Karla Nathan – Page 20 – Karla's Cottage

Bobbie

By Karla Nathan / February 18, 2024

My sister, Bobbie, took things slow. Literally, she moved slowly in all matters, and I’d often find myself 20’ ahead of her wherever we went. Or perusing the dessert menu as she started in on her salad. But her slowpoke tendencies weren’t simply due to not moving fast.

Bobbie savored life. She was mindful and present in every thing she did. She took her time and enjoyed every bite of a meal, looked at the sky for pretty clouds as she walked along, or at the ground for a lucky penny someone might have dropped. (Her daughters knew this trait and would encourage it by secretly tossing coins down ahead of her. Did Bobbie know they were teasing? Or did she just enjoy the treasure hunt? She’d end up with pockets full of change, either way).

Every step along her path there was something to be taken in, looked for, or appreciated.

Life was always a treasure hunt for Bobbie. Like a magpie, she’d gather up sparkly objects like twinkle lights, holographic pieces, and her favorite- diamonds. Then fill her nest with items that pleased her.

Little did she know, that the greatest treasure of all was herself. She was such a fun companion, a person who would always listen, never judge. A person with a sharp wit, always ready with a quick joke or a pun. Someone who enjoyed sharing laughter and pure silliness, who never missed a touristy photo op to pose by.

If there was a ten foot tall ice cream cone, a gaping jawed, giant shark, or a one eyed pirate statue in front of a building, Bobbie has a photo of herself with it.

Multiple photos, too. No matter how the pictures turned out, deleting was not allowed. She treasured every snap a camera grabbed, because each represented more to her than just a likeness. Every photo held a history of what just passed. They were a keepsake of a moment of joy, or someone she loved.

Bobbie’s love of history was a gift to all of us. She researched, gathered information, and as many photos as she could to build family stories and share her finds with all of her relatives. While record keeping with an artful flair, she made genealogy books and recipe collections that brought the past into the present.

Her silly side had her playing with pictures and using her own photo magic to create entertaining scrapbooks and cards. She loved editing photos and making cards signed with love. Those cards were sent for birthdays, congratulations, or sympathy, and to everyone she cared about. There was sincerity and thoughtfulness in every envelope she addressed. Because of all things, Bobbie was loyal. If you were her friend or her family, you had her loyalty. She shared in your joys and sorrows.

Bobbie genuinely cared deeply for the people in her world, and they could always feel it. When she gave you a hug, or told you that she loved you, you felt it in your soul. The word “heartfelt” suits her to a t. She was calm and gentle on the surface, but her feelings for family, and all of those that she cared for were fierce, and strong in her heart.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / February 14, 2024

Wishing you love.

A good detour

dogs, family

By Karla Nathan / February 10, 2024

On our long, meandering, and full trip to Florida, we took a slight detour on the way home to visit some of our North Carolina family. While there, we decided to park our trailer at Rich’s brother’s home for a while. That saved us the effort of hauling it right back out that way again this spring.

Driving without a trailer is soooooooo much easier than hauling that hulk across country.

Do you know what isn’t easy? Backing a camper up an icy hill in mountain country. I rolled down the window and hung my body out of it to see where the fishtailing, slip sliding trailer was headed and to give Rich a heads up in case it decided to slither over the drop off. I couldn’t stand in the driveway to help with directions because this thing had a mind of its own and I didn’t want to put myself anywhere near where its path might take it.

After getting it in place, the rest of the trip home was a breeze. And now we have it located in one of our favorite places, tempting us to zip back out again soon. Thanks for the parking space, Bro!

While in Boone, we took the doggies to the nursing home to see Rich’s mom.

And had a great night out with his brother.

It was a quick trip, after another visit with the dogs to see Joan the next morning, we were right back on the road. With our load lightened, we made the 14 hour drive in one swoop. If we’d been pulling that trailer, it would’ve meant a break over night and a two day drive.

I was touched to see some of my artwork in Joan’s room.

And the dogs adored all of the attention they got there. Honey especially. She has that classic, golden retriever personality that craves petting and attention. She figures everyone she meets cannot wait to love on her. And at the nursing home, she was right.

