A Sea Fairy, and a bad trip that was better than it should have been

My husband travels a lot on business. I used to tag along sometimes, but he often travels with coworkers, or the timing is wrong, or I've got too much going on, so I just don't get to go as often as I used to.  But I do pester him about when he will be headed to the Outer Banks again and hint that I'd like to be there when he goes.

An opportunity came up this week to go with him on part of his trip, and he flies so much that I get a free buddy pass to go anywhere he heads to on Southwest, so I packed my bag and headed out for a couple of days oceanside while he worked.

The day started off with a delayed flight.But not too bad, we knew we could still make our connecting flight.

Apparently it wasn't delayed long enough. As soon as the plane took off, the baby sitting behind us filled his diaper up.  If the plane was a couple minutes later, the poor kiddo could have been changed before boarding.  And the delays were due to storms, so a bumpy flight means everyone stays in a  seat belt, which means mom and dad can't take the baby to the lavatory to change him. He was MAD and screamed to let us all know.  But he smelled worse than he sounded. 

The whole day was turning kinda smelly on us.  I got lost at the airport (embarrassing and really, really dumb), but we made our connection.  We landed safely before a big storm hit, but the storm caused a delay in unloading the luggage. A 3-1/2 hour delay. Could have been worse, at least we got to land.

There was no internet and I couldn't download a book to replace the one I'd just finished on my iPad, so I had to buy  a real book to read while waiting for bags.  Which ended up being a happy accident.  This was a fun beach read.

And it was short, which was good, because our beach time got shortened too.  My husband got a call cancelling our trip, he had to fly to a different city the next afternoon!

Due to the first flight being late and the second one holding our bags hostage for hours, we only had a partial evening after drivng from Norfolk to Kitty Hawk. But we found a restaurant with a covered patio serving frosty margaritas with fresh seafood and live music.  Plus, the singer sounded a bit like Rob Thomas.  Very nice.

Then I had a walk on the beach the next morning until check out time came along at the hotel. Having grown up spending lots of time in Sarasota, FL with my grandma, I developed a love as deep as the ocean for all things beachy, so a few hours on the sand is much better than none at all and was worth the trip.

My plans were to walk up the coast and gather a bag full of shells.  But as I went along, I noticed that the shells were all broken. And looked like toenails.

When I saw this one, I thought it looked like a witch's toenail.  And bent down to take a closer look. I started to notice that all the shells while broken, were still really nice.

They were like beach glass, buffed and shined, with smooth edges.  As if they were ready to be placed into a jewelry setting.  I even found some hearts here and there, not just toenails.

And I could be wrong, but I think some of this is beach glass. What do you think?

These were not the shells I'd gone seeking, but I was liking them.  Just like this wasn't the vacation we'd planned, it was still nice to get away and see the sea.

Then, I came across this broken shell, which should have been sharp, but was buffed smooth by the waves.  And  I knew what I wanted to do with the shells I'd been picking up on my walk.

All of my collected bits and pieces were just waiting to become a sea fairy. I'd picked up all the right components for a flower petal skirt, and a perfectly shaped head. (I hope she doesn't mind that I gave her cankles and clown feet)

I was tempted to pack her back up and bring her with me to reassemble in Kansas, but she seemed to belong there, so I left her in a fairy ring, hoping some little girl would find her and be excited.   

Most of the time, there are happy little surprises lurking for all of us, if we look hard enough and can get past only seeing our troubles.  I sure had to remind myself a few a lot of times during that trip.  I had some grumbles here and there, but in the end, it all worked out.

Comments

[Linda P.]

Oh. my. goodness. Karla! When I saw that sea fairy you assembled, I absolutely could not believe it! It is beautiful! Then when you said that you decided to leave it, hoping a little girl would excitedly find her, I thought that was so very unselfish.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy the trip, shortened though it was, and with a few oopsy and argh situations thrown in here and there. It's always so good to concentrate on the positive. We are all a lot happier that way, huh?

By the way, I love the detailed photos of the sand and dreamy photos of the ocean.

Maybe you should have gathered a bucket-full of those "witch's toenails" to bring home for your "Raven's Song" event in October. Methinks a creative project could have resulted . . . . Witch's toenails bracelets, anyone? ; )

[bobbie]

Way too cool. You are so talented and even so nice to leave the fairy for someone else to find. I admire and love you very much! xoxo

[Martha]

How fun for the lucky person who came upon her! Just lovely! :)

[Judy]

So does he ever come to Pensacola area? Southwest will fly in here after Nov. Glad you enjoyed some time with your toes in the sand.

