Back in MO 2/29/12

     I left Myrtle Beach 7:15am on Sunday 2/26/12.  Had a near-perfect roadtripping day -- mostly blue sky, temps in the 50s, traffic wasn't terrible.  Made it almost to Paducah, KY, approx. 770 miles according to my SGD.  Stopped at a Days Inn for the night, in time to see the red carpet Oscar hoopla.  Wow, that was some dress J-Lo was wearing!  And the Clooney, hunkalicious!
     Back on the road before 8am on Monday for the final 330 miles, was rolling into my SGD's driveway and his wraparound hug by 1:30pm.  We've had a great time reconnecting, trying to fit all the stuff I brought back in with his.  In a way, it feels like I never left, like we were only on pause for a bit.  But I did leave, and I'm a different woman for running away and chasing my dream.  I know I am a writer now, even if I'm not making money at it.  I still love the beach, but I've learned that I am an adventurer and home is wherever I want to be, not a specific state or place.  So this won't be my last adventure, that's for sure.  And home may change many times until my journey is through, but I'm hoping my SGD will be right there with me wherever I go.  That will make it home.
     Thanks for reading Myrtle Moments.  I won't be blogging here again.  Who knows, maybe I'll start a new blog as my writer life continues and I can share the excitement when my novel and memoir come out.  So stay tuned, as Carrie Bradshaw says.      

Time to go 2/25/12

     It's been a crazy couple of days since I last posted.  I've had several good-byes:

• to Mother Ocean as I took my last barefoot walk on the beach.
• to Dirty Don's, my SGD's and my favorite Myrtle Beach bar, with one last Fat Tire and some delish fried cheese stix as I watched the tourists stroll by on the Boardwalk.
• to the Fun Plaza and Skeeball, which sucked because they got new Skeeball machines and I never could find the sweet spot that allowed me to score big (and even beat my SGD once or twice!).
• to my Myrtle Beach writer's group, whose support gave me the courage to share my work and who encouraged me to continue writing in my unique voice and style.
• to the hot tub last night, which I had peacefully to myself one last time.

     I have learned so much during this trip, about myself and being a writer, and done so many things for the first time.  It has truly been a dream realized.  But I'm not done dreaming.  I still believe that writing is my thing and I have something special to share with the world through my writing.  So I'm carrying that dream back to Missouri to start the next chapter of my life with my SGD.  Look out, Babe, you've got a crrr-azy writer woman coming your way!  And look out, World, you're going to have my novel "Life Is A Beach -- After I'm Gone" and memoir "Life Gone South (when I ran away to live at the beach and be a writer)" coming at you soon, even if I have to self-publish the suckers.
     Believe it or not, I am so ready to hit the road.  This place turned into "Animal House" yesterday, with 40-some young'uns from Virginia making the pool (and anywhere else they decided to take over) into their private bar and the whooping and partying continued late into the night.  They are already at it again this morning.  Yay -- so much for getting a good night's rest before my roadtrip tomorrow.  And now I have to fit all my junk from this 3-room condo into my Cavalier.  I'm not sure, but it will probably involve much drinking and cussing before the job is done.  Wish me luck.  I'll do one more post when I am safely back in my SGD's arms.  

Vacation state of mind 2/22/12

• I have been stressing too much lately, trying to write full time and pack and clean and do all the prep to head back to MO.  Decided that was a crappy way to spend my last four beach days.  So, I've adopted a vacation state of mind, starting today.  Like it so far.
• Took a sunrise beachwalk, first time in a long time.  My coffee didn't stay hot for long, the wind was mighty chilly, but seeing the sun come up with my sneakers in the sand was worth it.  Saw my buddy Bob, another sunrise walker.  He's headed back to Pennsylvania soon to go on a Caribbean cruise to St. Thomas with his lady friend.  Doesn't hurt so bad to leave the beach when you're going cruising to an even more tropical beach, huh?
• Saw a flock of seagulls like I've never seen before, with black heads and feet.  They were grouped up and far away from the "regular" gulls.  Wonder if they crashed the beach without being invited?
• Had my first pedicure today since I've been here.  Got a "welcome to the neighborhood" $10 off coupon in the mail for Sue Ann's Nails, thought I'd try it.  Worst pedicure ever!  Turns out Sue Ann is an Asian man who runs his computer repair business out of the nail shop and does nails when he doesn't have a computer to fix, or maybe the Asian lady that was his girlfriend, sister, or wife.  I couldn't tell by how they interacted what the relationship was.  He did my pedi, and there was no massaging of feet or legs, just soak, clip, and then he scrubbed my feet with a purple Brillo-like pad just like he was scrubbing a pan of burned lasagna.  I told him it tickled, and he just scrubbed harder.  And, no, my feet were not hoof-like, either, if that's what you're thinking.  I do my own exfoliation on a regular basis.  His polishing skills were lousy, too.  Didn't even get the Purple With A Purpose on evenly and left smudges on my toes.  I do like the color, though.  Purple is my signature color.  And I shouldn't need any further exfoliation for a year, at least!
• Got in another beachwalk this afternoon.  I did go barefoot, but in capris, shirt and sweater.  And I was still chilled.  There were kids in the pool and on the beach in swimsuits.  Don't know how they could stand it, but they were whooping it up big time.
• My peeps back in MO are having sticker shock today that gas went up from $3.23 to $3.39.  I empathize, that's a stinger of a jump.  But it's been in the $3.40s to $3.50s here for a month or better, even up to $3.66 when I was roadtripping.  So it could be worse.
• Think it's time for wineing and hot-tubbing.  That's what vacationers do, right?!

