The family came after Christmas but before New Year to spend four days with us – Instead of presents – we bought tickets to Pirates Voyage and The Christmas show at Alabama Theater in Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This is our view of the stage – we sat right in the middle behind the equipment for all the sound and lights.
Marcus – Bode – Tammy – Cassidy – Sherry(MorMor) Taylor – happy grandkids and they really enjoyed the show.
We were so happy they came down from NVA – and got to share with them the theater.
Sherry – Taylor – Papa – getting ready for the first act to start!
Marcus and Bode – father and son – a selfie by Bode!
Tammy and Cassidy – selfie by Cassidy – the eyes tell the story!
Cassidy – Sherry – Taylor – a selfie by Sherry whom all three call MORMOR – Swede for MothersMother.
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He had red curly hair – a smile a mile wide and a laugh and giggle that you knew right away who it was.
He was my younger brother – we were like a second family for my parents –
Donna and Roger were 15 and 10 years older.
We had a sister who died at birth in between the two sets of kids.
We fought like cats and dogs do – but we also were close.
He instigated a lot of it and would scream bloody murder as loud as he could when I had enough.
I was the one who into trouble but mom always knew as she later told me.
He was just o darn likable with that hair and giggle.
MOM ( Mary) Sue ( Susan) his wife and Mike ( we look alike here I think.)
We played all the time together – cowboys and Indian’s – running the neighborhood –
He was always hurting himself – one time he climbed up on top of a attached shed at a neighbors house.
He was going to ambush me but I saw him and pretended to shoot him.
I saw what he was going to do and I yelled STOP – but he did it anyway –
always acting real life he sort of collapsed and rolled off the shed to the ground as if dead.
But there was a stone bird bath under the shed roof and when he came down he hit his elbow on it!
Off to the doctors office we went and then in the ambulance to the hospital to have surgery on the elbow!
He had to have a pin put in and that elbow was off to the side -making his arm seem crooked.
Mom ( Mary) talking to Mike’s daughter Jennifer at the kitchen table.
A few years later – we were on the front porch – and he had climbed up onto the porch railing – I told him he had better get down before he fell.
Well – as always – he gave me that silly laugh and giggle – and I could not help but smile until he did fall.
At the end of the porch beneath that railing – a 2 x 10 stuck out – he came down and hit that board with his other elbow and we repeated the same thing all over again with another surgery – now he had two elbows exactly the same!
But -it seemed like it was a perfect solution for him as it perfected his golf swing and he had a lot of power and strength in those arms – one time I was with him – and this was way before anyone was hitting the ball 300 yards.
We were playing the old number one hole at Smethport – he was a Freshman – me just beginning my senior year –
He hit that ball and because of how his elbows were now shaped – he hit it straight with power. That hole was a gradual uphill some 305 yards!
His ball ended up past the hole and into the yard behind it! Some 50 or 60 yards past! Uphill!
If I had not been there to see it – I would not believe it!
Gene Fazio – who was a card member of the PGA and a premier golfer in the Pa. and NYS area –
told me – “IF I HAD MY SHORT GAME AND MIKE’S DRIVING – I WOULD GO ON THE PGA TOUR”!
Mike was a scratch golfer even with those elbows.
Mike later with a red beard and that red curly hair!
Mike ended up bigger than me – he was as tall as my father who was a little over six foot tall.
The brother’s – Roger – Mike and I got our curly hair from my dad – my grandfather was bald.
Mike ended up around 215 pounds and played football – but he could kick that ball just like he hit golf balls.
Far and straight – he became a field goal kicker way before that was common in H.S.
His kick offs were always through the end zone and he went on to college at Mansfield University of Pa.
Where he became the kicker for the college football team.
He graduated in Criminal Justice.
My step dad John – Sue and Mike.
As I said before he was always doing something and getting hurt!
He was riding my bike one day and I told him to get off as he was not big enough to ride it!
His legs could barley touch the pedals – sure enough his foot slipped and he came down on the cross bar –
off to the hospital we went again – operation for a rupture!
My brother in law Bill nick named him JUICE!
I really do not know why other than he was like electric – energy running through him – always a live wire!
Then one day Bill and I were sitting on the front porch –
and he said “HERE COMES JUICE”!
And then Bill said “JESUS CHRIST”!
And Bill hollered at him – “JUICE- PUT THE ROPE DOWN”!
But too late!
