Flood Insurance and Sea Level 1929 basis?

I had a disturbing, at least to me, conversation with a surveyor a few days ago. Flood elevations, apparently are mostly based on 1929 readings and benchmarks. In 1988, a new more accurate model became available. Several years ago, at least one governmental agency stopped using this older data.

Why am I disturbed? This new data is apparently as much as 1.08 feet off in our area. In other words, unless I misunderstood the surveyor, sea levels were on average 1.08 feet higher than the 1929 data indicated. This, to my alarmist mind, meant homes might be 1 foot lower and flood certificates might be in error or even might mean that insurance based on a certain elevation might be based on a flawed model.

See the link below to read more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Level_Datum_of_1929

This site has a conversion calculator for your coordinates.

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/VERTCON/vert_con.prl

I am not sure if this impacts insurance and existing homes or not, but it is interesting to me.

...follow up 4/29/08

Well, I have been busy looking for a definite answer to this. According to Fred Lindes at the Fernandina Beach Building and Zoning office, COFB goes by the 1988 data. I still have the same concerns about 1929 data and here's why. What if you have a home built in an AE11 flood zone at an elevation you thought was correct based on a certification from 1929 data? What should you do? His suggestion and mine is to get a new updated flood certification based on the corrected data to be sure you are paying an insurance premium for the correct elevation if your certification is based on 1929 data.

I will follow up again with information from the National Flood Insurance program. I left a message and have e-mailed them to see what they suggest for our area.

Why freshwater solution is short sighted?

It doesn't make sense to try to maintain a portion of a salt basin with a history as a salt basin as old as the island itself as a freshwater basin. The solution, although at first glance seems fair, is creating an area requiring maintenance over time which eventually will flood during a storm event. This is a waste of taxpayer money now and over time (forever in fact), creates a closed system and is interfering with the natural environmental state of that part of the marsh. The freshwater marsh area being brought back to a freshwater state was only fresh for the past 50 or so years. It is really part of the area impacted by the Atlantic Avenue floodgates.

On top of it all...environmentally, a salt marsh is a more productive marsh than a fresh marsh and it is alway better to allow a natural state...as opposed to interfering over time.

Latest on Greenway Public Dump Site

I just had a nice conversation with Dinah Frazier this afternoon. Ms. Frazier is the DEP investigator who will be walking and locating the dump location that borders Egan's Creek to the east and roughly Hickory Street and Jasmine to the north and south. I asked about soil testing and was pleased in some ways but concerned in others. DEP is able to document dump sites with past evidence, photos or some information to go on that proves a site existed. The problem with very old sites like this is that most contaminants don't really have a visual que or even if they do are often located on private property. If these dumps are not in the path of development or do not pose an immediate safety threat, they likely will not be cleaned up.

What did I accomplish? Well, several state agencies do have notice of the dump and it will be documented as a dump site. Do I know what might be in the dump? No! I hoped to see thorough testing and had the idea that DEP was actively looking for sites like this to test and clean up. I guess I was a little naive' about the way things work. The facts really are bleak. There are, for instance over 150 dump sites in Jacksonville with only about 10% likely to be cleaned. DEP doesn't have unlimited power and often has to prioritize which dumps or sites will pose the greatest threat. I saw a dump bordering a pristine estuary as a threat to the wildlife and to the Greenway we all wanted to see on our island. Locating and pushing for testing was what I thought would lead to identification of any hazardous material and to eventually a cleaner greenway.

What does this all mean? Any use of the dump will now be subject to testing required of all old dump sites. Any neighbors who want to use well water might be more aware of the possibility of contaminants from an old dump. I don't think there are many wells in the nearby area used for drinking water. What does this mean for the greenway? I'm not sure unless someone steps in to test and more fully identify what might be in the dump.

I am still concerned because of the dates the dump was used. (approx. 1943 to 1970) I don't really think much will happen, but at least the site will be documented as a dump and who knows....maybe someday a contaminant free greenway will be a higher priority...and someone will realize our health depends on the health of our environment. In a perfect world, I would like to think everyone would be held accountable for things like this...but we live in a world of limited resources and priorities.

By the way, I want to thank Ms. Frazier for her time today and for her effort to accurately identify the dump location. I know documenting the existence of this might seem like a small thing, but in reality, this might flag the dump as a source of contamination one day if there is a problem. At the very least, it will force anyone disturbing the site or financing the site to have proper testing.

cc: Dinah Frazier-DEP

Shrimp Festival...same but Different!

