Island Summer

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV)

Mid summer in Florida is the time when you want to pack your bags and run screaming to the mountains or hibernate inside thanking God for Mr. Gorrie and Mr. Carrier. A vacation is not an option for me right now, and I promised my doctor I would go back to bike riding every day so I must go outside each evening and pump my way around the island. As I do, there is much to enjoy despite the Florida heat. Even though I have lived here all my life, I still pause to stop and be amazed. After all, people pay big bucks to vacation here. And why not when you can see:

The perfect concentric ripples around the legs of a green heron as he stalks minnows in a creek.

A spreading live oak on the shore with a circle of green Adirondack chairs nestled beneath it waiting for friends to gather with glasses of ice tea, love and stories to share.

A vacant field filled with cheers and laughter as children play soccer just for fun without rules or referees.

Newly mown grass with its pungent earthy smell falling in waves behind a buzzing lawnmower.

An unexpected rain shower turning the horizon fuzzy and brilliant at the same time like a watercolor painting hung just for me to enjoy.

Sunset painting the rough grey bark of pine trees with a golden glow.

A crusty snakeskin woven through a brush pile.

Dolphins calling to each other as they corral mullet into shallow water.

An osprey heading home to his nest after swooping out of nowhere to lift a fish as big as he is out of the water.

The roar of the tide as it washes from the swamp and through a culvert back into the bay.

The rising new moon in the east as the orange sun sets in the west.

A clump of mangroves favored by the shore birds that fill its limbs each night at dusk.

Sailboats at anchor in the bay and their promise of adventure and freedom.

The comforting drone of the mosquito sprayer sent to rescue us from disease and irritation.

Pink sun washed clouds mixed with dark purple storm clouds reminding me that beauty can come in the midst of sorrow.

A neon green cluster of sea grapes bring memories of my grandmother and the wonder of knowing that they will turn lavender when made into jelly.

Masses of butterflies drifting in the breeze as they feed on fire bush and passion vine.

The smell of cabbage palm blossoms takes me back to my childhood riding in the car with the windows down on our way to church on Sunday evening.

The warning rubble of thunder as the sky turns black and lightning flashes far in the distance.

Neighbors standing in driveways talking about whatever comes to mind in the late evening sunshine.

Crickets.

Heat lightning.

Truly I live in a magical place. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gifts.