While we’re kicking off another amazing year of academic
pursuit and sorority friendship, leadership and service, I’m holding on to the
last remaining days of summer. I live in central Florida where “Mickey is
King,” the roads are crowded and the pace is hectic. So what do I do to get
away from it all? I go to our river house on the Gulf. Homosassa is still
“old Florida” – the pace is slower, everybody knows your name, and bathing
suits, flip flops and shorts reign.
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| The view from my house on the river. |
When I get there and walk out to the river, all deadlines
and worries fade away. It's called the “Nature's Coast” for
a good reason. At any given time we see manatee at the dock, dolphins jumping in
the river and Mikey begging for some food. “Who's Mikey?” you might be asking.
Mikey's the Great Blue Heron who knows when I'm there and comes to the screen
and stares into the house until I see him. Honestly, I think he would come
on in if the screen door was open!
My favorite pastime besides relaxing is fishing! I love to fish, whether it's with my husband, Bob, in our
boat for sea trout or with my favorite fishing captain, Charlie Harris, fishing
for redfish. Redfish are one of the best fighting (and eating) fish on the
planet. There's nothing like getting one on the line, reeling him in and him
taking off. The line just hums.
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| Fishing with my husband Bob. |
From July 1 through mid-September is scallop season,
and we call it adult Easter egg hunting season! Don a mask, snorkel,
fins and take your net into the Gulf in about five feet of water. My mouth
waters thinking about fresh sautéed scallops over linguine.
Well, I can't stand it anymore.
Got to go grab my bathing suit and get over to the Gulf!
