Marci McGuinness with sister, Michelle Walls, at Tara Cunningham's (my daughter!) wedding shower, June 15, 2014. While I was packing to go south and start setting up our coastal life, Shelly found a lump that will be extracted August 20, 2014. She told the Doctor in that tone she uses when she MEANS IT, "I am GOING to the beach!"
To the Beach!
It was late March 2014. I was shoveling my way down the walkway. I had been blessed with a peaceful creative winter, but that day I stopped shoveling snow and began planning. I realized I was turning 59 in July and if I was going to live at the beach during this lifetime, it was now or never. My sister, Shelly, received a phone call that moment. She agreed it was time to honor Mom's legacy and head to the ocean. My friend, Pam, looked at me in a way I had been awaiting, when I presented the idea.
"We need to live in Cocoa Beach. John is there. Par is nearby. I am going," I said. The last thing Jimmy Bendishaw said to me when he was dying was that it was up to me to help Pam pick up the pieces. Seven years later, after living in hell for too many years, she could she a real future.
Over four months I held 15 lengthy bonfires, gave away over a dozen big bags of clothes, distributed family heirlooms, and purged the corners of my life, so I could open it up. As things developed I realized I wanted to live at the beach and spend summers and holidays at home. I love the heat, the tropical plants, animals, fish, manatees, walking from home to a progressive downtown, fishing, the ocean's tide.
Once I really got on a roll, I contacted the owner of the sailing magazine, Southwinds, in Bradenton, Florida. I presented a list of article ideas for the Carolina coast, and headed there July 30.
My first stop was New Bern, North Carolina where I spent two days at the wonderful Captain's Stay. Good find! Debbie and Paul Johnson (and their trusty parrot, Jake) treated me to fresh vegie omlettes and crispy bacon in the morning and two delightful rooms. The first night I took advantage of the deep claw foot tub in the Master Suite. It had been a long drive and I could not have been more welcomed, more comfortable, or better cared for. The fabulous beds in both the Master Suite and the Nautical Room afforded me the recharging I needed. It rained my entire stay, except that first evening, when I sailed with Captain Cayden of On the Wind Sailing Cruises.
The Johnsons had spent their careers Captaining charter boats for the rich and famous. I interviewed them in-depth and will share their full story soon.
"We need to live in Cocoa Beach. John is there. Par is nearby. I am going," I said. The last thing Jimmy Bendishaw said to me when he was dying was that it was up to me to help Pam pick up the pieces. Seven years later, after living in hell for too many years, she could she a real future.
Over four months I held 15 lengthy bonfires, gave away over a dozen big bags of clothes, distributed family heirlooms, and purged the corners of my life, so I could open it up. As things developed I realized I wanted to live at the beach and spend summers and holidays at home. I love the heat, the tropical plants, animals, fish, manatees, walking from home to a progressive downtown, fishing, the ocean's tide.
Once I really got on a roll, I contacted the owner of the sailing magazine, Southwinds, in Bradenton, Florida. I presented a list of article ideas for the Carolina coast, and headed there July 30.
My first stop was New Bern, North Carolina where I spent two days at the wonderful Captain's Stay. Good find! Debbie and Paul Johnson (and their trusty parrot, Jake) treated me to fresh vegie omlettes and crispy bacon in the morning and two delightful rooms. The first night I took advantage of the deep claw foot tub in the Master Suite. It had been a long drive and I could not have been more welcomed, more comfortable, or better cared for. The fabulous beds in both the Master Suite and the Nautical Room afforded me the recharging I needed. It rained my entire stay, except that first evening, when I sailed with Captain Cayden of On the Wind Sailing Cruises.
The Johnsons had spent their careers Captaining charter boats for the rich and famous. I interviewed them in-depth and will share their full story soon.
It was a rainy Saturday morning in Oriental, North Carolina on August 2. The Dragon's breath Regatta I came to town to cover was cancelled as they were calling for 5 inches of rain and weren't kidding. Nonetheless, I had an amazing weekend, and how about the sunset? What fun it is to pop into the sailing capital of a state and just start chatting with people. My condo at theOriental Marina & Inn overlooked the harbor, tiki bar, swimming pool and Toucan Grille Restaurant. Shrimp boats and sail boats were docked, so I knew I had a captive audience.
I was hooked up with the town historian right away. Fay Midyette Bond was 90 years old when we met that day. Her dog Goldie checked me out, and we chatted about how her relatives started the town, how Oriental got its name, about her 50 turtles, 45th annual watermelon social and even her long time love and sailing partner, John Bond.
In living-oak-lined McClellandtown, SC, I met with Aaron Balwin about his new boat design, the Biyak. As I finish the feature articles, I will share them in upcoming blog posts
I was hooked up with the town historian right away. Fay Midyette Bond was 90 years old when we met that day. Her dog Goldie checked me out, and we chatted about how her relatives started the town, how Oriental got its name, about her 50 turtles, 45th annual watermelon social and even her long time love and sailing partner, John Bond.
In living-oak-lined McClellandtown, SC, I met with Aaron Balwin about his new boat design, the Biyak. As I finish the feature articles, I will share them in upcoming blog posts
More next week... I rented a small condo in Cocoa Beach beginning September 1. Oh, what FUN! ENJOY, Marci | Coming in my next blog post: Who is Cedar Jace? Publishing Consultation Service Health Notes GREAT LINKS: www.parthenarodriguez.com www.brynn.estella.weebly.com www.indiefilmfunding.com www.uniontownspeedway.com |
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