A Different Life II

[Lily&Me]

There is a shell fairy in this campground.....

Someone who knows I am gathering shells to make candles, and who left for me on my picnic table a half dozen of the largest, most gorgeous and absolutely perfect scallop shells I have ever seen...which they apparently found somewhere around here.

Not from our beach, at least not in the mile or so that Lily and I peruse.

Sweet.


Maggie

[Hittenstiehl]

Shell Fairy sounds lovely. I can see the little shells on her wand as she flits about.

I like good actions "just because" they are one of the best kinds.

So a tangerine Fairy......
And a Shell Fairy.......

I know it sounds silly but it's things like this that make you know there are still a lot of good people in this world. It IS the little things that count.

[Lily&Me]

You are so right.

I have ordered some wicks, which will be here in a couple of days.

I will likely gift a few of these candles before I leave here.


Maggie

[switz]

Random acts of kindness goes a long way to better the health of the doer as well as the recipient of the act.

Anonymous is even better as one's ego does not get public recognition.

[Lily&Me]

I agree with the benefits of giving anonymously, tho it is also immensely gratifying to see smiles of delight and appreciation when you do something nice, and unexpectedly, for someone else.

Balance is good in all things.


I have slept off and appear to have successfully fought off whatever was trying to settle into me....cold, virus of some sort....but I am free of it, and it never became more than just a general feeling of unwell. .

I so rarely become ill from anything that I can't help but take careful stock of my symptoms, especially when they persist a day or two, to make sure nothing serious is happening....looking critically at known issues, reading up on complications, etc.

I pronounce an "all clear".

I have known of people who have had silent heart attacks, discovered years later as scar tissue.....I prefer not, thank you very much.

Lily and I had a long and early walk on the beach this morning....not the first ones out, with several others already returning with bags heavy with seashells, as we left. We found a few pretties, and it is enough.

Shelling is very good here, and even better if you are willing to drive or walk a long distance to other beaches.....where my anonymous donor undoubtedly found the huge scallop shells left for me yesterday.

Me, I'm happy with what I find here...and I have some beautiful shells.

I love to look at them, and their beautiful colors, and a small pile is being set aside to add to my rock bed at home.

Every time I go in or out my front door, I see reminders of beloved places.

A good thing.


Maggie

[ColoradoLady]

Maggie, I'm glad you fought off whatever was circling you recently. Nothing could end a trip quicker than 'catching something' that lays you low. You obviously have a strong immune system.

It appears there I more than a couple "fairies" around there.....also, a "candle fairy"!

I look forward to seeing some of your pretty creations this fall. Stay safe and healthy.

Deb and I watched the finale of Downton Abbey last evening. Nice to see how the writer brought it all together in such a positive way for all the characters. As you said...sad to see it end. It was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time...and in opposition to so much smut and violence presented on tv these days. Refreshing and clean. Shame there aren't more like that.

[Lily&Me]

I do have an outstanding immune system...due largely, I believe, to the supplements I have taken for many years at the direction of my beloved chiropractor/homeopath.

He is in his 80's and takes no prescription meds. Good enough for me.

I found the person who left the beautiful scallop shells for me yesterday....my neighbor who is in a UHaul travel trailer 50-60 years old, as I recall.

She goes miles down the beach to an inlet where huge, beautiful and intact shells can be found.....and promised to bring me some more.

I will reward her kind gesture with a candle made from the largest and prettiest.

We are having a near perfect day, warm and actually wind-calm enough that I sat outside for late coffee and to crochet this morning.

Also was able to unfurl my Sunbrella for our second beach walk a bit ago.

Life on the beach. Good to be here.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

72 outside, sunny and calm.

My neighbor brought me another sack of beautiful scallop shells....I have more shells than I know what to do with at this point. Have been weeding out and returning some to the shore...but, need to do more.

When I was out for water and to mail T's to the grands yesterday, went by Edisto Ace Hardware to pick up my glass percolator tops they had ordered for me last
Sunday.

They were in, but somewhere in the total, unpacked shipment, so I told them I would be back in a couple of days for them.