Mike was walking up the street twirling a dog rope with a clasp on the end of it over his head like a cowboy!
He got it too low just after Bill yelled to put it down and it started to wind around his head lower and lower.
It came around and smacked him right on the mouth –
“KNOCKING OUT HIS FRONT TOOTH”!
Off to the dentist office we went – oral surgery to extract what remained in his mouth of that tooth.
THAT IN A NUTSHELL WAS MY BROTHER MIKE!
Red hair – bearded – always smiling and that silly laugh – giggle.
I MISS HIM as he passed away when I was 35.
Sue Mike Jenifer
My brother MIKE – loved – close as brothers are – gone way too young – but never forgotten.
We had 13 peole who made it – good time – was very loud with the music – hard to hear – and we were spread out!
The music was country western and very good – I would go again to just listen and watch them.
The venue here is impressive – but if we come back I would want to eat in the back room where we could talk and visit – and maybe in smaller groups where we could see everyone and hear them.
But – for dancing and or just listening to the band – AONE in my book!
Our little neighborhood group – plus several could not make it – good times – good company –
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PAPA’S WORLD – A little neighbors get together at Local on the Water – in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
I wanted color back here – the builder planted white Crepe Myrtles out front – these are WATERMELLON!
We also replaced all the Pine Straw and moved it to the tree line where we had three Oleanders put in!
They are young plants and hoping they will take hold – watering them everyday – but next year they should bloom
a bright RED againest the back drop of the protected tree line.
The second Crepe Myrtle – all trees in the yard now have stone and brick or edging depending where they are. The ones next to the house are mulched in black and serve as a contrast to the light gray siding.
A quiet neighborhood – but already a man rang the doorbell trying to sell home securtiy!
We are slowly putting in flowers that will come back year to year – hoping to make this area wild but colorful!
This will be a on going work in progress – adding a little bit here and there!
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As the day begins at the condo – the build of our new home begins some six-teen miles away – in Cameron Woods at Ocean Isle Beach – N.C. We searched and searched – but all in vain as the cost to buy was equal or more than to build what we wanted!
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!
Materials for the new home – ground is ready – all utilities in and inspected – waiting for pour of concrete!Forms and moisture barrierSome view in one direction of neighborhood – I think in total maybe fifty homes will be here.When done – a two car garage with pull down stairs and finished storage overhead.
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!
The concrete is poured – and rain is now slowing up everything!
But – all the inspections have been completed
and our contractor calls us every Monday to give updates
and answer any questions!
The forms are out – concrete is in – framing will be next!View of the garage and the woods behind the new build.
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.
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A large piece of driftwood sits on a sand dune just above the mailbox – dedicated to the man who put it there some four and one half decades ago – along with another hippie female friend.
We had read about this famous mailbox – several books have been written about it –
It is a 1.4 mile walk South on what is called Bird Island – an nature preserve –
located on the Southern half of Sunset Beach in N.C.
I am not sure if this is the other half – the lady friend of Frank – but this is one of two benches next to the mailbox – a place to sit and think and write your thoughts in the journal provided in the mailbox.
The large piece of driftwood with the plaque – overlooking the nature preserve – there are trails back in there to explore – walk in silence with only the breeze – the calling of the birds and the surf .
Papa – at the entrance to the benches and mailbox – waiting as another guest takes her picture.
I can not even imagine how all those years ago – they managed to carry everything here to install the mailbox!
The KINDRED SPIRIT mailbox and benches – this is maintained by persons unknown – has been all these years – and replaced many times as the old ones have slowly eroded away.It is a lonely spot – yet so many people walk here everyday and leave there writings and thoughts –
throught the years – those journals have been preserved and are considered historical writings –
and are preserved in a museum! I do not know which one but I plan to find out.
The view behind the mailbox at the top of the sand dune – the nature preserve and in the distance –
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – when on Sunset Beach – go South and I think at 40th. street – the end –
just find a place to park alongside the road – be sure your tires are completly off the pavement – and if a bike path off that also.
Then find the beach access and come to a sign at the beach – it tells you the distance to the mailbox and further down the beach – the jetty and the mouth of the river – where the Casino boats from Little River enter the ocean – going out to the International border line to gamble.
THE KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX
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We were on our way for a long weekend at Lake Chautauqua and stopped overnight in Lake Holiday!
We had planned this – but they had taken Maddy back to college that day and left Ella and Sarah home.
