Friday, December 2, 2022

With gratitude optimism is sustainable~


No delays there and back.


The view for 21 yrs:)


My sweet path...


Funnies..


The beach was deserted most days..This is what it looks like when a storm comes in..


Changes so fast.



As you can see..



Our clear pretty waters turned very ugly shortly thereafter..



Vegetation always so pretty..


Up the way after Nicole..


During Nicole..

But then the sky gave us a show all over again..


This is the disgusting red tide..Warnings were posted at public beach..So sad...The shore strewn with dead fish..




 I love Michael J Fox.This is a quote from his book No Time Like The Future …one of the books I read while away.

It’s a five star book for me.I highly recommend this one..I’ve read them all..had not read this one.

So we had our swan song Florida trip.

A place we’ve found so much pleasure with for well over 30 yrs.

With Littles ourselves..Disney..beaches..With ourselves..and later with grand Littles.

Lucas came as a baby..Max..Noah..Oli..

3 of them came year after year.

You have no idea how many visual memories we have of the growing up here by the beach through the years.

Bittersweet to bid adieu.

But ready.

We walked the beach when we could..I read books and painted over30 people..

All accompanied with little short stories on Instagram.

It’s amazing what paper..pencil..paintbrush..pen..and a set of watercolors can do.

We arrived after Ian..but before Nicole.

Nicole played havoc on the weather ..and caused the horrible red tide we had on many occasions.At the end..even with a mask walking the beach was not an option.

So many dead fish by the shore and stench.

You can’t breathe without coughing.Sneezing is a symptom also.

This has been happening more and more..

And I have to say that although I have found travel exciting at times.

I find it not pleasant now with security..red tape..

Travellers found themselves so wise with just a quick carry on..

Not to be..

They were required to fill out Covid info and check in regardless.

Not happy campers.

Once checked in with baggages  even our carry ons were taken to be stowed.

It’s just so different.

I’ll miss my million dollar view..I’ve packed my memories in my mind’s eye..

But we feel it’s time.


I was grateful that  friends returned and we were able to visit…and chat on the beach.

We have always loved that there is no echelon of wealth here.We all occupy small places on the beach..virtually all the same albeit decor.We all wear beach clothes.No Chanel or Louis  Vuitton.

You can be a millionaire back home and unless you tell us..we would not know..as it's not a resort with pomp and circumstance.

We are all beach bums.

We missed our PA friends!Diane..Ronald..etc..

Everyone lives like a little beachcomber.With 70 spf lol hats..umbrellas..


Particularly Brenda and Gene🤗made my stay happier..It was feeling a bit  lonely without my Littles at times.

She 's funny and bubbly and kind.Her husband is an artist and also very kind.

With so many yrs here I have seen how many great conversations happen on a private beach with same time next year people.

Others didn’t make it for very valid reasons.

Things change..people age..illness happens.Covid changed a lot.

Time to be home.

To the best time of year.

The holidays await.



Our dear place..as painted by Gene our friend.That's J and I on the deck eating lunch:)I was so touched to receive this.It will be framed..there's 21 yrs in that watercolor.I'll sport my blue sea glass earring buying the frame..I thought I had a 5x7 I don't..so very soon.





And this is my friend Brenda on the beach:) Such a great sport..she was in shorts and I said ..feel like donning a dress?

Lol right away.

A good sport.So fun to have someone be game for things:)

And I'll always have my special memories.. and this sound..this beautiful sound..





First thing I did?

Baked a  no knead:)I need bread in my life.Anyone can make this bread ..easy peasy..I used to make a variation in Fl..but I like my things around me..After one month I was missing my business of baking..grocery shopping using my gadgets lol..




So all pics and videos are Phone pics and we all know they are not my strength..;)

Have a lovely weekend..

No snow here..yet.Fingers crossed for a very white Christmas.









39 comments:

  1. Love your beach pictures….not with the dead fish🙈…like the last one the most…before your beautiful painting from your friend….mmmmmm that bread look amazing …happy weekend…enjoy love from me and Leaf …🍀💗🐾🍀

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  2. I live just south of there in Naples. Our beaches finally are opening up again after Ian. It will be beautiful again. Are you selling your home?

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    1. We drove by Naples to get to Ft Lauderdale airport..We did own a cute place in Venice but sold it 21 yrs ago..so for the last 21 we have always stayed here.

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  3. Beautiful beach photos and memories, Monique. What dramatic skies you captured. Coming home is often the best part of travel, and settling in with one's familiar things. I hope you do have a white Christmas. We've been having snow flurries off and on, but nothing sticks for long on the southern tip of the Island.

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    1. I'd love a white Christmas..it is unusual to not have one..but who knows:)Fingers and toes crossed...

