue eye heartthrob.

Mackinac is known for its car free roads, but filled with horse drawn carriages and bicycles.  In 1898, the city government prohibited the "horseless carriages" because the vehicles scared the horses.

The only way to arrive to the island is by ferry or plane.  My husband and I took the ferry from Mackinac City.  The day we arrived it had been raining all day and it was overcast.   At our 4 pm departure, there were only about thirty people on the catamaran.  The ferry will hold up to 345 passengers.  Normally it takes only about twenty minutes to cross Lake Heron to Mackinac, but due to the rain and strong winds, the ride was a bouncy thirty plus minutes to the harbor.  

Approaching, one could see the long front porch of the Grand Hotel.

Arriving at the dock, a young man from the Harbour View Inn was there to retrieve our luggage.  He balanced the luggage on the bike and off he went.  

We were hungry and decided to look for a restaurant before walking to the Inn.  Walking along the sidewalk, one was in awe in seeing only horse buggies and bicyclists.  There was no smell of fumes or horns honking.

There was a nice selection of restuarants.  Our decision for a restaurant was based on how soon we could be seated.  In other words, no waiting.  It was still early, so not as many people were looking for a place to eat.  

Looking through the windows, there was a restaurant which had about three tables opened.  We walked right in and was seated.  Horn's Bar has been there since 1920.  This restaurant is still in the family.  Horn's is known as one of the fun places to go to at night filled with music and entertainment. They are known for their Mexican/southwestern dishes.  I had the cheese enchiladas which were very tasty.

Finishing our meal, we walked to our place of lodging which was next door to St. Anne's Cathedral Church.  Seeing all the different inns with the beautiful, floral landscaping, I couldn't control myself with taking one photo after another.

Approaching the Harbour View Inn, I was in awe of the beauty as I looked up the stairs to the two story mansion with a beautiful front porch and the second story veranda.  This house was built after 1816. The woman who built this house, Madame LaFramboise, Native American(Ojibwe) fur trader of Mackinac Island was defnitely a woman who could take care of herself.  She was widowed at the age of 27 with two small children and no money.  Her late husband was a fur trader and she followed in his footsteps to keep the business going.  

Think of the history of this 85-unit hotel.  Through these doors, there have been fur traders, Native Americans, American army officers and well-known business people.

Next door to Harbour Inn View is St. Anne Church.  The parish began as a mission church in the early 1700's.  After the War of 1812, the parish was saved by the fur trader, Madeline La Fromboise.  She donated the land for the church and worked with visitng priests to restore the church's status as a place of worship.  

Before retiring to our room for the evening, my husband and I enjoyd a stroll down to Mission Point Resort., which is on the sunrise side of the island and is nestled among 18 acres of property with Lake Huron.  It is a family-owned resort and features 241 guest rooms and suites, six restaurants, bike rentals, putt-putt golf, spa & salon and outdoor pool.

The next two days were spent in discovering the historical island.

As one walks through the town, you are always dodging a bicyclists(there are over 1,500 bicycles) and numerous horse buggies.  Enjoy a horse-drawn taxi from one location to the next.  There are approximately 600 horses which call Mackinaw home for the summer from carriage tours to horseback riding. 

A tour through Fort Mackinac takes a person back in time.  During the American Revolutionary War, the British built the fort to control the strategic traits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and control the fur trade on the Great Lakes.  The fort became the scene  of two strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812.  During most of the 19th century, it served as an outpost of the United States Army.  It closed in 1895 and has been a museum since then.  

The island also offers the lovely State Park with the beautiful forests. There are more than 70 miles of trails and paths on the island with beautiful limestone rock formations, breathtaking lake views and spectacular wildflowers. 

 M-185 encircles the island and is the only state highway where cars are banned.  The loop is 8.2 miles.

For a more relaxing afternoon, one can enjoy the world's longest front porch, 600 ft long porch at the Grand Hotel.  Our afternoon was spent sitting in the rocking chairs, sipping wine and enjoying the view of Lake Huron.  The hotel also offers high tea.  If you are not staying at the hotel, there is a $10 entrance fee to explore the lobby and other areas.

The Grand Hotel opened its doors in 1887 as a summer retreat for vacationers who traveled to Michigan by train and then a ferry or steamer to the island.  It is a family business and is owned by the Musser Family.  There are 397 guest rooms with no two guest rooms alike.  In 2010, the Ice Cream Parlor was named Sadie's Ice Cream Parlor.  The Musser's scottish terrier, Sadie, was awarded "Best in Show" at the 2010 Westminster Dog Show.  

The swimming pool at the Hotel was named after Esther Williams(actress/competitive swimmer).  In 1947, she starred in the "This Time for Keeps" and it was filmed at the Grand Hotel.

There are so many restaurants to select from.  As well as enjoying the Horn's Gaslight Bar, we also had the pleasure to dine at a new taqueria, Verdes Taqueria.  The tacos and guacamole were some of the best I ever had.   Before catching the ferry back to Mackinac City, we were able to get a table on the waterfront of the Pink Pony and to enjoy their hamburgers and delicious sald with grilled salmon.  This restaurant has been in business for 100 years.  It began with 2 friends who decided to open a business and call it the "Pink Pony".  The bar got its name from the pink carousel sign that hangs outside.

Mackinac Island is well known for its world-famous handmade fudge.  Skilled candy makers have been making fudge for over 130 years.  The sweet chocolate smell will draw you into the store, as you watch them make the fudge and then pour it onto the marble fudge cooling slabs.

Hotels, B&B's, Resorts... are waiting for your call.  

The laughter of families being together puts joy into one's heart.  The island is magical and it helps you to take the time to unplug from electronics.  Back to basics with playing putt-putt, seeing a movie on the lawn, riding a bicycle for two or just sitting on the porch to rest or read that best-selling novel.

Everyone needs to take the time for the perfect getaway to find something new and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings God has created!  Mackinac Island is a great place to renew yourself!