Roadtrip Recap 2/21/12

Good Lord, can't believe it's Tuesday already and I'm just now catching up on my blog about my roadtrip.  It's been crazy since I got back, lots of writing to do and getting ready to head back to MO.  I'll try to hit the high points and not bore you silly with all the details, BUT IT WAS A FABULOUS TRIP!

• Even though I left early on Saturday, still got caught in the Myrtle Beach Marathon and had to drive about 20 miles out of my way.  So the trip started out with much cussing.
• Beaufort, SC, was a dream town.  Literally, like something from a dream.  The old narrow streets topped by Angel Oaks with Spanish Moss hanging down.  The homes were quaint and welcoming, with the front doors near the street, as if saying "come on in."  Found Tidalholm, where "The Big Chill" was filmed.  Couldn't get close as it's a private residence and behind huge iron gates, but it was just like I was in the movie.  I could picture the scenes playing out right in front of me.  Got a few pictures to prove I was there.
• The Historic District on Bay Street had cutesy shops and funky cafes, behind was a lovely park with brick walkways bordering the bay that comes in from the Intracoastal Waterway.  Touristy and loud on Bay Street, with church people hawking Jesus on the corners, still and peaceful sitting by the bay.  Would love to come back and spend more than a couple hours here.
• Savannah, what a crazy tri-polar town.  The River District is wild with nightlife and drunks.  The Historic District is stately with family-named homes and ornate architecture and horse-drawn carriage tours.  Then down South, at least on Abercorn Street where my hotel was, it's any-urban-sprawl-type-town in America.  Loved the tour of the Mercer-Williams House Museum, although I would have loved even more to have had a cocktail on the veranda or to sit in Jim William's chair in his study where he fired the gun than just to hear about paintings and antiques.  Still I got the feeling at times that I was there when John Berendt, author of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil", was strolling through the house with Jim Williams, learning the sordid tales of Mercer House and Savannah and how to play Psycho Dice.
• Had a late lunch at Clary's Cafe, where John Berendt used to breakfast after his morning jogs.  It was just like he described it.  Had a delicious egg salad sandwich, one of their specialities.  Got a snap of Clary's, too, to remember her by. 
• And finally, The Lady Chablis show was FABULOUS!!  I got stuck in the middle of a bridal posse, complete with t-shirts that identified who they were in the posse, including "Mother of the Bride" and "Pastor's Wife."  They were party girls, now.  Curious -- no "Mother of the Groom" in sight.  Was she not invited?  Trouble in marital paradise already??  I did not get enough of Chablis, she had her drag queens perform a lot during her show, but what I did get of her was:  gun-shot quick comebacks to anything the audience could throw at her; raunchy hilarious comedy; gorgeous outfits that made her look like the most beautiful woman in the world (I would kill to have her sculpted arms!!); and a wonderfully talented performer that I could have watched all night long.
• So, all in all it was a final fling roadtrip dream!!  You'll have to buy my memoir -- Life Gone South (how I ran away from home to live at the beach and be a writer) -- to find out more.  Hopefully available in stores soon.  As soon as I find an agent.  And finish the dayum thing.      

Roadtripping 2/17/12

I am headed out early tomorrow for my final-fling roadtrip, the fun-venture I promised myself instead of making a New Year's resolution.  First stop is Beaufort, SC, where "The Big Chill" was filmed.  Love that movie.  Going to check out the house where the movie was made and cruise around town, check out the local flavor.  Then I'm off to Savannah, GA, setting for "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil."  One of my fave books, I read it every year.  Have tickets to Lady Chablis's cabaret show tomorrow night, doing Clary's Cafe and the Mercer-Williams House Museum on Sunday for any of you familiar with the book/movie.  I am jazzed and ready to hit the road.  Will catch you up on all my crazy adventures when I return. 

Just one thing 2/16/12

     I had a meltdown a couple days ago -- a bad one -- from letting a writing rejection get to me.  It had me so down, I didn't want to get up the next morning.  So I made a deal with myself.  Do just one thing, that's all.  Just get out of bed.  If you don't do another thing all day, that's OK.  Do just one thing.  And I did.  And I did it with my full attention on that one thing.  Then when I felt like doing just one more thing, I did that.  I got through that day, and it felt so good, I carried doing just one thing on to yesterday.  Then today.
    It's been pretty amazing.  Most days I wake up with an entire day's worth of have-tos weighing on my chest.  No wonder getting out of bed is such a chore.  But I haven't felt that way since doing just one thing.  Last night I had a crappy sleep, waking with bouts of heartburn all night long, but all I had to do was get out of bed this morning.  Just one thing.  And I could do that, no matter how bad my night was.
     I've noticed that without feeling like I am forever running behind on getting things done, panting just to keep up with all I think I have to do, each one thing I do brings more pleasure.  I am actually present enough to enjoy that one thing, to really relish it, not already thinking about how I'm going to accomplish the next thing.
     This "just one thing" prescription may not be a biggie for anyone but me.  But so far, it feels like a life-changer.  And no side effects.  So I wanted to share it.  Now if I can only remember to take a big dose of just one thing every morning when I wake up.
   

Good 2/14/12

     Wishing a Happy Valentine's Day to all of you in love or like or lust or whatever state you find yourself in today.  If you are blessed to have someone special in your life, be good to each other and good for each other.  And if you find yourself alone today, be good to yourself.  Do something special just for you.  I splurged on a new notebook for my memoir and a nice bottle of wine today.  And it felt good.
     Soon, I'm going to crack open that bottle of Carmenere and share some phone time with my SGD.  Even 1200 miles away, he is so very good to me and good for me.  Thanks, SGD, for blessing my life on Valentine's Day and every day!

