Those of us in Florida are very well aware that today is June 1 and that means....the beginning of hurricane season.  After what we experienced last year, all we can do is hope this one will be kinder to us.  Four hurricanes in a row and massive destruction was enough to last the next 20 years.  I'm thinking back to last October.....my nerves were shot from one hurricane after another heading for Florida.  The uncertainty will raise a stress level quicker than anything.  At that time my wish was to relocate out of this state when hubby retired in December.....so what do we do?  We move to an island.  What can I say?  Guess it's like giving birth....one quickly forgets all the unpleasantness involved.  I also think the older I get, the more I adhere to that saying Live For the Moment.  To live here and enjoy all that the island has to offer I've come to realize I have to do just that and not focus on what might happen.  So when I start moaning about hurricane warnings, watches, etc. will one of you remind me of what I just said.

On to business........I'm getting the hang (slowly) of how this site operates.  So I figured out I was supposed to invite you to join in order for you to access my blog pages.  Everyone on my address list should have received an email invitation with log in name and password.  By logging in, you should then have that little envelope at the top of the page which I believe will enable you to sign up to be notified via emails whenever I update my blog.  Again, notice I said "should."  If this isn't working for you, let me know via email.

I was at the local hair salon yesterday.  For those of you not familiar with small town life, the hair salon is the major pipeline as to what's going on.  Many of the stories I've woven into my current mystery I've gotten from that venue.  And I have to say, some of them my readers might think I made up.....trust me, truth is stranger than fiction.  A little example.....we had a manikin at our Historical Museum that wore an antique conductor's uniform.  Some of you might be familiar with the historic railroad that used to come to Cedar Key from Fernandina Beach in the 1800's.  So the uniform was worn back then.  Hence, it's antique.  And.....it's missing.  Yup.  I can't tell you why because when the book gets published you can read about it and I don't want to spoil the story for you now.  It's these little ancedotes along with some quirky characters here that give me the inspiration I need for my writing.   So yesterday the big news here is we're getting a Dollar General store just off island on 24 in Rosewood.  I saw the construction going on but had no idea what was being built.  Since we only have gift shops here, I can't see Dollar General interfering with commerce on the island.  Not like some small towns where a Wal-Mart, etc. comes in and puts the little mom and pop shops out of business.   Never a Dollar General follower, I do have to say when I first moved here I visited the one in Bronson.  Surprisingly, I got hooked browsing through the store.....things you wouldn't consider buying when you walked in all of a sudden look very appealing for the price.  So when our very own Dollar General opens just a few short miles from the island I plan to be there for opening day.  I betccha if I set up a folding chair inside, I'd gather enough fodder to write ten more books.  I'll keep you posted when it opens and my first visit there.

I managed to finish two more chapters yesterday on my mystery and hope to do the same today.  So I'd best get moving here and get back to Miss Dora and Clam Calamity on Cedar Key.  You enjoy your day and I'll see you back here tomorrow...............