Baby Shark

After 8 years of being in North Carolina, I still am in awe of the beauty of the ocean.   We went to the beach last week and enjoyed not only the weather, but the sights and sounds.  

I watched a man with two fishing poles trying to cast a net for what Tony called "bait fish."  We saw a young man surfing on one of those small, oblong boards along the edge of the water.  When we first arrived, he was having difficulty getting on the board, but soon, he was jumping on it and skimming through the water.   We saw dogs, birds, people who should have been wearing skimpy bathing suits and those who should not. 

This time, we even saw a young man in a hat with a feather and what appeared to be a velvet medieval costume.  Some people asked him why he was dressed that way and he replied that he just wanted to make a spectacle of himself and get reactions from people.  It worked.  

As always, it was a nice time and full of fun.  

One of the highlights of the visit came as we were getting ready to leave.  The man that spent the day casting finally caught a fish.  That was the good news.  The bad news was that he caught a baby shark.  

That caused a bit of excitement as the children on the beach ran over to see it.  They were afraid it was going to bite their toes, but still wanted to touch it.  While the man was getting something to cut the hook out of the shark's mouth, a woman kept the shark cool and well watered and explained how the shark had to stay in water to breathe.  

If you haven't heard the song, "Baby Shark," you have to find it and listen to it.  I guarantee, it will get you moving!

After telling the kids about the shark and letting them get a good look at it, the man put it back in the ocean.  One day, it will be a big shark.  If we run into it again, I hope it remembers that we all were kind to it!

Here are some pictures of our day:

Getting ready to cast

Easy flight

Checking out the "tourists" on his beach.  I call this bird watching!

Getting ready to jump on the board. 

 I love the tension in his fingers. 

 You can almost see his heart racing.

And he's on......

And there he goes, down the beach...

A pirate?  

Even surfer guy stopped to check this out!

Uh OH, something is on the line....

Here comes the baby shark

Getting closer, but still fighting

Small, but a mighty fighter

He's tired

He's out of the water, but not for long

The fisherman puts him back in the water to rest

The hook has to come out before the shark 

can go back into the ocean

Thrashing while waiting for the hook to be removed

At rest

 

Getting ready to have the hook taken out

Baby shark is frowning, but he's glad to have the hook removed

  

The fisherman tells the kids why he is releasing the baby shark....

Run Away, do-do-do-do-do, Run Away, Baby Shark......

  

New Toy, New Plans

Our Labor Day plans have changed thanks to Hurricane Dorian.  Just like last year with Florence, travel is dangerous and supplies like water and gas are low or gone in many areas of Florida, so David, Brenda and Alex aren't coming up to see us.  David said that watching the progress of a hurricane is like being stalked by a turtle.  How true.  

Although I am disappointed not to be seeing Alex (and David and Brenda too, but she is cuter!) I understand that with the  uncertainty of the hurricane, now isn't the time to be travelling unless you are evacuating. 

It's ironic that a big part of Dorian was originally aimed at Florida, but now it may go up the coast and hit us and even Tony Jr.  That's what you get when you live in Florida and the Carolina's.   We are not really concerned at this point, but Tony did get extra gas for our generator just in case. 

Hurricane Florence interrupted our trip to the Outer Banks last year so we have rescheduled for the second week of September.  We are looking forward to relaxing and seeing the sights.  I'm hoping to get some good pictures as well. 

Since I can't take pictures of Alex with my new camera, I've been wandering around the back yard and in the development taking pictures.  We are going to the beach today (and I will be wrapped up like a mummy) so hopefully, the fish will be jumping and the birds will be swooping!

Here are some of the pictures I have taken so far:

A beautiful sky in our back yard

 

Just as pretty in the front

Flowers in the front

Water tipping the funnel at the lazy river

Water hitting the surface of the lazy river 

 

Water in slow motion hitting the surface

Dixie was annoyed that I didn't include her in the last blog....

Taking it easy

A grasshopper on the screen 

A garden spider on the side of the house

Flowers at the entrance of Waterford Development

Alex.  I didn't take this picture, but I love it!

Cleveland Rocks!

We are back from Cleveland and getting ready to host the Lakeland Swegle's for Labor Day.  I'm guessing ribs and potato salad--at least I hope so!

