Hope

Snowdrop
Botanical:Galanthus nivalis
Family:Amaryllidaceae
Commom Name:Candelmas Bells

The name galanthus is Greek, meaning milk white flower. Nivalis is Latin, meaning resembling snow. The legend of the snowdrop: After being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Eve sat weeping. an angel comforted her. As the angel talked with Eve, he breathed on a snowflake in his hand. It fell to the earth as the first snowdrop.The flower bloomed and hope was born.

New Year's Eve

It was New Year's Eve and we were celebrating. I was drinking my usual - water. It scares me to think what would happen to me if I did drink alcohol. So here we sit on the upperdeck at the

Whiskey Rose Bar (I think) on Duval Street in Key West. Friends having a good time enjoying the old year and looking forward to what the new year will bring us. I'm sipping my water everyone else is on their third drink (alcohol). None of us were driving vehicles. In Key West on foot or bike is the best way.



So i'm leaning over the edge of the railing and off goes my flip flop, gets kicked into the road and this HUGE truck rolls quietly over my flip flop. I yell for someone to save my flip flop. No one hears my cries. The party mood is prevalent on the streets and no one notices the squashed lonely flip flop. I hop down the long winding wooden (yes splinters) stairs and run into the street. Well, actually it was too crowded to run into the street. I felt like a sardine in a too small greasy tin.



I searched the street for my lonely flip flop but it had disappeared with the rolling crowd. I hobbled back upstairs and took a wrong turn and ended on the third level. My cell phone rings and I answer it. I realize much too late that I have ended up on the clothing optional deck. Some old hag that should be covered to protect society screams at me about not having a cell phone on the third level. Like I would take a picture of her! So I hurry back down to the next level and search for my friends. They didn't even know I was gone.



So I stand there with one flip flop on and one bare foot feeling foolish. I peer over the railing and see some tanned young stud riding a skateboard barefooted. So I think to myself if he can ride a skateboard shoeless I can ride my bike minus one flip flop.



My bike pedal was made of metal with ridges. Recipe for disaster - barefoot, metal pedal, hot Key West day. Off I go on my bike rental. Scratches on the bike are added to your credit card. Always careful, always considerate I stop for the pedestrian who walked right in front of me. The Cafe Ragu sign saved my life. It didn't look very pretty with me and the bike dumped on top of it. Somewhere along the way my remaining flip flop went AWOL.



I hobble to a store to purchase new over priced flip flops to pedal my bike with the now bent frame. I wonder if the rental place will not notice the bent bike frame? Should have taken out that insurance for $29.99.

Returning to the sea

The old year is coming to an end as the New Year is ready to descend upon us all. Some will celebrate with fireworks; some will let the New Year slip in quietly. I have my list ready for the New Year. My QUESTS, my dreams, my inspirations swirl inside my half-empty head.
I will sit at the edge of the earth or more precisely the edge of Florida and watch the sun rise and set. Mile marker 0 will be my destination and my beginning. I will watch the waves crash against the rocky beach and toss out to sea all my broken promises and missed opportunities. I will laugh and cry. I will dream and parts inside will die. I will reach out my hand and pull it back for lack of failure.
The sea will whisper to me her lullaby and it will repair my shattered soul. My tears will become one with the salty sea and my sadness will be washed away with the tide. My smile and contentment will shine along with the sun and the blue sky.
The New Year will begin and I will be swept away with hopes and desire.
The sea she calls to me – soothes me and protects me – sets me free – and inspires me.