What Do You Remember About Your Past Halloweens?


No matter how busy I have tried to keep my brain today, my mind seems determined to travel down Memory Lane. Maybe it is the cloudy, gloomy weather. Maybe it is because I don’t have any “have tos” that require my immediate attention. Maybe it is because I don’t have to be anywhere at any particular time. Maybe it is because it is Halloween.

As a little girl I had fun deciding what I was going to be, what I was going to wear. I was blessed because my Mom was very creative and a great seamstress. She had a special way of bringing into reality anything I could imagine.

I remember one Halloween when I was transformed into a robot. A large cardboard box was covered with aluminum foil and holes were cut out for my head and arms. It was a great costume. Unfortunately, I couldn’t sit in the costume – I could barely walk. My Dad had the solution. He put down the back of our station wagon and just slid me in. I didn’t win but it was a great costume.

Trick or treating around the neighborhood was fun. My dad never worked late that night so he could take us around while Mom passed out the candy at home. Some houses would be decorated both outside and inside. Occasionally we were invited in and went through mini haunted houses. We only went to houses with their porch lights on. It was a safer time then. Neighbors looked after each other’s children.

Depending on the weather, there would be apple cider or hot chocolate and donuts waiting for us when we got back home. We would dump our bags of candy on the table and sort it out. We always hoped for the candy bars. Popcorn balls, raisins or apples even candy apples weren’t considered prize treats. Even cookies didn’t rate as high as candy bars. I kept this fact in mind as I grew older and gave out my own treats, candy bars, tootsie pops or something that was kid approved was what I gave out (smile).

Even in high school Halloween was fun. It was the night to scare the little kids or go to a party. There has always seemed to be something magical and happy to ME about this night. I know that to many people it has bad connotations and due to the religious beginnings is not a holiday to be celebrated. I certainly respect that.

In this time of war, economic instability, terrorism and uncertainty I can’t help but feel confident that God enjoys seeing children using their imaginations and having fun.

Last night I was a hostess at the hockey game. They had encouraged everyone the week before to dress in costume. I dressed as a cheerleader. I was given the special opportunity to pass out candy to the children attending the game in costume. It was terrific to see such a wide assortment of smiles. If only life were so simple – if we could share a piece of candy with our neighbors and presto, the world would be filled with a variety of smiles. Hmm, maybe I need to contact the executives at Hershey.

My sons, Tom and Jim, were born on October 1st. Rarely, were we able to celebrate their birthdays on the actual date of their birth. We usually had company and the expense of entertaining made it best to have a little family celebration on their birthday and wait and have their big celebration as a Halloween Party. Over the years they wore an assortment of costumes some homemade, some store bought and some concocted out of their own imagination and handiwork. Parties ranged from small to large. We even turned the house into a haunted house one year when they were older. It was complete with ghost stories and a mad scientist. We even had a hayride.

Now my sons are grown and have their own families and celebrations. As for me I am still celebrating this fun day. My childlike wonder is still alive and well despite the turning of the pages of the calendar. I have gone on a Halloween Walking Tour in Charleston, SC and heard all the folk tales and was spooked as we went though the cemetery. Last year I went to a Haunted Woods in a nearby State Park. Unfortunately, I got so scared I nearly set a new record for the dash as I ran out of there. I don’t enjoy being frightened and my active imagination can run wild without much provocation so I stay away from the likes of Fright Night at Universal or Busch Gardens.

Tonight I am going to Heritage Park and traveling back to the 1900’s to see how Halloween was celebrated then. Whatever you are doing….please be safe and enjoy.

Rain-X equals better vision


Wow, great stuff. It takes a while to put it on however it is worth it. Instead of rain obscuring your vision when it splashes against your windshield it bounces out of your way. Try it. Stay safe. You matter.

Never underestimate the power of faith


Matthew 17:20 says, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Strange Day


Three different times, on three different occasions today it was said.

"Judy, you just have to accept it, there is something about you."

Hmmm, I wonder is this a good thing - this something about me? Is it a bad thing?

I wonder if there is a cure, an antidote?

Each said it was a compliment. Something to do with my aura. Yet none could or would put it into words. They said it had to do with the effect I have on people.

A strange day. Perplexed and curious as to what they meant, sometimes I guess it is best not to analyze a compliment and just say, "thank you."

May your day be filled with kind people and unexplainable compliments (smile).

Better than flying.


Yesterday when I was driving, I was so happy. When I am outside I get a chance to see the world and be reminded that I am only an itsy bitsy spec in it and that makes my problems seem insignificant. I enjoy the colors...the sky is like a kaleidoscope always changing and when it does the shadows on the land and the colors of the water change too. It is a wonder, a beautiful miracle that all too often goes unnoticed.


