Adventures

May I Just Feel Normal Again?

Shelley

May I just feel normal again, even for a week? That’s all I wanted when I packed my bags (so that I could lift them above my head easily) before I headed out the door to Florida.

I told my little Copper that I’d be back. Even though he couldn’t hear me. I could tell he wasn’t so sure I’d be back, and according to Mr., Copper missed me terribly.

But my feelings of depression of not wanting to go on living in the constant bombardment of fearmongering were getting the best of me. I wanted to find my optimistic spirit and smile again.

So I headed out for a week-long freedom pass from all of those feelings I needed to shed.

The flight down was very sparse!

Did it work?

Was I able to go against the odds of traveling when not recommended despite the fears of that oh-so-clever virus who may never find me, or may have found me last year? Who knows?

Was I able to discover normal on the plane trips? I did discover that they have tiny margaritas available again via plane service. That was an interesting surprise. The flight attendants were from LA on the way down and from Atlanta on the way home. I thought that was strange since we were flying out of/into Minnesota. Thankfully, they allowed me to wear my made from a t-shirt sleeve mask. I did chuckle to myself when I presented my ID at security and they couldn’t recognize me with the mask on, so I had to pull it down to expose my face. And that you don’t have to have the mask on while eating or drinking. May I get three cheers to that clever virus?

Did I discover if (despite the previous year of the excessive lockdowns) it is possible to feel normal again?

I did rediscover the feel of my toes in the sand and surf is the best medicine, aka, the best exfoliator, for cracked heels. A tad hellish on the toe nail polish though. The sea shells multiplied as fast as my trips to the beach? Faster really. That’s a LOT of sea shells piled up.

Hanging out with a dear friend of mine who knows the area well, we shared multiple trips to different beaches, each visit restored my faith in adventures! There were lots of people there, some appeared concerned enough to wear a mask to the beach and some appeared carefree. But all were happy to see the ocean and the sun. Some reapplied more sunscreen than I did.

Cheers to Floridians for allowing their people to research and share information to make their own decisions about their own health and well-being.

Despite what you may think or may have heard in the news about folks in Florida – that they’re reckless and uncaring – I can tell you firsthand that I didn’t see that at all. What I saw was life can go on masked or not masked in kindness and with respect for others. All choosing the path that is right for them and to go on living life in the sunshine.

Of course, it may have helped that I turned off all news. The things I enjoyed doing simply involved sunshine, beach waves, occasional cocktails and snacks with my friend(s).

I did that kind of stuff instead of listening to doom and gloom news. I put in lots of miles walking on three different beaches. I even captured a video of a guy catching a shark.

It is true the virus doesn’t live long in sunshine. It dies off quickly, faster than driftwood and that’s a fact!!

Lovers Keys State Park

Sure it may still be lurking in places or hiding like a gecko in palm trees. But still, life must go on.

Despite all of the risks, I’m glad I ventured off to the beach to see waves, seashells, seagulls, and people, and of course to capture a sunset.

May I say that I do love a sunset to heal and restore my slightly broken heart? The photo below was captured at Ft. Myer’s beach as the crowds of people headed home.

So, may I tell you with confidence that I did what I set out to do on my vacation? Without fear of judgment!? YES! My wish to feel normal again was a splashing success!

Post Inspiration – Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “may.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

PS – What have you done to feel a sense of your previous normal? Are you a sunset/beach kind of person? If you’re looking for a great State Park to visit, I highly recommend Lovers Key State Park Beach!

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

39 thoughts on “May I Just Feel Normal Again?”

    1. Thanks Dawn! Yes, it was wonderful, and YES, Copper is so happy I’m back. The sad SNAPCHAT videos Mr. sent me of Copper crying for me were hard to watch. Copper hasn’t left my side since my return. At least he’s not crying anymore!! 😉

  2. I am glad you enjoyed your vacation, Shelley. I’m not a beach person, but I do enjoy sunsets over water. Great photos!

