We all met in Lynchburg to watch the grandaughters play soccer – the next day we went for a hike. This park was real close to where we stayed in the Airbnb.
There were many hiking trails off of the park paved path.
I did not have the shoes to hike in so we stayed on the path.
The trail is not long but requires some climbing up and down steep inclines.
It goes through the dense woods and above the James River and looks like it has access to the river.
While this was closed for the season – a locomotive and caboose – as the rails run all through this area for transportation along with the river in it’s early years of forming Lynchburg Va. There also are FOUR colleges here –
Liberty University – Sweet Briar College – Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg.
Sarah checking out the warning sign as some of the area is fenced off near steep inclines.
The incline here is close to a couple hundred feet almost straight down.
The trail does make its way down with a narrow zig zag path.
Not for anyone who has a fear of heights like me!
Debby Papa Sarah
Sherry climbed the steps up to a beginning of a trail and said it led to a very dark dense forest!
This platform was some 25 feet above us!
A view of the train trestle across the James river.
It was a nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon.
Later we picked up Ella so she could spend the night with us –
Maddy had practice and a lot of school work to do.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
We knew when we moved to the South – just 8 miles to the border of S.C. in Ocean Isle Beach N.C.
That we would encounter some animals – reptiles that we had never had before!
The spiders – I just do not like – having had as a child some really scary sightings!
I later found out this was somewhat harmless – but it still gave me goose bumps!
This I think was a form of wolf spider – the second one I encountered – the first was inside the lanai!
Spiders as far as I am concerned belong outside!
The one inside was very large – and when I tried to sweep it away – the thing exploded and a hundred little spiders came out!
I managed to kill them all – but it was a Twilight Zone feeling!
I do not want those type of things inside!
If you look back at the picture of the front porch – and looking straight at it and raise your right arm and point – these next two pictures were taken less than 200 feet up the street and on the corner!
This gator I would say is about four feet long – maybe a little longer!
The man who took the picture said it continued up the hill to another pond!
There are two ponds near us – one about 10 houses down the street –
and one maybe a 1/3 mile behind our house in a undevolped site that they are working on.
We have seen a gator in both of them but never in the pond up the hill!
From where this picture is taken to the pond up the hill is like 200 or 300 yards!
Now – how it got to where this picture was taken – it had to come from behind our house-
either to the right or left!
Sherry looking through the trees to her left – that is our house.
This drainage ditch runs behind our house and turns left and follows the treeline.
When you get to the end of the drainage ditch and turn right across the lawns –
you come to the street where this picture was taken.
We saw tracks in this ditch – not sure just what they were – but they had small claws on the tips!
Last but not least is the rather large COPPERHEAD!
We have not seen any of these – but we have seen a four or five foot BLACK SNAKE!
Those are okay because they kill these bad boys.
This one was near where the Gator picture was taken.
Several neighbors have seen dead ones on the road after being run over.
There are also COTTONMOUTHS around although no one has seen them.
I am more leary of these as they are hard to spot even though I constantly am on the lookout for them.
Yes – we knew in moving to the South we would experience all of this!
But – we made our choice and are so happy we did – close to golfing and close to the beach as well
as close to all these critters! SPIDERS SNAKES and GATORS! OH YEAH!!!!
After golf at Lockwood Folly golf course – we made our way to this bar and grill –
we had never eaten here and did not know what to expect ( it was really good)
We placed our order while standing in line – and there is a very large cooler right there.
You simple take out the beer or soft drink you select – there is a bottle opener on the side-
and then you walk away and wait on the deck until your party is called –
and then you are seated!
No one keeps track of the number of drinks you take out of there –
IT ALL IS A HONOR SYSTEM and there is a hole in the wall to deposit empty bottles!
We are seated on the right at a table – and the walls and ceilings are covered with car plates –
and dollar bills! Most have names on them – hundreds and hundreds of them – and the plates have dates. Some newer and some older!
