My blog is dedicated to all that is family – love and to promoting the good things in life.
I share with you those things daily – my hope is you look forward each day to seeing and reading it.
We do have fantastic sunrises and sunsets here.
We go to the end of the driveway – look right to the sunrise and then left to the sunset!
It is a quiet neighborhood in this direction at the end of the road – a new phase of construction has begun.
They have already framed and enclosed some sixteen houses –
they have cleared additional lots and put in two new ponds!
A total of seventy-six more homes will be built back there.
The total of Cameron Woods would then be 170 plus homes and about forty-eight attached condos
at the entrance across the street!
We are four miles to the OIB and seven miles to Sunset Beach.
Over twenty golf courses are within fifteen minutes –
many of them twenty-seven holes.
Two of the many reasons we decided to build and live here.
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My daily life on social media is to bring smiles – happy thoughts – good deeds – sharing thoughts – being a good person.
The news is filled with sorrow – hate – negative words – death and destruction.
Political discourse – friend against a friend – family against family.
Split down the middle and agitated with a false narrative.
Our actions as adults form the life of a child – repeating endless history through time.
We form our children – we protect them yet they see our actions and imitate them for the worse not the better.
I try with my blogs and with my social media each and every day to spread love- kindness – happy thoughts –
family – friends – church – smiles – and positivity toward the human race in general.
For forty-two years – forty married – they have been my life!
While I am their stepdad – they are like my own –
I am the luckiest man in the world.
They call me PAPA – and it is like a badge of honor to me.
They hug me goodnight when we stay with them – Bode gets up in the morning and the first thing he does
comes down the stairs to our bedroom – and usually, I am blogging –
He runs up to me and throws his arms around my neck –
” I LOVE YOU PAPA”!
We combined two families – four very young kids – and started the next forty years together.
Debby was eight going on nine when Sherry and I married – we were engaged for one year prior
and dated one year prior to that.
The three of them – laughing – giggling – so full of life – love them – proud of each of them.
The Ladies of my life – Papa’s World – Thanks for reading – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
TWELVE DAYS of non-stop activity – crossing off all that was on the list plus whatever we added!
Ferry rides – Fort Fisher – aquarium – scavenger hunt – arts and crafts at the park – Wonder Works in Boardwalk on the Beach – Lulu’s and playground at Barefoot Landing – Plus Bullys for lunch –
Then there were go-carts – mini golf – beach time – tidal pool – fireworks – golf cart parade – walking and riding bikes – crafts at home – IPAD time –
There was more – twelve days worth – and yes we were exhausted – but even now we miss them.
The parents came for overnight and then headed to Topsail Beach for vacation with Marcus’s family.
The kids were excited as they would see their cousins and grandparents.
It was a full twelve days of non-stop going – playing – creating – laughing – and they were so good!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
This was drawn and painted by one of the employees who work at the pier!
The morning – first a beach walk – then two mazes for the kids to work their way out –
and then to the pier to have ice cream before their parents get there from NVA!
Day twelve of having grandkids staying with us!
We were so busy – ferry rides – mazes – aquarium – Boardwalk on the Beach – Barefoot Landing –
Mini golf – beach days – go- carts – music festival – arts and crafts – playgrounds – scavenger hunt –
Fourth of July golf cart parade – fireworks – eating out for lunch and dinners!
Walking – bikes – hoverboards – monopoly (Brunswick)- games – drawing –
Huge tidal pool – riding the waves – sunset slushes and more.
Now we have found out there are two different men who are drawing MAZES on the beach!
And both are done with just a special shovel – and that is it!
He has a Facebook page and now does it in memory of his wife who passed away.
According to a newspaper article – he does this with only a shovel and in his mind –
he draws them – starting in the middle and working out.
His wife would accompany him and test them out to make sure they were right.
Now – we have discovered a second man who draws his MAZES on the beach by the third street beach access.