The pirates invade....we all have a great time. What is different now? I've lived here all my life. I remember a smaller festival without quite as much traffic, trash and I remember Shrimp Boats and the shrimping industy, which was the heart of the festival.

The shrimping industry needs our attention. The shrimp festival is all well and good. I do think instead of growing a festival that stretches the limit of the downtown area, we need to think of refocusing part of it to try to make shrimping more a part of what originally was all about, at least in my view as a child, the heart of the town and boat captains who were proud of their way of life.

What changes would I like to see and do I think make the most sense for this festival and coming festivals?

1) A curfew for all and control underage children who are left to wander downtown until sometimes 10 or 12PM. No children under the age of 16 unaccompanied after 6PM and no children under 13 at all if not accompanied by a parent or guardian. Leaving your kids out to roam a festival like this is not reasonable behavior at that age.
2) A limit on the maximum size of the festival. We don't need and aren't able to handle bigger, but we sure can improve year after year.
3) A refocus back on art and food, not on rides and entertainment. This isn't a carnival, it is or should be a celebration of the shrimping industry and local crafts and food.
4) A limitation or careful discussion of corporate sponser and how to keep sponsorships from deviating from the theme of the festival.
5) More and better ways of controlling litter during and after the festival.
6) Dealing with public intoxication...this was an issue in my view last year.
7) Protecting the business and property owners from vandalism like the vandalism I experienced last year.
6) Did I say "curfew"! We had teens wandering downtown unsupervised until after midnight last year. My building was vandalized and I asked one group of 10 to 12 teens to leave my deck and the roof of the adjoining building 3 times. The were climbing on top of the adjoining buildings urinating into the courtyard of one business and sitting on another. My downspout gutters were bent from the climbing activity and a number of deck supports were kicked out. I didn't press charges because the police were stretched thin and it took an hour or more to find someone mid afternoon on Sunday.

We need to be aware that the festival is in a planned commercial area that was not built to accomodate this kind of traffic. Our town was not designed for the traffic and we typically don't have a police force large enough or enough ambulances if there is ever an emergency. I recommend a serious look at the size of the festival, content of the festival which should more closesly adhere to the original version and a curfew for all non-residents and non vendors...at say 10PM?

...ahhh...how we all see things differently...

Someone likes to leave cat food out at various feeding stations every morning. The problem is that this is illegal and is feeding the rats in the downtown area as well as the cats.

I know everyone has good intentions and I love animals as well as the next person. I don't agree with feeding a non-native species. I also think we all need to respect laws about pouring food on the street or leaving food out on public property or on the sidewalk.

Thank you for your love of animals..just think about it before you leave out a container of food..then drive away without a thought in the world.

Hawk and a Blue Jay...

This was on Atlantic Avenue yesterday. A hawk found his meal flying by and is just before having his breakfast....but the bluejay really doesn't much want to be there.

RE: Geenway Amelia Island

Thank you for the reply.  I am still making an effort to get the dump tested and actually have someone look at it for contaminants.  My concern is that we don’t know what is in the dump and that it just makes sense to identify any contamination in the dump and deal with it in a reasonable fashion. 

 

I understand the dump appears from old aerial maps to fall outside the greenway, but it still may impact groundwater or be an undesirable effect because it is in the same basin.  All the area will go underwater in even a category 1 hurricane.  I’d like to know what contaminants are in an old city dump.  Nothing will please me more than having DEP out to look at the site and find that nothing of concern is there and that all soil and groundwater there is normal.  I just think no documentation on an old dump is terrible!

 

I will forward the information to you if I find out anything new from DEP and will copy this note to them as well.

 

Ed Boner

 

 

 

From: David Miracle [mailto:dmiracle@sjrwmd.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:43 AM
To: Edward Boner
Subject: RE: Geenway Amelia Island

 

Thank you for your comments.  On April 8th the District's Governing Board granted the permit for FDOT to construct a tide barrier at Jasmine Blvd.

 

Last fall FDOT investigated the Egans Creek basin for old dumps or other sources of contamination.  None where found upstream of Jasmine Blvd, where water levels will be affected by the tide barrier.  An old dump was identified at the end of Hickory Street, which is downstream of the barrier.  Since the barrier will not impact water levels downstream of Jasmine, we determined the proposed project would not have an adverse impact on the old dump.  This issue was presented to the Governing Board as part of the package of information they reviewed prior to voting on the project.

