Today is national Flag Day, and I would be remiss if I didn’t pay homage to the symbol of our nation and the freedom we enjoy.  Our county, Liberty County, was formed by the Constitution on February 5, 1777.  Today, we’re the home of  Ft. Stewart Army Installation and the 3rd Infrantry Division who currently has 15,622 soldiers deployed.  We have a proud heritage.  It is a privilege to recognize Flag Day.

The Arts Council’s Sax & the Summer at Yellow Bluff was so much fun.  If you were unable to attend, we missed you.  And YOU missed an incredible evening of blues & beach music with Mike Hulett, the Super Sax Man.   Plus, a whole lot more…

 ”We love supporting the Arts,” Yellow Bluff partner Ren Keel said.  “Leah Poole and the Arts Council do a lot of good work in the community.”  (Check out their upcoming events).   “Not only do they support a variety of events for all ages, you’ll find the Arts Council members involved in all kinds of civic and charitable endeavors,” Keel said.  “So it’s our pleasure to provide a location for the annual Sax & the Summer event.”

Thank you to Woodmen of the World, another sponsor of the event.

So… What could be better than sitting on the dock with a friend and enjoying the view?  Or relaxing by the pool with friends and listening to the soothing music of our favorite sax man?  Our Saturday night crowd at Sax & the Summer couldn’t come up with much to compete with the laid back ambiance, cool beverages, tasty treats by Lisa Braun of The Perfect Party, and the rhythmic sounds of one of our all time favorite entertainers, singer/saxophonist Mike Hulett.   

For me personally, it had been a hectic day so it was especially nice to collapse in a rocker on the porch underneath a spinning ceiling fan for awhile.  My mom joined me in another rocker, and soon Nancy & Scott (our Yellow Bluff architect) made their way from the dock to visit with us.  Everything was low key … easy.  Just what I needed.  Good conversation, a gentle breeze, and a beautiful view.  Sometimes it is fun to be at a party, but not in the center of activity every moment.  I found the ideal spot on the porch that was close enough to enjoy the music, the buzz of conversation in the background, and to talk with friends.  It was a great way to unwind before I got into the rhythm of the party.  (And I noticed others wandering in Bluff Park and walking on the dock — all within hearing the music).

Soon afterwards,  I enjoyed visiting at different tables by the pool.  “Pull up a chair,” one after another said.  It was fun to catch up with a few friends that I don’t see often.  Isn’t that one of the best parts of a party?

Later, I was even game when Meredith said, “Let’s dangle our feet in the pool.”  I slipped off my sandals and pushed my capris up.  I eased down to the side of the pool and slid my bare feet into the water.  “Ahh,” I said to her.  “The water is warm… just right.”  Soon, we had quite a few folks at our side, and we discussed the latest books and traveling while watching others dance at the water’s edge across from us. 

Of course, I headed into the clubhouse again and again to mingle and to try “just one more’ dish.  Okay, they were all delicious.  Hey, it was a party with lots of tempting treats.  Caterer Lisa Braun of The Perfect Party, like Mike Hulett, never disappoints!  Her menu included:  Cobb Salad Dips, Spanish Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, Caprese Pasta Salad, Sirloin Tips with Bloody Mary Sauce, Mini Mac ‘n Cheeses, Greens & Berries Salad, Lemon Cheesecake Squares … and a wonderful mint oreo cookie dessert to die for.  Yum.  Complimentary wine and beverages rounded out the meal.

The second annual Arts Council event was a lot of fun.  Enjoy a sampling of the scenes:

 

 

 

A personal thank you to Herbert Stacy of Stacy’s Florist & Gifts, Sara Swida of Keep Liberty Beautiful, Leah Poole of United Way & the Hinesville Area Arts Council, the Yellow Bluff team, and to Leigh Breon, ReMax Accent who handled an Open House prior to Sax & the Summer and Gene & Zennie Hall for allowing their Salt Box Cottage & new carriage house to be available to tour.  Photos courtesy of Jim Holmes and Meredith Brown.

