Oatland Island

We spent Labor Day at Oakland Island. Following a little of my own advice I gave to a fellow blogjam member. Well it was the first time out there, so it was a new experience for me. How would I rate it? It kind of depends. If you go on a day that is not quite as hot and buggy, it was excellent, unfortunately for us it was in the low 90's and we had lots of bugs... and no bug spray. So bring bug spray!

We stopped off for lunch at the Crab Shack on Tybee because we left right around lunch. I have to give that place a thumbs down, though I really did try to give it a thumbs up. Basically the only seafood my wife eats is fish, and they don't have one fish on the menu... just oysters, clams, shrimp, and crabs. Also they don't/can't fry anything you can take it that they are healthy or they don't want to bother with the expense and mess that frying oil would create. I got the lunch special, Shack Stew and 1/4 pound of shrimp. That could not even be considered an appetizer, it tasted ok just not enough of it, and the shrimp were hard to peel.  Anyway, I might come back when I have some crab/oyster lovers with me, otherwise, not so much.

So back to Oatland Island. There is apparently some renovations going on, so you can't go in the "big building" however none of the animals reside there, so you park behind it and start walking. And that is the only complaint I have about our trip. When you have kids in tow, you would like to get off the road and away from any oncoming cars. There are swaths were you simply have to share the road. But once you pass that big building, you can relax a bit.

We entered the alligator/bird aviary first. I had no idea gators went out on the tidal marshes, but apparently they do, or can. Next we saw the cougars, which were asleep, as all cats are want to do. The Bobcat was there... but we couldn't find him. Next we walked along the boardwalk and got up close to some crabs. From there we saw the foxes and on to various bird cages. Then on to see some deer, and then the wolf wilderness and a bison. There are other small animals, like armadillo, snakes, bats, that sort of thing. Also this is more like a walk through the woods, which I like. My four-year-old loved it. And I think they had her in mind when they built the place.

It isn't as nice as most zoos, but she could see a lot better than most zoos offer (with the elevated view stands and glass/Plexiglas windows).  It doesn't have the big draws like elephants or monkeys, but it doesn't cost as much either ($35 can get you in for a year), also it is really close. A lot closer than any other zoo. So give it a try. 

A Veggy Garden... for the Fall

Ok so this is my own economic stimulus package as it were. Our tomatoes are long gone, the pepper plants made their last pepper a few weeks back, everything is overgrown and unkempt, basically the shine that was present in the spring had dulled over the summer and by the fall, had become an eyesore.


But with the 4 of us working about a whole day... Ok not really... 1 is too little, 1 is too stroke bound, this was a 2 person job. My 13-year-old still owed on her little vandalism escapade. So she got most of the weeds out of there (and paid off her debt in full). My wife did most of the fine tuning/actual planting. I did have a hand in the boarder (to hopefully prevent the grass from invading again) and some mulch, as well as bricks for the garbage can.


This is the first time that we have planted from seed. We always took some plants already started from the store. We know that as far as timing, we are late, but I'm hoping for global warming, or I can cover the plants with plastic. We have, in our little garden, some broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, spinach, and onions. I doubt that everything will take, as we have no skill or previous knowledge of farming. And it's going to be watered on the irrigation system, so perhaps some might get too much or not enough water.


But all things considered it at least looks better that it did, and so even if this garden fails we'll be that much more experienced when the spring rolls back around. Now we just wait and see.

The Weekend

My weekend was pretty much how people say it should be. So it was good, I guess. Saturday we went to a friend’s for a party. It was nice. the people we went to party with have a pool. It made me wish that we had a pool. It’s good to dream right? It also reminded me that I am in fact older than I want to be.

Even though we took a nap earlier we still wound up crashing before 10. Why is that? I’m not really sure, but I can live with it. Or at least there’s nothing I can do to change it, so I better get used to it. **YAWN**

Sunday we went to the beach, on Hilton Head, and absorbed into the throng of tourists. I just don’t get it. Why somebody thinks riding a bike, in 95 degree heat, is vacationing, I’ll never know. My idea of a vacation is to relax, or experience something new or different, but that’s not to say somebody else’s idea is the same. Thank god for Ohioans because they seem to think that riding a bike in hot weather hits the spot.

They had something about taking vacation on one tank of gas in the daily wipe (newspaper) I could think of all kinds of places I could go on one tank of gas. Oh well, there is no recession, everybody (including me) has got some place to go.

Okay, I admit it...

Lately I've not really made any commentary on the news (i.e. Schools, politics, government etc.) and I really don't know why... other than the fact that I've had a stroke and trying to convince people that they might want to pull their heads out of their asses for 2 seconds, is just so not me anymore. I can only change what I can change, that doesn't include some idiot or otherwise across the internet or down the street. Besides what does it matter if I change his/her mind? I mean I want to do good, I have a couple of things on the back burner, but publicizing it right now isn't what I want to do.

