Blog Archives

October 14, 2011

No One Told Tybee Summer Was Over

by Cottage Cheese

photo by Julie Cioni-Corbin

One of the most endearing qualities about our cozy, seaside cottages and historic homes at Mermaid Cottages is that each house has a soul of its own.  Sometimes the soul of a cottage just reaches out and connects with a guest and a bond is formed that is hard to put into words.

Lucky for us, Kerri,  a recent guest knew just how to share her sentiments about the cottage in which she stayed.  It was so wonderful and beautiful we wanted to share her prose about this Tybee Island jewel.  At first, she was torn as to whether she wanted to share her newfound discovery with everyone, but we managed to persuade her.

Here for your enjoyment and pleasure is Kerri’s poem.

Summer, Extended, 2011 

No one told Tybee that Summer was over,
. . . had been over four days . . .
. . . that the Autumnal Equinox, guided by a New Moon,
had ushered in the reign of its chilled, windblown short-day season.

Perhaps the waxing moon’s tenacious tug on the tides
kept Summer’s deposal at bay.
Beachside, waves curled like muscles and crashed in protest;
while the sea rose, flanking high to engulf the grassy marsh.

Or was it the cicada symphony strung so sweet,
so insistently rousing wave after wave
of audible standing ovation for the passing Season?

Whatever,
Fall paused in the anteroom, lingering over incomparable Summer’s sunsets,
I saw it. Continue reading →

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September 9, 2011

We Are America

by Cottage Cheese

We Are America.

In honor of and in memory of those that gave all.

We remember.

Hope.

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August 26, 2011

FUN, Party Of One!

by Cottage Cheese

“I vant to be alone…”, lamented the famous reclusive beauty, Greta Garbo.

Sometimes, you just need a little “ME” time.  There doesn’t have to be anything wrong.  In fact, everything could be just right.

Just ask the countless writers that book Fiddler On The Creek on a regular basis.  For inspiration, a little solitude and a deck that’ll have you doing your best Tarzan yell, you owe it to yourself to experience this charming little bungalow.

Just four quaint, delicious rooms-a living room, a bedroom, a cottage kitchen and an “under the hula moon” screened porch.  You can’t even guilt yourself into much housework.  There’s no dishwasher, no washer, no dryer.  Just pure blissful solitude with which to indulge and recharge your senses. Continue reading →

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August 19, 2011

Seasons Change

by Cottage Cheese

photo by Margo Cook

Thank goodness for the wonderful memories of life, love, laughter, sun, sand and sea.

As the summer season winds down, take that last look at the sea before you head back home.  Soak it all in and let it last forever.
Wet your lips with the spray from the waves so that you will always keep the taste of the salty sea on your palate.

photo by Sheena Myers

Reach out with both arms and tuck away into your heart the sights of the sizzling sun as it melts into the surf…
…when you’re feeling a little beachy and in desperate need of a break from the stresses of life keep this link handy and let the memories of your Tybee Times soothe your soul…

But, most important…
Remember to live your best life.  Dream a little dream.  Grab for the best this world has to offer.  Take a chance on love.

David Riddle Proposed On Tybee Beach

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August 13, 2011

Cottage Couture

by Cottage Cheese

Is it just me or does it happen to you, too?

Sometimes, when I’m strolling along the avenues on Tybee Island, admiring the candyland of cottages along the way, I get the distinct feeling that some of the quaint little homes are winking at me.

Now, I know y’all are thinking that Tybee is well known as a drinking island with a fishing problem and that I must be pie eyed and on a walk of shame, but I’m as sober as a judge.  I really do feel as if some of the cottages are calling me.  “Come here, little boy (yes, no matter how old I get I see myself as just a lad).  I’ve got something to show you.”  Come closer. Wink. Wink.

It’s those gorgeous shutters with the island motifs and colors that beckon me.  They say that the eyes are the windows into the soul and I think it’s pretty much the same for little houses.  What was once a device to keep out the sun, the wind and other elements is now a calling card of hospitality.

 

 

 

 

You see, at one time shutters were necessary to the Greeks to protect their homes from their tropical environment.  Later, the Spanish introduced shutters to the new world along with colonization.  Eventually, large decadent homes in the South sported “plantation shutters”, but shutters have even been associated with fiction and fable, too.

