I see a girl with wrinkles

Who in years is still

Young

In heart

Forever old

Who has loved

Knowing she was at loss

Who has cried

Believing her tears

Would never be returned


Wisdom may kiss the old

As it cradles the young

But never be deceived

For behind the youthful creases

There are wrinkles

Like the sand


As the tide laps the surf

So the young forgets her worries

So the aged sun seems again a youth

And the world returns it's glory

But between the 'Hello' and 'Goodbye'

A sparkle flashes in that eye

Few may see it

Yet it shows

Wrinkles upon the sand

Many, yet few she chose

Bethany has always been our family's go-to vacation spot. I fell in love with the dear beach...let me share a corner of it's page with you.



-Ocean
This is obvious. It is astounding to think that, looking across this massive body of water (the ol' pond) are huge continents I've never seen...foreign countries with the same water lapping at their sands. British beaches. Oh.

It makes me feel how strong and powerful our God is-that he made such a roaring tide.

The ocean is a wonder and a beauty, it can be so calm and peaceful, and then so wild and ruff within the same day. I love the ocean, because I'm part mermaid, you see, and whenever everyone else is ready to dry off I'm ready to leap back in. I would be beaten to a pulp by the end of the day if Mom did not save me.

-Boardwalk 
Ah! The boardwalk. Fries (soggy, though, you know) soft serve (I cannot possibly count how many free samples I have eaten from that place. Custards the best.) T-shirt shops and cafes. The salt of the ocean is the perfume of the boardwalk, it's tune is the hum of crashing waves and ravenous seagulls.

Everywhere people are casual (and tanned) with the gentle breeze that comes off the sea.

-Sand
To me, there is almost nothing so wonderful for the feet as to sink into warm, deep, golden sand. Here and there are smoothly rounded pebbles that could be mistaken for jewelry, and hermit crabs if you have a good eye.

-Dolphins 
Just last week we took our trip to Bethany, and right as I first tripped onto the beach I saw dolphins; the sun glinting off of their wet bodies as they swam (or jumped) through the water. How cute they are! And I had not seen one since I was young.

-Seagulls
a-hem. Seagulls and me have a love-hate relationship. Personally, I admire their nautical little suits and dainty beaks, their call-which is so very beachy-and how they are always on watch. Also...you have to love those cute faces. Unfortunately, however, the seagull family comes in the thousands at Bethany.

-Environment 
Bethany was originally a Christ-based town, and there are still many fragments of Christianity around. For one it has a mostly wholesome, family feel.

-Shops
Sweatpants. Boho attire. Cute beachy necklaces. Quirky things you can't find anywhere else.

-Sunrise
I have not witnessed the sunrise there for...around half my life ago. I still remember how glorious and breathtaking it was, and will continue every morning to be.

-Cottages
I cannot explain enough on this one...nautical, spiral staircase. bright or faded colors, tall, windows. Beautiful. It's an attraction just to see them.

-Neighborhoods
As well as the cottages, the neighborhoods are perfect. How I like those sandy roads and grasses, and the slight passage of the sea between the homes, the sound of the waves crashing near, and seagulls overhead.

-Memories
I learned to ride a bike on one of those roads...I made friends...many sunburns...game nights with family...boogie boarding with Josh...eating donuts...laughing...napping and listening to the waves.

-Tans
All 'round. When I got home last week, I had what I like to call 'the bumble bee burn' in three stripes. I wonder how I ever was so pale.

-Swimming
...Or throwing your body crazily into a wave hoping you'll come out on the other side okay. Also getting caught in one of these especially large waves, almost or close as tall as yourself and going through a washing cycle, then coming out feeling as if your a wet blanket, sitting down and still being pushed in and out with the waves though you are on dry land.

-Traveling 
Half-fun. On the way up your tired, but excited, on the way back you and your brother figure out some odd way of sleeping where the seat buckle is sticking in your ribs.

-Hoodies
Because they say Bethany Beach and are teal.

-Sea Foam
I remember a time when I called it 'frothee' and that was all I would play in.

-Pebbles
(I said 'pebbles' not 'peebles') The pebbles on the beach/in the water are the best! Their so clear they almost look see-through. I'd warn you not to try and fish them out when a giant wave is coming, though.

-Salt Water
It's so clean and clear (and boy it stings the eyes). When I came home I had some skin problems gone just from it.

-Totem Pole
It's quite famous.

-Flowers
I could smell them from the car.





Do you love Bethany Beach like I love Bethany Beach?
Have you ever been to the ocean?
Where is your go-to vacation spot?
Are you thrilled for fall-fashion?

I had my 1950's party!! *Hands out pink balloons and I Love Lucy discs*. Let me just say how thrilled I was at having the idea  for this. Ahhhhhh.

First I had to get the normal stuff....my theme was 50's, movies, and pink. Pink balloons, as well as pictures of 1950's movie scenes and models I had printed out and water colored, served as decor, with some teal and pink streamers.



Punch ( okay this is a must, I mean, this stuff was the bestest. Alden's strawberry ice cream + Zevia Cream Soda = fantabulous) was served in ball or jam jars with retro pink/striped soda straws.

A few friends and I headed down to the beach to go paddle boarding/swimming first. It was wonderful and marvelous at the beach...all low-tide and sand bar filled. Also some crabs...


When we came home and dried off, everyone came through the TIME PORTAL and into the 1950's! I mean, so cute! I'm in the mint green w/ floral skirt (which, by the way, I was wearing two to give it that extra 'fluff'). I was also wearing my Softspot sandals, and had my hair in pin-up curls with a bandanna.

We watched I Love Lucy (ooooh, you didn't think I was going to leave it out, did you???) and ate food. Hot dogs. Classic 50's junk food.

I'm so glad I got in the party before school came back, it half being like a last-bit-of-summer-vacation-party.


Before most everyone went home we had a marvelous time with an improv skit, which, by the way, are honestly the funnest things to do with friends.
 Everyone enjoys them and everyone remembers them. We did not, however, beg anyone for a mink stole, so rest assured on that point.

It was so much fun, and next time might be a 1960's party *emoji with wide eyes*.

See yeah later kids.

What era would your retro party be in?
What would you wear to a 1950's party?
Have you ever paddle boarded?

(*Leans over* *whispers* that ^ is so my Dad)

thee "Mermaid's Lagoon" is the largest little shop over at Ogden's Commons...also the beachyest.
Full of mermaids, whales, and the color blue, it's one of the cutest shops you'll ever see.


Do You Live by a Body of Water?
Are You Fond of Beachy Decor?
Are there still Small-Town Shops Where You Live?