The grandkids loved both of them – if you take the grandkids to the beach –
this will keep them entertained for a long time! LOL
His MAZES seem to be larger – I watched him and he would go into the maze and do some patch-up work with the shovel.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
When they are home – it is outside they go – playing with friends – riding bikes!
So – before they came to visit for twelve days – we asked them to think about what they wanted to do!
And they came up with a list for each one to do and day by day we crossed those items off –
somedays more than one!
I still can not believe we did all of this – each day we added and crossed off – one by one.
And yes – by the end we were exhausted – but it was a good feeling and now –
They are gone and I wish they were back.
You should see the LIST – things that they wanted to do and wrote down!
We have one more to do – tomorrow – MINI GOLF!
Bode has wanted to play mini-golf on this one course in North Myrtle Beach
since we have been down here for two years!
The one that has the Airplane and Helicoper!
And the crafts they have done and completed – hours and hours of doing them!
We have been going to the beach every other day, mostly in late afternoons or early evenings.
That way – they will not get sunburned and they are now so tanned!
Having them here has been a joy – it will be twelve days total and their parents will pick them up.
Excitement – laughter – and some groans – but all in all – they have been very good.
Last year it was one week – this year twelve days – and we have done a lot in those times!
“PAPA – MORMOR – WHAT ARE WE DOING NEXT”?
I am going to miss them when they leave but will see them in a couple weeks –
they are going with their parents for an additional week on the beach at Topsail, N.C.
Then home and for two weeks will practice with a professional crew from California
in the musical LION KING!
We are going home to watch them.
Almost every day weather permitting – for the last 8 to 10 years – a man ( I do not know his name)
appears on the beach with just a shovel and draws these amazing MAZES!
There have been numerous newspaper articles – Facebook and other social pages and stories
of his unique style of PUZZLES on the beach at low tide.
The diagram also has instructions on how to TURN at each intersection –
you can not just walk straight through – you must turn in any direction.
The articles I have read – he does this as a hobby and for years for his wife until she passed away.
He decided to continue in her memory each day – she would accompany him and test out the MAZE!
I would like to meet him and talk to him!
While we were there for 45 minutes – at least a hundred people stopped and tried to solve the MAZE!
Although Ocean Isle Beach is closer to our home – we always take the company to Sunset Beach!
The beach is wider and more flat and shallow!
Plus – Sunset Beach is more residential and not as commercial.
The two – Bode and Cassidy are just alike although it is Taylor and Cassidy who are the twins.
Taylor takes after her MorMor who is tall – as do her cousins Sarah and Ella.
All three are going to be over 5’10”!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
Our family from Lake Holiday in Va. visited and we took them on a four-mile walk in the surf –
To the KINDRED SPIRIT MAILBOX and back!
This mailbox has been there for over 40 plus years.
Put there by a hippie and his girlfriend all those years ago.
Today – thousands of people every year walk to it – take out a journal and write their thoughts.
Those journals have been collected as historical and some are in a museum.
There are benches there and a driftwood piece with a plaque with his name on it.
One bench also has a plaque with a lady’s name and it calls her the KINDRED SPIRIT!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
These concerts are from top bands in the Carolinas – and are free to the public.
6:30 pm. to 8:30 pm.
The policy is against cans and bottles of alcohol
but as long as you have it poured into a plastic cup or another container- you are good to go.
These open-air concerts are also free every Wednesday night at Sunset Beach.
Both events draw large crowds of locals and tourists.
Just bring your chair and set it up – and then for two hours enjoy the music.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
Cassidy decided that this was the year she wanted to play soccer –
after a few years of on and off again.
The Pandemic played a role in that –
I was impressed when she went one-on-one with another boy from the other team.
She held her own and took the ball from him!
She is quick and fast – but I also see her hesitate when in a scrum –
but I think she will outgrow that as she plays more and more.
They have her in the back to play defense much as they did when her cousins
Maddy and Ella played.
Bode is fast – aggressive and quick – playing the front –
he needs to get his skills and I see that coming along quickly.