So – we arranged to have the two of them meet us in Old Town Winchester for dinner.
Our friends Buck and Cindy were with us so they got to once again vist the family.
Debby’s flowers are just beautiful – colors everywhere.
Mike made a Swedish Bear and Ella painted it and did all the artwork on it – Welcome in Swede.
Some more of her flowers.
Debby’s Mantra.
Walking around the yard – does not do it justice as the whole back yard is the same. She has a green thumb.
Buck and Cindy saying their goodbyes and thanking them for having us overnight.
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By the time this blog posts – Ella will have started her Freshman year at Randolph College – right across the city from Maddy at the Unversity of Lynchburg.
This picture has Debby – sitting on ground in front – Tammy – with her arm around Sherry’s fathers shoulder – Sherry’s mother second from Tammy’s left in back row – and me holding Nathan – this was taken almost 32 years ago. Cassidy looks just like her mother Tammy !
We have always been a close knit family – Barb and Bill have passed on – all the cousins have children.
Sarah – who now is almost as tall as Sherry – has always wanted to dance.The twins as babies – Taylor and Cassidy – then Sarah Maddy – Debby and Ella – who starts college and will pay soccer against Maddy.
Taylor – our grand child who loves to ride horses.
They are growing up so fast – I still call them the little ones!Bode – blond hair and a smile – who searches me out in the morning to sit on my lap!The little ones when they were samll but just a few years ago.Maddy – Ella and Sarah – grwoing up – no longer the small ones – young ladies now.
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Hallway entrance to master bedroom – great grandmothers desk ( Sherry) numerical location of our prior home – lamp that was a shower present ofr her mothers wedding – a door stopper that belonged to my parents and grandmother – family picture and Mount Nebo church done by my son in law Mike. And a large family history picture of the grandkids to the right.
In the master bedroom looking back to the hall way entrance. We sold all our furniture with the old house – so everything we had to buy and shop for.
The bedroom outfit in each bedroom and all the chairs and couches and kitchen table – end tables – stand for TV and desks in office. Outdoor patio and front porch furniture.
This was given to us as a wdding present form a fellow emplyee who worked with Sherry in the front office and has hung on our bedroom wall in every home we have lived in together. This being home number six!
Our first king sized bed we have purchased – along with a couch that pulls out into a twin bed that Bode used when they were here – all three grankids had a bed to sleep in.
We were worried about beds to sleep in – and we have enough plus our office ( blow up queen mattress to sleep both families) plus we needed storage for clothes and items – by planning with extra drawers and arranging coat closets and linen closets plus the overhead storage in the garage – we have come up with ample space along with oversized night tables and storage shelves under one bed.
This was given to us on 6-25-1982 from Pastor Dan who married us that day in Portville N.Y.
And has hung on every wall of every house we have moved into.
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Master bathroom – all tile and hardwood floors come from Dal Tile where we worked a combined 79 1/2 years before we both retired.
The middle bedroom – decorated with pictures of where Sherry grew up – Mount Jewett, Pa.
This room is where we put pictures of Mount Nebo – the historic 1800’s eight sided Swedish church –
which was built by the Swedes who settled here. It also is the final resting place of her realatives.
There is a copy of a very old map of the town of Mount Jewett – which we just framed but have not hung yet.
And of course the historic Kinzua railraod bridge – constructed in the late 1800’s –
across a valley and over 300 feet high and a mile long – and part of it taken down by a tornado!
This same bridge is where they filmed a episode of the TV series “BIGFOOT”!
This was all territory that belonded to the Seneca Indian tribe before the white man.
Looking back toward the hallway to the front door – with the bedrooms and guest bathroom to the left –
The office is to the right and behind that wall in the center. To the right is the hall leading to the garage and laundry room. We choose this model for the open concept and the enclosed office space.
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Even though we are surrounded by construction on new builds – my view each morning begins sometimes with the sun peaking through the clouds – the Ocean is but 3 miles away in that direction.
Welcome to Papa’s World and another day in my life.
This day we would later meet up with friends – for we had tickets at the Albama Theater in Barefoot landing –
To see the MOTOWN review straight from Broadway.
But first – I sit on my front porch every early morning – waiting for the sun to peak over the tree line.
The early morning is my favorite part of the day – has been my entire life.
