Feeding frenzy 11/30/11

• Took a break from writing to beachwalk.  Aunt Peg left part of a loaf of bread, so I brought it to feed the birds.  Not a bird in sight when I threw out the first pieces, then in a flash I was mobbed with seagulls and pigeons.  They squawked and darted at me, some flew up and hovered right in my face.  I finally took off walking and threw bread back over my shoulder.  They kept stalking me even when the bread was gone until they found a pile of horse plop to forage.  Yuck.
• Yes, the horse litterers were back today.  At least there were only seven mucking up the beach this time.
• The breeze was nippy, but the sun felt good.  Surprised there were only a handful of fisherpeople (lots of women fish, too) up on Springmaid pier.
• Walked back up Ocean Blvd.  Standing in line at Lauren's Mini Mart to buy my Powerball tickets, a scruffy guy behind me asked, "How are those Magnums?"  Now I had just been looking at the variety of single-pack condoms for sale hanging behind the counter, including Magnums, when he asked.  I was dumbfounded until he pointed to the ice cream bar I was splurging on laying on the counter.  Didn't even notice it was called Magnum.  "Oh," I replied, "I haven't tried them yet."  If I see him again, I'll tell him it was three delicious dollars worth of dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla heaven on a stick.  That sucker was gone in the six blocks it took me to get back to my place.
• Please let me have the winning Powerball numbers.  Roni needs a BlueWater condo so I can come back any time I need to recharge my beach batteries.
• Time to get back to work.

In sync 11/30/11

• Called it quits at Chapin Library at 3:30 yesterday.  I was starving and spent.  The water had just been turned back on when I arrived at BlueWater.  Sync.
• Stepped on the balcony, facing east, just as Sunbella was setting for the evening.  She threw soft pink and blue up onto the clouds, and the clouds cast the colors down to the pools left on the sand by the retreating tide.  The colors only lingered a moment.  Breathtaking.  Sync.
• After treadmilling, I did crunches in the 3rd floor gym.  Lying on the floor, I caught sight of the lop-sided grinning moon over the Grand Atlantic resort next door.  If I hadn't forgotten to do my crunches yesterday morning, I never would have seen it.  Sync.
• Couldn't sleep, out on the balcony at 5:10.  The night black still hanging on, I looked up Ocean Blvd at the lights from all the resorts.  It may seem ugly to some, just one hotel after another, but I love it.  Thinking about all the lives contained in those places, the fun people are having and the memories they are making.  The lights and the life of Ocean Blvd is one of the things I love about MB.
• 6:20am  Stepped on the balcony for a smoke and said, "Wow."  Ripe blueberry sponge-painted clouds backdropped the skyline, with the tropical rainbow above.  The ocean was blueberry gelatin when it starts to thicken, rippling onto the sand.  Sync.
• In the movie, Thelma says to Louise, "I don't ever remember feeling this awake."  That's how I feel this morning.  My senses are amped.  Everything is realer than real.  I'm digging it.
• 7:07am  My nose was throbbing from the cold.  Sunbella singed the cloud tops in pink, then gold.  I'm staying out, I know she's coming.
• 7:12am  Sunbella found a hole in the clouds to seep through, kept climbing until she broke free.  My first sunrise in a few days.  I've missed you.  The day begins.  

No water at BlueWater day 11/29/11

• I was up early but no sunrise again today.  The sky was murky gray, the ocean muddy brown with no light to make her sparkle.  Hadn't felt the air that dry and crisp in days.  The Palmetto fronds weren't moving at all.  Amazing after last night's stormy melee to have such a mellow morning.
• BlueWater Resort, where I live, has the water shut off today from 10a-6p to fix a plumbing problem.  So I toted all I need to be able to work to Chapin Memorial Library.  This way I can use the bathroom when the need arises.  I didn't stand out at all carrying in two overflowing bags.  Many of the homeless, with duffle bags and backpacks in tow, use Chapin as their daytime haven to check emails, look for work online, read and catch up with each other.  The patrons are friendly and patient when waiting for a computer.  The staff goes out of their way to make everyone welcome and help us find what we need.  WAB ("what a blessing" in case you haven't read my blog before) to have this resource, especially today.
• Happy 18-month Anniversary to my Special Guy D!  I love you, D.  Only 11 days until I'll be saying that in person.
• Found several agents/publishers in the writer's magazines last night that I may query about my book, a magazine or two that might be right for a short story I've written.  Plus the writing on my memoir was flowing strong yesterday.  I felt very productive.  So time to get cranking on what I can make of this day. 

The Storm 11/28/11

• The southeasterly gale turned Hurl Rocks Park next door into a wind tunnel and pounded the Palmettos.  Sheets of rain sliced through the streetlamp light.  The Weather Channel forecasted winds around 35mph, but they felt much stronger, evil even.  Made me realize I do not want to be in a hurricane.  Ever.
• Of course I picked tonight as a quiet night to finish reading the writer's magazines due back tomorrow at the library.  With no TV noise as a backdrop, the storm roared and moaned and set my nerves on edge.  Slipping into my pajamas and sipping Merlot by lamplight chilled me out, so I got through the magazines and slept soundly.

Monday morning

• Mother Ocean starts whitecapping way out from shore, then slams her high-tide froth onto the beach.  Few walkers out.  No sunrise.  The sky is socked in with flat gray.  Darker gray streaks at the horizon look like rain, though it's not forecasted until mid-afternoon.  The Palmetto fronds are whipping wild in the wind.  Still a balmy 67 degrees.
• Want to ride my skateboard Pinkie since there's no reason to sunrise walk, but afraid the wind will dump me off in no time.  I'm not too surefooted on her without 25mph of wind hitting me.  She's getting mighty bored, though, all alone under the bed.  I promise, Pinkie, when the storms clear, I'll take you riding.
• Woke up ready to write, to dive back in to the memoir that was flowing so well yesterday.  Good day to stay inside and create.
• Yall have a great day wherever you are and whatever you do.

Whoa Part 2 11/27/11

• Following my McD's outing, was energized by how gorgeous the day turned out after such an ominous start.  Walked 29 blocks north on Ocean Blvd to the Sky Wheel.  Lots of happy Sunday folks doing touristy things and eating at sidewalk restaurants around Plyler Park.  Sat outside Dirty Don's, OUR BAR when my SGD was here with me back in May, listening to Molly Hatchett.  I was missing him bad.  Glad he'll be here soon and we can have a Fat Tire at the beach bar together.   
• Walked back on the Boardwalk and met bikers, speed walkers, and a Beagle with a wheelie cart holding up his back legs smiling as he trotted by.  
• Shed my sneakers at 2nd Ave Pier where the Boardwalk ends and put my tootsies in the ocean to cool off.  A lady walking toward me was boogieing to her earbud music.  I nodded and said, "I like your style."  She responded with a smile and said, "Thank you for noticing."  
• The holiday beach crowd had thinned, so I relished long stretches where my footprints were solo in the sand.  The splish splash of the waves was the only sound.
• A morning of doing everything different seemed to unplug my writer's block.  Took snacks and coffee down to the ocean deck and got to work.  The words flowed, my writing voice was strong and funny, and my soul felt unburdened from being able to create.  A dayum good day.  

