It’s August 1st.
And it’s Saturday.
So you know what that means?
It means it’s time to join my blogging friends on this first Saturday in August … which also happens to be the first of August … to share what/why/how we find/make August cozy.
You’ll find the links to my friends at the bottom of the post. And I also want to give a giant shout out to Jennifer at Town & Country Living for organizing this monthly “gathering” of sorts. 🙂
August has traditionally been a crazed and crazy month. What with the end of summer camp and gearing up for back-to-school. There’s always an underlying layer of stress. And constant list-making.
But couched in the middle of the month … for the past 23 years (!) … I’ve squeezed in a little August cozy time with our annual pilgrimage to visit the grandparents (my kid’s, not mine) in Florida.
They moved to Daytona Beach Shores years before I married. Or had kids. So this annual trip is a way for them to bond.
But this year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be going to Florida.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be walking on — or swimming in — the beaches of Daytona Beach Shores.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be dodging the cars that drive on the beaches of Daytona Beach Shores.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be walking down the steps to the beach …
and seeing this view.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t watch these little birds run away from incoming waves.
And running back out as the water recedes to forage for food.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be feeding the fish at our favorite waterfront dining spot, DJ’s Deck in Port Orange.
This year is the first year in 23 years we won’t be eating spicy peel-and-eat shrimp while enjoying this view …
or sitting back in these Adirondack deck chairs.
Okay, that last statement isn’t completely true. We spend our time at DJ’s sitting at a table under a giant thatched roof eating those spicy peel-and-eat shrimp. I just find the Adirondack chairs charming. 😉
But you get the point.
Twenty-three years of cozy are on hold this year. While back-to-school stressors remain. Including the constant list-making. 🙂
Be sure to check out how my blogging friends are finding their cozy this August at the links below …
Finding Silver Pennies / Making It In the Mountains / Town and Country Living / Sincerely Marie Designs
Looks like such a beautiful place to visit! It’s so hard to miss out on those traditions and things we look so forward to right now, but hopefully it’ll make returning to them all that much sweeter next year!
Think of all the many, many sacrifices the WWII generation made so we could all go the beach each summer. And realize how little we are being asked to do to do our part to end this pandemic.
I fully agree! I’m willing to make whatever sacrifices it takes. Honestly, I’m not complaining (and hope this post doesn’t sound like that). I’m just worried about my aging and ailing parents and it’s sad that I can’t visit to make sure they are okay and stock their fridge with food!
I feel your ache friend, we aren’t going home to the East coast (New Brunswick) this year either, I miss the salt air and our family so much! I hope we are able to have our cherished traditions back soon. <3 Gorgeous scenes!
Thanks for sharing. I miss going to the beach and enjoyed to photo’s. I live in Arizona where it’s 118 degrees.
Linda I agree wholeheartedly about how nice it would be to check on aging parents. I just worry that so many people don’t realize what my grandparents gave up for us to have the freedoms that we enjoy today even during the midst of a pandemic. Sincerely hope you get to see your parents very soon.
Thanks for sharing some of your past fun moments. Looks as you and your family had fun precious memories. This coronavirus truly has disrupted so many things on so many levels. Stay safe.
We love Ponce Inlet…a short distance down A1A. No driving on our beach.
Aw, Linda – I’m so sorry you don’t get to visit your parents this summer. This is such a weird time and I feel bad for kids who aren’t able to experience “normal life” right now. Thanks for the beautiful photos though. Love that one of the birds on the beach. It reminds me of our trips to Hilton Head Island when the kids were little. Enjoy your summer in Chicago, though. It’s a beautiful town with lakeside views.
Enjoyed seeing these photos of Florida! I know we’re all missing so many things this year. Hopefully, you can go next August!