THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!

Okay, so I was told I should tell my story like I would tell it to Potluck, so here we go.  First of all, once the hurricane was named, it was like “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming”!  Obviously, weather people don’t get much of a chance to expound on anything because by the time they show it to you 9 million times, you would think the world is coming to an end.  I don’t mean to make light of it, but there is so much hype, you just get tire of it.   So, we went from a buzzing little island on Thursday, to a “ghost island” on Friday.  There was coffee sold, but hardly any lunch.  There were about 8 of the usual suspects on Friday, so we decided to walk down to the ocean to see the waves.  The ocean is literally 360 of my steps from the Treehouse.  The waves were roaring and quite amazing to see, but the kicker was the blowing sand!!  It pelted the dogwater out of you.  It only got part of me because I had on jeans, but Shawn, Amy and Auri had on shorts.  At least snow melts when it hits you.  Sand, on the other hand, just sticks to you and in you and in your clothes.  Later, we were silly enough to go look again.  By that time, it was raining cats and dogs, so we just got soaked.  Finally, we had enough sense to close the Treehouse and go home.  After much food and wine and card playing with the kids, Amy suggested I move my car into the middle of the cul de sac so it would NOT be hit by a tree.  “No, says I, there might be an ambulance that needs to get down the street.”  Silly me.  As you know by my previous blog, the very tree about which she was speaking, fell on my Tonka.  Anyway, we lost power at the house around 8:30 p.m., which was okay until we all went to sleep.  My goodness, how quickly your body responds to NO air conditioning – and I don’t mean in a good way.  Anyway, since I was up early anyway, I went to the Treehouse to see if anyone wanted coffee. There has never been a day in my life when I made so many people so happy at once.  Seems we were the only game in town that morning, so everybody liked us.  We then had a few folks for lunch, but the bulk was definitely in for coffee!!  Today is Tuesday, and everyone has just about cleaned up all of the branches in their yards and the city of Carolina Beach is about to start picking them up from the front of the houses.  Now we are back to beautiful weather.  However, this season extends all the way to the end of November, so stay tuned and I may be able to give you another report.  Thanks for reading.  Ricci

I DO HAVE A TONKA TRUCK!!!

So, we lost power last night and it was a little warm sleeping.  Actually, at one point, I thought I was going backward and going through menopause again!!  Anyway, I digress.  About 5 a.m. I decided to survey my surroundings the best I could, given that there are no lights in our neighborhood.  Well, lo and behold, I see a huge tree branch laying right across the front of my car.  Luckily, Amy and Shawn were also awake, so we went to see if I still had a windshield.  Yep!  Shawn held up  the branch and I backed it out safe and sound.  So, Mike, I owe you a debt of gratitude for leaving me a Tonka.  I guess you actually knew what you were doing when you bought it.  I love you!! R icci

GOOD NIGHT IRENE - WE HOPE!!!

So, here we are, waiting and watching, hoping Irene decides to take a little trip east - way east, as a matter of fact.  Right now, it is so pretty, you would never believe a rip roaring storm is making its way up the coast.  Tomorrow will be spent buying ice and batteries and hoping we don't need them.  I'll let you know as soon as we know.  Thanks for checking. Ricci 

Hooray for Ricci....

Hooray for Ricci, Hooray for Ricci, someone in the crowd is yelling..... !  Wonder of wonders, I actually shot a 94 today.  That would be the first time I have broken 100 since Mike died.  I would really rather shoot 200 and have him be here, but I don't seem to have that option, so I will revel in finally breaking 100.  I know he would be happy for me that I did it - and I am extremely happy for myself.  Now, of course, I don't know whether it is my new Adams clubs, or perhaps I am coming to grips and on the road to recovery.  Don't know which, but the 94 made me feel like I was at least still alive.  Thanks for tuning in - just wanted you to know there is hope for the old girl yet!  Ricci

WALKING, WALKING, WALKING!!!

So, I have been here since the 4th of July and have logged quite a few miles!!  I have been walking the beach at least 6 days a week.  One route is about 7 1/4 miles.  It is such a peaceful walk.  While he would not have enjoyed the walk past about 30 feet, Mike would certainly have enjoyed the sunrise and throwing a line in the ocean.  It will be interesting to see how much I enjoy it once the summer leaves and colder weather sets in.  The dogs have been loving it, though.  About twice or three times a week I take the dogs.  In October, they will be able to run free without my getting into trouble.  Also, it will be easier on them because they will not be so hot.  My poor car will never be the same, however.  They hit the beach, run for a while, roll in the sand and run in and out of the water.  (Not very far in, however; just enough to get those paws wet and sandy.)  So, when we get back to my car, they get into the back seat and immediately see how much sand they can shake off of themselves onto my back seat!!  Since it has been over a year, I suppose I ought to be better at this, but, you know, sometimes it is just so sad and unbelievable that Mike will never be back.  It is still so very sad that sometimes I just don't know what to do.  So, tomorrow, I will go back on  the golf course and hope my new clubs deliver the miracle I expect!  My younger son is getting married on the beach the 15th of October, so there is certainly a lot of excitement here.  And, they are leaving for Europe the 8th of November for a month, so it will be quite a year for them.  As for me, while it is delightful to be around  them, I am definitely looking forward to being alone for a little while, if for no other reason, than to get a little more perspective.  By then, I will hopefully know for certain if this is where I want to settle.  Thanks for listening, by virtue of reading!!  Ricci

HOW I LOVE ADAMS GOLF!!!