Whoa 11/27/11

• I stepped out on the balcony and into "The Ten Commandments" movie, complete with music in my head.  I'm not kidding.  I said "whoa" out loud it was so burning-bush biblical.  Gunmetal gray clouds covered the entire sky and hung low enough to touch, with only a few chinks allowing pale light to seep through.  Mother Ocean lay calm at the skyline but churned wild and frothy onto the sand.  I expected Charleton Heston to be standing on the beach commanding her to part with his raised staff, but only saw two women trying to get their dogs to make potty. 
• Hit the beach walking with my coffee.  Sunbella found a tiny hole at the horizon and shone through like a lighthouse beacon.  She retreated, then flooded her light through the layers of a triple-layer cake of clouds.  For her finale, she perched on top of a line break in the clouds and blasted down in a sheet of intense gold.  The day begins.
• While all this sunrising was going on:  people were snapping pictures like crazy, even the shell snatchers stopped to stare; a line of pelicans flew by with the perfect precision of the Rockettes, the lead bird would flap and each one behind would flap in their turn, then glide in turn, then dip; a fin broke out of the water and I heard the "Jaws" theme in my head (seems like it's going to be a musical day, huh?), then the rest of the dolphin rolled out of the water and another followed, until I spotted them somersaulting all over the place.  I returned to BlueWater Resort in a sweat, the air humid and no breeze.  The dichotomy of walking off the beach into the atrium decorated with a Christmas tree and wreaths and lighted snowman still shocks me.
• All this happened before 8am.  What else can the day bring?
• 9:30am  Went to McD's for wifi and breakfast.  Double bonus -- got 2 for the price of one Egg McMuffins (without bacon, of course) and hash browns, so now I'll have a freebie breakfast or lunch for another time.  I'm lovin it!
• Haven't done any serious writing in a couple of days.  Have I lost my creative mojo or am I just trying to work on the wrong projects?  Scary to want to sit down and write and then feel so lost about what to write.  Looking for a sign or some inspiration.  Maybe I'll hear a song in my head?   

Pastel-wrapped day 11/26/11

• The skyline rainbow was pastel this morning.  Mother Ocean contrasted the soft colors by roaring in and pounding the high-tide beach.  I chose a balcony seat for a different perspective to watch the show of people rushing and dogs pulling hard on their leashes to make it to the sand for sunrise.  Sunbella rose slow and deliberate, commanding the placid sky.  The day begins.
• It turned out to be a glorious dry-aired, sun-drenched day.  Roni had to play.  I ran to Myrtle's Market for fresh produce:  3 apples, 2 oranges, a zucchini and a red pepper for $3.40.  Felt like I was stealing at that price.
• By 11:30, I was in my favorite spot on the ocean deck laying in the sun.  It was hard to relax with the teen posse rapping to songs on their boom box in the balcony above and some chick screaming "Jessie" over and over to her friend on the beach.  But I suffered through, letting the sun melt away my irritation.  Well, almost all of it.
• 2pm-ish and I headed north beachwalking.  The low tide provided 50 more yards of hard-packed sand and sun-warmed ocean slick to stroll.  Seems like my feet don't get tanned unless I'm walking the sand.  And I do like the look of tanned feet.
• A young couple, obviously dating and not married from the way they acted shy towards each other, braved the cool ocean.  Both had their arms across their chests, and the girl jumped a little with every wave to keep her lady parts from feeling the water's chill.
• A disabled gentleman rode a souped-up tricycle, with wide sand-gripping back tires and a motor.  He flew across the wet and soft sand with a wide smile on his face.
• Saw "family" with a heart drawn around it in the sand.  Not something I see every day.  Someone must really be digging their family for bringing them to the beach.
• "Happy Birthday Tristin" was written four times in big sand printing and once in shells, but no one was around then so I would know whose birthday it was.
• The equestrians were back mucking up the beach.  Guess they are allowed to ride on the beach from November to the end of January, but I'm already ready to tell them to shove their hoof prints and horse plop where the sun doesn't shine.
• Walking back, clouds started crowding the sky, telling me it was time to quit playing and get to work.  I decided a nap sounded like much more fun!
• Got up in time to see the sunset colors:  baby blue and pink wrapping around the entire horizon, cotton candy pink clouds drifting by, even Mother Ocean was rolling in on blush-colored waves.  Spectacular way to end Roni's play day. 

Beachwalking 11/25/11

• Was stuck in my writing, so I ran errands and went beachwalking.  Must be the holiday weekend bringing so many out on the beach.  Not a summer-size crowd by any means, but more people than I've seen since I've been here:  family pods with chairs and coolers; couples holding hands and strolling; kids playing frisbee and soccer and tossing a football; dogs giving each other the "hello" sniff; shell snatchers; and several brave souls out in the waves.  One family had five girls and a boy, all black-haired, body surfing and building mud pies in the low-tide pool.
• Saw KAL + AMR drawn huge in the sand.  Made me smile and look forward to drawing RLB + DES when my Special Guy D comes to town.
• I was most amazed by the variety of wardrobe displayed on the beach at 64 degrees and sunny.  13-year old girls in bikinis rubbing each other down with tanning lotion.  Dudes in swimtrunks with bare chests and feet.  Older couples in jogging suits and sneakers.  One couple was completely clothed with a blanket thrown over them as they read in their beach chairs.  A black man wearing a nice long-sleeved shirt, long shorts, and carrying expensive-looking loafers had a chunk of jewelry hanging on his mid-chest that looked like a badge bearing the number 85.  Now I'm no jewelry aficionado, but I'd bet beachwalking privileges for a week that the cost of that bling would pay my condo lease until next summer.  Or longer.
• In case you're wondering, I was perfectly comfortable barefooting in capri jeans, t-shirt, and sweater.  And I came back inspired with several writing ideas.  So time to get back to work.     

Tropical rainbow Friday 11/25/11

     No Black Friday for this gal, nor for a bunch of other sunrise walkers out this morning.  Even saw a car pull up in Hurl Rocks Park next door and six people jumped out, bundled in blankets and coats, and ran straight onto the sand like they were headed to a party.  Chilly breath-hanging-in-the-air morning, but seeing the lush colors of the tropical rainbow wrapped around the skyline was worth the shivering.  I just googled colors and still can't come up with a fitting description for how vibrant the colors were.  The best way I can capture what I was seeing is:  picture the most intense blues and oranges and pinks and yellows you've ever seen and them amp them up like they've just downed three Monster drinks and maybe you'll come close.  Or you can just come to Myrtle and see it for yourself.
     I'm not trying to be preachy, if you've read any of my blogs you'll know preachy doesn't sit well with me, but I am sick of all this Black Friday crap.  First, I absolutely hate it that these retail employees are having to go to work at 10pm, midnight, 3am, or whatever, and don't really get to enjoy their Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving used to be a HOLIDAY when stores would close and workers get time off.  When did Thanksgiving become nothing more than Black Friday Eve?  Second, don't we have enough clothing and appliances and electronic junk to last a lifetime already??  Buying more just because you get a door-buster price MAKES NO SENSE.  Maybe it's time to turn off the TV so you're not brainwashed by commercials and recycle those Black Friday newspaper ads and be thankful for what you already have.  It's cheaper and a lot less stressful and kinder to the planet.
     OK, I'm climbing off my soapbox now.  'Nuff said.
    

