The parade had been canceled due to weather – rain and strong winds.
Our granddaughter was leaving that afternoon to go back to the Unversity of Lynchburg, Va.
So we made an early trip to NMB with her to take in the parade and see some vendors.
Everyone was throwing candy – shirts – hats – beads!
It was a fun time – and lasted over an hour!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
They drove down from Lake Holiday – Cross Junction – Winchester Va.
Ella had come home from Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
at the start of her spring break.
Whereas a Freshman – she started on the college soccer team at midfield.
We were excited as it would be the first time for them in the new house.
Debby’s youngest – Sarah – fifteen years old –
stayed home with her father – Mike – as she was not yet on spring break.
They as a family are planning on coming down in June after all are out of school.
While visits seem to go by so fast – just not enough time to show them everything.
The upside is they loved where we live and will return.
Maddy wanted to walk the beach and see the ocean one last time before she went back to college.
The parade had been canceled the previous week because of the strong wind and rain.
So – this time our granddaughter Maddy was here but she had to leave in the afternoon –
So we drove to North Myrtle Beach so she could enjoy a few hours of just plain fun –
and take her last walk and see the ocean before she left.
Here Shery and Maddy walk out to the ocean at the main street entrance to NMB.
Hundreds of vendors were set up – food – drink – items for sale.
Coffee for our early morning walks around town viewing the vendors before the thousands of people show up.
We did not carry chairs – and we had front row seats sitting on a towel on the curb.
The parade lasted one hour – and was quite colorful in green and white and orange!
It was a great four-plus hour spending time with our granddaughter before driving back to the house.
Sad to pack her up to leave in the early afternoon – but we had her entire spring break with us.
We took Maddy – our granddaughter out for a late lunch – early dinner – all the while watching the boats!
This is one of our favorite places to take visitors!
This sits on the backside of Eastern Ocean Isle Beach – and to the left is Holen Beach.
Since Maddy has turned twenty-one last year – she now can order a drink with us.
Everyone seems to serve these like in the North – you get rolls!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog my contact: fitztdf@aol.com
This sits right on the river which the big casino boats use to go out onto the ocean.
There are thousands of shells hanging from all the trees and bushes.
We have taken all the grandkids here and they all have hung shells.
While here – she was out the door by 6:00 am. to go to SUNSET BEACH –
spread her towel out and get some fantastic pictures of the sunrise and the high tide.
And then – for her training for college soccer – ran four miles on the beach!
She then set up her camera and video-taped herself taking an icy plunge into the surf!
Love her spirit!
She chooses to spend her week-long Spring Break with us –
And was quite happy not to go off with friends.
BONDING WITH MADDY!
She – like her grandma – is drawn to the surf and ocean.
Environmental Science is her major with a minor in Photography.
She has an eye for taking nature photos!
When Maddy arrived – the next day we took her on one of our walks.
Diane – our neighbor went with us and it had just rained.
We walked our three-plus miles – showing where she could run her four miles
that she runs to keep in shape for soccer.
It was a beautiful day – after the downpour and the sun came out.
We had told her we had a couple gators in our pond –
although we have only ever seen one at a time.
We were standing along the trail and looking for the gator – after the rain, the water level was up.
The gator usually is in the middle on a raise of land and weeds.
We could not see it and all of a sudden in a very quiet voice –
MADDY says “It’s right there” pointing down the bank and to the water!
We had never seen it anyplace other than the middle!
As soon as I took the picture – it flipped over and into the water and started swimming away.
We were all surprised and jumped as it flipped into the water.
Maddy had her first sighting of a gator here in N.C. and a close one at that!
After our walk was over – we went home and on the back patio, I started a fire in the SOLO STOVE!
Maddy and her family always do campfires.
We have been picking up dead branches and pine combs to burn –
while also buying firewood bundles.
There is also a lot of throw-away construction pieces that we have gathered.
I only burn it on special occasions and this was one.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livingmylifedoingitmyway.blog contact: fitztdf@aol.com
When I gaze at people – objects – pictures – I see something to write about.
I do not know if this is a common thing with others
but with me – when I write a blog – I have no idea what it will be until I look at a photo.
Then it just pops into my mind and I start.
She was a little spitfire – always running – but when smaller – if she wanted down –
she would start squirming in your arms and you get the feeling you would drop her.
Today – she is fast – and very talented – she makes things from watching YOUTUBE!
But here I see the kind heart – the one who calls her MORMOR to talk.
The one who knows exactly when you will arrive and when you will leave.
I see stories to be told about her – in my mind –
My greatest inspiration to write – was my wife – who encouraged me to write it all down.
So – today – you read what I write –
A journal of our lives – daily – so that those coming in the future know what and who we were.
Thank you for reading my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
She drove herself five hours from Lynchburg Va. – her University – to spend her break with us!
She had a test in the morning of the day she started out – but she and Sherry wanted to see the beach.
It was cool out – a cold front had come in from Florida all the way North to N.E.
And the wind made for a chilly walk in the blowing sand.
Here you can see a deserted beach and how the sand blows across it – stinging your eyes.
It was worth the time to take her to both beaches – to relax after her five-hour drive –
the crazy world of college and tests – maintaining an almost 4.0!
And grandma had her eldest granddaughter once again in her home!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD, a place to just rest your thoughts and enjoy the day.
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
She chooses to spend her Spring Break with us –
this will be the first time she has been to our new home in N.C.
She is 21 years old and a Junior at the University of Lynchburg – in Va.
Her major is Engineering Science.
GPA of almost 4.0.
She excels in soccer and has played all three years in college.
As a Sophomore, she was third-team all-conference –
As a Junior this year she was selected to the second-team all-conference.
This summer she will travel to Costa Rico to do humane work –
along with playing in three scrimmages with her team
against the Costa Rico National – World cup – Olympic team!
For a young lady who in H.S. for three years – in order to play better competition
Drove herself 65 miles each way for practice three days a week into
Loudoun County Va. just outside Washington DC.
She was recruited and ended up at the University of Lynchburg.
Thanks for reading – my blog about our oldest granddaughter
who selected to spend her Spring Break with us.
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
She is the firstborn granddaughter – now twenty-one years old – a Junior at the University of Lynchburg, Va.
She is going for a degree in Engineering Science – carrying a 3.80 GPA.
And of course, we are excited – she will be here a little over one week.
I remember picking her up after my work at the babysitter –
and we would sing Old McDonald had a farm.
Or the time when she just started to walk –
I had placed a blanket in the front yard –
and she would not go off the blanket because the grass was strange on her tiny feet.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – will continue her Spring-break with us in the next blog.
Maddy as we call her – has been with us all week for her Spring break –
this makes me smile as she chooses to spend it with us.
She has been named one of four captains for the fall soccer season
at the University of Lynchburg in Va.
She will be a senior and made the all-conference third team as a Sophomore
and second-team all-conference as a Junior.
This summer she will travel to Costa Rico with her team to play three scrimmages
one of which is against the National Olimpic – World cup team!
She was about ten years old in this picture –
today she carries a 3.80 GPA in Engineering Science!
We stayed with them for three months after we sold our home and moved to N.C. – S.C.
They are twins – not identical – and born early – three-plus pounds each!
Today they are 11 years old – and Taylor has shot up – almost as tall as her mother.
Cassidy plays soccer as does Bode – Taylor rides horses!
Cassidy makes things – really great things by watching UTUBE!
Taylor reads tons of books and her favorite is Harry Potter – she is at the 11th. grade reading level.
