Back on the Island

It is probably only natural to have doubts when making a change of the magnitude involved, both financially and emotionally, in opening Paragraphs, and so it is a relief to realize how comfortable I feel upon my return to the Island.


Thank you again JW for the updated photo showing construction to date on the building. Believe me, it is probably a good thing I was prepared or the shock which I felt when driving up Padre Blvd. Monday afternoon and seeing my building may have been too much to bear.

I am reminded of the experience one feels when riding a roller coaster. My father would reassure me as we slowly made the climb up that first incline, "see there is nothing to be frightened of, we are just moving along up this hill at a nice reasonable speed, just enjoy the view", and then when I began to believe that everything was going to continue at the same leisurely pace, and that the frightening ride I had expected was just in my imagination, suddenly the top of the hill was reached and we began hurtling down the other side at an ever increasing speed.

The feeling in the pit of my stomach as I approached the future home of Paragraphs and it's proprietor, was the same as I had when cresting that first hill and feeling the ground seem to drop from beneath me, knowing there was no way to slow down, stop or escape.

I am here for a day or two, to make some decisions about stucco color, floor stain, interior colors, ceramic tile and a hundred other details. John returned my canvas color swatch and I think we have ended up with an attractive combination which while somewhat different than the predominant tan, yellow, beige and brown, is still tasteful, with a splash of color.

As we did a quick walk-through and John seemed to be able to have all my comments, questions, changes and concerns neatly filed away in his incredible memory bank - I felt like I was totally spinning out of control. After agreeing to meet again Tuesday, to make some more decisions (which I postponed until Wednesday) it was time for a cold beer.

I made this trip alone, and I contemplated going back to my friendly LaQuinta friends and joining the happy hour crowd, or stopping someplace for some shrimp and liquid refreshment. Now I don't think that was even much of a contest, even as much as the staff at La Quinta always make me feel at home, I knew I had to go to Daddy's (I didn't know if Al's had reopened and I was too hot and tired to go that far south). I am pretty shy, sometimes to the point of becoming a recluse, so it was reassuring to be recognized and I felt completely comfortable sitting at the bar while I enjoyed some pleasant conversation with Cameron and a few other patrons, slaked my thirst with a couple brews, savored a half pound of cold boiled shrimp and realized that life couldn't get much better. That is when I knew I had made the right decision to move, work, open a business and live here.

Follow that up with a walk on the beach this morning and I think I have survived the first leg of my roller coaster ride to becoming a bookseller and Islander.

A Great Place to Live

I just came back in from spending some time on the beach and by the La Quinta pool. Where else could you have such a diverse group of people all laughing, talking together and just generally having a great time.

The spring breakers complete with guys competing over the coolest girls who welcome the attention but still keep their distance, the young Mexican families with toddler-age children who had the pool nearly to themselves - the spring breakers are too cool to actually swim -- and even a few left-over Winter Texans enjoying the sunshine; all seem to co-exist and get along without any problem even welcoming the diversity.

I do love this place!

Seasons Change on SPI

The Island seems to have its own seasons which are marked by the coming and going of the visitors instead of changes in the weather.

This is particularly noticeable as we say goodbye daily to a few more of our Winter Texan friends as they pack up to leave their temporary home at the La Quinta. But as they go, more young couples and young families have been arriving. It is actually the lull before the Spring Break storm.

The restaurants have seats available, the lobby is empty of card and game players, and the locals seem to be taking a moment to prepare for the onslaught that is set to begin next weekend.

For me, it is just a reminder of how little time I have left to accomplish all I want to finish during this time on the island.

Two weeks in paradise

It's amazing! We have been here for two weeks and I have yet to accomplish a lot of what I know needs to be done on the bookstore business agenda. There is something about this island living which defies the sense of time. Minutes just drift by into hours which flow into days and before one knows it two weeks have just rolled by.

I am surprised when I hear the complaints that there is "nothing to do" on the island. What ever happened to our ability to be content within ourselves and just relish the ability to live and appreciate each moment. The need to be entertained or busy is a phenomenon I don't completely understand.

To catch up with what has been happening, we got here the 23rd of December and spent Christmas Eve getting settled in at our home away from home - the La Quinta. The staff does a great job of taking care of their Winter Texans, who have been spending several months here, every year, since the hotel opened five or six years ago.

Christmas Day was an absolutely glorious day. It was unusually beautiful even for South Padre Island. The gulf was a vivid blue, smooth as glass, there wasn't a drop of wind and the cobalt sky didn't have a cloud anywhere in sight.

I decided to be brave and take sandy feet up on her, open to everyone Christmas open house. The idea of someone just opening their doors and inviting anyone who wishes to join her for a Christmas Brunch, complete with mimosas, intrigued me, to say the least. So I gathered up all my nerve and just went on over!! I am so glad I did. Everyone welcomed me and I immediately felt like an accepted member of the island community. Thanks to all of you for being so kind.

My mother and I then joined the La Quinta crowd for a real turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Griff (my uxorious husband) arrived the Friday night before New Year's. Picking someone up at the Brownsville airport is such a joy. We greeted the New Year by watching the wonderful fireworks over the Laguna Madre at midnight and with a brief walk on the beach New Year's Day. After discovering a perfect hamburger sea bean on New Year's Day, I expect to have good luck in 2008, since it must be some kind of omen. Finding that little treasure made it worthwhile to brave the wind and cold out on the dunes.

That should bring everyone up to speed on what's been going on here. Now it is time to get motivated and start working on bookstore plans.