Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Peace

    When I have faced difficult situations, I noticed that others around me continued on with their normal life.  My world felt upside down.  How could day to day activities take place?

    Yet, that’s exactly what we did after Sandy…and in the days since the awful events in Connecticut. I don’t believe it’s because we lack compassion- more that there is little we can do personally to change a tragedy.  In fact that helplessness weighs on us.  We want to help, but wonder how, or if our efforts would even be significant.

    So I will hug my grandchildren later this week (ages 5 and 11), support a local charity with Sandy Relief, and pray for peace to replace sorrow…

    P.S. One of my sisters posted this last night on Facebook.  It really touched me:

    Our town has a tradition of driving Santa around the town on a firetruck. Tonight was that night – and although our “kids” are grown – we still go out on the porch as we hear the sirens approach – and wave to Santa. Tonight though I found myself crying – for all of the families who’s lives are forever changed due to the events that have happened over the recent weeks. Especially the families in Connecticut – my children are the ages of those young teachers. It is beyond heartbreaking.

  • Gray Sunrise

    Seems appropriate for the day…

  • Just Because…

    Picture taken 2 weeks ago- the Avalon Fishing Pier.  Since then, we haven’t seen much of the sun.  Today, we have a cloudless sky and bright sunshine.  And, based on the flags over Hoy’s: a steady wind from the north. This official weather report is brought to you from the comfort of my office over looking Dune Drive 😉

  • Beach Tag Discussion

    Frustrating to read that a few elected officials want to hold funding for Sandy relief hostage, in trade for eliminating beach tags. Do they think the shore communities make a profit from this revenue?

    The reality: money generated from the sale of beach tags is used to off set the cost to maintain, clean, and guard the beaches.

    For more detail, I have attached the article from today’s Press of Atlantic City: Beach Tags

    Yes, it’s a user fee- similar to paying a toll on a roadway.  And, yes, the year round residents and property owners (aka tax payers) buy tags, too.

    We purchase 6 seasonal tags each summer; $126 total for the privilege of using “my beach” and sharing it during family visits.  For that nominal fee, I see the tractors raking the beach each morning, the Borough Public Works crew emptying the trash cans, and the well trained lifeguards in their assigned spot.  A bargain!

  • Life in Black and White

    Have to really look to find color on these foggy days!

     

  • Perspective

    The best way to see the ocean front homes on the island?  From the paths, and on the beach.  It’s the only way to really appreciate the architecture (and get a perspective of the views).   Another excuse for me to walk along the beach as often as possible 😉

     

  • Worthwhile Article

    Interesting article in today’s Press of Atlantic City: Vacation Homes Tangling Recovery   The contrast between residents and second home owners is described as it relates to assistance from FEMA and flood insurance.

    In Avalon and Stone Harbor specifically, only 14% of the dwellings function as a primary residence.  I was thinking about this recently as I walked by homes with sea grass still in the yard, and evidence of dampness along the block foundation.  The interior of the house may be fine, but the crawl space was obviously flooded.  The water is gone, yet if the insulation and/or duct work got wet…it needs to be replaced.  I worry that those owners will be back in April and find mold inside their home- a much more expensive fix.

    Better to hire someone to thoroughly inspect the crawl space (and garage)- just to be sure.  If you need a recommendation for a contractor or HVAC company, I am happy to help.

     

     

  • It’s Already December?

    Off to a nice start.  Have a great weekend!

  • Beach Walking

    The view is always changing…and I often see something especially unique.

    Yesterday on a beach path, I saw a pine tree decorated with a few Christmas balls, as well as orphaned beach items- flip flops and shovels.  Last week, I walked by a fort built from “Sandy” debris- very creative!  And of course, there is the bonus of finding beautiful sea glass 🙂

  • Full Moon

    Beautiful views last night of the full moon rising over the ocean.

    Minimal clouds on the horizon- so we were able to see it soon after the official moon rise.

    A huge, pink ball glowing over the water…