The innocence of youth in this picture!
They will all be coming down next month ( April) for Spring break
and trying to find a way for them to spend a week here in the summer.
It will all work out as they did last summer and they had such a good time!
We do miss these times but more than makeup for it when they come to visit.
Family is and has always been important to us.
As they all come to visit – smiles and hugs make the distance shorter.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We became neighbors back in 1988 – but we knew them before that!
Cindy and Buck lived right across the street from us –
They were the first to move South – to the Wilmington – Leland area in N.C.
We would visit on vacations
and that is when we started to think in the future we would move to the area.
Today we live some 32 miles away from them –
we often get together to golf – see concerts or theaters.
A Sunday watching the bills
Boating or going out to dinner.
We have for years traveled the World together on vacations.
I have known both Jim and Dottie for 40 plus years.
They moved to Va. Beach
and we have celebrated birthdays and good times there with them.
Jimmy and I played softball together in the late ’70s
We are golfing buddies
and Jim – Sherry and I all worked for American Olean Tile – Dal-Tile
and Jim still works for them.
Hoping to retire soon.
We have been blessed to have them all in our BESTIES circle – a very long time!
Thanks for reading –
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We were married on June 25th. 1982 – yes – our forty-year anniversary is coming up!
We brought together two sets of children – her daughters and my sons.
Those were lean years – working and trying to stay ahead.
But we managed and survived.
I worked for this company which later through transition became Dal-Tile.
We merged several times with other corporations and when I retired we were Mohawk.
After 47 1/2 years, I retired from a branch in Va.
As also did Sherry as she worked for them for 32 years!
I have no regrets as I worked many jobs in many locations in two states.
And that is where we met – all those years ago.
Along the way, we have made many friends – but we have really close friends.
Thanks for reading and in my next blog will be those friends!
For sixteen years she is and has been a Certified Health Coach –
teaching the value of a plant-based diet.
She is an SSC for the Juice Plus Company –
And my inspiration to maintain a healthy living and aging style.
It has been a journey – one that is not easy to maintain with all the food that is out there –
but one that has become a way of life for their families –
and the concept of “TEAM GENERATIONS” that now has all the grandkids following.
Along with so many others all over the country and their own families.
TEACHING GOOD HEALTH THROUGH HEALTHY SELECTIONS – and continuing in N.C.
We continue to grow here in N.C. and our experiment of the twelve-month growing season
has been a success!
We decided to bring one Tower Garden with us and last August started our growing season.
We have continued all through the winter here –
experiencing SNOW – ICE – HIGH WINDS – temps into the TEENS!
It has survived all of that with a cover we brought with us from Va.
It allows the sun in and heats up during the day –
Metallic surface and everything survived regardless of our 1/4 inch ice storm.
I am not sure where we bought this covering but it was worth it as we had salads every night.
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
SHERRY L. FITZSIMMONS CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
HER SITE: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com
HER EMAIL for information: ssherrylynn49@aol.com
Sherry has now a collection of seashells that she has made a place in a container in the living room.
It is a stand with an old fashion metal suitcase on it and coral and driftwood under it.
On the wall is a black cursive metal sign that says “HOME”!
We can get to all three beaches here in less than thirty minutes!
This one is the farthest away.
But – we chose this one to come to because we wanted to have lunch at the Provision Company!
They do not keep track – any kind of drink!
There is a soda fountain – a bar and a beer cooler.
You just grab what you want – or get a mixed drink – then when you check out –
you pay your lunch bill and TELL them what you had to drink!
The whole place is covered in license plates and dollar bills – with names on them.
You order as you come in and give them your name.
Then grab a drink and wait outside on the deck.
They already have your order and you grab a drink and when they call your name – the table.
Then you get your food within minutes of sitting down.
If you want another drink – just get up and in our cases – grab it out of the cooler.
When you go to leave – you stop at the cashier – tell them your name –
she asks what you had to drink – you tell her and then you pay for the drinks and meal!
Simple and on you HONOR! I LOVE IT!
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
The book club has grown – from two book readers to now around 7 or 8 when all attend!
Each month a different book is suggested and read.
The meeting place is determined month to month – this time it was OIB Surf & Java –
right next to Lowes food market in OIB!
While some could not make the short hour-long discussion –
and it was not only the book discussed – but get to know your neighbors!
This time I tagged along – I know this place has great coffee – and I just relaxed and read the paper.
I have belonged to another book club back in Va. – but my reading material differs from these.
I am more a Syfy or a good murder thriller reader.
But – I have collected some five books to help supply the future lending library!
This little library hopefully will be outside at the community center –
Where you can grab a book to read for free and if you have any – leave them there for others to read!
This coffee shop also has sort of upscale clothing –
sports (surf) equipment – shoes – men and women – and some are marked down.
Large screen TV and really comfy chairs.
The book club is young – and growing – and the next meeting will be moved to another coffee shop to be announced on the Cameron Woods Community Facebook site!
You can notify Diane or Sherry if you wish to come – to the site.
I will be going back again to just sit back – sip my coffee – read a paper –
and even maybe bring my own book to read!
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
I would guess the entire trail around the pond to be one-half mile – maybe a little bit more!
There is much wildlife here – otters- turtles – smallmouth bass – gators – Eagles – small and large birds!
Deer and Turkeys – some have seen Bobcat tracks – raccoons – opossums – coyotes –
a very diverse animal population.
Thanks for reading – CAMERON WOODS COMMUNITY, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
In my last blog – you could see “WOODIE” sunbathing!
The resident GATOR of our pond although people have seen two of them in there!
Now – we are walking into the woods full of Carolina Pine trees and Living Oak Trees!
This section is kind of scary even in the daylight!
When you get in there – the path is orange colored from all the pine needles.
Great cover for COPPERHEADS!
Although we have not seen any of the snakes – other people have – but we did see a large black snake!
And it was on the black gravel path just before the bend on the path straight ahead of Sherry.
She watches the trees and branches while I watch the ground and sides.
I have seen several deer back in here – never any snakes but this area has them!
This is all protected land and will not be clearcut.
And quiet also when you walk on a bed of pine needles!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – the next blog finishes up the walk around the pond.
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
When we walk – we can go in two directions – this walk is to the East – and the Pond.
Here we turn right and walk down the street – there are maybe six houses down here that are still in construction – and all are at the end of this road and then onto the cul-de-sac that winds around to the back of our house through the woods.
Here you see my wife Sherry starting on the path and the pond is to her right – and in the middle, some 100 feet away is a somewhat raised portion – almost like an old farm road.
This is where WOODIE – THE GATOR – likes to sunbathe!
Although I have only ever seen one gator in here – neighbors have seen TWO – both this size!
I would estimate it is 6 plus feet long!
Maybe seven feet!
The next blog will be “ENTERING THE WOODS” where I am on watch for snakes!
We have seen one rather large Black Snake laying on the path before you go into the woods –
so we just turned around and went back.
Sherry watches the trees and I watch the ground!
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
NEST BLOG: “INTO THE WOODS”
With every sunrise since last August – our Tower Garden has been out in the patio just chugging along!
We set it up then and started our seeds from scratch right in the rock wool and placed them in the pods.
And it has been producing PRODUCE ever since regularly!
Now in that timeframe, we have had HEAT – SUNSHINE, STORMS, HIGH WINDS, SNOW, and ICE!
We have covered it up with a metallic mesh to protect it from freezing
and the temps have gotten down into the mid to high teens!