[Laurie]

I'm with you Karla -- just about anything is worth a few hours listening to the surf, and toes in the sand! I'm sorry your trip was a bummer. But I'm glad you were able to get some joy from it!

[Linda]

Beautiful post, Karla, and you are so right, beautiful things are often mixed in with the ugly things in our lives....we only need creative eyes to see them. Glad you were able to enjoy a few moments by the sea. Love the sea fairy and what a gift you left for someone else....just lovely! Blessings, Linda

[Faylyne]

Beautiful and whimsical sea fairy!!

[Kathy]

I think it was destiny that sent you there to find a sea fairy and pass it along to someone who needed one. I can imagine a dozen stories of who encountered it. Lovely post!

[Cindy]

Hi Karla, I love this post. Creating a fairy out of broken shells was amazing, and yes I did see a few small pieces of beach glass. Glass half full, love it!

[Kate garfield]

NiCE ! Very creative way of "making do", which mamma always said!

I often "make do" with many ephemera I use in my work. More often than not I am pleasantly surprised which you have once again, proved.

I love your shell Surprise...

A wonderful post!

[bobbie]

What a glorious fairy!!!

[Charlotte]

Karla, you are one in a million. Nobody could've tolerated my grousing had this been me. In fact, my husband would've probably quit his job rather than have to shorten the trip, just to shut me up. In predict something really surprising and wonderful is headed your way, 'cause you deserve it.

[Carrie]

Ohhh karla, you leaving that for someone to find just pulled at my heartstrings. what a lucky lucky person who happens upon that!!! your such a doll!!!

[Judi Storm]

Very cool

[Derrith Scarbrough]

What a delightful post about a series of unfortunate events! The fairie was a beautiful gift to the world and I wish I could see who happens on that happy surprise.

[maggie raguse]

The shell fairy is precious...that WING is especially perfect! Love that you left it within a fairy ring. I do hope someone stumbled upon such a sweet surprise and that it made their day. It made mine, just seeing your photo!

And speaking of photos, man, your camera's macro lens sure captured every grain of sand beautifully....wow!

Still on the subject of photos, I just love the new-ish photo of you in your sidebar. If I remember correctly, that was taken when you were out shopping, right? What an amazing candid shot...so pretty!

[Suzanne Duda]

Oh, my friend, you are so talented! Only you could create something so magical! Xo suzanne

[Carol]

I am sorry for laughing as I read your post. It was just that it it just kept getting worse and worse. Sometimes life gives you lemons, but you obviously made lemonade (or margaritas) out of them. Love your angel.

[Bella]

Oh my. The Outer Banks is my stomping ground. Been going there almost every summer since childhood.

And that angel just made me smile.

[Judy]

What a great story...it was a blessing to me today. Thank you Karla for helping me to see that even when thiings don't turn out the way you planned, there is still oodles of good...and I love the OBX and seashells and fairies so you got me there. And you left her there...a good reminder that sometimes you need to let go and move on and let someone else enjoy. Bet you didn't know how profound your post was did you? LOL!

Hugs,
Judy

[Karla Nathan]

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Thanks, Maggie. Yes, that was a picture taken of me in
CA at Bountiful. Great background!! She has a beautiful shop.

And, yes, I was happy to see how clear the photos of the
sand turned out. I really like my pocket camera, a Cannon S100.

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Subject: [Karlas Cottage] maggie raguse submitted a comment to A
Sea Fairy, and a bad trip that was better than it should have
been

A
new comment from “maggie raguse” was received on the post “A
Sea Fairy, and a bad trip that was better than it should have
been” of the blog “Karlas
Cottage”.
Comment:
The
shell fairy is precious...that WING is especially perfect!
Love that you left it within a fairy ring. I do hope someone
stumbled upon such a sweet surprise and that it made their
day. It made mine, just seeing your photo! And speaking of
photos, man, your cameras macro lens sure captured every
grain of sand beautifully....wow! Still on the subject of
photos, I just love the new-ish photo of you in your sidebar.
If I remember correctly, that was taken when you were out
shopping, right? What an amazing candid shot...so pretty!

Commenter name: maggie raguse
Commenter email: maggier
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[Andrea]

Karla, you always amaze me! I love what your eye sees and the creativity that flows from your soul. It's beautiful. I adore this shell fairy, and I hope a sweet little girl found her there!
Hugs,
Andrea