I finally figured out what the little fishing nets were for; an answer to picking up cigarette butts, bottle caps, beer cans and whatever else our visitors to the Gulf of Mexico would like to leave on our pristine beaches. I have been on a mission in the morning and in the evening for the past two years, to actually do some good for the environment as well as my health, by raking the butts, shaking out the sand, and leaving the trash in the well placed container's supplied by Walton County.

Since real estate is so slow, guess what? My associates at Coldwell Banker United, and I are on a mission now to clean up the beach and meet the vacationers on their turf, not waiting for them to come into the office or call to visit a listing. "If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed will go to the mountain."

We have a design of a trash eating monster with the inscription; "We Don't Talk Trash...We Pick It Up." If you see us on the beach, join in and we'll even give you a net. We are also there to answer questions about living in paradise. We, who live here year round, have such wonderful stories about the ever changing Gulf. Everyday the Gulf is a different color, with different Sunrises and beautiful sunsets.

There are quaint hideaways to enjoy libations, hear local music, and toast to another day. Times are tough, but what a special place to be on the emerald coast of NW Florida, a.k.a THE BEACH, and with the characters of life, we all enjoy. Where else can you watch porpoise play in the surf and bull sharks swim to clean any dead fish on the bottom of the gulfs floor, and in the next instant, stingrays come floating passed like B-52 bombers flying through the water. What an exciting time and what really matters is life. We are full of wonderful sights and blessed with creatures from the salt waters. Hey, don't forget the other wonderful creatures; alligators, blue herons, pelicans, sea gulls and eagles.

And every time I am enjoying the sand and the surf; I am reminded of how great freedom feels when I hear our soldiers fly over and remind us that they are protecting us all. The next time you see a jet or a helicopter, salute those brave souls who are protecting all of us on the beaches just a few hundred feet below where they are traveling at super sonic speeds. Oh, what a wonderful world we live in. God Bless America!