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  4. Monique, beautiful photos of your farewell trip. It's always bittersweet when one knows it's the finale. Yet, there is a renewed appreciation of the times that one experienced before. You'll always have such beautiful, special memories of times spent on this beach. Yes, your memories will be like paintings in your mind as you look back through the years shared in this beautiful, special spot. Settle in now as the holiday season has begun. You will no doubt be busy putting up your gorgeous tree, decorating your home, baking delicious goodies. I look forward to all you will share, my friend!

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    1. Sarah..so well written and so true..To every thing there is a season..:)Ill have great memories for sure..and Brenda said never say never..:) Jut the travelling is more difficult now.!I am doing thr tree today..Pouring rain here..we do leave a technicolor movie and enter a black and white one..Yrs ago I thought it would be so nice to live there..We know for us it wouldnt..And my hair lol..

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  5. Really, the last visit? I guess nothing lasts forever, even some things I am (or was) involved with. My camera club, some photo friends, one of my ukulele clubs have changed or disappeared. I am sorry your final trip involved a storm. I see you're reading From Scratch. I am waiting for my library to get to my turn. There are 139 ahead of me. How does it compare to the Netflix series?

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    1. I had booked out From Scratch ..for the trip..and once we got to Fl. it was a movie..so I have only watched the movie..It;s a bit Hallmark..but it's a true story and the male lead character is wow.A very good actor..Zoey Saldana is good too.A love story for sure.We had skipped 2 yrs of Fl covid of course and I found we got by fine.. but we went this yr..and the weather honestly was the worse in all these yrs...Time..

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  6. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. I could sense the sadness. But why is it your last trip to this place you love?In a former life our place was Naples. It was so lovely at Christmas. Our last trip...I didn't know it would be the last. Hope your Christmas brings you lots of love & new memories.

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    1. Oh for a few reasons..costs always going up..the travel to it.. the weather seems to have been less and less appealing and we goy=t used to family visiting for 1 week ..all these things..But I am so grateful for 21 yrs spot on a private beach with glorious sunsets every night.And all the memories.

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  7. Ah Monique, another new chapter of life. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the time has come to reconsider our lives. Twenty-one years worth of memories. Your pictures are so lovely (barring Red Tide) and the thought of saying goodbye to your friends must be difficult. The one thing I'm beginning to learn is that it's better to make the big decisions when you're healthy and most capable. I want to be hopeful, but the truth is that the world is not nearly so easy to navigate. And you know what? You can always change your mind and go back to your special spot to visit. I'm so glad you have 21 years worth of great memories!! Enjoy all the excitement of Christmas, now that you're back home and close to your sweethearts. (Our little darlings are really into the decorations and lights and it warms my heart to see them so happy. We're all dancing to Christmas music...)

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    1. Oh Pam keep dancing:) :):):):)Yes there comes a time..when you know..you know..I'm happy at home..it's bleak right now and very cold..I did groceries the day after we came back and was nearly blown off the parking lot..But you get a different spring in your step when you come home sweet home.And it kept me on the ground lol.:) Tree today:)

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  8. So glad you got to go. The video will be great to listen to as you scroll through your photos. You should make a book of your photos of years gone by. Too bad the video could not be included too. In March 2020, after many years absence, we returned to Gran Case, St. Martin. It was such a wonderful trip. I too made video of the sight and sound of the water to be able to play over and over. We got back and COVID changed the last couple of years. At least we have our memories, right? Enjoy your bread and Christmas treats that I know you will make over the next few weeks.

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    1. Im glad we went to..it closed the book..but one I can leaf through in my mind forever God willing:) It was a perfect spot for us.Glad you got to go to St Martin:) Take care ..enjoy the preps!

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  9. Inquiring minds… there is a cause to these unpleasant results. Red tide is the result of human pollution.
    A new study from the University of Florida, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program found that although red tide often blooms naturally, humans are making them more intense and sustaining them longer due to an infusion of nutrient pollution, namely nitrogen.Apr 20, 2022
    Dommage
    Parisbreakfast

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    1. Trop dommage..we have noticed it happening more and more..Lots of info all over the net of course.its said to come from Lake O
      https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2022-09-16/freshwater-discharges-from-lake-okeechobee-feed-red-tide-algae-blooms-in-the-gulf-study-concludes
      However you can read a lot of info all over the net.The beach was actually deserted on high days.