The Cleveland trip was fantastic.  We had so many things to do and people to see that I had to create an Excel spreadsheet to keep dates and times straight.  It's not that we are that popular, we are old and need help remembering.

We started our visit with a group birthday dinner.  Bob's birthday is August 11, Donna's birthday is August 13, and mine is August 20.  We went to Glenn Willow Grill, which is a favorite of ours.  Tony got me a new camera, which I just love and can't wait to capture more memories with it. 

What a great looking group...Donna, me, Tony, Rose

Chris, Shannon, Emma and Bob

Emma will be making her first communion next year so this group will have another event to celebrate.  

Next up was sister lunch, or as we are calling it now, "Sista" lunch.  If you've been following the blog, that will make sense to you.  It's always good to get together and harass Lynn.  Fritz took us to AJ's Urban Grill in Westlake.  Since Fritz was on crutches, they gave us a nice table where she could stretch out her "bad" foot (bye, bye bunion!)  As usual, we talked about growing up and things going on in our lives now.  Fritz and I lost contact a while ago.  Life was just too busy and we drifted away.  Recently, we have reconnected and I'm so glad we did.  We have picked up right where we left off and text/talk almost everyday now.  Sometimes goofy stuff, sometimes just talking in general. Like I've always said, Fritz is a hoot!

This is not from our most recent lunch, it's from several years ago,

but I couldn't resist the "Sista's" tag!

Old or young, we always seem to end up in the same order!

And then, finally, the main event.  Seeing the grandkids.  I couldn't get over how much they have changed and grown.  As I said in an earlier blog, Ben was in Seattle, celebrating his birthday, but we got his phone number from Jon and actually got to talk to him for a few minutes.  The reception was really bad, but it was so good to hear his voice.  We have exchanged a few texts and that makes me happy.  He will be 13 on August 29.  We should include him in our August group birthday celebration!!

We met Jon, Sam, Ellie and Zach for pizza and in general goofyness.  It was so much fun to see them laugh and mess around.  The Purdum's got me a beautiful wind chime for my birthday.  It has a bird on top and makes a really pretty sound. 

Sam and Zach play war while we wait for pizza

Ellie  being pretty

Sam showing off his bangin' hair moves

Future Rock Star

Zach finally wins at war!

Ellie take on Papa at arm wrestling!

  

Ellie showing off her fierce, girl power after she takes down Papa!

Sam isn't as powerful...Papa wins this round!

But, they both work together to win!  Papa gives up!

My beautiful wind chime, hanging outside of the lanai

The next day, I met Gordon for drinks at Eddie's Creekside Restaurant.  One thing you have to say about going to Cleveland, we sure eat and drink alot!  Tony spent time with Rose and Donna.  I'm guessing they busted on each other just like we did at "Sista" lunch. 

After that, our niece, Shannon and I met a friend of mine from Key (where Shannon also works.)  Krysten was able to give Shannon some Key career advice and we had a nice time comparing "kid" photos, experiences and memories.  

And then, the next day, I turned 67.  Boy does that number look old!  Fritz, Steve and Joe had us over for dinner and a surprise birthday cake and presents.  I must say, I made out like a bandit for my birthday!!  After that, Fritz, Joe and I washed the kitchen floor!  (Inside joke!!)

I haven't had a birthday cake since Jenna got me one

 way back when we lived in Strongsville.  This was so nice!

Yes, they are!

This was an unexpected gift from Joe to Tony and I for his 

visit with Fritz in July.  So not necessary, but so very nice!

I also fit in shopping time with Donna while Tony spent some time with Rose and Joe.  Bob and I shared some quiet reading time while everyone was at church--that was probably the most relaxing time of the visit.  

We went to see Sarah and Steven's house very quickly and hope to spend more time with them next year.  

All too soon, it was time to go home.  My birthday continued as I got a coffee cup decorated with Coleton, Anthony, Owen and Alex as well as some new pictures of Alex and some nice cards. 

Here's my  new coffee mug with our beautiful grandchildren!

Side 2!!

And so, that was our trip.  It was fun, funny, busy, happy, goofy and wonderful.  Can't wait to go back.