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.

Day 180

The first day of Memorial Weekend is here! Traffic has picked up on the island and we are expecting family at any minute. Writing this on the deck after eating papaya, sliced apples and sharp cheddar cheese with pink lemonade. People are fishing in waist deep water and a lady just drove by on the beach in a camo 4 wheeler (no vehicles allowed on the beach, but she must be a little slow). Two guys came by with a beautiful dog. There is a catamaran tilted far out and a couple with large straw beach hats on are watching their little boy play on a boogie board in the surf. One of the 4 doctors that owns the beach house next door is in his easy chair reading. Doug has gone to the store to buy ingredients for homemade pizza. I'm making the salad.

Day 179

Lockdown at Texas City ISD due to a local robbery. Held for 65 minutes and after school. Went to Tortuga Restuarant for Mexican food to celebrate Doug's 63rd birthday. Had stuffed avocados and Doug had mango, coconut and shrimp tacos. They treated Doug to a chocolate cake. Tortugas had a very artsy painted turtle mailbox. Nice cool breeze as weather on the island was in the 80's and Houston went up to 94.