After our name was called – we were seated at this table – if you need another drink – just go back to the cooler – or go to the bar inside and order – just give your name at the bar and when you go to pay the bill-
YOU Tell them what you had to DRINK! ALL ON THE HONOR SYSTEM!
Cindy and Buck – Steve and Sherry – Elaine behind the post!
The waitress seats everyone and another comes out with your orders and calls out a Name!
You just acknowledge and they serve you!
This was a first for me and THE HONOR SYSTEM works – even at the bar!
All good things must be done!
We finished up and were ready to pay – counted the drinks – and well – hey – HONOR SYSTEM WORKS!
A good day of golfing – friends relaxing and sharing a meal!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS!
Provision Company – Holden Beach , N.C. view from the deck.
SUNSET from the parking lot of the PROVISION COMPANY – Holden Beach , N.C.
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
Thank you for reading Papa’s World –
my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog my email: fitztdf@aol.com
A view from inside to outside from our newly built house – our covered and closed in Lanai. Our Tower Garden – in less than five weeks – lush green with tomatoes and cucumbers coming – fresh lettuce’s and herbs – no pesticides and all grown here in dirtless – weedless enviorment with nutrients and natural minerals from the earth developed into a tonic. Just add water and tonic.
We sold our home in Va. when the stock market took a huge dive.
Our 401K went down – but two things also happened –
Her on line business stayed the same – providing income along with SS and the 401K and pensions –
and the home values shot up in our neighborhood – it was time to SELL!
In just 19 days we sold – completly moved out and had enough to finace this new house in N.C.
We came South after almost three months living with our daughters and their families.
For nine months in searching – and then committing – we built our new home.
Now – I must say – we took a big hit on the 401K ( it since has almost come all the way back)
But – our partime on-line business continued – and we just moved it from Va. to SC to NC –
never missing a beat – and in the process – when we sold the house – we also sold 98% of the furnishings!
WE WERE STARTING A NEW LIFE ALL TOGETHER IN THE SOUTH!
eWe left behind families – but these three – instead of a camp – both parents work – thir parents bought them plane tickets – Sherry flew up and came back with them for a week with us!
We have three older granddaughters – two now in college and both starting on their college soccer teams.
The third is a freshman in HS –
we want to get them and their parents down for a visit –
but schedules have to be cordinated.
Our daughter of this family – also is a CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
and has surpassed her mother in the same on line business from her home .
Achieving QMD in the company – working together with her mother.
Next month – 8 or 9 team members will travel to the Smokey Mountains to a cabin in the mountains –
for a retreat to once again reconnect –
which has the pandemic keeping them apart.
Although everything is on line -they miss being social and miss seing one another.
Keeping in touch – zoom meetings – calls – life goes on – friends – partners – phones – voxes – business as usual.
We do have friends here in N.C. and have for the last 35 years.
We have been visiting them for 25 years after they left our neighborhood in NYS!
We came to really like the area and made it a place to look –
but then along came NMB –
and then Ocean Isle Beach –
so we choose to settle there.
We still are 40 to 45 minutes away – but they play golf in our area –
and have for years and years.
We try to see and play golf once a week –
and we all are fans of the Bills ( we also like Washington)
There are many theaters and concerts we attend together –
FRIENDS –
A new life with old friends – and making other friends along the way.
There is a rainbow for us after relocating!
While it is hard to say goodbyes –
it also is so rewarding to hug and say hello when they visit!
We have been fortunate – a passive income –
a family that understands –
and friends for years.
Moving South has been a new adventure –
and thank you for reading this.
Papa’s World is a continuation of my life seen through my own eyes daily.
My motto remains the same –
“WHERE FRIENDS MEET OUR FAMILY & FAMILY MEETS OUR FRIENDS”!
When we sold our house back in June 2020 – we had three of these – two regular units and one indoors one.
They looked just like these – The TOWER GARDENS – a self contained unit to grow veggies with out dirt!