He is going to be tall like Taylor – ( who now rides horses bareback! )
Bode is a natural in whatever he does. A good athlete.
I see him developing into a very fast-aggressive soccer player.
Their soccer season has come to an end.
We got back up there to watch them both play their last games for this year.
We had an early morning walk – the sun had already come up and it was the beginning of a good day!
After walking in the community – we decided to go to Sunset Beach and see what was happening in the park on the mainland side.
This park sits on the banks of the ICW – and has these giant live oak trees –
providing shade – paved walking trails and benches to sit on.
Also – three-person glider swings – all facing the water!
We had restrooms nearby – picnic tables and a shelter – a car nearby and walking distance to ice cream!
Places to eat were also close by – as was the boat launch.
We will go back – take our chairs – cooler and food – find a place in the shade and just relax.
A 15-minute drive from our home in Cameronwood Community – on the mainland side-
SUNSET BEACH PARK.
Thanks for reading and once we got back home the sun was starting to set –
an end to a very good day!
After spending the day here at Sunset Beach – one of the top ten beaches in the country –
we drove the short ride back to our Cameron Woods Community.
After dinner and having a small sprinkle of rain – I went outside in the clean fresh air – warm –
and beheld the night early evening sky!
It was a good day – one that we spent at the beach and then back home once again.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
We gathered at 6:00 pm. for some snacks and cocktails on Sunset Beach –
it was very windy but warm and at that time of day – we pretty much had the beach to ourselves!
A small group as it was during the week and many people were not around.
Neighbors come and go all week long – some work from home – others retired.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
One of the reasons we moved to this area on the border of N.C. and S.C. is the golfing!
We have almost 25 courses within 30 minutes of our location and we love to golf.
Our friends also live down here and we try to golf once a week with them.
Our community of Cameron Woods we chose because it was not clearcut –
a lot of old-growth is here and we love that!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
We moved South from NVA which was where we thought we would stay in retirement!
But – then the Pandemic and the downturn hit – but our home value soared!
It was time – so we sold almost everything and came South –
to the border region of N.C. and S.C. – to OIB!
From our driveway, we get to see both sunrise and sunsets here in N.C. –
and we are only a couple miles from the beach!
We are close to two beaches – Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, N.C.
The course is tight with water everywhere!
Be sure to bring balls!
The course was very fun – we lost golf balls but found some also.
It was dry and needed rain – the balls just ran and ran into water!
We actually used Sherry’s ball as it was about ten yards farther –
but we still had to go over another pond and to the green!
A beautiful day and we ended up on the beach – golfing – walking on the sand and surf.
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MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
The flowers are bright yellow – and our little grandson was fascinated by all the Cactus!
Sunset Beach – is mostly level once you get over the dunes on the boardwalk.
The ocean seems calmer here and you can wade far out!
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We live on the mainland of Ocean Isle Beach – in this picture at the top right –
There is a very tall building – that is the West end of Ocean Isle Beach – with a channel between the islands.
Sunset Beach for some reason – is leveler – and shallow – and easier to walk.
However – it is also more crowded.
The pier – from which Sherry took this picture – has a historical walk with picture stations on both sides.
Going back some 300 hundred years of history in this area.
It cost one dollar to walk out – however, we purchase a pretzel and a drink and it did not cost us anything!
We walked for over an hour in the water – and it was warm.
This beach is more level and is easier for me to walk – my hip does not bother me here!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – SUNSET BEACH, N.C. is a beautiful vacation destination!
MY BLOG SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
It was light rain all day – the kind that does the lawn and flowers just right.
Nature had painted the SUNSET – the rain still coming down and behind me was the Rainbow.
A fresh landscape – warm – wet – and the sky were painted white – gray blue and yellow.
It was the WHY we choose this home location.
The day before my birthday – we celebrated with our close friends – Buck and Cindy –
She even baked chocolate chip cookies for me!
Carolina National – outside Supply, N.C. second time we have played here – a good course!
