The word for today:   Self care.  Okay, it’s two words.  Two very important words.

I continue to go through all the stages of this rotten cold I have, and it makes me think that I have not been doing things to help me stay healthy.   This cold, and missing out on things because of it, has been a wake up call to consider what else I can do.

I got my flu shot.   if you haven’t gotten yours, go do it!

I stopped doing multi-vitamins years ago just because I was lazy. Once my container was empty I didn’t rush out to buy more and then I got out of the habit of taking ‘one a  day’.  (Do they still  have that brand on the shelves?)   It’s time for me to get back into it and to figure out what I need to take – as a woman at my age.

Another reason I want to focus on self care is this:   I am not good – at all – about going to the doctor’s.  I have to be feeling really, really lousy to even consider it.  I have a problem with the lack of customer service I find in most doctor offices.  They leave you sitting, mostly undressed, way too long in a little exam room – with paper thin walls. You can hear everything going on around you, in the hall and in the other exam rooms.  Nobody stops in to check on you.  You feel forgotten.   Right?   This has happened to me more than once.   And, think about it, people who go into those tiny exam rooms are usually sick – carrying around all kinds of germs.  I appreciate a new piece of paper pulled on the exam table but I don’t think that’s going to stop me from picking up bad stuff left behind by other patients.      Same goes with the outside waiting areas.   Seriously, are they ever dis-infected?

And, you know that once you go for a doctor’s visit there is always more to be done!  oh, the questions that get asked! Have you had this or that done lately? Have you had a mammogram, a colonoscopy, blood work?   Let’s schedule it all!?!    Ugh.   I know those tests are for my own good, but in reality, I’d rather just prefer to keep myself healthy and not live sitting around in more waiting rooms.     Oh, and don’t you love the questions about drinking and smoking?    Come on – tell the truth, do you fib about it to the doc?

Anyway…

Self care is important physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.   I have learned  as I have aged and lived, that they are REALLY important aspects of being healthy.  I have learned to prioritize when it comes to relationships and when it comes to how I spend my time.   I have found ways to keep positivity in my life.  I look for joy in simple things.   I keep on my rose-colored glasses.

Spirituality develops along a life line.  At least for me it has, and it has made my existence deeper through time and it has brought me peace.    This brings me back around to Advent.   Self care for me includes taking the time to acknowledge Advent, the beginning of the Church year, a purposeful time as Christians prepare and await the birth of the baby Jesus.   Keeping my spiritual part healthy means involvement in church related events, and in celebrating with others who are like minded.   Christmas is not a one day event.

So, self care is vital.   Without it I’m no good to anyone else.   And I want to be.

 

 

Just an hour or so ago I mused about my Advent word of the day: patience.   And, now, here I am feeling so very frustrated, and also full of these emotions:  I’m feeling  scared, worried, disappointed, and sad.

Why?

I had a bit of a ‘back and forth’ going with a friend from my past, someone I have known casually for years, about our current political situation.  Ok.  I know – what was I thinking?? Right?   I saw and read a post he forwarded/posted on Facebook,  along with his personal opinion and I was floored by the language he used.   He called someone a ‘skank’.  Someone he does not know.  A female government employee.  Someone he then wrote he believes is a part of the ‘treasonous deep state’.    He also said he felt that Trump’s language and meanness (which I asked him about – did it bother him?) was ‘plain speak.’      Well, that’s an interesting way to describe it!   Ha.

Here’s the thing…. it’s Advent.  It’s the time to prepare for the greatest gift God gave our world: Jesus – the greatest example of how to live, and how to respond to God’s love of us. And, here I am caught up in this crazy conversation about how our leader daily cuts down people, and uses nasty language, and tells obvious lies about them for his own betterment.    The ‘rightous’ me wants to correct my friend about his opinions, and wants to ‘set him straight.’    I mean, WHY can he not see the truth???

Politics has always been mean-spirited. But the level of it now has reached new heights – or really, new lows.   People I have considered ‘regular’ citizens and neighbors – and even friends – have dropped down right along with it.

So, yes… I’m scared, worried, disappointed, and very sad.

God’s world – and man’s world are different BUT they do mix.  To follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in man’s world is hard to do, and at times it seems so defeating.   Yet, here it is – Advent.  it is the time to prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus.  A time of expected joy!

