A very Emotional day.

Our sister in law, Patricia (front right in photo), went in for some cardiac tests today in the Fort Walton Hospital. It appears that that she will need a lot more mechanical work done, so they are going to ship her to U of A Hospital at Birmingham. Cynthia (back row right) is going to go up tomorrow after the ambulance. Her sister, Laura, is coming down from down from Iowa with the kids.

We will wait to hear more and then maybe stop in Birmingham on the way home.

Pat came down to get away from the cold and has enjoyed a couple of years here with Cynthia and grandson, Ben (back row left). She is a very strong, resilient and fine ladie and I'm sure she will make it through this. Say some prayers for her.

We heard some very good and happy news, but can not divulge it at this time. Shucks! Stay tuned.

Dena's cheer leading friends call from Ravenelli's in Collinsville, Il asking if she could come over on such short notice, but did not realize we are still in Florida. She talked to Donna for a long time and she felt better after the phone call.

Next on the line was Crash. She always has calming on Dena, who is very grateful for her friendship and love.

Now, kisses and hugs from the puppies and then off to bed for my princess so she will awake refreshed.

Live @ Logan's (Road House, Mary Esther, Florida)

Today we met some of the family at Logan's Roadhouse in Mary Esther, Florida, for lunch. It had started out as a breakfast with only my sister, Kathy, but as more family were added, the time and place was changed to Logan's for lunch. We all had good time and enjoyed the fellowship.

Four generations around the table (l-r) Marma Duke, Kathy, Alicia and Amara (six months and a very beautiful and happy baby).

Alicia's step daughter, Gia, center, and Gia's friends, Kennedy (right) and Kyra (left) all about thirteen years give or take a couple of months and all of them too, too, too cute. Brother, Tom and I had a peanut fight with them. I'm pretty sure that they won ( or we surrendered). (Logan's has a barrel of these complimentary legumes and when the nuts are devoured, the shells are just thrown on the floor)

Jason, Alicia Mom, Kathy and Amara.

Tom (a bad shot with peanuts) and step-son, Trey.

Bette, Dena and Amara. The baby is the cutest little six month old girl. Very happy and not shy about being held by others, even by me.

All in all it was a very fun and happy time. The family is a scary and wonderful thing, all at the same time. Thank God for them.

Tie-dyeing with Willow as the Hurricane Ida approaches.

While the weather had it's way at the beach and chased away the sun worshipers and swimmers, we danced and played, (well, we 'played' hooky from house work, anyway.) Hurricane Ida, only a category one, was headed our way, with rain and winds.

Today we went to the house of Willow and Rogers to do some tie-dyeing. Dena had purchased a t-shirt at the local yoga studio her in Navarre. The girls from Yoga are going to get together in December to and tie-dye their shirts, but we won't be here.

As it happened, I went to meditation yoga a day or so later and met Willow who is a dyeing expert, "avec dehors l'egale" (with out equal). She was gracious enough to invite Dena (& I) to decorate the shirt before we left for home in Illinois and teach us the process, as Dena may help our northern yoga studio do the same thing.

It was relatively easy as Willow lead us through the procedure. First, add the design of our choice to the shirt (excluding some trade secret patterns). Then, prepare the shirt to receive the dye. Next, fold around the design and tie segments with sinew to separate the colors. Now, apply color, and allow to dry. Finally wash several times to stop the possible bleeding.

I tied an old shirt that was stained and not worn very often, the new colors should cover any old blemishes. I should look pretty "far out" when I get it back from Willow.

You can order shirts, hoodies, dresses, drapes, wall hangings, etc, from Mellow Tie Dye.com . (Ask about the "dragon fly" it is the coolest, but not on the website yet.) Willow is "vivacious", (I don't mean to over-use the word, but it fits her, too) not at all like the name of the business (Mellow) that she and her friend in Texas formed . She is sweet, energetic and a lot of fun to be around. She and her husband were in the Air Force together and spent most of their time, stationed here in Northwest Florida. They wound up living here and have a beautiful house in Navarre.

Dena and Willow ( left) at the studio. Hubby, Rogers was rained out at work, so we had a photo-opp with him too. He is working on a very big, new steel mill in Alabama. Their dog Scarlett had a sore foot, but was very sweet, ignoring the pain. The children were at school, but perhaps we will meet them next time.

Does shirt make me look slimmer???? Pretty soon everyone on the block will want

one. The heart on the back was supposed to be straight, but everyone seems to like the mistake. I like the way the camera makes my bald spot shine like a beacon. I'm doing all the picture taking from now on.=)

As the clouds rolled in and the rains came in advance of the storm (now, thank God the hurricane has been down grade to Tropical Storm Ida.), the wind surfers were enjoying

unusually strong wind. They were skimming by at frightening speeds. The wind was strong enough to allow the surfer to be pulled skyward as much as ten feet off the water. "Pretty cool."