Simple 2/13/12

     A simple sunrise this morning over the ice blue ocean.  No clouds.  No contrails.  No sound.  Just Sunbella bringing on the light, the energy, the day.  Warming me to the bone for the brief time she shone directly on my balcony.  After several days without seeing a sunrise or feeling her warmth, I needed that.
     I wish life were that simple.  No wants that leave you disappointed.  No hurts that leave you wanting to hide and not be hurt again.  No trying to figure out what it's all supposed to mean or if the cost of knowing is just too much to bear.  I guess nothing is that simple.  Except the sunrise.  So I'll keep watching them.  Maybe I'll learn something.

Cold and Sad 2/12/12

     No, I haven't been on vacation.  Wish I had been.  The weather has been so screwy for the past few days that my wifi connection has been molasses slow or none at all.  No wifi, no blog.  I hope someone out there missed me.
     First, the cold.  I hate the beach when it's cold.  Never thought I'd say that.  Ever.  That I hate the beach.  But I've never been here when it's cold like this.  I'm trapped in three dinky rooms and the beachy decor is getting on my last nerve.  The wind has been howling like a hurricane, so I can't even find respite on the balcony.  Last night the wicked wind was blowing the lounge chairs around like matchsticks downstairs, white-capping the pool, and sometime during the night turned over a porta-john in Hurl Rocks Park next door.  Haven't heard anyone yelling, so I guess no one was in there when it turned over.  The icy wind was howling through my front door so bad last night, I had to seal myself in with masking tape.  I shouldn't complain.  Mama said it was eight degrees at her house in Missouri yesterday morning.  But I'm going to complain.  I can't beachwalk, so I've got to do something. 
     Now to the sad.  I am devastated by the loss of Whitney Houston.  She was a beautiful woman, a brilliant talent, and a true diva in the best sense of the word.  But beyond that, she felt like one of us.  A screwed-up sister that fell down, picked the wrong guy, made bad decisions, and embarrassed herself sometimes -- just like I've done, just like a lot of us have done -- but somehow had the courage and strength to stand up and go on.  And she faced all this with the media in her business 24/7.  Wish they would leave her and her family alone now.  I'm sorry, Whitney, for all the sadness in your life.  But that's over now.  Go in peace.  The rest of us screwed-up sisters will keep moving forward with the spirit in your music leading the way.  You won't be forgotten.  Ever.

Blessings 2/8/12

I have enjoyed several blessings today:

• Despite a mostly hazy day, I saw a dazzling sunrise and sunset backdropped by air-brushed clouds in intricate designs.
• Sitting on the balcony talking to my SGD this morning, Sunbella drenched me with full sunshine for a few wonderful minutes.
• Got out to Myrtle's Market for apples, oranges, pears (delish!) and tomatoes.  Fabulous to still get fresh produce this time of year.
• Worked hard and got three memoir pieces and a query to an agent completed today. 
• Will be blessed shortly with some well-deserved hot tub time!

Hope you have had blessings in your life today as well.    

Words weigh a ton 2/7/12

• A grueling day at the notebook.  Finished three pieces for my memoir today, and sent out a query packet to a new agent.  My memoir is titled Life Gone South (when I ran away to live at the beach and be a writer).  Coming soon to a book store near you.  I hope.  If I can ever get an agent interested in it, or the novel I wrote.  What I did today might not sound like a lot to you, but words must weigh a ton.  My body feels like I carried bricks all day.  This writing business is heavy duty work.  But I love it.  Want to keep on doing it as long as I can.
• Another gray day in Myrtle Beach, but there was a slice of diffuse sunshine enough to get me out walking.  Went to the mini mart to buy my Mega Millions tickets -- I'm ever the hopeful fool -- and walked back up the beach into the northeast wind slapping my face.  Mother Ocean kept me company.  She never quits, she is relentlessly pounding the sand.  And so will I.  I won't give up.  I've tasted this dream of being a writer, of words and thoughts pouring out of me like nectar from the holy grail, and I love it.  It's what makes me come alive.  Everyone needs that one thing that makes them come alive and keeps them getting up hopeful every day.  Writing is mine.  Hope you find yours.
• Now it's time for a little writer TLC in the hot tub.  Relax those muscles, tight and sore from writing a ton of words.

Bipolar? and the Super Bowl 2/6/12

• Mother Nature is bipolar or PMSing.  Bad.  Early yesterday afternoon I was beachwalking in bare feet, rolled-up jeans, and a t-shirt.  A balmy breeze was ruffling my hair, and Sunbella was peeking out from the clouds and giving me a sun blush.  Then by Super Bowl kick off, the wind was slapping the balcony chairs around and I could see my breath before I even lit up when I went out to smoke.  Today is just as frigid.  Somebody please slip Mother Nature a Lithium or a big old Midol and make it quick.  I need the sun back.  I'm jonesing for another sultry beachwalk.
• Spent my best Super Bowl ever with my special guy D!  From our couches 1200 miles apart, we snacked and sipped wine and yelled at the players for dropping the ball.  I turned him on to Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet (still can't believe he'd never seen it), and he schooled me on how to play the football squares betting game he does.  I snuck a few peeks at the Sex and the City marathon on E!, too.  OK, I flipped over to SATC a lot.  But we had a great time sharing the game on the phone.  And Madonna was awesome, even lip-syncing.  And best of all, the Patriots lost.  Don't care much for the Giants, but I really don't like the Patriots.
• Hope yall had a fantastic Super Bowl and Mother Nature is in a better mood where you live.

