Summertime And The Livin’ Is Easy….
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
And you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky”
The Captain and I took time out to celebrate our wedding anniversary and decided to go to the Islands…. to the beach for a few days.
No, we didn’t go very far…didn’t go to the Bahamas or even Key West!
We hopped into our car and drove 30 minutes to Sanibel/Captiva Islands.
Yep! We don’t have to go far to feel we have gone far!
Does that make sense?
Okay.
The white sandy Beaches….
One might say that as hot as it has been, …a hot beach is the least likely place to go and you would be pretty much on target.
Unless, Unless you are sitting in the water with big brimmed hat sipping on a cold drink that is constantly being refreshed by a waiter!
But that didn’t happen either.
That only happens in the movies to the rich and famous.
(Think of the Movie “10” from years ago with Dudley Moore, Bo Derek and Julie Andrews, where the sand is so hot, the waiter carries Dudley Moore on his back out into the water where the waiter keeps refreshing his drinks.)
I still laugh and think of that scene anytime I walk on very hot sand.
Hot Potato! Hot Potato! LOL!!!!
However, the Captain and I decided that as long as we were together, it didn’t matter if it was hot or cold, we would make the best of the weather conditions.
So we stayed in a Gulf of Mexico, beach front resort, with a very short one minute walk to the beach.
The view from our screened in lanai was beautiful. There were two large slider doors, one from the master and one from the living room.
We loved sitting in the loungers reading as the ceiling fan whirred softly above us…or sitting at the small table munching on cold snacks….
…..watching the action on the beach….as we listened to the waves hitting the shoreline.
(Actually, that was about the only sound(s) we heard, as we never once turned on any of the three televisions….
…..It was a two bedroom, two bath, with kitchen, dining and living room condo)
And no, there is no mickey D’s on the island…the drinks were bought just before we left the Cape. LOL
Plus, we were on the end, in a more secluded unit with a pool below and to the right of us.
Yes, we made the customary walk to the white sandy beach…hand in hand…there is nothing as wonderful as a warm evening stroll on a moonlit beach….dressed in a pretty sundress, carrying my sandals in one hand and my honey’s hand in the other.
But mostly, we stayed in the condo….and observed.
I don’t know about you, but over the years I have been fortunate to not only participate in such events, but I can also “relive” those events as if I am going through them again.
Let’s see if I can explain.
I don’t have to walk out in the hot, hot sun and lay on the sand and cool off in the ocean, only to repeat the process over and over again.
I have memories of doing that, and it is enough for me.
I can close my eyes and feel that experience.
Instead, I can sit on the lanai and close my eyes and smile, as I relive our experiences at the many different beaches we have been fortunate to visit.
AND, it allows me to focus on all things around me.
The duck visiting the swimming pool every evening……
…….and the rabbits playing and foraging in the lawn.
And the endangered loggerhead turtles that are nesting on the beaches this time of year.
There was also a little bird’s nest in a black olive tree just outside our condo and the mother fearing nothing… would bring “food” to the little hungry mouths!
The “babies” were fairly large and I am sure, just about ready to flee the nest.
And I thought of the lyrics to the song “Summertime” that I shared above.
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
And you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky”
Philippians 4:11 ESV
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Wait a minute! I’m neither rich nor famous but have spent much of this week floating on a raft in the lake with a big brimmed hat and occasionally a drink! Happy anniversary, my friend. Your photos are so beautiful. And your accommodations lovely. I know what you mean about how you don’t always have to repeat an experience. Sometimes, even though it would be fun, you might like to, circumstances don’t permit and so you do something equally lovely and just remember! I haven’t been to Sanibel since I was a kid but I remember it being a lovely spot — probably far less inhabited than now! What a grand time!
oh Jeanie…what fun you are….I can picture you now. Does Rick wade out to freshen your drink? LOL As a child, we had a medium sized lake near our farm…and we loved putting on hand me down swimsuits and grabbing old black innertubes (remember those?) and floating around that lake….sigh …those were what we refer to as the good old days. You are right about the islands changing from quiet beaches to wall to wall houses, condos and hotels…altho, Hurricane Ian leveled some of them. There used to be a quaint old Florida motel that was turned into a old Florida resort (think 1940-ish) that one of our friends had a time share in and it was completely destroyed. We used to visit them there when we first moved to Florida and I shed a tear or two when we went back over there and saw these big gaping hole where it used to sit. They will probably put up a huge modern hotel….yuck. thanks for stopping by my friend. 🥰🌸
A beautiful ocean visit! You both have so much fun! Happy Anniversary! (Belated)
I live the ocean breeze and salt air. I also love seeing it from afar. I love the water just not the sand. Lol!
