A Day In Southport

It's rare when I have four days off in a row, but I did, so Tony and I decided to use one of them for an adventure.

 

We decided to drive to Southport--one of  my favorite  places--to watch the water, the sailboats, the birds and visit a new restaurant, Oliver's.  Earlier this year, we went to Oliver's with Donna and Bob when it was open for only 17 days.  It was love at first bite.  The food was great.   The inside is all expensive wood, large windows and arches.  You can watch boats and birds fly by the windows. 

 

We started at Oliver's with a glass of wine.  From there, we walked around the water and out onto the pier.   It was fun to watch people casting their lines, hoping to catch "a big one!"

 

We met dog people--lots of them.  We met a lady named Deb and her three dogs.  One of them was Oliver, he was a rescue and quite afraid of people.  He let Tony get a little close but then retreated under the bench Deb was sitting on.  I didn't get that lucky, I spoke to him in low tones and gently reached out, but he was spooked and went back under the bench.  I can't stand to think of what people must do to dogs to make them so afraid.

 

We saw big dogs and little dogs enjoying the beautiful day.  After a short walk, we went back to Oliver's for appetizers of baked Brie, steak bites, oysters and wine. 

 

We finished the day at home by watching one of our art series--this one on the Louvre.  A perfect day!

 

Today, I went back to Dr. Kellerman because my left foot and leg have been swelling lately.  He ordered an  ultrasound to check for blood clots, as I have had them before.  I got the results before I even got home.  No clots, but I need to go see a Rheumatologist now (not sure if I spelled that one right!!)   More doctors, no answers. 

 

So today wasn't that great, but yesterday, a day in Southport, was priceless!!

 

 

The Oliver's sign against a beautiful sky

Sea birds and sky swirls

Way, way out there is Bald Head Island--we're going to go there one day

 

Testing a new Chard

Alfred Hitchcock could have filmed "The Birds" here!

Oh yeah, you think you know what kind of dog this is...well, the owner said it was a German Shepherd who was under the weather!  OK, you win, it's a poodle!  NOT!

 

The birds line up on the roof ready to swoop for food!

 

 

 

June Stuff

Well, once again, another month is in the home stretch.  June is a beautiful month no matter where you live.  We have had some hot, hot days, but mostly breezy, fresh and warm days. 

 

The Compass Pointe Golf Course officially opened and Tony has been playing more frequently.  And, after 5 years of retirement, he took a part time job at the course.  He is a starter, the person who checks you in keeps track of who is on the course and an Ambassador, the people who politely tell you to put some "hurry up" in your game because other people are waiting. 

 

Tony, Marie and the kids came up last weekend and "the men" played the course.  Unfortunately, the Swegle golf trophy moved from Leland to Charlotte, as Tony Jr. bested Tony by one shot.  It was a tough one to lose. 

 

While they were doing that, Marie and I took the kids to a place called, "The Power of Play."  It's an indoor activity place for kids.  Coleton and Anthony had a good time playing on the sliding board (Anthony had no fear) and riding bikes.  There were see/saws, a climbing wall, various forts and buildings that you had to climb up and slide down.  For those less inclined to climb, there was  a play kitchen, grocery store, doctor's office, house and places to play with building blocks.  It was a fun place.

 

We all went out to dinner to a sports bar downtown and then walked around the water.  It was a full day for the kids...who am I kidding, it was a full day for me, too!

 

I had to work, so Tony & the "kids" took their kids to the beach.

 

All too soon it was time for them to go back to Charlotte.  Coleton just melted my heart when he said, "Momo, when Papa comes to visit me, you have to come too."  So often I am working and have to stay home.  I didn't think he noticed that I wasn't there, but he did.  That was nice to hear.

 

And so, next week, we are meeting up with my friend, Nada, from Cleveland, who will be vacationing in the area with her family--can't wait for that. 

 

Also next week, it's back to the doctor for me.  The pain in my side is back and my left leg/foot are swelling--not sure why on either thing. I'm tired of being sick and once again, hope to find some magic pill or relief with this doctor's visit. 

 

The wedding is just three and a half months away and we are looking forward to that. 

 

Here is June, so far, in pictures:

 

Tony, ready for work!

 

 

The "Three Men and a Bond" Trophy, enjoying life in Leland. 

 

Tony Sr, admits defeat by one stroke....

But apparently isn't happy about losing the trophy!

 

One of the many forts at Power of Play

The kids play in the block room

Anthony doing laps

 

Coleton on the see/saw

Coleton says to Anthony, "You're too little to climb this fort..."

To which Anthony said...."Oh yeah?  Watch this!"  He has no fear

 

 

Coleton doing laps

Notice the faces....Coleton wanted the left seat....Anthony beat him too it and wasn't letting go!

If Coleton slides...Anthony slides

But thank goodness that Mommy was on hand to catch

 

The sea faring Swegles

Luvin the beach

Playing tag with the tide

A fun day for all

Good-bye, beach

 

Our "signature" hole at the Compass Pointe Golf Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Child Is 40 Today

There is a line in one of our favorite movies, "The Patriot," where Heath Ledger is arguing with his father about being too young to join the military during the Revolutionary War.  He says to his movie father, Mel Gibson, "I'm not a child."  To which Mel strongly responds, "You're my child."

 

My child is 40 today.   OK, the number 40 and the word, "child," may not necessarily go together, but like Mel said, your child is your child no matter how old they are.  

 

But Jenna wasn't always 40.   At one point, Jenna was that little girl with the red scalp and the "duck tail" piece of hair at the back of her neck.   "Isn't he cute," old ladies would say at the grocery store. 

She was the little girl who used to call fish, "she-shes."

And she was the baby in the "pumpkin seat" who used to laugh hysterically when Fritz and I played cards and we would split and shuffle the cards so they made a cracking sound.

She was the toddler who used to call me, "Muzzer," as in my mother telling her,   "wait till your mother gets home...."

But, mostly,  I remember the little girl who liked to sing. 

One of her favorite songs was "Sunrise/Sunset," from "Fiddler on the Roof." I can remember clearly her standing and singing,

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
 
I don't remember grown older
When did they?
 
And then, her favorite part...
 
"Some rise, some sit."

And at that point, she would rise or sit down, depending on where she was in the song.   I can't listen to that song without singing...."some rise, some sit."

Another favorite was from "Annie."  Jenna loved the song, "Tomorrow," and would sing it joyfully.
 
The sun will come out tomorrow
 
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be some,
 
Just thinkin' about tomorrow, clears away the cow webs and the sorrow, til there's numb.  

But my favorite song was one we sang in a church program when Jenna was really, really little.  To me, this song summed up our early life after Bill died:

You and me against the world,
Sometimes it feels like you and me against the world.
When all the other turn their backs and walk away,
You can count on me to stay.

Remember when the circus came to town
And you were frightened by the clown,
Wasn't it nice to be around someone that you knew
Someone who was big and strong and looking out for you.

You and me against the world, sometimes it feels like you and me against the world

And for all the times we've cried, I always felt that God was on our side.

And when one of us is gone,
And one of us is left to carry on,

Then remembering will have to do,

Our memories alone will get us through

Think about the days of me and you,

You and me against the world

(Voice of a young child....)   Sing it again, Mommy

No matter how many times I sang that song to her, she always said, "sing it again, Mommy." 

 

My child is 40 today.  She is a wonderful wife and mother, creative, determined and focused on the well being of her family. 

 

WOW....my child is 40 today.