The Plunge 2/4/12

     Went to my first polar plunge today.  No, I did not plunge, except into a can of Heineken while I watched.  And I don't know that you can really call it polar -- the sun was shining, the air temp was in the mid-60s, and the water was 55 degrees.  But it was fun to watch, the first fun I've had since I did karaoke and that was two weeks ago.
     Didn't hear how many plungers showed up, but there was a bunch in all shapes, sizes, ages, and manner of dress.  The best costume I saw was a big blond gal dressed as Wonder Woman -- swimsuit with the gold belt, head gear, cape, red stockings over her Birkenstocks.  She was getting her picture taken as much as J-Lo and loving it.  Even the Chick-fil-A cow did the plunge.  And once they got out in the ocean, a bunch of people stayed in and played.  The one that enjoyed it the most, though, was a blond Lab.  He would gallop into the water, hit the first wave, and dog paddle back to the beach.  Over and over he did the same maneuver, with a huge smile on his face.  Finally his owner had to leash him to make him stop.
     Gotta say a "good job, Guys" to the Horry County Police and Rescue dudes for staying out there in the cold water until the last plungers were safely on the beach.  And for providing eye candy to go with my Heineken.  It's not every day that I see buff bare-chested guys in wetsuits with the top half peeled down.  Hunkalicious!  I may have to become a regular plunge watcher.

The change-up 2/3/12

• Yesterday I was walking on the beach, barefooted and sweating.  Last night I was star-gazing from the balcony in PJs and no shoes.  Today I'm on the balcony in jeans, sweater, wool jacket, scarf, and my feet are freezing in my funky plaid sneakers.  I like yesterday's weather much better.
• Intense pre-sunrise this morning.  Not the typical tropical rainbow.  Sunbella, below the horizon, splashed up brush strokes of watercolors onto the fading contrail clouds -- cotton candy pink, virgin blush, harlot rouge, melting Push-up pop, Lifesaver tangerine.  With all that painting of the sky to watch, she snuck on me and had risen before I knew it.
• Bright sun now, but the wind is cold and whipping Mother Ocean into ripping waves and white caps.  Big crowds on the beach yesterday, even swimsuiters splashing in the ocean.  Not today.  Very few brave souls willing to battle the northern gusts. 
• Gotta get my Mega Millions tickets today.  Hope it warms up some before I have to venture out.  Happy Friday yall!

Joy 2/2/12

• Wow, how did it get to be Thursday already?  Can't believe it's been a few days since I last posted.  Today has been a doozy, so at least I've got something to blog about.
• Murky morning, no sunrise, felt achy, so I got on the treadmill the first thing.  Did stretches.  That helped.  Thought I would get cranking right away on writing my memoir since my body was warmed up.  Not so fast, my mind said.  I kept sitting at the table with pen and paper and all I got was mental constipation and grunts.  Nothing I wrote was worth keeping.
• Even though caffeine was pumping through me, my body said "rest."  So I napped.  Wasn't even noon yet.  Didn't sleep, but it felt good to relax my body even while my mind whirred at warp speed.  I just ignored it, like it was a dream I wasn't interested in having.
• When I got up, it was sunny outside.  Had a call from my sister with a funny story about a marshmallow hidden in a body part.  I won't share the story here, the details are too intimate for public consumption (ba-dum-bum), but I laughed.  First time in a while that something seemed really funny.  And when I started writing, the words flowed and I was funny, too.  First time in a while for that as well.
• Promised myself a beachwalk if I would finish the piece, and I did.  Low 70s, breezy but not cold, puff clouds drifting by.  Perfect.  Walked north 22 blocks to 2nd Ave Pier.  Stayed in the sun-warmed squishy sand near the dunes and beach grass.  Had it all to myself.  Hadn't been to that pier since my SGD was here back in December.  Brought back a nice memory of hanging out there with him.
• Came back walking south with my three besties -- my feet in Mother Ocean, Luna Linda hanging in the north sky, and Sunbella blazing in the south.  The spray from every crashing wave made the air tangy and lightly salted my lips.  Felt like summer out there, like vacation, like the most relaxed I ever feel.
• I only have 24 days until I'm heading back to MO.  So I'm not going to let this perfect day end.  I'm taking an ice cold Yuengling Black & Tan out to the ocean deck to watch the waves, drink in the sun, and stretch this day at least until sunset.  Then maybe I'll get back to work.  Maybe not.     

The Big Chill 1/30/12

The tropical rainbow hugged the horizon as I stepped onto the balcony for coffee.  The lush, vibrant colors were a stark contrast to the cold and wind I felt.  Mother Ocean lay ice blue and shivering, her goosebump ripples sliding in slow and quiet onto the beach.  Not a cloud in sight, only the silver streaks of contrails.  As the rainbow stripes faded, one spot on the skyline intensified --  pink to blush to tangerine.  Then a burst of light energy and warmth as Sunbella topped the plane, and the day begins. 

Triple sunrise and a dance 1/29/12

• Sometimes I love clouds.  This morning, for instance, they were an elliptical galaxy stretched across the horizon and ablaze from the sun below, just starting to climb.  The galaxy became a shadowy veil in front of Sunbella during her first rise.  She reached past the clouds entirely for a second sunrise, just her and blue sky.  Then she passed through jacquard-patterned cornflower blue clouds, showing peeks of orange light through the cloud breaks like a woman offering her decolletage through a lacy bra.  Sunbella finally shrugged off all the clouds for her third sunrise appearance and now has the blue sky stage all to herself.  Shine on, Sun Beauty.
• I've been watching a man and Little Dog from the balcony for several days.  They put on quite a pas de deux.  Little dog must be a terrier.  She will dig like crazy, then run circles around the man, over and over, on her retractable leash.  He is used to her moves, lifting the leash handle over his head like he is twirling her on the dance floor, sometimes spinning his body while she circles.  Never a missed step between those two that I've seen.  Then this morning, another man walks up to pet Little Dog.  She runs between his legs and starts her circling, wrapping the cord around his legs and requiring Little Dog's man to do some major untangling.  Guess they are not used to a pas de trois.
• Not sure what's up with all the French words coming out today, but they sure are fun to say.
• Sending a Happy 21-month Anniversary to my SGD!  LYMTTY!!  