I enjoyed your post again.
Nancy the sand can be a pain for sure which is why I like to watch from afar. LOL You my friend have the best of both worlds with your two lovely homes. thanks for stopping by…
Hi Kari, I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I am just like you, sit on the balcony and watch the waves break and look back on memories made when we were younger. I used to love the beach and I still think the Gulf has the most beautiful beaches and water. I just prefer it from a little distance now. Isn’t it funny how we change as we get older. I just read my original comment, I think I am repeating myself! I think that is also what we do as we become more mature. Thank you, my friend
I agree with you 100% Pam…we mature as we get older and learn to appreciate what we all took for granted in our younger years. I have a new & quiet sense of self these days and love to sit back and admire God’s creation(s). Each new day we are blessed with life and now we have the time to show our appreciation and give God the much deserved praise. thanks for stopping by…again…. my sweet friend. hugs🥰
What a wonderful trip Kari! And wonderful memories afterward. You two sound like you have so much fun together, and isn’t that the best kind of partnership!? Thanks for sharing it with us! 💛
Yes Barb…we do enjoy being together and sharing things like sunrises and sunsets. I am thankful we are aging at the same time if you know what I mean. We think and act alike. Thanks for stopping by…and stay cool and enjoy the summer. hugs🥰
What a fun and peaceful way to celebrate your anniversary! It’s such a blessing to be content and enjoy life as it unfolds. Wishing you many more happy years together dear friend.
Thanks Sandra….
Kari, Happy (belated) Anniversary. Mr. P. & I just came back from a week in your neck of the woods (sort of, Naples). We enjoyed great weather – sunny, breezy days – and low crowds (the week after Memorial). It was refreshing, to say the least, just to sit and read by the pool, under the huge umbrellas, catching up on umpteen magazine subscriptions since March. Once when we were exiting the ocean waters and the uneven shoreline, with small waves causing us to teeter like toddlers (or, more appropriately, like old people), I chuckled, thinking of Bo Derek walking up the shore so gracefully in that movie 10. We saw at least 6 turtle nests right on the beachfront of our resort, and many more along the 2.5 mile stretches we walked most days.
It’s good to get away, but also good to be home now and be able to start fresh, focusing on the new home. The memories will certainly last.
Oh Rita, my friend…So close but so far away…I should have asked where you would be…(for some reason, I thought you would be in the panhandle) …anyway, we could have met for lunch or something.
We are in Naples a lot as we have three flip houses and one being built that we check on regularly. 🙁 maybe next time. 🙂
If you are like me…I LOVE the low crowds, and spending time alone can be a good thing. 😉
It is always good to get home after a trip, and as you said…making new memories that last a lifetime.
Perhaps it is the re-energizing we get on a relaxing vacation that takes us home all ready to tackle any project with renewed enthusiasm….but what ever it is, there is no place like home…as Dorothy said in “The Wizard of Oz” ! So, I know you are working diligently on your home. I can only imagine the huge change and excitement in down sizing. I can’t wait to see photos of your decorating…Your other home was so beautifully decorated, and now this new adventure. What fun.
Thanks for stopping by, hugs always.
Me
Happy Anniversary! It looks like you 2 had a great time! And how funny to see the duck in the swimming pool! Our anniversary is July 4th and I’m hoping we get to head to the beach for a bit. We have company coming in on the 7th, but I will want to plan a little get away. Of course, the beaches in Alabama and Florida or 12 hours away, but who’s counting, right??!! 🙂 Love and hugs sweet friend!
Happy Upcoming anniversary to you my friend…I believe we all need to get away if it is only a few miles from our home.
I say relax and enjoy the summer…love and hugs
Happy Anniversary! I am like you, I have all the memories, and now I can sit on the balcony and remember and just observe! Looks like a perfect getaway!
You get me Pam…and you always have. I can just close my eyes and feel everything, right up to the water dripping off as I exit the Gulf….and the hot sand under my feet. We are definitely kindred spirits. Hugs and Love.
Sounds like a lovely trip! Taking in the ocean breezes and just relaxing is such a delight!
Happy Anniversary!
So true Nancy….thanks for the anniversary wishes….some times we just need to re-energize with a little R & R. Hugs my friend.
thanks Jenna…it was fun. hugs
Happy Anniversary! Love the beaches in that area, as well as Siesta Key! I have great memories when we were at them all.
thanks Carol…there are some great beaches in SW Florida…thanks for stopping by and sharing memories.
Happy Anniversary Kari, it sounds wonderful!
Jenna
thanks Jenna…it was fun. hugs