Family Ties

On the Fourth of July two years ago, we attended a family reunion of some of my husband's extended family.  I edited our pictures and wrote about the reunion that same August (2013) but I didn't get my post published because I got busy with something else.  I'm finally sharing it this year in preparation for the Fourth.

This was a gathering of the descendants of my husband's paternal grandmother's family.  It was held in the fellowship hall (as it was a scorching hot day) of the little Methodist Church in the country, where Granny's family members have attended church services for many years.

 Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church

They Led By Example

Most days, I never listen to a news broadcast.  I haven't witnessed a lot of objective news reporting in recent years, and I sometimes get my news updates online, or I get them from my husband.  I know that probably sounds lazy, but it's not meant to be.  My husband and I think alike on most issues, and our opinions are more often than not, in sync with one another.  I like that we can disagree on some of the issues without it turning into a major shouting match.

Sharing "A Bit About Britain"

I think most of you who regularly read my blog have probably figured out that I'm a bit of an Anglophile.  There are several British blogs that I follow, and I really look forward to reading their posts and seeing images of beautiful Britain.

Today I'd like to introduce you to Mike, who authors the blog, A Bit About Britain.  Mike lives and works in England and writing his blog is one of his hobbies.  I discovered A Bit About Britain a year or more ago, and I really enjoy Mike's posts.  The dry British sense of humor that my husband and I enjoyed when we were there comes through in Mike's writing.  My family can tell you that I'm not one of those people who is silently amused.  When I'm reading something funny, everyone knows it because I laugh out loud.  Many of Mike's posts are laugh-out-loud funny, and of course I had to share them with my husband.  (See "A Visit to Scotney Castle" -- beautiful castle and very funny post).

I was very taken with Mike's most recent post (probably because I had just returned from the coast) and after reading it, I decided that I really need to share this with some of my readers.  I know I'm not the only one of my fellow bloggers to have visited England, so I thought you might enjoy this blog.  Mike writes about almost every region of Britain, including Scotland and Wales.  His posts contain current photographs of all these wonderful places, but he also shares their history with us.  For history geeks buffs like me, that's a win/win situation.  ;)

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Shark Attacks

Is everyone winding down after a busy weekend?  I don't know about where you are, but it's been super hot here -- 95° today, and it's supposed to be 97° tomorrow and 98° on Tuesday.  I am so thankful to have an air-conditioned home; I realize there are some people who have to survive without that.

I hadn't planned to post tonight, but I had to share this story with you.  Our neighbors down the street told my husband this evening that there was a shark attack on Oak Island today (the place we go every summer for vacation).  I looked it up online, and there were actually two shark attacks there today, both within two miles of each other and 90 minutes apart.  This just feels like shades of "Jaws" somehow.

Treasures from Southport

One of my favorite things to do when we go to the coast is to shop in the town of Southport.  We've traveled there almost every year for the past 26 years.  When I see that in writing, I can hardly believe it.  The time feels like it has passed as quickly as those gulls skimming over the water.

When we were younger, Mr. Forest Manor had no interest in checking out the shops in Southport.  I can hardly blame him as he was working full-time and going to graduate school at night and just starting out in his career.  I also think most men really like a good bargain, and when I discovered thrifting, he became more interested in poking through the shops with me.  Southport has some wonderful antique shops, but we've noticed the prices keep going up as more and more people move to that area.  One of the shops in particular has two full floors of goods, and you never know what treasures you might come across there.  It's also amazingly well organized and tidy for an antique/consignment shop.

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Happy Weekend

Hello dear friends!  I can't believe it's Friday, but I sure am glad!  I hope you've all had a good week.  You might have gathered that we were at the coast last week, and it was so nice to get away.  The weather was some of the nicest we've ever had for a whole week, and that in itself was a blessing.