Do I have the patience for this?    Wow.  It’s harder than waiting for my cold to pass, or for shoppers to be nice, or drivers to slow down.   (See earlier post.)   Being patient and finding good in everything isn’t easy.    But, yet, it’s all I can do.  And –  I remind myself that a dear friend who is right now mourning the sudden loss of her husband this past weekend is planning his ‘celebration of life’ service. She is faithful and secure in God’s love.  God is in our world every day.

So…. yes, I can be patient and prepare.

Today’s word is ‘patience.’    I need to remind myself to have patience a lot this month.

First, I need it for getting over this nasty cold I have.  It’s not going away as quickly as I would like.  What do they say?  Take medicine and it takes a week.  Don’t take medicine and it takes a week.   It just needs to run it’s course.   Yep.  Very true.   I’m feeling better today and I really, really hope I can get out and among people later today.    But I’m still blowing my nose and coughing.   I may want to get out, but healthy people may not want me near them.

I also need patience this month for dealing with the increased feeling of craziness I see and feel in stores and on the road.   Is it just me, or does everyone rev it up a notch?  Are they worried they will miss out on something if they don ‘t rush here and there?

Somethings during December are beyond my control.  Ok, really it is all year long.   But, in December I sometimes feel I lose the right to make my own decisions.   Do I feel there are more expectations that must be done??   Yes.    Do I feel I get caught up in it all?   Yes.    But at least I am aware. Right?   That’s the first step. I learned awhile back not to do everything.    So, today’s mantra is to be patient and to not rush.   Let someone else get in line before me.  Don’t speed.   Don’t get mad at the crazy driver on my tail.     Keep it in perspective.  Rushing causes mistakes.  So, take a moment.  Breathe.

Today’s word is patience.   So far my words have all started with P making it easy to remember.   (Don’t) panic, plan, and have patience.   Can’t promise (another p word) that it will continue…. but please (p word) visit here tomorrow and see what Advent word of Affirmation I come up with and need.     Maybe you can use it too.

 

 

I wanted to start an Advent ‘word’ calendar yesterday but I’m struggling with a cold, so I didn’t have the energy to do it then.     So, today, December 2nd, I will use two words as I prepare for Christmas.

Day 1:  Panic!   Ha.  Yep, that’s my word.  December 1st always makes me worry about everything coming up this month, with a busy calendar, and a lot of activities planned.   Dealing with a cold doesn’t help, because I already feel a bit behind and now I have to pace myself to get over being ill.    This morning I finally ordered some Christmas cards which won’t get here for 2 weeks, and then I need to address them quickly and get them out.  We have a new address so I had hoped to get it done sooner, but it didn’t happen.  Oh well.    My gift shopping has started but I’m certainly not done.   I watched Lauren & Ryan decorate their home on Friday while there, but I haven’t done one thing here at home.    Will I?   Yes – when I feel better and have more energy.  (PS:  I say that because I am sick – not old. Ha)

Day  2:  Pace.  Day 2’s word is pace – as in pace myself.   Each day I need to make a list and do what needs to be done.   Take it day be day.  I just wrote out on my December wall calendar all my rehearsals and concerts coming up this month.   Being in a community band, a flute choir, and two handbell groups, has me hopping this month! Almost something every single day!   It’s all good because the music of Christmas is one of my favorite parts of the month.

My countdown to Christmas here is a way for me  to get through, and actually enjoy the journey.  It’s also a way to remind myself each and every day that all the ‘stuff’ leading up to Christmas is just that: stuff.    Christmas has become such a bigger than everything event each year, and each year I try to bring it down… to bring it down to the manger.   I try to focus where I should. Where I WANT to focus.

Maybe you want to do that too.  If so, come on back here tomorrow.

 

Truth.

It’s a really difficult thing to find these days.   It’s played with all the time.   People skew it, and they stretch it.  They hide it, and they sometimes lie right out and call it the truth.

But, somewhere there is real truth.  Facts.

As I have been watching the impeachment hearings I have been considering how truth has been too often hidden for political gain.  I wonder ‘where is the truth?’ And when we hear it, will we believe it?    Each witness so far has stood and sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  Then they spend hours telling the truth, the best that they know it to be.   Yet, the testimony of all is still questioned, and is said by many to be false.  Just turn on some of the night time news/talk programs and listen to the ‘talking heads’ rehash the testimony.