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  10. Such beautiful pics and memories Monique...is it really the last visit? :( I hope you and Jacques are well. Any snow yet? :)xo

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    1. We had decided before going..last visit..every yr we have rolled over our deposit to secure our place.. we didn't .That says it all..Driving is too long..sleeping in hotels:( We didn't want a connecting flight..so we had to drive to Ft Lauderdale..3 hrs away..it just makes all not as pleasant as before..Im getting older sweetie:)J also..But YOU.. do everything now:) That's a little order;)

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  11. Wonderful photos, except of the poor dead fish. Mother Nature is a huge mystery.
    I am so glad you have fabulous memories of your special place. They will always be in your heart. The bread looks delicious. I know you are happy to be back home with your loved ones. Happy Holidays.

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    1. You know me well..not seeing them there was hard I found..Ive watched them grow up on that beach:) Memory bank.You love being home too so I know you get me:)

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  12. When my house is sold I must move …but I don’t know where too…here in Holland it is so difficult to find a house so I am verry verry worried …but I hope and pray everything will be ok for me and leaf 💗🍀🙏🐾🍀

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    1. Oh I wasn't aware..perhaps start looking now..I bet you have..I am thinking of you and I hope things work outxo

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  13. I’m a little sad that it may be your last time to visit Florida, but what memories you have! I remember when your littles went to the beach with you. How time flies! Our little is still just 10 and has been to visit numerous times this year. Lots of beach time as well as Disney. What a shame that you had Red Tide during your stay. We have yet to experience it, but it is not far away. I went to our beach the other day, but didn’t get in the water. There was so much runoff from Ian that it may take awhile to clear out. Many beaches further south remain closed. I’m with you on travel, it just seems to be such an ordeal these days. Our go to winter spot has been Ixtapa, Mexico for the last 32 years. We missed a couple of years due to the pandemic, but are thinking maybe we will go in January. We shall see! All the Best, Ry

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    1. Mexico sounds great ..a couple I met who own in Ft Lauderdale (37 yrs) and live up north here never experience red tide..It's the Gulf..our beautiful Gulf..They are going to Spain..they canceled Italy twice..not sure what they will do.I thought they were dating...grandchildren.Amazing.I mean.. I could not believe it;)
      10 is still such a cute cute age.I have to say all our boys are still infinitely charming to me..each in their own way.
      I hope you go..I'm soon 69 J soon 82..I swear you would never know..we did the tree and lights today..poring rain..but he's always been so into Christmas no feat is daunting..apart from a real tree lol..Happy holidays beautiful you.

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  14. You captured some amazing photos during your stay, Monique! The storm clouds are so forboding and the result so sad, especially when it spoiled your ability to enjoy the beach or to even be outdoors with the smell. I remember the Florida west coast had the red time really bad maybe 10-20 years ago? I wondered when I saw that painting on IG if that was you and J on the patio of your cottage! Now I know. ♥ Wonderful memories. There is nothing more certain in life than change. Do what makes you happy and enjoy those you love. Even when you don't see someone in person anymore you can stay in touch. I know you will stay in touch with all the friends you've been during your stays in Florida. ♥

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    1. There is nothing more certain than change..
      I love that Susan..It is so true.
      I just remember the last few yrs having red tide but not this bad..
      Climate change must certainly have something to do with it.Beaches in Naples have been closed due to the hurricane..very rare were huricanes late Oct Nov..to my recollection.
      It's a little piece f paradise there.I'll never forget the times.
      You are right..I mean we stay in touch:) Grateful:)

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  15. What a lovely reunion with friends and in a warm place! How lovely. I think you did very well with the photos, iphone or no! Some beautiful images. I'm so sorry you hit during the red tide, though. I love your painting and Gene's. I hope it's not your last visit but what a lovely one to have and what memories you made.

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    1. Well we did not roll over our deposit..which we did for 21 yrs..That's pretty final.Also I was attached to that particular unit..Doubt it would be available short notice.She always reserved it for us:)

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  16. Oh loads of snow here on the west coast It’s super cold for us, don’t laugh , and now it’s foggy. Pretty grim but our Christmas lights bring us joy. Enjoy December.

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    1. We did our tree and lights and we feel it makes Dec and part of January so much cozier and for us..Team lights..and snow for Christmas:)

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  17. It's always sad to see an era in our lives ending, but there comes a time I suppose when all things come to an end. Change is always hard. You have catalogued your stay beautifully. What wonderful photos and your friend's artwork is amazing. It will be a lovely framed and a beautiful keepsake of a time in your life you both really enjoyed, along with your family. xoxo

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    1. It will I agree... and yes to everything there is a season.He's a wonderful artist!

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  18. I've enjoyed reading about your travels to FL over the years, and perhaps you can include the watercolors you did on this trip in a journal for a keepsake. Fingers crossed for a White Christmas, but the Farmer's Almanac is pointing to a green one. What do they know LOL.

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    1. I only painted Paris and Mtl people lol so I added them all to all my other ones..quite a compendium lol.Yes what the heck do they know?:)

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