She doesn’t always get it right. When she is at the dog park, dripping mud from head to toe, she isn’t as popular as she thinks she should be. But visiting the assisted living center? That is a dream come true for a golden retriever.

Christmas finery at the Guncles’ home

family, guncles

By Karla Nathan / February 6, 2024

We are getting close to Valentine’s Day but I have Christmas pictures to show you from the Guncles.

We were there to stay with them in January, and they were leaving it all up to make us and some other guests coming soon feel festive and soak in some of that warmth and joy filling the house.

There were trees everywhere and at first I was worried about 8 dogs at once admist the fragile forest, but we had a door to close on the ruffians when needed.

And this treasure trove of Shiny Brites had a fence around it.

Of course, sweet Bella and our tiny Dorothy weren’t trouble makers.

Bella was very busy caretaking, poor, sick Zacky.

Itty bitty Perry couldn’t knock a tree over if he tried. But he’d never try. He knows they make a great backdrop for his handsome poses.

It was an honor to see how many of my handmade pieces were in the space.

One of his trees was devoted to all handcrafted items that he and I had made over the years.

Including my painted ones.

When family is spread all across the country, and we rarely are together at the holidays, it’s a special treat to get to see the Christmas decor in their homes.

And the Guncles’ home? It’s a treat no matter how it is decorated, or what season it is.

February’s First Friday at Good Juju

antiques/junking, family

By Karla Nathan / February 1, 2024

It’s First Friday weekend at Good Juju.

The very next day after the January sale, I scurried back in to bring in new goods and do a make over for February.

The next day, we rushed to flee the Midwest with our camper before the horrendous cold and snow descended all the way across the country and we would be trapped.

Our timing was only slightly flawed, we drove in snow for about eight hours- but we did make it south and on our way to Florida.

Of course, I made time to pack craft supplies for the trip!

I had a day of making bunnies and mice with Guncle Randy, and took advantage of a wet, chilly day at the KOA to make some schroomies.

So, when we returned from not so sunny, but slightly warmer, Florida, I brought my newest creations into my booth and rearranged a tad bit more.

Originally, I had planned to leave again in a week to go to Indiana.

But my sister, Bobbie, was not doing well, and we three sisters like to stick together.

So I took a couple days to unpack, clean up from the burst frozen pipes, redo a little in the mall, then hit the road again.

My pals and booth neighbors, Angie and Beth are covering for me while I am away.

If you could, please send loving and healing thoughts to my dear sister.

She is the bravest person I have ever known. If I was feeling as bad as she was, I’d be all complaints and worries. Not her.

I have always admired and looked up to her. She is witty and fun, with an air of calm and kindness about her.

Seeing her steadfast ability to keep those traits through a very debilitating cancer makes me appreciate her even more.

I am very lucky to be able to pack up and drive back to Indy again to be with her.

I hope to get back after this sale for another redo. I kinda have to, those snowflakes and valentines need to be switched out from some springtime flowers.

My husband might drive out for a family visit, and I’d ride home with him and fly back to spend more time with Bobbie.

Because I want as much time with her as I can.

Mistakes made while planning for Disney World (I should know better)

family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 29, 2024

Florida was chilly and our evening at Magic Kingdom was downright cold!

But did we care? Well honestly, yes we did, we were shivering.

More important- did we let it stop us?

No!

We mortgaged our entire future and hit the stores to buy some layers, and stayed on into the night. I’d packed what I thought were plenty of warm items, but had soon discovered they weren’t enough. Sugarwings needed warm, heavy sweat pants over their jeans, I needed one more cozy sweatshirt.

I never go to Disney without scarves/shawls. They keep the sun off you on hot days and prevent cool air conditioning from giving you goosebumps when inside. For our below average temp day, I packed a fuzzy, cuddly, shawl, some gloves and a hoodie. It’s just hard to know for sure what you’ll need for the entire day, no matter how prepared you think you are.

On our second day, we were joined by Dewdrop and my boy for time at Epcot and of course I preached and nagged ahead of time about broken in shoes, layers, and warm socks. Did people listen? Well, a little bit.

At Epcot, your car is much more accessible than at Magic Kingdom, so I brought extras to leave in the parking lot, and besides for a few issues, we did fine.