  3. Lots of wonderful photos, Shelley! I’m glad that you are restored. Do turn off that so-called news, you’ll feel better not being smothered with negativity. Those posters are something else, especially the one with Socialist on it. That’s what Biden wants.

    1. John – your comment was filtered by WP as Trash – I just rescued it! Thank you for your photo kudos and for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you about the posters. I wonder why it isn’t enough for people to make their own health choices or if there’s an entirely different agenda happening? But that’s just my humble opinion.

  5. Wow, great pics! I’m so glad you had a relaxing time and could just enjoy the beach and the company of good friends (and books). Though I know I’ve had a really fun vacay if I don’t get that much reading done!

    1. Thanks, Rebecca! Yes, it was a great time, and I didn’t finish the book yet, so that says a lot too. 😉

  7. Looks wonderful! Now you have me planning a trip to the beach. As for the crazy stuff, don’t let it get to you. Keep living! <3

    1. Thank you!! Yay, I hope your trip brings you joy like mine did for me.
      I’m doing my best to not let the crazy stuff get to me. I keep looking at my beach pictures and other videos of the waves crashing that I took – it helps me keep on living! 🙂

  8. Flight attendants are based out of one of the airline’s hubs, and you can have a crew from anywhere. I flew Delta from Chicago to Atlanta once and the crew was from Dallas.

    Florida and Texas are doing things right Covid-wise.

    1. Thanks for the clarification of the flight attendants, John – I can imagine that would be fun in a way to see different airports, but crazy on the other hand?
      Yes, Florida and Texas, and I’d add South Dakota, are doing things right. 🙂

      1. I was going to mention Gov. Noem. Social distancing isn’t much of a problem in South Dakota, but even so, she left it in the hands o the people and had the faith in them that they’d do the right thing. As she said in one interview, “they know how and when to wash their hands.” I said when all this started that we could probaby get through it if people washed their hands and stayed home when they’re sick, things we should have been doing anyway….

  10. So glad you had a great time Shelley. Fabulous photos and story. You must do it again but take Copper with you. I bet he was glad to see you home 🙂 🙂

    1. Thank you, Brian! I’m guessing Copper wouldn’t enjoy the flight. But then again, he can’t hear, so maybe he wouldn’t be as scared? He is SUPER happy that I’m home. He hasn’t left my side since returning.

  11. There’s nothing like a sunny beach, toes in the sand, a cool beverage of choice and good friends to brighten one’s mood. And – yes – feel more normal again. I’m so glad it did the trick for you. 😎

    1. Exactly – thank you, Andrea, it was a great trip. If I had grandkids to visit like you did, I’m sure that would be just as wonderful of a dose of normal! 🙂

  12. Looks like a fun trip and the photos were great. I enjoyed the video of the guy catching the shark. Too bad he didn’t get a picture of him holding it in the air before he turned it loose. I’m sure Copper has not left your side, afraid you’ll take off and leave him behind again, but luckily he had Mister there to console him ’til you returned.

    1. Thank you, Linda, glad you enjoyed the video and the photos. Yes, Copper is right by my side – poor little guy cries when we’re gone for an hour long walk. I think the two cats missed me too, or at least they missed peace and quiet when I was gone.

      1. Ha ha – I see a man who pushes his aging dog in a baby stroller … there’s an idea for walking through the ‘hood, but not so great an idea for a long hike. Poor Copper. The cats … well, they are cats with “catitude” so it’s hard to tell. 🙂

        1. If I had a fun carrier, like a baby carrier that I could wear, I think Copper may eventually enjoy that. He has to be able to see me, since he can’t hear me, or he’s not a calm pup! You’re right about the cats. ;-)!

  13. There’s nothing that could make me any happier than spending some time on a Florida beach. Lucky you!!!

    1. I remember that you enjoy the beach too! While I’d prefer the cleaner beach in Jamaica, it was grand to dip my toes in the sand/seashells in Florida. You could take a trip now that you saved $2k on a couch ;-)!

      1. We’re booked for three months this winter on the Atlantic Ocean side. One month this summer up in New England. Can’t wait.

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