chekur
18th Feb 2009, 06:04 AM
-Introduction-
"It's not what we do that counts, it's who we do it with."
That was my Nana's favourite saying.
It's funny... she died almost six years ago this winter, and that saying still resonates around in my head as if she were saying to my very face; I can see the laugh lines around her mouth deepen and her eyes sparkle as she hands me a fragrant jasmine tea, her soft demeanor and sweet face encouraging me to "sit a spell" on the deck.
We'd jabber about just about anything - what I studied in school that day, how strong the wind was - she loved listening, and, let's be truthful, I did so love talking. She wouldn't want me to be any other way.
"Madeline Hammond, don't let anyone tell you that you ain't allowed to speak your mind," she'd say, patting my knee gently. "They'll call girls that speak their mind all sorts of nasty things, but that don't matter. They don't know the great things you'll do."
Her death still hurts, if I'm really honest with myself. But that could have a little to do with the fact that I'm still living in her house - our house. The place I grew up, the place she raised me in, the place that still smells just like her - Ivory soap and baby powder. The Sandcastle.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_76a76a54.jpg
It was my grandmother's pride and joy - the Bed and Breakfast on the beach that she and my grandfather built right from scratch. People would come from all over to stay at The Sandcastle.
Every morning I run along the beach, two miles; and every morning, as I run back towards The Sandcastle, I can't help but smile.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a767ef.jpg
It's beautiful, charming place - but there's something more about it. Something warm and inviting. To this day I can't figure out what it is that makes it that way.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a76a2c.jpg
Nana said it was because the place was built and maintained with love. I do my best to spread that same love to every single person that walks through my doors and stays in my beds.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_16a76069.jpg
Times were a little tougher nowadays. The recession was hitting people's pocketbooks hard. There weren't as many people who wanted to spend a little extra money to stay at a quaint Bed and Breakfast in a tiny little town.
But there will always be people, however few, that need a place to rest and relax. So here I am.
I cook all the guest's meals (unless they would prefer to dine out, of course). I don't wish to brag, naturally, but I'm no slouch in the kitchen.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_36a76105.jpg
There are never more than two families staying at one time (not enough room), and it gives me time to get to know all of them.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_16a76565.jpg
I find that a good portion of my business is built upon return customers. Every summer I get the treat of seeing very familiar faces. It's interesting, watching families grow and change - and maybe the slightest bit saddening.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_76a7663d.jpg
It's approaching the off-season now, so business will slow considerably. The break gives me some time to do a little housekeeping - re-shingle the roof, make sure the foundation is free of cracks...
... though, I don't devote ALL my time to work.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a7690b.jpg
I'm not totally alone, either. My sweet dog Hula keeps me company. She's two years old and full of energy - sometimes I can't keep up!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a76d47.jpg
I live a charmed life, I really do. I get to smell the salt in the air every morning, let the sweet sea wind blow through my hair as I run beside waves of clear blue. I get to meet people from all over, make new friends constantly.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_f6a76e9b.jpg
But soon enough, those friends leave. Oh, I have a few good friends here. But sometimes, something feels missing.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_36a76e74.jpg
Sometimes, even though I'm surrounded by people, I can't help but feel the tiniest bit...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_56a76ee5.jpg
... alone.
-End of Introduction-
"It's not what we do that counts, it's who we do it with."
That was my Nana's favourite saying.
It's funny... she died almost six years ago this winter, and that saying still resonates around in my head as if she were saying to my very face; I can see the laugh lines around her mouth deepen and her eyes sparkle as she hands me a fragrant jasmine tea, her soft demeanor and sweet face encouraging me to "sit a spell" on the deck.
We'd jabber about just about anything - what I studied in school that day, how strong the wind was - she loved listening, and, let's be truthful, I did so love talking. She wouldn't want me to be any other way.
"Madeline Hammond, don't let anyone tell you that you ain't allowed to speak your mind," she'd say, patting my knee gently. "They'll call girls that speak their mind all sorts of nasty things, but that don't matter. They don't know the great things you'll do."
Her death still hurts, if I'm really honest with myself. But that could have a little to do with the fact that I'm still living in her house - our house. The place I grew up, the place she raised me in, the place that still smells just like her - Ivory soap and baby powder. The Sandcastle.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_76a76a54.jpg
It was my grandmother's pride and joy - the Bed and Breakfast on the beach that she and my grandfather built right from scratch. People would come from all over to stay at The Sandcastle.
Every morning I run along the beach, two miles; and every morning, as I run back towards The Sandcastle, I can't help but smile.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a767ef.jpg
It's beautiful, charming place - but there's something more about it. Something warm and inviting. To this day I can't figure out what it is that makes it that way.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a76a2c.jpg
Nana said it was because the place was built and maintained with love. I do my best to spread that same love to every single person that walks through my doors and stays in my beds.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_16a76069.jpg
Times were a little tougher nowadays. The recession was hitting people's pocketbooks hard. There weren't as many people who wanted to spend a little extra money to stay at a quaint Bed and Breakfast in a tiny little town.
But there will always be people, however few, that need a place to rest and relax. So here I am.
I cook all the guest's meals (unless they would prefer to dine out, of course). I don't wish to brag, naturally, but I'm no slouch in the kitchen.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_36a76105.jpg
There are never more than two families staying at one time (not enough room), and it gives me time to get to know all of them.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_16a76565.jpg
I find that a good portion of my business is built upon return customers. Every summer I get the treat of seeing very familiar faces. It's interesting, watching families grow and change - and maybe the slightest bit saddening.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_76a7663d.jpg
It's approaching the off-season now, so business will slow considerably. The break gives me some time to do a little housekeeping - re-shingle the roof, make sure the foundation is free of cracks...
... though, I don't devote ALL my time to work.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a7690b.jpg
I'm not totally alone, either. My sweet dog Hula keeps me company. She's two years old and full of energy - sometimes I can't keep up!
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_96a76d47.jpg
I live a charmed life, I really do. I get to smell the salt in the air every morning, let the sweet sea wind blow through my hair as I run beside waves of clear blue. I get to meet people from all over, make new friends constantly.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_f6a76e9b.jpg
But soon enough, those friends leave. Oh, I have a few good friends here. But sometimes, something feels missing.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_36a76e74.jpg
Sometimes, even though I'm surrounded by people, I can't help but feel the tiniest bit...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/chekur/snapshot_76a74f65_56a76ee5.jpg
... alone.
-End of Introduction-