The Hunter and The Gatherer: Horseshoe Crabs

Monday, August 25, 2014

You would think that I would have a favorite gem as a goal in mind as I hit the beach. And, many times I do. But more often than not, the best thing about a hunt and gather is not knowing what you will find. I haven't had a lot of time to hunt and gather this summer, but at least I work on Kiawah Island, and when there is a second to spare I find myself combing it's incredible ten mile beach, one sand dollar and/or critter at a time. Here are some recent finds:

Sand Dollars remain one of my favorites. They seem to be plentiful on Kiawah Island.

Each sand dollar I find feels like the first.

Loved finding this blue crab riding out the low tide.

You can almost see how the ocean moved around this gem.

Looks like it's taking a nap, under a blanket of sand.

A great sand dollar day.

Towards the end of my hunt and gather on this August afternoon, an old friend stopped by for a visit:

Happy hunting and gathering!
Margaret

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Do you sometimes realize you are something, but you actually never embraced that something? Maybe it's because you don't like the "marketing term" it gives you, or in my case, you are slightly insecure or scared what that term may mean to the public. And, when I say insecure, it's completely out of respect for people who are really what they are. I'm talking about being a blogger. I'm terrible. I don't do what you are supposed to do, and although I am okay most of the time with how badly I am at being a blogger, I do think about it. With that said, I continue to keep the blog alive...it doesn't just go away. It's in cyberspace. By the way, I am dying laughing right now because I actually just used the word cyberspace. And, now I just realized that I am copying my cousin who does this italicized visual option when she is talking as her real self. Sorry Anna! (But, for those of you who don't know her blog, it is a REAL blog - silverspoontaste.com, and it's really badass). I'll stop now, Anna, forever - no more copying. BUT, I think I just got away with using the word cyberspace with that strange tangent..

That entire paragraph is just a small window into my completely complex (not trying to give myself a compliment), somewhat smart and very distracted brain.

I was trying to say that I don't think of myself as a blogger. I'm trying to build a brand. I used to hate to write until I went to business school and I had to write. Compared to my "colleagues" (nice work trying to get us to use that word), I was the worst in my class. I learned how to do it though, and actually started to enjoy it. But, it doesn't come easy to me. It takes A LOT of time for me to write something I am not embarrassed by - and many times, it's just easier not to write it. And, I don't even know if I'm doing it correctly. Seriously though - time wise - now that I am working full time and trying to keep my business alive, how can I even have the time to be a blogger. And, I don't even have children. How do you working Momma's do it?

Tangent.

Regardless, I am going to try harder. Because it's a passion. Not just shelling, but the coastal outdoors - the fact that many children don't go explore these outdoors - the primitive joys of catching your own food, cooking it, and eating it - exploring not only barrier islands but new cities - taking a chance on something new even if it makes you uncomfortable - looking someone in the eye and discovering a new and different character that brings your personality out more - being real - waking up and instead of rolling over, jumping out of bed to see what this day can bring! It's really about being more positive, but even more so, it's about experiencing what is really out there to live.

My husband, Matthew and I, moved to Charleston a month ago. I work on Kiawah Island. Matthew found the job posting online. My negative outlook on that posting said, "I have never gotten a job from an online posting, but why not." I got a call 20 minutes after posting my resume, and a job a week later. Matthew laughs that of course I got a job on a barrier island. And, WHAT a barrier island. 10 miles long, pristine beach - the sand sticks to the bottom of your feet as you walk. I'm from a beach - a lovely beach with tropical waters and different types of barrier islands - ones that require dredging often. (I have to say, I was worried moving here to Charleston - I thought I might love it more than Wrightsville Beach. I do love it, but Wrightsville is my home, and being on Kiawah makes me miss it more - but what a gift! To work on an island, and to be reminded of the one I grew up on and learned from).

The second weekend we lived in Charleston, I was working on Kiawah that Saturday Morning. After some showings, I met the husband at The Beach Club for lunch and a walk east to shell. It was just what I needed. It's not Wrightsville, but it is home. Islands have a way of making me feel at home.