Flying Golf Balls!

Smokestack and I cracked up laughing over this sign spotted at the beach on Saturday while waiting for our snack from the vendor. “Somehow, I think flying golf balls might disrupt the dunes,” I mused aloud, giggling. Perhaps it was the vodka punch, but the picture still makes me laugh.

Nothing, however, could compare with the guffaws after we overheard a woman shouting, “THAT’S NOT HEALTHY! STOP THAT! THAT’S NOT HEALTHY!” while waiting in line for the bathroom. We opted for the other loo.

Just thought I’d share.

Global Warming Eye-Popping Color

Today’s wrong, but it’s hard to be upset. After a gray and drizzly morning, the clouds parted in an instant, leaving a clean, clear light that was almost as jarring to the senses as the record-breaking heat. Driving toward the beach with the windows rolled down, the newly-washed colors popped in a way that I’ve only ever experienced while on drugs. I turned the music up a bit louder and drove along with a star-struck grin on my face. Everywhere, everything, screamed amazement. I walked along the beach, not even wearing a sweater, in awe. The clouds returned as I headed into town, and the sun played off them. I watched shadows play off buildings the way I do when I’m stoned. But I wasn’t, which made the experience that much more incredible.

This isn’t good. The heat today should convince anyone that global warming is real, and that we need to do something about it. Now. It might already be too late. What’s more, this day is going to make winter all that much harder to bear when it does come. My senses are awake. I’m ready for life to begin again, and it’s not real.

Here are a few photos from my day. My camera did not do justice to the intense colors, but you might get the idea.


This was the view of the water from
the bridge heading to the beach

Another view from the bridge

This moldy orange looked like a
scary little face to me

View of the beach

Water crashing on Bass Rocks

Sea mist

Snowy Day

Boat on the Essex River

We’re having a snow day here in my neck of the woods. Everything was so peaceful and pretty that I decided to go out and snap some pictures.

Another View of the Essex River

Snowy Branches Outside My Window

Snow on Good Harbor Beach

We Interrupt the Snarky Vitriol to Bring You a Nice Day

The third day of alone time was the charm. I awoke this morning prepared to deal with other human beings and with no desire to watch endless reruns of Grey’s Anatomy.

Although I’m sure today’s high of 60-plus degrees bodes ill for our environment, it was balm to my New England soul. New England winters are hard. They aren’t Montana hard, with endless snow and roads that never get plowed. Nor are they Alaska hard, where I heard it was -31 this morning. No, New England winters don’t usually pit one against the elements like they do out West. Instead, they wear you down in an endless succession of cold, snowy days—until May. So when it is 60-plus degrees out at the end of November, we New Englanders rejoice. Those of us who had the day off (like me) go outside.

First I took a lovely walk on the beach. I smiled at strangers and petted dogs. Here are a few pictures from my stroll.

Then I went to my favorite junk shop and wandered around.

And then I went and had coffee at a café and did some knitting (results will be posted shortly). Sitting across from me at the café was an aspiring novelist (she was not writing for National Novel Writing Month, either). I thought of Robyn. I ended my travels with a vist to this little gourmet take-out place my sister works at. There I got some delicious potato leek soup for a late lunch.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. Never you fret, though. I go back to work tomorrow. The snarky vitriol will return shortly.