Who Needs Snowflakes…When You Have Seashells? December 30, 2023

As I drink my morning coffee, it is 40 degrees here in South Ponte Vedra Beach.  Yes, 40 degrees!  Downright freezing according to north Florida residents.  Heck, it’s 44 degrees in my home state of New Hampshire.  Somehow, this wasn’t what I had in mind when I was looking forward to donning my shorts and tee shirts on this trip.   They’ve been sitting untouched in my closet for 3 weeks. The entire month of December has been rainy, cloudy and cool.  There may be piles of seashells, but if the temps get any lower, we might just see snowflakes!

Last night we drove up to Jax Beach for the Deck The Chairs event.  That’s where I saw this sign about snowflakes and seashells.  Most folks, including me, were wearing winter coats as we strolled along viewing the decorated lifeguard chairs and listened to the song, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” playing in the background.  The hot chocolate line in the food tent rivaled the TSA line at the airport. Even though I wore 4 layers of clothing and put my sweatshirt hood up, I was so grateful to be there. 

Two years ago, we attended this event.  But that night, I was still battling a ligament problem in my right foot and was limping along through the aisles.  I had Paul drive around several times to make sure we got a parking spot that was close to the entrance. However, last year in early January, I had an appointment with a foot specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to address the issue.  After 4 years and 4 podiatrists (who misdiagnosed me and wanted to do neuroma surgery), this doctor properly diagnosed me and prescribed a boudin splint. I had no idea what it was, but I have been wearing it ever since.  It’s just a small pad with an elastic that goes around the toe and helps to straighten and cushion the area. It has taken a large amount of the pain away and I can finally keep a shoe on and walk a lot easier. This doc is named Ed, he is very tall and during our appointment, he talked of his love of surfing.  So now we affectionately call him Dr. Surfer Eddie.  Being able to be more mobile again is a gift I wasn’t sure I’d experience. 

Today has been house project day. The new refrigerator arrived.  Halleluiah!  And most of all, nothing went wrong during delivery.  I don’t know how much longer we could have survived stuffing our bags of salad, leftover containers, wine, and soft drinks in the mini fridge. And let’s face it, I need the wine. Before the delivery truck came, we pulled out the old refrigerator and when we saw how beat up the walls were, Paul decided to paint them. So much better. 

After that, we tackled the mess of beach paraphernalia our rental guests left behind.  I’m talking three umbrellas, four boogie boards, one Styrofoam cooler and 37 sand toys.  The next job I undertook was cleaning the swinging gate to our front door.  After a year of renters, housekeepers and workers entering and exiting our home, it needed several cleanings with a magic eraser.  Don’t you just love those?  Next, I will transfer the food from the mini fridge into the new, big fridge.  Then the question is, what do we do with the mini one?  Add that to the list. 

All in all, it’s been a good day.  So today, my scripture quote is going to be joyous, as I continue to feel fairly well and I am beyond thankful, grateful, appreciative and jubilant that I can walk on the beach, attend events and actually work on my home instead of being on the couch in pain.  Praise God!

They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. – Isaiah 35:10

Despite it being cold and windy, the sun is out and the waves are gently caressing the shore this day.  As one of the displays at Deck The Chairs said, “Embrace The Beach Life.”  I am doing just that.  And if we get a few snowflakes, at least we have our seashells.