Up Up And Away

Standing Alone

Inspiration

A New Spin On A Familiar Place

Having travelled many times to Florida to board cruise ships leaving out of Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, visiting there a few days ago seemed like old times.  My husband and I would make the drive down often with a sense of excitement and anticipation for our cruise vacations.  However, this visit would be different.  We were not headed on a cruise; we decided on a trip to tour the city of Cape Canaveral, located on Florida’s space coast just south of Port Canaveral, and squarely in the center of the state’s Atlantic Coast.  To our surprise, there was so much to see and do.  We knew about – read about – heard about Cape Canaveral, but never seemed to have the time to explore the area.  This visit would be different.  Leaving Georgia on an impromptu notion started our joyous getaway.  I’m often surprised by my husband saying, “Let’s load up and head ‘anywhere.’ ”  Anywhere this time turned out to be the warm and sunny side of joy.  We checked in our room on Cocoa Beach, the closest beach to Orlando, went to dinner and later enjoyed a lovely walk on the beach.  The next day we headed out to the site of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station – the launch site of spacecraft, known as Kennedy Space Center.  We were like “kids in a candy store.”  Definitely recommend a visit.  You will be orientated at the visitor complex; there’s the Astronaut Hall of Fame, gift shop, Space Shuttle Atlantis, and so much more.  You’ll need lots of time to thoroughly experience these wonderful museums.  The kids will love it too.  As we were leaving the complex on S.R. 405 that intersects with Vector Space Road, we knew we’d return.

Together in black and white

Riding through Appling, Georgia

I’m home eating a peanut butter sandwich for lunch when my husband who is out riding his motorcycle texts me a picture of a Maryland Fried Chicken location in Appling, Georgia – an unincorporated community in the east central section of the state.  He had stopped for lunch and was very pleased with the food, the service and loved the ambiance of the building.  Check it out if you’re ever in the area.  Next time I’m going along.

Coming soon to a city near you

Imagining the warmth and beauty of springtime.

Do you know this person?

You walk up to the counter to place an order and the employee standing there looks at you without saying a word.

You stop to let a car in front of you and the driver never acknowledges your kindness.

You get on an elevator and immediately say hello.  Everyone is so busy reading text messages they never look up.

A young mother sits in church with a crying baby and never leaves to tend to whatever it is making the child cry.  The preacher is delivering an inspiring message but you cannot hear what is being said.

Your server in the restaurant is so busy he never returns to your table to check on you.  When he delivers your check as you are ready to leave, somehow he has found time and graciousness for you.

You are standing in line at the Post Office and someone is talking very loudly in a cell phone conversation.  There is a large sign that states “No cell phone usage please.”

You attend a dinner party and the host is so busy upon your arrival, during the event and even at your departure.  You realize that you and the host only uttered a few words during the entire time; hospitality to boot.

During a call to make an appointment or inquiry, you are kept on hold for a very long time.

You have been in line at a retail store for a very long time when suddenly a new line opens.  The cashier, instead of saying, “Next in line” simply nods that a new register is open and a “mob” runs ahead of you.

A relative or friend visiting your home lights a cigarette without asking permission.

A Chunk of History

Monday, January 19, was no ordinary day.  It was the day the country observed the birthday of the late and great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – no ordinary man.  He was honored in numerous ways; some individually and others more community-oriented.  Some honored him by going to see the recently released film, “Selma.”  Others like my husband and I chose to visit Selma, Alabama.  I can’t describe what it felt like as we walked across the national historic Edmund Pettus Bridge; overlooking the Alabama River.  It was inspiring to view the priceless Civil Rights Memorial Mural.  A stroll through the main street provided an opportunity to see the headquarters of The Selma Times-Journal – the local newspaper having served Selma since 1827.  Nearby was the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute.  Our return route home was via US 80 East Hwy. to I-65 North to I-85 North.  This is the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail All American Road Scenic Byway.  We were thinking while driving on this historic route and seeing the many historic markers how much this was truly a trip well worth taking.  Selma is more than a small town in lower west Alabama located on the banks of the Alabama River – it is rich U.S. history.

The Execution of Good Deeds

Today is a good day to do a good deed.  Think about something you can do to brighten someone’s day – something you can do to bring a smile to someone’s face.  Ask yourself, “What can I do today that could make a difference?”  Let’s do it today!