26 Comments
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Tracey Braun's avatar

Lovely post! That is a truly magical place.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Thank you - and it is!!

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Lorene Edwards Forkner's avatar

What a beautiful depiction of the curative powers of sun and sea… sans sharks.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

😍

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Domenica Marchetti's avatar

How wonderful that you found your place. Thank you, as always, for sharing it with us.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Lew Kline's avatar

Sue, I love reading your visuals of the wonderful Island. I did spend a day outside yesterday putting down mulch after edging (a tedious job in 90+ degree heat). No sand, waves, or salt air here, only smooth mountains, birds signing and a nice hot breeze.

When I am reading you, I can picture myself where you are, remembering the September weeks we spent on the vineyard.

I can only imagine the insanity that is going on now with all the JAWS lovers having ascended on the Island. I don't like crowds, especially those of tourists that pay no mind to anyone but themselves.

Thank you again for the lovely story, the photos, the written visuals. It took me away from South Central PA briefly.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Lew I’m glad you could imagine yourself back here on a September day! Re Jaws - I just hope this will be a boost to local businesses! It amazes me, though, how many people visit the Island and don’t explore the trails or come up-island. But I certainly can’t complain about having the beach all to ourselves! Stay cool - the mainland heat is going to be terrible I know.

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Morgan Hodgson's avatar

So so love this. Thank you.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Hi Morgan! Happy summer!

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Kathy Bagden's avatar

The words and the visuals coalesce so beautifully Susie and we are alongside you as you traipse along in wonder and awe. Beautiful!

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Thinking about you in your beautiful salty spot (where all my best beach memories live!) will be in DE for dads 95th in July. Hope to catch a glimpse of you!

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Kathy Bagden's avatar

Oh yes! I really want to connect and was hoping Doug could get a golf game in with Alan. So let me know if he would enjoy that.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Doug would love that. And yes let’s message each other to continue convo!

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Edward Pachico's avatar

Thanks Susie. Another great read.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Thank you Edward!

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Sissy Biggers's avatar

I honestly feel like I was bitten by a shark…

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Well you have been riding in the boat!

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Kim O'Donnel's avatar

Susie, this is so lovely. You did that thing, where plots meets character, and we are rapt, waiting for our next snack. xo

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Aw thank you Kim. Happy summer to you!

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Dottie Turner Leatherwood's avatar

Beautiful. I understand the call, having also returned to a sea island six years ago to seek refuge and peace and the balm that only salt can provide.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Dottie, you get it! We are both very lucky. Happy island summer to you.

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Carolyn's avatar

I love this, and I get it. I moved up to Lake Winnipesaukee for the same reasons, peace, serenity, beauty and being near water. Bless you Susie. If I ever make it back to the Vineyard we should catch up.

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Thinking of you Carolyn! I love the way you embrace where you live - especially the wild creatures, who you seem to have a true love and affinity for. Very inspiring! And of course would love to catch up if you ever travel here!

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linda shere's avatar

I love what you ve written. Of course there is the perpetual heartbreak of not being there. But that one still finds those empty beaches in the morning ( I know this beach!) amidst the uproar of summer is a deep reassurance to me that my heart lives in a true place. Thank

you!

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Susie Middleton's avatar

Hi Linda, I know, I'm sorry to make you wistful! i have mixed feelings about writing about this kind of beauty that is very specific to my location - I know I am lucky. But I also know I had a gut-wrenching time getting here and that I'm here for my sanity (as long as we don't get priced out - everything is so expensive!). And it is good for me to remember that! (Also, as you point out, I have to reassure myself that the Island is still elementally the same when there is so much change going on.) I am glad you have good memories of this beach! Happy summer to you.

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