When I was a child, I was told that pink and red do not go together. Growing up here with hibiscus like that one, I knew this to be a lie.
I've felt so much better today although I still needed a nap this afternoon. Mr. Moon got up at 5 a.m. and went fishing at the inlet so he needed one too when he got home. He had a headache and didn't feel the best so of course I made him take another covid test.
I cannot believe he still doesn't have it.
We took a little drive around Sebastian which is the town closest to Roseland. I wanted to drive down the river road that runs along the Indian River, also known as the Intercoastal Waterway.
I know I'm probably more emotional than usual which is saying a lot, but I began to cry as we drove by the condos, the McMansions, the resorts that go on for blocks with restaurants, bars, lodging, and marinas. A road that used to be home to fish markets where the boats pulled in and sold their catch, some houses, some shacks, some trailers, a crab-processing facility, is now high dollar real estate where people from out of state have vacation homes that are vacant most of the year and block the view of the river and take up space that was once filled with trees and sea grapes, and the people who owned the fish houses for generations can no longer afford the taxes on the businesses that supported them for so long.
And then, you'll see a house, an area that is the same, exactly the same as it was in the 1960's and that, too, made me cry.
I know I'm probably more emotional than usual which is saying a lot, but I began to cry as we drove by the condos, the McMansions, the resorts that go on for blocks with restaurants, bars, lodging, and marinas. A road that used to be home to fish markets where the boats pulled in and sold their catch, some houses, some shacks, some trailers, a crab-processing facility, is now high dollar real estate where people from out of state have vacation homes that are vacant most of the year and block the view of the river and take up space that was once filled with trees and sea grapes, and the people who owned the fish houses for generations can no longer afford the taxes on the businesses that supported them for so long.
And then, you'll see a house, an area that is the same, exactly the same as it was in the 1960's and that, too, made me cry.
As Glen and I pulled back into Roseland I said, out loud, "Roseland- why do you keep calling me back? You're not even that pretty!"
And Glen said, "No, it's not," and he's not wrong. It's rough and there are lots with nothing on them but a palm here, a banana there, and what I am sure is a whole lot of sand spurs.
And Glen said, "No, it's not," and he's not wrong. It's rough and there are lots with nothing on them but a palm here, a banana there, and what I am sure is a whole lot of sand spurs.
But then, there is also this.
The Sebastian River at the sunset hour. Nothing is as calming and meditative and magic to me as the river and the sky above it.
I was asked for a picture of the front of this house so here are two taken from the back AND the front.
Old Florida fishing town housing. Nothing fancy. Not really pretty.
But to me, beautiful.
Hey! I walked around the block today!
All is well.
Love...Ms. Moon
The pics of your cottage are delightful. A very soothing place to rest, relax and heal. I love the backyard and pool area. Thanks for posting all these. Glad you're feeling better. Glen is indeed lucky. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Enjoy every minute.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
glad to hear you are on the mend, also hope the Mr continues to test negative- Roseland sounds a lot like traverse city, where we spent part of the week. tourists. we went all the way up to a sleepy lil beach town called grand Marais and that was way more soothing....so small there's no stoplights.... xxalainaxx
ReplyDeleteThat is a very pretty house from the front and the back. I don' understand why people who have "rarely lived in" vacation homes, need them to be so big. It's hardly a holiday to somewhere different when the house is almost the same as the one you normally live in. The view across that river is definitely worth going for.
ReplyDeleteThat's really a beautiful house, isn't it. But I know what you mean about the McMansions. The place I worked was slap bang on Lake Geneva and every day I used to walk past the BOARDED UP mansions along the lake to get to my car. They would often be boarded up for 11 months of the year, but on prime lake location. It's wicked isn't it!
ReplyDeleteA walk around the block! I think you deserve the gold for that feat.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're holding up ok. I don't understand about owning two houses. It's worrying enough maintaining one!
ReplyDeleteYour little house is just perfect and a swimming pool too. I would much rather stay there than in some corporate hotel room or modern condominium. Love the pink flamingo out front.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to walk around and are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteKeep feeling better, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThat house is so sweet. I'm guessing Mr. Moon also has covid. The home tests only have a about an 80% accuracy rate, so he could have covid.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard going back to where you grew up and seeing everything so changed, another kind of grief.
You've probably seen it, Mary, but I found this on YouTube. A short, charming film about Roseland, and it features your landlord, Glenn. AND it shows the beautiful other home you've stayed in before with the very recognizable pool, lion waterspouts in the corners.
ReplyDeleteIf you've not come across this before, enjoy. - Karen from Pittsburgh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwg-84ZY5j0
Thanks, Karen! I really enjoyed this video tour. It's not all McMansions yet, thank goodness. (And Ms. Moon - glad you're on the upswing!)
DeleteChris from Boise
So glad it brought you pleasure, Chris! - Karen from Pittsburgh
DeleteI know how you feel. back when we had the beach house (it was actually on the bay side of Galveston Island) it was the last little edition on the west end and there was nothing but empty land and beach all the way to the end, small one story simple houses on stilts, didn't matter if you were wet and sandy. then a hurricane came and destroyed 90% and it was transformed into two or three story mansions on stilts and eventually spread all the way to the end of the island. and the taxes are exorbitant. same thing, rich people weekend or summer houses, no empty land, people forced out. I won't go down there anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree -- it's a beautiful little house. I always liked those aluminum window awnings, but I bet they're loud as heck when it rains. Glad you're feeling better. Maybe Mr. Moon won't get this at all? Hey, it happens.
ReplyDeleteI will presume to think you enjoy Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey and their take on development in Florida. Skink and Serge!
ReplyDeleteYour photos show the water views in Roseland are fantastic. The house you are staying at is a gem. The landscape is lovely too. Land seems to get over-developed everywhere and open space is harder to find. Some cities and towns are doing a better job zoning and protecting open space, marsh land and coastlines. In Massachusetts large homes were built along coastlines and the sea storms engulf the homes. Coastlines are changing.
ReplyDeleteThe water. We are born from it, and it always calls us back.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!
DeleteLoved the little video up there sent by anonymous. -
ReplyDeleteThey say you can never return to the place that you left, nothing is the same including yourself. BUT , glad you found at least one little old house that time forgot.
My family has lived in the same community for 170 years and I often cry when I drive through town. There used to be a plant nursery on lake front. You could walk in and it was instant peace. It was an oasis. It is now a Lexus dealership. Even the basement suite I rent makes me feel like a sellout because they destroyed hundreds of acres of beautiful swamp land to do it. All for an ocean view and a house that takes up almost the entire property. I can pass something out my door to my next door basement suite neighbor. I am not glad that you cry when you see your home being sold out to the McMansions but it makes me feel less alone. Humans are so undeserving of this planet.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ms. Moon! Covid x2 and a hurricane? I hope you get home in lots of time. The cottage pictures looks so calm. I hope you get more rest and and that Mr. Moon has mild symptoms.
I'm familiar with the area; my daughter and her family live in Fort Pierce.
ReplyDeletePatricia