| Hello Friends, I write to you today from my old faithful porch. This is my favorite place in the world, especially in the morning. There is just something about the early part of the day sitting by the ocean and sipping an espresso. It's the beginning of something and everything seems fresher and cleaner somehow. The only sounds are coming from Mother Nature herself. The occasional swish of the palm fronds moving from a breeze and water lapping against the dock is certainly a good way to start the day.  I cooked pizzas on our Big Green Egg grill last night and had a revelation. Each time I light the wood charcoal it emits a scent. The wood charcoal is different than regular charcoal; it has a familiar smell that I could not place. It's a pleasant smell that always makes me feel good; I guess this is some form of aromatherapy. In fact each time I fire up the Egg I find myself pulling up a chair and just sitting nearby with my eyes closed. I then realized what the sensitive nerves in my nose were telling me. These are the smells of my childhood. It's the smell of coal burning in the stoves and fireplaces of those Eastern Kentucky mountain homes so many years ago. Those are the smells of a simpler time when my mom and dad, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles were all together. A wonderful part of my life that I truly miss. So from this day forward each time I light the old EGG grill I shall toast to the Heavens as a thank you for a momentary crossing back to a very special time. It's probably no wonder that life's journey has led me from those mountains to this porch by the ocean. I now recognize the similarities and realize that aromatherapy is still alive and well.   Seasons Greetings Cyndy and I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May this holiday be blessed with friends and family. We wish you happy times, love and peace. We have a Holiday Special: Our complete set of 9 cds is only $99 and free shipping. The set also includes our live cd/dvd. As an added bonus, we'll include some of Anderson and Gracie's dog hair. Thanks for listening to da'music my friends. Order online at http://milemarker24.com/merchandise/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=101   Friday, December 20th 2013 Boondocks 27205 Overseas Hwy Ramrod Key, FL (Mile Marker 27 1/2) Come join us for a pre holiday party at the largest tiki bar in the Keys. We'll have the whole band and of course the old Johnson Outboard blender. Meet and Greet is at 6:30 and the band takes the stage at 7:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public and you can also reserve a guaranteed table for a fee http://www.boondocksus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83  Saturday, December 28th Sugarloaf KOA Resort 251 County Road 939 Sugarloaf Key, FL This is our last show of the year and we can't wait to return to one of our favorite venues. The show is free and open to the public. Meet and Greet at 6:30 and downbeat is at 7:00 PM. http://koa.com/campgrounds/sugarloaf-key/   Well, I think I probably should get on with this wonderful day. Thank you so much for listening to my ramblings and until our paths cross again, may the sun shine upon you and the tide always pull you back. Howie Our Schedule http://www.milemarker24.com/schedule.php Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HowardLivingstonAndTheMileMarker24Band Our Tees SELL YOUR STUFF KEEP THE DOG LIVE ON AN ISLAND, LIVIN'ON KEY WEST TIME, and MAGIC IN KEY WEST now available at Koz's Green World Gallery 712 Duval Street Key West, FL and online at http://www.greenworldgallery.com/products/t-shirts/ Coconut Castaways Friend/Fan Clubs National http://www.coconutcastaways.com/ Southernmost Chapter http://www.southernmostcoconutcastaways.com/ Southwest Florida Chapter http://www.coconutcastawaysofsouthwestflorida.com/ Save the date: 7th Annual Meet Me In The Keys Event June 5-8, 2014 in Key West   Support KOA Care Camps, thanks my friends for helping the kids with cancer and their siblings go to summer camp http://www.koacarecamps.org/ Congrats to my dear friend Ralph DePalma on his new book The Soul Of Key West. From the eye of a photographer with the voices of the musicians, this book is great and I am honored to be featured in it. For details visit http://www.rwdepalma.com/p545283300  | 
