David Rhyne's Seashell Goddess

Since I’ve been cooped up in the house with this cough crud, I’ve gotten emails from some of my new friends that want to know if I’ve heard the latest on the beach or comment on my blog.

I have to share this beautiful story from Anne from Madison, WI that cheered me right up and gave me my shelling fix that I (WE!) have  been deprived of this week. She sent this about an hour ago.

from Anne S…..

I have to tell you about a shelling synchronicity.  Yesterday, as you know, we decided to check on those mid-gulf beaches — Tarpon and Algiers.   We found a few little things at Tarpon, but mostly just little scallops and jewel boxes.  As we were leaving, we passed a tall, attractive woman with long blond hair who had one crutch and was limping a bit.  I noticed her because her hair kind of floats in the wind, and because how often do you see someone on the beach with a crutch?  We chatted a tiny bit and she gave us a nearly-perfect sand dollar she’d just found.   We drove on down the road to Algiers, where we found all those urchins — and there she was again!  We said hi, remarked on how different two beaches just a mile apart could be, and went our separate ways.  Later that day, my husband and I went for a walk by ourselves on “our” beach (we’re at the Blind Pass condos).  We’d wandered way down the beach (heading away from Bowman’s).  We were just walking and talking, not shelling — there were pretty much NO shells, just clear, calm water.  Just as I remarked to Steve that the lack of marine life on this stretch of beach was kind of sad, a huge, perfect alphabet cone rolled up at my feet, out of nowhere.  I let out a little shriek and pounced on it — and when I looked up, there was that same woman on her crutch again!   I came home and told the kids and we’ve decided she’s the shell goddess of Sanibel who appears mysteriously to strangers, bringing gifts from the sea.  Maybe you’ll see her next time you’re out!  (If you do, tell her “thank you” from us.)

Anne