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.