It’s thought that King Louis XIV may have started something.  In those days pretty women used to bathe in the ponds and fountains on the palace grounds thus distracting the palace guards.  It’s said that Louis had shutters installed to prevent the guards from getting eye strain.  He did, however, use the shutters as a way to take a peek outside without drawing too much attention to himself.

Also according to legend, Lady Godiva rode nude on a white horse through Coventry in order to convince her husband to remit a heavy tax on the people.  While most people stayed indoors with their shutters closed, a resident named Tom peeped out to catch a glimpse of the naked diva.  Thus, the term “Peeping Tom” came to be.

See there.  The thought that our vintage island cottages are winking at me doesn’t seem so strange, does it?

Just take a look for yourself as several of our cottages strike a pose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45TOusk9cQY&feature=youtu.be

And that’s what I’ve been thinking about this week as I flipped a few curds and noticed something’s looking back my whey.

I “shutter” to think about life without shutters on Tybee.

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August 5, 2011

Are We There Yet?

By Cottage Cheese

What’s one of the best remedies for whatever ails you?  A trip to Mermaid Cottages on Tybee Island, GA!

Come on.  Fess up!  We all can remember the excitement of a trip to the beach when we were younger.  It begins with loading the car, packing the foods and drinks, selecting the fun beach wear we love to sport, getting the tropical tunes lined up and donning the aviator shades.

Just hearing Aretha Franklin croon through the car speakers, “Come on.  So drop the top back, baby,  and cruise on into This Better Than Ever Street,” gets me going.  Except now, I’m much too cautious to burn the tires down as I pull out of the driveway (meaning I’m way too cheap to waste money on a traffic ticket), but you get the idea.

“Free Your Mind and the rest will follow.”

I used to pester my parents to no end on the way to the beach.  “Are we there, yet?  What’s taking so long?  We’re missing the best part of the day.  Can’t we stay longer?”  I still think that way.  The only difference now is my dogs can’t talk back or threaten to pull the car over and put me out on the side of the road for whining too much.

There’ve been times I’ve run to the beach all wracked with worry or remorse and regret for something I did or did not do well, hoping the waves will wash away my angst.

Other times I’ve stood in the surf and dropped tears into the sea for loves I’ve lost and upon every return hoped the tides would bring them back (and a few that I hope never catch a wave back to the beach!).

But, most of the time I’m just not that deep.  I’m hungry for the salty sea air, fresh seafood, cold libations and sand underneath my feet.

When I know there will be long stretches in between my visits I wander through the candyland of cottages online the same way I used to wear out the Sears catalog at Christmas.  In fact, I’ve got my eye on the tropical and pet friendly Canty\’s Cottage right now!

Load up the car, dogs.  Grab my playlist with Doug Clark And The Hot Nuts.  Call up Coco\’s Sunset Grille and tell them to have me a Coco-Rita waiting on the rooftop.

I love this type of Cottage Cheese when I can just flip off a few curds and wind surf my arm out the driver’s window on my whey down to my Georgia coast.

I’m the only hell my momma ever raised.  I’m headed to Tybee.  Y’all comin’?

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July 22, 2011

To Janma’s House We Go

by Cottage Cheese

Over the river and through the woods that frame the picturesque streets on Tybee Island…to Janma’s house we go!

Mermaid Cottages is proud to welcome one of our youngest mermaids in training, Miss Breana!

Breana is the 4 1/2 year old granddaughter of our own Mermaid Jan.

When Breana last visited she was just 3 and she climbed all the way to the top of our historic Tybee Lighthouse.

“Don’t stop, Janma!  All the way to the top!

Janma now says the best way to climp to the top of the lighthouse is with a three year old.  They take it steady and slow.

This visit, Breana is looking forward to Dolphin Tours, the Tybee Marine Science Center, the beach, feeding alligators, and of course, Janma, Pop and Aunt Shannon!  Aunt Shannon has a great hill, so Breana will have a Slip N Slide party, too!

 After all, that’s what Tybee life is all about.

Mermaid Jan has her own special way of tossing up curds.  Something tells us she just might be persuaded to do it Breana’s whey for a few days.

Oh, it always helps if your loved ones’ visits include a stay at one of our vintage cottages like the wonderful Canty’s Cottage.  Take a little walk through tour and you’ll see what we mean: http://youtu.be/wK4u_-yDEAw

Share your joy for life with those you love.

It’s the best kind of Cottage Cheese!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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July 15, 2011

What A Day For A Daydream

by Cottage Cheese

WHEW!