And they grow with just water and tonic – two different tonics made up of minerals and nutrients of the Earth.
A pump is in the tank and a timer is set to pump up the wtaer at 15 minute intervals ( you can adjust the times)
You start from just seeds which are provoded and put them in spun lava rock
place them in the pods and start the timer!
That is it! And then – it produces veggies almost 1/3 the time faster than normal growing!
After 13 months – we are moved in and this is ours set up on the open patio.
What you see here took less than three weeks starting from seeds!
This picture shows the seeds sprouting in the spun lava which you place into the pods for the Tower Garden!
These are the spun lava rock with seeds already inserted into the pods on the Tower Garden – where water and tonic minerals from the bottom tank are pumped up the middle of the tower and drip down the the tower over where the roots from the seeds have formed.
oYou water them at different intervals – example water on for 15 minutes – off for 30 or 45 minutes!
All from a timer you can adjust as you grow!
The Towr Garden we have is a indoor – outdoor one that when outdoors – you just take the grow lights off!
Indoors you put them back on and they are controlled by a timer – everything you need from seeds to tonic –
to grow lights – pump – timer – lava rock and instructions for one growing season is there when you order it.
Seed sprouting out of the spun lava rock after placed in the pod and watert and tonic constantly going 24 / 7!
It costs just pennies a day to run – you just make sure water is in the tank and by instructions when to add more tonic minerals. EASY as that – almost effortless and no WEEDING!
They are like children – they become a labor of love!
Comparrisons – this is THREE WEEKS from seed to plants thriving!
We went away for one week – and this was left unattended – and you can see the growth in week FOUR!
At three weeks – from seeds to this and we are eating off it!
Four weeks and after we had been away – the timer and water pump continued – the sun did the rest!
The only thing I did was to fill the tank with water – as the plants grow and start to bear veggies – they as a normal
need water – it becomes necessary every thee days to put water in.
There is a float in the tank that tells you when to add water!
Every 2 to 4 tank fulls if refilling – you put in one cup of nutrients of the two tonic minerals!
Between weeks THREE and FOUR – we are eating lettuce for salads every night for dinner! We know there are no pesticides and is all natural – you need at least four hours of sun light – and just sit back and watch it grow. You can grow anything that is not grown on a tree or has to be in the ground.
Melons – cucumbers – radish – celery – peppers – tomatoe’s – everything! You do not have to have a GREEN THUMB – just keep the water in the tank and every week or two – reach into the tank and pull roots out so they do not shut the pump down, and that is really easy to to do and they smell so good!
For additional information on this growing system ( we have been growing almost ten years)
Contact us at
SSHERRYLYNN49@aol.com
or FITZTDF@aol.com
We both are part of The Juice Plus Company which has develped this for the open market.
Maddy – our oldest granddaughter – entering her third year at the UNIVERSITY of LYNCHBURG!
She has like it seems played soccer all her life – since she was old enough to put on a uniform.
Always the smallest on the field – at first the ball was almost bigger than her!
But – in her Junior HS year she had a grwoth spurt – and ended up being 5′ 6″ tall and a star soccer player.
She went to Lynchburg and as a Freshman played in 13 games and starting last year as a starter.
This past weekend – in their first game – lost a hard fought game to a team from Florida – a very good non division team – 2 to 1 – but the write up was about how she played and the skill set she brings – almost several times bringing them back for a tie.
She has excelled and is one of the best players on a very young team – starting 7 Freshman.
The Freshman are all big – 5′ 11″ to 6.0 ‘ tall and all really good.
They won their second game 6 to 0 over a team from NY city.
Ella Myers – # 10 – a 5′ 9″ freshman at Randolph College in Lynchburg Va. just ten minutes away from her sister Maddy.
She was recruited by two schools and in a preseason interview – her now coach said –
“Ella Myers – will play and get a lot of minutes at midfielder”!
She has started all the preseason games – and both regular season games – and played almost the entire games!