It is fun to see the world from a train, a car, a bike or walking. A boat offers its own unique perspective as it cruises the shoreline. Flying is wonderful for getting somewhere fast. It saves time and it lets you get to faraway places. In the rush, rush world of ATMs, microwave food, and instant everything it is a treat to slow down and notice the world around you.


It only takes one day for the earth to completely turn on its axis. Of course this is incredibly fast and combined with gravity prevents us from falling off - a very good thing (smile). Since the speed with which we move through this world isn't that crucial perhaps we should take a risk once in a while and slow down. Don't worry if there are no roses to smell - just open your eyes and see the world around you.

A Cheerleader, Butterflies and Mullet


Once upon a weekend I went on an adventure.

So many fun firsts...

Unexpectedly, I found myself a cheerleader for participants passing by during a triathlon.

Next I found myself splitting fried mullet at a fish fry - despite not liking fish, not even a little bit(smile).

As everyone was being social and enjoying the food, dozens, maybe hundreds of butterflies covered the ground and took flight as children and dogs ran through the grass. It was truly amazing to see these tiny beauties and learn that they were just stopping by as they migrate to Mexico.

I enjoyed exploring the beach - yucky jelly fish - but the turquoise water was beautiful. Waves are more common place there than here in St. Petersburg. It was fantastic.

Ft. Rucker was the site of a most awe inspiring aviation museum. I loved learning about the planes and helicopters that Jack flew. He said he was then and would always be a soldier. Truly he epitomized the title.

The last time I visited I learned about shrimp boats and how oysters are harvested. This time I discovered how peanuts are grown and saw acres and acres of cotton fields.

New experiences, exploring new places and learning new things...

Once upon a weekend I went on an adventure.

"I shall never believe that God plays dice with the world."

Albert Einstein

I really like this one...


Never tell anyone that something can't be done. God may have waited centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing.

J.R. Holmes

You can't predict...


A year ago it seemed that the Minnesota Twins would be gone, contracted. Now they are in contention for the World Series having survived round one of the playoffs.


You can't predict what the future will hold. Sometimes what seems logical and indisputable has no basis in fact. Certainly the Yankees with their payroll would, at the very least, make it past the first round - NOT.


Examples happen every day. Enron's demise has caused havoc for millions. The tragedy of September 11, 2001 is another example of how we can't predict the future. Unexpected things happen everyday, not all make headlines but each is a reminder that we shouldn't take anything for granted.


Life is an adventure with unexpected twists and turn. You can't predict what will happen. There are too many variables. You can...Tell the people in your life that you care.


Life is an adventure, enjoy.

Sunsets and Snowflakes


No two are alike. Each melts away in only a moment. One disappears as the sun slips below the horizon. The other evaporates when touched by the warmth of the sun.


Sunsets and snowflakes both turn us into spectators.


The sky changes colors as the sun sets, a beautiful end to a day. Sunsets have become synonymous with romance.


The first moment it is announced that snow is falling, people hurry to the window to look. Questions fill their mind. Adults wonder will it stick? How much will accumulate? Children wonder will school be closed? Whether watching with concern or in anxious anticipation, each snowflake makes us take notice.


Sunsets and snowflakes each are the substance from which memories are made. Here in Florida we have the most extraordinary sunsets. They are especially beautiful when viewed from the beach as the sun seems to slip into the Gulf. Equally amazing, in a wholly different way, is the sight of snowflakes falling here. A rare sight guaranteed to make the news (smile).


Sunsets and snowflakes....thank you Mother Nature. They are amazing.

Tonight I was a hostess at a performance of Sesame Street Live. Two thousand children and parents were there sharing the fun together. It is expected that before the end of the weekend approximately eight thousand more will enjoy the experience. More families throughout the country will get the chance as the show travels from city to city.


Being there and participating in the fun reminded me of when Tom and Jim were little boys. I smiled thinking of how much they liked Bert and Ernie. Elmo seems to be first in popularity these days.


Since Jim and Tom were little....


Man has walked on the moon, the Berlin Wall came down, Nixon left office, Bill Clinton got frisky in office, there was Vietnam and Desert Storm, cell phones and computers are just two examples of technology touching everyone's lives, banking is done online and via ATMs, dinner is nuked in microwave ovens, perfect scores in sports are no longer rare, schools are no longer safe havens for our children and a thousand other changes have taken place.


One thing you can count on in this world is that there will be change.


Another thing we can count on is that, happily, some things don't change. Children still enjoy playing catch in their yard, laughing at silly knock knock jokes, and riding bikes. The best thing is that the sound of children laughing still instantly creates a contagious happy feeling. Such laughter and happiness surrounded me tonight.