One time overnight we had 1/4 inch of ICE all over everything!
And – it has survived ALL OF THAT!
Our sunny days in the summer can be HOT in the sun.
We ran the timer for the pump – 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off during that HOT TIME!
This was an early morning picture – around 8 am.
We rotated the plants and replanted them when the need arises.
In the early fall, we had tomatoes and cucumbers, and celery along with herbs and lettuce.
We are going to plant more variety this time – in fact as I write this –
We pulled all the plants out – took the Tower Garden apart – cleaned it up –
replanted those plants we pulled out and started new seeds including cukes-
and tomatoes and some others.
It took all of maybe an hour and a half to do that – cleaning – and putting new water and tonic in.
If this interests you – you can contact Sherry at http://www.sf.juiceplus.com on her website.
Or you can email her at ssherrylynn49@aol.com
We have been growing I think for ten years and a neighbor just ordered one!
When they are ready we will go and help them get started –
EVERYTHING you need for the first year of growth is there!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
DEBBY: QMND SHERRY: SSC living life to the plus.
From the end of our driveway – we can see both the Sunrise and the Sunset!
As the fall comes on and summer has ended – the Sun starts to move each day –
and in this picture – the sunrise is more to the right – in the fall it has moved to the left.
We came to view this lot at around 2:00 pm. on a sunny afternoon a year ago last October.
And we could see how the Sun would go across the lot
and knew we would have views of Sunrise and Sunset – we were hooked and the trees would remain.
Our view every night – Sunset in Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – next blog – Sunrise and the Tower Garden.
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
When completed – this huge granite rock break wall –
will allow the sand that is dredged from the channel
and pumped out and form a new beach to the left of the wall.
The first and second streets are no longer here
have eroded away.
These houses were in danger as high tide brought the ocean right up and underneath them.
You can see the very large sandbags that were placed to try and save the homes.
Water would run right up to them and underneath.
The beach will continue along the shore – and the sand will build up against the wall of granite rocks.
Each rock weighs in tons – three at a time are transported by forty-foot tractor truck and trailers.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
For the past twenty-plus years – the beach here has eroded away – taking with it the ends of first and second streets. Third street and fourth street were in danger as the waves came up and under some of the houses. They started building the break wall that extends some 900 feet straight out and into the ocean, and then a right turn and a short distance – the boulders are huge granite – three boulders to a forty-foot long trailer bed – hauled in by the truckloads.
All the beach you now see in this picture is being pumped in from the dredging of the channel behind the groin – which they do anyways to keep the channel clear for boats.
The “GROIN” will continue until late April when it will be completed. Here you see the pipes blowing out sand to form the new beach.
Large bulldozers spread the sand out and the next picture shows how deep the sand is.
I will continue with the next blog on The TERMINAL GROIN PROJECT”
Thanks for reading Papa’s World.
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
It was the start of a beautiful February day – warm sun – in the 70’s – clear skies!
We can see both the sunrise and sunset from the end of our driveway.
And yes – it does get somewhat cold and windy here – but then you get three or four days of
summertime back home weather!
In the high 60’s to mid 70’s – perfect days!
At the end of this street is a trail entrance that walks around the pond and through the woods.
I have only seen the one gator in here – but others have seen two and still other little ones.
It even has otters that have been seen and tons of turtles!
There seems to be an old raised farm road here – and the gator is always in this area.
I have seen long-legged birds stand here and it is not deep.
Weeds will grow up and out of the water.
The path is graded and is some 12 feet wide – it goes into the woods.
It is like black cinder stones and when you get into the woods –
is covered in orange pine needles!
I always watch for snakes and have only seen one large black snake on the path.
We turned around and went back the way we had come.
Now on the other end – it comes around the pond and there is marsh and water on the other side.
So – we watch both sides –
you can see where that gator or another one has come up and crossed the path!
This is just how it is living in this part of the South.
There were three deer there and one went into the bushes as I took the picture!
Those bushes and shrubs are thick and you could hear them as they went through.
I saw a picture someone took of a big buck coming out of the surf under the pier!
I have never seen them this close and they blend in really well with the landscape!
We also have seen a large flock of Turkeys back in Cameron Woods –
and I got pictures of them.
My car is a hybrid – so it makes very little noise when you are going slow.
I was able to get to about twenty feet from them!
Large birds and just disappeared into the trees.
It was a beautiful day – sun – wildlife – warm and a fine beach day for walks.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Times you feel down – life is heavy – walk forward – your future awaits!
We always wanted to live near the beach – sand and water – for us – years went by – but now we are here!
Dreaming – living – waiting – keep the faith – ours came to be – where are you and yours?
HOPE LOVE FAMILY FRIENDS ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE LIVE LIFE TO THE PLUS!
We are blessed to have friends we have known for almost our entire marriage.
Friends whom we still to this day get together – laugh – sing – golf and tour the world with.
Here are some of those friendships in Papa’s World.
We try to get together 3 or 4 times a year at each other’s homes!
Our friends – our times together – priceless!
They all hold a special place in our hearts – blessed – years and years.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Our view here I shall always remember – in all we will be here for nine months!
I captured this shot as a flock of geese were coming right at me before
rising up over the lanai and roof.
We decided to build – that way we would have everything we wanted
A single story – no stairs – covered front porch – screened in covered lanai.
Close to the beach ( four miles) in the country!
Close to golfing ( over 20 courses near by)
And with in 6 1/2 hours to travel back home
or family to travel here!
We will have around 1900 sf. of heated space –
in addition to a 140 sf covered and screened in lanai
and a open 10 x 14 concrete patio.
There will be a covered front porch
and views of the neighborhood.
The back will be woods with no one building there
as it will be a conservation area.
We will be four miles to Ocean Isle Beach and six miles to Sunset Beach
A thirty minute drive back to North Myrtle Beach
and a fifthteen minute drive to Calabash
and a fifthteen minute drive to Shallotte.
All this in the middle of some twenty golf courses we will be playing!
But – all the inspections have been completed
and our contractor calls us every Monday to give updates
and answer any questions!
We drive over every Sunday – no one is working!
That way – if it is not raining – we can get out and look it over!
This will be our third house together building.
All three were unique and we have input on all of them.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
PAPA’S WORLD – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog Click on: LIKE Click on: SUBSCRIBE
You will get a email – read it and delete it! It cost nothing and is all FREE! THANK YOU!
We moved here – almost on the S.C. border – to have the weather we can walk in every day!
And we do that 90 % of the time – except when the wind is blowing!
YES – we are fair-weather walkers!
But then – it seems once a week – it is BEACH WEATHER!
Thanks for reading!
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
Many times when her father was alive – we would go on vacation with them –
then when he passed away – we continued taking GIGI with us where ever we went.
You see GIGI ( Barb) was Swede through and through – her mother was born in Sweden.
In Mount Jewett where they lived – was an early Swedish settlement from immigrants.
The men in 1886 built a replicant of an eight-sided Swedish church – and the one in Sweden still stands as does the one called Mount Nebo in Mount Jewett – in NWPA!
Every year in that little town in NWPA – a Swedish festival is held.
Both Barb and Bill at one time were the king and queen of that festival.
Memories of GIGI for the grandkids was she was always laughing – smiling – red cheeks –
Holding her hand as they walked or climbing up and sitting beside her.
Learning how to sing a song in Swedish and singing it to her.
Those are memories not lost – but retained in our minds.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – where memories come alive and live on.
