Month: November 2019

Happy Thanksgiving

The Coral Cottage is having a great sale Black Friday. Nov. 29. Saturday, Nov. 30 is the Kris Kringle Christmas Craft Show at the Missiles and More Museum at Topsail Beach from 9:30 to 4:30. Please, everybody come and support your local merchants. Both venues offer some of the most unique items around-and by local artists and crafters. Hope everyone has a wonder Thanksgiving with friends and family.


time goggles

This pic is of the Ross Apartments in the late 50s. I was maybe four of five. The place is gone, I think Hurricane Fran took it out. But looking through those time goggles we all have hanging around our childhoods, those were some good times. The old building was a renovated World War II barracks. I think we were the largest one on the beach since we had a cellar and lock room. I remember riding my tricycle down the long hall as they renovated the place, I also remember the 3 two story sand dunes in my back yard–all the cacti and stickers (sand spurs to yankees), the yucca plants, hairawn muhly and blue stem. I remember running across the empty lot across from my home, stepping lightly, quickly, and avoiding the stickers till I reached the giant sand dunes before the ocean. I was home.

All  these memories are fine and good, and they make great fodder for the writer in me. Combining those nostalgic feelings with the present day, questioning the status quo, realizing that all was not perfect back then, Knowing in my mind’s eye what   is and was true and presenting it to the page. Your characters speak your truth. And ain’t it cool as hell?

QUOTE: “Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”  C. S. Lewis


crisp

I love this time of the year-the way the ocean looks, the crispness in the air (oh, please stay), no tourist season, and a return to feeling, once again, that Topsail is my home. Summer time is just too busy, everyone is trying to make a buck (including me) just to make it through the slow months. These last two months of the year are my favorite, filled with hope and anticipation -Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all the people and things that are important in our lives. We want, we want, we hope, we hope–I know the anticipation of seeing my loved ones and friends enjoying themselves fills me up–don’t need turkey for that or gifts. At this age the joy comes by watching the ones we love enjoy and build their own lives. In this changing world I often worry for those people. Even our little town has its drama. I love Topsail and want to see the best for her so I have strong feelings about the upcoming local elections. But soon this horrible political season will be over and maybe some fences will be mended. God bless the winners and guide them to do the right things. Still, I’m not so naïve to believe that politicians can ever change their strips–all the old adages, you know. My favorite is – don’t pet the snake. Oh well, guess it’s time for that refreshing walk on the beach.

QUOTE:  “In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’ All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.” George Orwell  (George Orwell was born in 1903–you see ugliness in politics is not new.)

WRITING NOTE: Just finished up a wonderful writing class at the college. Another will be starting in March. We have fun and learn a lot. Come and join us. Thank you.