Nope, leaping 15 feet from what is left of the crossover is out of the question–sliding down the sand works ok, but getting back up is hell. Sneaking under the keep out sign works okay too. Anything for some cool looking driftwood and I gotta have my toes in the sand.
I will say that hurricanes are part of living at the beach. Sand in your bed is part of it. Sharks, stingrays, humidity, thunderstorms and so much more that isn’t sweet and nice, are part of what the ocean life has to offer. Love it or leave it cause you ain’t gonna change it.
QUOTE: ” If a hurricane doesn’t leave you dead it will make you strong, don’t try to explain it, just nod your head, breathe in, breathe out, move on.” Jimmy Buffett
WRITER’S TIP: God bless those of you who suffered damage.
Oh what a beautiful morning. But then every day at Topsail is beautiful. Was talking the other day with someone (a stranger) about how blessed we are to get to look at the ocean whenever we want–contemplate its vastness–and what lies beneath, and why. What a great conversation we had. I appreciate those little surprise gems. Like my father used to say “wonder what the rich people are doing today.” It surely does not take money to appreciate beauty. And it doesn’t take dough to make you appreciate yourself and how blessed you are to be able to behold beautiful things.
This new book SHARK’S BREATH, has a little in there about self appreciation–about beauty. Of course, it might be a little twisted, but nonetheless, everybody wants to feel important, appreciated, attractive in some way. In SHARK’S BREATH, a few beautiful people have been added to the mix, but we all know you can’t tell a book by its cover. What’s that Forest Gump used to say–“pretty is as pretty does.”
Steadily moving forward with this 5th book in the Topsail Island series.
QUOTE: “Beauty of expression is so akin to the voice of the sea.” George Matthew Adams
WRITING TIP: Open yourself up, let your imagination go free. You can always delete.
Memorial Day to Labor Day–the summer tourist season for Topsail Island. 2018–the last year the swing bridge will be in use. I will miss it, and the clackity clack I hear when coming into Surf City. (so many memories–so much life!) However, a part of me–the curious part–awaits the new cement snake. I have bets running with folks about whether or not this new bridge will actually help the traffic flow. I hope so, and I trust that the big dogs made the right decision about this change.
Ah change–Seems there is always something new happening. Just yesterday I found a new gray hair. I’m sure more are to follow. Embrace the change! Hmm–Climate change, change of life, pocket change, changing tides–so many changes.
(for real!–when was the last time I heard about hope and trust and change?)
QUOTE: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw.
Didn’t Aretha Franklin sing a song called “change, change, change.” OOPS! sorry that was “chain, chain, chain-chain of fools.”
I still don’t have a good camera, nonetheless, the other night I took the shot of the full moon over the ocean. Then I spent hours pouring over poems and quotes by famous people to try and explain the thoughts and feelings such a site evokes in me. Alas, I finally thought that I might come up with something of my own. Well, give me a few days and I just might. In the meantime I think the following will do just fine.
A DIVINE ROMANCE by Gordana Biernat
The sea makes love
to the moon at night,
silently inviting
its silvery light,
moving slowly, reaching the shore
reflecting the moon
once more.
For no other reason than love
the dark below
meets the light above,
forever entangled
in luminous dance,
the moon and the sea,
a divine romance
According to those who know, our little swing bridge will be gone by March 2019. And as I wrote last week, the times they are a changing so unless you have the $$ to buy this structure, and preserve it in some way, it will be gone. GONE! A few years back I called DOT and they assured me that the bridge was to be sold for scrap–so much for nostalgia and history. It is now useless POOP–throw it in the crapper. If you think about it, it makes sense–in Bizzarro world. Remember that world? I first read about it in Superman Comic books. It was a world where everything was bass ackwards. For instance–the law states that there will be no building on wetlands– (unless you have enough money and/or kiss the right ass). All the canal streets are wetlands. The corner of 50 and 210 were once wetlands. tsk, tsk. Surf City is supposed to be a family beach, but there are no lifeguards. When I’ve asked the city council about this I’ve been told there is not enough money–yet I see manicured curbs. I’m pretty sure manicured curbs cost money year round. Lifeguards would only be needed 3 months out of the year (go figure). But the one that really gets me the most is the one about building ON the island. I believe our fair state does employ scientists and I’m pretty sure they went to college–so–they should know how nature works, how sand bars shift and change. TOPSAIL ISLAND IS NOT AN ISLAND IT IS A SANDBAR! Surely they have to know this!!!!!!!!!. (sometimes there aren’t enough exclamation marks) So–why does the state allow people to sell land that is going to shift and change? Something is stinky somewhere. Alas, there is no monopoly on stupid and no monopoly on greed. It’s everywhere and there is always an excuse or explanation–some sort of justification.
