The Gulf Coast of Alabama has had its share of trials and triumphs. As a Gulf Coast Newspaper Columnist, Valerie J. Steimle has seen it all: hurricanes, the BP oil spill, Supper on the Beach, festivals, concerts and beach life. Living on Alabama’s gulf coast has been an interesting life journey. “Thoughts from the Heart” was a column especially written for the gulf coast of Alabama with inspirational stories, small town politics and federal government antics. Read one hundred of the best of “Thoughts from the Heart,” an insightful collection of honest, humorous and heart-felt writing.