They called me this afternoon, had them.....and brought them directly to me so that I would not have to unhook et al to come back for them.

I love this place.


Maggie

[Hittenstiehl]

We "love it too" and haven't even been yet.

Great thing about this forum is that it's highly likely someone had been to a place your considering and can pass on great information.

Remembering where all that great info is, is something else.

[Lily&Me]

Two years ago today, I took my sweet hubby off life support, and he died 2 hours later.

I know for a fact that I am a better person for having known him, and for having had his love and presence in my life....and for that, I am grateful.

Rest in peace, honey.


Know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. ~Leo Buscaglia

[paiceman]

Prayers on this day for you and Lily.

Bud

[mimiandrews]

Prayers will be offered for you.

Anniversaries of sad events can be tough.

[cwf]

Miss Maggie...
Our prayers and peace to you especially today... And tomorrow...

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, folks.

For those who don't know, 2 years ago tomorrow I began the 975 or so mile drive home in the Interstate from Brunswick, GA....talking with Doug and planning his funeral in my head all the way there.

I drove it in 2 days, after dumping the holding tanks for the first time, ever. Yikes.

The overwhelming emotional support of the Airstream community here... thru this and since....has meant more to me than y'all will ever know, and I thank you.

We have had a long and fruitful walk on the beach already this morning....


Maggie

[PaulnGina]

God bless you, Maggie. May your day be filled with fond memories of Doug.
(I'd be the same way if "PaulnGina" suddenly became "Paul".)

I think you are extremely blessed because you got to experience "two become one". Gina and I are enjoying that phenomenon..... 13 years last month.


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

Blessed and highly favored

[Hittenstiehl]

Maggie,

I had just been looking back at the photo of Doug driving while Lily intently sat next to him.

You've come a long way, with Doug smiling and guiding your ways.

The only constant in life is change.

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, ladies.

We were indeed fortunate to be bonded, and soul mates.

Everyone doesn't get that, and there ain't nothin' quite like it.

I miss him every day, but am doing quite well, I think, remembering him saying so often..."death is a part of life, and we don't get to choose". He who had too much experience with the sudden death of people close to him...he knew.

I don't feel him as closely with me as this time last year, but then my need for him is not as intense, and I'm sure that figures in. It's been an experience I could have done without, but....


My shell fairy brought me more huge scallop shells yesterday, as did an accomplice of hers.

I will not even try to turn all of these into candles for Alumalina, so will have some to foist off onto Moraine View friends and others who may want them this summer.

My neighbor and her friends camping here....a group of women from around SC who have known each other all their lives ...also gathered up some Indian pottery pieces from the same inlet area, arrowheads and a nearly perfect spearhead...intact but for the piece that would have been lashed onto the spear. Wow.

There are a lot of folks here with golf carts, that some take down the beach to the gazillion shells inlet that is a good 1 1/2 miles or so away. A very long walk....with no bathrooms.

Might rent a cart next year for part of my stay.

We are off for a walk to drop off garbage and to the grocery store here.


Maggie

[ColoradoLady]

Maggie, you are in my thoughts today. My evening rosary will be dedicated to Doug and you. You were both truly blessed in finding each other. You are so correct....not everyone finds that special bonded relationship. God bless you. Evelyn.

[Jim Flower]

Some of my shells from Edisto and Saint George Island being watched over by a friend. The beach is guarded by this other fellow who was still there last time I was by. I think you have seen him before. Jim


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, Evelyn.

Your shells are so very neat and organized, Jim. I'm impressed.

You should see the rats nest of shells I have right now. I'm going to have to leave some of them behind....but not the big scallop shells, they will stay.

Yes, the dragon is still in place. I walk by him every day, and my selected spot for next year is near there.

It is warm and beautiful here, and the winds remain calm. Warm enough that I'm going to have to dive beneath the benches to pull out warmer weather clothing, as it's going to be near 80 later in the week.

I think the Microfleece is done for the season.

Three good walks today, two on the beach, and Lily is down for the count....tho someone near us walks a cat on a leash, which nearly makes her apoplectic every single time she gets a whiff of that cat.

Why a cat on a leash...I do not know.


Maggie