After we finished up at 6:30 pm. we headed into the clubhouse for dinner –
although they quite handily won the scramble – we always have fun
and will get together again to continue our years-old match of gals vs guys!
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com Living life to the plus one day at a time! HGD!
This blog site is a quiet place to think – ponder and believe in yourself.
Have faith – kindness and friends and family in your life.
To remove STRESS – live as you can and stay away from the TV news!
For health – find whole food nutrition like we have for sixteen years!
As my heart doctor has always told me “MOVE” – do not stay idle!
Live your life – enjoy and make new friends – life is short – live your dreams!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – PURPOSE OF BEING – MY BLOG – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
We drive past Jinks Creek every time we cross the causeway and go to the beach –
Ocean Isle Beach that is.
Back in October a couple of my buddies were here and we golfed –
after, we came to the Tiki Bar on the top floor for dinner and drinks.
What a sight it was with the sunset – looking out over the water and marsh.
I had tried to get Sherry – my wife to stop in many times –
but she thought always it was too expensive.
Finally, she agreed – and after some beach time, we stopped just to have drinks.
She was impressed at what she experienced!
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
PAPA’S WORLD Sherry and Papa – top deck Tiki Bar – JINKS CREEK – SUNSET – Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
They have been friends for going on 38 years or more –
one drives the cart – the other hangs on! LOL
They talk and talk and talk and then they laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
We – Buck and I – play them in golf and they give strokes!
They are tough to beat.
Talk of retirement for Cindy – golf – scrambles – laughter and shots – pars are shots! LOL
We were excited when we moved near the border of S.C. and N.C. – a ten-minute drive to the beach.
A lot of nights we just look at each other after cleaning up the kitchen and “LET’S GO”!
Ocean Isle Beach is a ten-minute drive over the causeway and to the sand.
However – we really like to drive the extra five minutes and go to Sunset Beach!
Here we drive to the far west end and park and walk the long boardwalk over the dunes.
Even at this time, the beach is busy with people – swimming – walking, or catching late rays from the sun.
The beach here is flatter than OIB and we like that!
Sunset Beach after dinner – one of the WHYS we moved here to Cameron Woods Community.
We live in a little community along the mainland of Ocean Isle Beach in N.C.
If you could walk to the beach straight East – it is two miles!
But since you can’t – driving is four miles and then over the causeway to OIB.
But with my coffee pouring, I step out the back door and view the sky to the South East.
And then I turn slightly to the left toward the East – and this view I have almost every day!
It is so quiet and you hear the multitude of birds every morning calling and chirping.
It is this scene of my WHY for a front porch and a place to sit and sip my morning brew.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World: MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
I love sunrises and sunsets – a good way to start and end your day!
The sky slowly turned into a creamsicle color as the sunset!
We have finished all the landscaping and are presently putting in flowers leaving open spaces.
All our trees are edged with stones around them.
At night – they are all lit up with solar lights.
Thanks for reading – Creamsicle skies and flowerbeds.
When the project of saving the beach from erosion on OIB on the East end came to a close –
not only was there a new 900-foot wide new beach –
but it was full of dredged up seashells and of course, the little ones went searching!
These three – esp Bode and Cassidy – you have to have something planned out to do every day!
MORMOR is Swede for MOTHERSMOTHER!
All three just love her – Cassidy calls her every week or texts her often.
This summer we will travel North to their home and bring them back for a week with us.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
We moved farther south – all the way to the border of N.C and S.C.
We wanted it to be warm in the winter – four seasons without snow and ice.
We wanted to be close enough to the beach that we could drive and spend hours there or walk.
A place family and friends would visit – one floor – but enough room to have people stay.
It is a quiet place – room to walk –
friendly neighbors – we all are new here.
Our life has changed – we did like where we were – but times change – getting older
has a way of making those changes.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD
my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
She and her brother argue – fight – yell at one another – cry – but beware – she protects him
like a little mother would – she takes his hand in the surf – she is beside him always in the waves.
