Holidays – Wandering Dawgs

Our year was filled a little wandering, a Caribbean Cruise, a high school graduation, a hurricane, and many quiet days. Health issues for both of us kept us close to home most of the year.

January

Our plans for January were to spend a quiet month at home. It’s a good thing we didn’t have any plans because in early January two major things happened. My 16 year old car died and we had to replace it.

I also tripped going up the stairs to our house and broke my left arm. I was happy to hear I wouldn’t need surgery. I wore a brace on my arm for weeks. It took a while before I could use my left had so I learned how to do many things with one hand. That’s a skill I hope I never have to use again. The good news is I am right handed!

February

We were scheduled to go on a two week Caribbean cruise in February. My doctor gave me the go ahead to go with my broken arm so off we went. It was a challenge getting through the airports with our luggage but we made it to Puerto Rico for a two night stay before boarding our ship. The ship, the crew, the islands, the sunrises and sunsets, and the food were amazing! It was a great getaway.

I couldn’t have gotten through the trip without Henry! I’m grateful for Henry and the staff at the hotel, the crew on the ship, and the drivers and guides who helped me get on and off of boats and buses.

March

March was filled with St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations.

Wandering Dawgs celebrated 11 years of blogging in March. Thank you to everyone who follows the blog and reads the posts. I appreciate all of your kind comments.

April

The spring flowers in our garden were beautiful this year.

May

May began with a day at the Savannah Scottish Games. Later in the month we had a great visit with our daughter’s family when we traveled to attend our granddaughter’s graduation.

June

We stayed at home all of June. I enjoyed a few walks on the beach.

July

July was another quiet month at home with more walks on the beach.

August

August was hot but the heat didn’t keep the hummingbirds away.

September

Butterflies were feeding on the nectar of our garden flowers before Hurricane Helene came roaring through in September. We lost power for two days and had to get a new roof after the storm. We were very fortunate and our hearts go out to those who are still suffering because of this powerful storm.

October

My Meyer Lemon tree lost most of it’s leave in the hurricane but over 30 lemons survived. On a beautiful October afternoon we spent the afternoon at Ft. Pulaski.

November

Instead of a turkey this year we celebrated Thanksgiving by making our family’s secret recipe Brunswick Stew. Making the stew brought back many happy memories of family gatherings when we all took turns Stirring the Stew.

December

In December I harvested over 30 Meyer Lemons just before we were expecting a freeze. We took a road trip and stopped for a picture of the UGA Football Barn Sign along the way. If you are not familiar with American college football, we are huge fans of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Our Grand Dog Jack enjoyed his new bed on Christmas Eve.

I learned a long time ago that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. When health issues and doctor’s appointments slowed us down this year we cancelled a couple of trips we had planned and made the best of the time we spent at home. I’m grateful for all of the places we have been over the years and hope to be able to make some more trips close to home in the future.

Don’t put off doing the things you dream of. Cross off those bucket list items while you can. Every day is a gift!

Wishing you good health, happiness and much joy in 2025!

Shared with Terri’s Sunday Stills Year in Review

I love viewing Christmas Lights and one of my favorite displays is at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center in White Springs, Florida. We first stumbled upon the festival a few years ago when we stayed at the campground on our way south. This December we met friends there for a few days.

All the buildings were decorated for the holidays. Christmas music from the Carillon tower could be heard all around the park several times a day.

20181212-Museum-(1) — Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Museum

During the days we enjoyed exploring in and around the park. The weather was chilly and the Suwannee River was high.

20181211-Stephen-Foster-(8) — Suwannee River in White Springs, FL

We were able to explore the historic Spring House on the Suwannee River early in the week before the river level became too high to reach it.

20181211-Stephen-Foster-(10) — Spring House in White Springs, FL

The Suwannee River level kept rising all week. By the end of the week the Spring House was surrounded by water. The photos below illustrate just how high he river rose. On the left is the way it looked when we were there in February earlier this year, and on the right is the way it looked at the end of our stay in December.

Spring House at White Springs, Florida

Suwanee River at the Spring House

One day we enjoyed a picnic under the oak trees after walking along a trail beside the river in Big Shoals State Park. The river was swift and so high we couldn’t see the shoals.

20181212-Big-Shoals-(3) — Big Shoals trail on the Suwannee River

One afternoon we stopped at the Carillon Tower to hear Jan play her Mountain Dulcimer and play the Steinway Grand Piano that was once owned by Andrew Carnegie. I’ve never heard a piano that sounded so beautiful.

20181213-White-Springs-(21) — This Steinway Grand Piano in the Carillon Tower was once owned by Andrew Carnegie

White Springs was once a thriving tourist destination with several hotels. A fire in 1911 destroyed all the hotels except for the Telford which is still standing. We took a walking tour of downtown White Springs and enjoyed seeing the historic buildings.