They have won both games and in the second game – a 0 to 0 tie going into minute 64 of the second half –
she scored her first college goal in what would be the winning goal – ( one was added later) as a Freshmen.
She had a very hard journey to get here –
breaking a bone in each foot at different years –
losing a couple years of playing plus not having a couch that believed in her playing!
Yet – TWO COLLEGE coaches saw the potential and recruited her.
Her HS team came within one goal of a state championship!
She just missed by inches of scoring that goal!
HER MOTTO I have given her –
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – and NOW HERE I AM”!
Both of them overcame the odds – from being the smallest with huge skills – from overcoming broken bones and a coach who did not believe in her – to both of them starting on their respective COLLEGE SOCCER TEAMS!
And YES – they will play against each other come Ocrober 6th.
and we plan on being there to see it!
Cheering both of them on – a win for us no matter the outcome.
Sarah who is fifthteen – could of been just as good had she continued – Maddy – oldest and still the smallest of the three girls and Ella – proud of all three – you go Sarah and reach for the stars in your own dreams!
It will be a grand time watching this match and who knows – if the teams continue winning meeting in a playoff.
SISTERS
So proud of you Ella for showing them what they had and how they overlooked you!
” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – AND NOW HERE I AM”
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email: fitztdf@fitztdf
My first thing every morning – fix my cup of coffee!
And then it is onto writing my blog – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog !
All this is early – and depends on when I wake up – mostly bathroom! LOL
Once up – it is hard for me to fall back asleep – so I just get up and fix that cup of coffee!
Pushing the garbage can outside before 6 am. which is the time they want it out there!
Sunrises here are really something – the ocean is but four miles away!
This street for construction is almost done – two houses left – right across the street –
and one down two lots from us.
All the rest are down where the corner is and then around the cul-de-sac.
Passwords – I write them down!
Everything today needs a password – and I just can not remember them all – so I have a special place
I keep them safe – where I am the one who knows where to look ( Sherry knows also) !
The entrance to our development – Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – mainland side.
It is a quiet place except for the on going construction – which by years end should be done where we live.
The new phase is now having the infrastrucure put in and is away from us.
Ocean Isle Beach and our grandaughters – only four miles away.
We choose this area because we are on the mainland side – then the ICW – then the houses and business
of Ocean Isle Beach and the beach itself!
We also are close to Sunset beach – another three miles!
We are near the border of S.C and a lot of golf courses!
All the towns and communities have free open air concerts – running from mid May to mid September!And of course Calabash – the Seafood capital of the world! Only seven miles away – a place we take company!
This area is full of places to visit and dine – all with views!
And another major reason we moved here – golfing – we try to golf once a week – and we have 20 plus courses right where we live to choose from!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog email : fitztdf@fitztdf
I opened the garage door to push out the garbage can – and this is what I walked out to!
It was a beautiful sun rise – the best I have yet to see here!
Everything was quiet – except the birds!
I went back inside and grabbed my phone to take a few pictures.
The sun comes up right there and that is where the Ocean is some three miles away.
We get really fantastic cloud formations from here and to the West.
As we learn the area driving around – we know we made the right choice to build here – when there is no construction – everything is quiet – and a lot of neighbors walk! So we are meeting people – I told Sherry we need name tags!!!!
The neighborhood bathed in a orange glow!
It will be a good year and half before they have built out – but most of that is away from us!
Each week more and more homes close – and people are moving in.
And I am surprised how easy it is to leave the Cameron Woods community and get onto the main road.
It is a good half mile stretch or 3/4 mile in both direction and is straight so you can see.
Only once have I had to sit and wait and that was only a minute of two.
Sherry on her way back into the garage – CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH – http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@aol,com
Thank you for reading PAPA’S WORLD: MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY EMAIL: fitztdf@aol.com
PAPA’S WORLD – SUNRISE AT CAMERON WOODS – OCEAN ISLE BEACH – N.C.
