Day 188 Final Posting at the Beach

I couldn't have fabricated a better ending.....About 6 pm I walked out into the surf in front of the beach house. The sand was smooth and the water warm up to my knees. Suddenly in front of me I saw something swish by. At first I thought it was just a piece of plastic flapping in the water, but it came up to the surface and I recognized the curving wing of a stingray. It was as if it had made a point to say goodbye to me. I tried to photograph it with my Ipod, but it was too quick and the waves too rough. Those in the know will understand that the middle school I have taught at for the past school year had the "stingray" as their mascot. Poetic.

Posting this morning's sunrise over the seawall on my way to my last day at work. Then, my last chance to photograph the completed "Abby Lane" Beatles recreation on the side of a building was captured on the way home today. Interesting...skeletons I suppose representing the musicians that have passed. The business is an "adult" one of some sort at the seawall and jack johnson blvd. No, I did not go inside. I liked the stop sign juxtaposed next to their business sign, however. Finally, I stopped at the miniature golf place on the seawall past 81st. I love the giant fish, pirate ship and shell. It's sculpture!!!! Picked up more empty boxes at Specs to fill for the Big Move tomorrow. Doug called from San Antonio and announced he made his first successful sale in the business he has had training for all week. Another good sign. Going out now to sit on the deck with the cat and watch the evening flight of the pelicans once more. Signing off from my six months blogging about this once in a lifetime experience. This dream has been real.

Day 187

Severe storm hit the island after midnight. Winds gusted up to 50 mph with lightening and 3 inches of rain. The sound was louder than the surf. Woke up and let el gato inside. She raced for cover. As I was leaving the beach, I noticed this catamaran that was washed or blown against the pilings from last night's storm. It was still here in the afternoon. Maybe the owner hasn't missed it. Today was the last day of school and the first day of the rest of my life. What an enormous relief to close this chapter. Will be sad to close the door to the life on the beach, however. The never ending flight of the sea birds and the soothing sound of the waves and the brilliance of the sun sparkling off the water will be remembered always.

Day 186

Jonathan Livingston Seagull has a friend! Okay, here's my story and I'm sticking to it. Left at my usual 6:20ish and snapped a photo of the beach house and my car and how I tie across the driveway so beach drivers don't tear up the drive. Snapped a pic of the glorious sunrise. As I drove down Pabst at the seawall road, I notice a seagull (JLS) flopping on the side of the hottop. (different hottop than the cat's). I digress. Anyway...being the art teacher that I am....I had a pair of scissors in the car and another teacher beach resident working at Hitchcock ISD had stopped also. Must be the helping teacher thing. I ran over and risked my life from the sharp beak of a mad JLS. Cut the fishing wire on one side and he went nuts running around. Chased him down (you should have videoed this one) and then cut the string around the other wing. He trotted off. I think his wings were a little damaged, yathink? As I arrived at the seawall and my normal turn on 61st heading toward 45 and Texas City, I snapped this photo of the TV camera truck parked along the seawall. Maybe they were waiting to capture the photo of the oil appearing on the beaches. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Or it could have just been the sunrise.

Day 185

Only 3 days left to live large island style. Love the red box at the convenience store because I had newly released Alice in Wonderland at 6:30 am for one dolla to show to the munchkins today. Now we're talking. Gathered boxes from Specs(another new store to the island) and resumed boxing. El Gato took liberties with the upheaval packing house and lounged on the stovetop. New meaning to cat on a hot tin roof....well cat on a hottop. Steppin outside on the deck to breathe in the breeze.

Day 184

Memorial Day was a great day for flags at the beach! Remembering our heroes was on everyone's mind. After a homemade pancake breakfast with company, I spent most of the day packing and running onto the deck to take photos of the sailboat regalia. People were enjoying the beach in every direction.

Day 183

It's a razzelberry sunday Fab day at the beach. The wind returned and all the little bitty neon green bugs that were hiding in the seaweed were blown out to sea. Catamans ruled the surf. Experienced the "Healthy Chinese Buffet" with our weekend company. All you could eat sushi was included for $9.95. HOme to enjoy the shaded deck with Kyla playing in the shade in her playpen. Wheeling and dealing with business ideas and later sitting on the beach and digging in the sand. Quick dip in the surf before sunset. Healthy salad and broiled redfish for supper. Topped the razzelberry cobbler with whipped creme. Did I say healthy twice today? Loved the beach life today.

Day 182

Kyla's visit started at 6 am when her daddy and doug hit the water with the kayaks in tow. They were loaded for bear with saltwater fishing gear and instructions to call the coastguard if a big shark bites and takes them out to sea. We stopped watching them when they were 500 yards out. They returned victorious with a 32 inch jack fish that Seth had hooked. The drama began with should I mount or go ahead and fillet? While they were pondering this, Amber and I, snagged the kayaks and paddled parallel to the shore a ways. The surf was calm and we looked like pros for at least one hour. We reclaimed the baby from the boys as they sped down the beach drive towards the wharf where the experts could identify and fillet for them. Good call. Later the girls shopped the STrand including a mechanical dolphin ride for 50 cents for Kyla. Late afternoon brought some lazying around on the beach and loitering in the surf sand. A tide pool kept Kyla happy as she attempted to stand on her own. We had red snapper and that famous jackfish with pasta for supper. Yum. Later, Doug won our regular friendly game of poker while Kyla was dreaming about her day.