I’m pretty sure all this venting will dissipate as March 2018 nears–it’s my way of transitioning–accepting the inevitable–or maybe I just like to bitch.
I’m pretty sure this photo is from the 1960s–not sure which fishing pier though. Of course, back then I think it was $3 to fish all day long on the piers and one didn’t need a fishing license to surf fish, but the times they are a changing–have changed and will continue to do so.
Change is good? Not so sure about that. One thing for sure, change means different and unless you want to continually live in the past you better get used to it. Choose your time, your music, your literature genre, and friends to accommodate your state of mind.
All this, the above, about change–is brought on by that damn cement snake we have stretching across the ICW. The one I see every day and every day I become a little more used to it–thinking of how I need to let go of our little swing bridge–let go of the past and accept, for better or worse, what will most certainly be part of our future. And as I ready myself to let go, I hold on to the prize–the time that was golden and true (at least for me). I guess that is why I write books–to hold on to what I love, who I love and a time that I love.
QUOTE: “All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.” Havelock Ellis
WRITING TIP: without being maudlin, be.
The ocean’s been sort of rough the last couple of weeks. I think it’s the most beautiful then–might not be the safest time to go swimming, rip tides and such, but sometimes it’s just a joy to watch those ever changing waves.
I’ve introduced a new character to the new book I’m working on, SHARKSBREATH–his name is August Temple. (love the name) and he a “rough” sort of character, a conflicted, unpredictable person. But these are the people I find most fun, and most interesting to write–the conflicted. Most of us have had to struggle with what is right and what is wrong–what is good and what is bad. After all, we are all human. (I have my doubts about some) Still, experience has taught me that people who always know what is right and what is always good, are either hypocrites or liars (maybe a little naive) Like the ocean, all of us have a rougher side, even though we may try to keep it hidden.
QUOTE: “Writers must be fair and remember even bad guys (most of them anyway) see themselves as good-they are the heroes of their own lives. Giving them a fair chance as characters can create some interesting shades of gray–and shades of gray are also a part of life.” Stephen King
WRITING TIP: when writing a character, think of yourself. Certainly you have doubts, certainly you weigh the odds. It doesn’t matter why you do these things (there are a thousand reasons). To appear real, your character must be human.
WHEN WILL IT STOP!!!! How many days has it been since we saw a completely sunshiny day? I’m getting cabin fever. Oh no! Must not give in to the crazies! Now, now, Carol–remember, rainy days are good writing weather. Nice dreary weather makes for a good thriller, right? But days like this are also good for watching old Bugs Bunny cartoons. I particularly like the one with Elmer Fudd and Bugs– the take on Richard Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries–(kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit) so funny! Come to think of it I learned to appreciate classical music by watching Bugs Bunny. But I digress–ah, this dreary. woe-some weather–lovely weather for ducks–and then there’s Daffy–what a hoot! Duck season, Rabbit season–duck season, rabbit season. Oh man, it’s all so funny. Hmm, Should I write or should I watch Looney Tunes?
QUOTES: “I don’t know why, but rain comes into my head the minute I think of my childhood.” Dhanush
WRITING TIP: Never take yourself too seriously.
Yes, the traffic has been horrible, and it’s been rainy and windy, but it beats a day anywhere else. This is the most excellent place to be–just a glimpse of the ocean and my heart warms. stuff on the tv becomes even less relevant. Geez, there are some crazy people in this world! But here at the beach it is a different world. Thank you God!
Moving right along with Shark’s Breath–new book. I won’t predict when it will be finished, though. Hope everyone is having a glorious summer–that your health is well, your family safe, and other good things happening for you.
QUOTE: “The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates and weeps , It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can’t.” Christopher Paolini
WRITING TIP: Not sure if I agree one hundred percent with Mr. Paolini–I think writers attempt to define that which the ocean evokes–even though it may take a whole book.
There is talk about another book–been vacillating between two different titles and two different book covers (usually, for me, the title and cover come first). Alas, I have made a decision and have begun a new Topsail Island Mystery. Taking a chance this time, starting out a little differently. Hmm–taking chances—This one should be out in the spring, if not before–keep checking out this blog for further info.
QUOTE: “Most believers aren’t in imminent danger of ruining their lives. They’re facing a danger that’s far greater: wasting them.” D.H. Lawrence
WRITING TIP: Holding back when you are writing is a sin–remember, those rough edges can always be smoothed in subsequent drafts.