The Kitchen 11/24/11

     I served Thanksgiving dinner to homeless people (and others with homes that needed a meal) at the Community Kitchen.  Didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped to.  The volunteers formed an assembly line to pass out tea, food boxes and dessert, then we were told to get back against the wall.  Not enough people contact for me; I wanted to mix and mingle and chat people up.  Plus too much churchy business:  prayer, then a sermonette, then another prayer, then sing a gratitude song.  I know The Kitchen is backed by Swash Park Ministries and a lot of the volunteers were church affiliated, but these people came for a meal.  Not to be browbeaten to come to Jesus.
     Good things that happened:

• I got to see my buddy Mary again.  She remembered our dancing night at Broadway at the Beach and gave me a big hug.  Her companion Lee was sick, so she took food back to him.  I made sure she got a wide slice of pecan pie, her favorite.
• A church from North Carolina was set up in the parking lot giving out blankets and jackets, so nearly everyone took a blanket and/or jacket back to wherever they call home.
• A gentleman that works at the resort where I'm staying was there to eat.  I talk to him every morning as he's vacuuming the atrium.  Now I know his name and he knows mine and we are better acquainted.
• A hispanic man that I didn't know came up to me and asked "como esta?"  Don't know why he picked me, but his eyes lit up when I answered "bien, senor, y Usted."  We had a nice chat in Spanish.  He spoke English as well, but it tickled me to get to use my Spanish-speaking skills.

     I realized I felt more kinship with the people there to eat than the people there to serve.  Maybe I was homeless in another life.
     Miss Carol, who runs the Kitchen, said another homeless person was found dead on Thanksgiving, bringing the total up to 25 for the year.  Myrtle Beach is a beautiful place but not for everyone.  Miss Carol had people new to the Kitchen say their names and where they are from and the list included:  Wyoming, Ohio, US Virgin Islands, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  I would love to hear their stories.      

Thanks 11/24/11

• Mother Ocean lay languid and ice blue, quietly slipping one wave at a time onto the sand.  My first Thanksgiving at the beach.  I had to walk the sunrise.  Coming through the sea grass, I was greeted by a spritely Schnauzer named Lacey, who wanted some rubbing attention.  As Schnauzers are my absolute favorite dog, I was happy to oblige.  Even if nothing else good happens, that made my day.
• The tropical rainbow at the horizon stayed vibrant, no murkiness today before the sunrise.  There were no visible clouds, but Sunbella somehow made them appear for her act.  She became orange Christmas lights dotting the horizon, then a fan of pink-orange vapors rising like steam.  When she was ready, she banished the clouds so all attention was on her glorious rising.  The day begins.
• Thanks for:  letting me have some doggie love this morning; living here and walking the beach today and every day; the companionship of Sunbella and Mother Ocean and Luna Linda; getting to serve meals this afternoon to those that otherwise might not eat today; my Special Guy D that loves me even when he doesn't understand me; and my family that I keep loving even when I don't understand them.  WAB!  (what a blessing in case you're new to my blog)
• Happy Thanksgiving Yall!

Wait for the flow 11/23/11

• I am so dumb sometimes, stressing about not being inspired to write today.  I wasn't meant to write today.  When I finally let go of what I expected of myself, the flow came, telling me to do revisions on pieces I'd already written and work on queries.  Spent all morning in the flow, not even noticing time passing, got three queries sent, and almost made myself late for my volunteer gig.
• Peeled and cut sweet potatoes for 2.5 hours at the Community Kitchen to prep for the big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  What an eclectic group of people volunteering with me:  a retired PE teacher from New York that winters with her sister in MB, Florida, and cruising the Caribbean that said "what the hell would you do that for?  I've never read a book in my life and I don't plan to" when I told her I came here to write; a chef that's worked in some of the finer MB restaurants but hurt his back and now lives on disability and has to volunteer to keep his supplemented housing; an assistant bank manager; several homeless people; and several rich retired people.  Found out my dancing bud Mary and her sweetie Lee will be there tomorrow for the big dinner.
• Got a cut in my palm, several blisters, and sore arms, but feel much better after hottubbing.  Is there anything that hot tub won't cure?  If there is, I haven't found it.

Unsettled 11/23/11

• Mother Ocean is angry this morning, churning high and slapping white foam onto the high-tide beach.  White is the only color breaking up the myriad grays of sky and water.  No sunrise today.
• The cars swish by on soggy Ocean Blvd.  The men emptying trash in Hurl Rocks Park wear orange slickers, foretelling a nasty day to come.  Turned the A/C on to dry the sticky air in my living room.
• Woke with achy knees and feet.  Maybe from two beach walks yesterday, maybe my bones are complaining about the weather change.
• I am churning along with Mother Ocean, unsettled.  Want to write now that my company is gone, need to write, but what?  Have several short story ideas simmering, but nothing inspires me right now.  My finger isn't twitching to grab a pen and let it race across the page.  Started a memoir about my journey here, but my mind says "who the hell cares about me moving to Myrtle Beach to write?"  What could I possibly have to say that would make someone want to read it??  No one even reads my blog, face it.  And a memoir is supposed to be honest -- can I really bare my soul and tell my truth?  And what about my family and friends -- why should their lives be exposed just because I feel the need to write about mine??  So many questions, no answers.
• The one blessing to this day so far is I'm working kitchen prep for Thanksgiving dinner at the Community Kitchen for the homeless.  Doing physical work after sitting and writing excites me.  Tomorrow I get to serve dinner from 3-7pm.  Maybe I'll make some new friends.  Maybe I'll run into my wacky buddies Mary and Lee from the free concert.  Maybe I'll be inspired with a story I'm meant to write.  Maybe?   

Spectacular farewell 11/22/11

• Aunt Peg's last beach sunrise, and we were out there early walking it.  The sickle moon cast an aqua wash on Mother Ocean.  Hadn't seen that color on her before.  Maybe it was special for Peg's farewell.
• The waves rolled high and boisterous.  Clouds mimicked the waves along the skyline.  One bold cloud formed into a whale's tail flapping high out of the water.
• Seagulls congregated on the sand right before sunrise to say good-bye to Peg (she loves the gulls), then peppered the sky in swooping swirls. 
• Sunbella rose out of the wave clouds flaring hot orange and laid a path of liquid gold across the ocean right to our feet on the sand.
• Gorgeous morning in the 60s and barely a breeze.  Mid-70s by the time I dropped Peg at the airport at 10.  She's going to hate KC and 40 degrees in a couple of hours.

