Emily Dickinson
Every time I walk on the beach, I find that with each step I shed the frustrations of my oft too busy life~~trading them instead for the childish pleasures of scavenging through seaweeds and scattered shells~~as though finding a treasure ~~~ "a gift from the sea" - is my all important pursuit in life.
~~~
(a very special thank you to my dear friend Bob
for his amazing photographs
of the shorebirds
and the surf.)
~~~
~~~
~~~
~~~
~~~ 
~~~ 
~~~ 
I often wake early, taking long walks along the beach before the sun rises in the sky. For me - it is the interaction of my soul with the edge of the sea, the beginning of the day, the solitude of the moment~~
~~~
~~~
A peak inside our condo~
~~~ 
~~~
~~~ 
~~~
~~~
~~~
~~~ 
~~~
When my Mother was terminally ill and bed fast, she passed her days working on these cross stitch pictures for the condo. Knowing that her days were numbered she fervently worked to complete this collection of pictures for me. My parents loved the condo and the beach as much as I. For them - this was a special place like no other. They spent many, many happy days and weeks here. This was to be her legacy to me - a lasting memory to the place that she loved so very much.
~~~
~~~ 
~~~
~~~
~~~
~~~
By now, you know that this is for me - a very special place. So special, in fact - that I have decided to share it with you - my readers and followers. I am so grateful to those of you who visit and take the time to leave your comments. That you have been here for me always, has meant the world to me. My blog exists because of you. My blog exists for you~~~ 
To thank you all for your devotion to me and my blog - I am donating one week at our condo in Satellite Beach, Florida (east coast just below Cocoa Beach) to one of my lucky readers/followers. (Yes - this is for real - I really am doing this!) I am giving the week of October 16-23 to the lucky winner of this contest.
October at the beach is a glorious time ~~ my very favorite time to be at the beach. (In fact I will be there the next week - so perhaps we will have a chance to meet!) If the winner of this contest is one of my public followers, I will also donate some discount dining coupons to some of our favorite restaurants.
I have been told that I am CRAZY to be doing this - but I don't think so. My blogging friends are some of the nicest people in the world. That I can share this special gift with one lucky winner - is actually, a dream come true for me. I sincerely hope that this works out well - I would so love to be able to do this each year.
~~~
I understand that some of my readers and followers live on the other side of the world and that it is not practical for them to be able to enter this contest. Can I just say that I love each of you and I am sorry that this contest is not one that you can easily participate in - for so many reasons. I promise that there will be more contests coming up soon - and always, always, I will always send the winnings any where in the world - where ever you may live.
To the details~~
1. the contest is for the week of October 16-23 only
2. the stay is for 2 persons only - no children please. (significant other? girl trip!!)
3. if the winner has a blog - I would request that they take LOTS of photos and then blog about their trip upon their return.
4. if the winner does not have a blog - then they can send me the photos and I will blog about it.
5. this is absolutely a "no smoking" condo
6. the only fees associated with wining this weeks stay is an $85 cleaning fee to be paid upon check in. All transportation fees, entertainment, etc - are at the cost of the winner.
7. I will provide all necessary directions, and check in information to the winner. Really there is not much to tell - you win - you go - you have a great time!
You may enter as often as you wish - but PLEASE no more than twice a day!
Please leave a comment telling me if you wish to be entered in this contest and why you would like to win this vacation to the beach. Also please tell me who you would like to take with you on this special vacation. (This has nothing to do at all with how the winner will be chosen - I would just like to know~~
If you wish to blog about this- please tell me that you have done so in a separate comment. I will throw your name in the hat another handful of times.
Miss Maddy girl will choose the winner on September 25. Her decision is absolutely final. (You all know what a good "winner picker" she is! I will see if she will wear her "cowardly lion" outfit for you all. (Don't be afraid~~~)
Vicki
