The Hammering Man

Sometimes we all feel like life is hard, and we are getting hammered from all directions. Unfortunately, a young man who is the peer of my son Matthew took his life this week. He was only 30, had a wife and small daughter, and a promising career as a prosecuting attorney. I have no idea what the final straw was for him, but it sends shivers down my spine, and a knife to my heart, thinking about what would make him do it. I am so sad for his family; I'm not sure how they ever recover. I would so hope if one of our boys ever was that low, he would seek help.

On a happier note, we had the most amazing day yesterday. We left leisurely at around 9:30 arriving at the museum around 11:30. I kept wanting Bruce to make little side trips, but he was right in suggesting we get our main objective accomplished first. It was so much better than we expected, primarily because of the butterfly rainforest exhibit. Wow--it was super great-- a photographer's dream. The fossils and stuff were fine, just not nearly as interesting to me as the live stuff! Before we knew it, it was almost 2pm, so we left and had lunch in the heart of Gator nation. It was a nice little bistro; what with the weather being spectacular, we ate outside. Off to Palatka.

We took a smallish road across the state, happy to experience the real Florida. Tons of lakes, and it was just plain pretty. I had seen in Southern Living something about Ravine Gardens In Palatka. It turns out it was peaceful and pretty but not much in the way of flowers as their main attraction is 1,000's of azaleas which had already bloomed. Apparently it was part of the WPA in 1933-34 and there is an obelisk dedicated to FDR near the entrance. As well, there are arbors which were built to hold the flags of the 48 states! The St. Johns River is quite wide through Palatka-very nice indeed.

Continuing on back roads south, we made it home around 7:30. Bruce is an awesome chauffeur and any discomfort I had was well worth it. It was the first time I have been anywhere enjoyable in maybe a year? Maybe that made it all the much sweeter.