If Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery, Live on Sanibel

Charles Caleb Colton, an 18th century cleric and writer is considered to be the coiner of the phrase that "imitation is the sincerest (form) of flattery". But Colton, who was very critical of landowners would not have approved or even understood how the phrase is appreciated by me, a landowner.

As a landowner on Sanibel twice over, I take not only pride in our vacation rental properties but great joy in offering them to vacation rental guests.

And, perhaps the nicest thing I can get back from a vacation rental guest is the remark that they had such a good time in our condo or house that they want to return to buy one of their own.

Many have made such comments in the 12 years we have owned on Sanibel, and having made them myself when I have had great vacations in a new location, I realize how infatuated anyone on a great vacation can become with their environment.

But the proof is in the pudding.

And just this week while going through my email addresses from past rental guests, I was delighted to see just how many people followed through on their infatuation.

No less than 6 couples who rented from us in the past dozen years now own a piece of paradise themselves. That's of the people I know because we stay in touch. There well may be another six who I don't know about.

And, if you add to that mix another two couples who came to our properties for the sole purpose of doing some Island real estate shopping and succeeded in finding what they wanted, that brings the total to 8.

I wonder how many vacation destinations have that kind of conversion, renter to owner?

But it's easy to understand how a good island experience inspires someone to plant some tropical roots of their own. The Island is not an inexpensive place to buy a house or condo, but the value to price is so high, that it does make you want to explore the possibilities. Just imagine, for $500K for a large condo or medium sized home, you can purchase tropical splendor, awesome wildlife, a beach that is never crowded, an enormous variety of restaurants and things to do and the ability to enjoy all of it 12 months of the year.

It's a safe environment for children, an easy environment for seniors and a stimulating environment for active adults of all ages, birdwatchers, shell collectors, boaters, biking enthusiasts and just your basic beach bums.

Taxes are not on the lowest level of possibilities, but if you live in the metro NYC or many other metro areas in the States, you will be surprised at their affordability.

Sure, your utility bills will be high in the 4 hottest months, but for the remaining 8, you will most often neither need heat nor air conditioning.

In fact, I am hard pressed to think of a reason not to convert your vacation into a home viewing expedition. Can you really name any place you would rather live?

Smitten by a Dragonfly on Sanibel Island

A dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocata or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera. It is characterized by large multifacted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings and an elongated body. Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most dragonflies are held away from, and perpendicular to, the body when at rest. Even though dragonflies possess 6 legs like any other insect, they are not capable of walking.

The above, a definition straight out of Wikipedia, is certainly one way to look at these little critters.

But I prefer my own view.

Dragonflies were always a source of wonder for me a child spending summers on my Aunt's farm where a nearby creek seemed to be an unending source for viewing them. It fascinated me that this flying insect could make itself airborne with such light wings compared to its heavier body.

In those days we did not know the name, let alone this sophisticated information above, and we just called them darning needles.

But they came to represent those lazy summer days when we spent hours plucking cattails from the banks of the creek (we called them "punks") and letting our feet cool off in the swift flowing waters.

Now that I see "dragonflies" during most of our visits to Sanibel, though I know a little more, the fascination continues and is joined by a different delight.

Dragonflies are natural predators. Among their preferred meals are mosquitoes, and I am always happy to see the dragonflies proliferating knowing that that means there will be less mosquitoes on the Island.

And I am also enamored with all the symbolism a dragonfly engenders. They are associated with color magic, illusion in causing others only to see what you wish, and other mysticism. The are often depicted in Japanese paintings, representing new light and joy. To some Native Americans they are the souls of the dead. Faerie stories say that they used to be real dragons.

The Sanibel dragonfly does bring joy to my life on both the real and symbolic level.

Sanibel and Social Media: A New Way to Look and Book

I don't know about everyone else, but there are few things as inviting for me as an inviting porch. No, not a living room or dining room or even family room. That porch is the transition between outdoors and indoors and as such speaks volumes to me about the whole concept of relaxation and good conversation.

So, having duly become one of the trillions of people to participate in Social Media, I was delighted to find a Facebook application that hits on both the invitational nature of porches and Social Media. It's called "Second Porch" , appropriately, and essentially does what Facebook and porches are intended to do. Invite good conversation.

Now, to this date, I have gotten most of my rental inquires on my condo and house through my direct marketing efforts as well as those of my respective rental offices. But I sense a change in the winds.

With Social Media growing at the leaps and bounds it is experiencing, I see more and more commercial applications evolving within the more casual and more friendly parameters of sites like Facebook.

Of course, there is a bit of hopeful thinking in this as Social Media is free as opposed to the high rates of listing vacation rentals on many of the popular vacation rental sites.

But there is probably more realism than optimism in that projection.

Personal referral creates a sense of confidence that no third party testimonial can replicate.

And through Second Porch's application, a Facebook user can choose the vacation rental as a "favorite", suggest it to other Facebook members, rate it and track it. All these functions are free to the vacation rental owner and the Facebook community in general.

As one who likes seamless friendship- to- business transactions, Facebook and specifically Second Porch have a lot to commend them as future vacation rental "go to's".

An Extraordinary Dining Experience: Sanibel's Traders

Although it is not as extraordinary as a cat eating a melon, eating at Traders on Sanibel Island does provide something very special in the way of ambiance and culinary skills.

The spacious store turned eatery reminds me of our home on the Island, Toucan House. I was immediately comfortable with the environment when we went Traders for dinner recently with friends.

The high wooden ceilings, bright orange colored walls and exotica bedecking the dining area were all very familiar.

But aside from the similarities in spatial dimensions and decor, Traders is a very comfortable place to eat.

Tables are spaced out nicely, allowing for good dinner conversation.

The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the food.

And the food itself is innovative, satisfying and beautifully presented.

Though in the higher priced category of Sanibel restaurants, it is not exorbitantly expensive and there is nothing pretentious in either the decor or menu offerings. Like most places on the Island, one is perfectly "blended" into the atmosphere in a pair of dress shorts or Capris. I did not see a formal looking outfit in the house the night that we were there.

Set back on a large parking lot, Traders has a nice landscaping around it. It does have an island flavor both outside and inn.

We were all very content with what we ordered, and the real dessert was not the sweet concoctions served after the meal but the little shopping spree at the end of the night.

Traders is not only a restaurant, it is a large and lovely store with some nice gift items from around the world as well as locally.

I will have to keep that in mind as shops on Sanibel generally close by 9 or so and the Traders' store is open until the restaurant closes which is probably closer to midnight.