I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. ~Elwyn Brooks White


On the Englewood, Florida beaches we do the Sharks tooth squat not the Sanibel Stoop. (Credit: Fotobug)
Living close to the beach requires a tremendous amount of discipline. The sun gives you that "Come Hither" look as you drive to work.  Doing laundry & cooking dinner can easily get kicked to the curb for a favorable low tide or blustery NW wind. (The way I see it  there's always take-out & wearing the same shorts twice right?) Last September I started a project that gave me a great excuse to head to the beach as often as possible - The Jar.


The sharks teeth I was collecting needed a dedicated home.  On those occasions when I actually did the laundry the tell-tale ping ping ping would send me running to stop the spin cycle.  I would then pick all the wayward sharks teeth out of the bottom of the  washing machine.  I'm sure my Whirlpool warranty does not cover shells or the teeth of a big fish. 


The big jar had been pushed back on a shelf awaiting a purpose anyhow. Since last September I have been collecting those sharks teeth one handful or pocketful at a time as I walk the late afternoon beach and enjoy the sunset. Over the last 9 months I have watched the sharks tooth level go up & down. I just love to give them away.  I have to keep myself in that cycle of reciprocity - of giving & receiving - of the tide coming in & going out.  Some have gone as far away as the Netherlands. Others have just been given away here & there to friends and family. So great news! The jar is finally full, nobody went hungry, & I do have clean clothes on. 
  

I started filling my jar last September 2010

The jar was filling up quite nicely as March 30, 2011

I have recently added kayaking to my list of housework detours (Credit: Momma AreGee)


From Jun 14, 2011


I wonder how many are in the jar?




Comments

  1. Kim@Snug HarborJune 18, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Well that didn't really take that long did it? You and I are kindred spirits Karen, that's why I like you so much! Laundry and dinner can always wait, but shelling and sharks teeth move with the whimsey of the tides. I have a HUGE Hinckley and Schmidt water bottle I'd like you to fill next! Haha! Nicely done - what's next on the agenda?

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  2. DellaJune 18, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Your sharks teeth are so pretty,
    in the jar that you have filled,
    how many do I think there are?
    it's looks about like a mill!

    I'm really going to have to get down that way!
    Have a great weekend!

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  3. gpcJune 18, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    How does life get so darned busy? I really really really want to get down for a sharks' teeth adventure!

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  4. Leo June 19, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Awesome. Congrats. I remember your post when you first started filling the jar! Love the photo of you kayaking and calling it a housework detour is pretty funny. I have several of those detours myself...of which one is visiting my favorite blogs! Have a great Sunday.

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  5. 2catchickJune 19, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    I love the jar full of teeth, the colors are so pretty!

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  6. Little Black Scrap CatJune 19, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Fab collection of sharks teeth. We just might have to detour from our laundry tasks while in Sanibel and make a high speed run up to Englewood!

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  7. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 20, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    That is just incredible! I've never seen one...but now I know what they look like! I would love to visit your beach! I'm a beach bum...when I get there! lol ♥

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  8. iLoveShellingJune 21, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Alas! The jar is completely full.... just like life. That could be your "Campbell's Soup Can" art ..... "Englewood's Shark's Teeth" by Kaybe Warhol

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  9. rjerdeeJune 22, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Wow, you'd be the envy of my grandsons who are avid sharks' tooth hunters when they visit me in Florida every Winter Break.

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