Dear Reader:

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I started examining the debris left behind by Hurricane Ian … and discovered that rain, torrential at times like it was… perked up many of my late summer flowers, like Black-eyed Susie’s. All the flowers appeared to be pretty much intact and enjoying the cooler weather along with long cool drinks!

The porch is back up with all the flower containers and the side garden survived admirably… the back yard got the brunt of flying branches and broken limbs … but just needs a few wheel barrow excursions. So lucky… and so grateful! Everyone in the family fared well overall.

This past year has certainly been a wake-up call that we, as stewards of God’s gift of our earthly home -planet Earth, have failed it! Our planet has finally had enough of man’s greed for more natural resources-polluting and destroying them in the bargain.

Italy complains it can’t send half as many cars out for export ( at one time) because the weight on the barges and freighters are too much for the canals, streams and rivers that have dried up so badly the cargo ships are getting stuck or even scrapping bottom.

We have all witnessed our own rivers and lakes in this country suffering the same fate from man-made induced climate change. ( Baby… it’s hot outside!”)

This is a serious problem that affects our economy, health, nutrition, and potential survival outcome for life …as we have come to know and expect it.

But… for historians, archaeologists, geologists, scientists, and curious retired history teachers… the dried up river ravines are bringing ancient artifacts back to us millions of years after they lived-fossilized!

This new era will probably be remembered as the New Age of Ancient History Revival! Here are some examples!

One of the saddest scenes from the wake of Hurricane Ian was seeing a big chunk of the historic Pawleys Island Pier break off from the rest of the pier and float out to sea.

This old pier, though private now, was always a mainstay and landmark for evening walks on Pawleys Island and still a great pier to canoe or kayak around. Hurricane Ian hit the Georgetown area-just south of Pawleys especially hard.

Ann Graves texted me and wondered if the famous Gray Man ghost had appeared to warn residents of Pawleys Island to leave. I replied I hoped he warned the residents and tourists not to go near the pier!

Actually when I googled more information on the latest Gray Man ghost sighting one source stated ” Last reported sighting was Hurricane Ian-this past Friday… just a few days after the 200th anniversary of the first sighting on September 27, 1822!! ( Pretty cool but no specific details)

So until tomorrow.. May we be filled with gratitude for loved ones who stayed safe and secure while extending helping, generous, open hands to those who were not so fortunate!

Today is my favorite day -Winnie the Pooh… because my hero, Sam Clark came over and put in a new smoke detector and left me with no more chirping sounds! Hallelujah! Love you Clark’s-best back door neighbors EVER!!! Continue healing Donna from your gall bladder surgery!!! 😍🥰😘

Look what Mike and Honey saw as Hurricane Ian left the NC mountains?

One hour until game time… it’s going to be a tough one-have on my new lucky Clemson birthday sweatshirt and Clemson pumpkin in place! My motto for the game tonight! ” Let the GROWL be stronger than the ” Howl!” 🥰😍