Five dolla. Five dolla.

Unlike the other ports you have seen here, I have been to Cozumel several times, the first in 2001 on our very first cruise. Eleven years later, it hasn't changed that much. When we got there on Friday, there were four other cruise ships already there.

There is enough bling in Cozumel for everyone in the world to have some. The shopkeepers are highly competitive and stand outside their shops, trying to entice you to come in.

Tourism is the biggest industry here. The town is relatively clean and safe as long as you stay in the dock area. Some people returned to the ship with loads of merchandise they had bought in the shops.

I always feel a little weird when the flag flying is not the Stars and Stripes.

I don't know who this statue honors, but everyone gets pooped on sometimes.

Someone was wise enough to put a park in the middle of town.

Nothing is priced in the stores. Apparently, they look at you and decide what you can afford before they give you a price, which averages about four times what they really want. If I am interested in something, I decide what I think it is worth and offer them half of that. I tire of that quickly, however; Cozumel is entirely too hot for haggling.

Standing in a 'ship canyon'.

Gotta go; gotta hurry back on the ship...something exciting is happening this afternoon!

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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