dunelight

I truly believed 2018 was going to be my Annus Horribiles. Apparently it’s not done with me.

I apologize for quietly withdrawing when things get tough. I worked hard to overcome physical handicaps and then get broadsided by other ailments.

Surgery today to repair a shoulder. I will need that shoulder because..well..wheelchair. It’s coming back into my life. I am lucky, very lucky. I worked hard to make a lot of that luck.

This is me after my first brain surgery:

I’ve had a second. This summer is about ‘breaking and rebuilding’ my feet. That’s why I need the shoulder, to roll the chair.

I just haven’t been able to face things with a proper frame of mind. It’s time to focus inward.

Friends and family lining  up for Port St. Joe Florida’s Mardi Gras (2018):

I LOVE this family of girls and proud Papa.

Below, she’s working a Mae West vibe here, isn’t she? It’s great!

Besties:

Organising and visiting:

On Main Street the beads and candy fly:

Here’s that family of girls again:

Beads:

Beads:

BEADS!

This was the best day. I’m a northerner and I’d never seen how the south does Mardi Gras. I LOVED it. We went bar hopping after the family friendly parade. It was marvelous and a year later these photos still bring me joy. I hope they brighten your day.

I’ve had a lovely five weeks on a Barrier Island with little to very low bandwidth. It has been fairly laid back; the zen of being on an island in the off season.

One of the things I like about ‘Old Florida’ are the singular beach huts that abounded along old tourist trails. Disney copies this look but the soul is missing for there is nothing like an original from the glory days of road trips and tourist traps.

This is Pam’s paradise, her store, the Beach Trader. She has added on to this shop over the years and over time regulars have returned to gift her with singular works of art ranging from portraits to metal works.  Below is the owner, Pam, next to a cherished gift from a regular customer.

She used to live in her old tricked out airstream but following Hurricane Michael has downsized inventory, moved in to the back room of the shop and plans to rent out the airstream. She is a short block from the bay and should easily find guests.

I love her shell gardens. The more you stand and look the more tropical sea trinkets you see.

Inside is everything your inner beach-going child could possibly need. It’s all there, right next to ‘outsider art’ made by locals.

You can find Pam’s singularly marvelous slice of Paradise just west of Carrabelle on Highway 98 in Florida’s ‘Forgotten Coast’. Hurry. This ‘old Florida’ is rapidly giving way to condos, high-rises and Disneyfication.