Wild day in MB 1/27/12

• More gray to start the day.  Heavy steel clouds tumbled across the horizon.  Wild, whopping waves pounded the sand.  Reminded me of the last scene in "Point Break" at Bells Beach, Australia.  Except the waves were five feet and not fifty.  One little wedge in the skyline clouds let the sunrise through, then Sunbella disappeared again just as quick.  Like a sunset and sunrise in one combo pack.
• The morning rains came several times, slapping sideways, bending the Palmettos like a gymnast.
• Afternoon brought sun between the clouds, then full sun.  But the wind blew a gale.  Saw beachwalkers in shorts, but they were speedwalking and not sauntering.  Not this gal.  I watched from the balcony.
• Why does the wind die at sunset?  Too late for me to hit the beach then.  Did get to relish the slow, glowing sunset.  Pinks and oranges splashed on the leftover contrail clouds.  Nice color contrast to the deep berry of Cabernet in my glass.  The weekend begins.

Appreciate 1/25/12

An old man sits in his shorty beach chair on the sand every day the sun shines.  Today I stopped and talked to him.  Gilbert is his name, from Canada.  Been coming to Myrtle Beach for 20 years.  He told me:

I was married 50 years.  In all our conversations, I never said to my wife what I would do if she went on before me.  Never even imagined it.  We always talked about what she would do after I was gone.  But she died, six years ago now.  So I keep coming down, without her.  Can't drive anymore.  Can't play golf.  Not because I don't want to, you know?  I just can't anymore.  So I sit in the sun.  When I can.  And being here is damn sure better than being in Canada in the winter."  He laughed.

Made me thankful for my SGD, still loving me and believing in me from 1200 miles away.  Love you, SGD!  If there is someone special in your life, give them an extra big wrap-around hug today.  Take an extra few minutes to ask about their day, even if it's boring.  Appreciate them, and their health, and your health.  You never know who might go first.  

A bitchin' beachin' day 1/24/12

Now this is more like it.  A slice of sunshine with my morning coffee.  A bit more sun, even though filtered through gauzy clouds, while I beachwalked so the sand was nice and warm.  Then a full drenching of sun as I plunged my feet into the icy ocean.  Sunbella hung on through the whole afternoon, like she knew I've been missing her.  She even put on a spectacular sunset finish just now, turning the wispy contrail clouds into glowing sparklers along the skyline.  Sun, sun, and more sun.  Just what this sick-of-gray-days beach gal was jonesing for.  Thanks!

I'm back 1/24/12

     I'm back after a short blog-cation.  No, I didn't take a road trip.  No, I haven't been having so much fun that I just didn't have time to blog.  Wish that were true.  Not so much.  I've been gone because:

• It's been so dreary and yucky and cold that I barely left my place for several days.  Doesn't give me much to write about.  Plus, the weather monkeyed with the wifi, and being able to use the internet was sporadic at best. 
• The constant jackhammering at OceanPark next door, and from the remodeling tenants above me, the last several days required that any smidgen of patience and concentration I had in me be devoted to my writing project.  Nothing left over for frivolities -- like having a life and blogging about it.
• I've been bugged with bugs, and finally, yesterday, the bug man cometh.  That was a horrific nightmare experience which I won't recount here, but it's given me gobs of material for my memoir.  The working title is "Life Gone South."  I'll let you know if/when it's ever available in stores so you can read the whole bug-buster story.  Unfortunately, the nightmare continues as I've been cleaning up bug carcasses all morning, and even worse, finding the little muthas on their backs with legs and antennae twitching as they die.  Sorry little dudes.  You've made me suffer, now it's payback time.

     So, it's a new day.  Had a slice of sunshine sneak through the clouds while I was having coffee, the first sun I'd felt on my face in several days.  It's balmy out now, and we may even see more peeks of sun later.  I'm headed out beachwalking to shake off the drudge of the last few days.  And get away from the roach motel for a little while.

From the beach 1/20/12

• Went beachwalking in the afternoon gray and chill to escape the noise of jackhammering and cement sawing going on all day at the resort next door.  Hearing the swish of the waves soothed my jangled nerves.
• Met a new friend, Daisy.  Rescued from being starved and beaten in Gatlinburg, she's headed tomorrow to a nice family with kids in Raleigh.  A Husky and Beagle mix, she has ice blue eyes and a short reddish coat.  And what a sweetie!  She ran right up to me for a get-acquainted rub.  Glad she's going to a good home.
• Saw my peg-legged seagull.  Been wondering about her.  Seems to be doing fine with only one foot.  You go, Girl.
• Saw "Mom is a poo poo head" written in the sand in HUGE letters.  And facing directly at the balconies of a hotel.  Someone definitely wanted Mom to see that message.  Wonder what Mom did to be such a poo poo head?
• And now I'm back to the jackhammering and jangled nerves.  I hope quitting time is 5 o'clock for these noisy yayhoos.  If not, I may have to crack open the wine mighty early today. 

Sunrise with Sam 1/20/12

• There should be a theme song for every sunrise.  Today's would be "Hoe-Down" from Aaron Copland's musical Rodeo.  You know, the song from the old "Beef, it's what's for dinner" commercial.  Guess that song came to mind because of the stubby mountain range of clouds stretching across the skyline and Sunbella's orange-gold light blazing behind, like something a cowboy on the range might wake up to.  A solid spread of clouds hung only over the ocean like a quilt keeping the cowboy warm, with deep blue seams and the softest Pepto pink quilt puffs.
• Narrow streaks of clouds are dimming the sun now.  The Weather Channel forecasts warm but rain and thundershowers for the next four days.  Glad I got to see the brilliant sunrise.  Glad I got to hear "Hoe-Down" and Sam Elliott's voice in my head.  He did the best "Beef" commercial, no doubt.  Is there any sexier man with any sexier voice than Sam Elliott??  I think not.  Here's a link for you to decide for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlRbSMywTQg.  If Sam is beef, then I'm kissing being a vegetarian bye-bye.  

