Uncle Gator's Kiawah Adventures

You know the other day when 6 was undertaking the daily routine of edification, in an effort to keep his superior intelligence sharp.  One of the characters (Jethro Bodine) 6 follows was talking about gaslighting. The bizarre thing about this revelation was it was being articulated in the early 1960’s, not 2024, even though we (not me) are using the term on a daily basis. This caused me to do a little digging on the word’s origins. It first appeared on the Title of a book in 1930. The plot of the plays was about a man trying to make his wife feel as if she was going insane, he was gaslighting his wife. Since the 1930’s it has morphed in to a political term for deception and manipulation, 6 discounts all of this gaslighting for it is doing nothing more than driving 6 insane! Just another example of how we think the world has changed, but has it? 6 must add is gaslighting to the list of over-used, miss leading, “popular” “New” words: Circle back, Tag-up’s, Galentine's Day, Shrin...

  As 6 relaxes in comfort his rocking chair, shot gun in his lap, jug of corn fixings at his side   and ponders the meaning of life, his thoughts are obsessing on the fact that summing is over and fall has arrived.  Did one ever wonder what 7 and 8 do all day at the beach? It is actually very simple, be it PVV or FFV, their path is much the same every day..  WELLLL 5 , as you well know your day starts by watching TV. The reality is that the, morning would not be complete without the Josh’s acumen on foretelling Kiawah weather.  It is such a challenging vocation, for the past 20 years his forecast is a mirror of the day before. It is kind of like watching the Andy Griffith show, and hoping to see an episode that you have never see before.  6 will give it a shot: Inland it’s It is going to be hot and humid with an 80% chance of rain in the afternoon, possible flash flooding in the low laying areas of the city. The beach’s, it’s It is going...

  One can’t argue that change is unceasing, therefore if we do not change we become nothing but a curmudgeon!  Hold the Phone! Is that really true? For if it were true, 6’s middle name would be curmudgeon, which we all know is a long way from reality. There are countless diverse forms of change. From example: While on Vacation 6 changes his bathing suit as well as his hammer shirt each day, while never changing his PVV or FFV packing routine over the past 20 years (one carry-on suitcase). All you all wonder how can that be? Well it is simple, do laundry every three days. By following this routine, one can pack a carry-on bag, with the added benefit of having a full load of clean clothes and when it is time to pack to leave one has all clean clothes to pack. Now tell one cannot beat that! Call me a curmudgeon all you want, 6 calls this genius!  Now if one would suggest a change to the 3 identical bathing suits 6 has packed for the past 20 years, 6 would call you ...

As one looks at the beach you can’t help notice we are in Prime Time at the beach! It’s packed! The beach is turning blue with   SHIBUMI  tents, that is one thing that has changed over the years, in the not so recent past, there were the classic blue umbrellas, and a few Colman tents. Now, the classic blue umbrellas, are becoming a thing of the past, 6 is thinking that Scooter got married about the correct time, no more Proper Lines, just a mass smattering of SHIBUMI blue covering the beach! You can conclude, that as usual, 6 was once gain a few years ahead of the latest trends! Ok   SHIBUMI …. Where the heck is my darn check?   SHIBUMI   and Co., look at the beach cam on Kiawah Island, 6 is the number ONE SHIBUMI influencer!               When the beach is packed, it reminds 6, of a few profound words from a couple of wise individuals:  “All the lonely people, where do they all come from?" Th...

  Some people get great entertainment out of doing things that embarrass or aggravate other people. There are two things that come to mind, first feeding the seagulls at the beach, the other learning about history on the island. Let’s focus on History and let the vagabond birds have a break.  One of the gems on paradise is the Sanctuary Resort and Spa. Let us start off with a little background of this Kiawah Landmark. The KICA was hearing rumors that a very important person was planning to make Kiawah Island a vacation destination. To that end they began construction on a grand resort that would be casual yet elegant. It had to be reminiscent of a seaside mansion, yet feel as if it had been on the island for centuries. In the summer of 2004, they had a soft opening prior to the arrival of 6 and his family. They deemed themselves ready and the week 6 and his family showed up they held the Grand opening.  For years they offered the proper conveniences like freshly brew...

