Another Day At The Beach!!!

Marge telephoned saying she was ready for a walk on the beach. I had told her of beach access close by some new homes being built and she was more than ready to give up a day of house work for a stroll on the beach. There is a paved walkway to the beach and it is filled with beach rock of all sizes, color and shapes. This time we didn't remember to take a plastic bag along so we filled our pockets to the brim. Yes, we were waddling with the weight of them but it is hard to leave a pretty rock behind.

Here she is looking good and feeling great. There is nothing like an early morning walk on the beach. The air is fresh, the sun is shining and the gulls are flying high. The ones I saw looked like pelicans but Marge said they were probably cormorants as they had small bodies and the pelicans are huge. We met another couple on the beach and showed off our rocks. They had some beauties, one with a bright purple color I had not seen before. We found some blood red rocks, along with some green that looked like jade and I picked up one tiny piece of beach glass, the first I've seen in a long while.

There is a lot of driftwood and this piece was once a tall tree and the roots are still slowly but surely eroding with each change of the tide. I didn't see any sea weed fronds this morning.

The beach folks had a fire in this piece of driftwood changing the colors of the wood into the likeness of a big dog. It had a lot of texture and color to it. It would talk a lot of muscle and a huge truck to move this piece to my yard but what a piece of art it would make. Speaking of trucks we met up with the garbage men changing out the black plastic of one of the huge buckets. One had a T shirt on with a funny saying which reminded me of son Michael's many shirts with sayings on them. We talked of the new home being built and found out the owner is not pleased with the walkway to the beach . . . unhappy with people access next to his new home. Gee!!! how sad!!! As if he didn't know about it before he built. As Marge said, 'some people just have too much money." She is right, they want to own the public beach and have even built a stair way down to the beach. We heard that the Indian tribe holds their annual festivities down on this beach . . . isn't that wonderful? I wonder if we can get an invitation to it.

Marge saw something moving in the sand and there it was a bright beautiful lady bug traveling along like it owned the beach. Marge took this picture with her trusty little camera with the 'nature' lens. You can almost feel the sand, and you can see the little white sugar agates.

The tide was coming in so the waves were high as they thundered in. Sometimes there were three or four following one another, some straight and others sideways making the foam reach higher and higher. It is easy to get caught up in looking for flat beach rocks which Marge calls cabochons. She looks for flat beautiful stones to bead around and makes some beautiful jewelry pieces. The only thing is that you are so caught up looking at the rocks you forget that the sneaker waves roll in and before you know it your knee deep in the water. All I can tell you is that beach walking is addictive and we both agreed it would be lovely to own a home on the beach, maybe in another life time.

So today, hump day, half of your week already gone, take time to think about the weekend and how fast you can drive to a beach and have a stroll along the water. For those of you living in that awesome heat wave back east, stay cool and quiet until it passes. I don't think a walk on a beach would be the best idea in the world. What ever your weather, relax and make the best of it. Today is catch up day around here, laundry, vacuuming . . . you know all those things that were too much of a chore to do yesterday. They just waited around knowing sooner or later they'd get done. . . unless the phone rings and I get a call to the 'wild'. Hugs to all.

A Summer Day

Noah's Ark picture with instructions in the e-mail yesterday saying we should not miss the boat, plan ahead, stay fit, build on high ground, travel in pairs, speed is not always an advantage, think of the snails mixed with the cheetahs; float when stressed, and know that no matter what the storms are, you are with God and the rainbow is always waiting.

My neighbor, Laverne, came in with a hand full of flowers that are a relative of the gladiola family. They are stark white with pink petals and very lovely. She went outside and cut a few of the Rose of Sharon bush to offset them and it certainly made a beautiful bouquet for the dining room table. There is nothing like fresh flowers to brighten a room and give a big boost to your morale.

I spent a little time walking around the back yard and saw the grass bush had finally come to life. It has been a spindly bush for a long while, but this year it came alive and had to be cut back as it was reaching out into the other bushes and would soon carpet the entire area.