 

Dave

 

 

Presidents and Thoughts....

Ok..ok...I'm just a regular guy making observations, so please keep that in mind.

What do I think of Hillary Clinton? I think she's a driven smart woman who would be a good President. Do I like her. Not particularly. Is this important. NO! I do think Bill Clinton is capable and smart and I pretty much know what either might do if Hillary is elected. Where is she politically? She's a moderate democrat that I don't fully agree with but won't offend me that much if elected.

What do I think of John McCain? I like him and think he's honest. I think his life speaks for itself and I think he is most capable of the three of being a good president.

What do I think of Barack Obama? I don't know who he really is. He is an eloquent speaker. My concerns are his lack of content and his lack of real experience. I also have concerns that his beliefs are likely close to those held by his pastor.

What is really important in this election? We're picking our leader. Please..please ignore the news...ignore the speeches written for each candidate...ignore what George Bush did in the last 7 years. (He isn't a candidate) Just look at the resume's.

Facts:

1) All three major candidates want to end the war.
2) All three are concerned and want to fix the economy.
3) All three have resume's and life histories on http://www.wikipedia.org/ .

How do you vote? Read the job description. Read the candidates resume's. Pick the most capable candidate. Don't pick someone based on one speech, one debate or on your dislike of the current president. We need someone who will be capable and who will have the best chance of doing a great job. Contrary to opinion, CNN or FOX News doesn't have to tell you who to vote for in this election. Just read the resume' and make an honest decision as though you were hiring someone to do the job.

Personally, I want someone who will do a good job and who has the most closely related experience. There is little difference in the three candidates views..if you really look. All three are dependant on Congress or can't really do much if Congress doesn't let them. There is a huge difference if you read their resume's.

Speeding Kids....maybe I've forgotten...

..or maybe I haven't forgotten Mason Hendrix or other friends who died just doing what kids do. This car is typically speeding around town. It was on Hickory Street a few weeks ago going 60 to 70 beside the baseball field near Citrona Drive. Maybe mom and dad will see this picture and have a talk before someone is hurt.

I'm getting old! I don't see this as funny and all I think of is some kid driving his graduation present into oncoming traffic.

If anyone wants to ticket this kid...he speeds down Hickory about 2:45 to 3:00 pm almost every day maybe a little later...I'd guess he or she gets out of school just about then. Free big dollar ticket and a life saved for an FBPD officer.

Copy of letter from FDOT

I understand their (FDOT's) position. It is still important to have someone look at the dump site in question below to determine if it does or does not pose a threat to the marsh. I think the area should be tested..if only as a reasonable precaution. DEP is supposed to come here the week of April 14th to look at the dump area to determine if testing or action is required.

Ed-Amelia Island Blog


quoted e-mail below......

From: Knight, James Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 1:06 PMTo: 'source@amelia-siland.net'Cc: Czymbor, Michael; Dankert, Donald; Newman, TerriSubject: FDOT's Egans Creek Contamination Screening

Mr. Bonner:

FDOT has completed a Level 1 contamination screening of the Egans Creek Greenway area. This was done to determine if further investigation was needed in any of the areas where FDOT is proposing to work. The Level 1 screening indicated there were no areas that were likely to be disturbed by FDOT’s proposed construction. Therefore, FDOT is proceeding with our construction schedule and has no further plans for additional contamination screening. FDOT does not further investigate contamination issues unless they are in conflict with or could be aggravated by an FDOT project.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have additional questions or concerns.

James M. Knight, P.E.
Project Development Engineer

Florida Department of Transportation District 2
Mail Station 2007
1109 South Marion Avenue
Lake City, FL 32025

(386) 961-7707
(800) 749-2967

William "Woody" Harris and Shriners Take Over Island....

These guys really don't get enough credit. The local Mason's do a great job and need a pat on the back when you think of it.





Woody Harris at Left drives one of the tricked out cars you see in the parades. He's the one in the front seat driving.

