Heart

Seen along the Jersey shore
Courtesy of the men and women working to clean up and rebuild

Ready for a new season ...

... regardless of the surroundings

Looking out to the horizon wearing a little Red Cross cap

Waving to NY

At the base there is a tiny bandage that says "bent not broken"

You've gotta have heart

All you really need is heart

When the odds are sayin' you'll never win

That's when the grin should start

You've gotta have hope

Musn't sit around and mope

Nuthin' half as bad as it may appear

Wait'll next year and hope …

By Adler and Ross

Written for the musical ‘Damn Yankees’

Our World Tuesday

The Clean Up Goes On

It's really difficult to visit the places I love since Hurricane Sandy came through and washed so much away.

I have to remind myself that as hard as it might be for me it is so much harder for those who lost everything they had. I go to patronize whatever businesses are open and I stop by the Volunteer Firehouse to see if help or supplies are needed.

On my most recent visit I took a few photos of the work being done at the waterfront.

Wreckage is still being carted away. Paths are being cleared. Boat ramps are being rebuilt so that the locals can get out to resume fishing. Pieces of docks need to be pulled out of the water. Railings and fences have to be replaced; in some spots it's dangerous to get too close.

I found these shots of sunnier days in my archives. All of this is gone. 

And on we go ...

Our World Tuesday

NATURE NOTES

In The Details

Sunday morning I took a big thermos of coffee and some doughnuts over to the marina. I knew some of the "old guys" would be there; it was sunny and they've been hanging out there talking about their homes and boats and all that's been lost or saved in the aftermath of Sandy.

For the first time since the storm I took my camera with me.

the gulls watch over the scene

there used to be a building attached to that ramp

boats have been pushed up onto the front lawns of private homes that were once separated from the marina by a fence

I've been told that some of these restaurant chairs have been found across town

I stopped at what is left of a favorite restaurant.

That bit of fence you see standing is all there is of the railway that led to the terrace dining area.

The owner of this restaurant has been travelling around town in a bus handing out food and supplies.
She is an exceptional person.
Star-Ledger made a video that can be Viewed Here

This house has been seen on just about every news broadcast and in every newspaper.
It amazes everyone that half of it is still standing.
The owner says she intends to re-build it.
She calls it her "Tara"

it is details like these shirts that make the photos real to me

It took me from Sunday to today to take these shots off the camera and decide to share them. It felt ghoulish and depressing. I feel a deep sense of loss over the destruction of so many of the places I love yet I am so grateful that my home is OK.

When I went to the firehouse to drop off some supplies a woman told me she felt "survivor's guilt".

Someone else said that if you drive just two miles it is as if nothing happened and that feels surreal. He's right.

I promise you a happier post soon. I felt the need to share with you all how I'm feeling and what I'm seeing.

And on we go ...

Sandy's On The Way

I ventured out this morning on my last round of hurricane errands.

After picking up more groceries and filling the tank I headed over to Firefighter's Park in Union Beach, NJ which faces Raritan Bay.

I live 2.8 miles inland from the shore and it's amazing what a difference that small distance makes. The wind was rocking the car, it was difficult to open the door and there were tree branches all over the road.

The wind was pushing in from the water.

The water was high and every time the wind blew the foam rushed up over the wooden piling. It stung my face.

This house was being reinforced. It faces the bay. I love how the statue seems oblivious to the work going on behind her.

I have no idea where flying watermelon came from. Beware of flying fruit folks!

The town has these earth movers strategically placed near all the spots off Route 36 that normally flood.

Stay Safe Everybody.

Sand Dunes of The Jersey Shore

A series of big storms topped off by last summer's Hurricane Irene have damaged a lot of the NJ Shore Line.

Dune Stabilization projects are being conducted all along the shore. I took these photos in late August at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Monmouth County, NJ. The sign says the project was to be completed in April but I saw evidence that it is ongoing.

This NJ Shore Website has a lot of interesting information and links.

Our World Tuesday

NATURE NOTES

Some Summer Stuff

It is so freakin' hot. Triple digit heat index expected today.


I haven't been feeling all that perky this week.

Isadora loves it when the laundry piles up

She discovered by getting stuck in the hamper that she must wait for the clothes to reach critical height before settling in

I took a drive down to the beach early one morning before the temps reached sizzle

Good heavens were people being crucified!

The well part of my mind assumes banners for some summer something

Stay cool everybody

Growing Up At The Beach

I took these shots in early April. This tree lives along the boardwalk in Union Beach, NJ.

NATURE NOTES