Once again, the weather was not ideal, but the company was. But if you are prepared, it doesn’t stop you.

And sometimes it means crowds are lighter. I’ll take lighter crowds with a light drizzle any day.

We stayed at the Coronado for the first time, I booked one of the poolside rooms in the auxiliary buildings, not in the tower. And surprisingly, we used the adjacent pool as well as the main pool quite a bit. Florida cold is different than Kansas cold, and the temps fluctuate so much that you can squeeze in a swim at the heated pools even if the weather is subpar for the south.

Pool snack bars are our favorite places to eat when we get a chance. And at Disney, the food at them is usually better than at some of the resort food courts.

Another mistake I made was not bringing food to keep in the room. My son and Dewdrop had to cancel joining us (or so we thought) plus Sugarwings and I mostly share meals. I had a few drinks in the room for us, and we were fine.

Then we got the happy surprise that the other half of our group was coming after all! A grown man and a teen require more food than I’d planned on. Seriously, even if it was just two of us, I should’ve had fruit, yogurt, and other snacks in the hotel fridge.

We had a late night at Epcot and realized we were hungry after getting back to the room. I had not packed a scrap or tiny tidbit of anything to eat. We all went to bed a little hungry, so I got up early, walked the trail over to the main building, took out a second mortgage on my house and filled up a bag with pastries, juice, and fruit to surprise everyone with breakfast in bed when they woke up.

The pink sprinkled donuts as big as your head were as good as they looked, but for under ten bucks, we could’ve eaten much healthier if I’d simply thrown some groceries in the cooler before driving to Orlando.

Even though I hadn’t planned as well as I should’ve, the weather wasn’t close to ideal, the trip was short, and half our group could only make it half the time- I treasure the time we had there.

We found Hidden Mickies (This is the back of a koala’s head in Small World), explored, laughed, and just hung out together.

With my husband retired, and our budget tightened, I know what a splurge going to these parks is. Rich doesn’t like being there himself, so it is very generous of him to send me off on my own or with family while he does other things.
Sometimes I feel very selfish about my obsession with this place. I tell myself that I am done with it, I’ve been enough. And I’m fine with that.

For a while.

Then, thoughts of Mickey shaped food start popping into my head. And I’ll find myself reading recaps of other’s trips and travel hints online. Next, I’m looking at calendars to see what dates kids are out of school that can mesh with a quick trip that direction, or sneaking an extra vacation day onto another planned trip to somewhere sorta nearby to slide in “just a little visit” while I am so close.

Mickey, I have tried, but I can’t quit you. I’m a Disney magic junkie.

3 Seashell fairies, 1 hag stone, 10 hearts, and even a piece of seaglass

sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 25, 2024

We were blessed with plentiful Seashells at the beaches we walked the dogs on. And very large ones at Walton Rocks, this fairy is at least a foot tall.

Some that I found there were huge.

And one afternoon, Jupiter beach was carpeted with shells.

Most were full, little round ones, but within the mix, I could find plenty of broken shapes to make a sprite.

She is a larger one too, with her long, elegant oyster shell skirt.

This is a rare find for me- Sea glass! I hope to drill a tiny hole in it to make a necklace.

There were multiple hearts scattered across the sand.

This one was tucked into a nest of seaweed.

Most of the hearts I found were rocks, not shells.

This heart rock looks like it is camouflaged and hiding in the shell pile.

Tiny Dorothy even found one for me. Thanks, Dot! It’s as sweet as you are.

There was a funny rock that caught my eye, I thought it looked like a full body. She is very different than most of the beach fay I leave on the shore, but I thought she was cute.

Not all hearts are solid bits, this floral-y sprig of seaweed is a lovely shaped one.

And some are a little wonky, but still count.

Most are left where I see them, but every once in a while, one goes into my pocket I kept this one.

Typically, the ones I find are flatter, this puffy heart was a special one too.

Walton Rocks was a great beach for finding hag stones. This one not only kinda looks like it has a face, its “eye” was extra large. A good one to look through for spotting mermaids out in the surf.

Both of these beaches had unique personalities. I love the way various shorelines offer differing loot. Even along the stretch of a single beach you can find variety. I studied one patch of Jupiter where many of the shell fragments were worn as smooth as worry stones. My guess is that there were rocky areas off shore where they tumbled themselves smoother than other parts of the beach.