A Gaga Finish 1/19/12

• After a rough start to my day yesterday -- I won't rehash all the details, but rain and roaches were involved -- I had a Gaga finish.  Lady Gaga!  I did karaoke for the very first time and sang "Born This Way" at Pop's Place on 6th Ave South.  I sucked, I know I did.  Missed words, off key, out of breath.  But I did it, even though my gut was rolling like a tumbleweed and not from the chili dog I ate.  Yes, I broke my vegetarian vow and scarfed down a hot dog.  And it was delicious.  So were the Heinekens.  Felt so good to face my fear and stand up and sing.  Even threw in a few bootie wiggles.  Jennifer, the DJ, said I picked one of the hardest songs for my cherry-oke experience and I did OK.  That's good enough for me.
• The sun is out this morning -- finally!  And 60s are forecasted for the weekend, so my world is feeling a bit brighter.  Time to get to work.

Gray 1/17/12

Shades of gray
are all I've seen today
and I must say
there are many shades of gray:

• puff of smoke wispy clouds drifting by
• wet dryer lint clouds hanging heavy on the skyline
• silky dove gray clouds misting
• purplish gray of a pigeon's back clouds drizzling
• milky gray of cataracts floating between the clouds
• silvery fish-scale gray of diffuse light falling flat on the ocean
• murky gravy gray of Mother Ocean ripping and sucking sand
• gray-beige of cold sand without the warmth of sunlight

I am hungry for color --
tropical rainbows and
honey gold light
pooling on the ocean and
the orange explosion
of sunrise.
Go away gray. 

A day at the beach 1/16/12

• Saw a dazzling sunrise, then the clouds crowded in to muck up the day.
• Got in a couple hours of good writing time on my memoir this morning.
• Hadn't been out of BlueWater since the movie fiasco on Saturday, so I bundled up and headed to Food Lion.  Dayum, the groceries are high down here.  Since I'd already spent a small fortune on food, decided to splurge on a large veggie pan pizza at Pizza Hut -- major delish!  And I'll get four meals out of it for 10 bucks plus tax.  That's a deal.
• Couple more hours of writing, then took a break to beachwalk.  The wind blew straight off the ocean, chilling the right half of my face as I walked north, then the left half as I walked back.  At least I'll be evenly chapped.  Dodged jellyfish today instead of horse plop.  Can't decide which is more gross.  And the gulls and sand pipers nibble on the gooey jellyfish.  Why is it not poisonous to them?  So many things I don't know.  Splashes of sun found me as I was walking, made my armpits sweat.  Don't care.  Thanks, Sunbella, for the sun-charged energy you gave me.
• Didn't dodge the dog plop, unfortunately.  Much harder to wash off my sneakers than sand.  Ugh!
• Back to mostly cloudy now.  Probably no sunset watching tonight to mark time to uncork the wine.  Guess I'll just pick a time to start drinking.  Maybe 3:30?? 

At least . . . 1/14/12

• Didn't sleep well, then stayed in bed too late to see the sunrise.  Not the best way to kick off my day.
• Went to a movie to make it feel like a real playday Saturday.  Even at $4.50 for the earliest show, "New Year's Eve" was a waste of money.  Too many stars and stories to build a connection and make me care what was happening to any one of them.  Sarah Jessica Parker did look fabulous, though, even as frumpy mom.  Halle Berry was her usual delicious diva self.  And Jon Bon Jovi -- HUBBA HUBBA!  He just keeps getting better looking.  Not fair.
• Coughed up the cash at Books-a-Million for a 2012 guide to agents and publishers.  Hope the $30-plus bucks investment heads me in the right direction to find someone, anyone, interested in my book.
• Beachwalked to clear my head from the disappointing movie and soak up some sun and maybe inspiration to get writing.  Intersected with some kind of couple's convention -- 30 or so people walking all coupled up holding hands, leaning into each other like they were sharing secrets.  Not what I needed to run into when I'm already missing my SGD and feeling the sappy solo sads.  At least the sun was glitzing off the smooth ocean as she slipped in with the low tide.  At least I didn't step in horse plop, which was abundant on the beach.  At least I made it through Friday the 13th with no mishaps.  And at least it's only two hours away from sunset watching and a glass of wine. 

Blessed with sun 1/12/12

• After two days of yucky weather, I started today bundled up and walking the sunrise.  Sunbella didn't disappoint me.  The tropical rainbow wrapping the skyline before the rise was intense, with spears of pink light shooting up into the pale blue sky.  Then Sunbella made her appearance with fire and radiating energy that shouted out, "The day begins."
• After nearly 48 hours of being alone in my place, felt like I'd been paroled to go out running errands and to the Myrtle Beach prose workshop meeting.  Just talking with other writers about their work and sharing mine was good for my soul.  And this group allows discussion about the work, so it doesn't feel like an inquisition or a hit-and-run critique like the other group I tried.  I'm glad we're finally meeting again.  Can't wait until the next time.  Just hope I have something worthy to share.
• Didn't get out of the meeting until after sunset, but I enjoyed Sunbella's leftover light splashing a delicious peach color on the puffy patchwork clouds as I drove home.  As she sank even lower, the peach faded to rose and lavender and periwinkle before the sky went dark. 
• I feel blessed to have seen the sun at all today.  My peeps back in Missouri had to endure a day in the 20s with ferocious winds, snow, and dreary sky.  Hope tomorrow is a better day for yall.