We are blessed in that we can see both the sunrise and sunset from our patio and driveway!
Our house sets so that we face North and South –
So the sun rises from the right as you stand on the front porch – and sets to the left as you stand there.
We knew when we selected this lot – that this is what we would have as we stood in the road
before we put our down payment on the lot at 2:30 in the afternoon.
With the tree line in the back is protected and not cut down – this made shade for the back yard-
while the front porch all day long would have shade.
That is what I wanted most – a place to sit and talk to people as they walked by.
The day we visited the model – this lot became available after someone withdrew their downpayment.
It was just meant to be as we had no idea what this development looked like –
and we had just been to visit a condo some 4 miles away.
Five minutes into the tour of the model – Sherry was sold!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World and our new home in Cameron Woods, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
Living in Ocean Isle Beach – Cameron Woods – 7 miles to the S.C. border –
the weather is what I like – yes – we have had that rare ice and snow –
but then you get days such as this where it is tee shirt – shorts and sandals!
We have seen tons of turtles in here – all types of birds hunting for fish and some have seen otters.
I think there are two gators in here and some babies although I have never seen the little ones or two gators at the same time.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We were told that they have specials occasionally on Friday evenings –
but you MUST make reservations.
And it is buffet style for $25.00 and is themed.
This time it was Italian and it lived up to my expectations.
The meal includes deserts – ice tea – coffee.
There is also a bar if you want other drinks!
We are going to come back here and golf as it is only fifteen minutes from our home.
I am told three of the holes run along this waterway and then the course crosses the street.
They also said they shut down last year and redid all the greens!
They have two other themed buffet dinners that II know about –
Prime rib is one and Fish is the other.
We will go back again although neither one of us will be able to eat $25.00 worth –
but it was fun sitting there overlooking the course and waterways.
We got to pick and choose on the buffet and salad bar –
the help was very friendly and just getting out and to a scene such as this was worth it!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We do seem to have sunrises and sunsets here just by walking outside –
go to the end of the driveway – look right – SUNRISE look left – SUNSET!
But the beauty of the two beaches is what has drawn us to Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach!
Although OIB is closer – we prefer to walk on Sunset beach as it is more level!
And when we have grandkids – we bring them here as it is calmer.
What we noticed here in N.C and S.C at North Myrtle Beach – is just how wide the beaches are!
Even at high tide!
Not many people here this day during the week -but there were families enjoying the sand!
Another sun-filled day and a beach walk – why we moved here – dream come true.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World and our walk on Sunset Beach, N.C.
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
Our neighbor across the street told us that they were going to put in an inground pool!
The only problem was no room to go between houses to put it in the backyard!
THEY HAD TO LIFT IT OVER TWO HOUSES TO PLACE IT IN THE BACKYARD!
The house you see here is the one it had to be lifted up and over and placed in the backyard
of the house next door to the right!
Slowly moving to the back of the house.
From start to finish – 30 to 45 minutes!
And then they had all left and I got to see how they craned this very large pool into the backyard!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD!
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
Sitting off Old Georgetown road – just past the back entrance to Ocean Ridge Plantation –
sits a brand new community – about four years old.
Amongst the tall N.C. pine trees and the live oaks.
It is a gated community – and will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 homes when completed.
The last phase is set to be started with the roads and infrastructure have been completed in half of it.
Beyond these woods will be the final construction – there are no roads in there yet except one access road – and a very large pond – although all the trees have been cleared.
To the right of this – that section has paved roads and infrastructure!
We are getting to know the neighbors – as they move in.
Our close friends Steve and Diane are actually from back in WNY and know our old stomping
grounds there.
If the sky is somewhat clear – and most times it is – we can see the sunset from the end of the driveway
to the back patio each night – and then do stargazing – as the view is clear.
In the mornings from the opposite view here – we see the sunrises!
So we have the perfect sunrise and sunsets each day and night!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – there are a lot of lots left to build on –
COME ON IN – we would love to meet new residents!
CAMERON WOODS – OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C.
Four plus miles to OIB and seven-plus miles to SUNSET BEACH!
SHALLOTTE seven miles away and CALABASH six miles away.
Right in the middle of over 20 golf courses.
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
She does a ton of mail-order business of upscale kids’ brand clothes.
She takes pictures and posts on her site – and will ship them to you!
Every three months – the inventory turns over –
The prices are identified in the pictures she posts – she accepts only brand names.
Her store also is open for walk-ins – closed on Mondays.
I believe the hours are noon to five.
You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook –
Her store is located in NVA – Loudoun County – Goose Creek Plaza. Ashburn, Va.
She posts every day – picture of kids’ clothing – like these almost new sneakers.
5 STAR rating – women’s consignment boutique also – 529 Kids Consign Loudoun –
provides upscale brand name clothing for children – babies – boys and girls – and maternity clothes.
On Facebook, you can join and then see everyday clothes and prices –
Place your order and she will ship it to you!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
It seems like only yesterday they came and stayed often overnight sleepovers!
Our six grandkids all lived close to us before we moved to OIB, N.C.
They had their own SPOTS that they would claim to spend the night.
Ella had a single bed adjoining our Master Bedroom.
Maddy had her own bedroom – a single bed.
Sarah – Taylor – Cassidy and Bode all had their spots on our master bedroom floor!
I miss those times – foam mattresses – blankets and lots of pillows.
Giggles during the night.
Today Maddy is a junior in college – Sarah a Freshman in H.S. and Ella a Freshman in college.
Taylor and Cassidy are in the 5th. grade – 11 years old!
And now we have Bode – the only boy.
The sleepovers are gone – vacations are now here – bedrooms are gone – college soccer games are here.
Gone are the skateboard’s outside – bikes – easter egg hunts in the yard –
Today it is looking forward to visits here and visits back at their homes.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
When the sun is out – the wind calm – it is time to stroll the beaches!
Steve – Daines husband – was back in Rochester N.Y. tending to frozen water lines in his mother’s house.
While he was North in below ZERO temps – we were walking the beach – enjoying the warm sun.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – the WHY we moved here from the NORTH!
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD
MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
My very first memory of school – sitting on my grandma’s lap on the front porch –
“Grandma – when can I go to school”? I asked.
We had just watched a neighborhood boy walk past on the other side of the road –
His name was Denny and I later found out he was two years older than me!
So – I am thinking I was about four years old and I can still see him in my mind and me asking her.
I attended this old school until the fourth grade!
It was at that time – we merged with Duke Center – Rixford and Eldred to form OTTO-ELDRED.
At this time a brand new elementary school had been built right across the street from the ballpark!
I would not have to walk a mile to school in the mornings!
But – I remember that old school and my teachers and the classrooms.
The very first class was in the front and face the main street and I had Mrs. Shields.
We started off spelling the normal way – sounding out the words –
but soon after – we switched to the new way – MEMORY!
That went on for a couple years but it left me and others I know – very poor spellers.
Across the main street and the railroad tracks – lays what we called THE FLATS!
And just beyond that the Alleghany River!
It seemed growing up part of life in the Spring were floods!
In 1954 or 1955 or thereabouts –
I was told not to go near the water flooded on the main street – I was maybe 6 years old.
But – I had made a raft and was sailing it on the main street – standing up and poling my way around
in about two feet of floodwater.
Unbeknown to me – a photographer from the local Bradford Era Newspaper – took my picture!
I was caught – standing on my homemade raft – poling my way around the main street –
ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE BRADFORD ERA!