Of all the sad things that has happened since President Trump took office, one of the saddest – and scariest – is the twisting of truth.   He has made it a full time job to say and tweet lies and call them truth.  He has turned many, many people into gullible believers of ‘un-truths’ without any moral concern.  He is an expert at it because he has done it his whole life, in business and in his personal life.   He ‘plays’ people. He sees life as it’s his world and what ever he wants and says is his truth.

So, why am I writing this?   I find myself seeing any statement, any article, any published story as perhaps a lie.   Newspaper articles.  Online media sources for sure!   I now stop, and think WHO wrote this?  And WHY?   Is there truth is what they say or write?   What angle are they using?   Who are they supporting?

Everything I read I question.

But, as I said before – somewhere there really is TRUTH.    If I am to believe anything at all, I hope I can believe those who have become before our Congress for these hearings and have sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth,  and nothing but the truth.   I cling to it.  I watch and see believable non-political government workers tell what happened in the months in question – and I believe it to be honest.    That is why I think it is VERY important to watch the hearings and not just listen to the talking heads at night.  I know the hearings happen during the day and people can not always watch live. But record it.  Watch for yourself.

Our country is so divided – and it is because truth is not believed.  Truth is hidden. Too many people do not have a moral backbone to speak truth.    But, it IS there.  You have to put in some work to find it.  You have to be open-minded and listen.   You can not allow cynicism to take over.

Why?  Because yes, the truth will set you free.  It will give you peace about decisions made.  Finding truth is basic, and right. It is moral.  It’s needed to come together.  Without it we end up in chaos.  You may not like the truth – but at least you can live with it.     We must have truth.

 

 

 

Good morning!   It’s a chilly, rainy morning here. Perfect for taking a few minutes for a bit of this and that.

* Another school shooting yesterday.  Students have died again. Innocent. Young.  Families devastated.  #Enough.    Question: Has anyone heard the media ask where the shooter got the gun?   He is just 16 (yesterday was his birthday) so he could not purchase one legally.   Was it already in his home?   Not locked up properly?   I’m guessing so.

* Oh boy.  That fight during the Browns – Steelers game last night was horrible.   Myles Garrett needs to be kicked out, or heavily penalized, for his behavior.   I have family in Ohio who are Browns fans and I know they are saddened that this win will be remembered because of the fight.   What a shame.

* Day 2 of the public Impeachment hearings happen today.  I was pretty attached to the TV for Day 1, but today I have commitments that will keep me away from home.  So, I will just see the highlights (or lowlights) later on the news.   But, again, another respected career diplomat will speak out about what happened between the US and the Ukraine – and WHO wanted a quid pro quo.   Again, depending on what channel you watch, career non-political diplomats will be racked through the coals, first by Republicans and then by news (?) people.     Some viewers will doubt the truth.

* Locals: tomorrow is the annual Apple Dumpling Festival at our church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pawleys Island.   Come early because the 300 or so apple dumplings go quickly!  Other lunch food will be available.      There will also be some crafters there so it’s a perfect place to pick up a holiday gift.  I’m setting up the crafts today made by ladies of the church.  We have some cool items so stop by and see me!  The money we raise will go into our quilting account to buy more supplies.   And, speaking of quilts: we are raffling off three beautiful quilt projects!   Take a chance – buy a few tickets for your chance to win one!!

* The music season is upon us!  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I will be playing flute and handbells at many spots in the area!   The Pawleys Island Concert Band will play at Trinity Presbyterian in Surfside Beach, then at Lakes of Litchfield, and finishing up with our big concert at the PI Community Church.  Handbells will perform at my church, and also at a service of Lessons and Carols at Precious Blood RC Church.  It’s an ecumenical service for the whole community.    Our handbells will again play at the Kaminiski House in Georgetown – and the church handbells will be there on another date.  The house is decorated for Christmas every year, room by room, using local designers.  The outside is lit beautifully too.  Check it out!   If you want to know specific dates on the concerts, ask me!

* I gave myself an early Christmas present and bought a new flute.  I’m still getting used to it but I think I will really like it.  It’s a Yamaha!  Yes, like the motorcycle…ha!   Brooom brooom!    So now I have a Japanese flute, and my German one, a Geiminhardt.    Very worldly!