She is CASSIDY – SHE is the big protective sister who looks out for him –
and she also is the one who constantly texts or zooms or facetime her Grandmother(MORMOR)
She and Bode should have been the twins – so alike – sound the same – always movin –
two peas in a pod – in fact, if I am not in the room and they talk –
I have a hard time telling the difference between who is who!
The two of them are inseparable on the beach and in the water.
When one comes out – the other follows.
She takes his hand when they wade out – they jump the waves together – they are as one.
She is kind – quiet – studious – and constantly reading Harry Potter novels.
She loves horses and is becoming an accomplished equestrian at age of eleven.
She is tall and I think will surpass her grandma who is almost 5’10”.
When walking she grabs your hand or when standing next to you – lays her head on your arm.
She is TAYLOR!
But – she has another side to her – a side that makes me smile.
She quietly – by herself – has an array of little stuffed animals she takes with her everywhere.
She treats them as her little family.
She has names for each and every one of them.
She smiles – she laughs – she is funny.
She is bright – reading at a Junior level.
She knows about brackish water – why there are tides –
She can explain climate change – she is beyond her years!
But she has that little secretive side to her –
The side that when she is not in the room – you see what she has done!
This is our Taylor Bear as Mommie calls her.
The quiet one – the reader and studier.
The one who grabs your hand to walk or lays her head on your shoulder.
THIS IS TAYLOR – one of our twin granddaughters.
I first saw him – slowly walking the beach near the surf line –
at first glance, I thought of him to be homeless.
He was pulling what looked like a wagon – but it was a beach wagon.
And it was piled high with things I could not make out from a distance.
As I watched a family near him also watched him as he slowly passed them.
Then I realized he had a suit and tie on – very well dressed –
“WHERE WAS HE GOING I THOUGHT”?
Struggling – he was struggling to pull that beach wagon.
Then I walked over to him thinking I might help him a bit.
That is when he told me a short story – a story about “THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE”!
“Hello he said – it is a beautiful day isn’t it”?
He continued to talk – not stopping – but then I asked him where he was going and what was in the wagon.
“I am going to go way down there” he pointed – some two miles away!
“I just came from the pier” some 1/2 to 1 mile back –
“This is harder than I thought”! he said. “The tires are too small”!
“But – I am here and I am going to do this for THE LOVE OF MY LIFE”!
You see – he had brought her here years ago – by themselves and had walked this very beach
together hand in hand so he said.
He said, ” She told me it was the best thing she ever had done in her life”!
She loved that day – no other day in her whole life compared to it.
Then – ten years ago she passed away and he was in a car accident.
He slowly walked once again – and that day he was going back –
pulling that wagon – he continued talking-
I have a generator in there that weighs 60 pounds and speakers!
I have two chairs and a small table – it is very heavy – but I will take a chair out and rest.
I wish I had different tires he said – bigger ones.
“I am going to set up that generator and speakers – my two chairs – one for her and one for me”!
” I have my smartphone with a playlist of all her favorite songs – I am going to blast it out there”
he said pointing to the ocean.
“I AM GOING TO PLAY THOSE SONGS FOR THE LOVE OF MY LIFE”!
“Yes sir – that is what I am going to do in the place that was the best day of her life”!
“Thank you for talking to me sir – God Bless you – I have to be on my way”! he said and turned away.
There goes love – true love – OLD MAN WALKING – FOR THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE!
On one of our trips across the World – we ventured to California.
We found some very large Redwoods in a place called MUIR’S FOREST!
It was very foggy that day and we had no idea what we would see for it was a drive through hills
a road that went up and down and around – steep sides to fall thousands of feet.
And then we came to a parking lot that seemed out in the middle of nowhere.
Our paved road was no longer – it was sand and dirt.
And it proved to be after the fog lifted – near the Ocean.
Houses were there but first, we had to walk that dirt path through the woods.
Magnificant woods they were – Ancient trees hundreds of feet tall and big enough around
you could lock arms with a dozen people and not have enough to encircle the base.