But – I also shared that front page later in life with my dad!
He made a bet on the heavyweight champion of the world fight and picked
FLOYD PATTERSON – the bet – the loser would wheelbarrow the winner down Mainstreet
To Slavin’s Bar – my dad won and made that same newspaper front page being pushed by HERKY!
A WWII bomber pilot who had been shot down and made it to the allies’ lines!
This sits right across from the ballpark and tennis courts –
I was the first class in there in the fifth grade – Miss Cawley!
Mr. Harrington was my sixth-grade teacher and Principle!
Many games of RED ROVER RED ROVER please send ???? over!
Was played right there on that circle drive in front of the doors.
Later in life – I walked my youngest son down to those front doors and inside to enroll him in Kindergarten – and standing in the lobby with all those parents he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a bunch of dirt and worms!
He had stopped on our walk and without me knowing – stuffed his pocket with dirt and worms!
THAT I shall always remember!
We were bussed every day from the seventh grade on seven miles to school in Duke Center, Pa.
Three communities combined to have one single H.S. but each community had its own
grade schools and one township grade school.
We had to find our own way home after sports practices if we did not ride the bus.
My good buddy and I – later in H.S. road with his dad to school.
He would play up to date 45 records of music between classes all day long.
His favorite back then was PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS – “GLAD ALL OVER”
and it was everywhere in the hallways – piped through the loudspeaker system!
I have always said someday I would like to go back and rewalk those halls to that blast of music!
It was across from here I watched a fight between two seniors – and I was one of a hundred people!
I still see it in my mind and they were about three years older than us.
Their names were Ron and Jim!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
He was a very funny man and watched over me and my buddies!
State troopers were at his house at all times as he was friends with several of them.
He would let us know and made sure we were on our best behavior.
He had nicknames for everyone and he called my younger brother “JUICE”!
He broke both arms at different times and they were crooked – but could he play golf and hit that ball!
He was a 300-yard driver back in the ’70s!
He had a one-stroke handicap –
he knocked his front tooth out by twirling a dog leash until it came around his head
and smacked that tooth!
He was riding my bike – he was too small for it and his foot slipped and he had a rupture –
He played football and basketball and went onto college and kicked field goals.
He was always doing something!
It was part of my playground growing up – but I had to be extra careful –
always look both ways before crossing the main street!
I had neighborhood friends on both sides of that North Main Street.
There were a lot of kids when I was growing up there.
A lot of memories sitting on the lawn in front of the church –
a lot of KICK THE CAN game and HIDE and SEEK were done there!
We would walk some two miles to this place – they had the best soft ice cream!
We also would go and buy their burgers and fries!
Today – whenever I visit back home – we pass it and the memories after all those years come back!
The ELDRED TASTEE FREEZE – often think I should stop for old times!
Growing up – I rode my bike everywhere – to the park to play baseball or football – the tennis courts and the dances that were held there –
The Town Team men’s baseball team and my dad as manager.
The carnivals in the park –
The parades and celebrations – the crowds of people and sleeping out and roaming the streets.
ELDRED was a small town where everybody knew your name!
Thanks for reading – PAPA’S WORLD – my life as a young person – in a small town.
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
In the midst of the Alleghany hills – amongst the green and lush valleys – sits a little community-
Population – around 800 souls – and back then – I knew almost every one of them!
The town sits on the Alleghany river which eventually flowed into Pittsburg – but – it flowed North first!
Yes – it left Pa. and flowed into NYS before flowing once again South through Pa.
It ends up in Pittsburg some three-plus hours away.
I helped a friend of mine growing up with his paper route – his name was Brent – and we hung out.
He bought a go-cart with his money and he would let me ride on it.
He was two years older than I and eventually married my cousin.
Funny how that worked out – he graduated and I lost track of him.
I would ride my bike everywhere – I had to be home each night for dinner and before the street
lights came on. Every night at 10 o’clock sharp – the siren from the firehouse would blow-
You could hear it all over the town – that was “CURFEW” for the streets –
I think no one under 18 could be out and about!
Sharon and I were like brother and sister – we would watch Lassie together – play on the front porch –
sneak a corncob pipe and gather silk from the corn and smoke –
puff it – in the big red barn behind the house.
We would walk to school together – and our route always was behind the main street along the tracks.
Behind the Eldred Garage and then on the tracks themselves.
Just before the creek – Lynches lived and behind their house was a tree –
like a little island raised up on a piece of land.
We would sit there and play our Kazoo’s together –
“THREE BLIND MICE”
That was all I knew how to play! LOL
She moved away and my sister and her husband moved in right next door!
Over his shoulder is the greenhouse I grew up in – my bedroom was the two windows on the second floor –
after my older brother Roger left for college.
Every morning I would wake up to the birds singing in the tree outside that window –
the Sunlight would come streaming in –
There was the main street – highway right out front –
and I would sleep and hear the sound of cars – trucks rolling by –
and then – the accidents that happen right there –
crashes would hit the cars parked there.
Some – I sept right through – others – would jolt me right out of bed.
That curb was where my best friend and I were sitting one early morning after midnight –
he was sleeping over and my parents had gone somewhere –
we got into the hootch under the sink.
My sister came out and grilled us –
“ARE YOU GUYS DRUNK”?
No I said and right at that time a car came
and the lights showed right on my friend – and he got sick –
and threw up all over the place!
” HE IS,” I said! LOL,
my sister always laughed at that and would tell the story many times over and over!
We have reconnected about fifteen years ago at a class reunion –
he spent about a week here last October –
and we played golf once again – after some 55 years have gone by since we last played together!
He was my hero growing up – ten years older than I –
named WHOS WHO in American colleges
OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL and a Lt. in the navy.
His bedroom became mine – when he came back I would sleep on the floor.
Just a little over a month later from our New Years Eve beach gathering and toast to 2021
We once again were back to see the sunset – only it was windy and cold –
far from the 65 degrees of NYE!
We first parked and walked to the end of the street – here the last of the end of the houses –
and this then begins Bird Island – marshland protected and wide-open beach.
The tide was going out!
As we looked out on the ocean – to think we can do this every night if we want to –
and there still is Ocean Isle Beach – living our dream.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
It happened two days in a row and the temps were in high teens and low twenty’s –
cold for this far south – seven miles to the border of S.C.
The thermostat went blank – the furnace quit –
and we immediately dug out the two electric liquid heaters we kept from back north.
We had these for heat back north and we are going to use them in the lanai when we enclose it.
That will become a four-season room – 11 x 12.
So -when this happened we plugged them in and they kept a constant 65 degrees temperature in the entire house!
We are still under warranty and we called in – they had someone there within three hours both times.
At first, he could not find anything – and ran diagnostics –
there was a blown fuse on the unit up over the garage –
this is what cut the low voltage current to the thermostat.
Once he replaced that – he tried to get it to burn the fuse out again – nothing!
At that time we had been having lights flicker the past two weeks –
this was because of the ice storm and the little snowstorm.
So we thought that was the problem and he suggested we contact the electric company
and have a surge protector installed.
Then the next day it happened again!
No lights had flickered!
We called it in again and he showed up again within two hours!
This time while he was there – he replaced the fuse and it started – then it popped the fuse –
It was the unit outside that when it started -it had a vibration –
so he opened it up and found a wire that moved and rubbed against a spacer –
causing it to short out!
It only happened at certain times and he was there when it happened!
