The blessing

Oak Island, North Carolina

the pre-dawn view from the front porch. I spent a lot of time out there. The Intracoastal Waterway is just beyond those lights. You can see the tops of boats go by. 

I forgot my bathing suit because I never had any intention of swimming. 

Something skittered away from my steps. Lots of them. And what was I going to do with it if I caught it? I'm like a witless kitten on the shoreline chasing whatever moves. We sat just about the highwater mark and watched ghost crabs watching us from a few feet away. 

It was hot, humid, and mercifully overcast, but for a few minutes of blazing blue sky sun here and there while we were on the beach. 

I was glad to have a good book to read and an idea or two about a new writing project. 

Even though we went to the grocery store, my sisters wanted to eat out for every meal. For a seaside resort area, most of the food was just okay. I imagine most of the first-line kitchen staff take a vacation after Labor Day. 

Leaving my car with a friend who then drove me from her place to the airport was a great stress reliever. Still, I landed at 3:40 and didn't get home until 6:30pm with traffic. 

Every single person I encountered during travel was delightful. Two infants on the flight, and we didn't even know until they were carried off the plane. Kindness was abundant. On the homebound landing, the pilot brought us in HOT with one big bounce and a swooping curve that did not feel intentional.  When I got off the plane, I thanked him for the entertainment.