 

Muted morning 11/21/11

• 6:25am  A quilt of clouds covered the sky, except for a few breaks at the skyline.  Sunbella sent a preview of her coming as a wash of ballerina pink across Mother Ocean.
• 6:51am  No sunrise, no burst of intense light energy today.  Only sunspots as Sunbella peeked between the clouds, glowing and throwing out a splash of gold on the waves, then disappearing under the quilt.  Maybe she'll come out again later.
• 62 degrees and humid, barely a breeze.  Felt wonderful to walk the beach with my coffee.  Peg sat on the sand and snapped pictures. 

Goofing 11/20/11

• Strolled the Marsh Walk at Murrell's Inlet with Aunt Peg.  She loves bird watching, and pelicans and herons and seagulls and lots of birds we couldn't identify were out to greet us.  Such a gorgeous warm day to have the marsh breeze blowing in our hair as we scoot over the water, so we tried to wrangle our way onto one of the many big boats docked there -- even a little boat would have been fine -- but no luck.
• Grabbed some lunch at Applebee's, then walked the boardwalk around Plyer Park and played Skeeball.  I could've spent $20 playing without even realizing it I was having so much fun.  Gave our winning coupons to a little dude that wasn't having much Skeeball luck.  That felt good.
• I went beachwalking down to Springmaid Pier.  Saw an older couple sitting close in their shorty beach chairs, pouring up a cold beer into plastic cups and clinking a toast to each other.  Made me miss my Special Guy even more than I have been anyway.  Told them, "Now that's the way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Who needs football?" and the man said, "We are so happy to be here, we've come every year for 11 years."  A lovely couple making special beach memories their own way.  That's the way to live.

    

Sunday sunrise 11/20/11

     Peg and I got out to walk the sunrise.  50s felt so warm compared to the past two mornings in the 30s.  Another double bonus sunrise.  A tall wall of clouds was on this side of the horizon.  Sunbella peeked from under the wall, looking like a molten orange pancake, then disappeared.  She made her way up past the wall and exploded onto Mother Ocean in golden waves.  Hundreds of sea gulls stood in groups along the smooth sand of low tide, still and reverant.  They must've been having church.  When their service was over, they flew up in an ethereal swirl.  The beach was alive with sunrise walkers today, smiling and exchanging hearty "good mornings."  How can you have a bad day when you get to greet Sunbella and Mother Ocean right on the beach?
     Even though you couldn't be here to live this magnificent morning with us, I'm wishing you the best kind of day in your world. 

The dog show 11/19/11

• My "dog" didn't win the dog show.  In fact, I felt like I'd been beat like a dog when it was over as boulders pounded my temples.  The first critique was supportive, otherwise I would've peed my pants I was so nervous.  After that it went downhill -- why did you do this?  why didn't you do that?  how can you change voice from first person POV to an unreliable narrator? -- How can I WHAT?  And you can't defend yourself during these workshops.  That's a rule.  Just listen, ask for clarification if needed.  Would it have been smartassy to ask if they were speaking English?  It seemed so, so I didn't.  Guess I was already feeling under fire.  Got another rejection email this morning.  A very nice one -- your work is not something I feel I could represent but I hope you find an agent that represents your work with the passion it deserves -- but a rejection nonetheless.  
• So my brain was deep fried after all that.  Had a bite of lunch and took myself beachwalking to let the ocean breeze blow the critical crap out of my head.  Some brave kids were splashing and screaming in the water.  I gravitated to the unoccupied sand so I'd only hear the wash of the waves.  Horses were out on the beach again today, so I was careful to step over the deep hoof prints and plop.  Saw a fuzzy black and white house slipper of a dog on a leash whose hind end kept slipping into the hoof craters.  He had to kick his back paws to get out.  That made me laugh.  It helped. 

Double bonus morning 11/19/11

     Silver contrails stitched the sky.  Mother Ocean slid ice blue onto the sand.  Sunbella slipped up between two strands of blue-gray clouds, disappeared, then rose again full and dazzling to warm the 41 degree morning  -- double bonus!  The day begins.
     Supposed to warm into the 60s today.  Bring it on.  We've got beachwalking to do and the Christmas tree lighting to watch tonight at Broadway at the Beach.  I'm headed out soon to Surfside for my writer's group.  Can't wait.  First time for the group to critique my writing.  I'm excited and anxious.  Feel like my dog is being judged in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

Friday 11/18/11

• Went to a matinee of "Happy Feet 2" at the Grand 14 at Market Common -- UGH!  Maybe you have to be six years old to make sense of the movie, because it didn't to me:  we're in peril . . . we're saved! . . . we're in peril again . . . no wait, we're saved!  They threw in some happy feet dancing and an inspirational song in between all the drama.  Wore me plum out.  But, the penguins were mighty cute and the seats were comfy.  Funny, there was maybe 15 people in the whole theater and only one child!
• Strolled out Springmaid Pier and watched the anglers catch one little wrigling silvery fish after another.  Sometimes two on one cast.  Aunt Peg loves fishing.  The brisk breeze slapped us in the face.  The only relief was to face directly at the sun with the wind at our backs.  Got to talk to my SGD from the pier, that warmed me up.
• Crawling under my comforter for a nap warmed me up nicely, too.  Quick workout on the treadmill, and we were off for a night's adventure.
• Margaritas and spicy food at Mexico Lindo -- mine was deliciosa again.  Caught "The South's Grandest Christmas Show" at Alabama Theater.  I felt like a young chick among the white-haired crowd.  Beaucoup talent among the cast and band.  The sets and decorations, especially for the homey last half of the show, snuck a bit of Christmas spirit into my heart.  I even teared up at the song for our military -- I lied, I was crying like a waterfall.  Good day.  Good night.  I'm thankful for Peg to share it with.         

Sharing a sunrise 11/18/11

• 6am  The tropical rainbow glows in a tight band across the horizon, backlighting snippets of clouds that my aunt Peg says dance like Kokopelli.  Mother Ocean is platinum pudding in the 34 degree air, slipping slow and still onto the sand.
• 6:25am  The colors soften and spread up the sky.
• 6:50am  Here she comes.  Sunbella lights one cloud on fire, shooting five orange-pink cyclones of wisp in her wake.  She breaks hot orange on the skyline.  The clouds melt in her presence.  The day begins.
• Peg got a kick out of sunrise watching.  Even bundled up in purple pajamas, fuzzy jacket, and beach towel.

