Before I get back to the road trip, I wanted to share something fun. A week ago, Amy Newmark from Chicken Soup told me she'd passed my name to the folks at HuffPost Live. Apparently they were doing a series on four-footed miracles scheduled to air December 9, and Amy thought my story in CS Hope and Miracles would be a good fit.
Sure enough, Allison, an assistant producer at HuffPost Live, emailed me. I agreed to participate with 3 others to discuss "miracle stories". Of course, I needed a webcam, which I didn't have. So I dragged myself into the 21st century and bought one. Then I had to download Skype. Nope, I didn't have that either. Nor had I ever used it. This was beginning to sound pretty nerve-wracking to technology-challenged me.
Allison is a very busy gal, and we didn't get to chat until the night before the broadcast. We tested my new acquisitions, and yes, I had trouble connecting the video. Allison, bless her, is patient. We (meaning I) finally fixed my mistakes.
The day of the broadcast, the request for me to connect came through. I clicked, but we didn't connect. Now I'm really starting to sweat because we're 5 minutes from show time. After several attempts, the video finally went through. Holy last-minute-do-or-die!
Anyway, if you'd like to see the tape of my nervous yakkity-yak on HuffPost Live, here it is. The entire video is 22 minutes, but I only muddy up about 6 of them. All I can say is I'm pretty sure becoming a screen star is not in my destiny.
Now back to the road trip...
We drove for 13 hours on our way from NOLA to Port Orange, Florida, minus potty and food breaks. I think that's the longest stretch of time I've ever spent in a car. Who'd ever think sitting would be so exhausting?
When we finally arrived, we ordered a pizza delivery, unpacked the bursting-at-the-seams minivan, ate, and collapsed in bed. I don't remember a thing until 8:00 am next morning when this adorable Doppelganger to my daughter's dog showed up to meet us. Isn't she a dead ringer for Tinker Bell?
The agenda for our first full day in Florida was to visit Blue Spring State Park which is winter home to more than 200 manatees. The entire place is beautiful and we enjoyed walking the trails. Funny thing is, you see signs everywhere warning people about alligators, yet there's an area in the park deemed to be okay for swimming. They did graciously post signs warning swimmers to be on the alert for 'gators. Note: I did not enter the water.
Alas, since we were outside of the manatee's arrival time, the only manatee we saw was this colorful guy. Cute, isn't he?
Blue Spring Park is lovely, and worth a visit. However, I don't recommend bringing your swimsuit.
8 comments:
Congratulations for being brave enough to attempt the interview. I can't wait to check it out!
Pat--Thanks for giving us the link. I watched the video (all of yours, and most of the two sisters after you) and I was quite impressed. I always get nervous when I have to speak off-the-cuff like that, especially when I will probably have the chance to ramble, but you did a wonderful job.
Congratulations on the publishing credit, and it sounds like the next leg of your road trip was fun. (Swimming with 'gators? I'd be on the bank with you.)
You are very brave to be interviewed - especially on camera!
What a cute little dog. Always enjoy hearing an execrpt from your road trip.
Lynne x
Are you kidding? Swimming area with gators present? No way! I wish I could have seen a manatee, only saw one in the Boston Aquarium.
Pat, you did a great interview, and I am so impressed with your new credit. You must be busting your buttons. Congratulations.
Congrats on your new found fame.
Ann
I can freak myself out thinking about the places I used to swim...murky places ripe with gators!
No gators for this gal! We used to live in Key West, and there was a "fishing hole" a short walk from our house. Their first time out my husband and son caught a barracuda! No surprise that when my 5-year-old son asked if he could swim in the fishing hole he was told NO! lol
On bucket list: swimming with dolphins. NOT on bucket list: swimming with large, carnivorous reptiles with enormous, crushing jaws. Glad the rest was fun!
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