From the ground (I mean sand) up

It warmed up to 71, and I decided I should get back to carving. I’m so glad I did – it is good for me to be near the water – very rejuvenating. I know my blood pressure drops when I carve, I get so relaxed.

built from the flat sand today, on a new spot.
built from the flat sand today, on a new spot.

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Rain made yesterday’s castle look ancient

Yesterday, I leisurely started a castle, and then pulled a chair down to the water’s edge, and read (and it felt good!)
Last night, it rained, and made the castle look ancient. I finished the wall and put up some defenses around the castle, and added the village, all the time, fighting the wind and tide.
I like it when the tide comes up and surrounds the castle. I left today, not sure how much of the castle will remain tomorrow. (But I’ll be ready to build a new one!)

just the castle top from yesterday
just the castle top from yesterday

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Beautiful weather, and a few people on the beach today

Old friends Denny, Carol, Adam and Shannon are here for the week – so nice to see them!
I meet so many people by way of my castle building – today, met Doug, who has a condo in Pilot Point; and Tim and Victoria, from Frederich, Maryland.

Today, I was finally able to finish yesterday’s castle. I won’t be on the beach tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday. (Going up to Pennsylvania for some doctor’s appointments.) We’ll be back Wednesday afternoon.

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Said goodbye to a few friends on the beach today

Tate and her family had to go home to Belaire, Maryland; Nathan and his family left yesterday for Colorado, Maryland, and Ohio.
Ellis Duncan will go home in the morning, to miss the Sunday traffic, but his sisters Nancy and Judy, with cousin Faye and their friends Liza and Judy will be here this week.
Finished a castle today that most people said looked like a fortress. I’ll be on the beach tomorrow, God willing, and then will go home for a day, up to Pennsylvania.001

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Nathan & his mom Kim & Gram Karen built a wonderful castle!

5 1/2 yr old Nathan and his mom, Kim, from Louisville, CO teamed up with Gram Karen, from Copley OH, to build an elaborate castle today.

My castle was a really different design today. Jack said I needed to be off the beach by 5pm, to go to Serendipity, for my birthday dinner. Despite lots of talking, I was able to finish the castle and get off the beach in time!

(me), Nathan, Kim, Karen
(me), Nathan, Kim, Karen

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3 1/2 year old Tate built with her mom; 5 1/2 year old Nathan flew in from Louisville, Colorado.

5 1/2 year old Nathan flew with his Mom and Dad to Baltimore, from Louisville, Colorado, and is here with his grandparents. He hopes to build tomorrow, after he had a lesson today.

Tate is 3 1/2, and built a great castle with her mom, Tammy. I forgot to write down where they’re from (but I think Belaire, Maryland.) I’m sure I’ll find out tomorrow!

Lots of visiting (and talking) with people today – Ellis Duncan and his sister Judy are back again (met them last year.) Ellis told us he’s a character in a book about the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. (We knew he was a character!) The book is called “This Ain’t no Holiday Inn”, by James Lough, in its third printing, a

Tate, with her big smile and castle
Tate, with her big smile and castle

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008vailable from Amazon.

although I had to start anew, I felt so good, finishing

There was a family who left their things right next to where I build. They weren’t there, but my sandcastle mound was obliterated.
I started again, not liking whomever it was who had left their things next to me. When they came back, I knew it was them. Obnoxious kids, whining, fighting, throwing sand. Their mom was reading a book, and totally ignoring them.
There was a family who came over to me later – that I remembered through their children (although it was probably 10 years ago!!) These people make it all worth while!
They brought their 2 year old, Piper – sweet little girl, and made me remember why I share and do these castles!
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Not enough time today, but a start

We had company (Phyllis Brady, from Village Green!)come over from Cape May on the ferry today, and it was nice sitting, talking with her!

I was able to start a castle today, but didn’t have enough time to do very much. But then again, some time is better than no time!001

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Labor Day Weekend is here

I was worried that I might not be able to have ‘my spot’ on the beach today, but the families that were there knew I’d come (eventually!) I moseyed on down about 1:30 today, and spent time teaching kids, with the plan that I would carve an alligator.
After teaching Ryan – 12, from Green Lane (near Quakertown, PA) and Francesca – 9, from Philadelphia, PA, I was able to rough out an alligator.
It was nice to see Keiry – 6, from Newark, DE, and her friend, Madison – 7, from Newark, also. They were friends from last year. 004

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Ryan - 12, from Green Lane, PA,  built a great castle, AND got his dad building, too!
Ryan – 12, from Green Lane, PA, built a great castle, AND got his dad building, too!