About Me

Me, and friends.

Hello, and thanks for stopping by. You can call me Summer. It’s my favorite season. I love the sun, the warmth, flip-flops, the freedom, and call me crazy but I even love the traffic when I am travelling and I see other vehicles loaded with luggage, dogs, people, and anticipation of “what-we’re-gonna-do-when-we-get-there.”

I live in a little town in central Georgia, when I am not in St. Augustine or Savannah, poking around in all their lovely nooks and crannies while soaking up its essences. I am a licensed St. Augustine tour guide although I do not reside full-time in the nation’s Oldest City. When in St. Augustine or Savannah I’m continually seeking out the next bit of precious truthful information to add to my already bursting collection of research on both cities. I also enjoy replacing the looks of feigned interest with wonder on the faces of my family and friends when I drag them along on my visits to my other “homes.”

I drive a Jeep named Jonathan (in honor of F/V Time Bandit) who knows the way by heart as we barrel toward the coast every chance we get. Along the way, Jonathan and I often stop at some of our favorite haunts along I-95 between Savannah and New Smyrna. There is marvelous history and wonderful people, places and things along the coast and I love to meander south and stop anywhere that looks interesting.

I am in my fortyteens, and I am a writer. I am currently working on a novel about the founding of New Smyrna, Florida, and the ordeal of the people who colonized that area in the eighteenth century. To give me something else to lean my eyes up against when I need it, I am also working on a project involving Henry Parker and William Stephens, the first two presidents of the Georgia colony. And for yet another place to run when I need a change, i am fascinated with the half-Creek interpretor, Mary Musgrove. Along with these projects I churn out a short story now and then.

Yes, I am all about coastal Georgia and northeast Florida history. I read an interesting quote by Mike Dolan (HawaiianLife) that will haunt me forever: “Knowing the past makes you responsible as the caretaker for their story…” I love to write but am abysmal at making things up, which is why I am such a terrible liar. I much prefer to find an interesting dead person and re-construct their life and story. It thrills me to walk where they walked and go where they went.

My Corgi, Sera, also loves Savannah & St Augustine. She makes friends easily, and enjoys our evening walks there. Her favorite spots are Kilwin’s Ice Cream parlor and Pizzalley’s Pizza in St Augustine. Go figure.

Even though it doesn’t sound like it, I do have another life: Along with my husband, Island_Bob, I am an equine massage therapist and I am also a double-certified saddle fitter. Island_Bob and I have owned Morgan horses since 1980, and in 1991 we added two Holsteiner mares to our herd. We no longer breed or show, and our horses are simply enjoying their retirement.

I love dogs. I am absolutely crazy about dogs. I have three Australian Shepherds, a little yeller “dropoff” dog someone left in front of my house, and Sera – who thinks she is also a saddle fitter as well as website designer and blog author. (I believe she has an extra ‘positive self esteem’ gene.) Fair warning: if I cross paths with you and your dog in St Augustine, I will want to meet you both.

I love my friends. (‘Scuse me for a moment while I wave at Carrie. Hi, Carrie!) Friends are the best, most precious gift ever. Rita Mae Brown, once wrote, “Whenever I doubt the existence of the Almighty, I remember that through my friends, God has loved me.” Isn’t that the truth! Nothing soothes the soul like knowing you are loved by whoever happens to be on the other side of the door you are about to walk through.

Thank you for visiting and check back often as I add as much of my odd and assorted info as I can!