  If you did not know, lunch time in Harris Teeter parking lot at THE FIELDS, can be an oasis of brilliant observations. One may ask, how can 6 tie the parking lot at the local grocery store, to a day on the beach. Sit back and enjoy. On PVV, all of the old folks (owners) come to the beach, swaggering in the entitled world they occupy. Their perceived entitlement extends to all aspects of their lives, not just the four walls Al Bundy claims as his castile, thus making them, oblivious to the world around them. One day, as 6 was walking to the store from the packed parking lot, taking his good old time, for it was only Tuesday high noon and this was the 14 th trip to the store. 6 was displaying his virtue of Patience, trusting that 4,7 and 8 would exercise priority and complete their shopping in an expedited fashion. It was at this pint 6 noticed an owner in a Maserati Lavante circling the parking lot, much like a vulture stocking its prey. Finally, she found a free parking space, wh...

    Last Friday on the Kiawah post, 8 said he saw a new color tent. Since 6 is expecting large checks from being an “Influencer” 6 better do his advertising. Well for a limited time  SHIBUMI  is offering an Orange and Light Orange tent, instead of the Classic Blue and Light Blue. Why can’t people just leave things alone!  Dad Heeler  is not going to want an orange tent, he will want the blue one! When will people learn, it is not always the best to make un-necessary changes. Let it Be! We are living in an extraordinary time, the beach at Kiawah is undoubtedly a microcosm of life. For the past 20+ years, the first thing one does upon entering Kiawah, is to pass thru the pearly gate. The protocol is simple, yet multifaceted.  First you must have an island pass on your dashboard, second and probably the most important, your schnozzle must be held high and proud. Finally, never under any circumstances make eye contact with the security guard (Barny on...

  Welcome to Summer! 6 hears all the time about how nice it is to have all 4 seasons, hog wash! If we were all being honest with ourselves, we would like it to be 80 and sunny, with low humidity, during the day and 68 at night with light rain. Yes, 6 uses that old adage, but more to be polite than being honest. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the 4 seasons. No,6 is not talking about the hotel chain, or the band from back in the 60’s, 6 is talking about Winter, Spring Summer and Fall.  While 6 sits on the front porch, rocking away, watching shadows on the wall in 99-degree heat perspiring like a hog, one can only go back in time and think about winter. Grass and trees are all dormant, life just seems gray and cold. In everyone’s mind is the anticipation of Christmas, and the Joy it brings to mankind. Even on the coldest days leading up to the birth, a warmth deep down inside makes even the coldest days endurable. Especially when it is 99-degrees out!  Let’s ...

  As we all know, one of 6’s favorite things to do is take a long walk off of a short pier, ops 6 means a long walk on a short beach. Over the years on our FFV, 6 has been able to enjoy, reflective conversations with 0A,6A, while observing, nature at its finest.     From sea turtles, deer feeding, birds feeding, Jellies sunning themselves, Horseshoe crabs, Shrimp, Ducks, Dolphins, Dogs running free (chasing the birds, deer, ducks, and turtles), bike riders in the surf, runners, walkers, and finally people declaring their personal real estate for the coming day on the beach. Possibility the most outstanding, is watching the sun peak up over the rich people’s homes whilst they are all nestled in their beds. As nature is constant that one can count on, so is the fact that some people accuse 6 of being a miser. Fixed income or not, the free coffee is a major benefit of bonding with nature. BTW doesn’t want to be the barer of bad news but, 6 has some new guidance on that front...

  It is an insignificant possibility, that a limited number of incidences could conceivably slip pass 6, without apparent notice, but never fear, “It’s all right”.  When something does happen to slip by (some call it COVID Brain, other insanity, others maturing) does it really matter when 6 has the real cause, the “root cause” of absentmindedness is caused by “watching shadows on the wall”. One of those shadows yes, they talk to me, told me that 6 has not formally welcomed additional new readers. Welcome: 32A,34A,321, 52A,521,522,61A,611,622. 6 is not crazy or lazy (that is a matter of opinion) 6 did not forget 621. 621 came pre-COVID, and was a shadow on the wall of past blogs. The best part of a growing following, is it puts “UGKA” it to the domain of “influencer”. Look out world Uncle Gator is on the move! Does anyone know how the checks start coming in? 6 is just sitting here watching the shadows on the walls, waiting for the checks to start rolling in, Black gold Tex...