Hanging together 11/17/11

     The sky is locked up tight with clouds, not even a peep hole to see Sunbella's rising through this morning.  So I'll tell you what we did last night.  After the unpacking and grocery/what-not getting, my aunt Peg and I hot-tubbed with two Canadian golfers.  Funny, they drive over into North Carolina every day to play, don't even play here in Myrtle Beach, with supposedly the most golf courses in one place in the world.  They say they like the courses over there.
     We hit the indoor pool to cool off, then swam outside.  Floating in warm water with just a bit of cool in the night air, so relaxing.  Thought a bird was dousing me, but it had started sprinkling.  We made it back to my place and were pajamaed and sipping wine by the time the storm hit.  My first time seeing lightening illuminate the churning ocean.  Powerful.  An hour of "Harry's Law," and we were ready to snooze.  Good day.

It comes, it goes 11/16/11

• Last night:  Warm fog swamped the air and did a dance of veils in the flood lights.  Then it ate a 15-story hotel two blocks away and everything beyond.  My world felt small but cozy.
• Today:  6:30am  Steel blue and peachy-pink are the morning colors, touching sleepy drifting pillow clouds, the thick fortress of clouds guarding the horizon and melting into the ocean, and the break of sky between.  The heavy haze stopped time, squelched the sunrise.
• My aunt flies in today for a visit.  I get a hug . . . I get a hug!
• By the time I got out of the shower (7:35am), Sunbella had blasted through the muck of clouds and was shining bright.  The day begins.
• 8:25am  The soup is back and Ocean Blvd north of the Landmark resort is gone from sight.  Mr. Fog, don't screw with my aunt getting here safely or we'll have to tangle.  And the wrath of Roni ain't pretty.
• Lots to do.  Gotta get busy.

Here's the answer 11/15/11

• Got a large sweet tea at McD's and took myself to Chapin Park to write.  It's the loveliest spot with a large pavilion, benches and tables and porch swings scattered about shaded by mile-high pines and pin oaks.  The sand is covered in pine needles and soft leaves and sweet potato-sized pine cones.  Two City workers wiped the tables down with disinfectant  -- odd when a park smells like a hospital -- and emptied the trash, greeting me with a "how you, Ma'am?" and then blessing me three times when I had a sneezing fit.  Such nice men.  I was watching cars go by on Business 17 when the Public Works workers started putting giant green wreaths with golf ball-sized red lights onto the street light poles.  That's odd, too, sitting in a park when it's 75 degrees, smelling the ocean, and seeing Christmas decorations going up.  Guess I'd better get used to it.
• I was wrong about not beachwalking.  Too extraordinary (my SGD says that so well with his fake British accent) an afternoon to stay inside:  warm filtered sun, coolish breeze, haze draping the pier in a gauze curtain and making the north beach disappear past the bend.  My hurt heel felt like I was walking on half a golf ball, but I made it.  The low tide gave me lots of solid sand to walk on.  The beach was nearly deserted, and I relished the quiet.  I still have an hour or so of daylight.  Think I'll go work on the oceanfront deck -- wearing shoes this time.

What will the rest of the day bring? 11/15/11

• The east-facing windows glowed pink when I woke up.  Time to get to the balcony for sunrise watching.  Potty first.  Potty won't flush.  Dayum (Southern-speak for damn).  The thingamajig was all wadded up around the flusher arm.  Lucky I brought tools.  With tweezers, wrench, screwdriver and much cussing, I got her flushing better than she has since I've been here.  Having to handle toilet doodads that are both rusty and slimy before coffee does not make Roni happy.  And my hands still felt gross after three scrubbings.
• Hobbled to the balcony in time for Sunbella's rising.  The air was thick with salt and dew, casting Mother Ocean and Sunbella in soft focus.  So warm I didn't need a sweater.  Perfect for beachwalking.  But no, Ms. Dainty impaled her heel on a stick stuck up from a deck board yesterday, and the wound is now swollen up like a tick on a yard dog.  No beachwalking for me today.

Words aren't enough 11/14/11

     Mother Ocean roared loud this morning, churning wave on top of wave.  The sky woke wild with color:  an orange cyclone; zig zags and islands of rouge; slate gray fingers laced in Pepto pink; all surrounded by an aqua wash.  A narrow cloud wall commanded the horizon, forming a dense jungle of trees.  The ocean welcomed the color and blushed.  Every second the shades and shapes morphed until I ran out of words and could only watch, remind myself to breathe.  A dolphin soared out of the water so close a swimmer could jump on and ride.  If there were any.  Sunbella rose from the jungle and slid up the cyclone, taming the wild sky.  The coolest sunrise ever.  Until tomorrow?  The day begins.

Worshipping my way 11/13/11

• Sunbella was already up, past the tangle of clouds, when I made it to the balcony.  Her energy bathed my face in warmth, like palms cradling my cheeks.  I drank it in until she drifted past the balcony.  The day begins.
• Took my coffee and notebook to the beach deck and got in a little writing.  Had a good chat with my Special Guy D.  He works nights, so he was saying "have a fun day, Sweetheart" while I was saying "good night and sleep well, Sweetie."  It's weird but we make it work.
• The nearly high-tide beach was alive with people, some barefooting in the waves, most snatching up the sea bling Mother Ocean was slapping on the sand.  I joined them.  The air was thick and salty in my nose, no breeze to dilute it.  I walked north to Withers Swash Boardwalk at 4th Ave South.  50 degrees never felt so good.
• Walked back down Ocean Blvd.  I could still see the ocean between resorts but couldn't hear her.  Only the splish splash of hotel fountains and pools, the whoosh of cars rolling by, the occasional flap of Clemson Tiger and Carolina Gamecock flags pridefully perched atop those cars.  Walked 32 blocks, 40 minutes start to finish.  No matter what else happens, it has already been a good day.

Saturday night blues and more 11/12/11

     Ten Toes Up did not disappoint.  Dead Dog Saloon's glassed in patio was standing room only, and lots of the crowd appeared to be groupies.  Thought I was going to see a blues band, but they straddled musical genres -- from a countryfied tune that got the two-steppers on the floor to straight-up down-low blues, from a funked up "Summertime" to the Allman Brother's "One Way Out" that had the oldsters shaking bootay and air guitaring -- as smooth as your oldest pair of Levis.  BJ was totally one with his guitar and lap steel.  Charles brought on the baseline that pumped up the soul of every tune.  Adam and Animal blended their drum grooves, complementing not competing.  And Adam bent those harp notes so intense I thought my heart would break.  And the vocals didn't suck, either.  Kidding.  They were awesome.  Come out and see Ten Toes Up or check out their website at http://www.tentoesup.com/.   You'll have a new favorite live band.  Guaranteed.

