A to Z Challenge -The Letter L - Loveladies LBI

I am participating in the “April Blogging From A to Z Challenge” for 2018.  Except for Sundays, but starting with Sunday April 1, I will be writing a post each day in April.  Working through the alphabet, by the end of the challenge I will have posted 26 writings.  

Our Favorite Beach

Long Beach Island (LBI) is located 42 miles (68 km) north of Atlantic City, 61 miles (98 km) east-southeast of Philadelphia and 101 miles (163 km) south of New York City. LBI is approximately 18 miles (29 km) in length, which includes three miles (5 km) of nature reserve located on the southern tip.The island is about a half-mile wide (800 m) at its widest point in Ship Bottom, and spans a fifth of a mile (300 m) at its narrowest point in Harvey Cedars.

My family started vacationing on Long Beach Island, NJ  in the 1980’s. I have many nice memories of LBI summers.

So much so that when Ross and I retired fifteen years ago, we moved to a town which is about 20 minutes from LBI. 

The beaches on the island are among the most beautiful along the Jersey shore. 

Our favorite beach on LBI is called Loveladies. 

This is what Loveladies, LBI look like today.

Even off season, when the beach is empty, there is always something to look at.  A fisherman, a dog walker, joggers, surfers and of course the beach birds.

It was windy and chilly on the beach today.

There is a lighthouse in the town of Barnegat Light.  The locals call it Old Barney.

The island has been continuously settled since 1690, initially being a destination for hunters. Barnegat Inlet, to the north of the island, was an important path for freight shipments and whaling from the 17th century through the 20th century. Due to the Inlet's importance and its turbulent waters, a lighthouse tower was constructed in 1835 to guide shippers through the area, but was inadequate to ships, constantly being mistaken for another passing ship because the light was fixed. Erosion problems destroyed the tower in 1857, two years before the current Barnegat Lighthouse was completed in 1859, flashing at each point of the compass every 10 seconds.

It’s been a long cold winter here in NJ.  In the next couple of days spring is supposed to finally make an arrival. Temperatures should raise into the 70”s F.  

Perfect beach weather!

Don Inverno Is On The Run

Sunday, May 26,  2012
The day before Memorial Day

I am a restless, never sleep through the night, person.
This may have something to do with the two men with whom I share my sleeping space.
In order to protect their individual identity, I’ll just say that one of them is a thrasher-puncher-grabber-yeller in his sleep, the other is a 12 pound furry ball of white who thinks it is his job to keep me warm by laying on top of me and/or to also protect me from the thrasher-puncher-grabber-yeller.
Typically, my biological alarm clock goes off at 5:00 a.m., which it did this morning.
I let the one guy out to water the lawn.  The other one is still sleeping.

It is brilliantly blue and sunny. 

But it is cold.

 Good thing I have a mug of hot tea, my furry white blanket and a roaring fire to keep me warm.  Obviously Mr. Winter, AKA the Godfather of all Seasons, has decided to put a hit out on Spring and is holding Summer hostage.

Off to have breakfast Al Fresco, at the Sandbox Cafe.  Bringing my camera.

Bundled up for Breakfast at the Beach in May?

mmmm 

Next we are going to check out our beach.

The Walkway Under Construction

It’s not quite ready yet.  Post Sandy repairs are still underway.

The beach is gorgeous today!

DOG PLAY

Good Boy!

Him Taking A Picture Of Me Taking A Picture of Him

My Artistic Attempt

 Don Inverno is on the run - Ninety degrees by Thursday!

The Four Star General's Eve, Hurricane Sandy, & Good Ole Days Beach Photos

So, the election is over and I say TGIO, but, wait, not so fast.  The talking heads, the politicos, those, ad nauseam analyzing, sound biting,  headache inducing voices at Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, etc, didn't take a breath between declaring the winners and speculating on the, which in their junkie minds, "it'll be here before you know it" 2016 ticket. UGH!

