Sailing and Dreaming with Mermaids

Are you as fascinated by Mermaids as I am?  If so, your going to enjoy your visit today into a world full of legends and mystery.  Mermaids are well known in the sailing world as being either a blessing or an omen depending upon the story. With that in mind, I've decided to create this post today in honor of my NEW LOOK  here at The Decorative Dreamer.  In case you didn't notice I made a new header for my blog and it now contains my old blog name (Sailing Simply) as well as my new blog name (The Decorative Dreamer).    I've also successfully merged all of my old blog posts over with my new blog.  This is a merge that makes my heart sing!

caseashells.com

I have mentioned before how much I have regretted changing over to a new blog.  In retrospect, I should have just changed the name only without creating a new URL then it would have been fairly easy to change back.  However, I had it in my mind at the time that I needed a new name and URL so I did. I can be kinda impetuous like that at times.  LOL!  What I wasn't prepared for was the expectations and limitations that would come with my new blog name as The Decorative Dreamer. In short, with my old blog name, Sailing Simply, I felt like I was more free to be who I truly am without any prior expectations.  I am a decorating blogger who also enjoys writing randomly about things I am interested in, amused by, sometimes even annoyed by and anything else that catches my fancy.  Mermaids have always captured my fancy, how about yours?

I love this scene above here that I found online.

Isn't it just dreamy?

  I used to own a mermaid statue that I absolutely adored.  It was large enough to fit in the middle of my bird bath.  Unfortunately, she met her untimely demise when we cut down a tree that crashed right on top of her. The Mr. really didn't want to tell me about that one! 

The statue I owned looked much like this one but was greenish in color though it certainly was not bronze.  It was a bargain find at TJ Maxx one year.   I have not yet been able to locate another in my price range that I really like.  I saw several at the beach this year but they were priced $50.00 and over which I just will not do.

Speaking of statues...check out this beauty along the Malta coast. Isn't she gorgeous?

...and this one is just amazing!  It almost seems like a real Mermaid that has become fossilized.

While creating this post I was contemplating a few post names and kept thinking of calling this post, 

"Reconnecting to my Inner Mermaid".  So I decided to google that and look what I found.

https://sites.google.com/site/mermaidshifting/home

This is a site that actually connects you to your inner mermaid through meditation I think.

It's a bit out there for me but shared with you anyway.  Just in case you want to go there.  LOL!

Now if I really wanted to reconnect with my inner Mermaid I need not go any further then my own commumnity.  You see, we actually have mermaids here on Lake Murray now among all the other legends that we have on our lake.  

Seriously!  There is even an article about them in my latest copy of our local magazine.  The real story is about a truly talented local photographer that has done some absolutely beautiful work photographing women on the lake as mermaids.  You can be one too!  

http://lakemurraymermaids.com/SeeTheMermaids.htm

I would so love to do this!  I haven't checked into it to see how much it is but I'm sure it's not cheap. Wouldn't this be so fun to do with a group of friends?  I think so!  Anyone interested?

Now if meditating or trans-meditating or whatever that is and the stunning photography shoots are just a little bit much for you. You can always pick up a few novels that might reconnect you to your inner mermaid.

I have read this one and can tell you it was fantastic!  It's by a SC author out of Charleston.  She has so many other wonderful books too!  It is not so much about a Mermaid as it about the true spirit of freedom of self.  This is a fantastic dive into the depths of love, legends, and saints.  A great summer read!

This book I have NOT read...yet!  It appears to be a romance novel that also encompasses the lore of mermaids and lovers.  Hmm??? I may have to try and find this one.  The reviews seems pretty good for this type of genre.  

I've NOT read this book yet either.  I definitely will have to find this one.  It reviews that it was inspired by The Little Mermaid and is a modern fairy tale about growing up and discovering ones self.    This seems to be a bit of a recurring theme among Mermaids doesn't it?

I personally think I could really connect well to my inner mermaid just fine here at any of these vacation homes on Tybee Island, Ga rented from;

http://mermaidcottages.com/

Check out the link above to see some of the most fabulous beach cottages ever!

For you movie buffs, here is a wonderfully old movie named Miranda from 1948 about a physician who finds a Mermaid and takes her to town.  I love old movies and this one is a hoot!