* Phase 2 of our riva house construction is happening.   The big “Carolina room” is now under roof (with shingles), the electrical is wired, and soon the windows and doors will go in.   Step by step we are getting there!

* All the pets here now are finding their way.  It’s been crazy for them.  Our construction, our neighbor’s knocking down lots of trees with big equipment, cold weather, and now rain…   poor babies! They have had to figure out where to hang out that is safe and warm.  We have tried several places for them to go to get away.   It’s really the kitty cats.  Sometimes they like being inside, but sometimes they want to be out.   The pugs have NO problem finding their spots on our bed, snuggled up very close!!

*  I’m sorry about all you that live north of me who have already had snow!  It’s so early this year… and that means it could be a long, cold, snowy winter.  I know for sure I would be pretty depressed right now if I lived in the snowy areas.  I know me.  Dark, cold days effect me.   So, to you northerners: Hang in there!  Be good to yourselves!  Come down this way and visit.  We are not tropical – but it is better down here!

Gotta run and get going.  Time to get the craft tables set up and ready for tomorrow’s Apple Dumpling Festival.  Again, come visit me!  St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Crooked Oak Drive & Ocean Highway, in Pawleys Island.  Doors open at 9:00am.  Coffee will be on – and the apple dumplings will be warm and tasty!!

 

The ladies Bible Study I attend has been delving into the book of Psalms, especially the ones about forgiveness .  We have been discussing God’s gift of it to us, our challenge to forgive others, and even how to forgive ourselves.  It’s been making me think about daily issues where I need to learn to forgive better.

Yes, through prayer I tell God about my stupid human errors, and the times when I said or thought something mean, where I hurt people, and when I didn’t even know that by doing something, or doing nothing, I had not followed His guidance.  I disappoint God. But, I know God forgives me everytime I admit I messed up.  I am ‘eternally grateful’  that calling out my mistakes to God is ‘safe’ and that His forgiveness is always there.

The tougher forgiveness for me to deal with is the kind that is about forgiving others.  I struggle with it daily.  It is sometimes the little things like forgiving the guy who drives slow or doesn’t use a blinker… to the big ones that have to do with years of hurt and disappointment.   In between there are the endless needs for forgiveness:  perhaps it’s about not understanding and accepting other points of view (yes, I’m talking about politics), to not doing anything to help those in need, or certainly not doing enough for issues I deeply care about that are both close to home and far away.   Or, about my neighbor who just cut down all the beautiful trees up to our property line.   (Yes, I will forgive him but can I have a couple of days to be upset? )

I can also be pretty good at beating myself up.   Yes, forgiving myself is not easy.   I think I can hide it pretty well, and I guess it comes with years of practice.  Ha.  But, some days I can walk around and wonder WHAT do I really do to ‘let go’ and to ‘make right’ things I know I have blown.  Do I really want to put in the effort?     I know I prefer to not think about it, or try and make it not seem so bad.   I also think it is part of the reason I like to be myself so much.

Forgiveness is hard.     There is a feeling that offering forgiveness can show lack of toughness.   Or, offering forgiveness can say “walk on me – it’s okay.”   Forgiving can come across as sounding like:  maybe you were right after all.  Or, you were wrong but I can be walked on.

And what about offering forgiveness, and then not getting it accepted?    Scary.   Sad. Life changing.

So, when I think about forgiveness – I am unbelievably thankful that God gives it over and over – completely.   He forgives me for being human, stupid, and getting tempted, and being tired, and ego-centric, and stubborn.    But, it’s hard for me to give that same forgiveness to others – and, yes, God even forgives me for being bad at forgiving others!

During our Study we talked about how some people who do not know about God, but of course sin everyday, might seem to have it easier.  They don’t feel the guilt of disappointing God and others.  They live a life of “if I get away with it then it’s okay.” They sometimes think they are better than others, and don’t worry about righting wrongs.

Believing in God, following God, comes with responsibility.   We all fall short.  We all mess up.   But, we also know how we should try to do better – and that means constantly working on forgiveness.

Forgive me –  heavy topic this morning.