WE WERE IN MUIR’S REDWOOD FOREST!
We were off the paved highway and onto the dirt path – sometimes to see the beauty
you have to get your feet dirty and experience the wonder of nature.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Our family came to spend their spring break with us before Easter.
We spent a lot of time between beaches – and it was a warm week for water and sand.
Shelling – walking – boogie boards – blowing sand – no rain – warm sun and family time.
Taylor excels in horseback riding and grooming – riding lessons once a week.
She is very tall for her age and will be taller than her MORMOR Sherry –
who is almost 5’10”.
Ella has already matched Sherry and Sarah will soon.
These two are so much alike that they should have been the twins.
Bode will end up also being very tall.
Her warmth and caring – her love of her MORMOR whom she calls all the time.
Her use of YOUTUBE for art projects and drawings.
She is playing soccer as is Bode.
She is quick – fast and agile.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World my blog: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Not only do we live near each other – but we have bonds that go back to WNY!
They also lived back in NYS and know many of the places we know!
They had invited us to go boating on their second trip out after they had tried it out on their first outing.
It was a warm day off the water but the wind on THE ICW made it a bit chilly
and long sleeves were welcomed!
We spent almost four hours traveling down to Little River – just cruising slowly and returning!
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The community center – pickleball courts and pool will be on our left at the top of the hill and our mailboxes will be on the right-hand side in a small cul-de-sac.
Inspections – material shortages – labor – One developer sold to another – numerous delays!
But when completed we can walk easily to it and it will be so nice –
the inside has been drywalled and painted in 80 % of the building –
the area to the right in the pictures has yet to be drywalled.
I have no idea why it was not done all the way through – but the drywall is sitting in there.
Inside are bathrooms – kitchen, meeting room, fireplace, workout area, lounging area, etc.
The main entrance – gated – is to the right.
Once back on Waterway road – it is straight back to the house –
or you can choose to do five other cul-de-sacs – some with houses most are vacant.
Or walk the road to the pond – to the end of the cul-de-sac or go to the new construction area and walk.
If you choose to walk everything in Cameron Woods plus the garden homes –
it would be close to seven or eight miles!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
Paul and Janet Brown are from Eldred Pa. and I have known them
as we all graduated from the same H.S. – Otto-Eldred.
Paul – Sherry and I and his brother Jim all worked for American Olean Tile in Olean, N.Y.
Paul – Jim and I all played softball together in the mid-’70s.
Paul and Janet have known Cindy and Buck McBride for years and years – we all are old friends.
After dinner – we found a place to take a group photo –
but the bright sun was brutal!
Finally – a very nice lady who was standing on the top deck –
said she would come down and take the picture.
She walked all the way down from the third floor – bless her!
We have a core group of friends that go back to the late ’70s –
We try to get together over the years – now we live only 35 minutes from Buck and Cindy
and we try to play golf once a week with them.
Jim and Dottie are in Va. Beach and Paul and Janet are still in Eldred
but now are retired and RV in Florida.
They were kind to find a place nearby and camp for two nights
allowing us all to get together – we miss you, Jim, and Dottie!
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MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
While visiting us – our daughter and granddaughter went with us to Sunset Beach
to view its renowned sunset.
It seems everyone heads to this location –
as I dropped them off and had to drive a couple blocks to park.
But – it was worth the walk back in time to capture the mother and daughter doing a selfie!
The trip was worth it and while no clouds for reflection – the marsh provides that quiet feeling!
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@aol.com
It is very wide here and at low tide – you feel you almost could walk across the cove to the other island.
Here are Debby – Sherry, and Ella – a few others were walking – but the gusts of wind made it cold.
The tidal pools were warm – the air cold and the wind gusting – but the sun was warm – which made it bearable to spend an hour or so exploring this part of the beach.
Wide-open and almost deserted beach – tide going out and exposing even more beach.
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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
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
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
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
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
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!
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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
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
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!
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MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com
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
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.
I 