Everything was replaced – the wire tightened – so it does not vibrate – and we are fine.
ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
I seem to be the person if it is going to happen – it will happen to me.
This is very RARE here this close to the ocean so I am told.
And to be fair – within an hour or so – it was gone!
Now – really – I could care less if I ever see snow again – some people think that is nuts –
but I just do not like the snow-ice and cold – and I lived in WNY & NWPA for 50 years!
So I know all about blizzards – running my van up and down the driveway to pack it down –
Shoveling – chipping ice – burning 21 cords of wood hand carried inside and to the basement for the woodstove – that stove kept us warm through one week without electricity – and power –
that plus the living room fireplace –
going to work at 5am. through unplowed roads and a foot of fresh snow and another foot on the way.
I think it is so pretty coming down – covering in white – but that is my extent of liking it.
Back North – we would go cross-country skiing – in the Alleghany National Park on groomed trails.
As a kid, we were always outside sledding – building forts and snowball fights.
As I said – it was over in an hour – sunshine and no snow anywhere – the WHY we moved South.
The Sun is back – the air still cool – the roads dry – NO ICE – NO SNOW!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We are and have been a tight-knit family – mother and daughters – admiration – close – loving.
Both daughters follow in their mother’s footsteps in Health and Nutrition –
Tammy has her own consignment business for children in name brands only.
She also runs two internets at home businesses –
Debby is a leader and Certified Health Coach and has her own internet stay-at-home business.
She is a QMND for the Juice Plus Company and a leader in Team Generations.
The family concept is born from Sherry and her parents whom she was very close to.
She is much like her dad in his dreams of having his own businesses throughout the years.
She has his smile and tall thin build – she has her mothers youthfulness –
and growing up – they looked like each other when she was young.
The girls were small – Tammy was just five and Debby ten-
second marriage for us both.
Here Tammy second from the left and Debby holding her nephew, Cousins Kristie, and Bethany & Natalia.
Aunt Ceil on the end.
We were married on June 25th. 1982
being engaged for one year.
A family to this day very – very close.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World –
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
This blog is dedicated to memories that I have of family – friends and our life in general!
Here you will find positive – friendly – and good thoughts – the World needs that!
If you look beyond this blog and into my site – you will find almost 800 blogs!
498 members – all over the USA and the World!
This is me – keeping a daily journal for future generations to look back on and see and read.
This is who we are – a TIGHT FAMILY!
We now reside in N.C. close to the border of S.C – about 30 minutes to North Myrtle Beach!
We moved from NVA where we all lived in the area.
Our family is very close and they stay in contact.
The two older granddaughters are in college and both start on their college soccer teams.
One is a Freshman in H.S. and aspires to dance and the arts.
The twins are close – one rides horses(bareback) and wants to go to Equestrian school –
The younger can make anything off of Youtube and is very artistic and also into gymnastics.
The only grandson – no socks – no shoes – no shirt – no problem – all boy –
soccer – baseball – sports – golf – all-around athlete.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – TIGHT FAMILY –
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We have been so blessed in having so many friends along with our close-knit family.
This summer will be our 40th wedding anniversary – time has gone by so fast!
They have been a part of our lives for almost the entire 40 years.
Vacations – travel – sports – golfing – singing – laughing – spending quality moments together.
It has been a journey that I wish would go on for another 40 years.
Yes – we have been blessed to have friends such as these.
We have been there for the entire time of them grwoing up – two going to college.
Seeing the first boy being born –
Vacations and holidays – over night sleep overs – horse back riding – hiking – campfires –
lakes – kayaks – boats – spending quality times together –
Mother and daughters working together to bring healthy living to family and friends.
Forty years – memories – pictures – great times – living life to the plus.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – where my blog is: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
My Contact: fitztdf@aol.com Sherry’s site: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com email: ssherrylynn49@aol.com
Moving South to the border of N.C. and S.C. – we must have brought winter weather with us!
This is a very rare event in this part of the country and we were here to experience it!
It started raining the day before and by nightfall – the temps had dropped to freezing!
By morning it had gone down to 26 degrees!
that is cold down here!
We knew it was coming and were prepared not to go out on that black ice!
We had flashlights and our generator if needed – but I did not want to go that far!
We were told to be careful with the garage door being ice shut!
We lost the electricity three times for short periods – the news the night before showed the electric
company bringing in some 200 personnel from the midwest to help out – and they were terrific!
Our Oleander plants – three of them – were bent right over – they survived!
Thank goodness we did not have the wind – no big trees came down or branches.
We dodged a bullet and when the sun came out – the ice melting on the trees
created a drizzle of steady raindrops.
We have had a cold wave that extends all the way South deep into Florida!
We were worried about our TOWER GARDEN – so I dug out our protective look like metal covering!
We had used this back in NVA but not with ICE!
Our experiment to grow twelve months of the year continues!
This protective covering kept the plants – green leafy – safe – the pump kept running on a timer –
and we continue to grow our vegetables even through mid-twenty degrees and ICE!
The covering is perforated – absorbed the sun in the daytime and protects the veggies
during the low temps at night and the freezing rain.
Any questions on the TOWER GARDEN or JUICE PLUS – email ssherrylynn49@aol.com
or visit her own personal business website: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
Bob and I went to grade school together – Jim and I played softball together in the mid to late ’70s
We have stayed friends all these years and got together to play golf!
We have traveled the world with Cindy and Buck – always an adventure – always laughter – salute!
He runs a company that makes elderly peoples homes more energy efficient through state grants
and grants from power companies.
The other half is audits of homes for people to apply for grants.
He works seven days a week / covering the whole western side of Pa.
My oldest son runs the insulation half of the business –
and is taking state courses and exams to start auditing.
The three couples have been friends for 40 years – Dottie and Jim – Buck and Cindy.
When we all moved away from WNY and WPA – we stayed in touch and took turns hosting.
And we always sang songs – laughed and golfed!
Now we live in N.C. some 32 miles away from Buck and Cindy –
we try to golf once a week
and we all still get together – after all these years. FRIENDS FOR LIFE!
Family is such a big part of our lives – once or twice a week – zoom calls with the little ones & Marley!
Tammy is like her mother – she owns her own business – 529KidsConsignmentsLoudoun –
and she also has two internet businesses while raising three little ones and the new puppy!
Now retired some NINE YEARS – my inspiration and my coach on living healthy
The REASON I am alive today!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD
MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
This is part two – when we pause the TV – all of a sudden the screen saver becomes MEMORIES –
Pictures start rolling through of the past and we find ourselves just watching them!
Today they are grown up – two in college – one in H.S. “MEMORIES”!
Today – college for two – H.S. for the other – camping – hiking – sunrises – sunsets and campfires.
Time has passed – memories and now new memories.
So many memories – so many great times – so many thoughts – so much love – so much family!
Past memories – present memories in the making – PUSH PAUSE – and sit back and watch!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
I do this to chronicle life – our family lives for future generations to see and read
Whenever we push pause on the TV – in a second pictures start circulating – ones we have forgotten!
It seems somehow it is tied into the cloud – and MEMORIES start a procession across the screen!
At first, I just sat there and watched them roll by – then I grabbed my phone and started taking pictures.
You see – most of these have been deleted from my phone or are so far back it takes a long time –
to find them!
Since I am not a “TECHIE” so to speak – Sherry explained where they were coming from!
However, it happens – I am thrilled to see them all once again.
PUSH PAUSE and see the MEMORIES come forth.
