Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

March Winds At Home and On The Beach…

Sunshine days provide great opportunities for walking and absorbing some Vitamin D. Good for the bones and for the soul. Strolling neighborhood streets give us a breath of fresh air and allows conversations with loved ones, friends and strangers. A glorious time with calm air, until the wind changes direction.

Howling winds can arrive at any moment, kicking up dust, leaves, limbs and more. In spring, summer, fall or winter, winds can gain speed and surprise us with slaps to the face and punches to the body. Objects can be thrown from here to there at any turn. March winds can come in like a lion, but those type of winds can happen anytime.

Beach walking is healthy and fun. A recent weekend was filled with warm weather and bright sunshine. Alan and I decided to move our daily walk from the local area to the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Driving to SI ( which is what we locals call Sullivan’s Island ), finding a parking place and making sure we had our sun hats and sunscreen, we set off to find the best entrance to the beach. Chatting with people along the way, the sea air began to fill our lungs. Our steps quickened and our smiles became wider as we anticipated the gentle, relaxing walk on the beach.

A surprise hit us in the face as we crested the top of the walkway leading to the sand.
Strong wind. Not a gentle breeze, but a strong, whipping, grab your collar kind of wind!!! Waves stood high and crashed into each other heading for the shore.

Winds on the mainland and on the island can vary in strength and speed. There can be a huge difference between parking a short distance from the beach, where there is calm to no wind, to reaching the top of the walkway and finding a powerful, windy greeting.

With hats secured and jackets zipped, we placed one foot in front of the other and started enjoying the sights. Seashells, horseshoe crabs, driftwood and plenty of people and dogs made for delightful chit chat.

Walking with the wind was different than walking against the wind. We certainly achieved our attempt at exercising.

Setting out to travel a certain distance, we checked the exercise monitor only to find we had ventured a much shorter length than we thought. The wind had worn us out.
We kept going, giving ourselves a spot in the distance to reach. A large pink house made for a distinct turning around point. Once we found that spot on the beach, we retreated and headed back to the entryway where we had first encountered the beach winds.

On that day, the beach walk was amazing and full of adventures. Visiting with people, laughing while watching dogs jump in and out of the ocean retrieving sticks, we gazed at ships traveling in the distance, heard the pounding waves crashing the shore, and most of all, shared precious time with each other.

March winds, or beach winds at any time, can be enjoyable if we pause and find the fun in the wind. Just make sure your hats are secure and your jacket is zipped. Also, watch out for flying debris. You just might get hit by a horseshoe crab if you aren’t paying attention.

God gives us the wind and the ocean. What a joy to observe His creations! Have you taken a walk on the beach or in your neighborhood lately? What did you experience?

Take a walk and have a blessed day,

Mimi

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44 Comments
  • June Foster
    Posted at 22:33h, 25 January Reply

    Melissa, I wish I could take a beach walk! Ha, ha. There is no such thing around my neighborhood. What a blessing you live where you do. However, we do plan to go for walks when the weather gets better. Right now, we’re expecting snow. We’re hoping to tame our frisky puppy and get her to settle down with walks around the neighborhood. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:48h, 26 January Reply

      We had plenty of snow in Virginia. Last year, we even had snow here in Mount Pleasant. 5 inches, then ice. This winter, no snow so far and I am glad. Have a blessed day dear friend! 🙂

  • Vickie@Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 22:47h, 25 January Reply

    I’m sitting here watching the news and we are at a balmy 11 degrees with a wind chill of 1. To top it off we are expecting 8 to 10 inches of snow here on Monday. Your post came just in time before winter depression hit me straight in the gut. I soaked up the sunshine with you, gathered up the seashells, and watched the dogs jump in the waves. I can just imagine that pink house in the distance. Thanks so much for the reprieve!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:52h, 27 January Reply

      11 degrees with wind chill of 1!!!! WOW! I am cold just reading those numbers. Stay warm and snuggle under a blanket or lots of blankets. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Ashley Harris
    Posted at 22:56h, 25 January Reply

    We can’t wait to come walk those beaches with you Mimi!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:49h, 26 January Reply