Allen, Meredith and I joined Capt. Wild Bill and Joyce aboard their 24-foot Jolly-Mon for a trip to Blackbeard Island on the Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend.  It was my first “official” tour with Capt. Wild Bill, though I’d booked numerous outings on everything from family eco tours and romantic sunset champagne cruises to serious tarpon fishing trips with seasoned fishermen.  But our trip was designed for relaxing and enjoying the sights along the way as we toured the scenic backwaters between Yellow Bluff and St. Catherine’s and on to Blackbeard Island.  

We left the Yellow Bluff dock around 7:30 A.M., and the water was like glass.  We cruised from Ashley Creek to Cedar Creek to the IntraCoastal Waterway.  From there we passed the “inside” (i.e. not the ocean side) of St. Catherine’s Island, a 10-mile long 14,000 acre island, owned and managed by the St. Catherine’s Island Foundation.   As a Georgia barrier island, the “public” has access to the beaches but not to the interior of the island without an invitation.  We saw boats and people at some of the beaches on St. Catherine’s.  It was obvious that some folks had camped on the beach and were already enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. 

Two things amazed me during the half-day adventure.  Well, really several things.  

First, the landscape of St. Catherine’s is so diverse:  flat white ”beachy” areas mixed with high “rugged” bluffs.  There were thick wooded areas with massive live oaks, ancient magnolia trees, and what I’d describe as funky, weather-beaten pines.  “You can see why the barrier islands were a perfect place for pirates to congregate,” said Capt. Wild Bill.  There were areas that looked right out of Jurassic Park.  Spooky.  And, of course, the favorites included idyllic spots for a perfect picnic on a white sandy beach or a calm stretch of water just right for children to swim.  

Second, it was Memorial Day weekend and most of the time it seemed that our boat was alone in the expanse of water.   

Third, the waterways and islands are a bird-watcher’s paradise, even for a novice. 

Fourth, we arrived at Blackbeard Island around 10:30 after a morning of touring the waterways, and we were the only people on the beach.  A few folks arrived later.  But we had the beach to ourselves.  Miles and miles of white sandy beach stretched before and behind us.  We found tons of shells and even a live starfish that we sent back to sea. 

Finally, we visited a shipwreck from the 1800’s on Sapelo Island.  It was amazing to see that kind of history up close and personal.  You had to wonder about the lives of the people who had been onboard and what happened to them.  The ship was located on a desolate beach with no shells and barren twisted trees.  We observed the ship as insects made eerie sounds in the background. — We had a little excitement when our anchored boat started to wash ashore.  “I’m not kidding.  I need everyone to hop out and push,” Capt. Wild Bill cried.  We hustled and pushed it free to keep from being stuck there for hours.  Whew.

It was an incredible day.  Take a look at the photo journal: 

We made it to Blackbeard Island around 10:00 or 10:30 A.M. after a very pleasant tour of the waterways.  But we were eager to play on the beach and picnic on Blackbeard Island.  What we found was better than Blackbeard’s buried treasure.  (More about Blackbeard Island).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After returning the starfish to the sea, we had a wonderful walk and picnic.  Then we headed to another part of Blackbeard Island via boat to see an 1800 shipwreck.  Incredible.  Enjoy what we discovered: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We used a shortcut on the way home, but we still saw a lot of beautiful sights.  We made it back to Yellow Bluff by 1:00 so that we could attend an afternoon funeral.  It was a good reminder that when the day is done, precious memories are what you have left.  Our first jaunt to Blackbeard Island as a family via the incredible waterways, past St. Catherine’s and a glimpse of Sapelo are certain to be some of our best memories.  Thank you, Capt. Wild Bill and Joyce!  We had an unbelievable day. 