I will continue in my next blog.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
After walking through the paved road area where the infrastructure is already installed –
We decided to walk the access road beyond the huge mound of dirt to the pond.
Yes – we have seen a small gator in this pond – but as Sherry says – “WHERE’S THE MOTHER”?
This old access road runs right behind our house – the tree line here is protected –
That is the back of our home in the picture – these woods will not be cut or cleared and this old road is blocked off – where another new home has been built.
I hope they make this part of the already trail system we have that goes around the other pond.
This area will be the last to be done in the next phase – suppose to be according to map site plans
A third pond somewhere to the right of this picture eventually.
We have seen many tracks of deer around here as well as other tracks.
People have said they have seen Bobcat tracks and coming home one night –
I saw something bigger than a normal cat on the main highway – ?????
There are five houses to be completed in our phase – and then they are done there- I was told the construction will commence here in the finished area with paved roads sometime in March.
They are selling the lots now – LENNAR is the builder now – new designs and new elevations will be the difference from what we had to choose from.
We shall see what this all looks like a year from now as aI think it is a two-year build-out or more.
Phase one completed – Phase two is almost done – no idea what phase the garden homes are in –
they are conjoined town home-condos across from this entrance but part of our development.
There are numerous homes there completed but looks like less than halfway done.
We walk almost daily weather permitting.
Phase three – all the infrastructure is already in – and two of the roads are paved.
I assume that some have already been sold as I was told construction is supposed to start in March.
It is hard to tell now but they look similar in size to our lots – perhaps a little bit bigger.
The far tree line to the right has a cul-de-sac behind it and I assume will not be cut down.
In this picture, we live beyond this view to the right.
Behind these homes is where the community center is to the right.
This was all woods when we purchased our lot.
I stand where a huge hill of dirt has been piled up – separating the sites here from the clearings behind it. I think this mound of the earth will be pushed back to cover the cleared space or used as a fill when they put in the remaining infrastructure.
According to the site maps – one more pond is yet to be added to the right somewhere in the trees.
There already is an access road right back to the pond which is either the same size as the one completed at the end of our road or bigger.
If you could continue to walk – straight ahead of them is our new home through the woods.
To the right beyond those trees is the mound of dirt.
The next blog will be THE WALK CONTINUED through the cleared area to the pond.
Yes – it was chilly – 30 degrees – frost – and a little wind – but no ice – snow and frigid cold!
I can bundle up and have no fear of slipping on ice – no snow shovel.
No scraping ice off of car – yes – it got cold – but not what they had all up and down the East Coast.
Our family all had the snow and ice – back home in NVA.
We still were able to go out and about – what I love about being here – the SUNSHINE!
Most days are like this – blue skies and Sun.
Living on the borders of N.C. and S.C. – never thought we would end up here – is just warm enough
in the Winter to make it bearable for me – and yes – it gets hot in the summer –
but I much prefer that to ice and snow in the Spring and Fall back in NVA and WNY!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
It is a more difficult discussion for the family than it is for us. But it is a reality we all face.
Sherry and I have made a choice together – just where we will have our final resting place.
For years we have had those plots in Mount Nebo back in Mt. Jewett, Pa.
But now that is almost 800 miles away from our home in OIB, N.C.
When we joined Saint Lukes Lutheran Church – we were told about the COLUMBARIUM!
I did not know what the pastor was talking about – so he took us deep outback of the church property.
And passing the pond we came to a group of trees and there it was.
We were told this is for members only of the church – and the spaces are few left –
We found out later that they plan to build onto the existing Columbarium in the near future.
It is a quiet and peaceful spot – four miles from our home.
We decided to have this as our final resting spot as we both want to be cremated.
Here – it is close for whoever is left to visit.
So – we purchased one of the last available spots left – and they will construct more walls in the future.
Our lots back in Pa. we will try to sell as that also is running out of space.
As I said before – it was more difficult explaining to the family than it was for us to decide-
But in your years of autumn – putting things in place and taking the stress out of our lives –
is a comfort for both of us – to be as near to each other as when in life.
Not something that anyone wants to talk about – but we are at peace with it.
This is our home now and our church –
This is where we want to be –
THE COLUMBARIUM OF SAINT LUKES LUTHERAN CHURCH – OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C.
Church has been a big part of our entire married life – I converted from Catholic to Lutheran.
Sherry was born and raised in the Lutheran Church in Mt. Jewett Pa.
We have belonged to three different Lutheran churches during our almost 40 years of marriage.
And now we have found our fourth home in the Lutheran – ELCA – in Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
Our church in Sterling – Community Lutheran Church – had this same window – we felt at home.
While we had a lot of children in Sterling – here there are hardly any.
The congregation here is older – retirees from the North.
We were sponsored by Diane and Steve – and found out he had worked in the White House –
Under three presidents!
What is nice for us is that it is only four miles from our house.
And I am getting more accustomed to the later service at 10:00 am. instead of 8:15 am.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my next blog is on the surprise we found behind the church.
A COLUMBARIUM for members of the church!
PAPA’S WORLD: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf
The time has rushed by – youth to middle age to now autumn years – together as one.
Past memories – past family gatherings – looking to the present and future of family times to come.
We are here now in OIB – making new friends – members of a church – exploring the area –
doctors are here now – life is going on – making new memories – but never forgetting the past ones.
We have managed to be 6 to 8 hours away from the family – but we have room for all of them.
Beaches – golfing – hiking – entertainments – venues – shopping – we are excited to share all of that.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World: MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
We have been here a half dozen times since we first came down to S.C. – North Myrtle Beach.
We have taken company here also.
It is a park – nature – walk out across the march along the ICW.
We did not know what it was so one day we just turned into the entrance and drove a mile or so toward the ICW – and came to a parking lot-bathroom area – park – with swings and gazebos.
The ICW is full of boat traffic and the two big Casino boats in Little River come right past here.
You can hike miles in here – a map shows all the trails.
While there – you come to a MAKE A WISH section!
It is a little magical place – a place to sit and just gaze out over the ICW – maybe see an eagle.
Our grandchildren have done this.
We go back – sometimes we find the shells – storms seem to take them out.
But – when we do find them – memories of times spent with family and friends return.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – VAREEN GARDENS – “MAKE A WISH ON A SHELL”
I have always been a history buff – ancient history – but also family history.
My sister and brother were fifteen and ten years older than me.
So when I came along I had missed the family fishing trips to Canada each year.
And my sister became the family photo taker and camera buff.
All the family history was passed down to my sister’s daughter and then suddenly she passed away.
Unknown to me – a friend of their family cleaned out everything and threw it away.
Everything was gone except the few pictures I had and my brother had.
I decided that what happened there would not happen for me and my family.
So – by being encouraged by my wife Sherry – we set up this blog – where all the family history and pictures can be in one place for all to see and read.
She has encouraged me to write it down along with pictures for future generations to look back on.
I have two sons from a previous marriage – Troy and Shawn who still live back in NWPA.
Shawn runs an energy company contracting out to the state and large power companies.
Running state audits and working through state grants to insulate senior citizens’ homes from the harsh winters.
He covers the entire western part of Pa.
Troy – built homes from the ground up – anything you wanted he could do.
After years of doing this ( he was in high demand) Shawn talked him into coming to work for him –
His business has grown to almost seven days a week.
Troy runs the insulation and energy side while Shawn concentrates on the Audit side.
Troy is learning that side and taking tests and courses to also step in and help.
