Sunday, June 26, 2005
WEEKEND ESCAPE
Friday night Memaw and I escaped to the beach for the weekend.
Looking out from our balcony at the pier, a soft gentle rain fell. It was like peering through a veil as we watched the people scamper to shelter while the children, oblivious to it all, played at the edge of the water.
The sunset, usually so beautiful, was obscured.
Saturday morning sunrise was spectacular even though it did rise from behind a bridge. The sky was a deep, deep blue, punctuated by cotton candy clouds which formed a semi circle to the South, East and North.
After a walk on the beach and a period of rest in the shade looking out at the almost slick calm gulf, Memaw obeyed the “call” and we went shopping. It was my intention to find a really nice top cover up to match the bottom wrap around one I had gotten for her a year ago. Two pairs of shoes for her, two new belts for me and we had visited every store in the outlet mall and still had not accomplished our original goal. After visiting two more stores it was time to pause and refresh.
Dinner for two at Plaka II Greek restaurant. Greek salad, lots of iced tea, relax and be served, and then, time to renew our quest. It was a time of desperation which necessitated a change in strategy! Off to the nearest Goodwill store we went.
We emerged with a 100% silk shirt from Chico’s that matches perfectly! Price? $4.95.
Now what am I going to do?
It was to be her birthday gift.
After all that it was time for a swim and prepare for dinner at our favorite Tai restaurant for our favorite Tai specialty.
The water was warm and it was really nice to just “chill.”
The color of the sky became less intense and soon cumulus clouds were rising, announcing the afternoon rain. The rain didn’t happen. Dinner didn’t happen either.
It was so relaxing to just sit and watch the people, especially the old man who was teaching any little boy who came along to make artifacts out of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
We never figured out if he was a patron at the hotel or someone who “crashed the party.” Most of the time his car was parked in the public lot next to the hotel. Late in the afternoon he got up from a nap on the chaise, walked to the “protected” area, urinated on the seagrape bushes, then moved his car to the hotel lot. (One can see a lot from a second floor balcony.)
Cheese, crackers, and fruit were our dinner, no need to change into “street” clothes, and then it was time to go out and watch the setting sun.
A band of low hanging clouds mostly obscured the view. It began above them, tried to hide as it descended behind them, then emerged, painted the sea orange, and disappeared into a watery grave, only to grace us with it’s beauty again as it rose from behind the bridge this morning.
Bagels, blueberries, coffee. Breakfast fit for a king.
Walk on the beach, do a little people watching, load the car, and leave this little corner of paradise.
We are home now ready to face the working world Monday. I hope!
Ain’t God good?
Shalom Y’all
Charlie
Friday night Memaw and I escaped to the beach for the weekend.
Looking out from our balcony at the pier, a soft gentle rain fell. It was like peering through a veil as we watched the people scamper to shelter while the children, oblivious to it all, played at the edge of the water.
The sunset, usually so beautiful, was obscured.
Saturday morning sunrise was spectacular even though it did rise from behind a bridge. The sky was a deep, deep blue, punctuated by cotton candy clouds which formed a semi circle to the South, East and North.
After a walk on the beach and a period of rest in the shade looking out at the almost slick calm gulf, Memaw obeyed the “call” and we went shopping. It was my intention to find a really nice top cover up to match the bottom wrap around one I had gotten for her a year ago. Two pairs of shoes for her, two new belts for me and we had visited every store in the outlet mall and still had not accomplished our original goal. After visiting two more stores it was time to pause and refresh.
Dinner for two at Plaka II Greek restaurant. Greek salad, lots of iced tea, relax and be served, and then, time to renew our quest. It was a time of desperation which necessitated a change in strategy! Off to the nearest Goodwill store we went.
We emerged with a 100% silk shirt from Chico’s that matches perfectly! Price? $4.95.
Now what am I going to do?
It was to be her birthday gift.
After all that it was time for a swim and prepare for dinner at our favorite Tai restaurant for our favorite Tai specialty.
The water was warm and it was really nice to just “chill.”
The color of the sky became less intense and soon cumulus clouds were rising, announcing the afternoon rain. The rain didn’t happen. Dinner didn’t happen either.
It was so relaxing to just sit and watch the people, especially the old man who was teaching any little boy who came along to make artifacts out of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
We never figured out if he was a patron at the hotel or someone who “crashed the party.” Most of the time his car was parked in the public lot next to the hotel. Late in the afternoon he got up from a nap on the chaise, walked to the “protected” area, urinated on the seagrape bushes, then moved his car to the hotel lot. (One can see a lot from a second floor balcony.)
Cheese, crackers, and fruit were our dinner, no need to change into “street” clothes, and then it was time to go out and watch the setting sun.
A band of low hanging clouds mostly obscured the view. It began above them, tried to hide as it descended behind them, then emerged, painted the sea orange, and disappeared into a watery grave, only to grace us with it’s beauty again as it rose from behind the bridge this morning.
Bagels, blueberries, coffee. Breakfast fit for a king.
Walk on the beach, do a little people watching, load the car, and leave this little corner of paradise.
We are home now ready to face the working world Monday. I hope!
Ain’t God good?
Shalom Y’all
Charlie