When I was growing up and my brother left for college – I moved into his bedroom at the front of the house –
which faced East – every morning I would be awake listening to the birds chirping and then the sun coming through the two front windows of that bedroom.
In all my years since then – I have never lost that feeling of the dawning of a new day!
Sunrise at the new house in Cameron Woods – Ocean Ridge – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
But we had a show to see and first a meet up at LULU’S In Barefoot Landing with friends!
We have known them for over 35 years being neighbors before they moved to the Willmiington N.C. area.
Buck and Cindy – who now live about 40 minutes away in Magnolia Greens just outside of Leland.
We try to get together once a week to either golf or go to dinner or to a theater.
Sometimes we or they get busy and then it is several weeks before we golf!
We plan major trips every couple years – the last one was North California and Reno –
which we took ten days and traveled some 1400 miles covering the entire portion of the state near Sacremento.
We have been to Oahu – Spain – Gilbraltor and Morroco –
We have covered Mass. and Maine –
We did the wine country in Canada and Niagra falls –
a golfing vacation back home in NWPA and WNY!
We are in discussions now of a trip next year but have to wait and see how the year proceeds with Covid.
Sherry and Papa – Cindy and Buck – laughter is never not a option.
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The entrance to Cameron Woods which is part of Ocean Ridge across the highway.
In part we choose this development because it has a place to walk! Quietly – and not much traffic!
Also close to the entrance – a retaining pond – one of many in the area.
A look from the street into Cameron Woods – Ocean Ridge.
This area was supposed to be developed much like Ocean Ridge across the street –
where the BIG CAT golf courses – four of them – are located.
When the downturn came – this section discontinued development –
somehow – Realstar became involved and is developing Cameron Woods in among all the lots that were previously
sold by the main developer.
For whatever reason – no one is building on them except maybe 8 to 10 houses.
This area is like entering a national forest!
The beginning of my walk back to the house from the gate. QUIET – hardly any cars!At the beginning a few of the less than a dozen homes that were built here.
Then you enter the forest – there are utilities here – water – sewage and electric – berms and drains and street lights with Ocean Ridge on them.
I wonder just why no one is building in these sections with many named roads turning off the main road.
Might it be all tied up in courts or someone bad mouthed the development!
Very interesting – and we have been told – they paid a lot for these properties.
We made the right choice – our development is thriving – another and last section will soon open up.
By the end of the year – our section should be completed and all sold out!
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Wild life is here – I have seen deer – turkeys – gators – turtles – birds of prey – not any snakes just yet!SHERRY – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – site http://www.sf.juiceplus.com – contact ssherrylynn49@aol.com
When ever we are on the beach – she is drawn to the water – wading – watching the surfers.
The beach draws her – to let off stress and a quiet place to walk – the sounds of the surf – the warm waters.
With friends – out and about – exploring the world with these two – every couple years we plan a break.
Buck and Cindy are our close friends – we moved into a house next to them 36 1/2 years ago –
and had known thenm before that. We get along and enjoy much of the same things.
Cindy is very active as is Sherry – always on the go. They walk together when we are around.
Now – our new home is about 40 minutes away from them.
We try to golf once aweek or go out to a show or dinner.
Family has and always will play a part in our lives. Sherry now is the oldest – and they all look up to her.
Here is Bode in front row with the five grandaughters behind him.
She reminds me so much of her father – tall – slim – smile – always on the go and a born entrepreneur
He always was looking for a way to make money and she has that also.
Not afraid to stand up in front of people and talk.
And they played golf just alike!
I became very good friends with him before he passed away – he told me many things promising I would not repeat them. All had to do with the War and I shall keep that promise I made to him.
I repsected him that much – it was a bonding moment for him and me.
Sitting on the Intercoastal waterway – just her and me – watching the boats and having dinner.
She loves our new area – back in NVA she would take dozens of visitors on tour guides into DC.
She is a leader – a natural born one at that!
And now – our new home – close to the beaches and the ICW – close to golfing and close to friends –
A place for FAMILY to visit and room to have them.
This is her happy place once again – walking – meeting new neighbors –
exploring and in a area that does not have the freezing ice and snow.
The new lanai and her putting her finishing touches on it!
These are but a few of her happy places – places she feels most comfortable in.
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The view I have each morning when sitting on our new front porch!
And in the evening – we have the view to the West of sunsets!
As you can also see – we are in the middle of construction of new houses – we are the second to close –
but we have been through this twice before – and the values have already gone up!