On Wednesday – it marked the first day of school for fifth grade for Taylor and Cassidy and first grade for Bode.
It also was the first day for Marley – the new goldendoodle – to walk to the bus stop!
I think she has become Tayor’s to walk as she takes her all the time.
Taylor – Marley – Bode in the back and Cassidy!
At first Marley would not walk just plopping down in the middle of the sidewalk – where Taylor would pick her up and carry her – but I think she has gotten over the puppy stage now – and Taylor seems to be the one who controls her!
The three plus the dog walk a couple blocks down the street to where the school bus stops and picks them up.
We are headed there and by the time you read this will already been and came back home again.
The parents are going out of state to a wedding and we will fly home( using a few vouchers we had)
to stay with the kids and Marley.
It will be a extended weekend – and looking forward to seeing everyone including Deb – Mike and Sarah.
The other two oldest are now in college.
To think one year ago – we did the same thing – only we had sold our home and stayed there for two months until we moved to S.C. – going back and forth to Winmchester and Leesburg.
We helped out with the home schooling due to the pandemic.
The kids did well but need to structure of school and friends and classmates.
Taylor in the lead with Marley and then Cassidy followed by Bode – walking to the bus stop.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
We are so fortunate – not only do we get beautiful sun rises – but the sunsets at night are just as beautiful!
Because we are on a major curve to the ocean – if you look at a global map – from below Myrtle Beach up to Wilmington N.C. – we are constanlty getting clouds and winds from the ocean – coming in from the sunrises and then at night coming in from the sunsets.
They say because of that curve – hurricanes usually by pass this area and head for the tip of Wilmington and then onto the outer banks!
Now – if there is a high pressure off shore -then that will direct the storm into the mainland – but that does not happen often.
Beautiful sky from the west.
And the lightening storms mostly come from over the ocean some three miles away! Thunder and rain!
Never tried this but think it to be funny!!! Might be my go to in the store next time! LOL!
With the sunset behind us – the ocean clouds in front of us!
The ocean clouds to the East – our neighbors house who has not closed – and the last foundation close to us.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – from Cameron Woods Community – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY PAPA’S WORLD livininglifedoingitmyway.blog FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH http://www.sf.juiceplus.com ssherrylynn49@fitztdf GOODNIGHT FROM OUR HOME AT NIGHT!
OH MY! Here Sarah is first day of H.S. and Ella first day of college and soccer!
Now – Maddy is also in college – her third year of classes and also playing soccer!
Life is changing – Deb and Mike – from three girls at home – to now just Sarah.
The twin girls – soon to be 11 years old and Bode – soon to be 8 years old.
Are also growing up so fast – and so we live on through them!
Sarah growing up – almost as tall as Ella who is taller than Sherry at 5′ 9″ !
She is now in her first year of H.S. following in the footsteps of the other two. She also could of been a really good soccer player – but has chosen the arts as her focus – dance – acting – and writing!
She looks to me just like her mother Debby!
Full of life – independent – caring – and gives her dad a run for his money! LOL
Fashion – make up – leader in trends – this is Sarah!
Full of life – she wanted grandma to take her to NYC – now I think it is Paris!
She will walk her own path in life – always looking forward.
All three of these girls – are like this – never asking just giving – helping and caring for others.
Ella from her dorm room on campus of Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
Her picture is her first day of classes and her first day of soccer practice.
She will compete against her sister Maddy in the same cofference – and Maddy is at
The University of Lynchburg – right across town from Ella!
Maddy played in 15 games as a Freshman and was a starter her Sophomore year.
Our calender is marked for when they play each other.
We hope to plan a long weekend to see them both.
Ella is so excited – on her own – no pressures from peers – just being Ella and playing soccer and taking classes.
As you can see in the picture – smiling – gentle – caring – “TINY” as we called her – all grown up!
And then there is Papa – Thomas David Fitzsimmons – graduating in May – 1967 – all those years ago.