Now wait!  Wait! Wait!  There's more! As if all of this wasn't enough, I also found another website that is chock full of legends from all around the world about mermaids.  This site would be a great place to visit when you have the time to browse a few of the links that are provided.

http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/legend-of-the-mermaid.html

In case you are starting to wonder, no I have not decided to take a dive on the murky side (hehe) with all these legends and fascinating folklore.  While the rest of the world (or so it seems lot's of people I know) may be stepping near the edge with all those shades of grey they are reading, I've decided not to go there. I've decided there are so many legends out there, such as Mermaids, that are so much more interesting!

Now if we could just find a beautiful Mermaid fountain for the pool that didn't cost thousands of dollars.  Life would be grand!

  As you can see, I am still dreaming here at The Decorative Dreamer but I am now Sailing Simply again too.  I guess all those Mermaid stories and legends have taught me a thing or too about revealing my true self.  So from here on out my blog will be titled;

 Sailing Simply as The Decorative Dreamer.  

The last step here in my merge of the two blogs would be to change both URL's to only one and I do not know how to do that without loosing followers from both blogs.  IF anyone knows how I would love to hear from you.  Otherwise this is the direction I am going until technology catches up with me.  

Thanks for the visit today and I hope you enjoyed it.  I would love to hear from you if you did.

Comments are always welcomed!

Happy Summer!

So what are you reading?

When was the last time you cracked open a book?

 You know... a real book, with a cover and everything.  I will be the first to admit I go through stages with reading.  I usually read several books a year at the very least.  Some years are full of reading, some not so much.  I think this is going to be a very good reading year.  I have found it helps me to settle down at night when I need to turn in early or if I've awakened in the middle of the night unable to sleep.  For me there is nothing more soothing and mind distracting from my own thoughts then to fall deeply into the plot of a novel.  Recently, I couldn't resist plundering through a huge clearance box of books at the grocery store of all places and pulled out this.

After just a few weeks of sporadic reading bouts I am almost finished with this book.   I bought it new for less then $3.00 and I've really enjoyed it quite a bit. The story is kind of a mix of romance fiction, (not the Harlequin kind) but also based on factual characters in History.  Somehow it's spurred me on to wanting to learn more about History again.  I was not a fan of History in school but this book makes me want to learn a bit more.  I also want to read some of this authors other books too.  Very enjoyable!

Today I made another little side trip after work and came home with this....

Yep!  That's a big old bag of books plunked down right where I hang my purse every night.  Can you guess why I would come home with such a big ole bag of books?  I'll give you a hint.  It's not because I am so overworked and need something to calm me down each night.  Though that would certainly not be too far fetched to guess.  LOL!   I'll give you a little time to think about it, okay?.  Meanwhile, let's take a look at what all I got.

While I would love to be able to walk into the book store and buy whatever I'd like at full price, I confess, I just cannot afford to do that.  Besides, my frugal side would be screaming at me anyway about why I didn't just go to the library.  However, if you can walk into a book store and buy new and used library books so cheap that your frugal side doesn't rare it's ugly head, you'd tend to go for it right?  I certainly do!  

As you can see, my tastes runs the gamut when it comes to fictional novels.  I enjoy reading everything, spanning from books on Palm Beach living, to mystery, to books about life on the plantations.

I especially love this lady's work.  She has written several time travel romance novels.  They are fantastic (get it?) and are really fun to read!

I'm hoping this one will also indulge my fantasy world even more.  I love thinking about unexplained mysterious things!  I don't dwell on them seriously, but do so enjoy the retreat into a world of fantasy and what if's.

But this one is "the one" that I am anxiously waiting to dive right in to.  I have read almost all of her books again just last summer.  I don't think I read this one though.  I certainly hope not anyway!  Do you ever forget what books you've read only to discover you've already read them after the first chapter.  I have!  LOL!    I would have loved to have bought her newest book entitled, Porch Living, but it's still too new and not anywhere near this price range yet.  

Have you guessed yet why I am stocking up on books?

There is nothing like a good book for a great escape wherever you may be. (Hint-Hint!)

Do you need one yet, an escape?

Do you have one planned?

I sure do!

So what are you reading these days?

What genre do you enjoy reading and why?

Which authors do you like?

Share your favorites please, I'd love to check out a few new authors this summer.

Thanks for dropping by!