The Rose of Sharon in full bloom. I hate to see it but the petals are already beginning to fad off. It wont be long before they are begging to be cut back and rest after putting on such a beautiful display. It is fun to sit here typing on the computer and see people stop and admire the bush. If I am outside they stop to ask the name of it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bush or two in other yards before long.

As I was typing away, a deer walked on to the rocks of the front yard so I grabbed my camera and went out to take a picture. It was standing by the front porch and stopped eating my bush long enough to look up at me with those big bug like eyes and a huge round black nose. The camera didn't work. Well, the camera actually did work but the camera-lady couldn't push the right button on time and the deer walked past at a leisurely pace as I kept trying to get a picture . . . well I did, it's ass end going out where there is no fence. I need to put up a fence to match my neighbors, or at least a fence of some kind as my neighbors tell me I have other unwanted guests on two feet, but so far I haven't seen them. Usually it is safe and quiet around here. I just think a visitor saw the deer in the open field and came over to take pictures.

The neighbor boy still busy with the fire crackers and cans. I think the blast makes the can shoot up in the air and that is the desire to keep playing with 'fire'. I was told that the firework booth sales were very low this year, but that shouldn't be a surprise as our economy is down in the dumps and people are having a tough time just existing.

So today take time to do a little gardening. There is something about working the soil that is good for the soul. Take a few hints from the Noah's Ark message and make today even better than yesterday . . . a new day, summer hot, breezy and one to be remembered. Hugs to all.

Heat Wave

The Hungry Clam is a great place to stop and rest and have some of the delicious fish and chips, or as Marge and I ordered, fish and slaw with a hush puppy or two. It was really busy there yesterday but we managed to get in and get a table before the big onslaught. Every table was taken, although I think some of the outside tables were open. We are having our first heat wave of the season . . . 80 degrees . . . hot, hot, hot, we are not used to hot, our ocean breezes keep us pretty cool.

A senior line dance team was all dressed up and in good form as they danced to some peppy music. They were pretty good although sweltering in the hot sun. We visited the new candle shop and walked by some rock roses, never knew there was such a thing as rock roses, which have an aroma to die for. We will have to check out one f the local nursery outlets and see if they carry them. I'd like some in my yard.

Here is Marge, that red-hot mama, ready to get on that fancy bike. what a beauty, it had everything including tassels on the pedals. The owner didn't leave the keys so our fanciful desire to ride around the port on this bike had to be postponed until we get an invitation. . . well, wishful thinking, it could happen but I have to admit my riding days are over as I had one ride with my son Michael when he bought his first bike and gave me a ride. I think his first words, if I remember, "Mom, it's okay to let go now, I need my stomach back." I didn't think I hugged that tight.

the seagull sat there while we took the picture We talked to it, made little whistling noises and it just kept tilting its head and responding by sitting there preening and allowed us to get a close look at it. It had a lot of gray feathers so that I think is a young one. I don't think the adult bird would let us get that close.

Over at Kite Field there was this new climbing pole. I hadn't seen one before. For five dollars you could climb the pole . . . are you kidding . . . I would waste my five dollars as I wouldn't be able to bend my knees into a climbing position I am lucky I can still hobble around. Well, it did look like fun and a few of the youngsters climbed without a problem, in fact they made it look easy.

The automobile show was new this year and there had to be at least a dozen beautiful very old cars. This picture is of the trunk of one of them. Look at the size of it. Does the trunk of your look this neat and tidy, mine never did.

Marge found her true love, a 1931 purple car with a rumble seat. How she would love to toodle around town in that. She can drive, I'll get in the rumble seat and wave as I go by.



