Patience is a Virtue

I admit, I'm not a patient person. Actually, a more accurate description would be that I don't like not being able to be in control, even if it's only in my mind. While at the beach this past week, I ran across a smallish conch shell that had been taken over by a hermit crab. I took it as my personal mission to attempt to get a decent picture of the creature. MUC and GLB were busy playing in the surf, and I carefully positioned the shell with the sun at my back. And there I sat, in the sand, waiting.


And waiting.

And waiting.

I was finally rewarded with tentative forays by the crab, only to watch in amused frustration as the crab decided he'd rather take a trek to the dunes than back to the shoreline.

So, up I pop, trusty point-and-shoot POS camera in hand, trying like mad to get a decent shot.

The crab, without ever showing more than some leg, got himself oriented toward the surf and took off. I hit the beach like it was D-Day at Normandy and snapped as quickly as the point-and-shoot would let me. I know my SIL, who was playing with the boys in the ocean must have thought I had lost my mind.

But, it was worth it, because when it was all said and done, I actually got a photo worthy of the sand, salt, wind and grit in odd places.

I still want a decent camera, though.

No animals or shell or sensitive body parts were hurt in the shooting of the photos for this blog entry. I'm still not sure how I got the weird rash on my torso.

The Weather Is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful

The extended family just got back from a week of beaching at our favorite site of salt, sand and sun: Tybee Island.

Despite my moaning and groaning and general complaining about my little point and shoot camera, I toted it around with me everywhere and took pictures. Some of them are even decent and don’t involve my children, MUC or GLB or my niece, Gracie Girl.

I usually go on and on ad nauseum about Tybee’s quirky and laid back atmosphere, but Tybee does have the more traditional southern coastal isle charm and visages as well. From the sand and surf to the historic lighthouse and Fort Pulaski, it is possible to have a ‘normal’ beach vacation.

But, what’s the fun in that?

Life's A Beach

I love the beach. And, I love Tybee Island. It's weird, quirky, laid back persona fits me perfectly. You've got to love a place where fine dining and flip flops aren't on opposite ends of the spectrum. If I could, I'd be one of those people who sells painted shell art on the roadside to tourists during the season. Since I have children who require regular feedings, I don't think that will happen any time soon, but a girl's got to have a goal.




Early every June, my friends from college and I go to Tybee as part of a girls only R&R weekend. It's a LONG weekend, and we love it. There are generally 6 of us, but this year, life caught up with some of the others, and they weren't able to make it. Even though our numbers were cut in half, we had a great time.

One of my friends, 'Sarge', is a practially a professional sunbather. She's been doing this since before I knew her, and I learned quickly that to hang with her on the beach all day meant me and my fair-skinned Scotch-Irish skin would have to learn some major beach coping skills. As a result, I usually have a huge umbrella, floppy hat, and sunscreen with an SPF of about 75 while Sarge coats herself with spray Pam and flakes out all day. This isn't new...we're used to it. As a matter of fact, I jokingly asked Sarge where the baby oil with iodine was, as she now lives very close to the Redneck Riverea with her husband, The Colonel. I was quickly told that was 'cheating'. Dr. Lucy also attended, and surprised us by deciding to pre-tan this year. Smart chick. Of course, I give her all kinds of grief for not having a 'real' job. She only has to work a couple of days a week at a chi-chi private college, although that's probably going to change to a more normal schedule next year. We're talking college here though, so the schedule is still one of those variable things.


We spent most of our time retelling past stories, solving the world's problems and generally being lazy, rum-soaked (or beer-soaked) sun goddesses. I don't think any of us would have it any other way.

Tourin' Tybee's Turtles

At a recent girls' weekend at the beach, I took the time to shoot some pictures of the Tybee Turtles.

Like most of Tybee, these turtles are quirky and fun. And, as is usual when my friends and I get together, there were moments of peril and danger getting these photos. Here are bits and pieces of the over 150 pictures I took of about half the turtles. (Don't ask).

Ms. T, the official mascot of the tour. I absolutely love the colors on the shell and this photo doesn't do them justice. The chains around her neck are a real cool touch as well.

He Ain't Heavy

Mermaid Bareback Rider

And, some of my personal favorites....

Captain Jack, complete with compass and medallion. The back of his shell is also painted with the Black Pearl.

Terra Turtle, which has the phases of the moon, and a day and night side. Loved this one. She also has a solar powered light system that spotlights her at night. Very cool.

Obviously, I have many more, as this doesn't come close to 150 photos. There's more to come, and I'm waiting until I get the rest of them (about 10) before I put it all together. My absolute favorite? The Gullah inspired Ma Cootah, which is the first photo above. I'm saving the better photos of her for another day. The second photo is a close up of the turtle actually on the property where we stayed.

And, these are just the turtles. I haven't even begun to talk about all the other photos I took that weekend.