I know some newspaper people will probably breathe a sigh of relief when/if they read this, but you just never know when the wild hair is going to invert and start to go up my ass. I know I've not really been around to keep them honest, but you just never know and sock-puppetry is alive and well. But that doesn't mean I've been doing it, because I haven't.

I wish I could care more, I really do, I simply can't. I'm still dealing with this whole stroke thing and in doing so that's one of the first things to go (the caring about stupid shit). I'm too busy trying to keep my family happy, my work satisfied, and mostly myself competent, aware, and in the loop. I won't say that the old me is completely dead, but unfortunately a big part of me is gone. I don't like some food I used to love, can't play games the way I used to, I don't even sleep the way I used to.

Part of the recovery is acknowledging the fact that you simply won't be the same person, you can be as close to the same as you want to be, but never the same. That's pretty hard to deal with, because whatever you used to mean to others won't quite be the same either. I was a partner to my wife, and still am but in a different way, now I've come to depend on her, a lot more. I used to do probably 95% of the cooking, now I'm lucky if I get 15%. So not only do you have to come to grips with saying goodbye to the old you, all your friends and family do too.

This recovery could take years...

3rd Friday

Well we went to TGI3rd Friday, something was off. Some of the stores changed hands or something, the vendors were different, maybe it was the music, but it was not the same. Add to that, the heritage... and it was a virtual ghost town. Too bad, I like to have me something cold and adult to enjoy while I'm listening to the music, but then again... TGI3rdF really wasn't meant for me.

Another thing happened this early morning, I crashed, again. But the whole outcome was completely different. I knew where I was the entire time, as well as who my wife was. I came out fine, or as good as can be expected. Why this is happening escapes me. It's almost like my body is normal, and the insulin I inject is causing problems. I don't know...

TGI3rd Friday

Though the weather forecast predicted 90% chance of rain yesterday (of which I only received a droplet, as in one) I decided to take my chances and make my way down to Calhoun for 3^rd Friday festivities. I really want to support local businesses and I can’t really think of a better Friday evening than strolling around and taking in some live music and cold adult beverage refreshment but, I can’t see how the current format is sustainable.

Why do I say this?

Because I simply cannot afford to buy anything out of the shops the event is being held for. I like walking around perusing, but clearly I’m not in the segment these places are marketing to (me being middle class family with kids). I hope TGI3rdF or some other kind of regular free music venue remains as I think it does nothing but enhance the cultural aspect of Bluffton, but the organizers might want to consider a new location or bringing in a more diverse group of vendors (and price points) if they want to attract more than just the filthy rich, retired sector.

Still the family and I had a great time moseying around, taking in the music, but other than a few glasses of wine, they’re not making any of me. Sorry `bout that. Hope ya’ll don’t mind...

Bluffton Beer & Brat Fest

I realize there was a big animal rescue event today, but honestly, I'm over it. I'm not against them or what they want to achieve, but I have a life and part of that life is charity, but I don't make charity my entire life. So I didn't save a puppy today... oh well.

That said, the family and I took some time out to travel down to Calhoun St. and check the Beer & Brat Festival this evening. There was all kinds of German beer available (for about $4 a bottle) along with German food and live music to boot. The $10 cover charge was steep and I was a bit miffed by how expensive the event was... until the B-Town Playaz ripped out "Hot Potato"... and then I realized it was worth every penny.

The Good: Live Music and gorgeous weather

The Bad: Expensive everything, $10 for plastic cup seems excessive

The Ugly: In 6 days you can do what cost $10 a head for free at TGI3rdF

Still, the music was great and the beer was cold, which makes for a good time no matter how you slice it.

For those who don't know who/what "Hot Potato" is all about, I give you...

The Wiggles

An Update to Yesterday’s Post Concerning Local Seafood

A friend of mine recently contacted the South Carolina Seafood Alliance and passed along some additional pertinent info that deserves public exposure. The most shocking is that 83% of the seafood we eat, comes from waters not our own. Not only are we missing out on local and fresh “taste”, we’re contributing to the downfall of our local seafood industry by not supporting it.

State House Bill H 3028. If enacted it will provide for punishment to those that misrepresent the identity of food or food product that is served. Call or write your representative and tell them food origination and integrity is important to you.

Here’s a link to The SC Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. This is another organization that seeks to promote good business practices while promoting a healthy environment for local businesses and wildlife. Look for the restaurant list that identifies local establishments who support sustainable local seafood.

The South Carolina Seafood Alliance (SCSA) is working with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to certify sellers of local seafood and have them display the new "SC Brand." Look for this label as a sign of assurance for a quality local food product.

**EDIT**

Just because a business claims to support local seafood doesn't mean you can shop or order without worry. I noticed a local eatery on the "good restaurant" list and yet their menu is almost completely devoid of any local fair. As always, buyer beware.