Imagine the pants wetting excitement over at the stations when the Petraeus story came across their "tickers".
I have to admit, I did find it to be a pretty juicy tidbit.  The"over coffee" conversation the other evening between the four of us went something like this:
Me: " Men!"
"I just don't understand why someone like the General would, first, be so inconsiderate of his family, and second, potentially destroy such a stellar reputation, and third, most likely mar his rich and rewarding legacy."
"I just don't get it."
My sister chimed in with "yes, I absolutely agree with you, Lynda".  (BTW, thanks sis.)
My BIL:  "Whoa, there, why are you targeting men?"
"What about the woman?  What about her part?  How come all of the negative attention is on him?"
As I stammered trying to come up with a plausible counter point,  I realized that I couldn't quite come up with a legitimate one that would not also be demeaning to this woman.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that when "they" are reporting about the general, "they" talk about his reputation. "They" offer up prayers that the Petraeus's will find the strength to get through this difficult time.  They remind us of what an up-standing man he was.  That is he was until he fell under the spell of  that "Eve".
 Okay "they" didn't explicitly report it that way, but isn't that what is implied?  Aren't  these "other women"always portrayed as the temptresses.  After all it is a well bible documented fact that "we" do have the secrets of and the complete control over those tasty forbidden fruits.
Sisters, perhaps it is time we tap into that power on a grander scale. After all,  if we can use it so effectively to bring down a four star general, think about what we else we could accomplish.
Ahh, just imagine, a peaceful, loving fruit-filled world, which I am sure is exactly what Eve had in mind.  That is until the networks put their spin on it.

The other inundation, which seems to have become quite the competition between these TV channels,  is  "who can tell the most heartbreaking, heartwarming, profiles in courage, villainous power company stories about Super Sandy, or to coin a phrase, as "they" have so aptly done, the Frankenstorm.

Now don't get me wrong, I am heartbroken about the devastation.  We live very near to some of the areas hit hardest by the storm.  We have not been allowed to cross over the bridge to get onto the island since October 30.

We moved here 10 years ago. We have been going over to our beach at least a couple of times a week,  year round, during these past 10 years. Although,  I am afraid and worried about what I will see when we are allowed over the bridge,  I miss seeing the ocean and I need to see it soon.
It's amazing what a little staring out over the sea can do to calm some frazzled nerves.

 Beach Haven 1985

Beach Haven 1985

Beach Haven LBI July 2011

Life Guards at Belmar Summer 2012

Love Ladies Long Beach Island Summer 2011

LBI Summer 2012

LBI July 2012

Ocean City NJ August 2012

Beach Haven LBI July 2011

I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.

I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here are the catch up entries from Anna's diary.  

Wed. November 6, 1929

Home until 2:30.  Then went to get a fitting for dress Rose is sewing for me.  Then went to Mrs. Naps for supper. Left for home early.  Junior very tired.

Thurs. November 7, 1929

Mother telephone that Grace and Chas have a son, born last night.  Looks like his Daddy.  Went to see him.  Both doing fine.  Also went to dentist trouble with wisdom tooth.

Friday, November 8, 1929

Grandma M stopped in this morning.  Stayed only a little while.  Still had toothache.  Went to see new baby again.  Then stopped at 360 and home early.

Sat. November 9, 1929

Home. Jean came at 1:30. Peg stopped in for a minute.  Brought baby to 360.  Jewel, Helen, Jean and I went to NY to see "New Moon".  Had supper at Zucca's.  Took bus home to Helen's All overnight. 

[For an Interesting tidbit about Zucca's restaurant, click here.]

Sun. November 10, 1929

Had breakfast at 10:30 with Helen.  Roy away on hunting trip.  Left for 360 about 2:30.  Jewel waited for Rick.  Jean and I went to visit Grace for  a couple of hours.  Baby getting along fine.

Mon. November 11, 1929

Armistice Day.  Jean home.  Went to New York shopping.  Bought tweed ensemble suit with gray satin blouse and black caracal fur trimming.  Home for supper.  Bed early. Tired

Tues.  November 12, 1929

Junior and I went downtown this morning shopping.  Home about two.  Took a nap.  After supper went to my club meeting at Valerie B's.  Gave out theater tickets for "Little Show."

Wed.  November 13, 2012

Home all day.  Raining out.  Nasty.  Baked three chocolate cream pies.  Jewel & Rick came over 8:30.  JEan came from school 10:30 with Peg and Marg.  All had a bite.  They left at 12.