Night show 1/11/12

Luna Linda hangs low over Mother Ocean tonight and her pale yellow light glazes the ripping waves.  Lightning dances behind heavy black clouds at the skyline.  Fits my untamed Medusa mood perfectly.

Gimme a drink 1/11/12

Writing in my place alone all day with all manner of rain coming down outside -- pitter patter, drizzle, mist, flat out downpour -- put me in a dreary, soggy mood.  Then the western sky cleared about 15 minutes before sunset, so I did get a peek at Sunbella and a splash of color on the clouds before dark.  Officially seeing the sunset gave me a good reason to start drinking.  Now it's dark and the rain is back.  A good reason to keep drinking.

Jonesing for the sun 1/10/12

• Got to see the full moon shining last night between heavy black clouds.  Luna Linda was so bright she turned the waves to mercury dancing on a mirror before they whitecapped.  My nose was frozen by the time I made myself stop watching.
• No sunrise, socked in with fog when I got up.  Couldn't even see the ocean except for the high-tide waves slapping the sand.  Couldn't see the blue monster Landmark Resort five blocks away.  And only 10 floors of the 20-story hotel up the street was visible.  Wonder what it would feel like to look out a 20th story window into that fog?  Could I see anything at all?
• By the time my hair and face was fixed, the fog had lifted enough to see dolphins splashing and playing in the waves.  Still no sun, just gray-white sky.
• Worked at the library for a change of scenery.  Also did some research for my resolutions.  Decided this year I'm not making resolutions to change anything, just resolved to have some fun adventures.  Learning to shag was one.  Did that already.  Next I'm going to Beaufort, SC, to see where "The Big Chill" was filmed.  Love that movie.  Then going to Savannah, GA, the setting for "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil."  Love that book, read it every year.  So I printed off maps, got a schedule of tours for Mercer House (where the murder in Midnight occurred), even picked a weekend in February for my trip when Lady Chablis has a show.  She is fabulous!  I am jazzed to hit the road.
• Walked 10 blocks down Ocean Blvd and picked up my Lottery tix on the way.  I have got to hit the Powerball SOON because I will not be buying when the price goes up to $2.  Walked back up the beach in the dreary cool.  Not a smidge of sunshine all day.  Can't believe just two days ago I was barefoot beachwalking.  Come back, Sunbella.  I miss you, Darlin'!

Sun day 1/8/12

• Started my day with a 53 degree and barely a breeze sunrise beachwalk.  Perfect.  When Sunbella crested the skyline with her hot orange glow, I stopped and watched.  Another sunrise walker, Bob from OceanPark Resort next door, came up beside me and we watched together without exchanging a word.  Before he walked on, he said it was nice to see a pretty girl on the beach to start his day off right.  That comment and the gorgeous sunrise got my day going on a happy note.
• Saw a seagull missing a foot.  It was getting around a bit lop-sided but just fine with his peg leg.  We should all be so adaptable to our misfortunes.
• The day warmed nicely and the breeze stayed light, so I took another barefoot beachwalk around 1.  Lots of people on the beach and lots of exposed flesh.  A hairy fellow was baring all above the waist and had a chest three times the size of mine.  Good candidate for Cramer's "bro" or "manzier" from Seinfeld, definitely in the C- or D-cup category.
• Got out my skateboard Pinkie and had a nice ride around the neighborhood.  I hadn't ridden her since I loosened my trucks, and she cornered quite well.  And I didn't fall off once.  Got back just as the clouds and wind moved in.  
• Been writing like crazy the rest of the afternoon.  Going to treat myself with hot-tubbing and wine sipping after while. 

Saturday surprises 1/7/12

• For a nothing-planned day, it's turned out pretty dayum great.  Started off with a sunrise beachwalk, haven't done that in a while.  Sunbella made a volcanic show of rising through the smattering of clouds.  She was burning embers as she got close to the skyline, spraying up in a "V" of lava.  Made me stop, get a solid grip on my coffee mug so I didn't spill it, and remind myself to breathe as the show unfolded.  Plus a bonus call from my SGD made my walk even more special.
• Did some early morning pool time with two lady Snowbirds.  One told me about Book Warehouse in Surfside going out of business and all books are $1.00.  Couldn't pass that up, so I went adventuring.  Bought some books, hit Myrtle's Market for fresh produce, stopped by Benjamin's Bagels to see my buddy Lee that ran the kitchen for the Red Cross Christmas Dinner.  Got to see the inner workings of a bagel shop, a new experience.
• Back in time for a barefoot beachwalk.  Got into the upper 60s today.  My feet love feeling that warm sand.  Nothing like it to make my entire body relax and say "ahh."
• Even got in some work this afternoon.  An unexpected adventure, a smidgen of play, toasty sand between my toes, and words flowing from my pen made this a dandy day.  Think I'll top it off with sunset watching and a glass of wine. 

Good Friday 1/6/12

• Got up to a soft, subtle, slow sunrise.  Pink and blue heather surrounded the skyline.  Sunbella glowed ember red as she rose through a veil of pale gray clouds.  When she cleared the veil, she drenched Mother Ocean with pools of honey light.  Definitely worth waking up for.
• Took a brisk beachwalk at the 11:30am low tide.  Saw people walking a white ferret with a chubby gut on a leash on the beach.  He would take a few slithery steps into the surf, then back up and scratch at the sand.  I've never seen a ferret up close.  They look and move freaky, like a snake-dog hybrid.  Me no likey.
• I've had a love-hate relationship with writing today.  Was ready to smack my head on the dining table when nothing was coming out of my pen, then when the words started flowing I had such a rush of feel-good energy and didn't look up until an hour later.
• Just in from sunset watching.  Sunbella sunk through a cluster of puff clouds and turned them orange and blueberry sherbet.  Intense.  Sipped Fairfield Red from Stonehaus Winery in Crossville, TN, a perfect complement to the sunset.  SGD and I did a tasting at Stonehaus on our way home from Myrtle Beach last May, and the Fairfield was our fave.  Still delicious, but it would have been much better with SGD sipping with me. 