Here’s something you might not expect me to say:  it is good to see that our country’s unemployment numbers are down – and, yes,  it is happening during Trump’s presidency.   It is good to know that the big mean Isis leader has been taken out – and it happened during Trump’s presidency.  Hopefully the world is safer with him gone.  And, yes, some people may actually be saving a few bucks right now, and not paying as much in their taxes – and it is during the Trump presidency.    Good for them.

A Facebook friend expressed how wonderful these things were in a post this morning.  She is as happy as a lark right now!

And, yes, I am happy that she is saving a few bucks and that she feels her life is better right now because of it – and him.   She is a woman who clearly believes in having lower taxes, in supporting less federal, state, and local social causes, and in fewer government hands in the till.     I get that.   I get her.

Let me point out:    She has never expressed to me, or I have never seen her write  online ever, that she feels Mr. Trump is an immoral man, and that he is very  mean spirited.  She, and many others who feel that same way, are perfectly fine with a leader who has little regard for lifting us all up, and they prefer to go by the doctrine of “every man for himself.”   She does not mind that our president ticks off allies and goes back on his word.  All.the.time.   She, and others, believe in America above everyone else – and we shouldn’t care about others in other countries UNLESS it helps America in some way.   She overlooks the constant lies he is caught saying and tweeting.   Denies. Turns a blind eye.  Ignores.   Says it doesn’t matter.

I do get it.  I do get her.  I do get others that are the same.

But, I wonder…    is it just a hard heart?   Do mean words and put downs from our president about individuals and whole groups of people just slide off their backs?   Are they really that callous??  And if so, then why?

Was there an experience that made them decide to look out for number one only ( themselves) before others?   Did a childhood experience do it?   When did they lose empathy? When did human rights become an ‘extra’ in governing?

Now, nobody likes to be taken on a ride – and lied to over and over.  So these Trump believers have found a wonderful ‘support group’ on Fox.   Experts on twisting everything.    Keep in mind:  Every other network sees what is happening differently than Fox.  But for those viewers that watch Fox (especially at night) they are always right – and all the others tell fake news.   All.the.others.  All.the.time.    Individual reporters on dozens of media outlets get it wrong.   Or, they are in on some big conspiracy.   A planned agreed upon system of bringing down the president.  Every.day.   All.the.time.

For me, and people like me, it is impossible to sit still and silent, and not “call it out” when the president’s words and behavior are so below the belt.  So mean. So hurtful.  So inhumane.   If our young child spoke like he does we would reprimand the child and talk to them about respect and agape love for everyone. We would stop them from being a bully.  We would want our child to follow the golden rule to treat others as you would want them to treat you.   We would not stay quiet when it’s an annoying kid — so we certainly can not for THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

So, political games aside.  All of the BS that goes on with both sides of a democracy…  just don’t even consider it.  There is too much there to muck our way through.

Please, just think about that this:  the two parties used to disagree about HOW to keep Americans safer, healthy, happy – but they all wanted the same end game.  It was done with respect all around – with dignity.  Disagreements were expected and laws were hashed out. Some gave. Some won, and some lost.   We felt we had a president in the fight, working for all the people.  Respecting all the people.  Speaking for the people.   The Trump loyalists now love to bring up Obama, and how horrible he was.  I must have been in another world, because I never once saw him and heard him speak to anyone disrespectfully.  He never demeaned.  You may not have agreed with him on issues. I’m not talking about that.  But, he was an upstanding, kind man.  He handled himself with graciousness.

Maybe going from one to another – so very, very different leaders – has made it doubly difficult.  Yes, although we may be experiencing a financially better time in our country right now – and that is a good thing – we can not ever stop thinking about how we should treat each other.   That is where our current president fails big time.  He doesn’t know how.  And, that is why he is such an embarrassment to me, and I cringe when he speaks, and I cry when I know how he hurts people.  I continue to be scared about his self-centered power, and I am upset with his resistence to follow procedure, and to maintain a respectful position.

If you can’t understand this – then look inside.  Maybe take the extra money you have saved this year and buy a self-help book.   Ha!     Half joking/half not.     Put human decency before a few more dollars.    Without respect and love for one another we ALL are doomed.

 

Thoughts this morning on social media – about social media.

