Changes, we all live through them. We all have to deal with them, accept, complain–whatever. The next generation won’t give a damn about the way WE lived, they are concerned with their own way of life–hey, that’s just the way it is. But I like to think when it comes to Surf City and Topsail Island, that I got the best. The above photo is of myself and my sister, Mary Ellen, when the sand dunes where everywhere-that’s where we played if we weren’t running through the marshes, climbing old water oaks and the bumble bee towers. If you wanted a treat you could walk up to the Cooler and get a fancy soft serve ice cream from Miss Inez. You didn’t need a license to surf fish, so I did lots of that, and then Lewis Williamson always had a lower price for kids to fish on Barnacle Bills Fishing Pier. If you wanted an inexpensive floating device for the ocean, my father would sell you an inner tube at the Surf City Texaco station.Those of us who were military brats got to go to the VFW with our parents and listen to music, dance, and play outside on trees and tire swings, fish in the marsh and catch frogs. Weekends we went to South Topsail and the skating rink, then we played putt putt. One thing about Topsail Beach, they have kept the place looking much as it did back in the day. (Thank you Topsail Beach please don’t sell out).
Yes, change happens. I guess priorities factor into that change. Who is calling the shots and their agenda is what determines it. I’ve lived enough places to know that greed should never be the determining factor. The island itself should be that. Oh well, I could go on and on, but will save that for later, or you could read the Topsail Island Trilogy and find out what it was like once upon a time. Thank you for reading.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
A long time ago there was a town called Surf City, where the land was such, beneath the ocean, that it made the fishing plentiful for all who cast a line into the water. There was a little swing bridge that opened to residents and visitors alike; it made a welcoming sound as the cars passed over it. The small, little, town was friendly and peaceful and welcoming to all who came there. Children played in the sand dunes and the marshes and life was pleasant. God looked at it and said it was good. The city planners agreed with God and said that Surf City was Everyman’s island, where anybody could afford to visit.
Fast forward thirty years: there is only one fishing pier in Surf City left from the time when it was known as the Fisherman’s Paradise. The sand dunes have been destroyed to make way for houses that have people in them only 8 months of the year. The marshes are not protected and many have been destroyed to make room for even more houses. Much of the shell fishing has been destroyed too, because of the houses and roads built and some groups are even fighting the rights of fishermen to fish. Gone is the little old bridge that ushered folks into a certain way of life. Rather, there is a newer bridge–bigger and better and more conducive to the ever growing population.
God looked at this and…well, let’s keep God out of this since when it comes to the development of Surf City it is evident that He wasn’t even considered.
I never get tired of seeing this. There’s nothing better than shrimp right off the boat. And now a recipe for Shrimp Creole.
sauté onion, garlic and celery in a saucepan for a few minutes until tender, add chopped bell pepper (just a little). add diced tomatoes and one small can of tomato sauce, heat and stir for awhile, then add shrimp and continue to cook for about 5 minutes. Serve over your favorite rice.
Okay, so I don’t give amounts, but then I usually play that by ear. Besides amounts depend upon how much you want. Whatever the amount, it is yummy.
February 10, The Mermaid’s Book Corner, located at the Mermaids Purse in Surf City is having a meet the author luncheon – shrimp creole will be on the menu along with turkey chowder. Looks like we have around 7 authors. More to come on this after Christmas.
QUOTE: “I never talk about books in progress. I could decide to change it to a series of seafood recipes, after all.” Guy Gavriel Kay
Writer’s Tip: Well, I do talk about books in progress, but Mr. Kay has a great idea. As a writer, you can always change your mind.
This is a totally untouched photo. Isn’t the scene beautiful?–made perfect just as it is. Most things are made perfect, it’s idle hands that come along and screw them up-wanting bigger, faster, more, more, more–lest we forget, all those things do not make one more honest, kinder, or more self aware.
