The Essential Beachcomber

I so get that these days.  With Manasota Key only 2 miles away it's not unusual for me to pop over for an early morning beach walk for sunrise, come home and do the domestic thing, then head back for some late afternoon sharks toof hunting.  My mom's recent stroke has pretty much put the brakes on my beach combing flexibility. Even the time to blog is a challenge.  On my daily priority list the beach and blogging have sunk to the low end of important things to do.  I hope I don't sound like I'm whining.  We all want to make a difference in the world and sometimes that difference is not on a faraway continent - it is in our own neighborhood or home.  So mom is improving every day and hubby is maintaining.  I'll be vicariously walking the beach with the rest of the cyber-shellers for now.

Tennessee Sister & Mom doing a little pool therapy. Today marks 2 weeks since my mom had her stroke.  Every day gets a little better for her.  Her movement & balance are improving.  The main challenge was swallowing.  The feeling was gone on the left side of her throat so I had to keep a close eye on her while she ate or drank.  Talking and eating at the same time is a habit we had to quickly break.  Tonight she managed a piece of homemade Strawberry Pie so I am certain she is over the hump.  Thank you to everyone for your prayers and emails full of comfort and encouragement.  I see a beach day on the near horizon for me very soon. (Originally posted 5/18/2012) I don't really try to predict what can and will happen with things. Sometimes you think something's gonna be a huge success, and it isn't. And sometimes you pay no attention to something whatsoever, and God just makes it into everything. - Donna Summer It's Raining Shells!  Hallelujah!!

(Credit:   http://www.oceanstyles.com ) Well, I guess everything has a shelf life.  Yesterday was a doleful day for me.  My favorite  Havaianas  flip flops finally bit the dust.  As I was shopping in the grocery store I felt my flip go flop.  The thong snapped clean off - not fixable - no way - no how.   Not my favorite hot pink, glow-in-the -dark Havianas, Wah!  I got them in a Beall's clearance rack at 70% off and I loved them from the first time I wore them.  Just squishy enough, comfy between the toes & glow-in-the-dark too!  Come On!   Dang! Now I'm walking barefooted on the yucky grocery store floor as I finish up my shopping.  I had placed my busted flip flops conspicuously in the basket so people would not think I purposely came in barefoot.  Kids & teenagers can get away with that tackiness in our little beach town but when you are over 50 - not so much.  As I checked out I whined to the cashier about my broken flip flops. Really, I was letting

A spur of the moment trip found me on Captiva Island this past Tuesday.  The pictures on facebook of a huge shell pile were too tempting for me.  I hurriedly packed a bag, jumped in the car & drove the 2 hours south to Captiva for the 6pm low tide.  I had been digging my way through the monstrous shell pile when my phone rang.  It was Hubby.  "This better be good" I thought as I stopped excavating my way through the mass of seashells.  "The ambulance is here.  I think your Mom is having another stroke." He said soberly.  So, 10 minutes later I am heading back home to Englewood trying to keep calm & not let the thoughts in my head take over.  You know, the "what if's" and the "should have's".  "I didn't even hug her good bye", I thought to myself.  I just ran out of the house thinking about the stupid junonia that would have my name on it in that big shell pile. Now, 3 days later, she is recovering from her 2nd s

Walking out to the Boca Grande Pass for the morning sunrise show. It seemed like such a good idea at the time.  I invited  a few of my girlfriends to meet on the beach to watch the sunrise.  Now, as I am laying on my bed checking the alarm I set for 4:30 am and the back-up alarm for 4:45 am on my phone for the third time I am wondering if I really thought this all the way through? I love making my way to the beach well before dawn to watch the sunrise - by myself.  Inviting and coordinating girl friends is now overwhelming me and starting to feel similar to herding cats.  I have already packed a beach bag with lemon-poppy seed muffins, bananas, & coffee essentials. I've checked the weather and the tides.  My clothes are laid out.  I'm ready to hit the road at 4:25 am and pick each friend up in 15 minute intervals as we make our way out the 11 miles to Boca Grande Island for the sunrise. After finally falling asleep I woke to the first Big Ben bells chiming rudely

  (Photo Credit:  Meghan McCarthy / Daily News File Photo) While most people follow the traditional spring, summer, fall, & winter seasons;  Here on Manasota Key we observe two seasons - Lights on and Lights off.  May 1 is the official start of Lights off or better known as Sea Turtle Nesting Season.  Most beach side Manasota Key Motels, condos, & homeowners have already made the annual move to shield all outdoor lights visible from the beac h.  Sea turtle hatchlings have a natural instinct to move towards the brightest direction. On a natural beach, the brightest direction is most often the expansive view of the night sky over, and reflected by the ocean .   Environmental lighting on the beach such as street lights, outdoor lighting on buildings, and even a lamp shining from a living room window can confuse the mother coming ashore to lay her eggs and the baby hatchlings some eight weeks later looking for their way to the sea. Sea turtles not only have to get past lig