Be Careful What You Ask For

Before I get started on this topic, I'll try to upload the Bermuda photos that didn't make it last time.

I have to brag on Brendan.

We went snorkeling in Bermuda - only his second time, with a company called Jesse James Tours. They picked us up in what they promised was an unsinkable Coast Guard boat, but it looked like an oversize dingy to me. Turned out to be easy to slip over the edge into the water.

Anyway, Brendan did fine at the shallow practice dive, but he was noticably nervous when we got to the outer reef to dive two ship wrecks. The water was pretty rough. Thankfully, we were given noodles to help us float and clinging to Bill's and my hand, Brendan faced his fear and won. The spot was great, and it was easier to have your head under the water than out. We saw the old paddle-wheel off of one ship and the spilled cargo of the other - bags of concrete, that made an instant paved highway on the sea floor. The fish and formations were amazing. And they threw out some kitty chow at the end to attract huge schools! We could reach out and touch the fish!

The last dive spot was the best. James called it "The Underwater Garden." I think it is one of the best dive spots we've been to, not only for the abundance and variety of fish, but for the coral formations as well. It did look like a garden. I'm glad Brendan got a chance to see it. Now he wants to conquer scuba diving.

Now - back to business.

I said in an earlier blog that there was a possibility that I might illustrate another finalist's manuscript, but as it turns out, I'm being allowed to do my OWN! I'm thrilled, and somewhat scared. I've never done a full book before, but I keep reminding myself to start with baby steps. By the end of August, I have to complete ONE piece of art. If I win, then I'll do 16-18 two-page spreads by the end of May.

So...now that I don't have a separate illustrator to drum up support from family and friends, I really need your help. If you have any pull with parents, teachers, librarians who work with 4-8 year olds, please ask them to vote - perhaps make it an event at school (?) The voting starts September 16 and runs til the 30th. The winner will be announced on October 8. If you want to see past winners (this is the third year) go to http://www.abcbookcompetition.org/ and bookmark it for September's voting!

Paradise on Earth

Bermuda is a little over 600 miles due East of North Carolina. It was discovered in 1609 when a ship that had been dispatched to help the settlers in Jamestown shipwrecked on the island. Thankfully there were enough cedar trees to build new boats and make it home and claim the island for England. The written account of the shipwreck is said to have inspired Shakespeare to write The Tempest.



During the American Revolution, Bermuda was used as England's gunpowder depot, but the Bermudians sold it all to the Americans and helped us win our independence! It was home to Britians Royal Naval Atlantic fleet until 1951.



What a great way to connect three countries.



Bermuda has the prettiest beaches and some of the best snorkeling I think I've seen anywhere, including Hawaii, the Great Barrier Reef and the Carribean. They have more shipwrecks that any other island becuase it's outlined by coral reef. We got to go see two shipwrecks on our snorkel trip - one an old paddle-wheel, carrying bottles of penicilin (sp?), one of which was brought up for us to see, the other dumped it's load of concrete sacks across the ocean floor and looked like an instant paved highway.



There is very little crime, though more than we initially anticipated after hearing about a rash of purse snatches by modpeders, because there is no unemployement (not sure how they manage that) and there is no income tax. Banks use the island for offshore shelter from taxes. We might consider living here if Bill could get a job. You can't look for one while you're there. You have to find one before you go. We hear they're in need of lawyers, bankers and teachers. We saw an ad in the paper for a global IT director for HSBC, which Bill applied for.



The hotel we stayed at was right on the water, but their beach had been washed out by hurricanes in previous years. Which was okay. We bought an unlimited bus pass and got around the island like the locals. Horseshoe Bay was just a few stops down the road. The first day we went, there were no cruiseships visiting the island, so we had the place practically to ourselves. The water is aquamarine blue and the sand is make of pink coral. It's coarsely ground, so it falls quickly to the bottom and you can see everything in the water, including huge parrot fish very close to shore. There are NO sharks, but the do have barracuda.



Every night we walked down to our non-existent beach, listened to the whistling tree frogs and watched some of the most beautiful sunsets.



We'd probably get tired of just beach, but we didn't get tired of the friendly, laid-back people and island style. They don't even where long trousers to work. They wear Bermuda shorts, long socks and dress shoes. The old folks from the cruises fit right in.



Now, I've got to finish packing for a week in Florida. We leave this afternoon to visit some friends. Our bodies are golden tan (Brendan got a little over-baked), and any stress from the move is melting away. I'm glad Bill planned all of these trips this summer. We would definitely get tired of staring at each other trapped in the trailer because of constant rain. But I am ready to settle into a routine. Brendan registers for school when we get back and then we have to buy clothes and supplies.

Home Sweet Trailer

Here it is. Our home. Spacious, huh? We got it backed in and set up for a total of two days before we packed it up again and pulled it out to go to the coast. That first weekend, I noticed that it took me twice as long to get ready in that tiny space, and I had to remember where I put everything. But over all, it's comfy enough. Behind the trailer is a field where about five deer, including a spotted fawn, come every morning begging for corn. How many people can say that?

We're at South Padre Island now. Next week, we're going to Bermuda, and Florida after that. We're not driving to either of those. By the end of the summer, we should have topped up our sun tanks, they've been depleted for three years, and have great tans, too. Brendan has enjoyed boogie boarding in the surf and I've collected some great shells with my parents. Bill finally got to use his metal detector.