I am very proud of both these boys and trying to talk them into taking a break and coming down for a visit.
Winterizing homes in Eastern USA for the elderly has become big business – conserving energy
on the power grid for major corporations in order to provide heat and electricity –
He has tapped into a business that for him is seven days a week.
He constantly is looking to hire people and train as auditors.
Troy started working for him a couple years ago.
If anyone is looking for a career out there – contact me – fitztdf@aol.com and I will put you in contact with him – he travels the whole western part of Pa. North to South.
For them I write – post pictures and give them memories that I still have in my head.
Ryan lives in Tenn. and we have stayed in touch with him – he manages a hotel
and recently opened a bar – restaurant business with two other partners.
We attended his wedding a few years ago in Nashville, Tenn.
He has visited us once a few years ago – he served his country
and is like his father(Shawn) making his own way in the business world.
He just spent four years in the service and is now out – living with his mother or in that area.
He reminds me so much of Shawn.
While we do not often get to see either one – both are in our memories and hearts.
Hoping they can come and stay with us in the future.
He is all boy – cars – trucks – bikes – and always without shoes and socks – even in winter! LOL
This is my “WHY” for writing this blog – my memories put forth in words and pictures for all these grandkids and our children to read in the future.
Life in pictures in words – memories – past – present and future to come.
I want to thank my wife who is the driving force behind this blog.
SMILES – LAUGHTER – PEACE – HARMONY and POSITIVE THOUGHTS!
That is WHAT PAPA’S WORLD is all about.
We watched their children grow up – we played league volleyball with them – we golfed with them –
we vacationed with them and they have visited us in our new home.
We have stayed in touch – we play cards and games –
WERE BESTIES!
Western New York –
Portville N.Y.
Steve and Elaine Starks – for the past 35 plus years.
Before Sherry and I were married – Lynda and Fred were my friends – Fred and I graduated together –
our friendship started in Jr. High School all those years ago.
Today – it has been some 54 years and Lynda some 48 t0 50 years.
They now live in Melbourne Florida on the Indian River.
We met up the last time just before the Pandemic.
Little Palm Bay – Florida.
We first met them at Community Lutheran Church in Sterling Va.
Sherry and Nancy were part of a group of ladies who called themselves THE HENS!
They would meet once a week for lunch and a movie.
John is an opera singer and leader in whatever church over the years they have attended.
They moved to Charleston S.C before we moved and we have stopped and spent time with them.
They have visited us when we were in the condo and we have gotten together a couple times
halfway between Charleston and Ocean Isle Beach. John and Nancy Standbridge White.
Point Pleasant, S.C.
We were neighbors back in Pleasant Acres Drive in Portville N.Y.
We moved in next door to them in 1987.
We had known them before that.
We saw their family grow up as they also watched ours.
We would visit them in their home in Magnolia Greens – Leland – Wilmington N.C.
We always dreamed of moving South and they are one of the main reasons we did.
We play golf weekly or try to.
They would visit us in NVA – Karaoke – golf – a few drinks and tours of DC.
Now – almost 40 years and still great friends!
Wilmington N.C.
Claudia was part of the HENS lady group with Sherry – and we got to know Jim – who has developed Data centers ( the first) in Ireland.
Claudia is a beautiful singer and her and her sons would sing in the Irish pubs and inns.
Jim has been a top executive in many known companies and today is nearing retirement.
We plan on them to visit us in the future and look forward to it.
They have lost over 150 combined lbs. following Sherry’s shreds of sugar and eating healthy.
We had dinner with them over the Christmas Holiday.
Claudia and Jim Martin
From Reston Va.
Ginger is another member of the Hens lady group and her hubby works from home.
We golfed together in NVA and visited each other – took excursions – and after we moved –
They sold their home in Reston Town center, Va.
They purchased a cottage in the far North of Maine –
and Ginger inherited a condo in Sarasota Florida.
Today they spend Summers in Maine and Winters in Sarasota.
We will go to Florida in February to spend a few days
They are in negotiations to build a home outside of Leland N.C. a short distance from Buck and Cindy.
We have already introduced them to each other and plan on future golf outings!
Jason and Ginger Priti Childs from Maine and Florida.
We moved in right beside them in 1988.
Pleasant acres drive in Portville N.Y.
Twelve and one-half years we were neighbors!
Many fun times – playing pranks on each other – parties – talking across the fence – they also were close friends to Buck and Cindy.
Racing power ride mowers up and down the street.
Today they are owners of a National Painting Company –
Called Mike John Painting.
We still get together – seeing them in the old neighborhood or visiting them at their second home on Lake Chautauqua in WNY.
We still laugh at all the old times – and are trying to get them to visit us here.
Maybe after all the Pandemic – time will tell.
Mike and Carol John – Portville N.Y.
Sherry and Paul graduated together from Smethport, Pa. H.S.
While Jo was a year behind me at Otto-Eldred H.S.
We did not know the connection until about ten years ago – we attended Sherry’s H.S. reunion
and she introduce me to Paul who in turn introduced Jo to us.
Since that time we have met up in Tucson Az. where they live and also they came for a week to our home in NVA and we toured the DC area!
They took us all over Tucson – Sedona – and Az. in a three-day trip ending up at their home in Tucson.
We get together at their reunion in Smethport Pa.
Paul and Jo Peterson – Tucson Az.
Dottie I knew first some 45 years ago – she and Jim are some of our oldest friends
These three together – many – many good times –
We watched their kids grow up – we vacationed together and Dottie is from Eldred where I grew up.
All the good times we have had together – singing – WINE – the three of them!
I have known Jimmy before Sherry and I was married – some 45 years ago.
Jim and I played softball together in the mid to late ’70s.
He also grew up in Eldred Pa.
We worked together at the American Olean Tile Company and I attended their wedding.
Today – we all are best friends with Buck and Cindy – they knew them from before we knew them.
When we get together it is Karaoke – games – fun and laughter and Golfing – beaching!
Much as you see in this picture on Sunset Beach.
Dottie and Jim Brown – Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Our newest friends – our neighbors in Cameron Woods Community – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
Although we have been friends for the least amount of time – we have already introduced them
to Buck and Cindy and Dottie and Jim.
We walk together in the mornings – watch sports at Chubby Budda –
Have dinner out and have taken them to Fat Harolds in NMB.
Spent time at the beach and at each other’s homes as they are here part-time in the winter.
We also have one thing in common – they are from WNY and have a cottage on Rushford Lake.
They know Olean and Portville and the golf courses back there.
Many of the places to eat and are BILLS fans and BONAS fans.
So we have a lot in common!
Daine and Steve Zimmerman – from Rushford Lake – WNY and Cameron Woods – OIB, N.C.
My oldest true friend – going back to the first grade – 66 years ago!
We played sports – sleepouts – running the streets after curfew –
drinking buddies ( some legal – most not)
Gone through marriages – divorces and new marriages.
Vacationed together – he is the godfather to my first son.
Today – Pam and Bob – we have reconnected through our class reunion some 15 years ago.
We have met up at different locations – they stayed with us in NVA.
They have stayed with us in OIB and Cameron Woods – Pam has gone with Sherry –
for a girl’s retreat in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
We now are golfing together as they have taken it up.
They now are RVING it during the Winter months.
Bob and Pam(PJ) Goodman – from Exter N.H.
Thanks for reading – MY BLOG: “WE HAVE FRIENDS IN ALL PLACES ”
All the friends we have together – we are truly BLESSED!!!
I 