The Sea at Dusk

Another lovely day by the Sea

I usually take a short vacation after working all summer in the heat. It's the best time of year, the Fall, as far as I'm concerned, to be by the sea. I love the sounds, smells and charm of the ocean. It just pulls me back every time. This year I got together with two writing friends I met by the sea last year, but a little further south. We decided to hang out for a week at this quaint little home on the ocean, so close to the waves the first night it was a bit intimidating to see them crashing just below my balcony. Oh, but to fall asleep each night with the sound of the ocean, there's nothing like it.

I spoke with my kids today and apparently there was 8" of snow with another foot or so expected before tomorrow. Brr. It's early for that, not even Halloween. So I sit here typing and writing and looking out my balcony at the cloud studded sky, and I'm thankful for what and who I have in my life. It's absolutely perfect.

A Change of Pace

Recently I went to visit my oldest son in Maryland. We had a wonderful time, when the weather finally cooperated we walked around the inner harbor and through festivals and events they had going on throughout the city. It was a great time and nice to catch up with my son. I was a little nervous just before I flew, as I always get that way just before I get on the plane. I don't fly enough to be comfortable with it. My son also drove us to Annapolis and we walked around that historic and very beautiful town. It kind of reminded me of the narrow, one way streets of Marblehead, Mass, a small coastal town I lived in back in 1978.

I am going on a writing retreat next month to a lovely beach house in North Carolina. I am very excited about that. I'm meeting two friends there that I met last year at another writer's retreat in South Carolina. Kim is flying in from Iowa and Anna is driving up from Georgia. It should be so cool. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and be warm, sunny and no tantrums. I'm working on a new story and intend to get a good head start. I really get a lot of inspiration being by water.