      We are ready for you all to return any time. The sooner the better. 🙂 Love you all! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 00:44h, 26 January Reply

    Whether the winds are calm or howling, the ocean has such a calming effect. A couple of years ago, Derek and I were in North Myrtle during a tropical storm. We enjoyed going out on the beach with the wind practically blowing us over. I was amazed at the number of people milling about. Happy Weekend!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:50h, 26 January Reply

      Yes, we are always amazed at the people walking on the beach during storms. Oops, we are in that group of people! haha!!!! Thanks for commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • thisgratefulmama
    Posted at 01:50h, 26 January Reply

    Oh, how I love to walk by the ocean and look for treasures! Everything in Minnesota is frozen but there is still beauty in the frozen things, just not quite as enjoyable as the ocean

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:51h, 26 January Reply

      I do find comfort in God’s creations, including the beach. I haven’t traveled to Minnesota but I hear it’s cold there. Stay warm and enjoy a great weekend. 🙂 Blessings.

  • Anneliese Dalaba
    Posted at 02:51h, 26 January Reply

    I love walking along the beach. I grew up an hour from the ocean and spent many weekends by the shore. The awesomeness and vastness of the ocean always reminds me of how mighty God is.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:51h, 26 January Reply

      You are right. God is mighty and His creations are amazing! 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!

  • Bettie G
    Posted at 03:33h, 26 January Reply

    We live close to two lakes, so much smaller than the ocean, and we are about an hour away from Lake Michigan, more similar to the ocean. But in both places, I have observed that there can be a big weather difference from the shore to just a few blocks away! Amazing what a body of water can cause! Such a beautiful gift of creation from the Father. Thank you for stirring up sweet memories today, Melissa! God Bless you!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:52h, 26 January Reply

      Bettie G, thank you so much for your encouragement and inspiration. We are truly blessed with God’s blessings. Have a wonderful weekend dear friend. 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 03:36h, 26 January Reply

    It’s been super windy in our town the last few days. And it’s a cold wind with winter temps. I don’t enjoy wind like this. I’m a fair-weather girl. 🙂 And strong winds can beat you down and wear you out like you mention. I never have minded wind at the beach if I’m walking with it and the breeze is a nice one.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:53h, 26 January Reply

      Today the air is calm on the mainland. I bet there is a breeze on the island. We hope to take a walk later today and see what we can discover. God’s blessings are waiting in each moment. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Christina
    Posted at 07:30h, 26 January Reply

    Haha.. so much for a romantic relaxing walk on the beach! We just moved further from the ocean (we were 10 minutes, now 45 minutes).

    I love to walk on the beach on the firm part of the sand at the edge of the waves or on boardwalks. I find it incredible relaxing… as long as there’s no wild winds 🙂

    I don’t think I’ve been since I had my most recent baby.. which was 5 months ago. Took some bad cellphone pregnancy pics at the beach days before giving birth.

    🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:55h, 26 January Reply

      Walking on the beach can be so relaxing. You are right, as long as there are no wild winds. haha! Congratulations on the new baby. 5 months old is a precious time. Our grand baby is 18 months old and full of love and laughter. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Invisibly Me
    Posted at 09:42h, 26 January Reply

    Sounds like a wonderful visit to SI and a walk to the beach. It made me chuckle about the winds because it reminded me of several years ago now when I drove us out to somewhere with a pier in the water. It all seemed quite still, then we walked further out and onto the pier and it was incredibly gusty! Getting out into the outdoors is great for fresh air, vitamin D, experiencing nature, people watching and taking in the scenery =]
    Caz xx

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:56h, 26 January Reply

      Amazing how quickly the winds can change. We hope to enjoy a nice walk later today. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Dani@StoriesFilled
    Posted at 13:57h, 26 January Reply

    Love the beach! We moved away from the coast almost 6 years ago and now i feel i didn’t appreciate it enough when I lived there

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:51h, 27 January Reply

      I understand. We are finding more ways to appreciate the beach everyday. Also, missing our old home and thinking about ways we could have appreciated it more. 🙂 Have a blessed week! Bloom where you are planted. That’s our motto. 🙂