Super Saturday 11/12/11

• Went to Art in the Park at Market Commons.  Loved looking at all the local artist's wares, from drawings of the way Myrtle used to look when the Pavilion was the diva of the beach to garden tchotchkes to jewelry galore.  Found some early beachy Christmas gifts, a serendipitous bonus!  Got a coffee at Barnes & Noble and people watched, one of my favorite things.
• From my balcony:  The seagulls were thick on the beach, flapping and squawking "more, more, more" as people tossed bread in the air.  They toted their beakfulls to the shallow ponds of low tide to eat in private.
• Sunbella called me out for a beachwalk.  The way-out low tide left the beach more naked than I'd ever seen it.  Reminded me of those Kardashian chicks at a red carpet event.  If the mounds of jiggly jellyfish had been out, it would've been a dead ringer.
• Anyway, the exposed sand brought out hordes of shellseekers stuffing their pockets and metal detectives scanning every inch of beach for treasure.  The only thing I was tempted to pick up was part of a denture.  I'm guessing top front teeth.  Five of them.  I'm also guessing someone won't be biting into an apple anytime soon.  I left the teeth.  In case that someone comes back for them.
• I bowed to Palmetto boy, fronds sticking up all around the top of his baseball cap and waving in his hands like he was blessing the beach.  He blushed and covered his face with fronds.  He may need the blessing because the Palmetto is South Carolina's state tree and probably illegal to be toting around.
• What a super day this has been.  And I'm headed out later to hear Ten Toes Up play at Dead Dog's in Murrell's Inlet.  Should be a great show.

Saturday sunrise 11/12/11

Mother Ocean is a skating rink backlit by a tropical rainbow.  The pelicans should be gliding over her glassy swirls and sworls instead of splatting in for a fish breakfast.  There is no murky gray preamble before Sunbella tops the horizon, glazing the rink in a wash of gold shimmers.  The Saturday morning still is broken only by lapping waves waking the sand.  The day begins.

Chilly dawn and a nothing day 11/11/11

     Mother Ocean lay languid in the chilly morning air, rolling one wave at a time up on the sand with barely a splash.  Sunbella followed suit and slipped up the sky in slow motion.  Then they slow danced together:  Sunbella throwing out pods of golden light, Mother Ocean sliding them intact onto shore.  The day begins.
     The brisk north wind kept me from beachwalking, so not much went on in my world today.  I did watch the ocean sparkle in the patio doors of the villa across the street.  While it lasted, I was mesmerized.  The Food Lion had a nice 1.5L Pinot Noir on sale.  I'm getting ready to uncork that baby and let Friday night begin.  And I did pick up my business cards from Jerribob's.  It's official!  I'm a writer!!  It says so right on the card.  My slogan is:

I write so my head

won't explode

from word overload. 

     Time for wine.  

Blaming it all, on the night at Broadway 11/10/11

     What a night I've had!  Took myself out on a date to Broadway at the Beach (an outdoor shopping center for those of you non-Myrtle beachers).  After doing a bit of restaurant shopping, I decided on supper at Amichi's Brick Oven & Italian Bistro.  Excellent choice, as it turns out.  Had a glass of smooth house Sangiovese and an interesting vegetarian Stromboli with spinach, mozzarella, tomatoes, onion, and eggplant (now I remember why I refused to eat eggplant as a child -- yuck! -- but I picked it out).  The waiter was oh so cute and very polite.  I dined outside in the warm evening air on a wrought iron table and watched the shoppers go by.
     The free Thursday night concert featured N'tranze, a group of mixed race and age that pulled off old Motown tunes with perfection -- Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops.  The only female, Seabrook, even did an Etta James song, "At Last."  The only thing that would've made it better was if my SGD were there to dance with me!  Lucky for me a spunky older gal named Mary said "come out and dance," and I did (although not to At Last, at least).  She only had one working eye, the other was milky white with no iris or pupil, but it didn't matter because she kept her eyes closed most of the time we were dancing.  We grooved to everything, mostly out on the bricks (which served as the dance floor) by ourselves.  One time we were dancing to Stevie's "Superstitious" and the mist was driving down at us sideways and we just kept dancing.  What a rush!  Her companion of two years, Lee, quite the gentleman, had thrown his back out, so he watched our girly things while we danced.  I didn't know when we first made acquaintance, but I'm guessing now that they are homeless because they were rolling their own cigarettes and drinking mouthwash from plastic cups they found in the trash can.  They said mouthwash is cheaper and didn't think much of my paying $4 for a beer.  To tell the truth, I didn't either, but it sounded good at the time.  We had an excellent time hanging out and vowed to be there for the free concert next Thursday night, so I may have another rowdy story for next week.
     Just goes to show, if are willing to try new things, you never know what kind of adventures you'll find!    

Moonshine and turtle rising 11/10/11

     Spent a long time on the balcony last night watching the moonshine on the cresting waves.  Wish I could make you see it through my eyes.  The best descriptions I can come up with is:  liquid light; illuminated mercury dancing on black glass.  Felt a full-body rush, that I was the only person on earth seeing this show.
     Took my coffee beachwalking to greet Sunbella.  The sand was gooey with jellyfish.  Glad I didn't go barefooting this morning.  Between the high tide trying to swamp my sneakers and avoiding the goo, I was relegated to the squishy sand.  Found a perfect swirly shell (my word -- they are actually called hawking conchs) there, smaller than my palm.  This whole journey my beachwalking mantra has been:

I won't pick up shells,

I won't, I won't,

I won't pick up shells.

But I picked her up anyway.

     Only me and a handful of sunrisers on the beach, scattered out like we had assigned stations.  We weren't disappointed.  Sunbella poked her head up beside the only cloud in sight -- a turtle with jutted out head and humped shell.  As she blossomed, Sunbella swallowed that turtle completely up.

     Walked back to my place along Ocean Blvd.  Hadn't done that in a while.  Heard bird songs coming from the Palmettos.  Noticed how lovely and alive the hibiscus and marigolds and petunias still are.  WAB (my shorthand for "what a blessing") to be living in this beautiful place.

     The day begins.

     

Sunbella and the bird man 11/9/11

• I sip coffee on the balcony.  A wall of clouds hangs at the horizon.  Nothing is happening, and I'm cold, ready to go in.  Sunbella says "don't go yet" by throwing up a splash of pink-orange on the sky.  The clouds won't stop her.  She uses them as props for her rising magic show and morphs into:  a shuttlecock base; Saturn hugged by rings; a filigreed Christmas ball; a baseball with finger-grip stitching; and finally, her unadorned self as she pushes past the last cloud and lights the beach.  The day begins.
• Spent time writing on the patio overlooking the ocean.  But the sun got too hot on my face (never thought that would happen, I'm a sun addict), and minutes would pass without me realizing I was staring at Mother Ocean and no words were making it onto the page.  Back to the seclusion of my dining table for me.  Back to work.
• But the work didn't materialize, so I headed out for adventure.  Paid my first visit to Myrtle Farmer's Market at Mr. Joe White Avenue (isn't that the coolest street name you've ever heard?) and Oak Street.  Not a lot of vendors today but some awesome produce.  Bought a luscious tomato that was delish on the cheese sandwich I just ate, sweet cucumbers which made a yummy side dish, and an orange that was so pale and huge I thought it was a grapefruit.  Haven't tried the orange yet.  I'll see you again Myrtle Market!
• Synchronicity has been abundant through my journey to Myrtle Beach, and today was a fine example.  Decided I needed business cards to legitimize myself as a writer.  Went to three different printers I found in the phone book -- two were out of business, the other closed for moving.  Stopped at a Kangaroo Convenience Store to buy my Powerball ticket as I was leaving Surfside (my last stop), and at the last minute I asked the employee if he knew any printers close by.  He told me to check out Jerribob's "up the street a ways and on the left around that dollar store" because they sell mailing supplies and stuff.  I went looking, actually found it from his directions, and voila, they do business cards.  Even had a special 100 card deal for $10.  The nice lady (perhaps Jerribob herself?) is even going to email me a couple of design suggestions.  I asked for help finding a printer -- why was I surprised when I got it?  I've got to have more faith.
• Caught the bird man's act walking south on the beach.  Me, a couple kids, 30some pigeons, and three seagulls.  This was no impromptu show.  Decked out in hat, long-sleeve shirt, gloves, and armed with a bag of bread, he literally had the birds eating out of his hands.  And hat.  And off his shoulders.  And arms.  And booted feet.  He kept the human crowd captive only until the bread was gone.  The bird gang was more loyal, still scavenging for hidden crumbs and waiting for the second show when I came back up the beach.