I'm worried though about this biker gang...they really have the local Police surrounded. (humor)

Permit #4-089-81627-4 Amelia Island Greenway

(e-mailed to James Jett - SJRWMD)

Is soil testing going forward with the old dump site located along and partly on the property described above? My concern is that this dump was used in the 1940’s through around 1970 and little documentation exists. I have been able to read most of the phase 1 audit and the old city dump shown in aerial photos over a 30 +/- year period is what concerns me more than the salt intrusion and dead trees. I grew up at the entry to this dump when I was much younger and remember well the location. I believe it was likely on both sides of Egan’s Creek and not just on one side…at least I remember dump material being removed from the creek.

Any information about testing already done and favorable or unfavorable results would be greatly appreciated. I would like to post the reply to a local blog and will forward it to other concerned residents. This might do a lot to either reduce concern or focus their attention on the issue of soil testing.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Edward E. Boner

Resident Amelia Island

904-556-7558

Geenway Amelia Island

(copy of letter to sjrwmd)

I’m sure you’ve been overwhelmed with e-mail relating to the greenway on Amelia Island. I would not write if I didn’t want to raise a separate issue.

My concern is contamination from an old dump or from an industrial salvage laydown yard. I was shown 2 different phase 1 environmental audits, which raise concerns about contamination of land on both sides of Jasmine Street. I grew up near the old dump and as I remember it was located in what is now greenway. I only want to be sure soil testing of these areas is complete before more soil is disturbed and also in areas already disturbed if soil testing for contaminants likely from a dump in the late 60’s early 70’s. If contaminants are present, I don’t want those contaminants released into the water flowing into the river either by disturbing the soil or by creating a salt water tidal flow over them. (or by altering the ground water in ways previously unanticipated)

Your attention is appreciated. I wanted to go on record with an e-mail to you expressing my concern related to contaminants or environmental issues. The trees are a minor concern to me, but honestly, if that was the original tidal flow, I would leave that in your more capable hands. My concern is that little mention of a dump or soil testing is made and that is my concern if soil contamination exists.

By the way, the attached file is a portion of a 1940’s map of the Egan’s Creek basin.

Greenway...and short note.

I wanted to send a short note regarding the greenway. I’m concerned as well, but for different reasons. I grew up on and played in the greenway as a child and remember well the location of an old dump in the late 60’s or early 70’s that was closed. Much of the dump area, as I remember, would have been in part of the greenway and may have extended beyond Jasmine Street. Fresh or salt water is less of a concern to me than the possibility of an old dump site with unknown material contaminating the island. Fresh water or salt water won’t ruin my day. I do think FDOT botched their initial studies and should do all it can to correct the problems with dead trees and the intrusion, but in the end, my biggest concern is that an environmental hazard may exist in the middle of the greenway. I agree with Mr. Kavanaugh for this reason. Without first testing, disturbing the soil with unknown contamination is premature and might cause more damage. I do agree with stopping salt intrusion until the soil can be tested and then move forward. I do want FDOT to be financially responsible because it may turn into a far larger issue than we anticipate.

Yes, I think there is an issue with damage and the impact on adjoining homeowners as well as a lack of study for the area apparently becoming a salt marsh. We all knew part of the greenway would be salt, but not the area past Jasmine.

I look forward to hearing from you and would be happy to discuss this if you like.

Edward E. Boner

(picture above is a 1917 map showing what I think would be tidal flow into and out of the egan's creek basin. Note how far into the island this flow extends...far beyond Jasmine.)

Greenway...Fresh...Salt....Polluted?

What happened to all the talk about the old dump and the supposed soil testing? What was the result? I want to know if the soil in the area with salt intrusion is contaminated with old dump material including heavy metal, petrolium products or any old transformers that may have been buried.

Yes, the salt needs to be stopped past Jasmine. The tree kill is a disgrace. I have no doubt it was caused by salt intrustion into the area north of Jasimine Street. Why do I say this? I walked this area 4 to 5 times a week for about a year during and before the greenway gates opened. The change was dramatic and ugly.

Using an area for mitigation should not relieve you of any responsibility for impact on surrounding areas and it does not relieve you of responsibility for environmental impact from pollutants not tested for in advance.

Birds Like Waterfront

Ok, it was a slow week...

If you ever see someone feeding gulls, the gulls in this picture were all but invisible until someone started to feed a few. I think in less than 30 seconds there were 100 or more.

Homestead Portability?...What will it mean?

Portability combined with the tax exemption for homes used as a principle residence for 2 of the last 5 years is a great thing for Florida. I think this means the homes in great areas with long term homestead and very low or no taxes at all will suddenly seem reasonable to sell. These blighted areas will change more rapidly. I can think of a number of examples here on Amelia where this is bound to happen.



