 E A G L E S…Eagles. The typical Eagles fan expects the worst, and then feels relieved when the team somehow wins. And then immediately begins to worry about the next game. I’m more of a 4th quarter fan- took a quick walk on the beach after work (cold and windy), and returned in time to see the big win. Less frustrating way to watch the game!Â
Category: Activities
-
Sunday Sights
-
South Jersey v. North Jersey
 This weekend’s playoff game is a true test of the state border. If you are cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles, you likely vacation in one of the shore towns south of Atlantic City. The New York Giants? Long Beach Island and the northern beaches are your preferred destinations.May the best beach area (I mean team) win 🙂
-
New Year’s Eve at the Shore
 The man on the right was giving the man on the left a surfing lesson this morning! These were not kids- I’m guessing that both qualify for an AARP card. They said the water was “just right”. The wife of the man taking the lesson thought July would have been better option. 🙂
 As predicted, the winds are picking up (an understatement) and the temperatures are dropping. Owners are arriving for the long weekend- the business districts in Avalon and Stone Harbor are very active- always good to see.Happy New Year!Â
-
That’s Better
 The power of the sun is amazing (I guess that’s why the snowbirds head to Florida this time of year). The temperatures are cool today, but the warm sun reflecting off of the ocean made it just right for my walk.Hopefully the weather will be reasonable for New Year’s weekend.  Several local restaurants will be open (not just WaWa), and on New Year’s Day (Thursday), the Stone Harbor 96th Street shops will be open for their popular annual sale. Hope to see you around town!
Â
-
Sunday Sights
The Philadelphia news stations predicted a windy and a balmy day- heading to 65 degrees. At the shore, the strong southerly winds carried in dense fog- dropping our temperatures considerably. Today’s weather reminds me of a typical early spring day. The sun is trying to burn off the fog- but without success- just swirls of moisture against the gray sky.
   I couldn’t see more than a 1/2 block ahead as I walked on the beach. I returned soaked through…glad to be be home to warm up! -
Dashing Through the Sand
 Need to work off a few Christmas cookies? If you will be in the Avalon, NJ area Saturday, 12/27 (tomorrow), sign up for Dashing Through the Sand 2008: a 5K fun run and 2 mile walk.Registration opens at 7am at the Avalon Community Hall (30th and Avalon Avenue); race starts at 9am.
Proceeds benefit The Craig Kenneth Lozier Memorial Scholarship fund. UPDATE- The race was a great success. Over $5000 raised for the scholarship.Â
-
Seashore Santa
Â
 Santa– the lifesize painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember. Santa began his life of service in the early 1960’s at my parents’ first house in Avalon. He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs. Inside that modest rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire” .
In the 1970’s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace. The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.
In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go. Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach. In the 1980’s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!
When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990’s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home. I was of course thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shore”.Â
Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.  A few years ago, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!Â
Now approaching 50 years old, Santa is showing some signs of wear (aren’t we all). I thought about asking an artist to do a “touch up”, but it just doesn’t seem right.  It’s good to remember that so much time has passed- it helps us to celebrate the journey.Â
Merry Christmas!
-
Baby It’s Cold Outside…
 Yep, it’s as cold as it looks.  Took a refreshing walk on the beach this afternoon. Glad to be distracted by the view!
 That’s ICE on the beach – brrrrrrr. -
Shades of Gray
 It’s that time of year…still dark at 7am. The sky, ocean, and sand are various shades of gray. Dreary and damp best describe today…
 Thank goodness for Christmas lights and colorful December sunsets 🙂 -
Winter Ocean
 Once the rain stopped yesterday, a walk to the beach was in order. There were hundreds of birds floating around just beyond the wave break- an odd sight.The sun is back out today- with mild temperatures for December.Â