It's a marvelous night for a moondance

Luna Linda called me outside for a visit and a drink.  She poured moonshine on the ocean and lit it with a million drunk fireflies dancing.  I sipped Merlot.  The waves crashed fierce in the dark, roaring louder without competing sounds.  Oh Special Guy D, won't you dance with me in the moonlight?  Soon?

Tuesday's Gone With The Wind 11/8/11

• The title today has nothing to do with what I'm writing about.  I just love that Skynyrd song!  One of their best.  Give it a listen if you haven't heard it in a while.
• Sunbella smiles on the morning, rising from behind the only cloud in the sky -- a perfect bow-shaped top lip.  I smile back.  The day begins.
• Jellyfish litter the low-tide beach.  The big muthas are easy to side step.  The broken-off chunks (or babies maybe?) like to lurk in squishes of sand, ready to set your foot on fire with barely a touch.  I've heard that peeing on the stung area puts out the fire.  Haven't seen that remedy in action yet.  Hope I'm not the one that has to test it out.
• A local told me this was a monkeyed up year.  (I'm substituting monkey for his word f*ck because I'm trying to keep my blog clean.  And face it, monkey is just fun to say.)  He said the jellyfish shouldn't be out when the water is this cold, and the fish didn't bite all summer because the water got too hot too fast.  My homeys in Missouri have had a 70 degree day morph into 40 and rainy the next.  And that Octoblizzard up the coast?  It's crazy everywhere.
• Saw another condom on the beach.  Out of the wrapper but unused.  Too chicken or too chilly? 

Early Monday this and that 11/7/11

• 6:30ish am -- I wait patiently, which isn't my forte, on the balcony while Sunbella inches up from behind a solid cloud bank.  Nose dripping from the chilly wind, hands hugging my coffee mug to keep warm, I wait.  She shoots fire orange on a hanging sliver of cloud to keep me hooked in.  First a teeny pinpoint of blazing gold, then she slides up fast, pulsing, drenching melted light across Mother Ocean.  Everything feels different in her presence.  Everything.  The day begins.
• On my long beachwalk yesterday, almost all the walkers going by wore ear buds.  I don't get it.  I wouldn't wear nose plugs and miss the air's salty tang.  I wouldn't wear a blindfold and block out the sun turning the ocean into a wash of glinting diamonds.  No thank you.  I walk the beach to hear the rolling and crashing waves, the whoosh of sand being sucked out with the tide, the squawks and trills of sea birds, the tickled laughter of letting go as the ocean picks you up and sloshes you around.  That's my beach music. 
• Saw flockettes of geese (can 5 or 6 really be called a flock?) gliding on the north wind, hanging for two or three blocks without a wing flap.  What a joy it would be to join them!
• I noticed yesterday that I saunter down the beach, let the ocean caress my feet, take time to dig my toes in the slurpy sand, pay attention to everything.  But there comes a point where the stroll is over and I'm breathless by the time I get back, head down and nearly running to my place to put all my beachwalking thoughts into words.  Maybe that's what it means to be a writer, that urgent urge to spill my soul on paper whether anyone will ever read it.  Or buy it.  

What a difference a day makes 11/6/11

• Almost missed the sunrise because of the time change, but I hit the balcony just in time to see Sunbella's appearance before the clouds drifted back in.
• For any of you following my blog, I've tweaked some settings so you can now make comments if you choose.  Sorry, I'm a blogging rookie.
• What started out looking like a crappy weather day turned glorious.  Still breezy, but the strong sun made up for it.  Did some running around town and saw trees in the medians whose russet red leaves look like the Bradford pears from back home in Missouri.  A tad bit of fall color right here at the beach.
• Faced my fears and got my hair trimmed at SmartStyles in Wal-Mart.  A lovely gal named Ashley followed my directions to a tee and did a nice job on my sea-grass looking mop of hair.  Funny thing, she moved here a couple months ago from near Greenville, SC, and her boyfriend is still there just like mine is back in Missouri.  We had much to chat about.
• Had a fantasterric surprise -- my Sweetie got his plane ticket to visit me on 12/10.  Only five long weeks away.
• Had a beachwalking dog fest.  Met a Chorkie, a Chihuahua and Yorkie mix, that was so teeny he had to jump over the footprints in the sand or be swallowed up by them.  Also saw a 3-legged Rottweiler lumbering along at a quick enough clip to keep up with his 4-legged pals.  He had a big grin going.
• Luna Linda, almost 3/4s full this time, was sunning herself in the afternoon sky again.  I miss you at night, Beautiful Moon -- please come back!
• I had quite a pity party going for myself yesterday, didn't I?  Guess I need to read my own blog and remind myself "the sky looks murkiest right before the sun pops out."  Had a few checking-in-on-you calls this morning from my homeys, that cheered me.  Then my creative mojo got perking again, and I spent the morning working on query letters for my book.  So after a fresh haircut, a long beachwalk, and the promise of a visit from my SGD, I'm feeling good again.  