So today, the day after the Fourth of July, I hope you are all sated with the food, the music, the community events and those noisy fireworks that were so beautiful as they reached for the moon. I could see the smoke and a little color from my back porch, and even a reflection of a few from my neighbor's windows. I hope, if you were not out and about, that you watched the big fire works display on TV as they showed different displays all over our country. I loved the sing along and enjoyed the last barrage and hope you did too. Now back to our routine of living until the next holiday when we can kick up our heels and celebrate, but don't wait long, celebrate today and make it a good one. Hugs to all.

HAPPY FOUTH OF JULY

Our local newspaper was filled with all of the events taking place over at the kite field this weekend. There are a lot of tourists in town and many of them are on the charter boat fishing for ling cod and other tasty delights while the wind blows giving them a ride they wont forget. The sun is shining so all is right at the Port. Here in the neighborhood our new neighbor's boys are out in the street with special fire crackers in tow. I was sitting in my chair watching television when the first fire cracker went off and I think I jumped five feet, maybe six, even though I had been forewarned that the boys would be shooting off a 'few' fire crackers. The little Chinese strings brought back a memory or two, but those big boomers still have a way of shaking me out of my skin. I was very happy when they closed up shop by nine thirty p.m. and I had the rest of the evening in quiet silence. Today is the Fourth of July and there are no parades but I am sure the boys will find a way to parade out on the street and shoot some more of those noisy crackers and shake me all over again. Well, that is for one day and I can take it. Our local newspaper sends messages through the computer when something big happens and the other day they reported a grenade was found in some bushes on a property near the Port. It turned out to be a dud and our bomb squad did a great job retrieving the grenade and blowing it up to find it was nothing to be concerned about but the authorities are still interested in who and why a grenade was hidden in the bushes . . . dud or not. Which leads me to the editorial section and our illustrious editor decided to put excerpts of the Declaration of Independence in the column. I was happy to see it so I could refresh my memory and surprised myself by remembering the start but oh so much had been forgotten. One paragraph stood out as I read what Congress of July 4, 1776, had to say . . .

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Isn't it amazing how we can identify today's problems with what transpired so many years ago. We fought for our freedom, thus we celebrate the Fourth of July . . . are we willing to fight again? It seems we are heading in that same direction.

So today, I hope each of you are celebrating your freedom. I hope you know 'what side the bread is buttered on' and when it comes time to vote you will have the knowledge and the inclination to 'fight' for your freedom and have your 'say' in what matters in your life. Make today a good one and go out and fire up a fire cracker and quake and shake with the noise of it. Don't forget to show the flag even if it is a newspaper copy of one . . . mine is and it is right on the front wall doorway looking like it belongs right there . . . wonder if I can frame it.

Thanks for all the holiday greetings, made me light up just like the firecrackers. Hugs to all.

A bit of humor

It is a good thing we can laugh at ourselves, otherwise we would spend a lot of time crying. It is amazing how our bodies change from infancy to our senior years. Well, as one friend said, "it beats the alternative" and if we have all of our parts and the use of our brain as we inch along, then we have nothing to complain about. I think we finally reach the age of reason, about eighty, when one feels twenty, and nothing can make you feel bad about your shape unless you allow it. If you look at a picture of your grandmother or even a great granny, you will find that your own mother took after one of them and now you take after your mother in size and shape, but it is okay as we have so much more to love.

Now, for the kitten in the towels, it brought back memories of a cat I owned so many years ago who loved to have her babies in the linen closet. As her time got closer she hunted for a safe place to give birth and the linen closet seemed to call her. One morning I went to the linen closet to find the towels on the floor and there she lay with her babies in tow. It was such fun to watch the kitties grow and then find homes for them. She was. like Joseph's coat, in the bible story, a cat of many colors. I used to be able to tell you the name, but right this minute it is locked in the brain. Aha . . . calico! Well that didn't take long. She was a beauty and had thick fur almost like angora and her babies were beautiful. Finding homes for them was easy as they were much too beautiful not to love. My boss, at the time, took an all black kitten and a year later brought it for a visit. It was unbelievable to see how big she had grown, but more than that she had been groomed every day and she was a 'show' cat. She would have won ribbons without a doubt.