My best H.S. friend – bottom right hand corner – Bobby – who we have reconnected the last ten years –
who in October will come for a visit – with his wife Pam – and we will play golf – beach it –
and just be talking of old times past!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
The trees behind the house are alive with the sounds of nature – frogs- cicadas – birds and the gentle breeze of the wind – the leaves – the pine needles –
I am a morning person – waking before sunrise – my favorite part of the day – seeing the breaking of the dawn.
Here – you can still see the lights on the garage – they come on at dusk and off after the Sun shines on them.
Across the street – just peaking through – the pink sky – the sun is about to shine. A new day set to begin.
Think about this sign – live life to the fullest – one day at a time.
Captured a neighborhood about to come alive.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
MY BLOG SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
One thing we wanted to do when moving farther South – was golf together – and we selected this area
because it was right in the middle of all the golf courses that we want to play.
Back in NVA where we moved from – we did like golfing there but it could be expensive!We have always golfed – even back in WNY where we belonged to Saint Bonaventure golf course.
But when we moved to NVA – we found it was just too much money and not enough time!
Our friends – the McBrides – live about forty minutes from us – but they do most of their golfing within 5 miles of our new home.
We usually do a scramble for 18 holes – guys vs. the gals.
And – as usual – they always beat us by one or two strokes!
No shame there – they are putting in regulation and we can not putt! LOL
Sherry hits a straight ball – almost everytime – down the middle – I never know where I am going!
Here she is and she got a hold of this one!
The result of the previous picture drive – the green is like less than one hundred yards away!
And this was on a 320 yard hole!
Good second shot and she was putting for birdie.
Golfing with my wife SHERRY!
We try to get out once a week – sometimes we do and other times we do not.
But golfing is being outside – green grass and trees.
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.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
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.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf
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
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!
One of the reason we choose this area to live in – is the number of golf courses available to play!
There are four 18 hole courses right across the road in Ocean Ridge Plantation!
Another 10 to 15 courses within 10 miles or less!
And – our close friends of 30 plus years – a 40 minute drive away.
Our first tee cards which we all have – most f the 32 courses are right here.
Papa and Buck at Leopards Chase golf course at Ocean Ridge Plantation – home of the four BIG CAT golf courses – we are building right across the highway from them.
We have now played this course twice – but there are three more here that we plan on playing.
Our card cost $100.00 for each of us – but you play three times and it pays for that amount in savings.
There are 32 courses on the card and most price reductions are more that half!
Sherry taking a picture of Cindy taking a picture of Buck and myself! LOL
We have a lot of fun and laughs – we try to get out once a week – selecting a different course each time.
It so happened that we had played this course back when we first came down here and it is right by our new home.
Then – during our play we select a place to have dinner – and try to make it with a view –
and not to far to drive – most courses are equal distance for all of us to drive home from.
Our view from the upper deck of the Fish Market bar and grill – right off the causeway to Ocean Isle Beach – about ten minutes to our new home.
Sherry and I have been here before and had great meal and service – and it was the same this time!
They had a fishing tournament going on and where wrapping it up!
Two $30,000.00 prizes given out!
We got to watch them cleaning up their fishing boats and then walked over to see the catch –
We had very good food and service – within 15 minutes of sitting down we were eating and the place was packed!
Our view to the left of where we were sitting of the ICW and all the boats traveling back and forth.
A good day of golf – great friends to share dinner with – and looking forward when we can do this again.
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The dormer siding is done – landscaping in and irrigation done – the grass is in even though I have no pictures!
Before the landscaping and irrigation – the grading – has to be smoothed out!The irrigation in and being tested – the landscaping in – grass has now been added – as has the garage door – and gutters are on – the lanai has been screened in and painting on inside started!The trim is done – repairs made to drywall and sanded down – painting has begun! This is the sun room.The lanai which has since been screened in – Sherry standing where door will be to the open patio and fire pit.
