Day Two Hundred Seventy Eight 2013

EVER LOVIN SATURDAY!






















A condo guy came and tied our balcony chairs and tables together this morning, but he didn’t put up the storm shutters. I’m taking that as a good sign that the storm has weakened. The weather was gorgeous today but really hot and humid. I think we all got a little red out there. The waves were still high and crashing into the shore. The surfer dudes were loving it. The beach chair guys set up the chairs/umbrellas so far inland that we were almost in the garage. This morning, we enjoyed playing in the pool where it was calm and the water was cold. This afternoon, the kids [big and small] enjoyed playing in the sand by the sea. I finished another book and took pictures of my toes in the sand. This evening, Elijah really wanted to eat at the Mellow Mushroom for supper, so we did. Right after we ordered, the lights went out. Everybody in there said, “Awww, man!” The electricity came back on, though, to delighted applause from all the patrons. We were devouring pizza when the lights went off again [“Awwww, man!” everyone groaned, especially those who didn’t have their pizza yet]. The electricity was off all up and down the strip, it seems [ours had gone out here at the condo, too, apparently ~ don’t know why]. Everybody had their cellphones lit up to eat by if you were lucky enough to have your meal already. It stayed off for quite some time, but we all applauded and yelled, “Yaaaay!” when it finally popped back on. Missed seeing the overtime in the Tennessee/Georgia game [and what a game it was!] but just as well since Tennessee lost by a field goal. Major bummer, but I love those charcoal gray uniforms. We dropped by the candy store, and the kids could not believe the massive display. Elijah was so overwhelmed by the choices, he couldn’t make a decision [he finally did]. Saturday at the beach ~ come and gone. Wish that storm would, too. Only not here.

“Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll. Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain. Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.”   ~Lord Byron

Day Two Hundred Seventy Seven 2013

The sea was angry that day, my friends - like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli. ~George Costanza,  Seinfeld ~ The Marine Biologist (1994)















Tropical storm/hurricane warnings for Destin Saturday night/Sunday probably all day. The sea is angry, indeed. The beach chair/umbrella guy got everything set up this morning, then kept having to move it all backwards and away from the surging tide which washed underneath and past our chairs, soaking towels and beach bags and everything in its path. The sky was blue and it was sunny hot and humid and we sat on the beach, reading and watching the angry waves crashing and rolling and splattering, eroding the beach with each surge. Kelly saw a big sea turtle in the waves this afternoon. The ‘don’t-even-think-about-swimming-in-this’ red flag was flapping its warning, but people did venture in, and this evening we saw surfers riding the waves and getting thrown off their boards, but they went back for more. The place we’re staying has notified everyone that they are going to put up the storm shutters tomorrow. They took down the umbrellas at the pool this morning and are stowing away anything that will go flying in high winds. I think Karen is supposed to arrive sometime Saturday evening/night. Daughter Holly, son in law Jerry and grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah arrived safely tonight around eight o’clock, tired but glad to be here in spite of the impending storm. Tonight, the tide is creeping closer to the condos. Neil and I are on the first floor above the garage. I hope we don’t get washed out to sea. We may have to hole up in Kelly and Kerry’s place on the eleventh floor. Sounds like fun, yes? No. Maybe. I hope it fizzles out, but in case it doesn't, wish us luck and keep us in your prayers for safe passage through the storm.

 



Day Two Hundred Seventy Six 2013

WAVE!

Red flag day at the beach ~ tropical storm and/or hurricane coming at us

The waves have been hard and fast, huge and relentless all day
  
The ocean is in turmoil and fascinating to watch ~ I took way too many pictures of the crashing waves today but I couldn’t help it

Things were calmer at the pool where Knox loves to hang out

Knox discovered the joy of the pool noodle ~ he had a great time floating around

We sat on the beach all afternoon and read and watched the crazy waves





I’m amazed these little stick-legged shore birds didn’t get washed out to sea




It was very warm today and we did enjoy plenty of blue sky but fierce wind ~ this is the only sunset picture I managed to take after the sky had already turned dark so it’s a bit blurry

We walked down to the Back Porch this evening and had dessert ~ Key Lime Pie for me and Kelly, cheesecake for Neil, and Kerry got this huge piece of orange cake with white chocolate frosting ~ tasted like sunshine on a plate ~ yum! The Kimbroughs climbed up in the big Adirondack chair outside the restaurant and posed for a family snapshot.

Neil and I got in the big chair, too [thanks for the picture, Kelly!]
My sweet niece Julia Foy is Sweet Sixteen today! We got to Face Time with her and wish her a long distance Happy Birthday which was great fun. Happy 16th, Julia!! We love you!!