Tallahassee Journal by Margaret E. McColley

One of the places I go for peace and equanimity is Lake Ella, in Tallahassee. Many elements intermingle there:    A glassy water surface    People of all ages tuning in to the lake, walking alone and together    A variety of water birds: herons, egrets, ducks, geese, anhingas    Very tiny ducklings trailing mama in orderly ways    Fluffy goslings feeding in the grasses    Splashings of all the animals in the water    Turtles bobbing their heads up and down, up, and down.    Spanish moss dripping down the trees marking her edges.    Lake Ella is the "nombril" of this city, yet she always draws an outward gaze onto her ecosystem.   The name "Ella" means "magical fairy" in the English tradition, and magic is indeed circulating here.   Yet in those moments when jazz is floating across the lake from a solo performer,    I feel the soulful presence of ...

Bienvenue! Welcome to my Blog. I'm trying to create something that will help heal in some way. Please pipe in. Yesterday my friend Lynne and I had plans to travel to the Gulf coast, which fell through when we learned of impending thunderstorms. We decided to travel instead to Thomasville, GA, where we spent the day strolling, dining, waiting at stop lights for a long time before crossing by foot at sleepy intersections, hydrating, rehydrating, poring over books and book reviews, sharing pie, purchasing coffee beans, and talking about writing. First, however, Lynne introduced me to an oak tree:                                             Above@Jonah's Shrimp and Grits                 ...