I see North Amelia Island benefitting far more than any other area with a greater percentage of older homesteads and homes that very often sell at or near the value of a vacant lot in the same location. This should increase the rate of change and truly help older neighborhoods with great location.

Match The Character to the Script...

“I like McCain a lot. A lot. And you know, things may change along the way, but there’s something about matching the character with the script." Sylvester Stallone

Next week the focus is on Florida. The decision now and again in the general election isn't that complicated if you read the resume's. What is the job and what are the requirements? I encourage all of you to look on www.wikipedia.org for each candidate's information. Don't go tho the party information...don't listen to debates. All these things are irrelevent if you eliminate everyone who does not have the qualifications to be president. This election isn't a popularity contest or shouldn't be. It should be all about picking a good qualified candidate who is "qualified" to run the country and act as not only President in times of peace, but act as President in time of war. We are...whether you like it or not...in a war. It is very likely the coming 4 to 8 years will continue to be a time of war and crisis. I have read every bit of personal information on each candidate. Sure, I'd like more choices, but John McCain is the only one who appears to have the background and qualities that we must insist on in a President...especially since we are in the midst of crisis.

....and yes, I do think Chuck Norris would beat Silvestor Stallone any day of the week..but again, this isn't about celebrity endorsements. This election is about making a decision to either pick a candidate capable of doing the job or picking someone you "like" because they were marketted for you to like and might have said what they thought the most voters would want to hear...or becaues they spent more on advertisement. It shouldn't be about whether you think he goes to the same church or if he or she is the same race or sex or age. Unfotunately, you have candidates all based on which segment or demographic they might appeal to and do the polls and consultants think they might be "electable". What a pathetic way to pick the leader of the most powerful nation in the world! This isn't a popularity contest! This is important. It isn't about whether you'd like to see a democrat or republican in the white house. Its about picking someone qualified.

Make it this simple...pick the man who matches the script. Thank God someone put this back in perspective.

Hurricane Floyd...or have we forgotten?

This was the last Hurricane to pass just offshore Fernandina. Parts of North Fletcher have very low elevation and during a storm the drainage simply wasn't there. The first picture in this post was taken near 4th and North Fletcher taken from the corner of 4th and Tarpon just after Hurricane Floyd passed Amelia Island.

A link at the bottom of this post shows a summary of hurrican floyd in 1999 as well as the track and wind speeds. I was surprised by the damage recorded in North Carolina. Our impact here was mostly from flooding and wind damage, but really it was minor.

You can see the importance of a few feet of eleveation. This is one of the lowest if not the lowest part of Fletcher near the intersection of 4th and Fletcher. You can see the standing water. I would roughly guess it peaked at 3 to 4 feet deep, but I didn't wade out to measure.


The second post was standing water left later at night in front of another North Fletcher Home. The last picture was of Main Beach, shortly after the storm passed...and shows large waves and a slightly battered parking lot with police cars. http://www4.ncsu.edu/~nwsfo/storage/cases/19990915/

Hidden?

Have a look at the enlarged version of this picture. See if you see the 8 foot alligator here . I was out walking with the family yesterday and didn't see this until it moved.

Issue for 2008....#1 Issue...for all of us.

I think you all can agree the presidential election is the single most important event to not only Amelia Island, but to the entire country. Candidates aside, I spent some time tonight to look on Wikipedia to read about each candidates life experience. I wanted to see who I would vote for based only on experience. What have they done? Do they have the true skills required to not only run the country and bring together a divided congress, but also to act as commander in chief if needed.

I like several candidates, but after reading, in depth, all resume's of all candidates on the democrat and republican sides, I have to endorse John McCain. His history of service his exemplary career make him the best choice by far. I don't know if he'll win every debate or if he'll end up as president, but I have to say I respect the man and he has my vote.

If you have a few minutes, all the candidates are on www.wikipedia.org under their names. John McCain is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain . If you have 10 minutes, his resume' actually makes some interesting reading. I think other candidates equal him or have a better legal career or education, but if you consider the fact that our President is also "Commander in Chief" of the military...no other candidate is qualified in this election.

