2 bits - 4 bits - 6 bits - a dollar. All for Shelling stand up & holler!

Usually Superbowl is a big deal around our house. The Hubbs is a real football fanatic but mainly for his college team - the Florida Gators. Our first real date was  31 years ago on Superbowl Sunday.  My dad was a football coach so I know my way around the football field. My date was impressed or probably relieved that he could watch a football game with a female and not have to explain everything that was going on. The rest is history.


I can't really get too excited abut the Superbowl this year. I have no vested interest in either team. At least that was my excuse for ditching the pre-game festivities and heading to Sanibel early this morning. Actually football and shelling have some similarities.
The horse conch I found was as big as a football
Standing on the sandbar at Blind Pass with the tide rushing in; I just happened to look down and saw this football-sized horse conch and nobody was home. The dance I did on the sandbar definitely looked as good as any touchdown dance I've ever seen. So in the words of any good coach "when the going gets tough, the tough go shelling".
The sand bar is about the size of a football field.  There are plenty of shells for everyone
Shelling can be a team sport with matching jerseys. (Team i Love Shelling)
Shellers suit up for the game with our own particular brands of equipment.  Judy is an industrial engineer. She pitched me an idea she has for  aqua shoes that are ankle high so the shells don't get stuck inside the shoes.

My goal line. Facing the Blind Pass Jetty
Facing the Sanibel side
That's the home team in the end zone.
Oh Come On! Laying on a board is not a sport. Shelling is a total spirit-mind-body work out.
To the victor go the spoils
Arcinella cornuta
Conrad, 1866
Florida spiny jewelbox
(left to right) alphabet cone, true tulip, banded tulip, nutmeg
Cancellaria reticulata
(Linnaeus, 1767)
Nutmeg 
Eurytellina lineata
(Turton, 1819)
Rose petal tellin 
You win some - you lose some but any piece of junonia is a winner.


Comments

  1. Leo February 6, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Wow Karen - good for you. What a great way to spend the day. Love the large horse conch. Wish I was right there with you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda @ A La CarteFebruary 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    I would much rather be there then watching football. Love the shells you found...I would say you scored!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ShellbelleFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Oh my goodness, this is the best football analogy I've ever read, you just crack me up!

    Lovin' that HUGE horse conch you found, looks like it's going to clean up real nice and still has a lot of that oranginess to it and I know you love orange shells. All mine that large have faded in color, good find missy!

    Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  4. gpcFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Sigh. It's snowing here. :-/

    ReplyDelete
  5. rjerdeeFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Karen, you are hilarious!!! Loved this funny post and its football comparisons. I spent SuperBowlSunday cheering for the Packers and came up with a winner!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. wiscontwin52February 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    WOW, Karen...that's an awesome video and CONCH!!! How do you clean that up? Is it difficult to do? I know what you mean about the tides up there at BP I wouldn't have stood in the water that long. They really pull. When we were there in December it was really strong. I hope the pass doesn't fill in again, that would be too bad. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Drawn to The SeaFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    Wow! You could give someone a serious konk on the head with that conch ;-) Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  8. jmacFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    K....I'm here!! Going to Captiva tomorrow. Not sure of arrival time...depends on wind!....hope to see you out there!!! I'll be the one who comes ashore in a dinghy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. JaneFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Hi Karen!
    Trying to catch up...realized I had not visited you in awhile...Love your "finds". Wish I had been there shelling with you.

    Saw your older post, too! Love the Dunedin sign. Have you noticed all the oranges which have been painted on buildings all around town? They just began showing up... Too cool! (although some of the merchants didn't like it)
    Jane (artfully graced)

    ReplyDelete
  10. PammyFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Hi Karen! I just love the pictures you not just posted, by painted on my mind in your writing. What an awesome comparison. I must say that I also was finding some of my favorite little niches for avoiding all the pre football hoopla. xxooxx

    ReplyDelete

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