Written By:

Current Rock of Residence:

Nevis

Island Girl Since:

2013

Originally Hails From:

All over the US and Panama (Dad was a Green Beret)

Shay and her husband Steve decided that when the kids left for college, they wanted to live on an island. They didn’t know which one but after renewing their vows for their 20th anniversary on Nevis, they decided that they had found their home. Now, if the kids would just stop ruining their lives and go to college already, they would be there full time (1 1/2 more years…!!). Until then, Shay goes back and forth 4-5 times a year while Steve pays for it!

Part of what feeds her family’s soul is working with the local animal rescue group. She’s not sure if she saves them or they save her. Each trip to Nevis, she goes on social media and begs anyone who knows her to take a dog, which they have affectionately named, “Nevisian Mango Hounds”. She then flies them back to the states and sometimes drives them for 14 hours. Each time, she vows “never again” and then she sees another pup.

After three years of hopping between Florida and Nevis, the honeymoon has begun to wear off and the reality of rock living has set in. It doesn’t make her want to be there any less but it has given her some interesting writing material. She has learned a few things like, “If the locals aren’t taking the ferry, don’t take the ferry” after almost dying when Steve HAD to get to the airport during a hurricane. Lesson learned!

Want to read more posts by this writer? Click here.

Explore posts by this writer:

This week we started our WWLOR Book Circle with a group of women from all over the world. Our first meeting was full of lively discussion. We all agreed that reading is like travel for the soul so I thought I would just refresh your memory with some great island reads...

Calling All Spring Breakers!

Calling All Spring Breakers!

I know many of you are planning your Spring Break trips to the islands. Lucky you - the islands have missed you all!! It's always so fun getting ready for a beach vacation. We have some great products that have been rock tested listed on the website but I thought I...

Post Vacation Blues

Post Vacation Blues

So you've just returned to your island after a busy, bustling, beautiful vacation abroad. As you unpack your 500 suitcases of goodies (and your 8 weeks' worth of dirty laundry even though you were only away for 10 days ) you reminisce over the good times that were had...

If Once You Have Slept on An Island

If Once You Have Slept on An Island

A hundred year old poem that has stood the test of time... If once you have slept on an island You'll never be quite the same: You may look as you looked the day before And go by the same old name, You may bustle about in street and shop You may sit at home and sew,...

There’s a Rat in Mi Kitchen, what am I gonna do?

There’s a Rat in Mi Kitchen, what am I gonna do?

RATS… I think every rock has ‘em and if you don’t count yourself lucky!! I can’t stand them - from their beady little eyes to their gelatinous tail - yuck!! On my rock, you see them wandering around from time to time but as my husband would say in his English accent...

Link Up Local

Link Up Local

Either you are into searching, scouting and finding out new, (yeah, new what??), new everything or you are not. I belong to the first category.  For me part of living on a Rock is embracing the style/ways and quirkiness of that Rock. Having moved to a new Rock a year...

Women Who Live On Rocks
Keep in touch with the tropics!

Keep in touch with the tropics!

 

Join the community & connect with tens of thousands of island-loving souls. 

 Once a week, we send you the latest posts, funniest rock life finds, and more. 

 We respect your inbox - you can change your delivery preferences anytime.

Got it! You're all set.

Pin It on Pinterest