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 15:28h, 26 January Reply

    Beautiful imagery. I could feel the wind hitting my face I leaned into it!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:03h, 27 January Reply

      Thank you Melinda. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Lisa Q
    Posted at 15:35h, 26 January Reply

    Ahhh…. this post made me miss the beach! I grew up in Southern California and loved the beach. I used to spend most of those long summer days at the beach… the sounds of the crashing waves and smell of salt air linger strongly in my memories. I now live in the Midwest and icy cold temps and snow are all about, prohibiting outside walking. So, it is challenging to exercise here in the winter without a gym membership. Oh well. It is what it is. You are blessed to live near a beach!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:04h, 27 January Reply

      Isn’t it amazing how we miss places? I grew up at the beach and then, moved to the mountains for years. Now, being back at the beach, I am renewing my love of sand, sun and even ocean breezes. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Peggy Bodde
    Posted at 15:46h, 26 January Reply

    Lovely post! We have dear friends who live in Cocoa Beach FL, and I normally go there 1-2x a year. As I read your post, I envisioned the beach and could feel the wind and smell the salty air! Walking on the beach there is one of my favorite things to do for all the reasons you described. When I hike at home, it’s my prayer time. Too much snow to hike now, but spring is coming! Praise God for the seasons and the beauty he created for us to enjoy.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:05h, 27 January Reply

      Walking and/or hiking is a great time for prayer. Reflection and sharing time with God is a true blessing. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • stephaniemgammon
    Posted at 18:44h, 26 January Reply

    I need to get out! I know that I always feel so much better after I have the wind on my face but I always seem to procrastinate my way out of doing it. Good words!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:06h, 27 January Reply

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I do enjoy a good walk outside. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • ilooktojesus
    Posted at 23:14h, 26 January Reply

    This is such beautiful descriptive writing!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:08h, 27 January Reply

      Thank you so much! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Stephen
    Posted at 23:50h, 27 January Reply

    Awesome Word and great description of what a beautiful experience walking along the beach can be!! God Bless

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:56h, 28 January Reply

      Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Stephen De La Vega
    Posted at 17:37h, 28 January Reply

    I have not taken a walk, lately, Mimi. I will have to take you up on your suggestion. My wife and I don’t find too many just-us-two-with-nothing-to-do times. Thank you for your inspiration.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:43h, 28 January Reply

      I hope you and your wife can take a nice walk together soon. 🙂 Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Chip Mattis
    Posted at 19:40h, 28 January Reply

    Wow! That sounds like a wonderful day, in spite of the heavy wind. You made the best of it.
    We haven’t gotten out lately. We live on a busy country road so walking isn’t very safe. Also, it ridiculously cold. We’ll get out more this spring. Thanks for the post!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:57h, 28 January Reply

      Walking on a busy road is not a good idea. Hope you all can find a nice place to walk this spring. 🙂 Have a blessed week! Thanks for reading and commenting.

  • Karen
    Posted at 03:13h, 29 January Reply

    Wow, Mimi, you are surely living an adventure! How lovely to be able to take walks on the beach. Whether windy or calm, every outing holds unexpected surprises. Perhaps make sure you take a windbreaker–just in case! Enjoy your days, sweet friend, and cherish every adventure with your dear Alan. Much love xoxo 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:09h, 29 January Reply

      We truly enjoy our walks on the beach, even with windy conditions. Last night, as I stepped outside after a meeting at church, I could hear the waves hitting the shore. An awesome sound! 🙂 Alan and I hope to take a walk soon. Have a wonderful, blessed week dear friend. 🙂

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 21:55h, 30 January Reply

    I walked with you today! Thanks for refreshing my day with your words. Our beaches are covered with snow and grit currently! So to take this journey with you has brightened my day.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:53h, 30 January Reply

      I am so happy your day was brightened. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Stay warm and safe. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • ordinarilyextraordinarymom
    Posted at 11:28h, 06 February Reply

    I love walking in the neighborhood, especially with my kids. It gives me a chance to really appreciate all of the beauty that I pass up daily without ever thinking about it.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 13:57h, 06 February Reply

      Walking gives us great opportunities to share thoughts with each other and to enjoy God’s creations. Have a blessed week! 🙂

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