The best customer service ever.  And, yesterday, I actually got a chance to try out the whole set!  Unfortunately, the first nine, I was in nearly every sand trap!  Back nine, though, was a lot better - several pars evern!!  Not back in the 90's yet, but I think I can see it coming!  Even nicer was the fact that I was put with three women who were my peers, polite, nice and fun to play golf with.  The only drawback was that they invited me to join their golf league, which I would have been happy to do.  However, in order to belong, you have to belong to that golf course.  If I win the lottery, I will be sure to join.  Meanwhile, they will hopefully let me play again as "guest" substitute.  I will go out again tomorrow and see if I am that lucky!  I will be sure to let you know.  Ricci   

WORKING, WORKING, WORKING

So, here I am in North Carolina - making coffee, serving wine, cooking, busing tables - - all of the fun things in life!  Mostly, it is really fun!  However, it is taking away time from golf - in fact, I haven't even had the time to try out my new full set of golf clubs.  And, I am certain, that with these new clubs, I will be able to break 100 once again!  Theoretically, I was going to give them a try this morning, but the opener got sick, so I had to cancel.  Perhaps tomorrow.  I  am so excited to try them!  Since I cooked with Shawn Saturday, Sunday brunch and dinner with Axton, I probably would have been too tired to hit the ball well anyway!  Next week, my younger sister will be in South Carolina, so I will make a little 5 1/2 hour drive to see her.  That, of course, will be fun! (If only I had some red slippers to click together when returning!!)  We are crowded here, but good.  Now, when I go to Florida in September, it will be just a little more crowded, because I will be picking up my clothes - even though I don't remember what is there.  I really need self-rotating tubs so I can get to something without moving all of them.  Oh well!, at least it will be another adventure.  Thanks for listening - once again.  Ricci  

Edisto Beach, SC

Well, time marches on.  I spent last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Edisto Beach, SC, with my friends from Tampa, Judy & Jim and their friends, Russ and Sue.  What a good time we had.  The best thing is - I have had some hearing loss and I can never understand what the kids say without having to have them repeat most of it.  HA!  We all have the same problem. And, since we do, everybody spoke clearly, concisely and loud enough for all of us to hear!!  Judy turned 70, so we had a little party and it was quite fun.  Not that the kids are difficult.  I have been working with Shawn at the Bistro so I can take care of it while they are in Europe and it has been a lot of fun (in addition to a lot of work).  The teenagers are also fun, but there is something about drinking with your peers!!  It is still unbelievable to me that I will never see Mike again.  When I am walking the beach early in the morning, I just know he would really, really love it.  Happy hour is just not the same either!  Monday, I received the rest of my clubs from Adams Golf and I will be trying them out on Monday - providing a hurricane does not find its way here.  I will certainly let you know how they work.  Since Mike died, I have not broken 100.  Hopefully that will change on Monday.  Please wish me luck.  Thanks again for checking in.  Ricci   

STILL HERE!!

Hi!  Yes, hard to believe, but I am still here.  Alive and in North Carolina!  Walking the beach, waiting tables, making coffee and even cooking at the Treehouse Bistro!!  Fun, definitely - hard work, most definitely!  However, at least I know I can still do everything.  The only thing is  that I do not have a life of my own, so to speak.  Today, I am driving to Edisto Beach, SC to visit Judy and Jim from Florida.  Tiny drive - only 4 1/2 hours!!  It will be great to see them!  When I return, I guess I will join a new comers club and see if I can meet some other folks.  All my new friends here, so far, are Amy and Shawn's age, and while they are delightful, it would be good for them and for me to find some friends of my own with whom to play golf and socialize!!  So, I will be working on that.  It is still difficult to believe it has been over a year since Mike died - and, even though we were definitely not "joined at the hip", it is still hard to believe we are never having happy hour again.  When I am walking on the beach, I can't help but think how much he would have loved the way of life on this island.  It is so laid back!  So sorry he missed it.  I have only gotten to try my new clubs once, so far, but I fully intend to make great use of them when I get back from Ediston Beach.  After Labor Day, when "the season" is over, I will actually start investigating places to live.  By October or November, I am thinking people will be wanting to rent their places again and perhaps I will be able to find a little home of my own.  Otherwise, folks, life is pretty darned good.  All of my parts are working, I can still work, can still hit a golf ball and I am certain I will be making new friends soon.  So goes widowhood!  Thanks again for tuning in.  Ricci