Will Eventually Be Gone

Everything that I hold dear
will eventually be gone.
Subsequently, the quality
of my life will depend on
whether I choose to appreciate
those things now or wait until then.
...Craig D. Lounsbrough

It was a privilege to be invited to stay with my friend in this duplex cottage in Florida. She rented it for 17 years in a row with her husband. I was able to visit her from 2017-2023 for 10-24 days at a time. I visited in February, March and one time in April. It was heaven on earth to me.

Well, they finally tore the cottage down late last year to likely be replaced with condos. Slowly but surely the single family cottages are disappearing. This cottage sold a few years ago but they continued to rent it out...we were lucky to get these bonus years. I did try to take extra photos and soak it all in, knowing this could be the last year. I took two long walks a day on the beach and let the warm salt water cover my feet. I was able to stay for 24 days.

In this collage of photos from last February, I lined the private walkway with Pen Shells that I found all over the beach, after a storm. I gathers all those coquina shells and used some for my Sailors’ Valentine in white, light purple, dark purple and coral colors. The collage shows the two sides of the cottage, the picture window and sandy walk to and from the beach. The center pic is the church that looks like a bird or chicken called Church by the Sea.

The cottage was an old Coast Guard Station that was converted into a duplex. My friend rented the 2 bedroom/2 bath with a covered porch, just steps from the beach. You could hear the waves and watch the sunset every night. Another friend of hers would visit from Canada and play his bagpipes on the beach at sunset. They were "snowbirds" and enjoyed nice weather in Florida during the winter months.

We would take day trips to Tarpon Springs for sea sponges and Greek food, went to Weeki Wachee to see the underwater mermaid show, visited Sanibel and Fort Meyers before the devastating hurricane in 2022 and saw Ca' d'Zan, the home of John Ringling from the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus fame.

I saw the gentle Manatee and some sting rays at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, entered the St. Pete's Shell Show and won the People's Choice Award for my Sailors' Valentine, visited the Historical Museum at Indian Rocks Beach, saw the Church by the Sea that looks like a chicken and visited the George C. McGough Nature Center.

We went to Red Barn and the Wagon Wheel flea markets/farmer's markets, the Riverwalk and water Taxi in Tampa and the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center and Mirror Lake in St. Petersburg. We frequented Yellow Banks Grove for their fresh orange juice and amazing ice cream cones...and I am not an ice cream person but could not get enough of theirs.

I was with my friend when she got her new dachshund, Annie and stayed with her at the cottage after her husband passed away. I stayed longer the last two years to help out, run errands and make meals when she was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer.

My friend taught me how to make shell art and Sailors' Valentines. I took walks on the beach and collected various seashells and brought home the fine white sand. I also brought home coquina seashells, natural sea sponges that do not grow bacteria and many fond precious memories. We both loved the beach. I will miss seeing my dear friend and this part of Florida. I might post some photos from Indian Rocks Beach this month to reminisce since I will not be there. I am sad this visit/trip has come to an end.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1-4th-Ave-Indian-Rocks-Beach-FL-33785/81407326_zpid/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%27_d%27Zan

https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/chihuly-collection

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Bros._and_Barnum_%26_Bailey_Circus

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/weeki-wachee-springs-state-park/mermaid-shows

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge

https://misstourist.com/sand-key-park-florida-usa/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_Key_(barrier_island)

[Pam Knowler]

A beautiful narrative telling us the story of your many stays in this cottage over the years but mostly telling us about your deep and abiding friendship. Very sad as times goes by and things have to change. Big hug xx

[Joan Robillard]

If it isn't a condo now it will be soon - that is what is happening in Florida. Not my favorite place even though I lived there in the 70's. It was much nicer than. When I lived there you could drive down A1A and actually see the ocean.

[Lou Ann]

Oh your narrative is so wonderful. I’m sorry your friend has the dreaded “c”. Can she come see you and stay for a good visit?

[Corinne C]

A beautiful composition with the sanding path leading to the cute cottage. Your narrative is wonderful, we can ‘hear’ your voice and understand how wonderful memories you have from your time spent with your friend. Wishing you more wonderful memories with her even if it is not in this cottage.

[Mallory]

I'm sad for you that this trip has come to an end. What incredible memories it created for you. And many fabulous photos I remember through the years. ;) Including this one - what a beautiful sky.

[CC Folk]

@pamknowler Thank you, Pam. I really miss the cabin and seeing my friend. We had fun over the years and it eventually had to come to an end. Hard to accept the changes. My friend is sad as well because she should be in Florida now. Instead she is in New Hampshire in the snow.

[CC Folk]

@joansmor Yes...sad it will be 6-8 condos crammed into the space. I loved walking down the beach and seeing the single family homes of days gone by. I think about what it used to be like. I still loved the area and enjoy the gulf side of Florida...seems more relaxed and family oriented.

