Sunshine for What Ails You

November is a beautiful month in SW Florida. While everyone else is hunkering down next to crackling fires and watching leaves fall in glorious drifts of colors, down here we are turning off the air conditioner, opening the windows, and beginning to prepare for a glorious winter of sunshine and flowers. 

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For example, this was my view at a recent signing on my island. It was an absolutely gorgeous night, and as the sun began to fall, sirens began to blare over the water.

Hey, look! Is that Santa Clause on that boat?
​Why yes. Yes, it is.

If you look real close, you'll see he's wearing white boots. I've heard these called several different things depending on where I've lived (Mullet Boots, Matlacha Slippers, Seaford Reeboks, Wanchese Bedroom Slippers) but they always mean I'm living in a  community next to the water.  

Which brings me to another past time well known on the islands of SW Florida. Cast netting. And yes, there is actually a thing called a "Cast Net Rodeo." The kids dress up in cowboy hats and throw nets at both moving and stationary targets.  

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Every year, we get away from the hustle and bustle of the world and go to an even less inhabited  island than the one we live on where we are more likely to see dolphins, manatees, gators, and pigs than people.

This guy was cute.

This guy was not.

I have some book news as well. ALL WE HAVE LEFT was nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association best young adult fiction list.
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It's also an Amazon and a Kirkus Reviews best book for 2016.

​It was listed among the ALA's top 10 religion and spiritualty books for youth for 2016.
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​Finally, I just found out today that ALL WE HAVE LEFT is the winner of the Bookbrowse Award for best young adult book of 2016.

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You know how much I love my sunsets... I will leave you with this one.
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​Peace out.

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