My Computer and The Gulf

I'm sure you've all noticed that I haven't posted since last Monday, but there was good reason for my brief absence — my computer decided it was old and wanted to retire. I know the feeling, but I persevere. Ol' Betsy decided she just didn't want to wake up in the mornings and when I insisted, she just kind of dragged herself up and wouldn't cooperate at all. I had so much to share with all of you and it was deadline week for me, so her timing was really bad!

With that said, Ol' Betsy has been moved to a quiet corner of the studio to live out her days and the NEW & IMPROVED Miss Awesome has taken her place. Yes, I had to purchase a new computer, there was no alternative. I can't complain too much though, Ol' Betsy gave me seven years of service. She was my first Mac and in all that time she only had to go in for servicing twice. Once when the CD/DVD drive stopped working and again when her monitor gave out last year. These were very easily rectified by purchasing external components that cost a total of around $200, not bad for seven years, don't you agree?

So, Miss Awesome is here now and let me tell you, she is a beauty!

She can do so many things that Betsy and I never knew existed and let me tell you, she is FAST! I mean she races around my programs and the internet like nobody's business. I have a hard time keeping up with her. I'm still in the process of transferring files and setting preferences, but in the meantime, I will be here sharing with you. The folks at the Apple Store called Betsy "vintage" (like me) and because of the technology in the new iMacs I wasn't able to do a migration from one to the other, so I'm doing everything by hand. Much longer process, but it gives me a chance to clean up my files and only transfer those I still need. 

In case you don't already know it, tomorrow is World Oceans Day and I'll be joining Cris @ Here and There and Everywhere for her 2nd Annual Oceanic Blog-A-Thon. Click on the link to learn more if you'd like to share in this year's theme 

Oceans of Life

Last year Cris wrote, "I think it's important in this day and age to help increase awareness of the importance the Earth's seas and oceans have for us and the survival of this planet."

This was true then and with what is going on in The Gulf, this is uppermost on everyone's mind. So join us and tell us about your favorite ocean animal. You can participate even if you don't stick to the theme, tell us about your favorite beach memory, book or movie. Tell us why you love the beach so much or anything else you can think of, I hope to see you there and here!

After tomorrow I have even more to share! I have to show you some fabulous goodies that arrived here at the Tiki Hut from a couple of our favorite blogger buddies, something I added to my Sand Pail* (known as Bucket List to others), and I want to tell you about the Fun In the Sun Expo that was held here in Saint Marys. I also want to share my review of my first beach read this year and there will probably be a recipe on Friday. Boy, looks like it's going to be a busy week around here.

*I stole this idea from a friend, I'll tell you who in a future post.

Before I leave I want to share a couple of my favorite photos from a post I did last year. These were taken at Indian Rocks Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida where I lived for many years until just recently. I miss my morning beach walks with the birds and it breaks my heart to know that the oil will soon be there. My heart and my thoughts are with all the residents, both human and animal, who live on the Gulf Coast. There are no words.