Dear Reader:

I learned early on ( through mother’s example) that taking a walk to declutter the extra baggage stored in the brain… as to see a problem more precisely… is the best problem-solving technique of all!

Every evening, weather permitting… mother would call us together and we would walk. We knew the ” etiquette “… give mother quiet time for about the first 15 to 20 minutes of the walk and then she would ask each of us individually about our day.

Walking is the best therapy in the world… think about the number of times Jesus needed ” alone” time to process His plans and study His problems… before rejoining His friends. Movement, the beauty of nature and simply taking time to listen to the life all around you produces amazing clarity.

If it hadn’t been for my early beach walk at Edisto beach ( at sunrise) in October of 2008… I never would have witnessed my dolphin relaying God’s message to me among the early morning jetties.

These days when I walk the neighborhoods … I love strolling on East Walker because it is still a graveled dirt road… the residents living on it vote to keep it that way every time the opportunity arises to pave it… gotta love a road like that!

The biggest bonus is getting to walk back in history as I get closer to the ” The Tea Farm” historical property where Dr Charles Shepard decided to take an earlier unsuccessful attempt at growing tea ( where Newington Plantation subdivision is today) and try it on a new parcel of land near the original site.

Dr Shepard was quite successful-in 1892 92 lbs of tea were produced. By 1907 12,000 lbs of tea were produced on 100 acres. During this prosperous time Dr Shepard would visit the famous Pine Forest Inn and entertain guests with his afternoon tea and ” tea talks.”

President Theodore Roosevelt toured the tea farm while staying at the Pine Forest Inn.

In 1995 the South Carolina Assembly made tea the ” Hospitality Beverage of South Carolina.”

After Dr Shepard’s death in 1915… plants few wild until Lipton Tea Company transplanted them on experimental farms in the 1960’s . In 1987 the tea was bought out by American Classic and Bigelow Tea properties creating the Charleston Tea Farm on Wadmalaw Island… open to visitors year round. A fun tour for the entire family!

So until tomorrow… If you are like me… all five senses are activated on a walk giving the brain the respite it needs to re-open fresh and ready to take on problems again … is it just me… but I am going to fix myself a glass of tea! Hum humm Good!

Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh

*** Do keep Honey in your prayers as she is undergoing some dental procedures that will pay off in the end… but as we all know… not fun getting there. Like Dolley Parton, maybe Honey gave her smile to someone who needed it more than her so many times… it got worn out! We are all “rooting” for you Honey! 💗🙌

And speaking of ” tea” … all five grandchildren are signed up for golf lessons this spring… great game to follow you all your life.

Walsh, Mollie and children are at Fripp Island this long weekend… visiting Mollie’s aunt-looks like they are getting some golf pre-practice time in.