The Gardens of the Groves

Take eight dear friends and plan an escape. Seven days and 6 nights in Freeport/Port Lucaya, Grand Bahamas. Rent a couple of dune buggies and cruise the island, even riding in the rain. Eat at The Pier and watch as they feed the fish, when they ring the bell. Dine in style on the balcony, finishing up with a Coup Bahini. Spend the day "training and swimming with the dolphins". Ever have a dolphin kiss you? You get my drift. Chase a sunset across the island and don't drink too much on a booze cruise. Save your money for shopping and seeing the gardens, ahh, the gardens. Speaking of which, this is a scene in the Garden of the Groves. One of the first families to develop the island, they left their estate to provide the colorful tropical island paradise you see here.

Cramer's Lake

 
Oh, there is so much to say about this wonderful place. Cramer's Lake lay at the front of Saint Mary's of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi. No, its not in the Delta, but four miles north of the MS/LA line and 90 miles north of New Orleans.

Now why is this picture so important? Well, many moons ago, after viewing Haley Mills, the Trouble With Angels movie, I had this unmitigated yearning to go to a boarding school. I just thought it would be just grand. It would provide me a place to grow and develop and to get a sense of independence, responsibility and maturity. Yeah, what kid wants that? I did.

After a long hard search and a bit of conning my parents; something I was GREAT at, we found St. Mary's. After the initial interview and acceptance, I got my wish!

And a truly wonderful experience it was. A Catholic boarding school, with 200 girls, 50 plus Nuns and one priest, gave me such a "miraculous" education that stays with me to this day. I credit all my teachers as they were not only dedicated to the Lord, but to delivering knowledge in a divine way.

This coming June, a reunion will occur and I plan on going. To see old friends that I haven't seen in more than 30 years and just to reconnect with one of the most happy and influential times of my life.

Many celebrities went to school there, including a Miss Universe, a daughter of a South Indonesion president, a well-known pop star's mother, and many other famous and infamous folks.

I must tribute Sister Patrick for my love of writing, not that I have achieved greatness, but I did get a good "learnin". Thus, my blogosphere additions from time to time.