[CC Folk]

@louannwarren Thank you, LouAnn. We had so much fun in Florida. Unfortunately, she cannot travel to California. It would be too difficult for her to fly and bring her dog with her and it's getting harder for her to walk with bone cancer. She would drive her car, with her doggie, down to Florida from New Hampshire. I met her in 2016 and we became fast friends and bonded over charms, dogs and the beach. I will forever be grateful to her for also teaching me the art of Sailors' Valentines. I might be able to visit her in New Hampshire again, like I did in 2016. We do talk often on the phone.

[CC Folk]

@corinnec Thank you, Corrine. I visited her in New Hampshire in 2016 when we went to a charm convention. She drove me through Maine and Massachusetts too. So fun! It was there that we bonded over our love for charms, dogs and the beach. Unfortunately, it has become more difficult for her to travel so if we get together again, I will need to visit her in New Hampshire. We do talk often on the phone...but I miss her. She has the funniest and best stories and I am always encouraging her to write them down.

[CC Folk]

@sunnygirl Thank you, Mallory. I was so spoiled and knew it would eventually end...but I am having a hard time accepting reality. After the cottage sold, we thought that was the end but they continued to rent the cottage so those were bonus years we were lucky to enjoy. Still...now it is gone. It is too difficult for my friend to look for another place and she has become more house bound. It all makes me long for the past.

[Heather]

This is so sad- the end of so many special times and connections with your dear friend in this beautiful place. And how hard now for your friend dealing with bone cancer (I can't imagine- the pain can be horrendous, I've heard) and living in a cold and snowy place. But I know your warm heart will comfort her and keep your close friendship going wherever you both may be. But, yes, it's not the same. There is loss- that's the sad truth. Sigh. Nothing more I can say, Cathee. Thank you for sharing these memories with us. xo

[Krista Mae]

What a beautiful photo of this place that hold so many "fond and precious" memories for you and your friend and her visitors. I'm sorry it's no longer in FL. Thanks for sharing. We are all sad with you. The shell pathway that you created here was so amazing. Thank you for sharing this story and photo.

[CC Folk]

@365projectorgheatherb @peekysweets

Thank you for your kind words and concern. A lot has changed for my friend over the last seven years. She lost her beloved dachshund, Libby, but she did get another loving dog. She lost her husband of 50 years, Her cancer returned and metastasized. The final straw was the cottage being leveled. It was a place to go to take her mind off things, to get her out of the house and to warm her bones. It was her happy place for two months ever year. I do worry about her and call her often.

[Dorothy]

Warm memories with a dear friend, those are the best.
Like your shell lined pathway.
May you continue to see your friend.

[CC Folk]

@illinilass Thank you, Dorothy. I truly appreciate your comment and time to view my photo. It was a wonderful place to spend time with my friend at the beach. Thank you.

[Krista Mae]

@gardenfolk That's wonderful you are able to stay connected and talk with her often. That's a lot of pain for anyone to endure, especially her husband. I'm still admiring all the shells you put along this path (It's a LONG long path.)

[CC Folk]

@peekysweets Thank you, Krista. I could not believe how many pen shells I found on the beach! I was trying to figure out what to do with them all, then came up with outlining the path. I will look and see if I posted a closer pic of what they look like. In the meantime, here is a portion of what a Sailor Valentine looks like that I posted. My friend taught me how to make them...
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2022-04-10

[CC Folk]

@peekysweets Here are the pen shells closer up. There are two sides and when opened they look like wings. There is a muscle inside that almost snapped my finger off and scared me to death. I jumped!
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2023-03-06

[CC Folk]

@peekysweets I found a few pics of my other Sailors' Valentines:

My first one...7 inch with the lid on
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2018-04-29

My 2nd one, a 10 inch without the lid
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2019-02-25

My 3rd one, a 10 inch that won the People's Choice Award at St. Pete's Shell Show (without lid)
https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2020-03-17

[Krista Mae]

@gardenfolk WOW! Those are all amazing! You are quite the artist. Thanks for sharing the Sailors' Valentine's with me.

[Krista Mae]

@gardenfolk I can see how the points help to stick them in the ground. I didn't know muscles could snap at people!

[CC Folk]

@peekysweets Thank you, Krista. My friend taught me how to make them. She said I was a good student. :)

I had to change this pic to a collage as I realized I posted this photo in February.

Here is one more shell project I made from broken shells collected at Indian Rocks Beach: https://365project.org/gardenfolk/365/2017-02-28

[Fisher Family]

What beautiful memories you now have, both of time with your friend and in this beautiful place. Sadly life moves on and can get much harder for some. I do hope you can remain in contact with your friend for a long time to come - fav!

Ian

[CC Folk]

@fishers Thank you, Ian. I can and will! :)

[Sandy Z W]

❤️😢❤️😢❤️