We get daily updates from a neighbor – the Quartz has been delivered – I know there was a wait for the tile!
French doors to the office – this is one of the main reasons we selected this model – along with a front porch! The layout provided us a place for desks for Sherry’s Internet business and a place for me to write!
Nice size trees and one more on the other side of the driveway! I like the bushes – and we will develop the back the way we want to plant – we envision large planters of flowers also.
Sherry standing in the covered front porch which I wanted as I sit on the porch all the time- Love when it is a light rain!
Walking is our way to stay healthy – praying for World peace – loving our family – friends – neighbors!
Hall closet – pantry and kitchen with island – quartz counter tops and 12 inch subway tile for back splash!
Breakfast nook with windows out to the enclosed screened in lanai!
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MASTER BEDROOM – Tray ceiling – bump out – ceiling fan to be installed – there will be a total of seven ceiling fans to circulate the air when not using the AC!
The left side of the house with landscaping and third tree!
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We pulled up to the front of the house – DRYWALL in the trash bin!
You see – there has been a delay and shortage in drywall – all over the country –
which has held up our completion by a month! Along with inspectors and inspections!
I was excited as this meant the drywall was being put in!
When I walked into the garage – it had the first coat of MUD on!Then – I went inside and it was all done – first coat of mud – we were back on schedule after four weeks!
It has been a long four to five weeks with hardly any progress – but we prayed and it is now moving forward.
Looking toward the front from the sun room – to the left – hallway – entrance to the bedrooms and bathroom – middle is outer wall to the office – and to the right hallway to laundry room and garage. Open space is vaulted living room.
The kitchen and breakfast nook.
Window to the left – breakfast nook and the yard – rear windows – the outside enclosed lanai.
Looking from the hallway into the living room – to the left – kitchen island and the breakfast nook – to the right – Sherry standing in the sun room. The whole back of the house is windows – open patio behind her through the windows.Master bedroom with bathroom to the left and hall way door to the right.
And two days later when we visited – the mud on the dry wall was completed – sanded – and we had CABINETS!
Kitchen and Island
Master bathroom
Guest bathroom
We are excited – they told us tile is going in – grading outside – doors to be hung.
Now there is a delay and shortage on PAINT!
Because of the ICE STORM in Texas and the Pandemic.
They told us they would continue doing the things they could until they got the paint.
Master bedroom
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Our new community – Cameron Woods – Ocean Isle Beach – mainland side – LOT # 89!
We are happy – moving forward -perhaps by the time this posts – we will have a move in date!
Our lot is backed by trees that will not be cleared – it is deemed protected wetlands.
We will have lots of roads to walk and new trails going in.
Almost all the purple area has been sold years ago – but no one has seemed to build on them –
maybe a half dozen really big homes!
We do not know why – investment?
You can buy lots there from individuals for a hefty price!
For now it remains paved roads – old growth shaded trees and street lights – utilities
A Sunday morning sunrise from our condo – in Ocean Keyes – North Myrtle Beach – S.C. WELCOME!
On this Sunday morning we decided after church service at the new church we will be attending –
We decided to visit Ocean Isle Beach – which will be less than ten minutes from the new house!
We need to explore this area as most likely it will be where we go to.
They have a summer concert series of live music beginning the end of May.
So we checked out the stage and open seating area – it is bring your own chairs and maybe food and drink!
We walked to the community center which sits right on the beach – has bathrooms (clean) and outdoor showers plus covered picnic tables.
Beach access and a volleyball net and court. We found where the public can park for free –
and it will be a great place to take family and friends.
Close walking distance to bar and grills and shops!
One of the two walk ways to the beach from the community center – the other is a long ramp for handicap access! Well thought out and it is open from 10:00 am. to about 5:00 pm.
One direction of the view of Ocean Isle Beach at almost high tide!The opposite direction of the beach at almost high tide!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – the next blog will be of The Fish Market bar and grill!
We found Sharkey’s also but will return to try that one!
I 