Truth:  it’s not going away.   It’s an evolution of our technical world.   It’s the number one way people communicate today.  Are you under 50?  You are on social media.  So….   let’s get real.    Letter writing is a thing of the past.  Sending postcards from vacation spots: gone.  Waiting 3 days for mail: not gonna happen.  Cards are now sent online.  Bills are too.   And dare I say it, telephone calls are also greatly reduced.

I personally know people who are still fighting social media.   Guess what?   They are getting left behind.

Here’s what they are missing:

* daily connections regardless of distance.

* sharing photos and videos – of children, grandchildren, or perhaps of some simple beauty of the world, and exciting events that happen.

* Reposting positive and uplifting sayings, lyrics, and such.  Sharing joys and concern.

* Finding ‘long lost’ friends.

* Hearing local, national, and international news quickly.

* Connecting with organizations you care about.  Getting info from them.

* the ability to be connected anywhere, anytime.  The flexibility to use it on your time table.

YES, I realize that there are some negatives about social media.   There are negatives about anything if you look for it.   Sometimes people are misunderstood on it.  There is a chance that someone will try and get your info.  Guess what?  You don’t have to put any private data on it.   We all have choices – online and off.   We all have to be decisive online and off.   We need to know there are a few bad people trying to scam their way through life.  Again, online and off.

Why am I ‘musing’ about social media?  It makes me sad that some people prefer not to use it.   They are ‘out of the loop.’   They don’t get to send good wishes for birthdays, and they don’t see amazing trip pictures. Or send a quick joke to brighten a day.     They are part of a dying generation…because the next one is ALL about being online.

Is it stubbornness? Is it fear?   Why not be on social media?     I don’t get it.

By the way, I write my Musings, and then post them on to social media.  If I didn’t do that, my thoughts would stay in my computer – unread.   Maybe some think that would be best.  Ha!     But, I love my voice here.  I love reaching out.  I love connecting.   It really is the best!

If you are reading this, you ARE on social media.  I guess I’m ‘preaching to the choir’…   you get it.

 

 

Well, in three days we close on our Pawleys Plantation house and we will be living in ONE PLACE – all.the.time.   We will be down to one house, one set of everything, one address, one yard to care for, one place to worry about during storms, and one place to clean.  No more split time, no more HOA fees, and no more hurricane worries (unless a really big one comes our way.)

There is something really comforting about finally living this way.   At one point just a few years back we had FOUR places… the PP house, the riva cabin, the Willbrook house (because it had not sold), and part ownership of the Lakeside cottage.    Now we are down to one.   Ahhhhhhhh.

Saying that, the last two moves have been local moves – and they are tough.  I can’t tell you how many times I have loaded my car and have taken trips to Salvation Army, and to the library to donate books, and to the riva cabin with items to keep.   Every time I go somewhere I load my car for a drop off somewhere.   I have had Habitat for Humanity pick up furniture, and I had people pick up some things using the “Next Door Neighbor” app.   Two Men and a Truck have twice moved furniture for us.  For sure –  It’s been a process.

Thankfully this time we sold our house quickly and we have buyers wanting a fast close.    They have not been picky about items on the inspection report.  They seem to be anxious and ready to take ownership.  Yes!    I’m happy about that… because, really,  each house I have ever lived in has special memories.  The houses became ‘homes’ and they were important parts of life.   The PP house was that way.   I loved the improvements we made to it, and it feels good to know that someone will like them too.

The dogs have moved easily.  Sunday we moved our outside kitty Moonlight, and she seems to be finding her way (and her food) around her new environment.  I’m not sure if she has seen the other two kitties that live here yet.  But, that’s okay.  One thing at a time!

We have boxes in the garage to go through.   We are still in the construction mode at the riva, and some furniture and items are stored in the garage until the work is completed.   But, it will get it done and the deadline of Friday’s closing isn’t scary anymore.

We are moving along…   and, we are moving on.    I REALLY REALLY hope this is the last move for a long while.   We should be set.   We are in a place that should meet our needs for a very long time, as long as our health allows.

We are away from urban craziness – okay, we are also away from good shopping.  But, that really hasn’t mattered to me all my life, and in this day of online ordering it’s not a big deal.  In general I will have a bit more driving to get places.  It’s a bit of a compromise.     But we have privacy – and we have good river neighbors.  We have amazing views and lots of room to garden.    We have room for family and friends to visit.   Come on out to the riva!