Enjoy the return trip sights: 

 

 

 

 

 

When I look back on the day, I savor the time spent with family and friends as we explored the waterways near Yellow Bluff and our beautiful barrier islands.  And I am still amazed that at 10:30 A.M. on Memorial Day weekend, we basically had the beach to ourselves: 

 

For at least three years in a row, Lucky the Diamondback Terrapin has returned to Yellow Bluff to lay her eggs.  This year the turtle with the crack in her shell had another turtle with her.  Slowly, they made their way across Bluff Park to a safe location to lay their eggs before returning to Ashley Creek.  This year, I saw her coming and going.  How exciting to know that the turtle, who obviously loves Yellow Bluff, too, had been lucky for one more year.

Lucky the Diamonback Terrapin

My daughter, Meredith, informed me early on that she really wasn’t interested in the pumps, pearls, and pageantry that I love about The South.  Quite frankly, she has her own flair, and it suits her.

She reminded me of her philosophy during her college search two years ago.  She had her list, and I had mine.  I’m happy to say that Meredith made the perfect selection for HER.  When we arrived at the NC college campus, she said,  “I’m done.  This is where I want to be.”   Since that decision, she has blossomed.   I’ve noticed a few pumps and pearls on her campus… mostly mine.  But I’ve seen a lot of passion, creativity, intellectual stimulation, and unbelievable opportunities for learning and growth.  In that environment, who needs the pumps and pearls?

More and more, I’m coming around to Meredith’s way of thinking. 

I could feel that Yellow Bluff, an intimate marina community, was a special place early on.  Since then, I’ve said to more than one person, ”I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else.”  It’s true.  I love it here.

I still adore my pumps and pearls, but I’ve found there is great appeal in the laid back, casual lifestyle that embraces comfy flop flops, capris, jeans and shorts.  They’re the perfect attire for relaxing on a real porch or jumping in a boat or lounging in the comfortable (yet elegant) clubhouse.

Don’t get me wrong.  I want the quality construction and the attention to detail that signifies pure craftsmanship at Yellow Bluff.  I want the no hassle, low maintenance “Green”  lifestyle that comes with superior products like Hardi Board Siding, Galvalume Metal roofs, spray foam insulation, and more.  I definitely want a place that has a good blend of  potlucks (a Southern favorite) and the occasional black tie optional affair.  That’s why Yellow Bluff is perfect for me.  

When I was Meredith’s age, I was a beachy person.  I wanted the crowded beaches, packed streets, and busy restaurants.  Even now, I like to know that I can get to that kind of beach without a lot of trouble.  But now, I’m really drawn to everything about the salt marsh.  The serenity, the calls of the birds, the textures of green and gold, the deserted barrier island beaches accessible only by boat, and the sultry smell of the coast create a heady mix of mystery and ambiance. 

But best of all, I can put on my pumps and pearls any time and head to Savannah, St. Simon’s, Jacksonville or even my beloved Charleston without a lot of fanfare.  I can dress up when Yellow Bluff has a special event to celebrate the Arts, a local charity, or a holiday.   Or I can enjoy the privacy and lifestyle of coastal Georgia and still make it to the airport in 30 minutes and jet to glamorous locales elsewhere where pumps and pearls rule. 

Yellow Bluff:  It’s the best of both worlds.

I rummaged in a junk drawer in search of an extra cell phone charger.  “Ouch!’ I cried, pricking my finger on a loose pin.  I pushed screwdrivers, emery boards,  and paperclips aside.  I pulled out a crumpled piece of paper for a better look since I’m forever jotting down “thoughts” or snippets of information.

I read a poem I’d printed awhile ago… maybe years ago.  At the time, I probably thought it was a gentle reminder from God.  Now, it seemed very appropriate for Mother’s Day.  

I spent Mother’s Day weekend with my Mom and with my daughter as we traveled to and from N.C. for Thaddeus’ graduation.  It was a glorious weekend.  I heard that everyone had a wonderful weekend at Yellow Bluff in ideal weather.  

“Love in the Home”

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in it’s place,

But have not love, I am a housekeeper — not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,

But have not love, my children learn cleanliness — not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.

Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child,

Then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Love is the key that opens salvation’s message in a child’s heart.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.

Now I rest in God’s perfection of HIS glory.

As a mother, there is much I must teach my child,

But the greatest of all is love.

– Author Unknown