September 30, 2022 — It’s heart-wrenching to watch the sad news reports of loss on the southwest Florida coast, isn’t it? I know it begs the question that my brother who lives happily in Ohio asked of me when Ian was bearing down on Miami Beach earlier in the week. “Why is it you live there again?”
Clearly, Mother Nature can be tough on those who choose coastal living. With Ian as accomplice, she was especially rough this week. Yet you’ll hear countless storm survivors say they will never budge from this place and way they love to live. Even when they’d prepared for the wind to blow north, and it jogged east. Despite their houses being turned inside out and cars buried in water to the roof. After fearing for their lives. Sad to say, they’ll have barely recovered from this round of destruction before another hurricane threatens. Yet they love it here!
Courtesy of friend, neighbor and Contributing Cardie Liza Greenberg, these photos are meant to give you a sense of why these folks stay, and why they still feel that this is exactly where they’re meant to be. Such a lover of sea life, Liza posts pics after her sunrise beach walk nearly every morning.
For more perspective, let me offer that, in the past 25 years that I’ve lived on Miami Beach, I’ve played it safe and evacuated twice for hurricanes. Upon return, we saw a total of maybe 10 dreary days. During that same time period, I’ve experienced more than 9,000 days that look and feel just like Liza’s gorgeous images of “life in paradise.” That’s why people stay!
As you continue to send relief funds, hope and prayers to those recovering from the catastrophic damage, maybe also say a little prayer that these residents will soon get back on their feet to once again experience the beauty and wonder of coastal living.
It was only last Sunday that Liza hopped on her standup paddle board in our “backyard pool” and, with waterproof phone in hand, looked down to see the little family of manatee who floated along with her for nearly an hour. While the audio is a bit muffled due to her awe for what she’s experiencing, Liza’s video gives us a beautiful sense of why people stick like magnets to this place that feels exactly where they’re meant to be.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
September 30, 2022 — It’s heart-wrenching to watch the sad news reports of loss on the southwest Florida coast, isn’t it? I know it begs the question that my brother who lives happily in Ohio asked of me when Ian was bearing down on Miami Beach earlier in the week. “Why is it you live there again?”
Clearly, Mother Nature can be tough on those who choose coastal living. With Ian as accomplice, she was especially rough this week. Yet you’ll hear countless storm survivors say they will never budge from this place and way they love to live. Even when they’d prepared for the wind to blow north, and it jogged east. Despite their houses being turned inside out and cars buried in water to the roof. After fearing for their lives. Sad to say, they’ll have barely recovered from this round of destruction before another hurricane threatens. Yet they love it here!
Courtesy of friend, neighbor and Contributing Cardie Liza Greenberg, these photos are meant to give you a sense of why these folks stay, and why they still feel that this is exactly where they’re meant to be. Such a lover of sea life, Liza posts pics after her sunrise beach walk nearly every morning.
For more perspective, let me offer that, in the past 25 years that I’ve lived on Miami Beach, I’ve played it safe and evacuated twice for hurricanes. Upon return, we saw a total of maybe 10 dreary days. During that same time period, I’ve experienced more than 9,000 days that look and feel just like Liza’s gorgeous images of “life in paradise.” That’s why people stay!
As you continue to send relief funds, hope and prayers to those recovering from the catastrophic damage, maybe also say a little prayer that these residents will soon get back on their feet to once again experience the beauty and wonder of coastal living.
It was only last Sunday that Liza hopped on her standup paddle board in our “backyard pool” and, with waterproof phone in hand, looked down to see the little family of manatee who floated along with her for nearly an hour. While the audio is a bit muffled due to her awe for what she’s experiencing, Liza’s video gives us a beautiful sense of why people stick like magnets to this place that feels exactly where they’re meant to be.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
If you search for “Ocean quotes” it shows the many inspirations inspired from living by the ocean. There is nowhere else that I choose to live.
A great quote I just read which I dedicate to all who love the ocean/beach lifestyle “Feelings are much like waves: we can’t stop them from coming, but we can choose which one to surf.” Paddle on, Liza.
This cardie grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains so that is where my heart is. I understand that you feel the same way about living on the coast, even now, with all the devastation from Ian. Stay safe and know that many prayers and good vibes are coming your way!
Liza’s paddleboard video and pics are dazzling scenes of beloved Florida.
I offer up my prayers with this post — for healing and restoration.
Hi, Jodee – Thank you for your thoughtful and uplifting message, as well as that delightful video of Lisa and the manatees! Here on Hilton Head Island we really and truly dodged a bullet; we had rain and some high winds, but the storm has passed us now and, as far as I know, we’ve had no major damage – no power outages, even! No matter where we live, we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, whether it’s from hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes, forest fires, landslides, etc. So I say pick your poison and live in a place you love, while being mindful of the risks you may face and the things you need to do to keep yourself and your property safe.