This is our third build – in the last 22 years!
Moving South – first to the NVA area – outside of Washington DC – and buying and selling three times –
With twice building from ground up –
has led us here – in Ocean Isle Beach – Cameron Woods – and sitting on our front porch.
Our new house and most likely the last one!
We have done major landscaping since this picture was taken – removing the pine straw and replacing it with the black mulch – putting in white – gray stones around the trees in the front yard and large rocks around the lanai.
Today it looks like this – removed some bushes and put in the mulch!
We have just a few more ideas to formulate – changing a few things and we will be settled!
Another sunrise from the front porch.
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At our new home in Cameron Woods – sunrise from the front porch – at the end of this street is a pond – and a 7 foot gator lives there!
Our home – living in the South has taught me to be careful – look everywhere – snakes – spiders and gators!
I am careful where I step – I constantly look ahead – ticks are also abundant here!
But – we choose to be here – the weather is warm – but I am a warm weather person!
We finally went for a walk into the new section under construction – and found the big pond we were told about!
If you look real close – you can just see the eyes and nose of this little fellow!
He or she was about 2 1/2 feet long – just a baby – but WHERE WAS MOMMA?
We did not hang around to find out! When we started to walk away – it started to swim directly toward where we had stood! When we stopped – it stopped and when we started walking again – it swan to the bank and we could not see it! TIME TO LEAVE – and just WHERE WAS THE MOMMA!
GOLFING – we almost always see gators – so we stay away from the water!
YES – there are gators in these ponds!
As we drove by this pond on the golf cart – and I also watch out for snakes – although I have yet to see one!
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And for my grand daughter Ella – we see turtles – lots of them!
Ocean Isle Beach – N.C. the first time to walk here after moving in!
The beach is but 4.5 miles away – shorter if you are a crow!
We live in Cameron Woods – part of Ocean Ridge but across the main highway from it.
We are on the mainland – three miles to the causeway over the ICW!
We actually have a choice of two beaches – for Sunset beach is two miles futher in the opposite direction South!
And if we want to travel – we are 16 miles back to North Myrtle Neach where we have lived the past nine months!
The beach here is different – the sand a darker shade – not as flat and the waves seem to be rougher !
The beach also is not as wide as NMB or as many people!
People surf and ride the waves more here.
The water is very warm just like NMB!
And we are finding our way around!
There are music concerts throughout the Summer and into October on Friday nights!
Getting there is a major problem as we tried to attend the free concert and got stuck in a three mile
traffic jam trying to get across the causeway!
So – we truned around and did not go!
We are learning – do not go at the last moment – go early – walk the beach – have dinner and then get the chairs out and pick a space to chill and wait for the music to start!
Both beaches have these concerts on different nights as does NMB!
Right across the street form our home – Ocean Ridge – such beautiful skies here.
Our first beach walk – thank you for reading Papa’s World
Cindy – best friends – hitting another one over the trap – we have to bring our A game everytime – she has a traveling shot bag – biries and sometimes pars – just a sip – and then laugh and on our way!
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The sunrise on Sherry’s birthday – 7-5 looking like a wonderful day.
Before we celebrated I said ” YOU READ ME THE DIRECTIONS” and I will follow – three hours later we were done!We decided to go to Sharky’s just off the causeway bridge to Ocean Isle Beach with views of the little harbor and ICW!This is just outside of Sharky’s – sheriffs dock and ramp. Sherry did not know NO TRESS-PASSING until I spotted it!
Before we ordered a little selfie.
The wait was not long and the view was boats coming and going – refueling or picking up to go dinners!
This is what she wanted for her birthday dinner – fish tacos!
It was a very good day – from unpacking to putting the first of two desks together for our home office
Sitting in our lanai – we decided it was time to take a break from unpacking and enjoy our first walk on the new beach!
Papa walking the surf line – the water was warm! Made me want to have my suit on and wade in!The beach here is not as level as NMB or as wide and the waves on this side of the pier – are rougher!
This is the view looking North after you enter the beach by the community center where the showers and bathrooms are – a large volleyball net is here as well as a very long walkway and deck system.
dThe beach also is not as crowed as back in NMB!
This is more of a resident area beach!
Looking South toward the pier – we walked down there to the other side and it was not as rough or the waves as big!
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Sherry – always drawn to the waters edge – wading – it was really warm – both in and out of the water!
I 