My Wish for 2008

Wish #1
Ok...is illegal alien a negative term? Since when did illegal alien somehow become the same as undocumented immigrant. Immigrant, to me means someone who legally entered the country and plans to establish a legal permanent home here. This is not someone who found a way into the country by violating a law. My first wish is that we stop extending any benefit to anyone not legally in the country. I do, however, think that we need to offer a way for anyone to get in line to acquire a permit to work here if they follow the rules. What should happen to businesses who knowingly break the law. I predict that Arizona's new stance will have a huge impact on border states including Florida. We really are a border state..with an open border along much of our shoreline. We need to rationally address the problem and find a "legal" way to deal with it...without bending the laws or allowing one group or another to ignore established laws for entering this country and finding a job.

Wish #2
I hope we turn over control of Iraq security to Iraqi forces and reduce troops in Iraq. (as long as it is realistic and does not endanger the remaining US forces) I know this isn't realistic for 2008 and will likely take several years, but this is a wish and a wish doesn't have to be black and white....does it?

Wish #3
Lenders never offer 100% loans or no doc loans again. I am in the real estate industry and the incredible folly of selling a home to someone...then requiring no equity...is begging for a foreclosure. Go back to all documented loans and much stricter consumer credit. It is absolutely ridiculous to offer someone with no income cards totalling 50, 60, 100k in credit. I personally know someone with over $50,000 in cards and they haven't had an income in years. What kind of stupidity is this? All credit card companies should ahve to document income and pull a current credit report. Credit, including all loans, should be limited to an established percentage of 2 years of income. A realistic number would be 40% at max, with a verification of employment required through pay stubs or w-2. Appraisals, in real estate sales should, in my opinion, be based on a longer history. When large appreciation occurs in an area, a 2 year history of similar properties would reduce loans made on rapidly appreciating sites that later will be subject to a similar downside. Currently, appraisers go back 1 year and look for the most recent comps. This forces the appraisal up as high as possible. In a growing market, this increases instability and in turn makes loans more risky.

Make it simple, make it consistent. The current credit and real estate crisis is mostly based on an irrational approach to lending.

The Future of Amelia Island

What does the road ahead hold in store for Amelia Island. The biggest issue for me is growth and the incorporated and unincorporated parts of the island that share different views of how the island should grow.

In the end, maybe we all need to see that the island is beautiful to a point and beyond a point will lose what made it special.

I grew up on North Amelia Island. I have a very local and very biased view of what is good on the island.

I'd love to hear what you think the new year should bring for the island. Best wishes for Amelia island in the new year, if you will.

New Year's Perspective

New Year’s 2004


Friendships sometimes hidden, surface at dinner
an elegant place, embroidered linens, warm soup
laughter, tears and camera flashing, we’ve come
to celebrate the New Year.

twisted steel, battered homes and shattered lives
victims of the earthquake begin to leave
a city destroyed after two thousand years

Suburban home, kitchen fire glowing, platters upon
platters of desserts spread among a dozen or so
truffles, cheese, berries and cherries piled high
glasses overflowing with Dom Perignon.

a new orphan looks around the barren ground
a hungry child’s face filled with pain
faces flashed across the screen

It’s almost time the countdown begins
ten, nine, eight, soon the ball will drop
away from the platters and up from the chairs
people gather around to welcome the year.

far away, another bomb, another life
an empty bed, a missing grown child,
a parent who won’t return, war

A kiss, a hug, Happy New Year,
lovers embrace, friends wish cheer
who’s left to say thank you
to drop to their knees?

one of us, one of them
humanity strives to understand
pray for peace, reach out your hand


JoAnn Hertz

"Blog note: This was a poem e-mailed from one of the readers who relocated here from NY. This, despite my initial impression, is not about 9/11. I think we all share a wish for world peace for the New Year."

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Amelia Island! Every year I usually can't stand Christmas with the crouds, shopping, deadlines and ridiculous advertising. Why you can say Merry Christmas...why you can't say Merry Christmas....I don't know what sounds politically correct nowdays.

I do know I love Christmas because my wife is the best cook I've ever seen outside of one of those television cooking shows. What's the downside to my wife's wonderful cooking? I used to enjoy salmon, pasta's, soups and desserts away from home. NOW....I compare these to my wife's cooking and realize I just paid someone to "not cook as well as my wife". Geesh!

The picture above is minestrone soup she made from scratch last week and was literally the best minestrone soup I've ever had.

I have no idea what induced my wife to marry me...but thank God I was persistent because her cooking (and family) is really what Christmas is all about.

Merry Christmas!