Knitters Greenhouse

Sometimes when I least expect it, something shows up that makes hope arise. I know it is rather shallow and even a bit supersticious, but when I find a shell that makes me glad and excited, it is like a little sign from Heaven. Not good theology, but a blessing.

I can't believe I found this today! There was nothing along the front of the island, even though I was up at 7, and it was low tide, and an especially low tide, too. I walked along the front and picked up some junk shells. It was a beautiful morning and later it got cloudy, but when the sun first came up it was beautiful. So I was just walking and there wasn't anyone else out there. Down by Stump Pass there still looked like nothing, then I came across a short line of shells, up along the high tide line.

First I found a nice small red tulip, which was good. I liked it, put it in my pocket. Then, right at my left was this amazing shell...it is called a cowrie. The other day I found a baby one about 1/2" long. That was unusual. THIS is practically unheard of! The reason I say practically is because Sharky/Dewey found one once, but his was broken on the top. After I came off the beach I had to show it to someone, so I went down to see my friend, Barbara. She was impressed and was so glad I shared it with her. Wow.

I wish you all (all those masses who read this blog!) could see my shell, so I'll show it here. Enjoy it with me.

Here's a link to photos from Muncie: http://thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Meanwhile, it looked like this when I looked out the window today:

Another project that I did last night while I watched the Grammys. I think this warmth will need to be sent to Indiana where all the snow is predicted.

Newly finished project:












I used a pattern from the book, "Super Simple Fat Quarter Quilts," by Lynda Milligan & Nancy Smith.

I called Phil today to ask if Columbus, Ohio, got any snow. Liz told me that they had 6 inches in Muncie, so I was curious if it was widespread. Phil asked one of the guys in the office how much was reported, "12 inches!"

Wow - I hated to tell him I was sitting by a swimming pool, having dipped in the water just prior to making my call. By the time we talked for a while I had to put the phone in my other hand, since in the crease of my elbow, sweat was dripping off both sides of my arm. Gee - I really hated to tell him THAT!

I've also discovered a friend next door in Pat. She and her husband, Richard, are here and we have gotten to be friends. It's sure nice to become better acquainted after owning this place all these years.

The pile of shells is growing, not by huge leaps, but there are lots of shells to pick through.

I watched a movie tonight, more of a documentary: Frisbee, the life and death of a hippie preacher. It captured the Jesus Movement of the late 60s and early 70s, and told the story Lonnie Frisbee, and how he is remembered. So many times there is history that we forget if it isn't recorded. I'm glad someone recorded this life. It seems Frisbee was instrumental in starting and growing both Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard Churches, yet has been ignored due to the fact that he was gay and died tragically of AIDS.

We watched the Colts play in the Super Bowl down here in Florida. Well, we watched it on TV. I was one of the 1000s who got a new TV in the last month, which made it really nice to watch the game, even though the cameras often showed rain on the lenses and got fogged with condensation. We didn't buy the TV for the game, but because I "needed" it. Still, it was a good step to take advantage of the sales and be able to see the game in HDTV.

It was great to be watching "our" team on all the pre-game shows, and it was fun to be seeing Peyton Manning perform as he should, playing well in a tough game for a championship. Later he'd be named the MVP - yay, Peyton. And I liked seeing Tony Dungy win with his characteristic class and quality leadership. I kept saying that it was just amazing for it to be "our" team from Indianapolis. But the most amazing thing is that my good friend, Tim Morris, was right there alongside Peyton when he won...

Now, just for the record, it must be noted that usually the grocery stores and Wal-mart have delicious, tempting desserts when party-time is near. I have to say that the cupcakes with blue icing for the Colts or the green/orange mess (what are their colors?) that were for the Bears were absolutely the most distasteful array of desserts EVER. Why would anyone want to eat those? I even commented to a fellow customer that said desserts looked terrible, and she agreed. I bet there's a big table of 75% off, day-old sweets in most of those bakery departments. I only wish I'd have taken a picture of them so I could show how awful they were.

Here are two shells I've found in the past week. The one on the left is a sunray venus, and the one on the right is a lion's paw.

We've had some good winds along with good tides, and I want to share some photos of the shells I've found. I didn't do too many analogies or seek much meaning in my shell-search. I just have enjoyed the rain, the change in the shore, and mostly, the SHELLS. I found several lightning whelks, and other colorful, even if they are common, shells. Aren't they gorgeous?