The summer heat has been visiting and then a tropical storm to beat the band rolled through during the night!

It’s going to be an absolutely beautiful day today on Tybee Island and a day to give thanks.

We have teachers and educators enjoying a much deserved break before heading back to the classroom to begin a new school year full of promise for students eager to learn and plan their futures.

We have members of our military on the island,  including those currently serving and those that are veterans of past service.

We have newlyweds and lovebirds enjoying quiet getaways and romantic adventures.

We have new families and those with two and three generations vacationing together.

We have our year round residents that work very hard and take pride in preserving and sharing the wonderful beach ecology of our barrier island.

And, best of all, we have Mermaids and Mermen who do their best to keep it all running and who create the magic behind the scenes that make our paradise even more special.

What a day for a daydream!  Remember to do something special for someone you meet today.

For inspiration, tour our wonderful Brooks Cottage!   

Brooks Cottage Video Tour

Toss up a few curds of your own.  Make magic happen in your own whey. Share a heaping helping of your Cottage Cheese!

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July 8, 2011

Heart Healthy Heron Highs

By Cottage Cheese

Okay.  I went for my check up.  I stepped on the scales and almost got vertigo watching the digital readout soar upwards.  My doctor blurted out in a very indignant tone, “Are you OK with this?”.

I love my doctor.  She’s a wonderful person with whom to talk about things.  I guess at some point we crossed the sharing boundary.  I had gotten used to talking about life, family and current events and hearing, “Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re in good shape,” during my appointments.  You know.  Polite small chat.  I did not get the memo that if I gained a few pounds (meaning 10 or 15 pounds) that I would be in danger of a good old medicinal beat down.

She proceeded to  issue my free pass to the clue bus without hesitation.  Increased weight added to a more sedentary lifestyle equals increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and on into what eventually became Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Blah, Blah, Blah…blah blah blah blah…blah…blah…blah…  The words kept coming, “Now, you have a choice.  Get a handle on this yourself or I can put you on a diet, new medication and refer you to a gym.  Do you get what I’m saying?”.

Just as when my mom or dad used to shame me with words of reason, I had just as soon go outside, pick out a switch, bend over and prepare for the impact than to get a stern talking to.  I’ve been served!

For me, the key to increasing my activity and decreasing my food intake is to find a way to make it interesting.  Luckily, Tybee Island has lots of wonderful trails for walking and adventure and the beauty of our pristine island is intoxicating.  For a list of exciting walking and biking trails go to Explore Tybee.  I’ve come to love watching the wading birds feed and herons are my favorites, so I always hit the Heron Hiking Trail.

Now, when I need extra motivation I also love to stroll along the back river and take in the lovely flora that populates the yards of our vintage cottage homes.  One favorite on my walks is the yard at Blue Heron Cottage.  It’s one of those cottages that’s just right and the lush lawn and confederate jasmine always ups my heart rate!

So, there you have it.  My plan to get a pat on my head for getting my weight back down instead of  a one-two knock out punch from my doctor.  Just in case, I might even work in a little bobbing and weaving on my walks.  Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.  Gotta do the work to see the results.

 

It’s about being the best Cottage Cheese I can be so I can keep tossing up curds and doing it my whey!

 

 

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July 3, 2011

Caring and Sharing:Our Time To Celebrate

By Cottage Cheese

 

This is the day we celebrate…caring and sharing…devotion for the better good…with liberty and justice…for all.

Make a Difference

Mermaid Cottages offers our guests the opportunity to combine their vacation travel with volunteering on Tybee Island and giving back to the community. Participating in various local projects along side our Mermaids and Mermen allows our guests to not only experience authentic activities, but also gives them the chance to leave the island a better place. Our events change monthly and we are constantly adding on to what we’re doing. For more details or to sign up, please contact Diane at 912-313-0784 or diane@mermaidcottages.com

BEACH SWEEP!

The Tybee Beautification Association’s  next BEACH SWEEP is Monday, July 4, 2011.  We’ll meet at the Tybee Pavilion at 6:30 AM.  Trash bags, gloves and trash grabbers will be provided.  Come enjoy our beautiful beach, help us tidy it up and learn about the sea turtle nesting season that’s in full swing!

This is the best kind of a heaping, helping, holiday dish of COTTAGE CHEESE!

Come join us.  Whip a few curds of your own and take pride in doing it your whey!

 

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