Wednesday, February 12, 2025
What new revelation has come your way?
It was just the right time for Bob and I to be
Standing on a beach,
Looking a little forlorn, and a lot naive.
First day of our stay,
Bob and I, walking short bit on beach.
Hard for Bob with minimalist walker.
Stopping to watch some sort of job underway which
Looked sort of like preparation for new pathway—
Upright timbers about six feet apart.
Could be start of … What?
I asked man in charge and
Learned that it is a conservation project.
Posts will hold a span of "sand fence.”
Sea Oats will be planted as vegetation to
Stabilize and hold sand.
Wow!
Funny ...
"Sand fence" looks exactly like
"Snow fence" that one sees in Wyoming.
Same idea, stabilizing the sand or snow.
Bob and I walked on a bit.
Project boss man came to us.
Asked if we would like to ride down the beach
In his pickup truck to see more of project.
Clockwise from top: Conservation project sand fence sections, "Chewy" and Steve setting sand fence sections, Steve Mercer with Lin, sorting sea oat "starts."
Very generous and expanding for us.
Being driven on the beach to south end of Island;
Not an experience we'd ever considered.
"Yes, please!”
We got the tour.
Heard how sand fence is set in sections with openings.
So Sea Turtles can come from and return to ocean
During egg laying and hatching season.
How Sea Oats are planted because if sand covers a shoot,
Two shoots grow where one had been.
Repeat, repeat.
Plants become more dense.
Coastal vegetation becomes more stable.
Steve Mercer's Coastal Transplants Business Card
This enthusiastic explanation was coming from
Steve Mercer.
Boss man on project,
Owner of Coastal Transplants,
Thoroughly committed to conservation,
And protecting coastal shorelines.
Who knew coast lines are so fragile?
We received such an education,
Delivered with kindness and knowledge.
Steve took us with him in his pickup,
Into his skill-set and business knowledge of
Coastal conservation.
Clockwise from upper left: Sand fence on beach, Steve teaching Lin to drill holes with "Chewy" planting sea oats, Lin planting sea oats in drilled holes, Lin planting sea oats.
I have a much bigger regard for
Fragile coast lines;
And for generous, kindly,
Enthusiastic on-the-scene-doers.
One never knows
Where gifts will show up.
Hugs,
Lin
Limerick:
You can't tell a gift by its wrapping.
May quietly come without flapping.
It could come to be,
A sight that you see.
Some new view that sets your hands clapping.
Dearest Lin,
You and Bob were the right people in the right place at the right moment!
Thank you for sharing this important development with all of us–so needed in this dark time.
And–best Lin and Bob photo, ever!
Love, Leslie
Thank you, Leslie! The attention we received that day must have made us especially photogenic! I like it, too. Love to you from South Padre Island!
Great story and pic! I’ll bet Steve had a really fun time showing you two around. You made his day brighter.
I hadn’t considered that, Linda. Thank you for that perspective! A win-win is always even better.
Great story, Lin! Thanks for sharing with us. I second Leslie’s comment: best ever Lin and Bob photo!!
🙂 Thank you!
Lin, once again I am enlightened by your thoughts/experiences and thus, my day is brightened. Thank you! I continue to be touched by the good and kind people who Bob and you are meeting and enjoying.
Glad you are “along for the ride,” Muriel! Grateful to have you there reading what I send.