Each step is the possibility of a new discovery that I never tire of. I’ll miss my walks in the sand, it has been a beautiful break from the iciness we left behind.

Escaping the cold

dogs, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 21, 2024

There has been some biting cold and downright dangerous weather all over the country. Between hurriedly packing up and zooming out of town earlier than we planned then driving through snow anyway, family members missing Disney time due to storms, and shuffling flights around for Sugarwings, we have been on the edge of succumbing to the horrid cold ourselves.

We have been so lucky to get to our destinations and avoid the worst of the chill. Jackets on the beach? Who cares? I’m at the beach! And thrilled to be here.

The pups love it as much as I do. They have ran full speed into the waves, rolled in the sand, and happily trotted alongside us for hours.

Our first day was windbreaker over jacket type weather, and a bit gray, but the second? Up in the 70s and the water gleamed in a tropical aqua blue.

Both days were uncrowded. January in Florida might not be the most popular, sun drenched, time of year to be vacationing in. But to me? I love the low crowds.

And being away from MINUS TWELVE DEGREES in Kansas.

And having to wearing a windbreaker while dining outside with a view of the ocean is not something I will complain about. We spent our first morning at Walton Rocks dog beach, then took a meandering drive down the coast to find a place to eat on the beach, then headed to Jupiter dog beach for a couple more hours.

I gather shells, look for heart shapes and chat with the dogs as I walk, and couldn’t ask for much more.

In the evenings, we grill a piece of fish back at the camper, then watch Netflix or whatever sounds good on streaming while I craft and the dogs fill the floor of our 19’ rv space.

At this point the dogs are more sand than fur, and don’t quite get all the way dry, and of course the floor of the camper is as sandy as the dogs.

We have blown some fuses, still can’t get hot water to work, and our spot is a little too close to the highway. Not a perfect trip, but a very good one none the less.

Are vacations ever perfect? They don’t have to be, to still be perfectly nice.

While I was with Mickey

dogs, guncles, Travel

By Karla Nathan / January 18, 2024

While I was exploring the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and visiting the Evil Queen with her nemisis, Snow White at the enchanted forest, the guys were wrangling 8 dogs while ripping out the Guncles’ back fence wall and rebuilding it.

We have a tradition of staying with our bros during part of our camping adventures in Florida and helping with a project.

One year it was redoing a deck, then another was the other side of the fence.
I might have been a little more helpful with those than I was this time. I skeedaddled my way to Orlando to meet up with two grand fairies and my boy for some Disney fun. It was MLK weekend, so the kiddos had an extra day off.

Sugarwings flew in (Barely. With the country wide weather problems, this was an iffy enterprise and some flight shuffling was required). Dewdrop rode down from NC with her daddy. They were delayed due to weather, but made it eventually.

The guys were nice about letting me off the hook for the big job, but I did come straight back from Epcot to help with finishing touches while the kids had some time together with their dad to go meandering in Daytona Beach.

I was happy to give the kids time together while I arranged flower pots and garden furniture. Look at how we are fed while working in the yard! Never ending fresh seafood prepared by first class cooks - those Guncles both are experts in the kitchen.

The only trouble is that we have completed most of the rebuild at this point. Only one more side of the fence to go. If we want to be invited back to the paradise of Guncleness seafood dinners, my husband is going to have to learn a few new building skills beyond patios and fences!

Heck for the special treatment they show us, maybe I’ll learn how to build something.

Storms can’t stop us

Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / January 13, 2024

This viscous weather across the country almost stopped our trip, but we managed to switch Sugarwings’ flight to a day earlier and avoided the snownado that was about to close downs flights all over.

Sadly, my boy and Dewdrop couldn’t leave NC because of weather themselves. So they missed our day at Magic Kingdom. We were down about not seeing them, then got a surprise call saying they were on their way!

They are driving all the way to meet us for one day at Epcot with us. I burst out crying when I heard the great news.

I’m writing now from Liberty Square as we take a lil break in a quiet corner of a restaurant and refuel. Time to visit a few ghostly buddies at the Haunted Mansion now, so I’m off to get spooked.

Author name: Karla Nathan