So today, the start of your holiday weekend, be careful of the fireworks if you are shooting them off by yourself . . . remember they can cause a burn or two; maybe you should stick to sparklers. I remember them and how much fun we had making patterns in the air as they shot off tiny hot cinders. I remember the Chinese fire crackers, tiny and red, which irrupted in noisy confusion and seem to jump in the air. I'm going out and water my gardens today just in case a spark flies this way. Take good care of YOU, and create a day of fun and laughter. Don't forget it is Saturday . . . beans and hot dogs and hot apple pie . . . if I am going to bake one then I had better have my coffee first and see if I have enough apples. If I knew you were coming I'd save you a piece. Hugs to all.

Deer, Oh Dear!

Good Friday morning. There is a patch of blue in the sky and no fog, a few clouds to greet us as the resident deer walk by slowly, ambling if you will, with no place to go and in no hurry to go anywhere. There is a new little one that likes to settle in under the bushes driving the little dog Sheba crazy as she barks her head off . She is in an enclosed pen in her back yard facing the empty field, and you know she would love to get out and chase that baby deer away. The evening quiet was broken last night when a burst of fire crackers went off outside my door. It was unexpected so you know I reacted like I had been shot out of my chair, but it only took a second to realize what it was. We don't have many neighborhood fireworks as a rule, although this year it will be different as our newest neighbor has two teenage sons anxious to try out a few of those fire crackers. Sharon has given us fair warning and tells us there are not very many and we are all invited to come and watch the display. If we are lucky we will also be able to see the fireworks from our street. The big display is put on every year at the Kite Field and I can watch from my back porch . . . if the fog is not hanging around. I started some fireworks of my own as I stopped by and lit some candles at the Star of the Sea church yesterday in thanksgiving for the good news of granddaughter Erin's new job. She called with her good news and is jazzed. I was sitting in the quiet of the back of the church when two ladies walked out onto the alter and were dusting and watering some plants. I had to laugh as it reminded me of a time when I used to work at church and one day I was watering a plant carefully when one of the ladies informed me it was not real . . . well, it looked like a real rubber tree plant to me. I wonder if I rusted out the pot with my careful watering.

So today, no matter where you are, there is someone or something to bring back a memory or two. I know you are all smiling as it is already the start of your new weekend off and it is a holiday weekend, a festive time, so enjoy the barbecue. Pat brought me some delicious ribs already cooked and they were delicious. All I need is a piece of watermelon and I'll have had my Fourth of July celebration. Don't forget the Boston Pops and the big display in D. C. . . . I wonder if they will have one this year . . . I hope so although 'the mood of change' makes me wonder. The candle is lit . . . think positive. Hugs to all.

Crackers

AND our computer alert from our local newspaper tells us that there has been a grenade found at Harbor . . . well it is tourist season and there are a lot of people mulling about down there on Sporthaven beach and we know they come with RV's, trucks and tents to settle in for a day or two and enjoy the beach, I just don't know what a grenade has to do with anything fun. We are all waiting for the firework display on the Fourth of July, but honestly didn't expect to be entertained with live ammunition. I can hardly wait for a Saturday edition of our local newspaper to hear the details.

As usual the cartoons are coming in fast and furious. The headlines are followed by amazing pictures of the latest tidbit in the political arena. How about that new flag for Arizona? You have to admire folks who are willing to stand up to the abuse that has been going on for much too long. Not living in a border state we have no first hand knowledge of what has transpired, but we all have friends and family living in these areas and we know about some of the events that have been happening. We know if it were happening in our own back yard, we would be 'up in arms' and want to put a stop to it.

So today, the very first day of a new summer month . . . JULY . . . with it's summer breezes, an early start to the hurricane season and a myriad of places to go and things to do, remember to take good care of yourselves and do be very careful as you go out and about, not every one is a 'good guy'. Don't forget today is a good day to light a candle for all of us. Hugs to all.