Have a great day!

The Joys of Summer Reading

Last night we finally had a few more wonderful evening showers.  We have been completely dry almost all summer with the exception of last weeks evening showers.  I am soooo thankful for this rain!  I certainly hope there is more to come because we have all really needed it.

The crepe myrtles are finally starting to get heavy with blooms.

Do you like to read?  I certainly do, especially when it's a great book.  I have been so slack over the years about making the time to enjoy a good book.  I guess that's what happens when you become a busy  Mom and wife.  Somehow, the simple pleasure of enjoying a good book always takes a back seat to everything else with me, even though I think it's one of the healthiest things you can do.

Maybe it's because when I read a good book, I usually just cannot put it down until it's finished.  That's probably why I've so many magazine subscriptions.  They are so much easier to pick up and put down and thumb through at leisure.  But, this summer I've been enjoying getting back to reading again. 

It all started with this book.  I got this signed copy from my Mother when she was cleaning out some of her bookshelves.  One of her clients gave this to her.   My mother absolutely loves to read and is a regular at the local library every week.  I was quite surprised that she was going to give me this signed book of one of our popular SC authors and didn't hesitate to question her about that too.  She assured me it was fine after stating that this book was not really her taste. 

 I love this author and was very excited to get it, though this is where it sat all spring until I decided to read it this summer. 

 OMG what a story! Since this is an older book, and has been around for quite awhile some of you avid readers may recall what I'm talking about. It's not what I would call a comforting read, in fact it's quite disturbing at times.  I'm not going to give it all away here so you'll just have to read it yourself if your interested, though I will say I was quite envious of the friendships described in this book.  

All in all, I could not put it down  and I think this book is what reawakened that long overdue desire for snuggling down with a good book.

Before it got too hot outside, I enjoyed spending time out here during the day to read.  My front porch has late evening sun so it's fairly shaded during most of the day.  It has ceiling fans as well and our hammock chair that sits low enough so it's quite a private and cozy spot to read.

I just read this book last week, but I've been on this author for several weeks now.  I found this book to be quite enjoyable.  The red hat club ladies were a popular group around here a few years back in our town too, though I've never really understood the significance of it all until now. I remember several red hat customers and thinking it had to do only with old age, but it's more about women, divorce and sisterhood.  I read this book in a matter of a few days quite easily!  It was a smooth read for me. 

 I've also read all the other titles from this author that our "smaller" local branch library carries, which was only a few.  I started with "Ladies of the Lake" (I'm sure you get why) and then "Waking up in Dixie", both were very enjoyable.  She has many more books that I plan to order transfers from another branch.  I really have enjoyed her easy reading style. You can visit her official website for a complete listing of all her books.

Another great spot I like to read is on my screened porch out back.  I used to have my lounging hammock out here for years and loved it, but am trying out a few chairs this year.  We have a ceiling fan out here as well and it helps a lot but it's still too hot for reading outside.  I really do hope we cool down soon!

This is my current read at the moment.  I just started reading it yesterday and am already two thirds of the way through.  I've enjoyed looking at this authors blog, Designs by Gollum, quite a bit already.  After hearing many other blogger reviews of her books I knew I wanted to read these.  Since I've been so very slack about keeping up with current reads over the years I'm excited that I will have plenty of her books to enjoy.  Check out

her official website for more titles.

 I went to our library in hopes of getting her book called "Gone With A Handsomer Man" but had to order a transfer on it as well.  Much to my surprise they did have this one and I was thrilled because I remember someone else saying how enjoyable this book was.  So far I am loving it!  I can just smell the Alabama coast from the way it is described in this book though I've never actually been there.  LOL!  I'm hustling through this story much faster then I thought I would.  Though much to my relief because they have already called to tell me my other book is in.  

 I have such a hard time with remembering names and titles that I find I often can't be if sure I've read a book until I start reading it again.  I'm considering putting together a book list here on my blog to help keep up with that.  So, don't be surprised if you see one pop up in my pages.

In case you missed it from yesterday's post, I am keeping this blog comment free for awhile.

I believe reading is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself .  It is quite relaxing, but also mentally stimulates the brain as well.   That is why I'm putting this out here today for my own

Wellness Wednesday post.

Hope you have a great day and thank you so much for visiting!

Mary