It was a fun evening.

"The Best Day Of My Life"


I met a lady yesterday that told me that it was "the best day of her life." She had just found out that she had won a trip to Hawaii and she was thrilled. She was going to use it for her honeymoon. It was fun to see her so happy and excited.


As I listened to her and smiled at her exhuberance I realized we are all very fortunate. Most everyone experiences more than one time in their life when they can accurately say....."This is the best day of my life."


Maybe you said it when you were a child and found that special present under the Christmas tree. Maybe it was when that special someone asked you on a date and you had a magical time together. Maybe when you got engaged, got married, had your child. Maybe when you got great news. The point is that we are truly blessed, everyday has the potential to be "the best day of your life." We don't get just one special, memorable day.


Take a few minutes today and think back on those occassions when you experienced "the best day of your life." I bet it will make you smile.


Life is full of "have tos" to think about and deal with...we need to take time out every now and then and remember, yes remember "the best days of your life."

The Greatest Asset


The greatest asset any corporation, business or organization has....


it's only true competitive edge....


is its people.

My Favorite Miracle


The birth of my twin sons, Tom and Jim, October 1, 1967.


I may not ever write a best seller, paint a masterpiece, or compose a symphony however I was given the privilege, the pleasure, the true blessing to be their mom. Hurray! They are each making their own unique, special, positive impact in the world.


I have witnessed many miracles in my life. To be Jim and Tom’s Mom is my most favorite.


According to a myriad of tests at birth, they are identical twins. A bonus for me to have the opportunity to see two people, biologically the same grow and react to circumstances sometimes alike and often very differently (smile).


There is no doubt that they have not always had the easiest journey. They moved approximately 11 times before they entered high school. Each time they did their best to be understanding and embrace it as an adventure. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for them to keep being the new kids on the block. In addition, unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons their dad and I did not “live happily ever after” and eventually divorced.


Over the years I have enjoyed watching Tom and Jim’s interests change and expand. They are each great readers and that served them well both in school and in life. Each loves sports and it has been fun to see the competitive nature develop in them. They have chosen to be fans of different teams and I enjoy listening and watching them give each other a hard time when one team surpasses the other.


I have so many assorted memories of them growing from babies into fantastic men.


Very young they would help each other get into mischief. They gave each other rides in the clothes dryer.


Growing up Tom’s hero was Thomas Jefferson. It was amazing how much he learned about him. One summer when they were only about seven or eight years old we visited Monticello in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s home. Tom knew more than the guide. It was such fun watching people in the tour group as they turned their attention and listened to him share his expertise and stories.


Jim wanted to be Fonzi from Happy Days when he grew up. I wasn't able to get him the official jacket but did find a genuine imitation leather type jacket that he wore and he even slicked his hair. Such a fun memory.


We went on lots of trips. Each one turned into an adventure, whether it was camping in the rain, or spending hours and hours at South Of The Border, or coming out of a hotel and thinking everything has been stolen from the car, to adopting a large car sick dog, to cruises, and flying to Grand Cayman, we even rode bikes from Erwin to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the bicentennial.


They have always had a variety of interests….they were in band, played soccer, were in the debate club, ran track and in races, they always paid attention to current events, could win at chess when they were young, taught me video games, were terrific swimmers and seemed just as comfortable in a formal restaurant or setting as they were in their Fraternity house or even camping.


I love that they have always had an eclectic group of friends. They were never the sort to be a member of just one cliché. It was like they had a visa that let them move comfortably from the members of the band to the jocks and everyone in between.


It was so much fun when they came to Florida for Spring Break with their friends. Sometimes though they were a little ornery....I remember when we all went to the Magic Kingdom at Disney and Jim and Tom conspired. They bought a fake cast and Tom wore it on the Merry-Go-Round, scaring me when I first saw them. Definitely ornery.


As adults they each still have friends that come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are employed in many different occupations.


Jim and Tom are each married now and parents themselves. I am sure they consider their wives and children their favorite miracles. That is as it should be. Some of the crazy traditions we had they continue such as celebrating Ground Hog's Day while others like Vegetable Week will remain in the past (smile).


I am thrilled that they still let me be an active participant in their lives. Jim and I have met in DC and walked for miles while exploring the city and we even met for a one day adventure in Cleveland to watch our beloved Cavaliers lose in the playoffs to the dreaded New York Knicks. When Tom and his family moved to Japan as part of his job, I harnessed my fear of flying and went for a visit.


On this their birthday, I am celebrating the blessing of being their Mom. LUCKY ME.


Happy Birthday Tom and Jim. I hope you have a fun-filled happy day! You are my favorite miracle. I love you now and always.