Winter Life on the Island
Greetings from the island everyone. I hope that all of you are doing well and had a great Christmas with family and friends. We had our family get together for Christmas early this year while my California sister, Darla, was down to spend time with Mom. All of us got together in Seadrift and had a great meal and fellowship, and Mom was very happy for everyone to be there.
On Christmas day, I was blessed to be invited by my good friend, Margie Braudaway, to join her and all of her family in POC. So Corky and I made the trek across the bay and enjoyed the day and evening with all of them, and had several delicious meals. I took my famous Clint’s Queso; it was a big hit. I was so happy to see and hold Susan and Britton’s granddaughter, Keeley, of whom I had only seen pictures. She is the most beautiful and precious little girl you have ever seen. Thank you, Lauren and Kevin, for being there with her Christmas day.
Winter life continues on the barrier island. The often times nasty weather and very low tides from December-March makes for challenging living out here. Most everyone else, I refer to them as fair-weather islanders, usually shy away from the island during the winter months, opting to run out for a day or two when the weather breaks. I, of course, don’t have that option, but that’s okay, I’ll gladly accept the bad weather to be here. But I have seen islanders Chuckie and Leo pound across that rough bay to get here when I would have never left the dock. Just gotta always be careful.
I’m proud to have called this island my full-time home for nearly 13 years now, having been out here 19 years total this month. It certainly is not the easiest life to endure, but the positives far outweigh the negatives for me. Bouts of loneliness do occasionally set in, especially during the cold, rainy and windy winter months when I am stuck inside for several days at a time, but as we ALL have to do in life sometimes, I just suck it up and trudge on, and things always get better. I’ll turn 57 in a few weeks, and with age I have developed a trait of patience, something invaluable to have when living alone on a barrier island.
I have met so many people out here in my years on the island, some of whom have become close trusted friends, and people that I can count on when needed. I’ve seen Chuckie grow from a 10 year old kid to an intelligent and hard working entrepreneur. . . and I’ve seen fellow islanders. . Bob, Butch and Ben, all age and pass away. Life is short and unpredictable; enjoy time with those that you know love you and will always be there for you, and spend more time on the beach! Always a happy place.
“Also, for those interested, I just learned that the Texas Country Reporter show that came out to the island and did the segment on my island life, will air it on TV statewide on February 9th & 10th, and it will air on the RFD channel on Feb 15th. I’m very nervous about it, I hope it turned out ok.”
That’s it from the island for now. Please don’t forget about your sweetheart on Valentines Day. . candy, flowers and a card might get you that new gun! Everyone take care, enjoy life and have a great day.
Clint on TV!
You’ve enjoyed reading about “Island Life” for several years here in Dolphin Talk. Now you can see Clint Bennetsen and his island home on television!
He has recently been interviewed by Texas County Reporter and will be appearing in an upcoming episode:
Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5:00 pm -KHOU Channel 11 Houston
Sunday, Feb. 10 at 12 noon -KVCT 19 Fox, Victoria
February 15 on the RFD channel
