How Did I Live 64 Years Without Knowing I Love Sea Turtles! (Or…What the Heck Else Do I Not Know?)

When I first began beach-combing, I had no clue what incredible eye-opening wonders lay ahead.  The discovery of a sea turtle nest one daybreak left me in awe.  I, being a new beach town resident , stepped right into the ”look what I found” and “what do I do now?”  mode. I couldn’t understand why Fish and Wildlife wasn’t immediately sending out people to mark and protect this nest.  Soon I discovered, as wondrous as this was, it was not a singular event.  I also discovered that the nests are, indeed, well-documented and protected.  Every morning patrols set out to detect, mark, and meticulously record nest details.

Here, in Volusia County, FL, an average of more than 500 nests are dug each season,  which lasts from April to November. This year has been an amazing record-setting one…over 1000 nests, each one with 80-150 eggs.  Because sea turtles primarily lay eggs in the dark of night, it’s a rarity to observe this miracle.

However, the Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach offers a wonderful program available during a limited time each summer. Participants report to the visitor center and are treated to a delightful educational film followed by a question and answer session, led by a park ranger. In the meantime, there are park rangers patrolling the shore looking for loggerhead turtles that are building a nest or laying eggs.  When one is discovered, the visitor center is notified and everyone caravans to the parking area nearest the turtle.  Then, quietly, with no flashlights, the group is witness to this hulk toiling in the sand, perhaps using her flippers to dig a nest at least the size of her body and 2-5 feet deep, or maybe dropping her ping-pong sized eggs one by one, or using her flippers to camouflage the eggs.

When I was fortunate enough to be in such a group, I cannot adequately explain the feeling that I had been privileged and honored to be present at this event.  It was spiritual.

That said, you cannot imagine my giddiness when, while looking for trash and treasures, I came upon a 200-400 pound mama turtle building her nest at dawn.  I was the only person on the beach, and I felt I both needed a witness and someone to share my exuberance.  Grateful for my iPhone, I hesitantly approached her…again being respectful of the task she was accomplishing.  Almost 2 hours later, I shut off the phone as I lost sight of her in the surf, breathing a sigh of joy that I was treated to such an event and relief that she made it back out to her home , with her newly laid eggs buried out of sight.  

I have had so many gasp-producing moments…an incredible sunrise, the smile of a tiny baby, the Canadian Rockies, the tickle of a kitten’s tongue, an airplane lifting from the ground…I could name hundreds.  Think about the moments that took your breath.  I would love for you to share them with me…perhaps we even have some in common! And let’s vow to be mindful of each instance, fleeting or momentous, and to be grateful that we are alive to treasure it!

Stepping into My Dis-Comfort Zone

     10/05/2019
STEPPING INTO MY DIS-COMFORT ZONE

I miss my comfort zone, but not much, usually.

For many years I avoided getting out of my comfort zone, but since retirement, I’m finding that stepping out into fear has brought new pleasures into my life, as well as some experiences that I have no desire to re-create.

Now, I’m about to cross the threshold into what is terror for me, although to you it may seem as insignificant as walking into the kitchen. Actually, I’m crossing two thresholds, but they are related.

Some of you know that I have been working with a website developer for a few months to open an online store for my handcrafted jewelry. After many a sleepless night and countless frustrating hours, onlyology.com is about to launch. A few revisions, corrections, and the lessons to learn to manage it myself must be wrapped up and then we’re up and running. The thought makes my heart pound. What if all this effort was for nothing? What if I have no sales after I have spent all this energy? What if the website breaks? What if people think that jewelry from oyster shells is too unique (or bizarre)? What if someone is heartbroken if they don’t see a fairie when looking through my fairie stone pendants?

The second “out of my comfort zone” doesn’t make my heart pound. It makes my heart stop. My website developer advised me to write a ..... BLOG. (Picture a scary font.) So of course, I immediately attack the internet, frantically seeking advice. Therein lies the problem. The internet offers literally zillions....ok, I know, it’s definitely not literally and there is no such number as a zillion...of nuggets of advice! Many of them conflicting. And the only thing that I can come up with is to write what I know. And I know that my hands are shaking on this keyboard.  So many scenarios in my mind are ending badly. Strangers tweeting about my inane comments, friends avoiding me because they don’t know what to say, family shaking their heads and trying to soothe my wounded ego...or denying our relationship.

And then, 67 years of experience takes me and shakes me into reality, at least temporarily.
So what? So what if there are no sales? So what if people read my blog and don’t like it, or noone reads it? So what? And I barge ahead, stomping down negative thoughts and imitating the Little Engine.

And this is the emotion I want to relish, to take and expand and weave it around me. I am doing it...I am conquering a fear and I will make that accomplishment something to cheer about.

I want to hear your success stories...What hurdles have you been able to “gutsy” through? Have you mastered an obstacle that held you back? Please share, but more importantly, celebrate you! Take a moment to congratulate yourself and recognize joy in your triumph!’’