A nothing special 1/5

• Feeling crappy again today.  Telling myself, "I am not relapsing, I am not relapsing."  We'll see if I listen to myself.  Didn't get up for sunrise, went back to bed before noon.  I'll try to catch the sunset in a bit so Sunbella doesn't think I'm ignoring her.
• Did get out for a beachwalk this afternoon, first time since Monday.  The beach was alive with people -- playing catch, shell snatching, speedwalking, building sand art.  Some in shorts and bare feet, most fully clothed, like me, as the wind was still brisk even in the sun.  I was sweating where I had clothes on, freezing where I didn't.  I hate that feeling.
• The Shag lesson last night was a drag.  Way too much partnering for me.  I never was good at letting someone else lead.  Not something I'm going to do again.  But at least I know a few Shag steps now, and I left feeling like a teeny bopper 'cause I was the youngest in the crowd by quite a few years.
• Sending a "Get Well Soon" shout-out to my peep Lisa who had knee surgery today! 

What's up today 1/4/12

• Frigid sunrise with coffee this morning, equally frigid sunset just now with Cabernet, and Mother Ocean ice blue from the cold.  But I did it, I experienced them both.  Sunbella set against a backdrop of zig-zaggy contrail clouds, one right in front of her like a ring around Saturn.  The sky was a delicious splash of deep blues and oranges.
• Visited my buddy Benny at the hospital today.  He's lucky to only have a leg broken in three places.  The lady hit him straight on while pulling into an intersection, and he wasn't wearing a helmet.  He had to ask her to back up so her tire would roll off his foot.  He has a long road of recovery ahead.  Won't be on his bicycle anytime soon.  But he is in good spirits and looking forward to lots of time to read while he's off work.
• Headed out to the Beaver Bar in Murrell's Inlet tonight to take Shag lessons.  If I'm gonna be a beach girl, I've gotta know how to Shag. 

Dayum cold 1/3/12

• Coldest day so far since I've lived at the beach.  High was only 39, winds 20-30 mph with higher gusts.  Felt sorry for the people taking their dogs to the beach for a potty.  They were the only ones braving beachwalking today.  The wind was a bitch slap to the face anytime I stepped outside.  Me no likey.  And BlueWater isn't made for this kind of cold.  The lobby and atrium felt like a walk-in freezer when I was downstairs doing laundry.  Even the Snowbirds weren't hanging out there today.
• Speaking of Snowbirds, I was approached by Ms. Major Domo of the birds to join in their activities.  Evidently January is when the partying gets cranked up.  The agenda was posted in the lobby:  Monday Wii bowling, Wednesday bingo, Thursday game night, Friday movie night.  Asked the lady how much bingo costs to play, she said $1/card.  I like bingo, but that's a bit rich for my I-don't-have-an-income blood.  She asked if I played Bridge or Cribbage, as some of their players are deaf or have Parkinson's and they'd like to find some new people that can actually keep up with the game.  Um, no, I told her politely, never learned.  Playing Bridge and Cribbage sounds like what old people do, and I'm not going there, not even to make friends and fit in.  And I'm not doing puzzles.  They always have a puzzle table going.  Hate puzzles.  Guess I'm just not bird material.  
• Met a bird couple in the hot tub last night.  They come here every year in December and January from Anchorage, Alaska, since 1999.  Said this feels like summer to them.  Wonder how they liked the weather today?
• On a sad note, my buddy Benny that works maintenance here, got hit by a car while riding his bicycle last Friday.  Had to have surgery for his leg, broken in three places.  He'll be gone recuperating for six months, so I may not get to see him again.  He was so sweet to me, making me feel welcome from day one.  I'll miss him. 

Home 1/2/12

• I'm back!  Had a good visit with my folks.  Don't recall the last time we'd rang in a New Year together.  Of course, this time we did it at 10:30 by saying "good night, see you next year."  Had the traditional New Year's supper with my dad's family yesterday.  Hope all those collards I ate bring me lots of money this year.
• Gorgeous sunny day for roadtripping today.  Not much traffic.  It took a lot of searching, but found a few good stations to groove with.  Way too much country and church radio around here for my taste.
• Belted out a rowdy "woo hoo" when I hit the Horry County line.  Did you know Horry County is the largest in South Carolina?  Bigger than Rhode Island?  It is.
• Finally tuned in Movin 94.5 when I hit Marion.  Best radio station anywhere!  Perfect mix of oldies, in-betweenies, and new stuff, all with a groove to pick you up and make you feel good.  They stream live, so give them a try http://www.movin945.net/.
• Made my first visit to Bojangles, Famous Chicken and Biscuits, in Aynor.  What a delight!  Super clean bathrooms, and after sipping coffee for 2.5 hours, I needed that.  Had a delicious egg and cheese biscuit, soft and crumbly biscuits just like I like them, and spicy seasoned fries.  You can get breakfast any time, too.  Bojangles, I will be back.
• Unloaded my car, threw on my beach sneakers, and I was walking the sand.  Three days away from Mother Ocean felt like three years.  Didn't even mind the chilly breeze and that the horseploppers had mucked up the sand.  Just dayum glad to be home!
• Hope your New Year is starting off happy and prosperous!