Saturday

• 7:15am  Waves rolling in slow motion, sleepy and cold.  Like me.  Need more coffee.  Will watch the sunrise from my living room.
• 7:40am  Sunbella is finally up.  Only a solo beachwalker braving the nasty wind to welcome her.
• Finished editing my book yesterday.  Makes me wonder -- is it any good at all??
• Went to the Surfside writer's group meeting.  Good people, fascinating story ideas being critiqued.  I felt left out -- didn't know anything about their material and had nothing of my own to share.  Telling myself it's just the first meeting.  Go back, it'll get better.
• Eight horses on the beach today, galloping this time, not strolling.  It was high tide, not much sand to gallop on.  Good thing the beach was deserted, except for a little Beagle straining on his leash to get acquainted with the horses.
• For the first time since I've been here, I feel lost.  What am I doing here?  I have no friends, no lover, just the beach and my writing.  Maybe this desolate feeling is normal after finishing a project (my book) that I've put my heart and soul in.  Maybe the weekend is making me crazy because I have too much time and no commitments.  Funny, when I was back home I craved a free weekend all to myself, to nap and read and do anything my heart desired.  Maybe that's the question I should be asking:  when you actually get what your heart desires, what next?
• I'm not the only one escaping or dream seeking here.  Just met Kathleen from Massachusetts in the hot tub.  I've seen her every night floating in the outdoor pool, regardless of the wind whipping up white caps, looking like she's in heaven.  She's staying until March, maybe for good if she can find work, and loving it.  She didn't plan on living here, it just happened.  Everyone I've met is from somewhere else, came here for one reason or another and stayed.  When you ask how long they've been here, they seem surprised to say "six years" or "23 years," like the time just slipped up on them.     

Working for the Weekend 11/4/11

• No sunrise today, just heavy charcoal clouds rolling on the ocean.  It was warm, though, having coffee on the balcony.  No wind, moist air.  Didn't even need a sweater.
• Some sun bursts through the clouds, then back to dreary.  Getting a lot of editing done on my book.  It's a grueling process.  Feels like taking a really good look at your baby and realizing they are ugly.
• Saw dolphins doing somersaults in the waves.  I smiled. 

FITS-day 11/3/11

• Work be damned.  With a cloudless blue sky and drenching sunshine calling me, how could I refuse?  I declared this Fun In The Sun (FITS) day and spent two hours laying by the pool reading Thomas Moore's "Soul Mates" and thinking of nothing at all.  Work will still be there tomorrow when it's 63 degrees and rainy.
• 13 beautiful horses strolled down the beach.  Their riders weren't bad looking, either.  People were snapping pictures and asking to give a horse a rub.  It's mandatory on Myrtle Beach to clean up your pet's waste.  Guess horses aren't considered pets, because I had to side-step lots of humongous horse plops when I was beachwalking.  I never know what I'll see out on the beach.
• Luna Linda (Spanish for beautiful moon), what are you doing out at 3:30pm?  My SGD has seen you in the afternoon, too, back in Missouri.  And I've been missing you at night.  Are you like a baby that has her days and nights mixed up?
• How can I top off an afternoon of sunning and beachwalking?  15 minutes in the hot tub is the answer.  Don't hate me for all I'm getting to see and do.  I'd waited 49 years to live this life and I'm damn well going to enjoy it now.

Greeting the morning 11/3/11

     7:20am  41 degrees and I'm on the beach, drawn to walk the sunrise.  At times my sneaker prints are solo on the sand, sharing space with a smattering of beached jellyfish.  A line of pelicans flies low over the ocean, sometimes disappearing behind a wave, until they splat one by one onto their chosen fishing spot.  A subtle shift in the color of the sky, and it's time.  I stop.  Face Mother Ocean with lips quivering, breath hanging in the air, hands clinging to the coffee mug's remaining warmth.  A smile spreads wide across my face as Sunbella's golden light spreads across the ocean.  The waves swell to greet her.  The day begins.
     The hot shower washes away my chill, loosens my neck and shoulder tension from yesterday's editing.  A piece of peanut butter toast, a mug full of coffee, and I'm ready to write.

Wednesday thoughts 11/2/11

• Double bonus sunrise this morning.  Got to see Sunbella rise behind Mother Ocean, then rise again from behind a cloud bank.  What a show!
• At sunrise, it was 41 degrees in Myrtle, 34 degrees in Conway, only 10 miles away.  The breeze coming off the ocean makes a huge difference in the temps.  I'll take it as warm as I can get it.
• Seems odd that while it's been in the chilly 60s here, my homeys back in Missouri have been relishing the 70s of Indian summer.  My SGD even gave his yard a final mowing yesterday.  Enjoy it while you can.  Sounds like a preview of winter is coming to MO fast.  And MB is expecting the 70s to return next week.
• Needed a change of scenery while editing my book this morning, so I went to the atrium.  Can't imagine having a better place to work than being drenched by sun pouring in through the windows AND being able to look at the ocean's beauty when my mind needed a pause.
• Have I mentioned all the wonderful things about staying here at Bluewater Resort?  The staff are friendly and most helpful; the pools and hot tub are like my private spa -- hardly anyone else uses them; a guest laundry right here on site; a huge flat screen TV in the atrium with the remote at my disposal and tables/chairs/couches for lounging or working; everything is clean and manicured and lovingly cared for.  It's the perfect place to enjoy my Myrtle Beach journey.
• Later on:  Walked the beach this afternoon.  Nothing happened worth mentioning.  But this was the first day I had bare feet in a while -- no sneakers on today.  The warm sand between my toes felt so right, like having my hand held by someone I love.  Did a walking meditation with my feet in the ocean.  Life rarely gets better than this.

•    

What's happening on the beach 11/1/11

• Chilled and achy from pounding away too long at the keyboard, I head out beachwalking.  Let the sun warm my bones.
• I see a group around the fisherman from this morning.  He holds up a wriggling shark, dangling from his waist to foot.  The crowd snaps photos.  He flings the shark back into the waves.  Baits his hook.  Tries again.
• Step over a used condom.  That's not something I see on the beach every day, especially in this cool weather.  That must've been some kind of hot date.
• A solo wetsuited surfer hangs patiently off his board, waiting for his wave.
• Keep walking south past Springmaid Pier.  Never been that far down the beach before.  See an RV park.  Now I'm not an RVing kind of gal, not into roughing it, but I could do that.  Step out of my mini Winnie and right into Mother Ocean in the morning.
• Farther past the RV park is untamed beach.  Lush green vegetation rolling behind the sea grass, maybe even kudzu.  No hotels.  No houses.  No arcades.  Feels like a totally different Myrtle out here.
• Surfer dude was gone when I walked back.  Guess his patience gave up.
• Amazon lady struts up the beach in a bikini, turning male heads, old and young.  I follow her progress to two shivering bikinied pals, huddled together on towels.  When it's clear they aren't joining her, she struts straight into the water.  All the way in, until her hair is floating on the waves.  You go, Girl.  That's determination.

A new month, a new sunrise 11/1/11

     It still amazes me, with all the sunrises I've experienced here, that out of the darkness comes vibrant colors, intense, what I see as a tropical rainbow.  Then the intensity dims to dull gray, as if the sun will never rise.  Morning will never come.  The sun comes suddenly, splitting the gray, bringing warmth and energy and a brand new day.  Apt metaphor for life.  Hold on to those intense flashes of something good to come.  Have faith when the flashes dim and nothing happens.  When the time is right, you will see the light shining just for you, showing you the way.
     A lone fisherman stakes his poles in the sand as soon as the sun is up.  Doesn't matter that it's 41 degrees with 16 mph north winds.  He's determined to catch some fish.